Buying a projector may seem like a big investment in money and time, but they are certainly worth it for the sports fans and the movie lovers out there. They are a perfect, high impact alternative for television for those people who don’t want to have a television screen to be dominating their living room when it’s not in use.
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To be able to achieve theater-level picture quality at home is getting closer to reality. If you’re looking for a projector to host a movie night, take your cinema room to the next level, or for your work purposes, then you must have spent some time shopping for one. It means that you must know that the selection is ever-expanding. But don’t worry, we will help you choose the right one for you.
The Best Projectors in this guide are quite easy to use. So, it is quite easy to project your favorite TV shows and movies onto a wall and get the true cinema experience. Once you’re done using it, you can simply hide it away in a closet or tuck away on a shelf when you’re not using it. However, it is worth mentioning that many of them have great-looking designs, which is why there is probably no problem in leaving them on display as it is if you have enough space to do so.
Deciding which projector is the right one for you is the real challenge here. It’s mainly because not all projectors are created equal or have the same specifications. That’s why we have only mentioned the best projectors that we could find from the best brands in this list for you to choose from.
We have listed the best of the Best Projectors 2021 in the following table.
10 Best Projectors
| Award | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best Projector for the darkroom cinephiles | Check Price | |
| Overall best projector | Check Price | |
| Runner-up best projector | Check Price | |
| Best portable projector | Check Price | |
| Best budget-friendly projector | Check Price | |
| Most premium Projector | Check Price | |
| Best mid-range projector | Check Price | |
| Runner-up best budget-friendly projector | Check Price | |
| Best projector for easy setup | Check Price | |
| Best projector for movies and presentations in a mid-sized room | Check Price |
BenQ TK800M 4K UHD Home Theater Projector
Nowadays, if you want to buy a home theater projector to get near cinema-quality experience, it’s not as expensive as it used to be. It means that you don’t need a huge budget to turn your living room into a movie theater. This is where the BenQ TK800M 4K UHD projector comes in and it happens to be the best projector for the darkroom cinephiles.
It also handles ambient light better than most of the 4K projectors out there with 3,000 lumens of brightness. It provides users with great color accuracy and works even better in complete darkness. The sports fans are also going to love it as it is capable of producing an image of up to 300 inches in size.
BenQ TK800M 4K UHD projector comes with a backlit remote control, which does come in handy for dark rooms and is a nice touch. The unit has a blue front that makes it stand out from the crowd of boring white competitors. It is certainly eye-catching. The unit also has some basic controls on the top of it for when you don’t have the remote or it isn’t dark. There is also a speaker on it, but it won’t give you a cinema-quality sound. However, you can easily connect external speakers for better sound quality.
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Although there is no lens shift here, it does have an extendable foot at the front bottom, so that you can easily adjust the height of the image. This can cause keystone distortions, but it has auto-correction that makes it easier to set up quickly.
Specifications
| Projector Model | BenQ TK800M 4K UHD Home Theater Projector |
|---|---|
| Resolution | VGA (640 x 480) to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) 16:9: Aspect ratio |
| Brightness | 3,000 Lumens |
| Image Size | 60 inches ~ 200 inches / 300 inches |
| Image Contrast Ratio | 10,000:1 |
| Light Source Life (Hours) | 4,000/8,000/10,000/15,000 (Normal/SmartEco/Economic/LamSave) |
| Optical | 1.50 – 1.65 (100 inches @ 10.89 feet): Throw ratio 1.1x: Zoom type |
| Interface | 2 x HDMI (HDCP1.4 & HDCP2.2) 1 x PC in-1 (D-Sub 15pin, female) 1 x USB Type-A (1.5A power) 1 x USB Type-mini B 1 x Audio In & Out (3.5mm) 1 x RS232 In (D-Sub 9pin, male) 1 x DC 12V trigger 2 x IR receiver (Top, Front) Kensington lock, Security bar |
- It is capable of providing 3,000 lumens of brightness
- It has great HDR performance
- The cinema mode delivers amazing color accuracy
- The blacks aren’t perfect
Optoma UHD50X True 4K UHD Projector
The Optoma UHD50X projector gives the consumers a great flicker rate while gaming and experiencing theater vibes in your TV Lounge at a very reasonable price tag. As it is capable of delivering 4K and surprising colors, it is capable of projecting all your Movies and TV Shows up to a highest of 302-inch expandability which is quite huge for a projector output.
It has up to 500,000:1 contrast ratio and 3,400 lumens of brightness supporting HLG and HDR 10. This projector is so capable that it can produce the best clarity possible out of any video stream you do on it, particularly video games. The PC consumers there will be a lag free 16ms response rate at 1080p 240Hz and all this with UHD50X’s Enhanced Gaming Mode. However, at 4K resolution it provides a 60Hz refresh rate and 26 milliseconds response, permitting gamers to choose their configuration whether they want gigantic resolution or speed.
It has 2 HDMI inputs (HDMI 1.4 and HDMI 2.0), and also optical connectivity which mean that you can easily attach the projector with pretty much anything, including current streaming gadgets and older computers. This projector also supports USB to provide connectivity for phones.
It comes with an immense collection of color modes which are built in, including bright modes and hyper accurate Cinema, each one is aimed towards a diverse type of purpose and media. This projector is durable and may last for years of everyday usage before you will have to consider a bulb replacement as it has a specified lamp life of fifteen thousand hours. If you simply want the biggest, best image, then it is the best for you.
Specifications
| Projector Model | Optoma UHD50X True 4K UHD Projector |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p (1920 x 1080, 240Hz), 4K UHD (3840 x 2160, 60Hz) 16:9: Aspect ratio |
| Brightness | 3,400 Lumens |
| Image Size | 34.1 inches ~ 302.4 inches |
| Image Contrast Ratio | 500,000:1 |
| Light Source Life (Hours) | 4,000/10,000/15,000 (Bright/ECO/Dynamic) |
| Optical | 1.21 – 1.59 (with tolerance ±3%): Throw ratio 1.3x optical, 0.8 – 2.0 digital: Zoom type |
| Interface | 2 x HDMI (HDMI 1.4a & HDMI 2.0) 1 x VGA-in 1 x USB power (5V, 1.5A power) 1 x USB 2.0 1 x Audio In & Out (3.5mm) 1 x S/PDIF out (optical) 1 x RS-232C 1 x 12V Trigger Kensington lock, Password (OSD) |
- It provides high refresh rate capability
- It has a low input lag
- It has a bright light output
- It has low-end grayscale leans bright
VAVA 4K UHD Laser TV Home Theatre Projector
VAVA 4K UHD laser projector is something of a marvel. It provides the users with a sharp 4K picture and impactful HDR despite its 8-bit color limitations. This projector simply will not disappoint.
For an ultra-short throw laser projector, it provides a massive picture up to 150 inches while the users only have to place it a few inches away from a screen or wall. It has 2,500 lumens of brightness, which is more than enough to make the images look vibrant. It has a soft fabric covering and a sleek design that makes the projector look aesthetically pleasing, even when it’s turned off.
This projector has an old iteration of an Android TV and a couple of big-name apps like Netflix and Hulu are missing, which is why the “smart platform” is kind of secondary here. However, the VAVA delivers bright 4K images, ultra-short-throw pictures, and impactful colors are all packed in a gorgeous design which makes it a brilliant choice for a new home projector.
For a crowdfunded model, the odds may have been against this projector, but the result is certainly one of the best projectors that are available in the market today.
Specifications
| Projector Model | VAVA 4K UHD Laser TV Home Theatre Projector |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 4K UHD |
| Brightness | 2,500 Lumens |
| Image Size | Up to 150 inches |
| Image Contrast Ratio | 1,500,000:1 |
| Light Source Life (Hours) | 25,000 |
| Optical | Ultra-short throw: Throw ratio |
| Interface | 3 x HDMI 1 x AV 3.5 (video in) 1 x USB 1 x RJ45 1 x Line Out (3.5mm) 1 x S/PDIF |
- It has an aesthetically pleasing design
- It can provide a maximum of 150 inches projection
- It delivers sharp 4K images
- It has a poor app layout
- It only has 8-bit HDR
AAXA P7 Mini Projector, Native 1080p Full HD
AAXA P7 mini projector fits comfortably in your palm and is easily the smallest projector with a native 1080p resolution, beating out the AAXA’s M6 by more than two inches in both depth and width. It does well at displaying small type and intricate designs, and it can function as a portable media player for photos and videos, as well as playing music. It is not as bright as the AAXA M6, but the P7 has a slightly better video-image quality and costs less.
Its chassis is a combination of dark brown, black, gray, and silver. It measures just 2.7 by 4.7 by 4.4 inches (H x W x D) and weighs 1.4 pounds. It is an LED-based light source. It has a rated brightness of 600 lumens when it is powered by its AC adapter, and 450 lumens when using its rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Its lamp has a rated lifetime of 30,000 hours, so it should pretty much last as long as the projector.
You have the choice to buy it with or without the battery. However, the price difference is only around $20. You should get the P7 with the battery included if you want the option of battery power.
Its native resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels (1080p) and one of the advantages that the P7 has over the typical 1080p projectors is its portability.
Specifications
| Projector Model | AAXA P7 Mini Projector, Native 1080p Full HD |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (1080p) 16:9: Aspect ratio |
| Brightness | 600 Lumens: DC 450 Lumens: Battery |
| Image Size | 16 - 120 inches |
| Image Contrast Ratio | 2,000:1 |
| Light Source Life (Hours) | 30,000 |
| Optical | 1.2:1: Throw ratio |
| Interface | HDMI Mini-VGA Composite A/V (3.5mm) 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack Full-Sized USB 2.0 Micro SD/TF Card |
- It is very compact and lightweight
- It has a native 1080p resolution
- It has a built-in battery
- The video quality isn’t that great
Optoma HD146X High-Performance Projector
The Optoma HD146X projector is the efficient version of the consumers’ favorite HD142X and it is a value to performance product. It is picture-perfect for consumers who don’t want to pay too much for a projector for the irregular big game night or movie night. This reasonable projector delivers a full HD 1080p resolution (1920×1080 pixels) image, and 15,000-hour lamp life (4,000 on Bright mode and 10,000 on ECO mode), 3600 lumens of intensity, which is sufficient to last over years of hefty use.
The HD146X projector is portable hence easy to take for a backyard movie night or sports live matches, thanks to its weight that is just over 6 pounds. Although it does not have the automatic setup bonus features like the top-tier projectors, altering the image to scale your screen from 28 – 302 inch with the physical crank is quite quick and easy.
It delivers vivid colors, specifically in cinema mode, which slashes the projector’s general brightness by half to provide better in-depth detail in dark rooms. The games who want to play their favorite games on the giant display will offer 16 milliseconds response time of the Improved Game mode, as it decreases motion blur and lag.
It is a modest projector option and it is a great selection for the majority of average consumers.
Specifications
| Projector Model | Optoma HD146X High-Performance Projector |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (1080p) 16:9 (native), 4:3, 16:10: Aspect ratio |
| Brightness | 3,600 Lumens |
| Image Size | 28 - 301 inches |
| Image Contrast Ratio | 25,000:1 |
| Light Source Life (Hours) | 15,000/10,000/4,000 (Dynamic/ECO/Bright) |
| Optical | 1.47 – 1:62 (± 5% variance): Throw ratio |
| Interface | HDMI (1.4a) Audio out (3.5mm) USB (1.5a / firmware update) Kensington lock, Security bar, Password protection |
- It has a very small input lag in Enhanced Gaming mode
- Its bright lamp gives great picture quality
- Best value
- It doesn’t have 4K resolution
Sony 4K HDR Home Theater Video Projector
This VW695 projector by Sony measures 9.5 inches by 8.1 inches by 18.25 inches and weighs 31 pounds. When compared to some of Sony’s previous, much larger, native 4K projectors, the VW695 is much easier to handle when mounting and setting it up. It has a large, backlit, fully-featured remote control that gives you direct access to the majority of picture options that you would normally encounter during setup and everyday use.
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Getting the maximum benefit from 4K over 1080p, the ability to clearly show all 8.8 billion pixels is important, and it does that. Its lens also offers a memory feature, called Picture Position that lets users switch back and forth between aspect ratios on an anamorphic screen.
It is the most premium projector in our list. It also sits in the middle of Sony’s 4K projectors lineup, which makes it a great option if you simply want the most premium one.
Specifications
| Projector Model | Sony 4K HDR Home Theater Video Projector |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 4096 x 2160 (4K) |
| Brightness | 1,800 Lumens |
| Image Size | 60 - 300 inches |
| Image Contrast Ratio | 350,000:1 |
| Light Source Life (Hours) | 6,000 |
| Optical | 0.74 inches x3: Effective Imager Size X2.06: Projection Lens Zoom |
| Interface | 2 x HDMI 1 x RJ45 – LAN 1 x IR IN – Minijack 1 x D-Sub 9-pin (male) Trigger (2 Inputs) DC 12V USB (DC 5V) |
- It provides true 4K resolution
- It delivers an extremely sharp image
- Excellent placement flexibility with motorized lens
- 1800 lumens is great, but 3000 lumens would be better
Optoma UHD52ALV True 4K UHD Smart Projector
No matter how much we like the way projectors give us huge pictures for lesser money than similarly massive TVs, there’s no denying that they are starting to look a bit dumb. It means that while TVs offer more “smart” features, but projectors just sit there beaming out light for the most part.
Although, the Optoma UHD52ALV has finally started to give the projectors with some kind of brainpower. It may not be perfect yet, but projectors are getting there.
It doesn’t do anything radically new with its design, but it is still a pleasant enough addition to a living room. It is quite small for a projector that claims a maximum light output as high as 3500 lumens. Its gleaming white finish is both pleasant in its own right and neutral enough not to clash with your décor, and it also has potential sharp corners or edges.
Even though it is not carrying a wide color filter, its colors are well saturated and vibrant enough to complement the high brightness.
Specifications
| Projector Model | Optoma UHD52ALV True 4K UHD Smart Projector |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 4096 x 2160 (4096 x 2160) 16:9 (native), 4:3 |
| Brightness | 3,500 Lumens |
| Image Size | 34.1 – 302.4 inches |
| Image Contrast Ratio | Up to 500,000:1 |
| Light Source Life (Hours) | 15,000/10,000/4,000 (Bright, ECO, Dynamic) |
| Optical | 1.21 – 1.59 (± 5%): Throw ratio 1.3x: Zoom type |
| Interface | 2 x HDMI 2.0 VGA-in Audio-in & Audio-out (3.5mm) S/PDIF out (optical) USB 2.0 (Service) USB (For Alexa Wi-Fi adapter) USB (media) USB RJ-45 RS-232C 12V trigger Password, Kensington |
- It has good value
- Its voice control is handy
- Decent 4K clarity
- There is a lag in gaming
AAXA P2-A Smart LED Pico Projector
AAXA P2-A Smart Pico projector is packing a lot into its small frame and sells for a modest price. There is a built-in touchpad on this projector. It runs P2-A runs Android, has a wide selection of ports, and supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. However, there is a bit of room to improve when it comes to image quality, with glaringly bright colors in a video and some trouble displaying text. But it still offers a good value for easy portable projection.
It is a DLP projector with an LED-based light source with a rated brightness of 130 lumens along with a lifetime of 20,000 hours, so the lamp should last very long. It is a great option for those who want a small form factor projector for easier portability.
Specifications
| Projector Model | AAXA P2-A Smart LED Pico Projector |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (1080p) 16:9: Aspect ratio |
| Brightness | 130 Lumens |
| Image Size | 8 – 100 inches |
| Image Contrast Ratio | 1,000:1 |
| Light Source Life (Hours) | 20,000 |
| Optical | N/A |
| Interface | Mini-HDMI (compatible) Composite A/V (3.5mm Jack) 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack Full-Sized USB 2.0 |
- It is very compact and portable
- It is quite modestly priced
- There is a built-in touchpad on it
- It provides somewhat fuzzy text and oversaturated colors.
LG HU80KA 4K UHD Laser Smart Home Theater Projector
The projector consumers face a common problem and that is a difficult assemble and management of components. You could be attempting to efficiently wire it up to a ceiling stand, simply dialing in settings while standing on a footstool or a chair, or looking for a table that is the perfect elevation and reserved distance from the back wall just to be able to get a clear view.
It’s laser-created light source, HDR10 resolution, full 4K support, and 2500 lumens of intensity is fair enough for cinema-style view as it can blast a 150 inch image. It is a great option for consumers who want an easy assemble.
HU80KA has a portable, smart design that doesn’t require a stand or a table, which makes it relaxing to place, wire, and assemble. It comes with built-in functionality as of a Smart TV.
Specifications
| Projector Model | LG HU80KA 4K UHD Laser Smart Home Theater Projector |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) 16:9, original, 4:3: Aspect ratio |
| Brightness | 2,500 Lumens |
| Image Size | 40 – 150 inches |
| Image Contrast Ratio | 150,000:1 |
| Light Source Life (Hours) | 20,000 |
| Optical | 1.2x: Zoom Type |
| Interface | 2 x USB (USB 3.0, USB 2.0) 2 x HDMI 1 x 3.5mm 1 x S/PDIF (optical) 1 x RJ45 |
- It delivers 4K resolution and supports HDR
- It is a smart projector
- It is easy to setup
- Not great for gaming: 71 millisecond response time is not fast for games
Epson PowerLite 1795F 3LCD 1080p Full HD Wireless Mobile Projector
Epson PowerLite 1795F wireless projector is the highest-resolution model in the line so far. It offers good brightness and 1080p resolution in a portable data projector. It provides good data image quality, great video image quality for a data projector, and a very soft sound system.
The video quality on this projector is great for the movies, but you would need to sit near the projector to be able to hear the audio. If you are going to be using an external sound system, then it would prove to be a versatile and solid projector.
Specifications
| Projector Model | Epson PowerLite 1795F 3LCD 1080p Wireless Mobile Projector |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (1080p) 16:9: Aspect ratio |
| Brightness | 3,200 Lumens |
| Image Size | 30 – 300 inches |
| Image Contrast Ratio | 10,000:1 |
| Light Source Life (Hours) | 7,000, 4,000 (ECO Mode, Normal Mode) |
| Optical | 1.02 – 1.23: Throw ratio 1.0x - 1.2x: Zoom Type |
| Interface | 1 x HDMI 1 x D-Sub 15 pin (Component/Computer video) 1 x RCA (Composite video) 1 x PC-free USB and other (Type-A) 1 x USB Plug ‘n Play (Type-B) |
- It provides 1080p resolution
- It is very light and slim
- It delivers great video image quality
- It has a very soft sound system
Conclusion
Choosing the right projector can be difficult as it depends on many factors like the image size it can provide, resolution, etc. In the end, it will come down to you. You should choose the one that fulfills your needs and requirements.
However, the Optoma UHD50X True 4K UHD Projector is the best overall projector on our list that you should have a look at. While the BenQ TK800M 4K UHD Home Theater Projector, VAVA 4K UHD Laser TV Home Theatre Projector, and LG HU80KA 4K UHD Laser Smart Home Theater Projector follow up closely.
If you want to get the most out of the projector for the money you pay, then the Optoma UHD52ALV True 4K UHD Smart Projector or the Epson PowerLite 1795F 3LCD 1080p Full HD Wireless Mobile Projector are great options for you as they offer the best value.
The Sony 4K HDR Home Theater Video Projector is the most premium projector in our list and is perfect for those who want the best features and performance.
The AAXA P7 Mini Projector, Native 1080p Full HD, Optoma HD146X High-Performance Projector, and AAXA P2-A Smart LED Pico Projectors are perfect for you if you want some sort of portability and don’t want to spend a lot on a projector.
