Epson - Home Cinema 3800
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Last updated: Dec 23, 2025 Scoring
They're both great projectors in their respective classes. The 3800 is 4k, has much better contrast and input lag, lens shift, 3D, and is quieter in Eco (both of these are so bright, you probably won't ever have to leave Eco). It's also a chonker compared to the 1060 at around 15 pounds and physically around twice the size. Re: curtains, I would just bite the bullet and get blackouts. Deconova makes some very affordable ones.
r/projectors • Epson Home Theater 1060 vs 3800 - worth paying double for the 3800? ->I have an epson 3800 on a 110" screen. Not a huge gamer but I have put in a few hundred hours on red dead 2 and it's awesome. Very immersive and no lag
r/projectors • Ditching my tv for a 120'' projector ->Epson 2040 and 3800 and no noticeable lag. 110" screen with 7.1 speaker set up. RDR2 in particular was absolutely mind blowing. Hearing things all around and really feeling like you're in the game... incredible
r/projectors • Gaming on a projector. Pros & cons? ->Too many units have this corner fuzzy errors on Epson 3800. Thats why was a no no for me and buyed the Hisense c2 that I fell on love since the first time I turn on and watched the Witcher 4 trailer on it.
r/projectors • Looking for new home theatre setup ->Personally, Epson 3800. I just bought mine used off of eBay, no bulb, no remote, 500$. Bought a bulb and remote for 125$ all together and it's been absolutely incredible for what is just about the same size and throw distance your looking at currently. I have about a 16-14 foot throw distance 120" screen with it not yet mounted and it's decent even with the multiple windows worth of light coming in, and at night it is stunning. Note that this is not only during the day, but the morning, and there are 2 more windows behind this image that add additional room light.
r/projectors • Epson 3800 or BenQ TK860i ->I got a new 3800 for 1350€ recently, very happy with it.
r/projectors • Looking for a projector under $1500. Max budget $2000 ->RBE hater here represented - I actually tried out a TK700Sti after reading all the good stuff about it. Turns out, I see RBE literally almost every second, and hated it. Returned it, and now have an Epson TW7100 (or 3800 for US) and love it. Tiny bit softer picture, but other than that it's perfect for my needs.
r/projectors • Hi there I have around 2000$. Can you guys help me pick one ->imo definitely epson 3800
r/projectors • Epson 3800 or BenQ TK860i ->No projector works outside during the day, and dusk is even questionable. But, the Epson 3800 is the model without any RBE that I would get. It will work great indoors as well which is a big plus. Pair it with a Amazon Fire TV Stick and a Bluetooth speaker and it'll be a nice outdoor setup.
r/projectors • Outdoor Projector w/ high lumens, bluetooth, wifi, no RBE for near or below $1500? ->I think the Epson is a better model overall with better contrast and much more placement flexibility. The BenQ has faster pixel response time for gaming, and a solid state light engine which is a big plus at this time. If you have access to replacement lamps in the future, then the Epson is an easy favorite in my opinion.
r/projectors • Epson 3800 vs BenQ Gp520 ->If this is a permanent installation, look at home theater projectors, or lifestyle models designed to be easily ceiling mounted. A proper 5.1 audio installation with an AV receiver is a must, especially in a dedicated space with a home you actually own. Run wiring in the walls before you paint, and you will have a life long proper surround system. Avoid equipment at the front of the room if possible. Run HDMI to the projector and make it so you can swap out that HDMI cable. Wireless/screen mirroring is generally quite a lousy way to do anything. Use a wired device like an Apple TV or a Chromecast. If you're just streaming, consider a Roku or similar. The lifestyle models, as seen in the video, and as recommended with the X1 are decent solutions for sure, but are trickier to ceiling mount if they don't have a 3-point or 4-point mounting structure as is common with traditional projectors. Plus, they rarely have zoom and lens shift is almost unheard of. These are more common features on traditional projectors. But, the Hisense C2 Pro is a model with good zoom but terrible mounting. The Nexigo Trivision Ultra is well reviewed and has 4-point mounting which is nice for a ceiling setup. No zoom, no lens shift, so positioning must be very accurate for best results, as is common. Super easy to setup are models like the Epson 3800, but they are lamp-based and pretty much past their prime. A shame we haven't seen a laser version of those models yet. The BenQ X500i or X3100i are considerations as is the TK710 (or TK710STi) which are decent traditional models. High end starts around $5000 with Epson, Sony, and JVC models, all worthy in a good theater. Not sure what you're really hoping to spend here. A fixed frame screen from Silver Ticket is a excellent way to go.
r/projectors • Please help me choose a projector ->Epson and BenQ are proven to be reliable and have good service centers and honor their warranties. Valerion is too new to know how well they will respond and how reliable they are. But, that isn't a bad thing. Just a question mark at this point. Other companies are out there like Acer and Viewsonic as well. Some have traditional lamps, like on the Epson 3800/TW-7100 which are easy to replace, but must be replaced every few thousand hours of use. Laser and LED lamp sources are not user replaceable, but last for 20,000+ hours (rated) which is typically many, many years. Daytime viewing is a physics problem. A 500 lumen projector will not fare as well as a 3,000 lumen projector, but true daylight coming into a room will wash them both out and leave you a mess of an image. That's the physics of it all. After dark, it's a non issue and a 500-1000 lumen projector can look quite good on a 110" diagonal screen. But, screen size, throw distance, lens offset, mounting position will all matter. Oh, and you will need to handle audio separately.
r/projectors • Best projector under $2000! ->The biggest issue with the TW7100/3800 model is that it is still lamp based. Otherwise, this is a really well reviewed home theater projector with a lot of zoom range and good lens shift. In low power mode it is nearly silent and will have tons of light output for such a small screen size. The screen size is tiny and you really should be getting a TV. I would be remiss if I didn't just say that this is, by far, the better option at that size. Still, the projector is a really solid choice. Not sure if the 2350 is available to you, but that model would also work from that distance, but it is a downgrade to the 3800 in most regards.
r/projectors • Alternative to Epson EH-TW7100 ->I just bought a 3800 am I supposed to return that for one of these? What makes these so much better in a fixed position?
r/projectors • Best projector under 1,500$ - The Hook Up comparison ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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yep - **Epson** **EH-TW8400 4K PRO-UHD Home Theatre** **Projector** \- be keen to know if anyone else has this projector what HDR settings they are using for it
r/switch2 • Anyone playing Switch 2 on a projector? ->I have an epson 3800 on a 110" screen. Not a huge gamer but I have put in a few hundred hours on red dead 2 and it's awesome. Very immersive and no lag
r/projectors • View on Reddit →I think the BenQ TK710 (not the older 700 series) is probably your best choice. The Epson 3800 might be an OK alternative but you give up a lot: namely a solid state lamp/laser, true 4K resolution, support for higher frame rates and DLP's absolutely fantastic motion handling (which is mind blowing at 120/240Hz). The BenQ X3100i comes highly recommended. I reviewed the prior X3000i a few years back. It's a great projector and the only one of these three that will give you some extra color gamut support for HDR. I really like the 4LED light engine for its vibrant colors. However it IS a bit pricier and I'm afraid the contrast isn't nearly as good as the two above. Fine for big screen gaming but maybe a bit less satisfying while watching movies. Another dark horse contender would be the BenQ X500i. This is actually my favorite projector BenQ offers right now besides the HT4550i. It has excellent color and superb contrast- but it's short throw only and the light output is borderline for a 120" display in a non-dedicated room.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →I have a 3800 but if the budget is $2k you can get a 5050ub for just a little more at $2300
r/projectors • View on Reddit →I also went from a 3800 to a ls12000. Ultimately, returned the 12000 and went back to the 3800. The 12000 definitely had a sharper picture , but both my wife and I missed the extra lumens the 3800 gave us on our 150" 16x9 1.1 gain screen. I was shocked I could not get the 12000 bright enough even in dynamic mode 100%. The ls 12000 actually gave us headaches because it wasn't bright enough. May upgrade screen to 1.4 gain and go 165" and maybe try the 12000 again. Still very satisfied with the 3800. Also, enjoying the extra $5K in my account. Definitely a quality improvement I am guessing on any screen 120" or smaller. Can't see where the quality improvement comes even close to justifying the price difference The optoma 4400 pro looks interesting. Dual laser, 5000 lumens, and dolby vision capable- no in depth hands on reviews yet
r/projectors • View on Reddit →\+1 for the Epson HC3800 (= EH-TW7100 here in Europe). Brightness is fine, noise is acceptable and for me the two most important factors are: large lens-shift range (I can shelf-mount the projector close to the top of the screen's height) and the 3LCD technology is completely free of the rainbow effect (as it turned out, I'm super sensitive to RBE: I got a headache after watching a show on the Hisense C1...) I bought and returned 3 other projectors this Christmas until I settled with this (BenQ W1800i: too noisy, Hisense C1: unbearable RBE, Epson HC3700: contrast was not enough for me - the 3800 is just slightly better but it's now in the acceptable range). https://preview.redd.it/d7e7z1jll1re1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b3e5b5b141b0481ce25d12c38a9b34b708259b5b
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Not everyone is sensitive to it. I would see it often watching darker movies like horror, not something like Rick and Morty. A dark scene with a flash of white anywhere on the screen and I could see a rainbow inside the white briefly due to the spinning color wheel inside the projector. I had no idea what was happening when I first noticed it. After I looked it up and realized what I was seeing, I would be distracted with anything I watched looking out for it. I had to exchange it for an Epson 3800.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Be careful with the Epson 3800. Lots of people have to return for bad focus uniformity and dust blobs. But I'm sure you'll love it if it's a good unit. For $2500 though I would have bought a refurbished 5050UB or Valerion Pro 2. I went with an 85 inch TV only because of our ambient light situation but for you a PJ is the best move. See how it is but honestly I would return it for the 5050UB or the Valerion.
r/hometheater • View on Reddit →I just upgraded to an Epson 3800 and have been very happy with it. Though I was running a 1080p BenQ business projector previously. Make sure you check the throw calculator on any projector that you're considering to make sure it will work in your room: [https://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm](https://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm)
r/projectors • View on Reddit →This. I got a factory refurbished Epson 3800 for $1200
r/projectors • View on Reddit →I have a factory refurbished Epson 3800- got it on the Epson website for $1200, and it has been absolutely fantastic.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Found an epson 3800 open box for $220 off which seemed like a pretty good deal. So, unless there's another contender that comes in well below the 3800's price tag (about $1300 after discount), I'll probably pick that one up. Unless there's any other models to consider that have very minor RBE and enough of a discount from there!
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Too many units have this corner fuzzy errors on Epson 3800. Thats why was a no no for me and buyed the Hisense c2 that I fell on love since the first time I turn on and watched the Witcher 4 trailer on it.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →"step up my projector game a bit" What do you have at present and what do you dislike about it? People can recommend their pet favorites all day long, but (FOR EXAMPLE) if they are valuing automatic keystone adjustment and what you need is more lumens because of your screen size, their recommendations are not worth much for you. I'm still a fan of the Epson 3800. Yes, it's a lamp based projector and yes it is technically 1080p. But it is very bright, can accept UHD input IIRC, has no rainbow artifacts like so many DLP projectors, new lamps cost about $100 each, and it can be found for under $1k on the second hand market in the US. But if you require 1-1 pixels and automated keystone correction and a shorter throw, then all those advantages of the 3800 don't mean anything to you ;) \--- TLDR of the two you mention, I would choose the Epson. It is significantly brighter, and has no laser speckle or rainbow artifact issues. Maybe it supports high frame rate gaming too? Hard to tell from the spec sheet whether it actually shows the high frame rate or just accepts it as an input. The Epson has optical lens shift and zoom which is much preferable to digital correction like on the Xgimi. Reasons not to: the Xgimi has a solid state light source, which means you save money on lamps over time. And the Xgimi can wobble its 1080 panel to display 4k pixels, which the Epson does not. (Personally, this wouldn't matter to me, but if your primary use is gaming and computer graphics, you might care.) Unkonwn factor: I would find relatively PROFESSIONAL reviews (not from owners and not from vendors selling the projector) comparing their relative ability to handle HDR content. The Xgimi has Dolby Vision certification but it may not actually look better in real world use.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Not true "all DLP projectors have it" Seen any IMAX or Dolby movies lately? No RBE there. They use DLP. Rainbow effect is caused by single chip DLP (one chip for all colors) and the use of a Color wheel to split the light into RGB, or in Valarion's case an RGB laser that modulates between the 3 primary colors. The color wheel is the worst, and RGB laser light tends to be better, but still shows up in very dark scenes with super bright highlights, during fast motion. Now not all Epson projectors have no RBE, but what are you looking for if you don't want that is 3 Chip products. The home cinema Epson uses 3LCD panels. JVC projectors use D-Ila panels (again 3, 1 dedicated to each color) All theater projectors and high end home models will use DLP chips but have 3, 1 for each color and do not have any issues with RBE. DLP isn't the problem. That being said, I own an Epson 3800, BenQ tk850, Optima HD27, JVC-Nz700, and the Valiaron Pro2 and MAX (not yet released) I currently have been using the Pro2 for everything and absolutely love it. Yes it's worth it and best in its class.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →LOL this room is almost identical to the room I set up my theater in, even has the air duct on the left. I bought a factory-refurbished Epson 3800 from [Epson.com](http://Epson.com) and ceiling-mounted it, it has been FANTASTIC. I have a 120" 1.1 screen and am using a Samsung 990D soundbar/surround while I piece together a 7.1.2 system. My setup: [https://www.reddit.com/r/projectors/comments/1iyeeeg/comment/mew2c0f/?context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/projectors/comments/1iyeeeg/comment/mew2c0f/?context=3) Some quick observations based on setting up basically the identical room. (Mine is 14 feet by 22 feet) \- Is the room 100% light controlled? \- I think you could easily do a 120" or maybe even a 125" screen. \-You will 100% want sound deadening on those walls. \- If you have the option, a carpeted raised back row would be awesome. My handyman built the entire raised section in one day for $700 including materials. Good luck with whatever you pick!
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Mine had 2700 hours and no problems. I think is all about luck
r/projectors • View on Reddit →The 3800 is definitely a decent and capable projector. I was getting a little tired of the soft focus and wanted better contrast, especially in HDR content, though.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Refurbished Epson 3800, love it. Could maybe find used for \~$1000
r/projectors • View on Reddit →If I were doing this as you plan to I would personally get a Epson 3800 or Benq tk710 (tho I haven't spent a lot of time w the valerian or nicer nebulas yet) with an Apple TV which you could airport audio to a pair of Apple speakers
r/projectors • View on Reddit →They're both great projectors in their respective classes. The 3800 is 4k, has much better contrast and input lag, lens shift, 3D, and is quieter in Eco (both of these are so bright, you probably won't ever have to leave Eco). It's also a chonker compared to the 1060 at around 15 pounds and physically around twice the size. Re: curtains, I would just bite the bullet and get blackouts. Deconova makes some very affordable ones.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →If you're cool with pixel-shifting, seems like a reasonable option. [This guy](https://www.reddit.com/r/projectors/comments/za63m0/epson_home_cinema_2350_vs_3800/iyumrb5/) compares it to the 3800 I have, which I too would recommend.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Hey man, Great question! Looking for budget projectors can definitely be tricky. The BenQ models you're looking at are honestly some of your best options. But if your looking for alternatives, the Epson 3800 is a really solid backup. The Epson is bright (capable of projecting vastly larger screens) has great contrast, no laser speckle, no low input lag, and even includes horizontal & vertical lens shift. In the world of simulators, investing in either one of these quality projectors can transform your experience, the choice is in your hands!
r/budgetprojectors • View on Reddit →yep - **Epson** **EH-TW8400 4K PRO-UHD Home Theatre** **Projector** \- be keen to know if anyone else has this projector what HDR settings they are using for it
r/switch2 • View on Reddit →My 3800 is a light cannon! I get complaints from my niece and nephews about the picture being too bright. The 3800 definitely gets a few gold stars from me for value and performance. Not perfection but does the job well enough to make one think they're at the Movies.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →lol I just saw including screen and mount, so maybe not. But I'm close to pulling the trigger on upgrading to the 5050ub after dealing with 3800 black levels and focus uniformity issues.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Yep on a high end Epson 4K HDR LCD projector at 120 inches Looks so damn good.
r/switch2 • View on Reddit →Get a fixed frame screen from Elite and pair it with an Epson 3800. That will leave you a goodly amount for sound. Other folks can recommend what to do audio-wise.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Epson 3800 will be a good fit. They are showing up for 1200 US and will work with your throw distance.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Epson 2040 and 3800 and no noticeable lag. 110" screen with 7.1 speaker set up. RDR2 in particular was absolutely mind blowing. Hearing things all around and really feeling like you're in the game... incredible
r/projectors • View on Reddit →I think those two are the best middle of the road projectors out right now. The Benq 3100 is also really good but at a cost. I've heard solid things about the Hisense and the valerian but no personal experience. Bluetooth may work or may have a lag. Can't know without testing the combination. AirPlay will not have a lag. But yes there's lots of ways to get that part to work. I always run wires so haven't tried many of the wireless solutions but I do hear of lots of issues with Bluetooth sync
r/projectors • View on Reddit →I don't have room for 4ft behind my screen in the room. Could potentially install audio in the wall however. What screen do you have? How is it "attached" (excuse my ignorance)? I actually literally bought an Epson 3800 tonight. I have no idea what I'm doing on the audio side so that will be fun...
r/hometheater • View on Reddit →For no RBE, you are looking at Epson/Sony/JVC as the only companies that use 3 chip light engines and don't use color wheels on their projectors. Out of those, Epson makes the most readily available models that will be bright enough and in your desired price range. I would say the Epson 3800 is probably exactly what you should be looking at.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →I am not a picture quality snob and that is exactly what I did! Got a Epson 3800 at a good price
r/hometheater • View on Reddit →I just bought a 3800 am I supposed to return that for one of these? What makes these so much better in a fixed position?
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Based on the size of the room (15' long, ~11' wide), I have decided a ~85" TV is going to be a better option than a projector that can fill the "screen" (wall painted white currently, 126" diagonal. I will be using for, in order of priority, sports, movies/tv, video games. I am ok with subobtimal video games and/or playing elsewhere if it gets me what else I want. I don't think I'm a picture quality snob but willing to pay up a bit for something that will wow. I don't think I need brightness particularly because the room has no windows and will be painted black everywhere. What TVs would you be looking for? My little research has pointed to Sony for sports but that they aren't great for gaming. Happy to answer any questions I didn't cover.
r/hometheater • View on Reddit →I bought an Epson-refurbished 3800 from their website for $1100, and have been blown away by how good it is. It's a lot bigger than I expected and mounting it was interesting, but the image quality and options are amazing. I wish it had eARC support and motorized zoom/focus/keystone, but otherwise I can't see beating it for the price. This is in a dedicated home theater in a light-controlled room. https://preview.redd.it/fl7sdlfclime1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=c24f298bc88b49ea7a5041f6ae530180ebc0a17c
r/projectors • View on Reddit →For your application, I would recommend an ALR screen so that you have a better picture contrast under different lighting conditions. Get a motorised retractable screen so that the screen is not down when not in use. That will protect it from accidental damage. Look at the Elite CineGrey, a motorized 106" is just under $1300 US on Amazon. Don't use a short throw projector set up. Short-throw setups usually assume the projector is sitting on a console under and in front of the screen. Get a standard throw Epson like the UB5050 or a 3800 if you'd like something even more budget friendly. Ceiling mount the projector overhead so that the projector is also protected from damage.
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Hello! Apologies if I'm telling you things you already know, but here's a few thoughts if you're serious about making this space into a home theater: * You will need to treat this room for audio or the sound will be amazingly echo-y and sound terrible. Get some carpets for the floor and sound paneling or blankets etc for the walls. This can be done pretty cheaply. Happy to provide links if needed. * Spend some money on a decent sound system too, at least a 5.1 with a receiver. Can be done for $1000-1500 if you shop around. * You will also want to paint the walls and ceiling a dark color, as dark as you can find. * Your walls look large enough to accommodate maybe a 120-inch screen (maybe a little larger?) * A certified used Epson 3800 would be a great choice, but there are a few projectors in your price range. * Do you have a few more photos of the room you can provide to help give an idea of possible layouts?
r/projectors • View on Reddit →Yeah I just got an epson 3800 it fucking rules!
r/projectors • View on Reddit →