Planning on throwing a New Year’s party to watch the Times Square celebration? Forget huddling around your TV set — use a projector to blow the scene up the size of your living room wall. If you haven’t used a digital projector in the last few years, you’re missing cinema-quality pictures with brighter, clearer, and smoother image quality than ever before. We’re seeing models offer 4K resolution, smudge-free motion, and HDR-quality color and contrast. You don’t need a huge room to use one, either. Short-throw projectors only need a few feet of clearance to give you a humungous image. The end of the year is bringing price drops on some of our favorite digital projectors from leading brands.
Best Projector Deals Right Now
At PC Labs, we’ve been testing projectors for many years, developing a thorough and well-balanced list of benchmarks to compare them. Whether you’re interested in a high-end model with vivid colors and crisp contrast that’s fast enough for console and PC gaming, or something more affordable and portable with slightly lower specs, major brands have top-quality projectors available at unbelievable discounts. Here are the best and brightest projector deals for December.
The Best Portable Projector Deals
Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE Smart Projector
4K resolution, 1,800-lumen brightness, short throw.
$949.00
at Amazon
$1,299.99
Save $350.99
We gave an Editors’ Choice award to the Nebula Cosmos 4K SE in our review, proclaiming it the best room-to-room portable projector in its price range and praising its exceptional brightness and clarity thanks to a hybrid LED/laser light source, impressive 4K resolution and automated image adjustment that saves you time when you move it to a new location. The fully integrated Google TV system lets you connect through Wi-Fi for streaming, and it also has two HDMI ports and a USB port. The rectangular form factor also includes a pair of 15-watt speakers that support Dolby Audio and Dolby Digital Plus. A 27% discount makes it a solid pick.
Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus 4K Portable Projector
4K resolution, 1,000-lumen brightness, short throw.
$899.99
at Amazon
$999.99
Save $100.00
Epson’s extremely cool Lifestudio Flex Plus projector was just released a few weeks ago, so snagging a $100 discount is a real holiday treat. In our review, we gave it an Editors’ Choice award, with writer M. David Stone noting that it’s “the first room-to-room portable that offers both 4K-equivalent resolution plus a three-LCD design, which means you won’t see any of the rainbow artifacts that DLP models tend to show.” The unique stand design replaces a traditional gimbal mount with a central attachment that can be rotated 180 degrees horizontally and tilted from 15 degrees down to 90 degrees vertically upward. Built-in Google TV makes streaming a breeze, and the Bose speaker system is solid.
Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Projector
1080p resolution, 200-lumen brightness, short throw.
$359.99
at Amazon
$529.99
Save $170.00
Amazon has a 40% price cut on this very versatile portable projector, which is barely larger than a soda can and weighs less than 2 pounds. In our review, we praised its four-channel light source rated for 30,000 hours. Even though it only outputs 1080p resolution, it’ll happily accept HDMI input up to 4K, and comes preloaded with the Google TV smart platform for access to streaming services. The battery is copious enough to get you through a regular-length movie on a single charge, and the internal 8-watt speaker is loud enough for most rooms.
AuKing Mini Projector
1080p resolution, 212-lumen brightness, standard throw.
$58.99
at Amazon
$87.99
Save $29.00
On a super-strict budget? For under sixty bucks, you get a portable projector that’s an Amazon bestseller, but you definitely get what you pay for with this one. The bulb only gets a little over 200 lumens in brightness, meaning you’d better use it in a dark room or after the sun goes down, because ambient light will wash it out. That said, it’s a breeze to set up, features optical keystone correction, which is a rarity in low-priced projectors, and 55,000 hours of bulb life.
Aurzen Boom 3 Projector
1080p resolution, 500-lumen brightness, standard throw.
$239.99
at Best Buy
$359.99
Save $120.00
Here’s another budget projector at a very nice discount. Although the Aurzen Boom 3 isn’t the highest-performing unit on this list, it’s more than capable for most uses and has good brightness at 500 lumens. The all-plastic construction is lightweight but fairly durable, and the unit weighs in at just six pounds. Setup couldn’t be simpler, with a built-in interface that gives you streaming service access, as well as two HDMI inputs and two USB-A inputs for external devices. Colors are solid, but don’t try to push the picture size above 100 inches, as the hard-capped 1080p resolution gets a little blurry.
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Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro Projector
1080p resolution, 170-lumen brightness, standard throw.
$119.99
at Best Buy
$169.99
Save $50.00
For a third budget option, the Vankyo Leisure 470 Pro is a capable little unit that even comes with a carrying bag to tote it around. In our review, contributing editor M. David Stone declared the projector “offers a watchable image that’s acceptable for movies in the backyard or for ad hoc setup indoors.” With just 1080p resolution and 170 lumens of brightness, it can’t compete with ambient light, but once the sun is down, it handles itself well enough. The built-in speakers have surprisingly good sound quality and volume, it’s a breeze to set up, and it supports Android and iOS screen mirroring. For $120, you’ll have a hard time finding a better deal.
The Best Non-Portable Projector Deals
Xgimi Horizon Ultra 4K Projector
4K resolution, 2,300-lumen brightness, standard throw.
$999.00
at Amazon
$1,699.99
Save $700.99
We were incredibly impressed by the Xgimi Horizon Ultra in our review, noting that it was one of the few home theater units to support both full 4K resolution and Dolby Vision. Weighing 11.5 pounds, it’s potentially portable, but we recommend keeping it in one location to avoid frequent calibration. With a combination of LED and laser light sources, it delivers rich contrast and great color quality with no flickering or artifacts. The built-in dual 12-watt Harman Kardon audio system has great presence, and the boxy build includes a dust cover that slides up automatically to protect the lens when it’s not in use. A 41% discount is ridiculous.
Recommended by Our Editors
Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 Ultra Short Throw Projector
4K resolution, 4,000-lumen brightness, ultra short throw
$2,799.99
at Amazon
$3,799.99
Save $1,000.00
It’s a spendy one, but the EpiqVision Ultra LS800 is a great pick for a TV replacement, as it delivers top-tier performance across all of the important metrics. We gave it an Editors’ Choice award in our review, raving over its ultra-bright laser-phosphor light source that pumps out 4,000 ANSI lumens, more than enough to use it easily in a well-lit room. The three-chip LCD delivers rich, realistic colors without any rainbow artifacts, and the input lag is some of the lowest we’ve tested, hitting just 11.7ms at 1080p resolution. Saving $1000 makes it an easier pill to swallow.
Hisense L5G Laser TV Ultra Short Throw Projector
4K resolution, 2,700-lumen brightness, ultra short throw
$1,449.88
at Best Buy
$3,999.99
Save $2,550.11
At sticker price, this Hisense home theater system is a spendy one, but with a 64% discount it becomes much more attainable. We gave the L5G an Editors’ Choice award in our review, with praise for its 3,840-by-2,160 resolution with XPR fast-pixel switching, blazingly bright laser-phosphor light source with great contrast and shadow detail, and Android TV and built-in TV tuner. It also ships with a 100-inch screen that the projector is tuned to work perfectly with, making setup a breeze.
AWOL Vision LTV-2500 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector
4K resolution, 2,600-lumen brightness, ultra short throw
$1,899.00
at Amazon
$2,999.00
Save $1,100.00
If you don’t have a ton of floor space but still want incredible home theater quality, you’ll have a hard time beating the AWOL Vision LTV-2500 at 37% off. Built around a pure RGB triple-laser image array, there’s no flickering or color bleed, and it can push an image up to 150 inches on the diagonal. It also boasts a ThunderBeat 4.2.2 surround sound system with a center-channel speaker for remarkably robust audio. This projector comes bundled with an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which we reviewed and praised as one of the best ways to take your streaming services anywhere you go.
Dangbei DBOX02 4K Laser Projector
4K resolution, 2,450-lumen brightness, standard throw
$999.00
at Amazon
$1,899.00
Save $900.00
We gave a mixed, but ultimately positive review to the Dangbei DBOX02, praising its solid 4K image output and support for HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG HDR image modes. Drawbacks included the remote control’s confusing layout. We also didn’t love the occasional rainbow artifacts from the unit’s laser-phosphor ALPD light source, which uses a laser and an RGB phosphor wheel rather than individual chips for each color. That said, brightness is impressive, bundled Google TV and Netflix are easy to use, and it has plenty of input options. You can’t beat a 47% discount.
More Projector Deals
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
What Are the Different Types of Projectors?
Digital projectors create images using three primary types of technology. The most basic, DLP (which stands for digital light processing), has an array of minute mirrors inside the lens to transform white light into other colors. 3LCD projectors use a trio of LCD screens, one for each primary subtractive color. Liquid crystal on silicon, or LCoS, uses an active-matrix display on a silicon backplate for the most accurate colors, although it is significantly more expensive.
What Should I Look for in a Projector?
The two most important metrics for a projector are brightness and resolution. Brightness is measured in lumens, with a larger number being better. However, projectors typically have two distinct brightness numbers, one for white light and one for color. Images may appear dull if the color rating is lower than the pure white rating. Resolution determines the number of pixels the projector uses to create the image. 1080p high definition is the most common. For best results, match your projector resolution to the image source.
How Do We Test Projectors?
The short answer? Thoroughly. When we test projectors, be they data projectors, home entertainment projectors, or home theater projectors, we give the units a 30-minute warm-up time while running through preliminary setup steps before performing extensive picture quality tests. And that’s just the start! Dive into any of our reviews to see how deep we go.
Do I Need a Screen for My Projector?
In general, although you can cast an image from a projector on any wall or surface, it’s not going to look as good as if you use a nonreflective white screen designed for that purpose. There are many different types of screens on the market, some for permanent installs, and even some that are inflatable for easy setup and storage. While they’re not strictly required, they definitely make your viewing experience better. Here’s our handy guide for how to choose the right screen for your projector.
What Is the Best and Cheapest Projector?
We’ve put together a robust rundown of the best projectors on the consumer market, covering a wide range of uses, from large units to anchor a home theater to portable models for movies on the go. That frequently updated rundown lists our current top pick, but there’s no single best and cheapest projector for everyone. You should look for one that is fast enough for casual gaming, is bright enough for movies, and has decent built-in speakers if you won’t attach it to an external sound system.
Why Are Mini Projectors So Cheap?
Like many other tech devices, projectors keep on shrinking. In our rundown of the best portable projectors, we examine why these mini projectors are often so cheap. The most typical compromise made in a small projector is bulb brightness.
Pico-size models, which fit in a pocket, usually cap out at around 100 ANSI lumens of brightness, which can get washed out in ambient light. Image resolution is also often lower than you’d get in a more expensive model. 720p is more common among mini projectors. That said, they’re more than enough for most casual uses.
Are Home Theater Projectors Discounted Frequently?
A good home theater projector can cost thousands of dollars, even when it’s on sale. So, although you’ll be pleased to know that these extremely capable projectors are frequently discounted – often by higher percentages than cheap portable models – you’ll still have to earmark a significant portion of your tech budget to buy one.
What Are the Best Sales on Projectors This Year?
Most mainstream and high-end projectors are frequently discounted from their MSRPs, so you shouldn’t expect to pay more than 95% of the list price. However, with tariffs frequently in the news, it’s possible that we could see fewer and smaller discounts this year.
Are Projectors on Sale During Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday?
Yes. During these showstopper sales events, we’ve seen some excellent projectors from Xgimi, Epson, LG, and many other brands sell for their lowest prices ever.
About Our Experts
K. Thor Jensen
Contributing Writer
Experience
K. Thor Jensen is a writer and cartoonist living in the Pacific Northwest. He has contributed to dozens of prestigious outlets, including PCMag, Tested, Clickhole, and Newsweek. His second graphic novel, Cloud Stories, was released in 2017.
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Tom Brant
Deputy Managing Editor
Experience
I’m the deputy managing editor of the hardware team at PCMag.com. Reading this during the day? Then you’ve caught me testing gear and editing reviews of laptops, desktop PCs, and tons of other personal tech. (Reading this at night? Then I’m probably dreaming about all those cool products.) I’ve covered the consumer tech world as an editor, reporter, and analyst since 2015.
I’ve appeared on CBS News, in USA Today, and at many other outlets to offer analysis on breaking technology news.
Before I joined the tech-journalism ranks, I wrote on topics as diverse as Borneo’s rainforests, Middle Eastern airlines, and Big Data’s role in presidential elections. A graduate of Middlebury College, I also have a master’s degree in journalism and French Studies from New York University.
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