Epson PowerLite 675W Ultra Short Throw Classroom Projector Review – Summary

Epson PowerLite 675W Ultra Short Throw Classroom Projector Review – Summary: Summary, Pros, Cons

The Epson PowerLite 675W is an ultra short throw, WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution projector claiming 3,200 lumens, though it measured well over claim at 4,726 lumens in its brightest mode, Dynamic, and hovering around its claim in other modes. This $1,190 projector has 3LCD technology, which means it has as many color lumens as it does white ones, giving the picture more pop and wow. You can consider the PowerLite 675W to be an HD projector, as WXGA is the business and education worlds’ 720p.

The 675W has a good lamp life of 5,000 hours at full power, 10,000 in ECO. For lamp based projectors, 4,000 to 8,000 hours is typical these days. The lamp should last around 5-7 years depending on usage, when being run at full power. ECO will get you several more years, if not double. Remember – lamp based projectors tend to start losing brightness within the first few years, so if the projector is expected to have heavy usage, you’ll be changing out the lamp sooner. No need to fret, however, as Epson’s lamps are some of the most affordable on the market.

Speaking of affordable, Epson’s Brighter Futures program provides discounts to educators on this projector and dozens of others. This drops the price of the PowerLite 675W from $1,190 to $940. That’s a real savings, especially when a school district is buying multiple projectors for classrooms. The projector also has an excellent warranty – 2 years parts and labor with 90 days on the lamp, with the option to purchase additional warranty coverage such as Whole Unit Exchange both at the time of purchase and any time during the 2 years, though that costs a bit more.

The Epson PowerLite 675W has wireless capabilities via the optional Wireless Module, available through Epson for $99. Using this and their Moderator Software, up to four devices can be connected to the 675W at a time. Its Mac compatibility makes this projector a good value, as some projectors do not support Mac – why is beyond me. This wireless function is compatible with iOS, Android, Chromebooks (highly popular in classrooms these days), PCs, and, of course, Macs. Wireless allows for the quick switching of presenters, saving the teacher (or chief presenter, in the case of business applications), time and energy.

Three HDMI inputs! This is awesome. That means, when you get the Wireless Module, you’ll still have two HDMI inputs available for other devices. The inputs and connectors panel is located on the side of the projector and has a cable cover for a more attractive appearance. The PowerLite 675W has: a Mic In, an Audio Out, Audio In and Composite Video ports, a USB Type-A input, VGA Computer In and Monitor Out ports, a RS232, Audio 1 and Audio 2 ports, a USB-B, LAN, and those three HDMI ports, one with MHL. Its 16-watt speaker is loud enough for large classrooms and conference rooms.

Entry level color, though still better than some competing entry level projectors I’ve seen. Cinema mode (2,709 lumens) is its best mode, closely followed by sRGB (2,507) , then Presentation (3,687). Blackboard mode (2,146 lumens) is only suitable for being use on – you guessed it – blackboards, while Dynamic (4,726) is your “break glass in case of emergency” mode, to be used only in situations requiring maximum brightness. All modes are bright enough to combat ambient light, though I would recommend Presentation for situations with uncontrollable ambient light for best results.

Overall, I would say that the Epson PowerLite 675W is a really good value for business and education applications that require ultra short throw projection with vivid color and a bright image, for a great price. I haven’t reviewed any projectors for this year’s Classroom Projector Report that are real competition to the PowerLite 675W – the closest one is a couple hundred dollars more. That’s the ViewSonic PS750W, a WXGA interactive projector for $1,499. It measured similarly in lumens, performs a bit better in terms of color, and also has education pricing.

Now, it’s not really fair to compare an non-interactive projector, so I’m not going to. It’s not even in the same class of projector within our report, so its mention here is merely to offer a potential alternative to schools that they may not have been aware of. Interactive projectors are fantastic for creating lessons that reach all learning styles, and are becoming increasingly popular for education. Epson does manufacture some really stellar interactive projectors (top of the line, and my favorites of all time, the BrightLink 696Ui and 710Ui), but those are around three times the price of the PowerLite 675W.

We wish to thank Epson America for sponsoring this year’s Best Classroom Projectors Report. 

• Could have better color – it is good, but entry level
• Remote control is not backlit – could be difficult for teachers to see in a darkened classroom, but this is typical of business/education projectors
• Kind of basic – not that many features