Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best Home Theater Projector
Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projector
- Delivers a full 3,840 by 2,160 pixels on screen
- 2,700-lumen laser light source rated to last the life of the projector
- Supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG HDR
- Good color accuracy, contrast, and shadow detail, plus dark blacks for a laser model
- Easy to maintain image height for different aspect ratios
- Three-chip LCD design guarantees no rainbow artifacts
The Epson Pro Cinema LS12000’s price is about right for a solid down payment on a new car, but it’s actually a near-bargain for the image quality it delivers. Epson is known for pixel-shifting LCD projectors whose images are virtually indistinguishable from a true 4K UHD picture while using only half as many pixels on screen—a trick it manages thanks to lens quality and video processing. The LS12000 boosts the pixel count to a full 3,840 by 2,160, while maintaining the emphasis on top-quality lenses and processing. The result is more detail than we’ve seen from any pixel-shifting 4K DLP projector.
The LS12000 also offers top-tier color accuracy, contrast, black level, and shadow detail, plus sophisticated features that include the ability to adjust the lens easily to give you the same image height when switching between movies with different aspect ratios. And because it’s built around three LCD chips, it’s guaranteed not show rainbow artifacts—the red-/green/blue flashes that single-chip projectors can show.
Serious videophiles who think in terms of custom-built home theaters with dark walls, ceilings, and seating to minimize reflections back to the screen will be particularly interested in the LS12000. However, the image quality is good enough that less-demanding viewers will notice it, too, even in rooms that are less than perfectly outfitted. That makes it a top home theater pick for anyone who can afford it.
Engine Type
LCD
Rated Brightness
2700 ANSI lumens
Native Resolution
3840 by 2160 using Epson’s 4K Pro-UHD technology
Maximum Resolution
4096 by 2160 @ 120Hz
Inputs and Interfaces
HDMI 2.1 (HDCP 2.3), HDMI (eARC)
Dimensions (HWD)
7.6 by 20.5 by 17.6 inches
Weight
28 lbs
Warranty
3 years
Learn More
Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projector Review
Best 4K Home Entertainment Projector
BenQ TK860i
- 4K resolution using TI’s XPR fast-switch pixel shifting
- Good shadow detail and contrast
- Short lag times
- 1.3x zoom and modest vertical lens shift
- Includes Android TV 11 dongle
- Initial physical setup is difficult
- Frequent rainbow artifacts in testing
The BenQ TK860i is designed for rooms with ambient light. Its list of key features starts with 4K resolution on screen (using a DLP chip equipped with TI’s fast-switch pixel shifting) plus a bright image that can stand up to room light. It also adds BenQ’s new HDR-PRO technology, which ratchets up image quality from the already highly watchable level of the previous generation model by a lot, delivering noticeably enhanced shadow detail, contrast, and sense of three-dimensionality both for SDR and for HDR10 and HLG HDR input. The projector also supports full HD 3D and comes with an Android TV 11 dongle to add smart TV streaming features. And for gaming, it delivers measured input lag only slightly longer than the current state-of-the-art, easily short enough for all but the most serious gamers.
Anyone looking for a family room projector to serve as a TV replacement or for watching movies should have the TK860i on their radar, particularly if they also want a short lag that won’t slow down their reaction time for first-person shooters or sports games. Those who see rainbow artifacts (red/green/blue flashes that single-chip DLP projectors can show) will want to make sure they can return the projector easily if they turn out to be a problem. But if you don’t see the flashes, or don’t mind seeing them, and you’re looking for a way to enjoy movies, TV, and potentially gaming at a big screen size with lights on, this BenQ model is a top pick.
Engine Type
DLP
Rated Brightness
3300 ANSI lumens
Native Resolution
3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting
Maximum Resolution
3840 by 2160 HDR; Full HD 3D
Inputs and Interfaces
HDMI 2.0b, USB 3.0, USB 2.0
Dimensions (HWD)
5 by 15 by 10.4 inches
Weight
9.25 lbs
Warranty
3 years
Learn More
BenQ TK860i Review
Best 1080p Home Entertainment and Gaming Projector
BenQ TH685P
- Bright 3,500 ANSI lumen rating
- Short input lag
- Accepts and downconverts 4K input to native 1080p resolution
- Good color accuracy, contrast, and shadow detail
- Supports HDR
- Can’t read files from USB memory
- Shows rainbow artifacts (red-green-blue flashes)
The BenQ TH685P is a prime example of why specs don’t tell you everything you need to know. Despite offering nearly identical specs to the BenQ model it replaces, this 1080p projector delivers an obviously better image with HDR input. That’s a big thumbs-up in a gaming and home entertainment projector at this price. It also impressed us with its audio, thanks to an onboard 5-watt chamber speaker that pumped out quite usable sound quality at high enough volume to fill a large family room.
This unit is a top choice for users who aren’t prone to seeing rainbow artifacts (or don’t find them bothersome if they do see them) and who will appreciate a short input lag for gaming. Good HDR handling and downconverting of 4K HDR content sweeten the deal, though ideally you’ll limit HDR material to watching in a darkened room. And if adding an external sound system or headphones isn’t an option where you play or watch, this model’s speaker output is a plus.
Engine Type
DLP
Rated Brightness
3500 ANSI lumens
Native Resolution
1920 by 1080
Maximum Resolution
3840 by 2160 HDR; Full HD 3D
Inputs and Interfaces
HDMI 2.0b
Dimensions (HWD)
4.3 by 12.3 by 8.9 inches
Weight
6.2 lbs
Warranty
3 years
Learn More
BenQ TH685P Review
Best Ultra Short Throw TV Replacement Projector (With Screen)
Hisense L9H TriChroma Laser TV
- 4K resolution
- Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG
- Exceptionally wide color gamut
- Rated at 3,000 ANSI lumens
- Screen included
- Integrated Google TV
- No 3D support
- Fixed focus means you can’t upgrade to a larger screen
To Hisense, an ultra short throw (UST) projector is a projector, but bundle it with a matched screen, and it’s a “laser TV”—the L9H TriChroma Laser TV being Hisense’s current premium model. The projector’s available with a choice of screens, to give you either a 100- or 120-inch 4K smart TV with Dolby Vision. With either one, a big part of the attraction is that you don’t have to search for the right screen to go with the projector. You don’t even have to focus to set it up. The L9H comes with a fixed focus for the screen you ordered. Simply filling the screen with an image gives you sharp focus. It’s calibrated for the screen, as well. In our tests, the two together delivered rich, saturated color, good contrast, and a good sense of three-dimensionality in both bright and dark scenes.
If you’re want a UST model for a room with ambient light, like a family room, and don’t already own an ambient light rejection (ALR) screen designed for UST projectors, the L9H should be on your short list. Those sensitive to the red/green/blue flashes of rainbow artifacts should check before buying to make sure they can return it, should they find the flashes annoying, even if they’ve already assembled the screen. But for those who don’t see the flashes or don’t find them bothersome, the L9H’s combination of bundled screen, features, and image quality makes it a compelling pick.
Engine Type
DLP
Rated Brightness
3000 ANSI lumens
Native Resolution
3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting
Maximum Resolution
3840 by 2160 60Hz
Inputs and Interfaces
HDMI 2.1, HDMI 2.0, eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, RF (Coax)
Dimensions (HWD)
6.1 by 24 by 13.6 inches
Weight
24.7 lbs
Warranty
2 years
Learn More
Hisense L9H TriChroma Laser TV Review
Best Ultra Short Throw Projector Overall
Hisense PX3-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema
- 4K resolution using TI’s XPR fast-switch pixel shifting
- Triple-laser technology delivers a wide color gamut
- HDR support includes Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG
- Rated at 3,000 ANSI lumens
- Uses Google TV for streaming
- First UST projector with a Designed for Xbox certification
- Limited 3D support excludes 3D Blu-ray discs
- Out-of-box settings need minor tweaking to get good shadow detail
Whether you want a projector as a TV replacement, for viewing movies, or for gaming, the PX3-PRO earns kudos all around. For video and movies, it offers top-tier image quality for SDR and even more so for HDR, thanks in large part to its support for Dolby Vision, along with HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG HDR. For gaming, it’s the first UST projector to earn a Designed for Xbox certification, boasting gaming-specific features from a close to state-of-the-art short lag to support for 1440p resolution (2,560 by 1,440), which is increasingly popular for gaming. It also delivers lots of additional features, including Google TV for streaming, a powered focus, and myriad useful settings options. The full list adds up to a trifecta—for image quality, feature set, and gaming.
Suitable for both casual TV viewing and traditional home theater in a dark room, the PX3-PRO is a top pick for anyone who doesn’t see or doesn’t mind seeing the occasional rainbow artifact that DLP projectors tend to show, particularly discerning videophiles who insist on tip-top image quality. It’s also a clear short-list pick for gamers who want both the benefits of an ultra short throw and a projector designed with gaming in mind.
Engine Type
DLP
Rated Brightness
3000 ANSI lumens
Native Resolution
3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting
Maximum Resolution
3840 by 2160 120Hz; 1920 by 1080, 240Hz
Inputs and Interfaces
HDMI 2.1, HDMI 2.0, eARC, Bluetooth, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB 2.0, USB 3.0
Dimensions (HWD)
4.8 by 21.7 by 11.7 inches
Weight
19.8 lbs
Warranty
2 years
Learn More
Hisense PX3-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema Review
Best Ultra Short Throw TV Replacement Projector (Without a Screen)
Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 3-Chip 3LCD Smart Streaming Laser Projector
- Bright laser-phosphor light source
- Three-chip LCD design means no rainbow artifacts
- Fully integrated Android TV
- Short input lag for gaming
- Good sound quality
- No Ethernet port; streaming requires Wi-Fi
- No 3D support
The key advantage of ultra short throw (UST) projectors? Giving you a big image from close to the screen, so you don’t have to run cables through walls and ceilings. The key advantage of the Epson LS800? It has an even shorter throw than most. It can actually fill a 120-inch wall-mounted screen without having to pull the furniture it’s resting on away from the wall.
Beyond that, the LS800 offers a laser light source with 4,000-ANSI-lumen brightness, a high-quality image with good color accuracy and contrast, a three-LCD design that guarantees it can’t show rainbow artifacts, and an unusually short input lag for a 4K UST projector—a boon for gamers. We measured the lag at just a few milliseconds longer than for today’s best gaming projectors for the resolution and refresh rate combinations it supports: 20.4 milliseconds (ms) for 4K/60Hz input, 21.4ms for 1080p/60Hz, and 11.7ms for 1080p/120Hz. It even offers a stereo audio system that amounts to a built-in soundbar, with two 5-watt speakers and a 10-watt subwoofer.
The LS800’s menus don’t have the settings you need for a full calibration, and it doesn’t support 3D, which will disappoint serious videophiles and anyone who considers 3D a must-have. For everyone else, it’s a sterling choice as a TV replacement, thanks to its excellent image quality straight out of the box, its notably short input lag for gaming, and its even more notable short throw.
Engine Type
LCD
Rated Brightness
4000 ISO Lumens (Equivalent to ANSI)
Native Resolution
Equivalent to 3840 by 2160 using Epson’s 4K PRO-UHD technology
Maximum Resolution
3840 by 2160 60Hz, HDR
Inputs and Interfaces
HDMI 2.0, USB
Dimensions (HWD)
6.2 by 27.4 by 13.4 inches
Weight
27.6 lbs
Warranty
2 years
Learn More
Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 3-Chip 3LCD Smart Streaming Laser Projector Review
Best Gaming Projector
BenQ X3100i
- 4K native resolution
- Short input lag (supports up to 120Hz refresh rate)
- Video modes for four categories of gaming
- Android TV 11 HDMI dongle included
- LED light source rated at 3,300 ANSI lumens
- Wi-Fi is the only network connection option
- Shows rainbow artifacts
- Hardware setup requires some tricky assembly
The BenQ X3100i is both our top pick for a gaming projector, and the current flagship in BenQ’s Immersive Gaming Series. It’s also a significant upgrade to the model it replaces in both capacities. Designed to stand up to ambient light, thanks to its 3,300-ANSI-lumen LED light source, it also offers state-of-the art short input lag and houses a pair of 5-watt stereo speakers that can fill a large family room with high-quality sound.
Newly introduced features for the new generation include support for 1440p (2,560-by-1,440-pixel) resolution at 120Hz (a popular resolution/refresh-rate combination for gaming) and a vertical lens shift to adjust image height without introducing keystone distortion. The count of predefined gaming modes also jumps to four: racing game, first-person shooter, role-playing, and sports game. Each mode adjusts both the image and audio settings for the type of game it’s named for, and all you have to do is pick the right mode.
The X3100i focuses on the features gamers want and need. You can also use it for watching movies and video, and it even comes with an Android TV 11 dongle for streaming, but if you’re not planning to take advantage of its gaming-specific features, we see no reason to choose it over a different projector in this list. If you’re a serious gamer, however, the X3100i was designed with you in mind, and it’s probably the projector you want.
Engine Type
DLP
Rated Brightness
3300 ANSI lumens
Native Resolution
3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting
Maximum Resolution
3840 by 2160 HDR; Full HD 3D
Inputs and Interfaces
HDMI 2.0b, USB 2.0, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct
Dimensions (HWD)
8.4 by 10.7 by 10.2 inches
Weight
15 lbs
Warranty
3 years
Learn More
BenQ X3100i Review
Best 1080p Room-to-Room Home Projector
BenQ GP100A
- 1080p native resolution
- High 1,000-ANSI-lumens maximum brightness
- Good color accuracy and contrast
- Android TV dongle for streaming
- Built-in handle for easy carrying
- No 3D support
- Brightest mode has a noticeable green tint
- Poor shadow detail for 4K HDR movies on disc
Room-to-room 1080p projectors like the BenQ GP100A don’t offer as high a resolution as 4K (3,840-by-2,160-pixel) models, but their advantages include a smaller size, a lighter weight, and a lower price. The GP100A measures 8.4 by 6.7 by 7.6 inches (HWD), weighs 6.4 pounds, lists for $799, and often sells for less. Even at that small size, it offers both a bright image, rated at 1,000 ANSI lumens, plus good image quality with more-than-acceptable color accuracy in most picture modes. The one image-quality issue we saw was with 4K HDR discs, but it didn’t carry over to streaming HDR material, so it won’t matter to the many people today who watch streaming movies only, rather than movies on disc. Very much on the plus side, we saw rainbow artifacts only rarely in our tests.
Other key features include a bundled Android TV streaming dongle, which fits in an internal compartment, and support for 4K HDR input, which the GP100A downconverts to its native 1080p. It also offers a USB-C port you can use to plug in a power pack or easily mirror a phone, computer, or Nintendo Switch. And for audio, a pair of 5-watt mid-to-high-range speakers plus a 10-watt chamber woofer delivers suitable volume and audio quality for a large family room.
The GP100A doesn’t support 3D, so if that’s a must-have feature for you (or you want to watch HDR movies on disc), you’ll need to look elsewhere. However, for anyone else who needs a lightweight room-to-room projector, it’s an obvious contender, thanks to its bright, high-quality image, Android TV streaming support, and robust audio. And, as a final noteworthy touch, its flexible rubber handle makes it easy to carry, whether room to room, to the backyard, or even to a friend’s house.
Engine Type
DLP
Rated Brightness
1000 ANSI lumens
Native Resolution
1920 by 1080
Maximum Resolution
3840 by 2160 60Hz, HDR
Inputs and Interfaces
HDMI 2.0, USB-C, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
8.4 by 6.7 by 7.6 inches
Weight
6.4 lbs
Warranty
3 years
Learn More
BenQ GP100A Review
Best 4K Room-to-Room Home Projector
Hisense C1 Laser Mini Projector
- 4K resolution on screen
- Supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision
- Smart TV features
- Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity
- No 3D support
- Shows more frequent rainbow artifacts than some competitors
The 4K (3,840-by-2,160-pixel) Hisense C1 Laser Mini Projector is too big to qualify as the mini projector its name suggests. However, it delivers everything we expect in a room-to-room portable, and it’s the current hands-down winner for overall image quality in that category. Not only is it one of the so-far rare projectors that supports Dolby Vision—along with the expected HDR10, HLG HDR, and SDR—but it scored well for all the content we look at in our viewing tests (all the above but HLG). In comparison, most of the competition lacks Dolby Vision entirely, which offers some advantages over other HDR options, and some have image-quality issues in one or more of the modes they support.
Other strong points include a color gamut (range of colors) rated at 110% of BT.2020 (aka Rec.2020), the standard for 4K UHD TVs; built-in streaming with most of the apps you’ll likely want already installed; and support for either Wi-Fi or Ethernet for connection to your network for streaming.
The C1 can deliver top-tier performance for either of the two main uses that room-to-room projectors are meant for: carrying from room to room, or permanent installation in a family room. It’s bright enough, at a rated 1,600 ANSI lumens, to stand up to ambient light in either case, and its onboard stereo audio is robust enough, so you can easily do without an external sound system in most cases. Note that it doesn’t offer 3D support, and it tends to show more rainbow artifacts (red/green/blue flashes) than some of its competition. But if neither of those is a deal killer for you, the Hisense C1 belongs on your short list.
Engine Type
Laser Scanning
Rated Brightness
2300 ANSI lumens
Native Resolution
3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting
Maximum Resolution
3840 by 2160 60Hz
Inputs and Interfaces
HDMI 2.0, HDMI 2.1, USB 3.0, USB 2.0
Dimensions (HWD)
7.1 by 9.7 by 8.5 inches
Weight
10.1 lbs
Warranty
1 year
Learn More
Hisense C1 Laser Mini Projector Review
Buying Guide: The Best Home Projectors for 2024
What Are the Different Categories of Projectors, and What Do They Mean?
Most projector manufacturers divide their projector lines into categories, but the borders between different kinds of projectors are anything but sharp. Common names for models meant for home use include home cinema, home theater, pro cinema, home entertainment, gaming, streaming, and smart (which is usually just another name for streaming). For business use, the common (and mostly interchangeable) names are business, education, and data projectors, which I’ll refer to collectively as business projectors. There’s also a growing category of golf simulator projectors for installations at home, at indoor golf centers, or both. However, projectors suitable for adding to a golf simulator also fall into at least one of the other categories, so the same projector can be labeled as both a golf simulator model and a home cinema or business model.
You should take all of these divisions with a grain of salt. Home projectors and business models can overlap more than you might expect. For portable models and some entry-level projectors, you’ll often see little or no difference between them for how well they handle film and video. Some manufacturers even include certain models on lists for both categories.
(Credit: Epson)
Beyond that, any home projector that can handle film and video well can also handle text and presentations for business use. And because film and video are often needed in business presentations and classrooms, a business projector might handle film and video just as well as a so-called home entertainment model. That’s why we discuss performance with film and video in all of our projector reviews.
That said, as a general rule, business projectors much above entry-level pricing for their resolution and brightness can’t compete on the basis of film and video image quality with similarly priced home theater or home entertainment models. The smart move is to not make assumptions based on the projector category, and to check out the individual projector’s features, and comments in reviews, instead.
Home Projectors: Which Categories Matter?
Although projector categories change from one manufacturer to another and evolve over time, the application categories are consistent, if somewhat overlapping. Here’s a brief look at the most common categories and subcategories of applications, and which features are most important for each.
The term “home theater” is often used loosely to include home entertainment. It’s more accurate, however, to reserve it for projector use in a room with completely controlled lighting. That could be a dedicated home theater or a family room equipped with shutters or curtains that can block all window light when needed.
Projectors for home theater don’t need particularly high brightness. (More about brightness later.) The most important features to look for in specs and reviews include high contrast, good color accuracy, dark black levels, and good shadow detail. The best home theater projectors today offer 4K (3,840-by-2,160-pixel) resolution and support for HDR (more on HDR later also), but for those on a budget, lots of 1080p projectors can still serve nicely. Resolutions lower than 1080p are best reserved for other applications.
“Home entertainment” in the projector world covers most home use that isn’t home theater, including TV-replacement models, gaming projectors, room-to-room portables, and projectors used for backyard movies.
In all of these situations, you will usually be viewing in rooms (or backyards) where ambient light is a factor. That means you need a brighter image, and therefore a brighter projector than with home theater for the picture to stand up to the room light at any given image size. On the other hand, contrast is less important. Ambient light tends to wash out black levels, which lowers contrast for any projector and hides differences between projectors that would be obvious in a dark room.
(Credit: LG)
Note also that many projectors designed for home entertainment boost brightness at the expense of color accuracy. You’ll still want to check to make sure color isn’t obviously off, or at least not annoyingly off, but spot-on color accuracy isn’t as critical for home entertainment use as it is in a home theater space with controlled lighting.
If your home theater is also your family room with blackout curtains in place (and you’ll be using the same projector for both applications), the ideal model will have good color accuracy, high contrast, and other features you need for top image quality in a dark room. But it should also offer high-enough brightness to give you a watchable image in daytime or with lights on at night.
Golf simulator projectors can be either business or home projectors, as mentioned above. Features like high resolution (up to 4K) and support for HDR are nice to have for increased realism in the projected picture but not essential. A 720p (1,280-by-720-pixel) home projector or WXGA (1,280-by-800-pixel) business model can serve nicely. The key requirements are high enough brightness to stand up to ambient light, and reasonable color accuracy for green grass and blue sky. Most suitable models also offer a short throw, which delivers a big image from a short distance. A short input lag—the time the projector takes between receiving each frame and projecting it—isn’t as critical as it is for, say, first-person-shooter games—but short lag, which translates to fast response time, will add more of a sense of realism to the simulation.
How to Watch TV on Your Projector
The increasingly common “flat-screen TV replacement” projector, typically incorporating smart TV features like streaming, is a key subcategory for home entertainment projectors. Any projector with an HDMI port, which includes virtually all current models, can connect to a set-top box to give you a much larger display for your cable TV or other HDMI TV source. And any of these can be turned into a smart TV by plugging in an HDMI streaming stick.
Beyond that, some manufacturers sell projectors specifically marketed as TVs or smart TVs, and some models take the extra step of including a TV tuner, so you can even watch broadcast TV directly. Among these smart TVs, some simply include a bundled streaming stick you plug into an HDMI port. (The streaming stick may or may not require a separate remote.) Others include fully integrated streaming, most often using some version of Android TV or the newer Google TV. Be sure before buying that the projector can connect to the internet via your network using the connection you prefer, whether it’s Ethernet or Wi-Fi. For maximum convenience, you’ll want the projector and streaming features both controlled by the same remote.
(Credit: Xgimi)
The biggest impediment to setting up a projector as a TV has always been the need to mount the projector, most often on a ceiling or on a shelf in the back of the room, and then string wires through walls and ceilings to connect to video sources in the front of the room. Ultra short throw (UST) projectors, which have recently bloomed as a category, solve that problem. Most can give you a 100- to 120-inch image with the projector sitting only inches from the screen, in much the same position where you might otherwise place a flat-screen TV. They’re also a lot cheaper than 120-inch flat-screen TVs, even after adding in the cost of the screen, and a lot easier to move into place.
How to Buy a Good Projector for Gaming
Gaming is obviously a form of home entertainment, but not all home entertainment projectors are good choices for gaming—and you shouldn’t assume one is just because it includes a Game mode in its menu (an option that even many business projectors offer). On the other hand, some are perfectly good choices for gaming. And some models labeled as gaming projectors, most notably from BenQ and Optoma, are just as useful for other home entertainment applications.
The biggest issue for gaming on a projector is input lag, which is the time in milliseconds (ms) that a display adds between receiving a video frame and putting it on the screen. Input lag can be critical in first-person-shooter games, where a short lag will help you survive to the next frame, and a long lag is equivalent to having pathetically slow reflexes. A lot of projectors have unacceptably long lag measures for gaming. Others are fully competitive with the lag that gamers are used to seeing in gaming monitors and flat-screen TVs.
As a rule of thumb, casual gamers will usually be comfortable with lags up to about 50ms (or a little higher), while serious gamers should look for lags no longer than 16.7ms for 4K/60Hz input, which is the shortest we’ve seen at 4K as of this writing. At 1080p, a few current models offer lag times as short as 4.16ms at 240Hz, with longer lag times at higher refresh rates.
(Credit: BenQ)
Note that for any given projector, the input lag can vary with the resolution, the refresh rate, or both. The only lag that’s relevant for your purposes is for the resolution and refresh rate that you plan to use.
Another key feature for gaming is how well the projector reveals shadow detail. The quicker you can spot what’s going on in dark areas, the quicker you’ll see an opponent sneaking up on you or spot objects of interest.
At a minimum, the Game mode in a projector will usually turn off video-processing features that lengthen input lag. In many cases, that mode will also brighten up darker areas for you. Some of BenQ’s newer gaming models effectively redefine what a gaming projector is by adding separate modes for first-person-shooter, role playing, sports, and racing car games, automatically adjusting settings for both video and audio differently for each mode to match the specific needs of each type of game.
What About Room-to-Room Portability and Backyard Movies?
Room-to-room portability and backyard movies are two essentially identical applications for a projector, the only difference being whether you’re using the projector inside or outside. Both involve moving the projector as needed and setting it up for temporary use only. Any projector that’s light enough to move easily can serve in either role, which means you can use the same projector for, say, a TV replacement in your family room most of the time, take it to the basement for gaming sessions, and maybe even tote it to the backyard for a movie night.
Most projectors suitable for this role weigh between 4 and 10 pounds, although a 10-pound projector is better described as “luggable” rather than “portable.” Some include handles to make them easier to carry. Of particular interest are models with a nearly cubical shape, which gives them both a compact form factor and room for much better onboard sound systems than you’ll usually find in models using the more common, flatter overall shape. The higher-volume, higher-quality audio means less need to lug an external sound system with you. Most of these projectors lack batteries, so you’ll need an AC power source nearby for outdoor use.
So, What Does ‘Fully Portable’ Mean in a Projector?
Fully portable applications require a projector that weighs less than 4 pounds—usually a lot less—and can work without AC power, which almost always means having a built-in rechargeable battery. You can use these projectors as room-to-room portables or for backyard movies. But as a general rule, they won’t give you as bright an image as projectors in the 4-to-10-pound range at any given image size, even at full power when plugged into an AC power outlet. And when using batteries, the brightness for most portables drops significantly.
(Credit: Kodak)
Fully portable projectors fall into two broad categories. The larger, brighter models in the group weigh between roughly 2 and 4 pounds, making them small enough to carry easily, but big enough that you won’t always want to. The smaller models, known as “pocket” or “pico” projectors, weigh as little as a few ounces, can literally fit in a pocket, and are as easy to carry with you as a cell phone. They even make excellent phone accessories, letting you show photos or watch movies from your phone at a much larger image size. None of these portable models is included here, but you can find them in our roundup of best portable projectors.
Cutting across all the different applications are a handful of specs and features you need to keep in mind: the projector’s resolution, support for standard versus high dynamic range (SDR versus HDR) input, the light source, the imaging technology, and the brightness level. Here’s a quick overview of the questions to ask about each.
What Resolution Do I Need in a Home Projector?
Before 4K resolution reached the projector world (4K resolution includes both 4,096 by 2,160 pixels and the more common 3,840 by 2,160 pixels), the resolution spec that mattered most was the native resolution of the imaging chips, meaning the actual number of pixels on the chips themselves. The issue was that although lower-resolution chips can show higher-resolution material, down-converting the image will give it a soft-focus look and can introduce artifacts.
Today’s most expensive 4K projectors use native 4K chips. But the more affordable models you’re more likely interested in combine 1,920-by-1,080-pixel chips with pixel shifting. They work by breaking 4K images into multiple sets of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels, and then shifting the pixel position slightly for each set to put more pixels on screen for each frame than are in the chips themselves.
(Credit: Epson)
Most such models use four sets of 1,920 by 1,080 to put a full 3,840 by 2,160 matrix on screen. The majority of Epson’s pixel-shifting models use two sets, which puts only half as many pixels on screen. But largely thanks to the limits of human visual acuity, the image using Epson’s approach is impossible to distinguish from a full 3,840-by-2,160-pixel image, unless you’re far closer to the screen than normal seating distances.
Some people argue that no pixel-shifting scheme qualifies as “real” 4K. However, most will tell you that they can’t see any difference between images produced by projectors with native 4K chips and the best pixel-shifting models, including Epson’s models that put lower resolution on screen.
Thanks largely to pixel shifting, 4K resolution is affordable enough today to be the preferred choice for home theater, TV replacements, and gaming, while 1080p is the budget choice. Lower resolution costs still less, but even a 720p image will be noticeably soft-focus compared with 1080p at the image sizes you’ll likely be using for these applications.
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For room-to-room portability and backyard movies, consider first whether you’re going to be using a large-enough image to be able to see any difference between 1080p and 4K or even between 720p and 1080p. Any of these resolutions can be a good choice for these applications, depending on image size.
For fully portable projectors, 4K isn’t an option at this writing. But even when it becomes one, it’s unlikely that the projectors will be bright enough to give you a big-enough image in most lighting conditions to see a difference between 1080p and 4K, or possibly even between 1080p and 720p, which remains a good choice for the 2-to-4-pound models. For pocket projectors, brightness is even lower, and the resolutions are lower as well, making even 640-by-360-pixel resolution worth considering.
Do I Need High Dynamic Range (HDR) Support in a Home Projector?
HDR has a bigger impact than the step up to 4K on improving perceived image quality. And note that the two features don’t always go together. In principle, projectors with HDR support are generally better choices than equivalent models without it, but be sure to check how well it works. Our reviews always discuss image quality for both SDR and HDR.
Also check which HDR formats are supported. HDR10 is the most common for projectors. Other possibilities are HDR10+, which builds on HDR10 and is in the process of becoming more widespread; HLG, which almost as common in projectors as HDR10 and supported by a growing number of video sources; and Dolby Vision, which is still relatively uncommon in projectors but is starting to show up in more and more models.
What Kind of Light Source Do I Want in a Home Projector?
Projectors can use traditional lamps, LEDs, or lasers, though the two solid-state choices seem bound to eventually replace lamps entirely. For the moment, those that use lamps are still generally cheaper to buy than essentially identical models that use either of the solid-state options, but LEDs and lasers last for the life of the projector, while you’ll likely have to replace a lamp at least once. So when comparing prices, be sure to add in the cost of replacements.
In addition to their longer life compared with lamps, solid-state sources maintain a higher percentage of their initial brightness over a longer percentage of their life, which means it will take far longer before you notice any loss of brightness. On the other hand, lamp-based projectors are more likely to deliver the dark blacks and top-tier contrast that matter for home theater. That said, some laser projectors are now catching up on that score, so don’t just assume a lamp will be better. Check out comments in reviews for any projector you’re considering.
What Imaging Technology Do I Want in a Home Projector?
Projectors can use one of three types of imaging chips: LCD, DLP, or LCoS. The key issue for preferring one over another is less about the chip technology than whether the design projects all the projector’s primary colors at once, or rotates through them in sequence, one at a time.
Most projectors that use a single chip, which includes all affordable DLP models, rotate through the primaries, which can create rainbow artifacts in the form of red/green/blue flashes. Projectors that use three chips, which includes almost all LCD and LCoS models, show all three colors at once, which guarantees an image free of rainbow artifacts. Some inexpensive models use a single LCD, but still show all three colors at once. These models use LCDs with three times as many cells as needed for the resolution; cover each individual cell with a red, green, or blue filter; and combine each red/green/blue triad into a single pixel on screen.
Some single-chip projectors that use sequential color are more prone to producing these artifacts than others, so even if you see them easily, you won’t necessarily see them with every one-chip projector. And some people don’t find them distracting. Our reviews indicate how often we saw rainbows in our testing, but our standard advice is to buy single-chip projectors from a dealer that allows easy returns without a restocking fee, so you can judge for yourself.
Also note that almost all fully portable projectors are built around a single chip regardless of the imaging technology, so if you need full portability and you see these artifacts easily, you may have to resign yourself to seeing an occasional three-color flash.
What Brightness Level Should I Look for in a Home Projector?
Specs are largely useless for deciding if a projector is bright enough. Even when accurate, they rarely tell you the brightness for the mode and settings that you’ll want to use.
As a practical matter, unless you can test a projector yourself, the easiest way to know whether it will be bright enough for your needs is by reading reviews. Ours discuss the usable image sizes we found in different lighting conditions when using the settings we chose for best image quality. Pay particular attention to descriptions of HDR brightness as distinct from SDR brightness, and whether the two are both acceptably bright at the same image size.
Also note that your screen can affect image brightness, either increasing it (by reflecting more light toward the center area than to the sides) or lowering it (typically by using a gray screen color that also increases effective contrast). In short, when looking at brightness, you need to consider your screen and projector as a single unit, even if you buy them separately.
Ready to Buy the Right Home Projector for You?
Our current top picks in home projectors vary widely in particulars and are aimed at different home applications, but they have one thing in common: high marks in our reviews. For more possibilities, take a look at our favorite outdoor projectors, our roundup of portable projectors, and our top choices for 4K models, And be sure to also check out our tips for how to choose the right projector screen.
