best presentation projector 2022

Best business projector of 2024

Top projectors for home and travel

• Best overall
• Best portable
• Best large-projection
• Best wireless
• Best versatility
• How we test

1. Best overall 2. Best portable 3. Best large-projection 4. Best wireless 5. Best versatility 6. FAQs 7. How we test

The significance of choosing the best business projector cannot be overstated, especially for those who frequently deliver presentations. 

Whether it's for presentations or just for aesthetics, the best projector is capable of producing bright, vibrant images, ensuring your content is clearly visible and engaging to your audience, thus enhancing the effectiveness of your presentations or meetings.

Opting for a business projector involves prioritizing specific features that may differ from those sought after in the best projector for personal entertainment purposes. For instance, while high resolutions and a multitude of inputs are beneficial, they may not hold as much weight in a business context as other factors, so using the best 4K projector on the markt for a basic PowerPoint might be overkill.

It's not uncommon for businesses to compromise on quality due to budget constraints or inadequate research, leading to long-term dissatisfaction. Avoid this pitfall by considering our top picks, which range from the best portable projector options that easily fit into your luggage for on-the-go presentations, to feature-rich models suitable for permanent office setup. These projectors not only offer exceptional image quality and a variety of connectivity options but also cater to the specific needs of a business environment.

Our comprehensive comparison has evaluated these business projectors on several key aspects, including brightness, resolution, connectivity options, and contrast ratio, as well as their suitability for travel and the type of projection technology they employ.

The best business projectors of 2024 in full:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

 Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best business projectors picks in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted. 

The best business projector overall

1. ViewSonic PA503S

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

If you are a small-to-medium-sized business, and need a projector for holding presentations in small rooms, then the ViewSonic PA503S is a brilliant choice. 

While its 800 x 600 SVGA resolution falls short of full HD, it is enough to display vibrant images, reports, and spreadsheets on a wall or projection screen. It's got plenty of inputs, is easy to use, and is nice and bright as well.

It also comes with a SuperEco mode that dims the brightness by up to 70%. This makes it more energy efficient (and therefore cheaper to run), while also prolonging the life of the bulb.

The PA503S has a contrast ratio of 22,000:1, and it is bright — 3800 ANSI lumens of brightness will ensure you see the details clearly even in spaces with plenty of ambient light.

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The best portable business projector overall

2. Optoma ML750e

The ML750e by Optoma may not be the smallest projector we're talking about here, but it's a lot more powerful than the pocket-sized PicoPix from Phillips. It weighs in at an ultraportable 380g with a small footprint that makes this easy to carry around. The differences in size between this and the PicoPix are negligible for the power you get in return: a 700 Lumens lamp that lets you present in rooms that aren't completely darkened.

Not only is it port-rich with one MHL-ready HDMI input, a USB 2.0 slot for thumbdrives, a universal I/O slot, and a microSD card slot, but the ML550 handled our 90-inch test screen with impressive results, and peaked at a 60-inch-or-so size. 

Much like the ViewSonic PLED-W800, though, the ML750e had us grumbling because you need to buy a dongle for Wi-Fi access. which felt as arcane at the time of this projector's release as it does today. And in another moment that felt anachronistic, there is no way to work with the projector via a smartphone or tablet.

The best large-projection business projector

3. Epson EB-S41

Usually when you choose a portable business projector you have to make a few sacrifices in order to have such a small device – but that's not the case with the Epson EB-S41.

Epson has an excellent reputation with business projectors, and it has brought much of its expertise to the EB-S41. Its 3,300 lumen brightness is much brighter than many other portable projectors , and means you have more flexibility when setting up the EB-S31 in environments where there is still ambient light.

The EB-S41 is small and light enough to carry around with you on business trips, but it also has a very large projection size – up to 300 inches – which makes this an incredibly versatile portable business projector.

The projector has a lifetime of around 12,000 hours, so with moderate use, you can expect it to last you up to 15 years.

The best wireless business projector

4. LG Minibeam PH550G

The LG Minibeam PH550G is a brilliant business projector for people who often work on the road thanks to its compact size. It's wireless as well, allowing you to connect a smartphone or tablet to it, and showcase your presentations or media quickly and easily.

This is great for impromptu meetings, and despite its small stature, it offers brilliant image and sound quality. If you're after a business projector that will wow audiences in huge keynote addresses, then this isn't the projector for you – it's relatively dim and lack resolution – but for presentations when out on the road, this is easily one of the best.

The PH550 has versatile connectivity options, including an HDMI, USB, and 3.5mm audio port. But thanks to the wireless mirroring function, you won't need to rely on cables — just your smartphone or tablet will do.

The best versatile business projector

5. Anker Nebula Capsule II Mini

Our expert review:

Some projector were meant to be portable – and few do it better than the Anker Nebula Capsule II Mini Projector.

About the size and shape of a can of Coca Cola, the Capsule II is very capable for its size, offering a 720p (HD) resolution and strong audio output – and a noticeable improvement on 2018's Anker Nebula Mars II . Its small size makes it a great choice for offices and board rooms where space is at a premium.

Given its size, we were pleasantly surprised to find a fully-sized HMDI port, too, rather than the mini-HDMI alternative – as well as a USB port and USB-C charging port, allowing you to power the projector while connecting to a streaming stick like the Roku Express or Amazon Fire TV Stick .

There's also 3,600 apps to make use of, all pre-built into the Android TV smart platform. However, given some tricky certification issues around Netflix, you won't get the biggest TV streaming service on there unless you connect and external device to do it for you.

Read our full Anker Nebula Capsule II Mini Projector review .

We've also listed the best home projectors .

The best business projectors FAQs

The best business projector: how to choose.

When finalizing the best business projector for yourself (or the office), start with considering your projection needs, the space you have at work, and whether you'll be traveling around a lot. 

If you'll be using the projector often, then it's best to invest in a high-quality device that'll offer great quality visuals for many years. You'll want to evaluate the size of the room where you're projecting and select a projector that has the right throw distance, resolution, and projection size. 

For those who're often on the road, a small and compact projector will be quite convenient. Wireless connectivity features always enhance ease of use and so does long battery life. 

You'll also want to assess the projector's brightness, contrast ratio, connectivity features, and overall visual quality. 

The best business projectors: How we test

To test the best business projectors, we reviewed them across numerous factors. 

We considered their technical specifications, like their type of projection system,  resolution, brightness, contrast ratio, connectivity options, size, and weight. 

We looked at their projection size, the quality of their visuals, and how clear the images were in spaces that received plenty of ambient light. 

Depending on their size, weight, and performance, we classified them into projectors that were good for travel and ones that were better suited for office rooms. We also mentioned their lamp life and checked for additional features, like interactivity.

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John (He/Him) is the Components Editor here at TechRadar and he is also a programmer, gamer, activist, and Brooklyn College alum currently living in Brooklyn, NY. 

Named by the CTA as a CES 2020 Media Trailblazer for his science and technology reporting, John specializes in all areas of computer science, including industry news, hardware reviews, PC gaming, as well as general science writing and the social impact of the tech industry.

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The Best Projectors (and 2 Great Screens)

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Best for Most Optoma UHD55 Read more

Also Great BenQ TK860i Read more

Easiest Setup Hisense PX1-Pro Read more

High-End Pick Epson LS12000 Read more

There's nothing like watching your favorite films in a dark room on a massive screen. For that authentic movie theater experience at home, you’ll need a projector (and a popcorn maker ).

You used to have to shell out more than $10,000 to get an excellent projected experience, but you can now get a massive, beautiful picture for less than the cost of a flagship TV . Projectors are also much more portable and easier to set up than ever. And if you have space, there are excellent pocket-sized and short-throw models that make lawn-side movie nights as easy as finding an extension cord and a level chair to set them on. Below are our favorite models and a couple of screens to pair with them.

Working on a total home-theater overhaul and need some help? We've got an entire guide to How to Set Up a Projector . Also, be sure to check out our buying guides to the Best Soundbars and Best 4K Streaming Devices .

Updated September 2023: We added the Optoma UHD55, BenQ TK860i, and BenQ W4000i.

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Best for Most

The previous Optoma model, the UHD50X ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ), offered one of the best pictures you'll find at a reasonable price, and the newer UHD55 keeps with that tradition. At 3,600 lumens, this projector is now bright enough for even lit rooms, and the image quality and ease of setup are directly comparable to the BenQ model that follows it on this list.

Plug in a gaming computer with a good enough video card and it will offer a 240-Hz refresh rate and low enough response time that you can play most online games. The high refresh rate also makes the UHD55 great for sports, which often look weird on projectors. I also like that this model supports Alexa, so you can literally ask your phone to turn the projector on.

If you want an upgrade, check out the UHZ50 ($2,800) , which uses laser projection, which makes it faster to turn on and off, and quieter for smaller rooms.

The latest bright-room projector from BenQ is another solid option for most people. With 3,300 lumens, the TK860i is more than bright enough for lit rooms, and it makes the thing positively gleam in the dark. This projector also comes with Android TV, which makes it easy to stream your favorite shows and movies instantly, no other streaming device is required.

It's light and easy to position. The projector can be placed between 9.9 and 12.8 feet from the wall, with up to 120-inch screen size. The Optoma above gets a bit brighter, but this has a bit better color and is still an excellent projector for most people. My advice? Go with whichever is cheaper at the moment.

Easiest Setup

Most traditional projectors require a significant distance between the device and the screen you want your image on, but not this laser projector. This all-in-one device ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) sits right on a traditional TV stand and projects an image upward onto an up-to-130-inch screen. It comes with a Dolby Atmos soundbar built in, which means you don’t even need to splurge for better sound until you really want to. Best of all, the setup couldn’t be easier, with a built-in Android TV interface and laser projection system that will be projecting your favorite shows and movies in no time.

High-End Pick

Epson's flagship 4K projectors have always been some of the best that money can buy. It feels like every generation builds in more value. It's hard to perceive value when it comes to a $5,000 projector, but this thing looks like a $20,000 (or more!) projector would have 10 years ago.

This three-chip laser projector is capable of 2,700 peak lumens for a bright picture in even moderately lit rooms, and it's so precise with color that it can do full 10-bit high dynamic range. It's also decent for gaming and watching sports, thanks to a 120-Hz refresh rate. If you have a theater room and need a new projector, this is a solid option.

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Best for Gamers

Our top pick is good for most casual gamers, but if you demand an even shorter lag time, the UHD38x from the same company is your best bet. Projectors have always had slower input response times (the time it takes your motion on a gamepad to react onscreen) than regular TVs, but the UHD38x fixes this with a superfast 240-Hz refresh rate at full HD resolution. That lowers the input latency to a mere 4.2 milliseconds, compared with 16 on the UHD55X—more than good enough for all but the most competitive gamers.

When you're not using it to play Tears of the Kingdom on an up-to-300-inch screen, you can watch all your favorite films and TV shows in 4K. At 4,000 lumens, it's also bright enough for medium-lit rooms. The one thing I don't like about it? You can't shift the lens inside if you want to reposition it, so you'll want to make sure you have a proper mounting solution planned before you pull the trigger.

Best Under $3,000

This bright 4K projector from BenQ has two names: It's called the W4000i in the rest of the world, the HD4550i in the United States. Regardless of the model number, it looks and acts the same, with the best picture quality I've seen this side of three thousand bucks.

This projector meets 100 percent of DCI-P3 and Rec. 709 color standards (read: colors look bright but not washed out), and the black levels are also pretty awesome for a projector. I also like that this model comes with an Android TV system, which allows you to easily stream your favorite shows and movies in no time. With 3,200 lumens it's bright enough for even lit rooms, with 4 LEDs rated at 20,000 hours of viewing time before you'll need to think about replacement. Another benefit to spending a bit extra? It does a 240-Hz refresh rate at 1080p, which means this projector is shockingly adept at gaming and sports.

The Smartest Projector

This gorgeous 4K laser projector from LG ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is also beautiful to look at when media is playing, and it's just about the easiest to use when it comes to finding stuff to play. It has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and LG’s TV operating system built in, including the awesome Wiimote-like LG Smart Remote. That means you can access everything from Netflix to Apple Airplay casting.

It’s a bit cumbersome to mount (you’ll want two people), but once you do, vertical and horizontal adjustments for the lens make lining it up with your screen a breeze. It even has HDMI eARC, which makes it easy to connect to soundbars and other modern receivers. The projector’s remote can control them.

A Portable Smart Projector

If you have Wi-Fi in your back yard, this portable little model from LG is a great way to have movie night. It has a built-in smart TV interface that features all the biggest apps, and the onboard speakers are loud enough for a small gathering (though you might want to consider speakers or a soundbar if you're playing for more than a few.

I like how easy it is to set up and get things streaming on this model, which easily focused in seconds using the slider on the top of the device. The screen size gets up there, too, with this little thing capable of 450 lumens (you'll want it to be night to watch outside) and up to a 120-inch screen. It's full HD (1080p), and though it will go that big, I found this model best for a normal-to-large TV-sized screen (about 80 inches in diameter). Be aware: It wavers in an out of stock on Amazon but can be found elsewhere regularly.

Best for Phones

The CineBeam PH30N is a blast. It has two hours of battery life, so you can watch a short movie anywhere (plug it in for longer sessions), and you can even stream things straight from your cell phone—no cables required. With 720p resolution and up to a 100-inch image size all from a projector that fits easily in a purse, you'll be watching Netflix in the woods in no time. Just wait until it's dark, because portable projectors aren't nearly as bright as their beefier, cabled counterparts.

Best Indoor Screen

If you're gonna splurge on a projector, you should snag a screen to go with it. You'll get better colors, sharper highlights, and have a more cinematic experience overall. My favorite is this Silver Ticket model, which looks as good as screens that cost much more. It's also super easy to mount.

Best Outdoor Screen

Outdoor movie nights shouldn't rely on an old white sheet or the scruffed-up wall of your garage. Instead, grab the Yardmaster 2 from Elite Screens, which assembles in minutes and comes with a carrying case for storage between events. Don't want two screens in your life? Do what I did and just move it inside during the cooler months.

Tips and Tricks

Projectors offer larger screen sizes and a more cinematic viewing experience than their TV counterparts, but that doesn't mean they're easier to set up. That's why we have an entire guide to How to Buy a Projector to check out!

Unless you're going for a portable option, you'll want to make sure you have a projector mount ($24) and audio cables properly routed to the location of your projector. This is because setting up full-size projectors to fit your screen, be in focus, etc., can be a pain, so once you get everything dialed in, you'll want to leave it as-is.

Make sure you get enough lumens (how bright your projector will get at its peak, the higher the number the better). Over 2,000 lumens is a good starting space for any kind of lit viewing, but we recommend 3000 or above if you're viewing in a bright room.

Another thing to bear in mind before you get a projector is just how much space you'll need to properly set it up. In most cases, you'll need 10 to 15 feet between the screen and the projector (be sure to check the “throw distance” listed by the manufacturer in the manual) to achieve screen sizes over 100 inches.

Without a completely dark room, the image can look washed out and be hard to see. If you don't have a room without windows, consider getting blackout curtains. For more detailed information on how to set up a projector after it arrives, I highly recommend this video .

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RS Recommends: The Best Office Projectors for Presentations

By Joshua Kanter

Joshua Kanter

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

Not all projectors can work in any situation. Finding the right one that’ll make your presentations pop and keep your audience engaged takes a bit of research. A good projector unit is going to be an investment, but a worthwhile one if giving presentations is a major part of your job. Plus, when work is done, these can just as easily double as a makeshift home movie theater, creating an instant big screen on any blank wall (or ceiling) in the house.

Office Projector Buying Guide

Here are a few things we recommend looking into before purchasing an office projector for presentations.

Portability: If you’ll be taking this to and from the office, or on the road, a heavy and bulky projector won’t work. Instead, there are plenty of lighter, smaller options that are still powerful enough to get your image up clearly for everyone to see, then pack it up afterwards.

Screen Size:  The main benefit to having a projector is an instant boost to a bigger screen for all to see, and these can get seriously large, stretching all the way up to 300 inches. For a typical office presentation, or even home movie night, it’s unlikely you’ll need that size. And in order to get it, the projector unit needs to be far, far back. If your conference room is large enough, a “long-throw” projector might be fine. But if it’s a small space, a “short-throw” model is an option too, allowing you to be mere centimeters from the wall and still see the big picture. You can also often move the picture without moving the projector with a horizontal and vertical lens shift option.

Audio:  If your presentation will need sound with it, such as a video or accompanying song, having some good built-in speakers can take it up a notch. Lower-grade speakers can sound tinny and garbled, distracting from the main focus of the visuals you’re trying to present. If your office already has a sound system, a simple audio-out jack or HDMI cable can carry the sound as well, so you can bypass the projector speakers and go straight for the big ones.

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Resolution:   This determines the clarity, and 720p is around the lowest we’d recommend going. Small projectors often don’t have the power of their bigger counterparts, which can result in a dimmer, duller picture. A projector’s brightness is determined in lumens, and the brighter a room, the more lumens you’re going to need. Over 2500lm is a safe bet for a room with average lighting, and lower for darker rooms at about 1200lm and under. When portability is the biggest factor, there are still some lightweight ones that display an impressive picture quality too (we’ve selected our favorite below).

Fans: Nothing distracts from an otherwise perfect presentation like a whirring and loud fan inside the projector unit. This can get annoying and is absolutely worth checking how noisy it gets before buying. But a fan does still serve an important purpose, and having a projector overheat mid-presentation is a real possibility too. A recommended range of temp is a projector that can be comfortable between -41 to 104°F (5 – 40°C).

Ports: Connecting a laptop, or a smartphone and tablet, is easy and can often even be done wirelessly. HDMI is a must, and if possible, having two of them is a big help. Same goes for a USB port for things like flash drives, and a microSD card slot. Make sure you won’t need a separate additional dongle or converter in order to hook up your desired device.

Home Use: It makes sense to get the most use out of a projector, both at the office and when you get home. Movies and games are usually a snap to set up, but take note of your space first. If you don’t have a clear wall, some models let you project over curved surfaces along with other ways to play with how the screen folds and contorts to match the surface.

What Are the Best Projectors for Presentations?

We picked the top projectors worth your money, from brands including Kodak, Epson and more.

1. Epson Pro EX10000 3-Chip 3LCD Laser Projector

Epson is a trusted brand when it comes to business equipment, and the Pro EX10000 is a beast of a projector that’s packed with practical options and awesome features.

Its laser-light sourced projection can project an image up to 300 inches, creating a theater effect in any conference room, even when the lights are on.

Inside, Epson’s 3LCD laser tech is able to crank out 4500 lumens of brightness, in full HD 1920 x 1080p resolution. Outside, manual focus and zoom knobs let you adjust them fast without digging deep into a digital menu. There are many ports, with two HDMIs, RCA, USB-A, USB-C, audio outs, and even a LAN.

The picture quality, brightness, and color pops, and things like automatic keystone correction save you time and the awkwardness of fumbling around in front of an audience trying to get the screen right.

Buy Epson Pro EX10000 3-Chip 3LCD Laser… $1,299.00

2. ViewSonic (PX748-4K) 4K UHD Projector

The PX748 can stretch a screen up to 300 inches and still be colorful and bright, with 4000ANSI lumens and 4K UHD resolution.

Connecting up most devices is easy, as this has two HDMI ports, as well as a USB. Lag is kept to a low on activities like gaming, with a 240Hz refresh rate, while the speakers are audible and clear. Anti-warping stabilization and keystone adjusting means you can set up the screen pretty much anywhere — even on curves.

You won’t be spending lots of money on replacement bulbs either — thanks to its reduced power consumption and SuperEco mode, this can handle 20,000 hours, or up to 10 years with average usage.

Buy ViewSonic (PX748-4K) 4K UHD Projector $882.98

3. KODAK Luma 150 Ultra Mini Pocket Pico Projector

For traveling light, this Kodak is by far the lightest of the bunch at just one pound.

But small doesn’t have to mean sacrificing convenience and quality. This unit still boasts a 1080p resolution, 3,000 hours of use, and 16.7 million colors. Connection is quick via a microUSB or HDMI cable, and the built-in 1.5W speaker is loud enough for everyone at the conference table to hear.

Buy KODAK Luma 150 Ultra Mini Pocket Pico… $219.99

4. DBPOWER Native 1080P WiFi Projector

This 1080p HD projector has a brightness of up to 9500 lumens and connects up through a USB, VGA, HDMI, AV or even wireless screen mirroring over WiFi. The lens has multi-coated layers of glass that improve picture quality, and the dual 5W stereo speakers are enough that everyone in a small to mid-size room can hear clearly.

It’s also light enough to be carried around, at just over 7 pounds, and has an advanced dual fan cooling system to prevent overheating at inopportune times.

Buy DBPOWER Native 1080P WiFi Projector $199.99

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• Electronics
• Home theater

The Best Projectors

By Adrienne Maxwell

Adrienne Maxwell is an editor covering AV gear. Her specialty is video projectors, so she spends a lot of time alone in dark rooms.

Different projectors are designed for different uses, and they can range in price from a couple hundred dollars to well into the five-figure range. Choosing the right model for your needs can be a daunting task, and we’re here to help.

Below is an overview of the top picks from our various projector guides. We have recommendations for premium 4K movie projectors, bright living-room projectors, budget home theater projectors, and more.

What you need to know

When shopping for projectors, don’t rely on the specs—especially the claimed brightness, which is often exaggerated.

If you want a big screen, you need a bright projector. Tiny projectors are not bright enough to deliver a big-screen, cinema-like experience.

Projectors, like TVs, are rarely set up to look their best right out of the box. Look for a picture mode called Cinema, Movie, or Natural.

We have projector recommendations for home theaters, living rooms, small spaces, outdoors, and portable use.

If you’re not sure where to begin your projector search, we recommend reading about how to pick the right projector for your viewing needs . In summary, you have three important questions to ask at the start: What do you plan to use the projector for? What type of room will you use it in? How big of a screen do you want?

There’s a huge difference in price and performance between a 4K projector designed for a big-screen home theater and a portable mini projector designed to be an everyday TV replacement. Some projectors excel with movies in a completely dark room, while others are better for sports or gaming in a room with some ambient light.

Generally, the bigger the screen you want, the brighter your projector must be to produce a satisfyingly rich image. Once you have a general idea of the projector’s intended use, it’s easier to zero in on a specific choice.

The research

Best 4k projector for a home theater, best budget projector for a home theater, best living-room projector, best portable mini projector for indoor and outdoor use, best short-throw projector (for small spaces), why we don’t recommend ultra-short-throw projectors for most people, what you’ll need to complete your projector setup, frequently asked questions.

Epson Home Cinema LS11000

The best 4k projector under $5,000.

The LS11000 is a great 4K laser projector that can deliver a big, bright, beautiful image, and it has almost all the features you need—except 3D support.

Buying Options

If you want to set up a high-performance home theater in a basement or spare room and need a 4K projector that can handle high dynamic range video and wide-color-gamut material, choose the Epson Home Cinema LS11000 . This LCD laser projector offers a combination of performance and features that you won’t find in any other projector priced lower than $5,000. It’s an excellent 4K movie projector, but it also looks great with games, sports, and HDTV when some room lights are on.

Why we like it

• The LS11000 has great detail, is bright enough to produce satisfying high dynamic range (HDR) video, and has wonderfully accurate color in the Natural picture mode.
• This LCD projector uses a laser light source that should see you through the next decade (or longer), with no need to pay for replacement bulbs.
• It's one of only a few 120-hertz projectors right now that has high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 inputs to work with the most advanced 4K gaming consoles and any future 8K sources that might emerge.
• A motorized lens with generous zoom and lens-shifting capabilities makes this projector easier to set up than many others.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The LS11000 doesn’t support 3D video playback, so people who have a large collection of 3D discs may want to look elsewhere.
• Projectors aren’t bright enough to show HDR video at its full brightness, so they have to adjust the HDR signal to show it in the brightness range they’re capable of. The LS11000 does not do this automatically; you have to manually adjust the HDR brightness setting.

Read more about the Epson LS11000 in our guide to the best 4K projector .

BenQ HT2060

The best budget projector around $1,000.

This projector produces a bright, rich-looking image with more accurate color than most competitors can offer. It’s easy to set up and quiet in operation, but it lacks features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

If you want to create a big-screen movie experience at home on a modest budget, the BenQ HT2060 is the best performer in the $1,000-and-under price range.

• It offers great image contrast and color accuracy.
• It’s bright enough to pair it with a large screen for a more immersive home theater experience.
• Out of the box this projector can produce a good image with very little adjustment, which means it’s good for people new to projectors.
• It’s easy to set up and quiet in operation.

• The HT2060 produced some digital noise in mid to dark grays during our tests.
• It lacks features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and built-in streaming apps.
• Because it uses DLP projection technology, some people might see the rainbow effect .

Read more about this pick and others in our guide to the best budget projector for a home theater .

Epson Home Cinema 3800

The best projector for a living room.

This projector combines high brightness with accurate color, great contrast, and good setup tools to fit in a variety of rooms.

The Epson Home Cinema 3800 projector offers a clear step up in picture quality over budget 1080p projectors, and its native contrast ratio—the difference between the darkest and brightest parts of an image—is much higher than that of most projectors around the same price. It can’t compete with the best 4K home theater projector in overall performance, but its high brightness makes it a better choice for use in a living room or family room where you can’t block out all the light.

• The Home Cinema 3800 is extremely bright, so the image will pop even in a room with a good amount of light.
• The Home Cinema 3800 also has accurate colors, producing lifelike greens, blues, reds, and everything in between.
• The high zoom (1.6x) and good lens shifting give you increased placement flexibility, which may matter more in a living room than in a dedicated theater room.

• The image isn’t technically 4K and doesn’t look quite as sharp as what you can see from some competitors, but it’s still highly detailed.
• The lamp life isn’t as long as that of some projectors we tested, but a replacement bulb costs less.

You can read more about this projector and other bright-room options in our full guide to 4K projectors .

Nebula Mars 3 Air

Best portable mini projector.

This compact, 1080p projector offers good image brightness and contrast, above-average sound, easy setup, and a built-in battery. But mounting it on a tripod may prove tricky.

If you need a small, compact projector that you can easily move around your home or take outside, the Nebula Mars 3 Air offers almost everything we could ask for in this type of projector. The Mars 3 Air is an LED projector that has a 1080p resolution and supports HDR video in the HDR10 format (though it isn’t bright enough to show off what HDR can do). It also includes a built-in battery, built-in Google TV and speakers, automatic focus and image shaping, and support for Bluetooth audio.

• The Nebula Mars 3 Air offers good brightness and contrast, rich color, and a 1080p resolution.
• Its internal speaker system delivers good sound. You can also connect an external speaker via Bluetooth.
• The projector automatically focuses and shapes the image so that it’s always optimized for your desired throw distance and angle, no matter where you place it.
• Its Google TV operating system gives you direct access to streaming apps such as those for Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix.
• The built-in battery, compact form, and carrying handle make it a great choice to take outside for the occasional backyard movie night. If you want something even brighter and more rugged for outdoor use, consider the step-up Mars 3 .

• The Mars 3 Air’s shallow tripod socket and ridged underside make it incompatible with some mounts and tripods.
• This model doesn’t have a USB-C port, so you might need an HDMI adapter cable to connect a mobile device.
• The black level, brightness, and color accuracy are lacking in comparison with a traditional home theater projector, so it isn’t an ideal choice for big-screen movie watching or gaming.

You can read more about this projector and others in our full guide to portable mini projectors .

BenQ HT2150ST

A short-throw pick.

If you’re short on space, the BenQ HT2150ST can produce a larger image from a shorter distance.

In order to create a large image most projectors need to be positioned far from the screen. This distance is called the throw distance, and can be anywhere from 8 to 15 feet, depending on the projector and desired image size. Short-throw projectors are convenient for small rooms or other situations where space is limited. The BenQ HT2150ST can sit much closer to the screen than a standard projector, and is bright enough to use in a room with some ambient light.

• It works in spaces other projectors can’t, producing a 100-inch image with only a couple feet of space.
• It produces a bright image that can work in a room that gets some ambient light.
• Its integrated speaker and small size make it easy to store when not being used.

• The short-throw lens can cause some fringing artifacts that you might notice.
• It’s bright, but the colors aren’t as accurate as those of the non-short-throw HT2060 .
• This projector has a 1080p resolution. If you're willing to pay more for a 4K short-throw projector, check out the ViewSonic X2-4K in our guide to the best 4K projector .

You can read more about this projector in our guide to the best budget projector for a home theater . 

Ultra-short-throw (UST) projectors are often marketed as TV replacements because they can deliver a massive image from a very short distance and have a footprint smaller than any TV. But the truth is, these are still projectors, and expensive ones at that. We tested four UST projectors at varying prices and performance levels and concluded that the vast majority of people are better off getting either a large TV or a traditional projector. You’ll either get better performance or spend less—oftentimes both. You can read more about this in our piece Is an Ultra-Short-Throw Projector a Good Substitute for a Big-Screen TV?

A great screen

Silver Ticket STR Series (White Material, 100-Inch)

Our favorite projector screen.

This inexpensive screen offers performance comparable to that of others costing much more, plus it’s easy to install.

If you have a projector, you should get a screen. Most modern projectors are bright enough to throw a decent image on just about any close-enough-to-white surface, but you won’t get accurate colors without a proper screen. A screen has less texture than a wall, plus it will add pop to the image, because paint almost always has less gain (that is, it reflects less light) than a screen, meaning the image will appear dimmer than is ideal. The Silver Ticket STR Series performs as well as screens costing thousands of dollars. You can read about screen materials and our testing methods in our full guide to the best projector screen .

If you’re putting together a backyard theater, consider one of our outdoor screen recommendations .

A projector mount

Peerless-AV PRGS-UNV Projector Mount

A good projector mount.

This is the closest thing to the perfect projector mount we’ve used.

If you want to get your projector up and out of the way, you need a mount. The Peerless-AV PRGS-UNV Projector Mount is one of our favorites due to its flexibility and how easy it is to set up correctly. The mounting arms are highly adjustable and removable, so it can handle anything from a tiny DLP projector to the gigantic JVC D-ILA projectors that most mounts cannot fit. The dials let you easily make small adjustments to the projector to get it level with the screen and produce the best-quality image without much work. After years of using this mount and going through dozens of tested projectors, we have yet to find one that the Peerless-AV cannot handle.

Other AV gear

You’ll probably need some speakers, AV sources, and other accessories. Check out our recommendations in “ The Best Gear for a Home Theater System .”

How many lumens is good for a projector?

For a home theater projector that you will use mostly in a dark room, we recommend at least 1,000 ANSI lumens for a 100-inch screen. If you plan to use the projector in a room with more ambient light, you’ll want to go brighter: at least 1,500 ANSI lumens (ideally 2,000 or more). The larger the screen size you want, the brighter the projector needs to be to produce a satisfying image. Manufacturers’ claimed brightness specifications are usually exaggerated, so it’s best to rely on actual measured results from trusted reviewers. Some manufacturers use LEDs instead of traditional bulbs as the light source in their projectors, and they list the brightness rating in “LED lumens” instead of ANSI lumens to give a higher number.

How far away should you sit from a projection screen?

This depends on how much you want the projected image to fill your field of view. Some people like to sit closer in the movie theater so it feels more immersive, while others prefer to sit farther back. It’s the same at home. Experts generally recommend a viewing distance that fills between 30 and 36 degrees of your field of view, and you can use this calculator to help find a good seating distance for your screen size.

Is a 4K projector worth it?

If you watch a lot of 4K content and want the most detailed image you can get, a 4K projector is the way to go. The step up in resolution from 1080p to 4K can be more obvious on a projector than it is on most TVs, due to the larger screen size. However, native 4K projectors are very expensive and usually reserved for the most ardent home theater fans. Most affordable “4K” projectors use some type of pixel-shifting technology to reproduce a 4K image, which can be very effective and really is good enough for most people. Also, once you get past a certain seating distance, your eyes may not be able to see the difference between 4K and 1080p. Most 4K projectors also support high dynamic range video, but we think this feature is less important on projectors, since none of them are bright enough to do HDR properly.

Meet your guide

Adrienne Maxwell

Adrienne Maxwell is the supervising editor of Wirecutter's audio/video team, covering everything from headphones to TVs. She has been a writer, editor, and reviewer in the consumer electronics industry for 20 years, and previously served as the executive editor of Home Theater Magazine and the managing editor of HomeTheaterReview.com.

Further reading

The Best 4K Projector

by Adrienne Maxwell

The Epson LS11000 4K laser projector delivers a big, beautiful image, works well in a variety of lighting conditions, and has most of the features you need.

The Best Budget Projector for a Home Theater

The BenQ HT2060 ’s good contrast, bright output, and impressive color accuracy make it our pick for the best budget home theater projector.

The Best Portable Mini Projector

A portable mini projector doesn’t perform as well as a good TV or home-theater projector, but the Nebula Mars 3 Air ably blends performance and convenience.

How to Pick the Right Projector for Your Viewing Needs

Choosing the right projector for your needs can be daunting. Here are some questions to ask before you begin your search.

Best Projectors for Business in 2022

Looking to up your meeting game with a great projector? Come on in.

As awesome as they are, something like a Surface Hub just isn't practical for a lot of businesses. Especially when you can get a projector to hook up to a laptop and share presentations and such while keeping the finance department happy.

There are a lot of projectors out there to choose from, but we've rounded up a few of the best to help you on your way.

LG Minibeam PH550

Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

Wanting a great projector for work doesn't necessarily mean it's going to stay in one place. Which is where something like the excellent LG Minibeam PH550 comes in.

PCMag has the lowdown.

The lightweight and portable LG Minibeam LED Projector (PH550) can project television shows thanks to its built-in TV tuner, has a wealth of connection choices, and boasts very good video and data image quality.

That image is 720p in resolution, which for a small projector is pretty good. It's easily portable and even has a built-in battery so you can literally use it anywhere you need to.

Toss in Bluetooth audio connectivity to project sound to some external speakers and even a TV tuner for those times you want to watch the World Cup at work! It's also well priced at around $510.

See at Amazon

Epson BrightLink 685W

When is a projector not just a projector? When you can interact directly with the presentations being shown through it. And that's what makes the Epson BrightLink 685W stand out.

TechRadar explains just why this is so good.

If you really want to wow at presentations, or turn a whole wall into an interactive whiteboard for brainstorming sessions, then the Epson BrightLink 685Wi is definitely worth considering.It's an interactive projector that allows people to draw, write and modify the items it projects onto a screen. It comes with a range of software to help you create these impressive projections, and can wirelessly connect to a huge range of devices.

Besides being interactive it's a short-throw projector which makes it perfect for smaller rooms. It is quite large, and expensive, though and it'll cost around $1,850. But it offers something almost no other projector does.

Optoma UHD60

Strictly, this is targeted more towards the home entertainment user, but there are still reasons you might want a 4K-capable projector in business.

And this is one of the few good ones out there that doesn't cost a small fortune.

From Expert Reviews :

if you want to make the most of your 4K content you need a really big screen and the only way to get that right now without spending thousands of pounds is with a projector like the Optoma.

Besides 4K the Optoma also supports HDR10 and has an HDMI 2.0 connector for the best quality image. With a single DLP chip, there's no alignment and you can be up to 10-feet away from the image and enjoy lifelike colors and excellent detail. And at around $1,670 it's very affordable for a 4K projector.

Philips PPX4010

Meetings aren't always confined to one space, and if you're on the road a lot then a great, highly portable projector might be what you need. And this one from Philips will slip into your laptop bag.

TechRadar also highlights a hidden 'feature' of the PPX4010.

Philips has created a projector so small it could be used to surprise unsuspecting co-workers who were blissfully unaware that a meeting was in their future.

This projector is astonishingly small, but still has a full HDMI connection and only draws power over USB. It's not the highest resolution at 854 x 480 and its brightness is limited to 100 lumens, but it's hard to argue with the quality from something this compact. Especially at $219.

If you're seeking an affordable, no-fuss projector that ticks the important boxes for your business, the BenQ MX570 is a great choice.

From ProjectorPoint

The BenQ MX570 is everything you want from a portable projector rolled into one low budget product. Boasting a brightness of 3,200 ANSI lumens and a contrast ratio of 13,000:1, this projector is capable of delivering a bright and clear image in pretty much any meeting room, regardless of ambient light.

Not having to sit in a seriously dark room is a blessing, and the XGA resolution provides a quality result. It can also be controlled over LAN as well as HDMI. Not bad for $440.

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The Best Projectors for Movies, Gaming, Business, and More

Watch movies, play video games, and give presentations, all with an extra-large viewing screen.

There are a wide range of projectors on the market to consider, from battery-powered portable options to high-end models that cost upwards of $2,000. The best projector for your needs will depend on how and where you plan to use it, as well as how much you’re willing to spend.

What to Consider

There are a few key elements that set projectors apart, and one of the most important is brightness, measured in lumen. You will want to look for a projector with at least 1,500 lumens if you plan on using it in a room with ambient light. Brightness and picture quality increase the higher you go, capping off at roughly 3,000 lumens.

Projector image quality is also dependent on definition. Most projectors—specifically more expensive ones—will be either 4k (ultra-high definition) or 1080p (high definition). While 4k will definitely be higher quality, 1080p still produces a clear image.

Another aspect to consider is how you will be able to watch—namely, what inputs are available. Most will have HDMI and USB to allow you to connect to another device, and some add Bluetooth for wireless connection and voice control using a smart home speaker .

Projector Types

There are three main sources for projection, all of which have their advantages and drawbacks. Everything from budget to intended use will help you figure out which one to buy.

DLP (Digital Light Processor)

This type of projector uses mirrors to reflect light toward the screen. They have minimal motion blur and high color accuracy, but don't do as well in ambient light because they aren't super bright.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

This type of projector—often the most affordable—channels light through a prism or set of dichroic filters to create the colors in the picture. They're also typically the most compact and quietest, and they project well onto any flat surface.

With incredibly bright, accurate colors and great contrast ratio, laser projectors are some of the most premium available. But be prepared to shell out more cash because they're expensive, ranging from hundreds to thousands or more.

How We Selected

We researched 10 expert sources, including Digital Trends , PC Mag , and Tech Radar , as well as 1,100 consumer reviews to make our selections. Our Consumer Score represents the percentage of customers who rated the product at least 4 out of 5 stars on manufacturers’ websites, along with Amazon , Walmart , and other retain sites.

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Nebula capsule ii.

Consumer Score: 83% gave it 4 stars or more Small and smart, this mini projector is great for movies and gaming.

Resolution: 720p HD |Technology: DLP | Max Screen Size: 100 in | Brightness: 200 lumens | Connectivity Options: HDMI, USB, Bluetooth

NEBULA Nebula Capsule II

Take a second to appreciate how cute this projector is. At roughly the size of a soda can, it is the paragon of portable projectors. PC Mag praises the speakers, attesting that its audio is high-quality and loud compared to most mini projectors. As for the image, it performs well in dark rooms—you get the best quality with a 60-inch screen—but if ambient light enters, it struggles to project images larger than 20 inches. The Nebula also comes with Android TV built in, which gives you access to YouTube, Google Apps, and a range of content from Google Play.

—EASY TO USE—

Consumer Score: 80% gave it 4 stars or more Its easy setup and streaming are the epitome of convenience.

Resolution: 4k UHD | Technology: DLP | Max Screen Size: 150 in | Brightness: 2,500 lumens | Connectivity Options: USB, HDMI, Bluetooth

LG LG HU80KA

One of the biggest issues with projectors is figuring out where and how to mount them. With this LG model, however, you don’t have to commit to a permanent spot. It’s easy to set up and take down, and can sit directly on the floor. There’s even a handle to make it more portable, which is a nice extra considering its 18-pound weight and large size (roughly 18 by 6 inches).

The projector features LG’s smart platform, which allows you to directly stream content, and features 4K resolution and a 150-inch screen size. Another plus is its high-end Harman Kardon speakers, which are a step above the competition.

—BEST LASER—

Consumer Score: 74% gave it 4 stars or more This laser projector can be placed right up against the streaming wall.

Resolution: 1080p HD | Technology: Laser | Max Screen Size: 120 in | Brightness: 1,500 lumens | Connectivity options: Bluetooth, USB, HDMI

LG LG HF85LA

If image quality is your primary concern, you can’t go wrong with a laser projector, which offer the best light, color, and detail. While laser projectors are often significantly more expensive, this one from LG is a bit more manageable, priced well under $2,000 at the time of this writing. It features a max 120-inch screen and plenty of brightness with 1,500 lumens, keeping the picture sharp even in ambient light. There's also a screen-share option and you can access all your streaming apps using your smartphone or tablet. And, as a bonus, the projector can be placed right up against the wall, which is super convenient.

—BEST VALUE—

Auking mini projector.

Resolution: 800p | Technology: LCD | Max Screen Size: 170 in | Brightness: 2,600 lumens | Connectivity Options: HDMI, USB, VGA

Auking M8-F Mini Projector

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly projector, this mini option from AuKing is well-priced and still offers a variety of useful features. It projects screen sizes ranging from 30 to 170 inches, and it can be hooked up to a computer, PC, or streaming device, thanks to its HDMI, VGA, and USB inputs.

The projector is compact and lightweight, measuring just 7.7 by 6 by 2.7 inches, which makes it easy to store. Its 800p resolution isn't anything to write home about, but it offers better contrast than many similarly sized portable options, resulting in a clearer, more vivid image.

—SMART FEATURES—

Resolution: 4k UHD | Technology: DLP | Max Screen Size: 140 in | Brightness: 1,500 lumens | Connectivity Options: HDMI, USB, Bluetooth

LG LG HU70LA

This LG projector saves you the hassle of connecting your computer to a projector to stream content from Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other services, thanks to the brand's WebOS smart TV platform.

It offers 4k ultra-high-definition resolution for unbeatable clear images and projects a screen up to 140 inches, plus it's compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The projector comes with an easy-to-use remote, and you can also mount it to the ceiling in addition to setting it up in front of the screen. Mediocre contrast is a definite drawback, especially considering the price point.

—BUILT-IN AUDIO—

Xgimi horizon pro.

Resolution: 4k UHD | Technology: DLP | Max Screen Size: 300 in | Brightness: 2,200 lumens| Connectivity Options: HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

XGIMI XGIMI Horizon Pro

One common complaint about projectors is that their built-in speakers are mediocre, at best. Most projectors are designed to be used with external speakers, but if that’s not in the budget, the XGIMI Horizon Pro has two built-in Harman Kardon speakers that deliver loud, clear audio that’s more than sufficient for average-sized rooms.

Other major highlights include 4k ultra-high-definition resolution, an impressive 300-inch max screen size, and 2,200 lumens of brightness. There's also Android TV 10 built in, as well as Google Assistant for voice control and Chromecast for wireless casting. The only downside is that the built-in smart platform doesn’t support Netflix, so you’ll have to use another device to access the streaming service.

—BEST FOR GAMING—

Optoma uhd50x.

Resolution: 4k UHD | Technology: DLP | Max Screen Size: 120 in | Brightness: 3,400 lumens | Connectivity Options: HDMI, USB, VGA

Optoma Optoma UHD50X

If you're a gamer, this model from Optoma is the best midrange option for performance and features. It has HDMI, USB, and VGA inputs that allow you to connect virtually any gaming system or computer, and boasts the lowest input lag of any 4k projector, with a 240Hz refresh rate. Plus, with the unit’s Enhanced Gaming Mode, the projector has a 16-millisecond response time, so you never miss a thing.

The projector features a 120-inch max screen size, and it delivers a whopping 3,400 lumens of brightness. It can be placed on a table or mounted to the ceiling, and its vertical lens shift and 1.3x zoom make it easy to adjust the picture, though you'll need to do it manually.

—BEST FOR BUSINESS—

Epson vs260.

Resolution: XGA | Technology: 3LCD | Max Screen Size: 150 in | Brightness: 3,300 lumens | Connectivity Options: HDMI, USB

Epson Epson VS260

The Epson VS260 is a portable projector that’s designed for business applications. It’s quick and easy to set up, thanks to a built-in speaker, and with 3,300 lumens, it provides crisp images and videos, even in well-lit spaces. The projector offers XGA resolution—or 1024 by 768 pixels—which is the same resolution as most computers, making it easy to pair your laptop to the device.

Other notable features include HDMI and USB inputs, allowing you to set up a big-screen Zoom conference or connect to a streaming device, and a 150-inch max screen size. However, keep in mind that this model doesn’t have an audio jack, so you can’t plug in an external speaker.

—CEILING PROJECTION—

Resolution: 720p | Technology: Not listed | Max Screen Size: 100 in | Brightness: 300 lumens | Connectivity Options: HDMI, USB, Bluetooth

BenQ BenQ GV30

If you’ve ever wanted to project a movie on the ceiling, the BenQ GV30 is up for the task. This unique projector has a circular design that rotates on its mount, allowing you to change its projection angle by up to 135 degrees. You can use it to create a screen up to 100 inches, but keep in mind that the resolution is fairly low at just 720 pixels.

Because it’s designed to be portable, the BenQ projector comes with a carrying bag, and it’s even drop-resistant. It has Android TV built in, so you can watch shows via Prime Video or Google Play, and also cast to it via AirPlay or Chromecast. Plus, it can even be used wirelessly on the go, with a battery life of 2.5 hours per charge.

Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.

Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track. 

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The 10 Best Projectors of 2022 for Every Budget, Tested and Reviewed

By Mike Fazioli

Mike Fazioli

Contributor

• Share This Article

Table of Contents

In this review, SPY counts down the very best projectors of 2022. After a rigorous testing process spanning months, we compared the top projectors in every category and price point from brands such as Samsung, LG, Nebula by Anker, Epson and ViewSonic. Keep reading to find out which product was named the best projector of the year.

This summer, we’ve made it our mission to identify the best projector for every purpose, and we’re excited to finally share our guide to the best overall options.

SPY has been bringing you the best portable projectors  and iPhone projectors  so you can create a home theater no matter where you are in 2022. We’ve shown you the true versatility of the home projector, from heavyweight short-throw projectors to pocket-sized mites that you can easily take on the go, with so many good options in between.

Now it’s time to boil those lists down to the 10 must-have projectors of 2022. The prices run the gamut from thousands of dollars to mere hundreds, the sizes from large to palm-sized. We’ve tested them all — see below for more information on our in-depth product testing process — and we’re confident there is something here for truly everybody, whether you’re looking to replace your giant flat-screen TV or just looking for a fun gadget.

Without further ado, here are the 10 best projectors of 2022.

1. Samsung The Premiere LSP7T 4K

Best overall.

Best For: Transforming any room with a big blank wall into an epic entertainment center. Truly, this is the best projector for sale in 2022, full stop.

Why We Chose It:  As we said in our full review, this is the “Holy Grail” of wall-filling ultra-short-throw 4K projectors. The Samsung The Premiere LSP7T 4K made all kinds of chest-beating claims upon its late-2020 release — three lasers, the first HDR10+ projector, all game-changing stuff. But when we got our hands on a review unit and put it through our testing regimen, we found it delivered on its promises, and then some.

Full review: Samsung The Premiere LSP7T 4K

The Premiere 4k Smart Laser Short-Throw Projector (120-Inch)

The premiere 4k smart laser short-throw projector (130-inch).

If you have a big blank wall in your home and space on a credenza or shelf or even on the floor, a few grand burning a hole in your pocket, and the desire to create the ultimate home-theater and gaming space, you need this projector. Our 11-foot wall was instantly transformed into a massive, super-bright screen of sharp, vivid colors, all thanks to the amazingly easy setup of The Premiere. The Premiere handled streamed content, live TV and gaming with equal awesomeness, including a 2.2 channel audio system that filled the room and was never challenged by the whisper-quiet operation of the projector itself.

Do we have any discouraging words? Maybe just the remote control, which is billed as being “universal” but was unable to control our Roku Streaming Stick or Apple TV. And yes, that’s nitpicky. Sometimes choosing a Best Overall is hard. This was not one of those times.

• Truly superb picture and sound across a massive screen size
• Effortless setup
• Filmmaker Mode for movies and Game Enhancer mode for gaming
• Fine-tuning of picture size is easy to do
• Low-profile size, attractive whether placed on shelf or floor
• “Universal” remote isn’t quite universal
• Far friendlier to Android mobile devices than iOS ones

Specs: 

• Resolution: 4K UHD
• Lumens: 2200 ANSI
• Contrast ratio: 2,000,000:1
• Size and weight: 5 x 21.7 x 14.4 inches, 20.1 lb.

2-3. LG CineBeam HU915QE and LG HU85LA 4K UHD Laser Projectors

Best For:  Anyone wanting a true luxury entertainment experience from an elite ultra-short-throw projector. A strong contender for the best home theater projectors ever made.

Why We Chose (Them):  LG’s entrants into the ultra-short-throw projector field sit firmly in the luxury category, with the same wall-filling promise of the Samsung The Premiere. These super-high-end UST projectors have become a viable option for replacing flat-screen TVs with super-large pictures of nearly equal quality.

LG CineBeam HU85LA 4K UHD Projector

$2,933.99 $4,999.99 41% off, lg cinebeam hu915qe 4k uhd projector at b&h.

LG’s CineBeam HU85LA was one of the very first luxury UST projectors to hit the market, and it still holds up today as a top-line home theater device. We gave it a whirl at the same time as its upgraded big brother, the HU915QE. The units look nearly identical, right down to the dimensions and weight. Performance-wise, the HU915QE’s improvements are apparent: 1000 more lumens to bring the total to a spectacular 3700, and a bigger sound from its 40W 2.2-channel speaker as compared to the two 5W stereo speakers of the older model.

Did LG upgrade an already great projector with its newer iteration? Yes, unquestionably. But is there a $2000 difference between the two? No, we can’t say there is. So we rated these two as a draw, leaving it up to you if you would rather spend the extra money for the difference between great and greater. You really can’t go wrong with either.

• Incredible brightness — the HU915QE’s 3700 lumens rank among the highest available
• Outstanding color accuracy
• Low input lag for gamers — only 53.3 ms for the HU915QE
• Price points for the two units make the older model an equally appealing buy as the upgrade
• Unnecessarily complex remote control
• Resolution: 4K UHD (both)
• Lumens:  3700 (HU915QE); 2700 (HU85LA)
• Contrast Ratio:  2,000,000:1 (both)
• Size and weight: 26.8 x 13.7 x 5 inches, 26.9 lb (both)

4. Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 Home Projector

Best portable.

Best For: Anyone wanting big-projector performance from a portable unit.

Why We Chose It: Our quest for the best portable projectors led us to this compact marvel, which blew away the field of great small projectors for outdoor movie nights and other fun activities.

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12

We nearly missed the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 because we were fixated on the palm-sized portables, and we would still be kicking ourselves had we let that happen. As smaller portable projectors go, the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 was far and away the winner. Unlike most portables, the EF12 performs great in rooms with light interference, thanks to its 1000-lumens power. The image area goes up to 150 inches, but we recommend a more modest 6 to 8 feet for peak performance. That sweet spot is where you really notice the 200000:1 contrast ratio, which delivers a super crisp and clean image. The sound quality is top-notch, not requiring an external speaker hookup as many portables do. Make no mistake, this is the best on-the-go projector out there.

• Superior brightness and contrast not often found in portables
• Loud, clear sound
• Comprehensive connectivity for streaming sticks, gaming consoles, and more
• High price point for a portable (but so worth it!)
• Resolution:  1080p
• Lumens:  1000 ANSI
• Contrast ratio:  200000:1
• Size and weight: 5.3 x 6.9 x 6.9 inches, 4.7 lb

5. Nebula by Anker Capsule Max

Best budget portable.

Best For: Anyone wanting a cool portable projector and a conversation piece in one.

Why We Chose It: The cool cylindrical design and compact size made this an intriguing portable option, and Anker’s rep for small electronics is beyond solid.

Nebula by Anker Capsule Max

$319.99 $469.99 32% off, nebula by anker capsule max at walmart.

It’s impossible to look at the Nebula by Anker Capsule Max and not want to pick it up and play with it. Something about that tall-boy-sized cylindrical design is just inviting, and when you accept the invitation, it lives up to the appeal. It’s a remarkably easy and intuitive device to set up and enjoy right out of the box, which in the ever-evolving tech world is a definite bonus. The Android TV 9.0 interface is a true champ, with every app we ever wanted or needed at the ready. The sound overperforms the unit’s modest size, and the interface is a breeze to navigate.

Will you get that four-figure-lumens brightness? No, it’s more like 200 lumens, and thus this is not a projector for a partially lit room. But portable projectors seldom are, and in a dark room or on a dark night outdoors, the Capsule Max will not let you down in the least, especially outdoors where the 2.5-hour battery life comes prominently into play.

• Fantastic sound
• Easy setup and connection to external devices; excellent interface
• Autofocus and keystone adjustment paired with sharp 720p resolution
• Cylindrical design and size make it easily portable
• Even at 200 lumens struggled in a dimly lit room
• Resolution:  720p
• Lumens:  200 ANSI
• Contrast ratio:  600:1
• Size and weight: 3.15 x 3.15 x 5.91 inches, 1.5 lb

6. Nebula by Anker Mars Pro II

Portable worth considering.

Best For: Anyone who enjoys outdoor movie or gaming nights.

Why We Chose It: The Capsule Max’s bigger, brighter sibling is well deserving of consideration among the best home projectors.

Nebula by Anker Mars II Pro Portable Projector

$469.99 $549.99 15% off.

The extra $80 in the price of the Nebula by Anker Mars II Pro over its Capsule Max linemate is enough to push it out of the “budget” category, but certainly not enough to remove it from the list of best overall projectors. In fact, considering that you’re buying an extra 300 lumens of brightness at the same sharp 720p resolution with that $80, it’s quite possibly a better deal.

It is, however, an older model than the Capsule Max, as evidenced by its Android 7.1 interface as compared to the Android 9.0 of the Capsule, and also lacks the punched-up sound of the Capsule. But this is an exceptionally solid portable projector, with the handle practically begging you to take it on the go or set it up outside. The plug-and-play capabilities with streaming sticks and gaming consoles are vast, and you can even use it as a mirroring device for your Windows or Android phone via Miracast.

• Bright, clear picture
• Ample 3-hour battery life
• Solid construction, can take a jostling on the go
• Older unit (2020), older version of Android interface
• Speakers pale in comparison to Capsule Max
• Lumens:  500 ANSI
• Contrast ratio: 1000:1
• Size and weight: 7.01 x 5.24 x 4.8 inches, 3.95 lb

7. Kodak Luma 350 Portable Projector

Best pocket-sized.

Best For:  Anyone who wants their entertainment to be truly on the go.

Why We Chose It:  The pocket-sized projector field grows by the day, so we went with Kodak’s longstanding reputation for quality. The Luma 350 is at the upper end of Kodak’s line of pocked-sized projectors, ahead of the 75 and 150 but behind the 450.

Kodak Luma 350 Portable Smart Projector

$299.99 $349.99 14% off.

Kodak recently launched a new line of small portable projectors, and they’re excellent options that don’t cost too much. We recommend pushing through a complicated setup because the Kodak Luma has a lot to offer, even when compared to the formidable alternatives featured above. But if you’re looking for the best projectors of 2022 under $300, this is a fantastic option to consider.

The Kodak Luma 350 put us through a few trials and tribulations before earning a spot in our pocket and on this list of best projectors because the setup of this mighty mite was anything but seamless. There is so much great quality to get to beyond the setup, however, so we stuck with it. Keep that in mind as you wrestle with the laggy interface and awkward WiFi setup.

Now, onto the good parts — this is a really good short-throw palmtop projector. At 150 lumens it’s going to need to be placed close to your wall or screen, but when properly positioned (inside of four feet) you will get a super-crisp image and exceptional sound for such a teeny device. Unlike many other palm-sized projectors, this one feels sturdy, so you can plop it into your backpack or even your pocket without worrying about busting it. Stick it out through the setup, the result is worth it.

Pros: 

• Small size, weighs under a pound
• 200-lumens brightness from a tiny unit
• Frustrating interface
• Resolution: 480p
• Contrast ratio: 3500:1
• Size and weight:  1.1 x 4.4 x 4.4 inches, 0.8 lb.

8 Epson Home Cinema LS11000 4K PRO-UHD Projector

Best long-throw.

Best For: Anyone with an old-school entertainment room setup complete with projector mount and AV system who is looking to upgrade their projector.

Why We Chose It: Not all of the big luxe projector models are UST. Epson’s LS11000 long-throw projector is a 4K ultra-HD laser powerhouse that especially shines for gaming.

Epson Home Cinema LS11000 4K PRO-UHD Projector

Epson home cinema ls11000 4k pro-uhd projector at best buy.

In a list populated by the newest ultra-short-throw projectors and palm-sized mini models, the Epson LS11000 long-throw projector may seem like an anachronism. But this is an ultra-modern, top-of-the-line beast that can hang with those floor-hugging UST models. The 2500 lumens of brightness are augmented by Epson’s proprietary 4K PRO-UHD resolution to bring you an awesome image that, while maybe not as massive as the UHDs, is still more than big enough for movies, live TV, gaming or anything else.

Of all the 14 projectors we tested, this was the best for gaming, probably for the sub-20ms lag time combined with the great picture. But, there’s a big buyer-be-aware note attached to the LS11000: It has no speaker. You need to connect it to an A/V system or other external speakers via the HDMI ARC port in the back. (No, not Bluetooth, there isn’t any.) So in that regard, the technology has some catching up to do. It’s also a huge machine that begs to be permanently installed in a ceiling or wall via projector mount. But for a little extra wiring and elbow grease, you have yourself a serious projector.

• Exceptional resolution
• Low lag rate makes for an outstanding big-screen gaming experience
• No built-in speakers
• Could use more input jacks, especially with one needing to be devoted to a speaker system
• Resolution: 4K
• Lumens: 2500 ANSI
• Contrast ratio: 1200000:1
• Size and weight:  7.6 x 20.5 x 17.6 inches, 28 lb.

9. XGIMI Elfin Smart Projector

Best portable long-throw.

Best For: Anyone wanting a good long-throw projector that doesn’t need mounting hardware.

Why We Chose It: The XGIMI Elfin is a portable long-throw projector at a great price. It won’t replace your flat-screen, but it’ll do everything but.

XGIMI Elfin Smart Projector

Like the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12, the XGIMI Elfin Smart Projector sneaks into the portable category despite its (relatively) large size. It’s not huge by any means at just under 2 pounds and 7.6 x 7.6 x 1.9 inches, and it’s not going into your pocket, but unlike the Epson, it still fits easily into a messenger bag, and at a hair under 2 pounds it is half the weight of the Epson .

If you’re looking for a long-throw projector that doesn’t require a ceiling or wall mount and costs a fraction of what those big fellas would run you, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re looking for a portable projector that delivers a bright image (800 lumens) that doesn’t require pitch blackness to be seen, you’re still in the right place. Add the autofocus and auto keystone correction to its portability and plug-and-play capability and, while there really isn’t a mid-range category for projectors, this would be the top dog if there were.

• Bright, crisp picture, even with some light interference
• Auto keystone correction and focus
• Unit runs quietly compared to other smaller projectors

Cons: 

• Harmon Kardon built-in speakers underwhelming
• Resolution:  1080p; supports 2K
• Lumens:  800 ANSI
• Contrast ratio:  1000:1
• Size and weight: 7.6 x 7.6 x 1.9 inches, 1.98 lb

10. Samsung Freestyle

Most versatile.

Best For: Early adopters and gadget lovers. Samsung loyalists who appreciate an innovative new gadget.

Why We Chose It: In our review, we called it the “Swiss Army Knife of Digital Smart Projectors”, and easily the most versatile and creatively designed one we’ve seen.

Full review: Samsung Freestyle Review

Samsung Freestyle

Samsung freestyle at samsung.com, $899.99 $899.99.

Unveiled at CES 2022 , the Samsung Freestyle’s unique spotlight-like design immediately drew in the curious. What they found was a veritable Swiss Army knife — part HD projector, part speaker, part display, part light, all smart. But is it truly  great at any of them? We’d go with “very good,” which when combined with the fact that it is a jack of so many diverse trades, earns it a spot on the list for serious consideration.

The Freestyle runs the same Tizen-based software as Samsung’s high-quality smart TVs, so the best streaming services are instantly available. It projects at 550 lumens, so it’s not a long-throw, but put it in its sweet spot in a dimly-lit or dark room and the 1080p resolution delivers on a screen size up to 100 inches. The automatic adjustments of the white balance and keystone aid the image significantly. The sound, considering the small size of the unit, is acceptable.

• Integrated Alexa & Bixby voice assistants
• All the popular streaming services are available
• Vibrant color reproduction
• Plastic screws damage easily
• Sluggish UI performance
• Thin audio performance
• Resolution : 1080p
• Lumens: 550 ANSI
• Contrast ratio : 100,000:1
• Size : 4 x 6.8 x 3.7 inches, 0.80 lbs

How SPY Chose the Best Projector of 2022: Our Testing Process

This summer, SPY has been hard at work testing the world’s best projectors, and we’ve used different criteria based on the category: short throw projectors , portable projectors , and the best iPhone projectors . For portable projectors, we looked at factors such as brightness, smart features and connectivity, color clarity and overall picture quality. In addition, we made sure to test it with a variety of media types.

To find the best projectors of 2022, we compared the top products side by side. Each of the products was scored according to the criteria below.

Resolution and streaming: We played YouTube videos, streamed live TV, and streamed movies on each unit, in both daylight and nighttime conditions, to assess the clarity and sharpness of each unit.

Sound: We tested each unit without external speakers, sitting both nearby and 5 to 10 feet away from the unit, to assess volume and clarity of sound and also to see how well it could be heard over each unit’s internal fan.

Ease of setting up: We connected each unit to an iPhone 13, a Roku 4K Streaming Stick, and a PlayStation 5, both hardwired and (where applicable) via Bluetooth. All units with WiFi were connected to the same home WiFi system. We tested for ease of setup and speed of connection.

Ease of use: Beyond the initial setup, we tested each unit’s interface, apps (where applicable), built-in control buttons and remote control (where applicable). We looked for ease of basic commands like play/pause/stop, volume, switching between inputs, and others.

The room we tested these projectors in has two east-facing windows and a wide glass doorway. When testing these portable projectors, the brightest of which threw 1000 lumens, we covered the glass doorway with a blanket to block the light.

Our target wall is 12 feet wide by 8 feet tall, perfect for projector tests. The units were tested during daylight (for partial light distortion) and nighttime hours.

Click here to read more about how SPY tests products.

Why Trust SPY When Shopping for the Best Projector

SPY is always on the lookout for the latest and best tech products, and this year we have tested dozens of projectors. We’ve ranked the best  home theater projectors ,  short-throw projectors  and  iPhone projectors , in addition to reviewing larger projectors like the Samsung The Premiere LSP9T 4K . When testing products, we’re always honest about both the pros and cons, and we’ve been on a mission to find the best projector of 2022 for every budget. We never recommend a product we wouldn’t buy ourselves, and all of the products featured in this review have been thoroughly vetted by SPY’s product testers.

About the Author: Mike Fazioli

Mike Fazioli is an experienced freelance author, editor, and product tester for  SPY.com . He indulges his inner nerd by testing and reviewing tech gadgets and gear, like the Lomi and other electric composters, the Backbone One iPhone Gaming Controller  and the  Nursal 24-Mode TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator . Before working with SPY.com, Mike was the managing editor for big magazine brands from Men’s Health  to  Car and Driver  and  Road & Track.

Mike Fazioli is an experienced e-commerce editor and writer and a long-time contributor to SPY. In addition to writing about the latest deals and covering weekend news in the e-commerce world, Mike…

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• The Best Projectors for 2024

Need a projector for business presentations, fast-paced gaming, or family movie night? We've tested these top-rated portable and full-size projectors to help you find just the right one for home, the office, or the road.

Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projector

BenQ TK860i

BenQ TH685P

Vankyo Performance V700W

BenQ X3100i

Epson EX3280 3LCD XGA Projector

Epson Pro EX11000 3LCD Full HD 1080p Wireless Laser Projector

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 3-Chip 3LCD Smart Streaming Laser Projector

Hisense C1 Laser Mini Projector

Anker Nebula Mars 3

Kodak Luma 75 Portable Pocket Projector

Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser

Projectors have come a long way from the days when they were all essentially interchangeable for anything from business presentations to setting up a home theater, and the most useful way to categorize them was by their weight class. Today, you can break them down by any number of meaningful categories, including their imaging technology (LCD, DLP, LCOS, and even laser raster), light source (lamp, LED, laser, or hybrid), and most important, their intended use.

As projectors have become more widely used, they've also become more specialized. A model intended for showing business presentations in rooms with bright lighting, for example, needs higher brightness than one designed for watching movies in a dark room, but it doesn't need the same level of contrast or color accuracy.

In this guide, we'll first cover our favorite picks for a variety of needs, chosen from models we've tested. We'll also explain why we picked each one for that specific use. Then, we'll take you through the factors you should consider when shopping for a projector to help ensure you find the best match for whatever you plan to use it for.

You Can Trust Our Reviews

Deeper dive: our top tested picks, why we picked it.

The Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 is pricey, 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, thanks to lens quality and video processing. The LS12000 keeps the same emphasis on top-quality lenses and processing while boosting the pixel count to a full 3,840 by 2,160 pixels. The result is more detail than we've seen from any pixel-shifting 4K DLP projector.

Because the image is produced by three LCD chips, you won't see any rainbow artifacts—the flashes of red, green, and blue that single-chip projectors can show. The LS12000 also offers top-tier color accuracy, contrast, 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.

Who It's For

The LS12000 will tantalize serious videophiles who plan to put it in a home theater with dark walls, ceiling, and seating to minimize reflections back to the screen. However, the image quality is good enough that even less-demanding viewers will notice, making it a good home theater projector for anyone. It's also bright enough to serve in a family room, particularly if you'll be watching movies with all the lights off at least occasionally. It doesn't support 3D, however, so if 3D movies are your thing, you'll need to look elsewhere.

• 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
• No 3D support

Home entertainment projectors like the BenQ TK860i are meant primarily for use in ambient light, which means they're designed for high brightness even if it means some loss of image quality. True to form, the TK860i puts brightness first, but its image quality holds up nicely. In addition to 4K resolution (thanks to a DLP chip equipped with TI's fast-switch pixel shifting), it offers BenQ's new HDR-PRO technology, which works for SDR, HDR10, and HLG HDR input to deliver better shadow detail, contrast, and sense of three dimensionality than most of the competition. The projector also offers smart TV streaming features thanks to a bundled Android TV 11 dongle, and it supports full HD 3D. Gamers will also appreciate input lags that we measured at a little longer than the current state-of-the-art, but short enough for all but the most serious gaming.

The TK860i will appeal to anyone who insists on good, rather than merely acceptable, image quality, particularly if they also want a short input lag for first-person shooter or sports games. If you see rainbow artifacts easily (the red/green/blue flashes that single-chip DLP projectors can show) you'll want to ensure that you buy the projector from a dealer who allows easy returns should they be a problem. But if you don't see these artifacts, or don't mind seeing them, and you're looking for a way to enjoy movies, TV, and potentially gaming with lights on, the TK860i is a top pick.

• 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

Sheer specs don't tell the whole story of the TH685P. This 1080p projector has almost identical specs to those of its BenQ predecessor, but the TH685P delivers an obviously better image with HDR input. That's a big thumbs-up in a home entertainment projector at this price. It also surprised us with its onboard audio quality. The sound from the internal 5-watt chamber speaker is quite usable and pumps out 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, and who will benefit both from its low input lag and its good handling and downconverting of 4K HDR content. (Ideally, you'll limit HDR viewing to a darkened room.) Also, if attaching an external sound system or headphones isn't an option where you play or watch, this model's speaker output is a plus.

• 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 Vankyo Performance V700W is a little bigger than most budget-priced mini projectors, but it's a direct competitor with high-end models, at $299 list and frequently available for less. Compared with its competition, it delivers a similar set of features, including a 1080p (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) native resolution and a highly watchable picture that's guaranteed to be free of rainbow artifacts. It's also the brightest kid on the block—for its class at least—with a 420 ANSI lumen rating. In our tests using settings for best image quality, it lit up a 90-inch screen without problems with lights off, and delivered a suitably bright image using an 80-inch screen in a family room at night with lights on.

Along with high brightness, the V700W offers more-than-acceptable image quality, including better shadow detail than most projectors in this price range. Even the onboard audio, built around dual 5-watt speakers and Dolby Digital Plus, is impressive for an inexpensive projector. And the input lag—measured at 26 milliseconds for 1080p, 60Hz input—is easily fast enough for casual gaming.

Anyone looking for an inexpensive first projector for casual home entertainment use should have the V700W on their must-see list. Although it's priced at the high end of the range for inexpensive models, it's not much more than competitors that are best limited to significantly smaller image sizes in any given light level. It's also priced low enough to consider as a second projector for occasional use, so you can watch a movie in your backyard, for example, and leave your more expensive projector in its permanent setup, undisturbed.

• Resolution of 1,920 by 1,080
• Guaranteed free of rainbow artifacts
• Surprisingly robust audio
• Input lag is easily short enough for casual gaming
• Two HDMI ports
• Big settings menu obscures image (and seeing the effect of your changes)
• Minor tweaking needed to bring out shadow detail

Why We Picked it

The BenQ X3100i is BenQ's current flagship in its Immersive Gaming Series, and a substantial update from the previous model, which was already our top pick both for a 4K gaming projector and for gaming overall. It starts with everything we liked in its predecessor, including a long-lived LED light source; HDR10 and HLG support; state-of-the-art short input lag; and robust audio that can fill a large family room. New features making this model even better are support for 1440p (2,560-by-1,440-pixel) resolution at 120Hz, which is a popular choice for gaming; a vertical lens shift to adjust image height without introducing keystone distortion; and a 10% boost in brightness, to 3,300 ANSI lumens, to make it even more of a light cannon. It also increases the number of predefined gaming modes to four to let you tweak both the image and audio for multiple types of games simply by picking the appropriate mode. The measured lag ranged from 16.9ms at 1080p/60Hz to 4.2ms at 1080p/240Hz.

The X3100i is designed for serious gamers. You can use it for watching movies and video, and it comes with an Android TV 11 streaming stick to make that easy. But there's little point in choosing it if that's all you're going to use it for. If the 1440p support, short input lag, and predefined game modes are extras you don't care about, you probably don't need the X3100i. If they sound like something you can't do without, this could be the gaming projector you've been waiting for. 

• 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

Rated at 4,000 lumens, the BenQ LH730 can deliver a 1080p (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) image at a suitable size and brightness for a well-lit conference room or classroom. Even better, although you might want to dust it off occasionally, it's basically maintenance free, thanks to a four-LED light source (red, green, and two blues) that's both sealed—meaning dust-proof—and designed to last the life of the projector. It's also designed to run 24/7/365 if you need it to, and it scores well on image quality.

For presentations, the LH730 offers vibrant color in graphics and crisp, highly readable text. For movie and video clips, it easily matches entry-level home theater projectors for color accuracy, contrast, and shadow detail, and it even supports HDR10 and HLG HDR. We saw too many rainbow artifacts in movies and video from the DLP imaging chip to recommend it for long sessions, but for short clips as part of a presentation, it delivered high quality and few enough rainbows to easily ignore them.

The LH730 is a strong contender for applications like displays in a reception area that need a virtually maintenance-free unit to run all day every day without a break. However, not having to change filters or lamps can be a welcome convenience in any situation, and being designed for uninterrupted long-term use implies less likelihood of problems even with more moderate use. The frequent rainbows make it a bad choice if you need to show movies in a classroom, but for presentations in brightly lit rooms—even when including short movie or video clips—the LH730 is a top-tier pick.

• High brightness, rated at 4,000 ANSI lumens
• Native 1080p resolution, accepts up to 4K/60Hz input
• Vibrant color for graphics
• Supports HDR10 and HLG HDR
• Maintenance-free, 24/7/365 operation
• Frequent red/green/blue flashes while viewing movies and video
• Brightest mode adds an obvious green bias

The Epson EX3280 pairs a low price with high-enough brightness to throw a suitably large picture for a medium-size conference room or classroom with ambient light. And because it's built around three LCD chips, it can't be plagued by the rainbow artifacts that some people see with single-chip projectors and find annoying. The three-chip design also guarantees that color images will be fully as bright as you would expect from the 3,600-lumen white brightness rating.

Other important pluses include a crisp image to help make text more readable and show more detail in photorealistic images, vibrant color for graphics, and even good color accuracy and color saturation for photorealistic images. The last isn't true of many business projectors.

The EX3280 is aimed at offices and schools on tight budgets. Its XGA resolution (1,024 by 768 pixels) is a little low by today's standards and will necessarily limit its appeal if you need to show complex line drawings with fine detail, for example. Its 4:3 aspect ratio also makes it a poor choice for showing widescreen movies very often. But if you simply need readable text in documents and presentations, vibrant color in graphics, and highly watchable film and video on a strictly occasional basis, the EX3280 can handle the job.

• 3,600 lumens; suitable for a midsize to large room with lights on
• Vibrant, eye-catching color
• No rainbow artifacts, thanks to three-chip LCD design
• Light, compact, and easy to set up
• Relatively low 1,024-by-768 native resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio
• No optical zoom
• Only one HDMI port

Epson lists the Epson Pro EX11000 as a portable projector and includes a carrying case with it. However, it's at least as much a solid, 1080p business or education workhorse for permanent installation or setup on a cart. Its laser-phosphor light source—rated at 4,600 lumens and meant to last the life of the projector—means you won't have to spend time or money replacing expensive lamps, while the three-LCD chip design guarantees it won't show any of the red/green/blue flashes known as rainbow artifacts.

In our tests the EX11000 delivered high enough brightness to stand up to ambient light using an image size suitable for a conference or classroom. It also delivered top-tier image quality for presentations. Movies and video were best described as watchable, but no match for even an entry-level home theater projector. However, even "watchable" is better than many business models can manage. It also offers some notable extras, including a built-in option for two-way and four-way splits, to show images from up to four sources at once. And of course, if you really want to, you can take advantage of the carrying case, and actually use it on the go.

If you're willing to lug the 9.5-pound EX11000 around, its 4,600-lumen rating makes it an obvious choice if you need a seriously bright portable. However, it's also an excellent fit for permanent installation in a conference room or classroom. Crisp details makes text easy to read, and vibrant color for graphics can help make presentations more compelling. And although it doesn't offer the same high level of image quality for videos and movies, it handles both better than most business projectors, should you need to show them.

• Bright; rated at 4,600 ISO lumens
• Laser-phosphor light source
• Native 1080p resolution; accepts up to 4K input
• Three-chip LCD design guarantees no annoying rainbow artifacts
• No HDR support
• Middling contrast
• Not suitable for 24/7/365 operation

Ultra short throw (UST) projectors can throw large images from close to the screen, avoiding the need to run cables through walls and ceilings. The Epson LS800 takes that advantage a step further—or closer, really—by offering 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. Along with that, it 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. By our measurements, the lag is just a few milliseconds longer than we expect from today's best gaming projectors, at 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 doesn't offer options that allow a full calibration, which will disappoint serious videophiles, and it doesn't support 3D, which may be a deal killer if you have an extensive library of 3D discs. If neither feature is essential to you, however, 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 (even for a UST projector). Beyond that, for those who can't abide rainbow artifacts, the fact that it can't show them will be enough by itself to make it a strong contender.

• 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

Despite the "Mini" in its name, the Hisense C1 Laser Mini Projector fits firmly in the room-to-room portable category. More important, it's the only such 4K model we've seen that not only supports Dolby Vision along with the more common HDR10 and HLG HDR—and of course SDR—but scored well in our viewing tests with all three types of content we look at (all of the above except for HLG). That translates to showing off just about any type of input to its best advantage. Most of the competition supports fewer HDR options, and some models have issues with one or more versions that they support.

Also in the plus column? Start with the on-screen 4K (3,840-by-2,160-pixel) resolution, paired with built-in streaming (with most of the apps you'll likely want already installed). You also get a choice of either Wi-Fi or Ethernet for connection to your network for streaming. And the onboard stereo audio—thanks to a pair of 10-watt JBL speakers—delivers high enough quality and volume that you may well decide you don't need an external sound system. 

By definition, room-to-room projectors are meant for either carrying around the house or for permanent installation in a family room. The C1's rated 1,600 ANSI lumens make it bright enough for either use. However, it doesn't offer 3D support, which will be an issue for some, and we saw rainbow artifacts (red/green/blue flashes) more often than with much of the competition, which will be an issue for others. (But it's always best to test this for yourself, since you may not see the rainbows easily, or may not mind them.) If neither of those exceptions applies, the Hisense C1 belongs high on your short list. 

• 4K resolution on screen
• Supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision
• Smart TV features
• Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity
• Shows more frequent rainbow artifacts than some competitors

It may look like a car battery with a handle on top, but the Nebula Mars 3 is equally at home in a rough-and-tumble den full of kids, or out in the yard with gloomy weather threatening. Designed to survive, it features water, drop, and dust resistance. It doesn't hurt that it also delivers 1080p native resolution, and that the quality of the built-in audio system is pretty good for this projector's size. Also, the Mars 3 comes equipped with an internal battery, rated for 2 to 5 hours depending on the picture mode (full-power or Eco). It can also work as a big Bluetooth speaker, or as a power bank to charge other gear.

The more often you plan to watch outside, whether on special occasions like backyard movie nights or regular TV watching by the pool on warm nights, the more appealing the water and drop resistance will be. (Double that if you have big dogs or young children who may be running around where they can jar, splash, or otherwise upset the Mars 3.)

• 1080p native resolution, with support for 4K input and HDR
• Integrated Android TV 11
• Long-lasting, solid-state LED light source
• Resists water, dust, and drops
• Long battery life
• Battery status light can be distracting when watching from behind the projector

The Kodak Luma 75 is literally small enough to lose track of if you accidentally cover it with a piece of paper. Basically the size of a 3-by-3-inch pad of sticky notes, it weighs just 5 ounces. But it's big enough to have an HDMI port, which means it can connect to most video sources, including mobile devices (for screen mirroring). It's also bright enough to give you a 32-inch 16:9 diagonal image for short sessions in a dark room, or an image that's roughly the size of a sheet of paper in typical office lighting. Whether you're showing a business presentation or watching a movie, that's a lot bigger than you would get on your phone, and it comes from a projector that fits easily in a pocket.

Anyone who has a more-than-occasional need to (or has simply wished they could) mirror their phone's screen at a larger image size will find the Luma 75 worth considering. It takes no more effort to carry than a second phone, and it lets you show anything from photos to business presentations to movies without having to pass your phone around or crowd around it. And because you can also show files stored on a USB memory key, you can even use it without a phone.

• Built-in battery rated at 90 minutes per charge
• Unusually sure focus control
• Supports up to 1080p input resolution
• No image adjustment settings
• Low native resolution (640 by 360 pixels)
• Low 30-lumen rated brightness

Shaped to look like a soda can, the Anker Nebula Capsule Laser 3 is a much more impressive projector than you'd expect from its size. Shoehorned inside is a remarkably small laser-phosphor light source, a 1080p DLP chip, and Android TV 11 for streaming via Wi-Fi. Plus, an 8-watt speaker delivers robust audio for the weight class—just over 2 pounds—with high-enough volume to fill a medium or large family room. Best of all, it can accept up to 4K (3,840-by-2,160-pixel) HDR input, and unlike much of the competition, it makes HDR movies look at least as good as their SDR versions. It even has a battery rated at 2.5 hours in the default battery mode or 8 hours in Bluetooth speaker mode—long enough to watch a full-length movie or listen to music at length in the backyard. 

The Capsule 3 Laser's brightness, rated at 300 ANSI lumens, is low enough to make it the wrong choice if you're looking for a projector that can give you a big picture that can stand up to ambient light. But it delivers the best combination of color accuracy, contrast, and shadow detail we've yet seen in a mini projector, combined with minimum weight for easy portability. That's enough to make it the right choice, and our top pick, for anyone who plans to use it primarily in dim or dark lighting, or who simply wants a highly portable projector and cares more about image quality than image size.

• Impressive image quality
• 1080p native resolution; supports 4K input
• Handles HDR far better than most native 1080p models
• Built-in Android TV 11
• Bright 300 ANSI lumens rating using AC power
• Lightweight
• Needs some minor tweaking to get good image quality
• No Netflix support in Android TV 11

Buying Guide: The Best Projectors for 2024

If you've read through our reasons above for why we picked each model, you've probably noticed that they change depending on all sorts of factors, ranging from what you're planning to use the projector for, to your budget, to purely subjective questions like whether you find rainbow artifacts annoying. You need to take all of these issues into account in any buying decision, but a good place to start is with what kinds of images you plan to view.

There are two basic kinds of images to consider: data (meaning text and graphics) and photorealistic (photos, video, and film). Games generally have some aspects of both. Any projector can show any kind of image, of course, but a projector may handle one kind of image well without necessarily doing a good job with the other. You'll want a projector that’s optimized at least for the kind of images you plan to view most often, and ideally for every kind you expect to view.

Data projectors, also called business or education projectors depending on their target market, are designed to show business graphics, line drawings, presentations, spreadsheets, and PDF files. They’re optimized for conference rooms and classrooms, throwing a bright-enough image to stand up to ambient light on a large screen. Many can handle photorealistic images well enough to project short video clips in a presentation or even an acceptable image for, say, watching a movie in a classroom. But they are rarely good choices for full-length movies if you want anything approaching the quality you expect in a movie theater or when watching on a TV. They tend to favor brightness, which is important for standing up to ambient light, over contrast and color accuracy, which matters more for photorealistic images. They also tend to offer few or no options for adjusting color.

Home theater, home entertainment, and gaming projectors are all so similar to each other that one model is often marketed in two or three categories. These home-use projectors focus on color accuracy and contrast, usually adding controls to fine-tune color, reduce noise, sharpen images, and otherwise digitally enhance video and film. 

Models listed as home theater projectors are typically optimized for traditional home theater viewing in a dark room. They tend to offer more accurate color, better contrast, and lower brightness than home entertainment projectors. Most don't include speakers. The assumption is that you'll set up a better external audio system in your home theater than any projector can fit into its case. 

Home entertainment models are usually optimized for viewing in a family room or other space with ambient light. Many are also compact enough so you can easily move them outdoors to create the perfect backyard movie night . Compared with home theater models, they tend to sacrifice some color accuracy and contrast in favor of higher brightness. They also typically include built-in speakers.

Until recently, it was a given for almost all projectors that even if they included speakers, you should plan on using an external sound system to get decent audio quality. However, that's not always true today, largely thanks to two subcategories of home entertainment models. One is what we've dubbed "room-to-room portables." There are defined in part by offering robust audio, so you can move them around for ad hoc setup without having to lug a sound system with you also. Most are nearly cubical in shape, about twice as high as traditional projectors. They use the extra height for good-quality speakers, which are often chamber speakers. Most offer high enough volume to fill a large family room with more-than-acceptable sound quality.

The second category with good audio is sometimes billed as "laser TVs." These are built around a laser light source; a smart TV streaming feature, which can either be integrated or supplied as a dongle; and an ultra short throw (UST), which means they can throw a 100-inch or larger image with the projector just inches from a screen. Mount a screen on a wall, and the projector can sit on a table or entertainment center just below it. These laser-based UST models are wider than most other projectors. Virtually all offer audio that's at least comparable to what you would expect from a large-screen TV. Some take advantage of the width to add what amounts to a sound bar on the side facing away from the screen.

Gaming projectors are basically home entertainment models with greatly reduced input lag for speedier reaction time in gaming. Most are small enough to carry easily, and they usually include better-than-typical onboard audio for a projector. A few include separate gaming modes for first-person shooter, role playing, and sports games, with each mode automatically adjusting both audio and video settings to optimize both for each type of game.

Do You Need a Portable Projector?

Consider how portable the projector needs to be. You can find projectors with sizes and weights ranging from small and light enough to fit in a shirt pocket to large and massive enough to be suitable only for a permanent (usually mounted) installation.

If you want a data projector to carry to business meetings for presentations, or a home entertainment or gaming projector to take to a friend's house or set up in your backyard for a movie night, be sure to pick an appropriate size and weight—which is to say, a portable projector . If you'll be away from power outlets, check that the projector’s battery life is long enough for your needs. The list here doesn't include any

What Resolution Is Enough in a Projector?

Projectors can scale images up or down, but that's usually best avoided, since it can distort the image. For any projector resolution up to and including WUXGA (1,920 by 1,200 pixels), you will generally get the best image quality by matching the projector’s native resolution (the number of physical pixels in the projector's display) to the source you plan to attach it to most often, whether that's a computer, video equipment, or a game console.

For projectors with 4K ultra-high definition (3,840 by 2,160 pixels), the rule is a little different. Current projectors built around 3,840-by-2,160-pixel imaging chips are still too expensive for most applications. The affordable alternative takes advantage of a technique called pixel shifting. It uses a native 1,920-by-1,080-pixel chip, generates more than one set of pixels for each frame in the video stream, and shifts the position for each set. The result is more pixels per frame on screen than are on the chip. Two sets double the number of pixels; four sets quadruple the number to a full 3,840 by 2,160. When done well, just doubling the number of pixels can deliver images that are indistinguishable from quadrupling them, at least at normal viewing distances from the screen.

Even 1080p projectors that can accept 4K UHD input handle it reasonably well. Because the higher resolution has exactly four times as many pixels as 1080p, the only loss in quality from scaling the image down will be the equivalent of a slightly soft focus. If the projector also supports HDR10 (the version of high dynamic range, or HDR, that's on discs and some streaming services, including Netflix) or HLG HDR (also supported by some streaming services), it can give you the advantage of HDR for improving image quality, even with 1080p resolution.

If you plan to show data images, you should consider the level of detail in the images. For a typical PowerPoint presentation, SVGA (800 by 600 pixels) may be good enough, and an SVGA projector will be much less expensive than one with a higher native resolution. For very detailed images, however, you’ll want to go up to 4K UHD. 

For video, 4K UHD is generally the best choice, assuming you have a 4K UHD Blu-ray player, a 4K-capable streaming device, or another 4K UHD media source. But odds are you'll be watching a lot of 1080p material for the foreseeable future—particularly if you own a library of 1080p discs—and may occasionally be watching at even lower resolutions. So check how well the projector handles scaling up 1080p input.

Which Widescreen Format Is Most Important in Your Projector?

Most projectors today offer native resolutions that qualify as widescreen formats. You'll generally want to match the aspect ratio (ratio of image width to image height) of the projector's resolution to the images you'll be watching most often, although you can also view material in narrower or wider formats. As long as the input resolution is one that the projector can accept—a detail you can check in the projector specs—it will either scale the image to the projector's native aspect ratio, which means stretching or shrinking it as needed, or keep the image's aspect ratio to avoid distortion and add letterbox bars (black bars above and below for wider formats or to each side for narrower formats). Almost all projectors today include aspect-ratio settings to let you choose which approach to use. (Fun fact: adding black bars to the sides on an image is often called reverse letterboxing or pillarboxing .)

Note that the ability to show images with different aspect ratios than the projector's native resolution gives you some flexibility in matching the projector to the images you plan to watch. For example, you can use a native WUXGA projector, with its 16:10 aspect ratio, to watch movies or TV with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Keep in mind that if you set up a 16:10 projector to fill your 16:9 screen with the picture, you'll need a sufficiently wide black border at the edges to keep the letterbox bars from showing as brighter areas surrounding the screen.

How Bright Should the Projector Be?

There is no single best level for projector brightness, and brighter isn't always better. For a home theater projector you plan to use in a dark room, for example, 1,000 lumens or even less can easily give you a large, bright image, while 2,000 lumens may be so bright that it's hard on the eyes. On the other hand, for a portable data projector you expect to use in brightly lit locations or a home entertainment projector for your family room, 2,000 to 3,000 lumens is the right range in most cases. For large rooms, you'll want something even brighter.

For any situation, the ideal projector brightness depends on the ambient light level, the size of the image, and the material in the screen you're using. If you're setting up a projector for permanent installation, whether at home or in your office, your best bet is to buy from a knowledgeable seller who can help you pick a projector and screen material that will give you the right image brightness for the lighting conditions in the room at the screen size you want.

If you're trying to choose between two models, keep in mind that a small percentage difference in lumens—2,000 versus 2,200, for example—isn't significant. The perception of brightness is nonlinear, which means a 10% difference is hardly noticeable, and you need far more than twice as many lumens for a projector's image to appear twice as bright. Also, keep in mind that a projector's true brightness is often a little less than its rated brightness, and image quality is generally best in modes that are often as little as 40% of the projector's highest brightness.

Does Contrast Ratio Matter for Projectors?

Contrast ratio—the ratio between the brightness of the brightest white a projector can produce and the brightness of the darkest black—always matters, but the rating for the projector usually won't matter. All other things being equal, a higher contrast ratio produces more vibrant, eye-catching color, more shadow detail in dark areas on the screen (most important for video and film), and a more dramatic sense of three-dimensionality in two-dimensional photorealistic images. 

However, contrast ratings are based on measurements in a dark room, so they don't tell you much about viewing in ambient light, where the darkest black you can get depends on how much light there is in the room. A projector that delivers a high contrast ratio in a dark room because of unusually dark blacks will deliver much lower contrast in ambient light, and a brighter projector that also has a higher black level in the dark will do poorly in a home theater but do well in a living room or office. There, the high black level won't be noticeable, while the higher brightness will let it stand up better to the ambient light.

Comparing contrast-ratio specs is somewhere between challenging and pointless. Different manufacturers use different approaches to measuring contrast, and some even measure it differently for different models. There are also other factors—including video processing and auto-irises that change image brightness based on the content of the image—that increase your subjective sense of how good the contrast is but don't affect objective measurements. The best way to find out how good the contrast is for any given projector—short of seeing it yourself—is to look for reviews that discuss contrast in different settings.

How Do You Plan to Connect Your Projector?

To connect a projector to a video source, you obviously need to match the projector’s inputs with the source’s outputs. But given a choice, a digital connection is preferable to an analog connection. 

Almost all current projectors include at least one HDMI port, which is the preferred choice for video sources and many computers, unless you plan to connect over a wired or wireless network. Many projectors still offer a VGA (analog) connector for computers and component video, but few new computers have VGA output ports, and few new video sources offer component video.

Keep in mind that the HDMI version matters. Later versions support higher resolutions and more features than earlier versions. Make sure the HDMI version on the projector will let you take full advantage of the image sources you want to use, either by confirming it has the same HDMI version number as the image sources or that the manufacturer says it supports those specific features. You should also check the High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) level. Virtually all 4K UHD HDR movies, for example, require HDCP 2.2 on both the player and the projector. 

Note that some projectors' HDMI ports support Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL), which lets you project from older Android devices. This is becoming less common, however, since most newer Android devices can connect directly to the HDMI port via a USB-C-to-HDMI cable. A more useful extra today is that many current projectors support eARC on one of their HDMI ports, for connecting to an external audio system.

Many models also have Wi-Fi connectivity built-in or can provide it through an included or separately purchased wireless dongle that plugs into a USB or HDMI port. Many support projecting directly from USB memory or memory cards. 

A growing number of projectors include internet streaming features, either built-in or through an included streaming HDMI dongle. You can also buy third-party dongles to add streaming to virtually any projector with an HDMI port. Some models, most often portables, offer USB-C ports, which can (but don't always) support DisplayPort and HDMI protocols. Here also, check before buying to make sure you know what video support—if any—the USB-C connector offers.

Which Imaging Technology Is Best in a Projector?

Today's projectors are based on one of four imaging technologies: digital light processing (DLP), liquid-crystal display (LCD), liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS), and laser raster. (Don't confuse laser raster projectors, which actually draw the images using lasers, with the much more common models that simply use lasers as a light source for another imaging technology, like DLP or LCD chips.)

Most DLP projectors and some LCOS-based pico (aka pocket-size) projectors—including both data and video models—use only one display chip, and project their primary colors sequentially rather than all at once. This can lead to rainbow artifacts, in which bright areas on the screen break up into little red-green-blue flashes for some people when they shift their gaze or when something moves onscreen. Those who are sensitive to this effect can find it annoying, particularly for long viewing sessions.

Three-chip LCD projectors are free from rainbow artifacts, because the three chips allow projection of all three primary colors at once. However, they tend to be bigger and heavier than comparable DLP models. Standard-size LCOS projectors, also rainbow-free, offer the best-quality images, but they tend to be bigger and heavier than either DLP or LCD projectors, as well as far more expensive. There aren't many laser raster projectors, so it's hard to make general statements about them. But the one clear advantage of using a laser is that the image doesn't require focusing.

What Kind of Light Source Is Best in a Projector?

There's a growing trend in projectors of moving from using lamps as light sources to using LEDs or lasers. For the moment, at least, there are advantages to each choice. 

LEDs and lasers maintain a higher percentage of their initial brightness for longer. All light sources lose brightness over time, but lamps generally lose a large percentage in the first 500 hours of use, and decline slowly after that. LEDs and lasers tend to lose brightness more evenly over their entire lifetimes.

The initial price for a lamp-based projector will be lower, but the total cost can be higher if you keep it long enough to need a replacement for the lamp. If you plan to replace your projector with every new jump in resolution or other image technology, buying a series of lamp-based projectors will be more cost-effective. But if you plan to keep your projector as long as it works, the better buy will be an LED, laser, or hybrid model that won’t need an expensive lamp replacement. 

What Is a Short-Throw Projector? Do You Need One?

If you want to cast a large image at a short distance from the screen, either because the room itself is a little small or to minimize the bother of people getting in front of the projector and casting shadows, you’ll need a short-throw or ultra-short throw projector . There are no universally accepted definitions for what counts as “short” or "ultra-short," but most short-throw projectors can cast an image about 6.5 feet wide from 3 to 6 feet away, while ultra-short-throw projectors generally need less than a foot. By comparison, most projectors with standard throws need to be roughly 9 to 13 feet away from the screen for the same image size, and long-throw projectors have to be even farther away.

The downsides of short-throw (and especially ultra-short-throw) projectors are that they are more expensive than traditional models with standard-throw lenses, and they are more likely to have noticeable variations in brightness or focus across the image. Ultra-short-throw models also require a particularly flat and stable screen. Even slight variations in the surface can distort the image and affect focus.

Does Your Projector Need Built-In Audio or 3D Support?

Not all projectors have onboard audio, and for those that do, the audio is sometimes all but useless—particularly with highly portable models. If you need sound for your presentations or for watching video, make sure that the projector has built-in audio that’s clear enough and loud enough to meet your needs. If not, consider using a separate sound system—often a good idea for home theater or home entertainment in any case—or powered external speakers. If you already have Bluetooth speakers, check whether the projector supports Bluetooth.

Then there's 3D. Showing images in 3D for educational, business, and home applications seems well past the boomlet it enjoyed a few years ago. But if you're a fan of 3D movies or have an application that requires 3D, it's still easy to find projectors that support it. 

Several 3D technologies are available, so make sure any 3D projector you consider will work with the 3D source you want to use. A “3D-ready” designation usually means it will work only with 3D generated by a computer. If you have a collection of 3D Blu-ray discs, the designation to look for is usually "full HD 3D." And before you go shopping for 3D glasses, be sure to check which kind the projector supports. There are several types, including some proprietary versions.

So, What Is the Best Projector to Buy?

The summary up top, and the spec breakout below, outline our choices for some of the best projectors on the market for the most common situations and use cases. For full projector reviews and our latest coverage of the category, also check out our top models for home use , our picks for 4K projectors , and our favorite portable projectors .

More Inside PCMag.com

• The Best Outdoor Projectors for 2024
• The Best Home Projectors for 2024
• The Best Short Throw and Ultra Short Throw Projectors for 2024
• The Best Portable Projectors for 2024

About M. David Stone

My experience.

Most of my current work for PCMag is about printers and projectors, but I've covered a wide variety of other subjects—in more than 4,000 pieces, over more than 40 years—including both computer-related areas and others ranging from ape language experiments, to politics, to cosmology, to space colonies. I've written for PCMag.com from its start, and for PC Magazine before that, as a Contributor, then a Contributing Editor, then as the Lead Analyst for Printers, Scanners, and Projectors, and now, after a short hiatus, back to Contributing Editor.

More From M. David Stone

• The Best Wide-Format Printers for 2024
• The Best All-in-One Printers for 2024

Best projectors in 2024: the best long throw and laser projectors

Nothing dazzles quite like laser

The best projectors

Best for gaming, best mid-range, best for flexibility, other projectors tested.

• Benchmarks compared
• What to look for
• How we test

The best projectors should bring the cinema into your living space, inviting a world of change to your home cinema with improved immersive qualities. Many projectors can hit upwards of $1,000, making this an upgrade that might be costly — but oh so worth it in the long run. You can always check out our best TVs under $1,000 to get the right display in your price range. 

Projectors are a tough gamble. There's a lot to contend with, most especially in terms of ambient lighting and an avid surface to project the picture on. But, they offer arguably the largest picture without taking too much room space and deliver some fantastic imagery to boot. 

With out knowhow in projectors and TVs, we've got ample enough qualifications to recommend some of the best projectors around. We've tested everything from Ultra Short Throws, like the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 , to far throw models as seen with the Xgimi Horizon Ultra . 

Whether you're looking to snag a major deal, or spend big and get the best possible image around, these following picks among the best projectors will net you a quality home entertainment setup worthy of the Cinemaplex. You may not ever need a movie theater again with these models, especially when you throw in one of the best soundbars for impeccable audio immersion. 

1. JMGO N1 Ultra

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The JMGO N1 Ultra is a heavyweight — not literally, though. This compact projector dishes out surprise after surprise. The star of the show is its triple-laser light source, which uses separate red, green, and blue lasers to deliver not only exceptional brightness but staggering color gamut as well. The projector uses that to blast a stunning 4K picture wherever you want it, as it sits on an easily adjustable pedestal. 

For its size, the JMGO N1 Ultra even has surprisingly potent speakers, which will more than do the job in a small room. For serious audiophiles, there’s an eARC port, but that leaves only one HDMI port left over for external sources. And you’ll probably want an external source. Even though the projector offers Android TV, it’s a little slow and buggy. 

Read our full JGMO N1 Ultra review .

2. BenQ HT2060

BenQ has what gamers need: speed. And with the BenQ HT2060, it doesn’t come with big sacrifices in other departments. In fact, the BenQ HT2060’s biggest shortcoming is that it’s only a 1080p projector, but the tradeoff is that it can run at 120Hz for even faster, smoother gameplay and nigh imperceptible input latency. Its brightness is enough for use in a lightly lit room, but it’s a stunner in a dark room thanks to its exceptional contrast ratio. It even has a wide color gamut, which can do a lot to bring game worlds to life — arguably more than a 4K resolution. 

The projector itself is fairly large, so you’ll want to find somewhere to set it permanently. Thankfully, there’s a lot of flexibility in that department, as the projector has hardware zoom, focus, and vertical lens shift adjustments. You’ll need your own video source for streaming and gaming, but you can get by on the decent built-in speakers if you don’t want to deal with too many cables coming from the projector. While all of that is good, it’s made better by this projector only costing $1,000. 

Read our full BenQ HT2060 review .

3. Xgimi Horizon Pro

If having the very best in every category isn’t vital to you, and you prefer to get something that’s good enough as long as it means saving some bucks, then the Xgimi Horizon Pro is the one thanks to its new low price (originally $1,699 but now down to $1,199 to make way for the Horizon Ultra). It’s not the brightest, the most colorful, or the loudest. But it’s not trailing at the rear of the pack either. The Xgimi Horizon Pro puts on a good show. It’s decently bright, though you’ll want to dim the lights and draw the curtains for anything but light cartoons. And it has respectable color performance. 

Its 4K picture provides sharp detail that’s not so easy to find at the price. And when you want to game, it provides surprisingly low input lag. With a built-in Android TV platform, the projector is effectively an all-in-one solution for home entertainment, and its portable size means you can bring it just about anywhere you like to enjoy TV and movies on the big screen. 

Read our full Xgimi Horizon Pro review .

4. Dangbei Mars Pro 4K

The Dangbei Mars Pro 4K can be a little more expensive than we’d like, but it often has discounts that bring to a much more palatable level. For the money, you get a capable 4K projector that relies on a laser light source. It’s a laser phosphor system, which means it can get plenty bright but doesn’t have as much color as systems using tri-color laser systems. Still, it makes for a reasonably attractive image, and its high brightness and contrast let you stretch it plenty large for home cinema use.

While the Dangbei Mars doesn’t have Android TV built in like some of its competitors, it comes with a speedy streaming stick and works well without other external sources. Crucially, the built-in operating systems runs quickly and smoothly, making it easy to power up, select the source you want, and get watching. Where many projectors run a slow operating system that can make it tedious to start watching, Dangbei avoids this, providing a little extra convenience.

Read our full Dangbei Mars Pro 4K review .

5. Epson Home Cinema 3800

Epson has considerable experience in the projector space, and it shows in the Home Cinema 3800 projector. This may not be boasting the latest, fanciest features, but you’ll find a high-utility projector here. It’s one of the brightest projectors we’ve tested, and it actually looks good running that bright (unlike the Optoma GT2100HDR). That’s paired with a high contrast ratio that keeps visuals looking great. It’s a little lacking in color, but doesn’t look bad. And with Epson’s 3LCD projection system, the rainbow effect that can prove distracting to some people is largely gone.

Epson’s system doesn’t have a great speaker system or a streaming operating system. So you’ll want to pair it with some other home theater equipment. Fortunately, it has a lot of tools to help you get your setup just right. Where many projectors will digitally manipulate an image to make it fit your setup, in turn throwing away pixels and often leaving some unsightly artifacts, Epson’s projector can make optical adjustments to move and resize the projection. So you can more easily set the projector where it’s convenient and still align the projected image with your screen or wall.

Read our full Epson Home Cinema 3800 review .

• Optoma GT2100HDR : This little short-throw projector gets plenty bright and has a high contrast image, but it’s pretty lacking everywhere else. 
• Xgimi Horizon Ultra : Following up on the capable Horizon Pro, the Horizon Ultra was a bit of a disappointment. It’s bright and colorful, but lags behind JMGO in both departments, and its contrast was severely lacking no matter what we tried. As promising as it was, we just couldn’t get it to look as good as it should have at the price.

Projector Benchmarks Compared

What to look for when buying a projector.

Brightness: One of the key factors in determining whether you’re going to be able to enjoy your projector is brightness, generally measured in lumens (though there are a few different ways companies measure lumens, and the advertised brightness is not easy to trust). In a very dark room, you can get away with a projector that only offers a few hundred lumens of brightness, but if you want to do some daytime viewing or don’t want to turn all the lights out, you’ll pretty much want to ignore anything that’s not breaking 1,000 lumens. As long as you have decent blinds and can dim the lights, you’ll probably find 1,000-2,000 lumens is enough for home viewing. 

Color gamut: This is essentially how rich the colors will appear from the projector. It won’t matter how bright your projector is if all of the colors look faded as a result. For the home theater, you should expect good colors, which ideally means at least 90% coverage of the sRGB color space and all the better if you’re getting over 90% of the DCI-P3 color space. 

Contrast: Contrast goes hand in hand with brightness. If you have a high brightness but low contrast, dark colors and shadow details are going to be washed out, ultimately marring the cinematic image you’re looking for. 

Resolution (Native): As projectors offer a big image, the resolution can be a big factor. You’re stretching a lot of information out across your screen, so if there’s too little detail, it’s going to be that much more noticeable. In action, it can be a little harder to see the difference between 1080p and 4K, but if you’re looking at a lot of static content, the advantages of 4K will be more apparent. For a decent home theater, aim for 720p at a minimum and ideally 4K. There are plenty of 4K options out there, though 1080p or WUXGA are decent enough if you sit far back. It’s also important to look for “native” resolution on projectors, as many will prominently advertise a “supported” resolution. Long story short, “supported resolution” is just the signal the projector is capable of receiving, and “native resolution” is what it’s capable of displaying (e.g., a projector could receive a 4K signal but turn that into a 720p image if it has a native 720p resolution.

Light source: Not all light sources are created. Lamps are cheap and bright, but they’re hot, take some time to warm up and cool down, and they don’t offer as much longevity as others. LEDs can get fairly bright and provide good color while offering a long lifespan. Lasers have the brightness advantage and can outperform LEDs in color if they combine multiple lasers of different colors, but they’re more expensive.

Ports: How you’re able to use your projector is majorly impacted by its ports. If it doesn’t have some quality audio outputs, like eARC, you may have a hard time connecting it to a good sound system without also buying an AV receiver. Too few HDMI ports or lower bandwidth ports can also impact your ability to use the projector conveniently. 

Speakers: Many projectors include their own built-in speakers, but not all do. And many that have speakers don’t offer ones that can compare to the image they provide. It’s worth taking a note of how well the speakers performed and what wattage they offer to get a sense of whether you’ll need to factor the price of a separate sound system into your purchase.

How we test projectors

We test projectors in the real-world conditions a buyer would use a projector in. That said, we do have a degree of control, with heavy, light-blocking drapes and an ambient-light rejecting projector screen to test on. But since not everyone will use such a screen, we also view the projection against a bare wall. 

While some of our testing is subjective, observing the projectors’ capabilities as we watch movies and play games, we also take measurements that allow for comparison between projectors. Projector brightness is measured using each projector's brightest mode (and occasionally other modes if the brightest mode results in a worse overall image), using a light meter to measure the luminance of an all-white image at 9 points evenly spaced across the image and multiplying those by the projected area to derive an ANSI lumen measurement. Contrast is roughly estimated by comparing the average lux measurement of an all white image against a lux measurement of an all black image. 

Color coverage is measured using a SpyderX Elite colorimeter and DataColor’s calibration software. The colorimeter sits a foot away from a 1.1-gain projection screen, angled to avoid seeing its own shadow, and then measures the color gamut of the projectors light reflected off the screen. 

To measure input latency, we run a timecode displayed on a laptop and mirror the display to the projector over HDMI. We then take a high shutter-speed (over 1/1000th of a second) photo of the timecode on both the laptop display and projector to see how many milliseconds the projector is behind the laptop display.

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Notable Mentions

Recent updates, all reviews, the 4 best portable projectors - spring 2024 reviews.

If you're looking for the best small projectors, many options are available, but unfortunately, most offer inadequate image quality. The smaller the projector, the dimmer it tends to be, with many portable models lacking vibrancy even in the darkest rooms. While no small and portable projector is going to compete with the bigger units when it comes to image quality, some models do provide a decent enough viewing experience. Portable projectors also tend to be fully featured regarding smart features and have a full suite of image correction features, emphasizing their set-up-and-go nature. Ultimately, the best easy-to-carry projectors balance portability and image quality in a small, attractive package.

We've bought and tested more than 35 projectors, and below, you'll find the best mini projectors to buy. If you're buying on a budget, check out the  best cheap projectors  and the  best projectors under $500 . Or, if you're specifically looking for projectors to take outside, look at our list of  best outdoor projectors . You can also  vote  on which ones you want us to purchase and test.

Best Portable Projector

The best portable projector we've tested is the XGIMI Halo+. It's a very small unit and weighs only 3.7 pounds, so you can easily throw it into a backpack. Plus, it has an integrated battery promising up to 2.5 hours of uninterrupted playback, long enough to watch most movies. It has many image correction features: full auto keystone, autofocus, intelligent screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance, so it's truly a projector that you can easily take on the go as it corrects its image automatically as you move it. It has the Android TV smart interface, Chromecast and AirScreen support, and Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities.

Like most portable models, it's slightly dim but significantly brighter than other battery-powered ultra-portables, and it projects a pleasant 1080p image as long as all the lights are off. Fortunately, it does have great contrast, emphasizing its dark room capabilities. It also has a wide color gamut and HDR support but isn't bright enough to take advantage of them. Its color accuracy is quite poor, and while you can improve it somewhat through calibration, this isn't a product for color purists. It has one HDMI port, which also doubles as an eARC port, and a USB port through which you can play video files directly to the projector.

See our review

Best Batteryless Portable Projector

If you don't need an integrated battery, you can save money by going for the XGIMI Elfin, one of the best mini projectors we've tested. The Elfin is the smallest product on this list, weighing only 2.2 pounds. It still has full auto keystone correction, autofocus, intelligent screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance, so it's just as easy to set up. It also has the Android TV smart interface, Chromecast and AirScreen support, and Wi-Fi with Bluetooth 5.0. It has one HDMI port, which also doubles as an eARC port, and a USB port through which you can play video files directly to the projector. It also projects a sharp 1080p image, just like our top pick.

Unfortunately, this model is dimmer, with slightly worse contrast, than the XGIMI Halo+ . This means that it's not quite as versatile, as it can't handle moderately lit rooms very well, and it doesn't look as good as the top pick in dark rooms. You also need to make sure to have access to an outlet due to its lack of an integrated battery. However, this model has much better color accuracy than the top model and can be made even better after calibration. Unfortunately, this model is harder to find than the others on this list, but XGIMI typically sells it on their official store . Overall, the Halo+ is a slightly better product, but you can save some money by going with the Elfin if you don't need a model with an integrated battery.

Best Small Portable Projector

If you'd prefer slightly better image quality but in a bigger package, consider the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12, which is the best small projector if you don't need the absolute smallest and lightest. Its cubic shape is small and compact, weighing only 4.7 pounds. While it doesn't have an integrated battery, meaning you still need to plug it into an outlet, it has full auto keystone correction and autofocus, making it easy to set up or move around. It also has built-in Android TV with full Chromecast integration, so you don't need to worry about getting an external streaming dongle. Like the top two picks, this model projects a sharp 1080p image.

The projector supports HDR10/HLG, but it's too dim to take advantage of. It's a tad brighter than the XGIMI Halo+ , but the XGIMI's brightness is more uniform, and this projector has better contrast. Where the Mini EF12 truly shines, however, is in its color accuracy; it's impressively accurate out-of-the-box and can be improved even more by simply adjusting its color temperature. This makes it a much more viable option for those who care about accurate colors than the top two picks. You can connect a computer to the unit through its mini USB port, and the projector comes with full Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support.

Best Budget Portable Projector

If you're looking for a cheap projector that still offers acceptable image quality, check out the XGIMI MoGo 2, the best small projector that won't cost you an arm and a leg. It's a very small projector that weighs only 2.4 pounds, so you can easily throw it into a backpack. While it doesn't have an internal battery, it supports external charging via power banks through its USB-C port. It has many image correction features: full auto keystone, autofocus, intelligent screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance. It has the Android TV 11 smart interface, Chromecast and AirScreen support, and Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities to round up the package.

Unfortunately, the projector is very dim. You need to turn off all the lights to get a pleasant image, and even then, it's not exactly the most vibrant viewing experience possible. Its contrast is mediocre but good enough to provide a passable dark room viewing experience. It also has a wide color gamut and HDR support but isn't bright enough to take advantage of them. Unlike the other picks, this unit only projects a 720p image, so it doesn't look as sharp. Ultimately, you get this projector because of its price, not its image quality. If cheap and portable is what you're after, it's hard to beat the MoGo 2.

• Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser: The Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser is a passable portable projector with an integrated battery promising up to 2.5 hours of uninterrupted playback. Still, the XGIMI Halo+ is much brighter for a similar price, with better contrast. Inversely, the XGIMI MoGo 2 offers image quality similar to the Anker but at a much lower cost, although the MoGo 2 doesn't have a battery. See our review
• XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: The XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro is better than its cheaper sibling, the XGIMI MoGo 2, due to its superior contrast and sharper 1080p image. However, the more affordable model is a tad brighter and more accurate. Ultimately, the MoGo 2 Pro isn't worth the price hike over the MoGo 2. See our review
• Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen: The Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen is an interesting portable projector with an innovative swiveling stand. Unfortunately, it's very dim and doesn't have an integrated battery, so the XGIMI Elfin is the better overall product. See our review

Apr 04, 2024: We updated the XGIMI Elfin pick with links to XGIMI's official store.

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best small projectors for most people to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper projector wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no projectors that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of the best projectors that are easy to carry. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no projector is perfect, many are good enough for most uses; however, avoid the worst models to ensure adequate quality.

Best projectors 2024: Full HD, 4K, and short-throw

Get the authentic big-screen movie night experience

Best overall

Best entry-level 4K

Best mid-range

Best premium

Best high-end

Best ultra short throw

• How to choose
• How we test

1. The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best entry-level 4K 4. Best mid-range 5. Best premium 6. Best high-end 7. Best ultra short throw 8. How to choose 9. How we test

Best projectors Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?'s round-up of the best projectors – 4K, Full HD, and ultra short throw – that you can buy in 2023 .

If you want to put the "cinema" in a home cinema, then you're going to want a quality projector. It's the best way to replicate the feeling of going to the theatre without leaving your house. While they might be a tad tricky to set up, we can assure you it's completely worth it.

The authentic cinema experience is best replicated with a 4K projector, of which you'll find seven of our favourite offerings on this list. Each is positioned with a different function or price point in mind, with everything from a brilliant entry-level model to a super-premium native 4K laser projector and even an Award-winning ultra-short throw that might be able to replace your TV.

Our reviews team has thoroughly tested each entry on this page, and you can find full write-ups on each below too. We'd be remiss not to remind you to also invest in a good screen, as well as a decent audio setup in the form of an AVR and a surround sound speaker package to achieve the full home theatre experience, of which you can find similar What Hi-Fi? approved lists just like this one. 

The quick list

Putting laser technology within reach of mere mortals, Sony’s VPL-XW5000ES is the best projector for most people, delivering a stunning 4K picture without ever having to replace a lamp.

Read more below

While it’s no slouch for gaming, the reasonably priced W1800 truly excels at what it was specifically designed for: bringing Hollywood home.

Not the cheapest, but the EH-TW7100’s picture out-punches the outlay and the features will fulfil your dreams.

Solid, vibrant and with plenty of picture pop, this powerful 4K projector from Epson is a proper crowd-pleaser.

Sony’s native 4K projector creates a deep, rich and sharp picture that truly dazzles.

Bright and vibrant with an adept handling of motion, this practical projector is a more-than-capable alternative to a mammoth-sized TV.

The best projector overall

1. sony vpl-xw5000es.

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The VPL-XW5000ES is a watershed moment for not just Sony’s projection business but the home cinema world in general. Why? Because it’s the cheapest truly native 4K laser projector the home cinema world has ever seen.

Prior to the XW5000ES, Sony’s entry-level SXRD 4K projectors – such as last year’s  VW290ES  (VW325ES in the US) – have relied on lamp rather than laser technology. Moving to laser, though, means no longer having to put up with the inconvenience and ongoing costs associated with having to replace lamps every few thousand hours of use, or the relatively rapid degradation in brightness that lamps suffer. 

While you inevitably have to accept a compromise or two in return for Sony delivering a full 4K laser projector at this price, those compromises are ultimately crushed by the joyous impact the XW5000ES’s combination of laser lighting and exceptional X1 Ultimate processing has on both your immediate and long-term movie night thrills.

Read the full Sony VPL-XW5000ES review

The best entry-level 4K projector

2. benq w1800.

BenQ divides its consumer projector range into quite specific categories these days. There's premium ‘CinePro’, mid-range ‘CinePrime’ and entry level ‘CineHome’ home cinema models, as well as more general purpose (usually brighter and more affordable) home entertainment models, laser TV models, and dedicated gaming projectors.

The W1800 sits squarely in BenQ’s CineHome section, where its focus on serving up a cinematic experience on a budget serves it extremely well.

The BenQ W1800’s pictures immediately struck us as genuinely cinematic as soon as we clapped eyes on them – and while deeper scrutiny uncovers a limitation or two, our first impressions hold well throughout our time with the W1800.

BenQ’s decision to focus with the W1800 on what we guess could be considered good old-fashioned home cinema values has paid off handsomely. Its pictures might not be the showiest around, but they’re refined, natural, authentic and, to use that word again, cinematic.

Read the full BenQ W1800 review

The best mid-range projector

3. Epson EH-TW7100

A shade pricier than an entry-level device, this Epson is the king of affordable 4K projectors. It’s easy to set up and install, and produces a picture that’s reminiscent of what you'll get at the cinema.

You'll get a great image right out of the box without needing to be any kind of expert at tinkering with the settings. All the preset modes are very well judged and it gives an excellent level of black depth and dark detail for a projector at this price. Colours are balanced and motion is naturally smooth.

That said, it's as much the convenience of this machine that makes it so good. Bluetooth allows for direct connection with a wireless speaker or soundbar, and the high luminance means that it's usable in moderately lit rooms. In other words, an AVR, speaker package and home cinema room are not entirely necessary. How's that for a superb family projector?

Read the full  Epson EH-TW7100 review

The best premium projector

4. Epson EH-TW9400

This big, brassy projector is as good as you'll get before forking out for the beauty of native 4K projection. The detail may not be as stunning as its brethren in those upper echelons but for colour accuracy, subtlety of contrast and HDR handling, it's a real corker.

The result is a picture more involving than you'll find anywhere else at this price point, with a sense of depth so absorbing that you'll pick up detail from your favourite films that you'll have always missed on smaller screens.

It's also a dream in terms of practicality. Its 50-300-inch image size can be thrown from a good range of distances and the motorised lens means you can set it all up from the comfort of your sofa using its superb, backlit remote. Just sit back and enjoy some cinematic greats.

Read the full Epson EH-TW9400 review

The best high-end projector

5. Sony VPL-XW7000ES

Sony is taking no prisoners with its native 4K laser projectors, with the VPL-XW7000ES being the higher-end of the two models. 

The Sony VPL-XW7000ES takes everything up a notch, pushing brightness up to 11 and featuring a more comprehensive set of motorised lens controls. Its native 4K resolution and notably high lumen count should catch the eyes of those looking for a flashy projector that will have people talking about the device as much as the content that's being watched on it. 

The Sony VPL-XW7000ES consistently received involuntary verbal reactions of “wow” and “can you believe how good this looks?” throughout our testing. The brightness surpasses the gimmicky branding that many would expect, and the details are razor sharp.

Read the full Sony VPL-XW7000ES review

The best ultra short throw projector

6. Hisense PL1

Ultra short-throw projectors  are becoming much more frequent within the projector market at large, and for good reason. Designed as a TV alternative that can reach up to 100 inches without costing nearly as much as a super-large TV would, as well as having the added benefit of being practically plug-and-play (obviously with some fiddling required), a UST projector strikes a nice balance between practicality and theatricality. 

At the forefront of this UST revolution is  Hisense , which has been developing ultra short-throw models for over six years now. The PL1 that we have before us today is the latest model in Hisense’s line of Ultra Short-Throw Laser Cinema Projectors, not to be confused with its separate line of  Laser TVs , which act in a similar fashion but specifically come with a dedicated screen.

In order to be a successful UST, it has to tick every box we look out for in both the best projectors and the  best TVs , which is no easy task. Thankfully, the PL1 not only steps up to the task, but it clears many other options within its field.

With its clean, punchy and solid image, the Hisense PL1 is a gem at this price. Undercutting many of its UST rivals and even its own Hisense siblings, it's a TV alternative that actually lives up to its promise. You’d be hard-pressed to find a 100-inch TV for this price, let alone one that features such a punchy and crisp image. While we wish it had a couple more HDMI ports, it’s a compromise we’re willing to make, as its picture performance more than makes up for it.

Read the full Hisense PL1 review

How to choose the best projector for you

There are a multitude of factors to consider when choosing the right projector to suit your needs. Whether its budget, resolution, screen size or even the type of lamp, all of these factors can drastically alter the performance of a projector. 

It's important to recognise the differences between projector lamp technologies, as different options give you different performance. Laser-based projectors are quick to reach optimal performance after booting up, they produce more accurate colours and have longer lifespans due to not requiring a bulb to power the picture. However, they tend to be more expensive than DLP (Digital Light Processing) LED and LCD projectors, which in turn have their own benefits and caveats. 

Ultimately, the goal with a projector is to encapsulate the cinematic feeling of a theatre at home, so this is where screen size and resolution are important. Ideally, this is where a 4K projector would be best for crisp and clear visuals. As you'll notice, almost all of our top picks are either native 4K projectors, or achieve a 4K-like image through clever trickery for a higher picture quality. Here's how 4K vs 1080p (Full HD) resolutions differ.

While resolution is a pivotal aspect of the picture quality, its almost equally important counterpart is colour. Projectors can often struggle when it comes to colour, especially when it comes to darker shades. Contrast is key here to ensure that black depth is the best it can be, although no projector will be able to live up to an OLED TV in this regard. 

Within the mix are also some ultra short throw projectors . These can project a big, clear image onto a wall from a very short distance away, making them ideal for space saving set ups or for those wanting to avoid wall- or ceiling-mounting their projector.

Then there are portable projectors, which are ideal of taking on the go or using outside to create a grab-and-go cinema experience. They might not match up with the performance of dedicated home cinema projectors – the fact that none have made our list should tell you that – but you're paying for the experience and versatility here. You can't beat an open-air cinema experience under the starry night sky after all.

We do often recommend that you budget for a speaker when shopping for a projector, as although many options here include on-board speakers, they are invariably pretty poor. Similarly, while some projectors do now feature built-in streaming platforms, they're often a bit patchy in terms of performance and app selection, so it's often worth keeping some cash aside for a dedicated streamer .

How we test projectors

Testing projectors involves taking the time to explore their capabilities fully through lots of options-tweaking and content-watching. This includes checking every item in the settings menu, and individually tweaking picture features to ensure the projector is giving us the best visual performance it can. 

We conduct these tests in our state of the art testing room in Bath, which is outfitted with a 100-inch screen and a plethora of external sources to hook the projectors up to, including 4K Blu-ray players, video streamers and games consoles. This is also where each of these projectors meets its rivals, as every product is tested side-by-side with the competition to ensure it meets expectations and so that its place in the market is considered as a whole – no product exists in a vacuum after all.

We test using a wide range of content from 4K Blu-rays, to streaming services, video games and standard definition DVDs to make sure all kinds of content are put through these projectors. This helps us find the strengths and weaknesses of each projector.

At the end of this process, a verdict is reached by a team of reviewers who work closely together in order to ensure that each projector is tested fairly, and to avoid the possibility of any personal preferences creeping in. This is also to make sure our reviews are consistent and thorough, and so that no feature or flaw is missed within our testing process.

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Lewis Empson is a Staff Writer on What Hi-Fi?. He was previously Gaming and Digital editor for Cardiff University's 'Quench Magazine', Lewis graduated in 2021 and has since worked on a selection of lifestyle magazines and regional newspapers. Outside of work, he enjoys gaming, gigs and regular cinema trips.

• Tom Wiggins
• nnorton00 This article has been updated to "Best projectors 2020: Full HD, 4K, portable, short throw". The problem is the #1 projector, the UHD40, has been discontinued since May 2019, over a year! Any other suggestions to replace that top spot? Reply
• abacus The Optoma UHD51 is probably the best bet or jump up a bit further to the Benq W2700. Bill Reply
• nnorton00 The UHD51 was also discontinued in May 2019! Reply

nnorton00 said: The UHD51 was also discontinued in May 2019!

abacus said: The UHD 51 is still on the Optoma website and can be bought from many dealers (As well as the Optoma online shop) so not discontinued. Richer Sounds currently do it for £1299 Bill

• Dan Sung The UHD40 is also still available with certain vendors too, here at Bax, for example - https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/projection/optoma-uhd40-4k-ultra-hd-projector We're also getting in the UHD42 shortly. Hopefully Optoma has done a good job there. Reply

nnorton00 said: This article has been updated to "Best projectors 2020: Full HD, 4K, portable, short throw". The problem is the #1 projector, the UHD40, has been discontinued since May 2019, over a year! Any other suggestions to replace that top spot?

• Johnnyringo So this is an article from 2019, with the date changed to 2022? Where are the short throws? Many of these models are outdated, the same as others in the list, or or just very poor. I love me some what hi-fi, but this is egregious. Reply
• nitol102 Article is good and helpful Reply
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Best Projector for Business Presentations 2023

When it comes to delivering impactful business presentations, having the right equipment can make all the difference. A high-quality projector can help you captivate your audience with vivid images and crystal-clear graphics. But with so many options available, it can be challenging to know which one to choose. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to help you find the best projector for your business meetings.

Based on its overall stats, the Epson Pro EX9240   is the best business projector, with a bright lamp, easy set-up, and clear high-contrast display that can handle everything from sales reports to videos ( >>> Check on Amazon ) . This doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for everyone, though. Let’s take a look at the most important factors to see how these projectors stack up.

Best Business Projectors 2023 – Top Picks:

• Epson Pro EX9240
• Optoma EH335
• Epson Pro EX7280
• Epson EX5280
• ViewSonic LS550WH

While 4K is quickly becoming the standard for home theater projectors, that high of a resolution isn’t necessary for most business uses. Even a lower VGA resolution can provide sufficient clarity for text, images, and other basic presentations.

If you plan to play videos with the projector, resolution is a more important consideration. A full HD (1080p) projector can be a good middle-ground, with enough on-screen detail for video content without the expense of full 4K.

Best resolution: Epson Pro EX9240 , Optoma EH335

Portability

If you’re buying a projector for permanent installation this isn’t as much of a concern. For multi-room or traveling use, though, you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle with a projector that’s lightweight, durable, and has a slim profile.

The BenQ MS560 is the lightest, most compact business projector on the list. The Epson EX5280 is also designed with travel in mind, weighing less than 10 pounds and with an included soft-sided carrying bag for easier transportation. The ViewSonic LS550WH is similarly lightweight and edges the above models out in durability, with a sealed optical engine and rugged LED light source.

Most portable:  ViewSonic LS550WH

Installation

Projectors in general are more difficult to install than TVs. The size of the screen changes depending on how far away the lens is, and this can make it tricky to correctly align the image. Features like automatic keystone correction can spare you this hassle, giving the projector a faster set-up time.

The ViewSonic LS550WH is arguably the most flexible projector on the list, with a short throw distance and the ability to be installed at any angle. For the easiest installation, the Epson Pro EX9240 uses a skew sensor that automatically squares the image. This is paired with a wide manual zoom and horizontal image slider that give it more flexibility for where you place the ceiling mount relative to the screen.

Easiest installation:  Epson Pro EX9240

Connectivity

If you can’t connect your devices, a projector won’t be much use to you for your presentations. At the least, you’ll get HDMI inputs on all of these projectors, along with USB ports for devices, and the BenQ MS560 adds options like VGA and RCA. Both the Epson Pro EX9240 and Optoma EH335 also have built-in wireless connectivity and support for screen mirroring straight for devices through Chromecast or Miracast.

The wired input options on the Optoma EH335 give it the edge over the Epson. In addition to the dual HDMI ports, it has VGA, Composite, MHL , audio, and networking connections, supporting a wider range of devices than most projectors on the market.

Best connectivity:  Optoma EH335

Epson Pro EX9240 – Best Business Projector

• Bright lamp can be used in well-lit spaces
• 3LCD color is accurate with no rainbowing
• Easy to adjust image and picture settings
• Built-in skew sensor and correction
• Supports screen sharing through Miracast
• Relatively long throw distance
• High fan noise

The fast, easy set-up of the Epson Pro EX9240 is its first advantage for business use. Its integrated skew sensor automatically adjusts to square the image geometry, with a horizontal slider and 1.6x zoom for fine-tuning the alignment.

The EX9240 is portable, too, weighing in at less than 10 pounds with a convenient carrying case included for transportation.

The Epson Pro EX9240 is flexible from a connectivity standpoint. For wired inputs, it has dual HDMI ports, USB, and RCA connections. Wireless networking is built in, too, and it supports screen mirroring through Miracast.

It’s also relatively flexible in terms of where you use it, with a powerful lamp suitable for any light level. The only caveat here is that the throw distance is on the longer side, needing between 10 and 13 feet for a 100” screen.

The resolution of the Epson Pro EX9240 is full HD, with a 3LCD display that provides good color and contrast. This makes it an ideal dual-use option, performing just as well for movies and TV shows as it does for business meetings.

Optoma EH335 1080p Business Projector

• Bright lamp works in any indoor environment
• HDMI-Link makes controlling devices easier
• Full HD resolution with great image contrast
• Portable and lightweight design
• Supports Chromecast screen mirroring
• Color wheel may trigger rainbowing
• Can be tricky to install and align

The Optoma EH335 is a full HD business projector with a high image contrast, bringing sharp detail and great on-screen clarity to all of your business presentations. Its 6-segment color wheel produces a wide and vibrant color gamut, though it may also trigger image flickering for sensitive viewers—something to keep in mind especially if you plan to use it in large groups.

Since it’s a standard-throw projector, you’ll most likely need to ceiling mount the Optoma EH335. This can be a bit tricky during the initial installation, with just a vertical keystone correction and relatively narrow zoom for aligning the picture.

On the plus side, the robust connectivity of the EH335 lets it adapt to a variety of A/V systems and set-ups, with complete network control and a wide range of wired input options.

The design of the Optoma EH335 is ideally suited to business use. It’s portable and low-maintenance and has a 3,600-lumen lamp—bright enough to maintain the quality and clarity of your presentation even in well-lit spaces. This makes it a great choice for permanent installation in conference rooms and classrooms, as well as more mobile uses. Click here for our more in-depth Optoma EH335 review .

Epson Pro EX7280 Advanced Business Projector

• 3LCD display excellent for text presentations
• Powerful lamp for lights-on use
• Simple set-up and installation
• Automatic skew correction
• Portable design (includes a carrying bag)
• No built-in wireless connectivity

The Epson Pro EX7280 has similar strengths to other models from the Epson EX line. This includes a powerful 4,000-lumen lamp and robust image adjustment options that give it a fast and flexible installation. Features like automatic skew correction also make it a great choice for A/V beginners, taking much of the hassle and guess-work out of setting up the projector.

From an image standpoint, the Epson Pro EX7280 business projector is well-suited to both text and images, with good image clarity and a 3LCD design that provides a broad color gamut with no hotspots or other distractions. Its WXGA video resolution is low from a home theater standpoint, but it’s sufficient for purposes like Zoom calls or training videos.

In smaller rooms, you can get away with using the 2-watt speaker built into the Epson Pro EX7280, at least for calls and other basic uses. The fan can get pretty loud, though, so most people will want to use external speakers for presentations with sound. You’ll also need a dongle or other accessory if you want to share your screen or use wireless connections, something to keep in mind as you’re planning your budget. Click here for our more in-depth Epson Pro EX7280 review .

Epson EX5280 Portable Business Projector

• Displays crisp, legible text
• 3LCD display provides excellent color
• Automatic skew adjustment
• Bright lamp
• Portable and easy to install
• Lowest resolution on the list
• Weak built-in sound

You can think of the Epson EX5280 as the entry-level version of the EX7280 above. Its overall design is similar, using 3LCD image technology and a 3,800-lumen lamp. In real-world terms, that means a consistently bright image in any light conditions, with vibrant colors and no flickering or hot spots.

It’s even more portable than the other Epson business projectors, weighing just over 5 pounds with a slim profile.

The main sacrifice you’ll make with the Epson EX5280 compared to its pricier cousins is its video resolution. It uses XGA resolution, which has a pixel density on par with what you’d get from most laptop screens. This is still plenty for sharp text and images, though, so for most business uses this isn’t a deal breaker, especially for those who are shopping on a tight budget.

Installing the Epson EX5280 is very straightforward. It has the same automatic skew correction as other EX models, along with manual zoom and a horizontal slider, giving it good flexibility during the installation.

Input options include RCA, HDMI, and VGA, with 2 USB ports for wireless dongles or other devices, so it has the connection options most people need for professional applications.

BenQ MS560 Portable Projector for Business

• Clear picture in any ambient light level
• Compact and portable
• Accepts content up to full HD (1920X1200)
• Low power use in Eco Mode
• Good clarity and volume from built-in speaker
• Variety of input options
• Excellent value
• Low video resolution
• Limited screen alignment features

If you’re on a tight budget, the BenQ MS560 is arguably the best presentation projector you can get for under $500 . Its 4,000-lumen lamp gives you a sharp picture in any light level, so everyone in the room will be able to see your graphics and read on-screen text.

The MS560 also gets high marks for portability. It’s compact and lightweight, at just over 5 pounds, and has a built-in speaker with enough volume for use in a typical classroom or conference room, so you won’t need to bring an external sound source to use it.

The variety of inputs and outputs on the rear panel also makes it versatile across different equipment setups, with options like RCA, VGA, and S-Video you won’t find on many business projectors.

Now, the big trade-off you’ll make for the low price of the BenQ MS560 is video resolution. If you want something that can do justice to movie or game graphics, this probably isn’t the right choice.

That said, it’s still very clear for charts, graphs, and text, and its video quality is acceptable for things like training videos or conference calls. The other weakness of the MS560 ibusiness projector is that it can be tricky to set up in some spaces.

The throw distance is long, and the alignment features are limited to vertical keystone correction and a narrow 1.1x zoom. That said, in a large open space like a conference room, it has a straightforward and intuitive set-up process.

ViewSonic LS550WH Portable Business Projector

• Accepts content up to 1080p
• Short throw distance
• Easy to set up at any angle
• Lightweight and portable
• Low energy use with automatic power off function
• Maintenance-free with sealed optical engine
• Not bright enough for well-lit spaces
• Weak built-in speakers

The ViewSonic LS550WH is another top choice for those who need a portable projector. It uses an LED light source that’s lighter and more efficient than lamps or lasers. Not only does this give it a compact and lightweight design, it’s also more durable, with a longer usable lifespan and less chance of being damaged during transport.

The IP5X sealed optical engine adds an extra layer of protection against dirt and moisture.

The disadvantage of an LED light source is that they’re not as powerful, and the 2,000 ANSI lumens put out by the ViewSonic LS550WH is on the low side for a presentation projector.

The good news is that it uses a short throw distance, which both makes it more flexible to set up and maximizes that brightness. While it will still struggle in a bright room, you won’t need to turn all the lights off to get a clear picture. It can also be installed in any position, from straight up to straight down and any angle in between.

As far as the picture quality, the ViewSonic LS550WH has a high dynamic image contrast and a color gamut that exceeds the Rec.709 spectrum. That means crisp text and graphics that pop off the page, with realistic colors for photos and videos.

Best Projector for Business Presentations – The Verdict

The combination of features on the  Epson Pro EX9240 makes it the overall best business projector, and it’s reasonably priced to fit within most buyers’ budgets ( >>> Find it on Amazon ) .

On the other hand, if you never plan to use the projector for videos, a lower-resolution projector like the BenQ MS560 could give you a better value, while the short throw and 360° orientation of the ViewSonic LS550WH business projector give it lots of installation flexibility. We hope this buying guide has helped you figure out what you need from a business projector!

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The best projectors in 2022, including home theater and outdoor projectors

June 27, 2022 / 7:48 AM EDT / Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

Whether you're planning a family movie night in the backyard this summer or setting up a home theater, we've found the best projectors across a range of budgets and uses. From LG to Samsung, there are plenty of great projectors available to suit your needs below.

Top products in this article

Battery-powered, indoor-outdoor projector:  LG CineBeam portable home theater projector, $529 (reduced from $700)

4.2-star-rated gaming projector:  Optoma true 4K UHD gaming projector, $1,299

Top-rated budget projector:  Auking HD mini projector, $69 (reduced from $100)

Projectors can be a fun way to watch movies on a bigger screen -- up to 300 inches -- without making a trip to the theater. You can set up a projector in the backyard for a family movie night during the summer, or set up your very own home theater. There are even gaming projectors with minimal lag and support for 4K.

Many people think of home theaters as a luxury that's outside of their budget, but there are great projectors at a variety of prices. Find the best projector for your home theater, gaming setup or outdoor movie party now.

Best home theater projectors

Check out our selections for the best home theater projectors. 

BenQ HT2050A HD home theater projector

This BenQ HD projector features a bright 1080p display with 2,200 lumens, high contrast and accurate colors. It can project on screens up to 300 inches. This highly-rated projector features DLP technology -- also used in commercial theaters and IMAX cinemas -- which uses micro-mirrors to project images from a monitor onto a larger screen.

BenQ HT2050A 1080P home theater projector, $750 (reduced from $800)

LG CineBeam portable full HD home theater projector 

The LG CineBeam (1080p) features 600 lumens of brightness, a high image-contrast ratio and up to 100 inches of video display. It's portable and has 2.5 hours of battery life when not plugged in, so the LG CineBeam can double as an outdoor projector for the summer.

LG CineBeam portable full HD home theater projector, $529 (reduced from $700)

Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K home theater projector 

The Anker Nebula Cosmos offers a 4K display, Dolby Digital sound and Android TV compatibility. It also features adjustable image sizing with a max display of 150 inches and a bright 1,500 lumen display. 

Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K home theater projector, $1,400 after coupon ($1,600)

Samsung The Premiere 4K smart laser projector

Samsung's The Premiere 4K smart laser projector is a high-resolution short-throw projector. Short-throw projectors are designed to be placed closer to a screen to eliminate glare and shadows. This projector offers 2,200 lumens of brightness and sharp color accuracy. The Premiere comes in two size options: 120 inch display and 130 inch display.

120" Samsung The Premiere 4K smart laser projector $3,500 

You can also find the 130" display option:

130" Samsung The Premiere 4K smart laser projector $6,500

Best 4K gaming projectors

Projectors can also be a fun addition to your gaming setup. Check out our top picks for the best gaming projectors.

BenQ 4K HDR gaming projector

The BenQ 4K gaming projector features HDR with 3,200 lumens of brightness and allows for Dolby Atmos and 7.1-channel surround-sound pass-through. It offers a 16-millisecond lag and a 60-Hz refresh rate at 4K. You can also game in 1080p with 4-millisecond lag and a 240-Hz refresh rate. The machine can project image sizes up to 300 inches.

BenQ 4K HDR gaming projector, $1,499

Optoma 4K UHD gaming projector

The Optoma true 4K gaming projector has an ultra-bright display with 3,600 lumens and just 4.2 ms of input lag. The projector can display images up to a maximum of 300 inches. It has keystone correction -- high-contrast ratio and high-color accuracy for an optimal viewing experience. 

Optoma 4K UHD gaming projector, $1,299

Best outdoor projectors in 2022   

Find great projectors for outdoor viewing to stream your favorite shows or movies in your backyard this summer.

Anker Nebula Solar HD portable projector

The Anker Nebula Solar HD portable projector (1080p) is a compact, lightweight option with HDR. It has a 3-hour battery life when not connected to power and a built-in stand. It has Android TV built in, providing access to streaming apps including HBO Max, YouTube and Hulu. It features a 120-inch max projection display.

Anker Nebula Solar portable projector, $560 (reduced from $600)

You can save $100 by purchasing the AC-powered version of this projector.

Anker Nebula Solar portable projector, $460 (reduced from $520)

Epson EpiqVision HD mini projector with Android TV

The Epson EpiqVision HD projector (1080p) features 1,000 lumens of brightness and adaptive color correction. AndroidTV comes built in for streaming, and the machine can project on screens up to 150 inches.

Epson EpiqVision mini projector with Android TV, $1,000

Xgmini MoGo Pro HD portable projector for outdoor streaming

This 1080P mini projector is a portable option for outdoor streaming. The Xgimi MoGo offers Bluetooth connectivity, automatic keystone connection and Android TV. It has 300 lumens of brightness and DLP technology, and it can project onto screens up to 100 inches.

Don't forget to apply the coupon before checkout at Amazon to save an extra $75.

XgimiI MoGo Pro portable projector for outdoor streaming, $425 after coupon (reduced from $650) 

Best budget projector

If you're looking for a great budget option, check out this affordable projector.

Auking HD mini projector

The Auking HD mini projector (1080p) is a compact and affordable option for families that want a basic projector for movie nights. It has built-in speakers but can also be connected to external speakers. It offers a maximum projection display size of 170 inches.

Auking HD mini projector, $69 (reduced from $100)

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6 Best Budget Projectors of 2024, According to Tech Experts

Stream on the big screen wherever you go, for under $500.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Most cheap projectors on the market today feature impressive image quality along with built-in speakers and easy-to-navigate media interfaces, so set-up, operation and streaming couldn’t be easier. And unlike a a full-size TV , a projector gives you the flexibility to move it from room to room so you can start streaming in the living room and end in the bedroom, or even take your projector outside for a fun outdoor movie night.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Budget Projector

Anker nebula capsule max.

Best Value Budget Projector

Vankyo leisure 3.

Best Budget Projector for Bedroom

Xgimi mogo 2.

Best Budget Portable Projector

Kodak luma 350.

Best Budget Projector for Home

Epson epiqvision flex co-w01.

Best Budget Projector for Outdoor Movies

Nebula anker solar outdoor.

Our seasoned tech analysts and engineers in the Good Housekeeping Institute Media & Tech Lab have been testing home theater and audio equipment for decades, from the best 4K projectors to outdoor projectors , outdoor speakers , soundbars and more.

When reviewing the best budget projectors, we considered the top-performing brands in our previous categorical tests, personal favorites and popular styles with positive consumer reviews online. We've tested the majority of the models featured below firsthand, vetting each model for its ease of set up and operation, portability, image quality and extra features like battery life and media interface.

After reading our reviews, head to the end of this guide to learn more about how to choose the best budget projector for your space and how we selected our top picks. For more top-rated gadgets, check out our expert's round-up of the coolest gadgets from CES , the Consumer Electronics Show.

Our pros were blown away by the clear HD picture quality this small, sleek projector was able to produce in low-light settings.

Unlike more expensive models, it's so compact that it should fit into most backpacks or travel accessories so you can bring it with you on your next adventure to project movies and shows on the go. We love that it features four hours of rechargeable battery life, making it a top choice for outdoor movie nights, camping trips or streaming anywhere in your home.

Our pros were impressed by the loud and crisp audio quality of the Capusle Max’s built-in speakers, which are so powerful that the device can double as a standalone Bluetooth speaker. In our tests, we found the set up and operation of the projector to be seamless, and the media interface powered by Android extremely intuitive to navigate.

With the Nebula Connect app streaming is made even easier; all you have to do is use your phone as a remote and decide which Netflix series to binge next. Though we do wish USB-C charging was supported, we appreciate that the included charger is compact and portable.

This small, compact projector from Vankyo is a great option for streaming videos, watching shows or gaming. It’s not only affordable, but it's easy to connect your phone to stream or you can use a streaming stick like a Roku via one of the multiple ports. While we haven’t tested it in the Lab, we like that the screen size can be projected up to 176 inches, though our pros warn that resolution won't be as high-quality as other projectors.

If you’re looking for superior picture quality and optimal brightness for the price, look no further than the latest XGIMI MoGo 2.

In testing, we found videos streamed via the XGIMI to be some of the most detailed and sharp on this list. The sound quality was just as impressive with built-in speakers that filled the room, and set up was a breeze. Because the projector runs on Android TV, you can expect an easy-to-navigate interface when you’re ready to start streaming.

Another feature we were fond of was the projector’s auto keystone correction, which did an excellent job at readjusting the image to avoid any obstacles and appear rectangular on the screen no matter how many times we moved it.

Though slightly larger than some of the mini projectors on this list, the XGIMI is an excellent choice for smaller rooms like your bedroom as it’s compact enough to fit comfortably on a nightstand but does unfortunately require a power source. If you do, however, want to use the projector in your backyard or outside your camping tent but there’s no outlet in sight, you can still power it up via USB-C as long as you have a power station or portable battery pack handy.

We love this budget projector for its compact size and ability to run off a rechargeable battery, making it extremely convenient and easy to throw in a purse to share slideshows, presentations and more from anywhere you go.

Unlike other budget projectors of this size, you can connect certain iOS, Android or Windows 10 devices wirelessly to project content via DLNA or Miracast. Best of all, it's powered by Android so the media interface makes it easy to stream straight from your favorite apps.

We found the Kodak app extremely intuitive to use and navigate, and we like that it enables you to use your phone instead of a remote. Though you’ll have to make some sacrifices when it comes to picture quality, this projector’s bells and whistles like built-in speakers and exceptional portability make it worthwhile.

Generally, we like Epson projectors for their great value and solid performance . Though you won’t get a 4K cinema experience, we were impressed by this projector’s picture quality as well as the screen’s brightness, meaning you should be able to get a clear picture even with some ambient light (though if you want even more brightness, consider this Epson projector with 3,600 lumens). Also, the screen can project up to 300 inches, making it one of the largest potential screen sizes on this list.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth aren’t supported so you won’t be greeted by a media interface featuring streaming apps, but it’s perfect for projecting presentations at the office, Zoom calls and streaming TV shows via your laptop or devices like Roku, Apple TV and more, which you can connect through the projector’s HDMI port. We also like that it comes equipped with a built-in speaker for when you need audio, though our pros found that the sound quality could be more robust.

We think this pick from Anker is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for an outdoor projector in particular. Not only is the resolution impressive at full HD, but the brightness is higher than most other budget projectors featured on this list.

We appreciate the built-in projector stand , which is convenient when you want to set up your screen and don’t have a tripod handy. Watching movies and shows is easy via HDMI or directly with Android TV 9, which offers more than 7,000 streaming apps. It also has a built-in battery that offers three hours of power cord-free, although it is slightly more expensive than our previous pick by Anker, currently unavailable.

How we chose the best budget projectors

For this story, the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Media & Tech Lab evaluated a variety of budget projectors for key criteria such as ease of set up, use and streaming, as well as portability, size, image quality, sound quality, brightness, contrast and connectivity. We also considered key features such as battery life and whether projectors support auto keystone correction.

We reviewed each projector's overall value and omitted any projectors over $500. Our Lab pros were able to test the majority of the models that ended up on our list, and we based any additional recommendations on our years of experience testing consumer electronics, previous categorical tests of home and outdoor projectors and similar models or brands that have performed well in the past.

What to look for when shopping for a budget projector

When shopping for a budget projector, it’s important to set expectations and understand that you won’t be able to achieve the same results as with a more expensive 4K projector or even most mid-range flat-screen TVs.

However, there are important factors to keep an eye out for when selecting the best cheap projector for your home:

✔️ Portability: One of the key features to consider when it comes to cheap projectors is how portable they are. Do you want a projector that's small enough to throw in a backpack or one that's super lightweight so you can move it around from room to room or easily bring outdoors for a movie night? If opting for a portable projector, you should consider one with a rechargeable battery so you can use it without an outlet. A built-in projector stand is also a nice bonus to help adjust the angle of projection and eliminate the need for a tripod.

✔️ Brightness: A projector’s brightness or the amount of light it can produce is measured in lumens, which is important since there will likely always be some ambient light in the space you're in. While some brands list a projector’s brightness in lumens, others reference ANSI lumens. When possible, we recommend finding a budget projector with at least 1,500 lumens or 500 ANSI lumens to ensure you'll get a clear picture, though our pros warn that you might have to make sacrifices for size and portability. Higher lumens mean higher brightness, which is considered better for picture quality.

ANSI lumens are proportionally brighter than standard lumens. A key difference between lumens and ANSI lumens is that ANSI lumens are based on an industry-standard whereas others may use different approaches to measure and market lumens. We prefer when lumens are systematically measured, and ANSI lumen measurements provide that standardized approach to compare brightness.

✔️ Resolution : While 4K resolution is always preferred, our experts recommend full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) for budget projectors if you plan on streaming TV shows, movies or videos. If the resolution is lower, your screen's image won't be quite as sharp and defined though this may not be an issue if you're projecting office presentations or don't need as high of image quality. ✔️ Screen size: Our pros recommend looking for a max screen size that is at least 100 inches to ensure you can comfortably watch a movie. While some brands claim you can achieve an even larger screen size, keep in mind that the picture will decrease in quality. ✔️ Connectivity and ports: Check how many ports your cheap projector comes with and ensure that there's one for HDMI, which is one of the easiest ways to connect your laptop or a streaming stick like Roku. Some projectors may even be able to connect to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to stream from your phone or directly access your favorite apps like Netflix, Hulu and more internally. ✔️ Audio: Most cheap projectors come with a built-in speaker, which is a nice feature to have when on-the-go. Nevertheless, keep in mind that you may need to connect another audio source for better sound quality, such as an outdoor speaker . If you want to be able to connect headphones to your projector, look for ones that offer an audio jack.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Olivia Lipski reviews all things consumer electronics for Good Housekeeping, including smart home devices, audio equipment and more. To update this story, she personally reviewed several of the newest budget projectors to hit the market in her home and worked closely with Rachel Rothman , GH Institute's former chief technologist and head engineer, who has led our previous categorical tests of home and outdoor projectors.

Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.

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Group of Companies Segezha

Ru000a102xg9, forest & wood products.

• Segezha Group : will install four bag production lines in Lobnya

One of Segezha Group's ( MOEX : SGZH, a part of Sistema PJSFC) strategic priorities is expanding its presence on the Russian domestic paper packaging market and creating new processing facilities.

The group is currently equipping a branch of Segezha Packaging LLC in Lobnya, Moscow Region , with modern bag production lines. With an investment of approximately RUB 1 billion , the new plant is designed to produce over 138 million consumer packaging units per year.

Two production lines for consumer packaging were launched in Q1 2021 with great results. The equipment is supplied by the German machine building company Garant Maschinen. The delivery of two more machines is expected in Q2, but these will be manufactured by the American-French concern Holweg Weber. The lines will make it easier to flexibly change packaging formats, including switching between flat and twist handles, all on the same equipment. In addition, in 2021 Segezha Group signed contracts for the delivery of a new slitting machine and SOMA, a Czech-produced eight-colour flexo printing machine to Lobnya, which will expand the asset's technological and printing capabilities.

Around the world, the use of paper packaging is constantly expanding. Segezha Group's products are environmentally friendly and easy to reprocess. The packaging is used at enterprises that produce dry construction mixtures, cement, chemical products, fertilizers, animal products, charcoal, and food. The holding's packaging solutions are in high demand in the retail, e-commerce, and delivery markets.

Nowadays the holding's processing assets are mastering new packaging solutions: small-format packaging and bags with windows. Our innovative 3-5 kg small-size packaging for dry construction mixtures and windowed paper bags for fruit and vegetables received the industry's Part Awards at the 25th International exhibition for the packaging industry, RosUpack, in June 2021 . The company's next innovative packaging solutions will be fully biodegradable yet impermeable bags, as well as consumer packaging using biopolymers. These plans will be facilitated by the launch of an R&D centre for packaging in Segezha this year.

Segezha Group's processing capacity has reached about 1.6 billion items per year. It has 3 plants in Russia and 7 in Europe . The Group's sales territory covers 45 countries.

Tel: +7 (499) 962 82 00

Email: [email protected]

(C) 2021 Electronic News Publishing, source ENP Newswire

Latest news about Group of Companies Segezha

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Company Profile

Income statement evolution, annual profits - rate of surprise, sector other forest & wood products.

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Custom Cabinet Makers in Lobnya

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• Lobnya, Moscow Oblast, Russia

Professional Category (1)

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)

Featured Reviews for Custom Cabinet Makers in Lobnya

• Reach out to the pro(s) you want, then share your vision to get the ball rolling.
• Request and compare quotes, then hire the Cabinets & Cabinetry professional that perfectly fits your project and budget limits.
• Custom Bookcases
• Custom Built-ins
• Custom Cabinets – made to fit your specific kitchen, allowing complete customization. You can choose the materials, finishes, and features. Usually are of a higher quality. For example, for a small kitchen with limited space, custom cabinets can be designed to maximize storage and functionality. Contact a local professional in Lobnya to order the best cabinets for your kitchen.
• Semi-Custom Cabinets: – offer some customization options within pre-built standard sizes and styles. You can choose from a range of finishes, door styles, and accessories. For instance, you can select a specific color and add features like pull-out shelves or spice racks.
• Prefab (or Stock) Cabinets – pre-made and readily available in standard sizes, styles, and finishes. They are more affordable and convenient for quick installations. An example would be purchasing pre-assembled cabinets from a home improvement store to update your kitchen without any modifications.
• Higher quality and craftsmanship
• More customization options available
• Allows for a personalized and unique kitchen design
• More expensive than prefab cabinets
• Longer production and installation time required
• More affordable option
• Suitable for budget-conscious or time-sensitive projects
• Limited customization options
• Generally lower overall quality compared to custom cabinets

What does a cabinet maker near me do?

Questions to ask a prospective cabinet maker:.

If you search for Cabinet Maker near me you'll be sure to find a business that knows all about the latest trends and styles for your living room, bedroom, kitchen, or whole house remodel. They specialize in crafting cabinets, which are essential storage solutions in any home.

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