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TVs have gotten to be a pretty large size, but you still can’t really call them a home cinema experience. If you really want the big screen in your home, it’s time to look as home theater projectors, in particular, those from Epson.
We are going to look at two of the Epson home theater projectors, the Epson 3500 vs 3020. Once we have finished comparing all of their specifications, we will add a side by side chart so you can see exactly what sets them apart. Then we will include some pros and cons before we decide which is the better buying option.
Let’s begin with what the Epson 3500 and the Epson 3020 have in common.
Epson 3500 vs 3020 – Similarities
Quick Glance
Let’s recap on these specifics.
2D and 3D viewing
Now that you can experience 3D cinema at home, there is very little need to go to a movie theatre again. You will receive two sets of rechargeable 3D glasses. On top of this, both the Epson 3500 and the Epson 3020 have a maximum screen size of 300 inches.
Keystone Correction
The Epson 3500 and the Epson 3020 both come with keystone correction. This means that the image will automatically be adjusted to a rectangle when the background is not perpendicular to the projector.
Connectivity
The rear of the Epson 3500 and the Epson 3020 have various outputs to connect different devices. You will be able to connect HDMI 1, HDMI 2, composite video, a computer with the D-Sub 15 pin, and a USB A. You can also connect to both of these Epson home theatre projectors wirelessly.
Remote Control
Nobody wants to have to stand up and pause the film or adjust the volume. You will receive a remote control with the Epson 3500 and the Epson 3020.
Speakers
The 2 10-watt speakers built into the Epson 3500 and the Epson 3020 will ensure you can hear every sound of the movie or series you are watching.
Warranty
The Epson 3500 and the Epson 3020 come with a two-year limited warranty.
There are still a few differences to cover regarding the Epson 3500 and the Epson 3020, so we will move on to those now.
Differences Between Epson 3500 and Epson 3020
Appearance
Both of the projectors are white with the controls on the top. The curved design is similar, but the overall dimensions differ.
Epson 3500
This projector is a little smaller at 16.1 x 12.6 x 6.4 inches. It weighs 9.5 pounds.
Epson 3020
Overall, it measures 16.6 x 14.4 x 5.5 inches and weighs 13.3 pounds.
The Winner Is- The Epson 3500
Read next – Epson 5030ub vs 5040ub: Which Home Cimena Projector is Better?
Lumens
The lumens of a projector indicate how bright the light shines. The brighter the lumens, the less you will have to depend on the light in the room, or even outside area. Also, projectors with higher lumens can be placed further away from the screen.
Epson 3500
Both the color and the white lumens are 2,500.
Epson 3020
At a little less, the color and white lumens are 2,300.
The Winner Is- The Epson 3500
Read next – Epson 3500 vs 5030ub: Which Home Cinema Projector is Better?
The Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio tells us just how much difference there is between black and white. Imagine a classroom projector with a contrast ratio of 3,000:1, the white would be seen 3,000 times brighter than the black.
Epson 3500
The contrast ratio is outstanding at 70,000:1
Epson 3020
Though not as high as the Epson 3500, the contrast ratio is still very impressive at 40,000:1.
The Winner Is- The Epson 3500
Read next – Epson 730HD vs 740HD: Which Home Cinema Projector is Better?
Lens Shift
While you can zoom in and out with both, one projector allows you to do even more.
Epson 3500
You can shift the lens both horizontally and vertically so that you can manually adjust the size of the image to fit your screen.
Epson 3020
Sadly, you will only have the keystone correction option.
The Winner Is- The Epson 3500
Lamp Life
Normally, you can expect a projector lamp to last for between 1,500 and 2,000 hours.
Epson 3500
If you choose to run the projector on Eco Mode, the lamp can last for up to 5,000 hours. On Normal Mode, it will still last for up to 3,500 hours.
Epson 3020
While the Eco Mode is the same at up to 5,000 hours, the Normal Mode can last for up to 4,000 hours.
The Winner Is- The Epson 3020
Pros and Cons
Finally, we have some pros and cons of the Epson 3500 and the Epson 3020.
Epson 3500
Pros:
- The picture quality is superb
- The lens shift is a huge advantage
- It’s quite and not a lot of heat comes off it
Cons:
- It would be nice to see better black levels
Epson 3020
Pros:
- The black levels are good
- Great choice for gaming
- There are some good offers which makes it better value for money
Cons:
- When using keystone correction, you reduce the quality of the picture a lot.
Video Comparison
Epson 3500
Epson 3020
The Final Verdict
It is great when there is a clear winner, but we must say, both the Epson 3500 and the Epson 3020 are amazing home theatre projectors with both wireless connectivity and 3D capabilities.
Nevertheless, the Epson 3500 is a few features that make it the better buying option. With the higher lumens and contrast ration, you will probably notice a difference in the picture quality if you had the two projectors next to each other. The main reason it has the advantage is because of the horizontal and vertical lens shift. This means you don’t have to rely on the keystone correction which reduces the quality of the image.
Last update on 2021-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API