If you’re an OLED enthusiast like me—someone who values deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant image quality—you’ve probably never seriously considered owning a projector. Why bother, right? Projectors can’t match the deep blacks of an OLED, and usually require super-dark rooms. But when I got the Epson CO-FH01 for review, I decided to see if it could change my perspective. Spoiler alert: It actually did.
Epson has been pioneering projector technology since the 1980s, and is one of the top brands in global market share—with a strong track record in reliability and performance, making it a trusted name in the projector world.
I’ve played around with projectors before, including a few ultra-portable pico models. While they were fun for a quick show or novelty presentations, I often found their image quality, brightness, and clarity lacking. The CO-FH01, on the other hand, is the first small-form-factor Epson projector I’ve personally tried, and it proves that going compact doesn’t mean compromising on picture quality.
Design & Portability
Pulling the CO-FH01 out of the box, I was pleased by its clean, minimalistic design. It’s not palm-sized like a pico projector, but it’s still light enough (around 2.4 kg) to carry around in a backpack or luggage. During my time with it, I found it extremely convenient to set up in different rooms. Whether it’s the living room for family movie night or the bedroom for a more private viewing, it only takes a power socket and an HDMI cable to get going (I used it with my laptop or a TV stick/dongle).
I also managed to try gaming on this projector, both via my laptop and a PS5 console. For casual games—like platformers, adventure RPGs, and racing titles —it’s totally fine. The input lag wasn’t enough to bother me, and the large projected screen felt incredibly immersive. Admittedly, if you’re a hardcore esports player gunning for pro-level performance, you might still prefer a low-latency gaming monitor. But for laid-back sessions, it’s a blast. In my case, I even stretched the projection to around 180 inches in my bedroom, and it was an absolute thrill to play on such a massive display right before bed.
At up to 3,000 lumens of brightness, you can get a bright, punchy image without having to turn the room into a cave. Naturally, darker environments enhance contrast and colour saturation—but I was impressed at how well it coped with moderate ambient light.
Big Screen Anywhere (Even Camping!)
These days, with camping getting more and more popular, who would’ve thought you could bring a projector and host your own outdoor cinema for family and friends? With many EV cars now featuring Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities—letting you power devices straight from the car battery—and plenty of campsites offering plug points, it’s easier than ever to bring the Epson CO-FH01 outdoors. If you’re feeling fancy, you can pick up a portable projector screen for under RM200 to elevate your setup. Alternatively, if you’d rather keep it simple, just tie a string between two points and hang a white sheet or cloth—it works surprisingly well for casual movie nights or even football matches under the stars. Even if you’re not the camping type, the fact that you could do it if you wanted is part of the fun. This level of portability truly sets it apart from a traditional, stationary TV.
Hotel Room Test
Of course, not everyone wants to rough it in the great outdoors. I managed to test the CO-FH01 during a short hotel stay—and, to be frank, many hotels, especially the older ones, still rely on dated TVs with tiny screens and lackluster picture quality. So, I simply plugged in the projector, aimed it at the wall, dimmed the lights, and ended up with a spacious 90- to 100-inch image. The wall’s slight yellow tint didn’t ruin the viewing experience; colours still looked acceptably vibrant, and the text on-screen was sharp enough for casual movie subtitles or a bit of light gaming. Sure, a dedicated projector screen or a pure white wall is best, but it’s nice to know you can still enjoy a solid viewing experience in less-than-ideal conditions.
Picture Quality & Everyday Use
The CO-FH01 is Full HD (1920×1080), which delivers a respectable level of detail for most content—movies, streaming shows, YouTube, and even basic presentations. Coming from QLED and OLED displays, I won’t pretend the blacks are as inky or the contrast is as jaw-dropping. However, for someone who values deep blacks and vibrant contrast—I still find the trade-off acceptable, because the sheer scale of the projected image more than makes up for it. I could easily fill a 100- to 150-inch space (and it’s technically capable of going up to 391 inches if you have enough space), which is something a standard TV at this price simply can’t match.
Whether you’re testing out your first-ever projector as a TV replacement or looking to upgrade from a tiny pico projector that just doesn’t cut it anymore, the CO-FH01 hits that sweet spot of quality, brightness, and portability. If, however, you’re chasing ultra-high-end specs like 4K resolution and cinema-level contrast, you might want to consider models like Epson’s EH-TW7000 or even the EpiqVision Ultra EH-LS800B. Of course, stepping into that territory means a bigger unit (and bigger price), plus less portability.
Work & Presentations
Beyond just entertainment, a big advantage of a compact projector is its versatility for work scenarios. Need to give a quick presentation in a client’s office or a coworking space? As long as there’s a blank wall, the CO-FH01 makes setting up a breeze. Its impressive picture quality ensures your slides are crisp, clear, and easy to read, leaving a professional impression. No need to fiddle with awkward conference-room projectors or rely on subpar meeting-room TVs. Just connect your laptop via HDMI, and you’re ready to deliver your message effectively.
The Missing Bits & Final Thoughts
There are a few considerations to keep in mind with the CO-FH01. First, it doesn’t include a built-in Android OS or Chromecast, so you’ll need an external source such as a streaming stick, TV box, or laptop. If you’d prefer an all-in-one setup, Epson’s FH-02 (around RM2,799) comes with Android TV and Chromecast functionality built in.
Second, the 5W mono speaker might not cut it if you’re particular about audio quality, and if you want to hook it up to external speakers or a soundbar, you’ll need an HDMI audio extractor or a soundbar with HDMI pass through, as it doesn’t come with a 3.5mm audio jack or Bluetooth support.
Lastly, the projector’s fans can get a bit loud, and it does run hot after prolonged use. However, this is part of its design to ensure longevity—a trade-off I personally find acceptable. These are some minor drawbacks to an otherwise excellent projector but worth keeping in mind if convenience, audio quality, or quiet operation are priorities for you.
All things considered, RM2,399 gets you a versatile lifestyle projector that’s simple to handle, delivers a bright Full HD image, and doesn’t confine you to just one room—making it ideal for multi-room use, business presentations, or even the occasional camping escapade. Imagine hooking up a PS5 or Nintendo Switch for some friendly multiplayer matches during a staycation, on holiday, or even under the stars at a campsite—the possibilities are endless. If you’re looking to step into the projector world without blowing your budget (and want something miles better than those tiny pico gimmicks), the Epson CO-FH01 is a solid entry. It’s a nice reminder that sometimes, bigger really can be better—especially when you can easily take it wherever you need it.
Key Specs (CO-FH01)
- Projection Technology: 3LCD (RGB liquid crystal shutter)
- Native Resolution: Full HD (1920 × 1080)
- Brightness: Up to 3,000 lumens (White & Colour Light Output)
- Lamp Life: 6,000 hours (Normal) / 12,000 hours (Eco)
- Throw Ratio: 1.19–1.61 (up to 391″ screen)
- Connectivity: 1× HDMI, 1× USB Type A, 1× USB Type B (optional wireless)
- Built-in Speaker: 5W monaural
- Dimensions: 211 × 295 × 82 mm (excl. feet)
- Weight: ~2.4 kg
