Should you’re trying to find one of the best projector, there’s by no means been a greater time to dive in. Projectors aren’t only for film buffs anymore — they’ve develop into a good way to improve your lounge setup, construct a comfortable residence theater and even host an epic out of doors film night time below the celebs. Whether or not you need one thing ultra-portable or a full-on 4K residence cinema expertise, there’s a projector on the market to suit nearly each house and price range.
The cool factor concerning the projectors you may get as we speak is how versatile they’re. Some fashions are constructed for gaming, some are designed for streaming your favourite exhibits and others are powerful sufficient to take tenting or on the highway. Plus, newer projectors pack in good options, higher brightness and sharper picture high quality than ever earlier than, making them an actual different to a standard TV. It doesn’t matter what you are aiming for, we’ll provide help to discover the suitable projector to improve your setup.
Desk of contents
Greatest projectors for 2025
Some projectors are for severe cinephiles, projecting sharp 4K video with HDR brightness and hyper real looking colours to a big display screen. Others are shiny sufficient to interchange your TV for sports activities or gaming, and a few low-cost moveable fashions will be arrange for tenting or out of doors enjoyable. That’s why we’ve divided this information into a number of classes that can assist you discover the suitable one.
BenQ
Native decision: 4K UHD (3840×2160) | Brightness: 2,200 ANSI lumens | Connectivity: HDMI 2.0, USB-A, USB-C, audio out, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Chromecast, AirPlay | Weight: 7.9lbs (3.6 kg) | Distinction ratio: 600,000:1
Mainstream projectors should be jacks-of-all-trades: shiny, sharp, colourful and quick, whereas not costing a fortune. BenQ’s X500i projector matches the invoice completely due to the 4K decision and excessive 3,200 ANSI lumen brightness, together with BenQ-’s HDR-PRO expertise that delivers correct colours, excessive distinction and excessive element in shadows for exhibits like Sport of Thrones. On the identical time, it contains lens shift and has Android TV in-built. As with every DLP projector, nonetheless, beware in the event you’re delicate to rainbow colour artifacts.
$1,999 at Adorama
Epson
Native decision: 1080p (1920 × 1080) | Brightness: 3,400 lumens | Connectivity: 2× HDMI, USB-A, composite video, audio out | Weight: 6.17 lbs (2.8 kg) | Distinction ratio: 16,000:1
For a shiny and sharp projector on a price range, Epson’s Dwelling Cinema 1080 LCD projector is our decide. It’s rated for 3,400 lumens on the brightest settings, sufficient to be used in ambient mild. On the identical time, the three-chip system delivers 1080p video that’s sharp sufficient for films, sports activities and gaming. One other plus is its mild 5.7 pound weight, which makes set up simple and lets you take it down for the odd out of doors movie pageant. As is typical on this worth vary, although, it lacks HDR and distinction is mediocre.
$600 at Adorama
Steve Dent for Engadget
Learn our full Anker Nebula X1 overview
Native decision: 4K PRO-UHD (3840 x 2160) | Brightness: 3,500 lumens | Connectivity: DC-IN, HDMI 2.1 (eARC), HDMI 2.1, USB-A, USB-C, Audio-Optical | Weight: 20 lbs | Distinction ratio: As much as 56,000:1
Anker’s Nebula X1 is marketed as a conveyable projector, nevertheless it’s way more than that. With unbelievable picture and sound high quality, it’s higher than most standalone indoor and even extremely quick throw fashions. And with its easy setup that just about any person can handle, it’s simple to maneuver from location to location. Nonetheless, the worth means it’s solely possible for well-heeled consumers.
$2,549 at Amazon
Hisense
Native decision: 4K UHD (3840 × 2160) | Brightness: 3,000 ANSI lumens | Connectivity: 3× HDMI (together with HDMI 2.1), USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Weight: 19.8 lbs (9 kg) | Distinction ratio: 3,000:1
Hisense is a frontrunner in extremely quick throw projectors and the triple-laser PX3-Professional is its finest mannequin but. It delivers an impressively shiny 3,000 ANSI lumens and 4K picture at as much as 120Hz (1080p at 240Hz), whereas providing help for all main HDR codecs together with HDR10+ and Dolby Imaginative and prescient. Colours are extraordinarily correct with 110 % BT.2020 protection, higher than any TV. And for players, the PX3-Professional is the primary UST projector designed for Xbox due to the excessive refresh fee and HDMI 2.1 inputs. To prime all that off, it’s IMAX Enhanced and contains Google TV, Dolby Atmos and Harmon Kardon audio system. It’s not low cost at $3,500, however is healthier than costlier fashions from LG and Samsung.
$3,498 at Amazon
Formovie
Native decision: 4K UHD (3840 × 2160) | Brightness: 1,900 ISO lumens | Connectivity: HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Weight: 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) | Distinction ratio: 3,000:1
Although not as properly referred to as some manufacturers, Formovie builds among the finest UST projectors. The Cinema Edge is priced towards the price range aspect of the market however nonetheless affords premium options like a 120-inch 4K picture, HDR10 and a pair of,100 lumen brightness. Particulars and distinction are sturdy, although colour rendering isn’t one of the best. The primary benefit of the Cinema Edge is the small measurement and skill to set it up near a wall.
$1,799 at Amazon
NEBULA
Native decision: 1080p (1920 × 1080) | Brightness: 300 ANSI lumens | Connectivity: HDMI 2.1, USB-C, AUX-out, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Weight: 2.1 lbs (0.95 kg) | Distinction ratio: 462:1
Anker has a number of nice moveable out of doors (battery powered) projectors, however the Nebula Capsule 3 is one of the best by way of efficiency and worth. It makes use of a laser mild supply and DLP chip to beam a 1080p picture for as much as 2.5 hours, sufficient for a full film below the celebs. And it comes with Google TV for streaming in the event you’re nearer to a Wi-Fi sign. Sure, brightness is proscribed to 300 ANSI lumens, however that’s a problem with most moveable projectors and it’s nonetheless simply shiny sufficient for its supposed nighttime utilization.
$580 at Amazon
Optoma
Native decision: 4K UHD (3840 × 2160) | Brightness: 4,000 ANSI lumens | Connectivity: 2× HDMI, USB, 3.5mm audio out, RS232, Ethernet | Weight: 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) | Distinction ratio: 500,000:1
Cinephiles might deal with colour accuracy with regards to projectors, however brightness, decision and velocity rule for players. The Optoma UHZ66 hits these targets lifeless heart due to the super-bright laser mild supply that pumps out an unbelievable 4,000 ANSI lumens, 4K decision, as much as a 240Hz refresh fee at 1080p and latency of simply 4.4 ms in Gaming Mode. It really has respectable colour accuracy with HDR10 help, so it’s not unhealthy for basic leisure as properly together with TV, sports activities and films. The largest difficulty with the UHZ66 is fan noise, in the event you’re delicate to that.
$1,499 at Adorama
What to search for in a projector
For a deep dive on projector expertise examine my earlier explainer, however there are few key issues to remember. What’s going to the projector primarily be used for? What sort of room will it’s utilized in? And the way massive of a picture would you like? You’ll additionally see quite a lot of specs that could be complicated, so listed below are a couple of to think about and what they imply.
Brightness and distinction
Brightness is measured in ANSI lumens; the brighter the projector, sometimes the costlier it is going to be. 1,500-2,500 lumens is sweet for darkened rooms, 3,000-4,000 lumens lets you see with some ambient mild and 4,000+ lumens is shiny sufficient to make use of in direct daylight. Excessive distinction is vital, as a result of projectors are extra delicate to issues like ambient mild and reflections.
DLP vs LCD
Digital mild processing items (DLPs) utilized by Optoma, BenQ, LG and others enable shiny 4K pictures. The destructive is that they will produce a “rainbow” impact, or pink/blue/inexperienced artifacts that have an effect on some viewers greater than others. LCDs are used primarily by Epson, but additionally Sony and Sanyo. These are sometimes brighter, extra colour correct and don’t produce rainbow results, however are additionally costlier and vulnerable to picture degradation over time.
Decision
If you’d like a real 4K projector, beware: solely costly fashions have native 4K decision (many film theaters nonetheless use 2K projectors for varied causes). Nonetheless, most DLP projectors and a few LCD fashions can use pixel-shifting to achieve 4K decision.
HDR and colour accuracy
Projectors can’t produce wherever near the quantity of sunshine required to qualify as true HDR. Slightly, they use a way referred to as tone mapping to suit your entire HDR gamut right into a decrease brightness vary. That mentioned, many projectors can show tens of millions of colours, with some fashions surpassing the colour accuracy of TVs and displays.
UST vs. traditional
Traditional projectors and screens will be mounted on the ceiling in order that they’re nice when you have no flooring house. They will additionally mission a bigger video for a really cinematic expertise. UST projectors mount on the ground proper subsequent to the display screen to allow them to take the place of a TV. They don’t beam as massive a picture however are typically brighter, sharper and costlier. For finest outcomes, they require particular screens.
Mounting and fan noise
Ceiling mounting requires some work and don’t neglect to price range for a bracket and any needed lengthy cables, together with further energy for a Google Chromecast or different streaming gadget. UST projectors require much less labor, however getting the picture completely sq. can nonetheless be surprisingly time-consuming. As for fan noise, some projectors (often cheaper DLP fashions) generate greater than others.
Optics
For extra flexibility with location and picture measurement, ceiling mounted projectors want a superb zoom vary. Lens shift, in the meantime, is used if the projector is mounted increased or decrease relative to the display screen than really useful by the producer. In any other case, you might need to make use of a “keystone correction” to digitally stretch a part of the picture, leading to distortion or artifacts. Additionally, keystore correction might not work in gaming modes for some fashions.
Gaming and streaming
Should you’re excited by a projector for gaming, lookup the refresh fee and enter lag figures. Some projectors supply good numbers in that regard (240Hz and <20 ms, respectively), however others designed for residence leisure have very poor enter lag and refresh charges at simply 60 Hz. If it’s streaming you need, you should definitely decide a mannequin both with built-in Google TV or a bundled streaming dongle.
Screens
Must you mission onto a wall, roll-down display screen, fastened display screen or ambient mild rejecting (ALR) display screen? The selection relies upon largely on the room and how much projector you could have. Roll down screens take up no house as they’re ceiling mounted, fastened screens will be moved simply and ALR fashions are good in rooms with a number of ambient mild.
Greatest projector FAQs
Are 4K projectors higher?
Sure, as a result of increased decision is extra noticeable on bigger screens, so 4K is especially helpful with projectors since they beam pictures as much as 200 inches in measurement. That being mentioned, brightness and distinction are extra vital.
Is a projector higher than a TV?
Projectors can present a extra immersive expertise due to the big display screen, however they’re not essentially “higher.” Because you often should dim the lights with a projector, TVs are superior for on a regular basis use.
Is 2000 lumens shiny sufficient for a projector?
Sure, 2000 lumens is definitely shiny sufficient, even with some ambient mild within the room. Nonetheless, the picture will nonetheless be arduous to see with the home windows open on a shiny day.
Ought to I get a 4K or 1080p projector?
That will depend on your price range and wishes. In case your price range is beneath $1,000, search for a 1080p projector with one of the best brightness and distinction. Between $1,000-$2,000, you’ll have to weigh whether or not brightness or 4K decision is most vital. Above that, select the brightest 4K projector you possibly can afford.
What are one of the best projectors in daylight?
The very best projectors in daylight are extremely quick throw (UST) fashions, as they’ve the brightest and sharpest picture. Nonetheless, they typically value greater than $2,000.
Do you want a display screen for a greater projector expertise?
Technically, you don’t want a display screen to make use of a projector — any light-colored, easy wall can work in a pinch. However if you wish to get probably the most out of your projector, a display screen could make a distinction. Projector screens are designed to replicate mild evenly and improve distinction, so colours look extra vibrant and the image seems sharper. With a display screen, you’ll discover darker blacks and brighter colours, which may give an actual enhance to your film nights or gaming classes. So whilst you can completely take pleasure in a projector with out one, a display screen could make the expertise really feel a bit extra like your personal private theater.
Ought to I purchase a conveyable or residence projector?
It will depend on how and the place you intend to make use of it. If you’d like a projector you possibly can simply transfer round, convey to pals’ homes or arrange indoors or outdoor simply, a conveyable projector is a good alternative. They’re often smaller, light-weight and infrequently have built-in audio system and batteries, making them handy for on-the-go use.
Alternatively, in the event you’re on the lookout for a extra everlasting setup for a house theater or lounge, a house projector may be the way in which to go. Dwelling projectors are typically extra highly effective, with increased decision and brightness, which provides you that crisp, cinema-quality expertise. They’re very best when you have a devoted house and don’t thoughts leaving it arrange in a single spot.
