Projectors used to be used for a wide range of purposes, from home theater setups to business presentations, and the most practical way to classify them was by weight class. But those times are long gone. These days, they fall into a wide range of practical categories, including light source (lamp, LED, laser, or hybrid), picture technology (LCD, DLP, LCOS, and even laser raster), and—most importantly—purpose.
The use of projectors has increased along with their specialization. For instance, a model designed to show corporate presentations in well-lit spaces doesn’t need as much contrast or color accuracy as one intended for watching movies in a dark room.
We’ll start by reviewing our best picks, which are based on tested models and serve a variety of functions.
1.EPSON PRO CINEMA LS12000 4K PRO-UHD
Although the Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 is expensive, considering the image quality it produces, it’s almost a steal. Thanks to improved lens quality and video processing, Epson is well-known for their pixel-shifting LCD projectors, which produce images that are almost identical to actual 4K UHD pictures while utilizing only half as many pixels on screen. The LS12000 increases the pixel count to a full 3,840 by 2,160 pixels while maintaining the same emphasis on premium lenses and processing. More detail than we’ve ever seen with a pixel-shifting 4K DLP projector is the outcome.
Additionally, you won’t see rainbow artifacts, which are the flashes of red, green, and blue that single-chip projectors can produce. This is because the image is created by three LCD chips. Along with superior color accuracy, contrast, and shadow depth, the LS12000 also has advanced features including an easy-to-use lens adjustment function that keeps the image height constant when you transition between movies with different aspect ratios.
Severe videophiles who want to install the LS12000 in a darkened room with black walls, ceiling, and seats in order to reduce reflections back onto the screen will be enticed by its allure. Even less picky viewers will be able to see that the image quality is good enough, making it a good projector for home theater use for anyone. It’s also bright enough for use in a family room, especially if you want to watch movies periodically with the lights turned off completely. If you’re a fan of 3D movies, you’ll have to go elsewhere as it doesn’t support 3D.
Pros
Excellent image quality
Highly flexible placement
Ready for games and film
Cons
High price
2.BENQ TK860I
Even though some image quality is sacrificed, BenQ TK860i and comparable home entertainment projectors are bright since they are designed for ambient light conditions. The TK860i prioritizes brightness, as one might assume, but it still produces reasonably excellent images. In addition to 4K resolution (made possible by a DLP chip fitted with TI’s fast-switch pixel shifting), it features BenQ’s groundbreaking HDR-PRO technology, which works for SDR, HDR10, and HLG HDR input to produce higher shadow depth, contrast, and a sense of three dimensions than most of the competition. The projector supports full HD 3D and can stream entertainment from smart TVs with a free Android TV 11 dongle. We found that input delays were short enough for all but the most critical applications, albeit a little longer than the state-of-the-art.severe gaming, will also be appreciated by gamers.
Anyone who demands excellent visual quality rather than just passable quality will be drawn to the TK860i, especially if they also desire a reduced input latency for games like first-person shooters or sports. If single-chip DLP projectors produce red, green, and blue flashes that are commonly referred to as rainbow artifacts, you should make sure the dealer you purchase the projector from offers easy returns in the event that there are issues. However, the TK860i is a great option if you don’t see these artifacts or don’t mind seeing them and you’re searching for a means to watch TV, play games, and watch movies with lights on.
Pros
4K resolution using TI’s XPR fast-switch pixel shifting
Good shadow detail and contrast
1.3x zoom and modest vertical lens shift
Cons
Initial physical setup is difficult
3.BENQ TH685P
The details of the TH685P don’t give the whole picture. Although this 1080p projector’s specifications are almost identical to those of its BenQ predecessor, the TH685P’s image quality is substantially higher when HDR input is used. It is a big plus for a home entertainment projector at this price range. The quality of the onboard audio also surprised us. The integrated 5-watt chamber speaker is very practical and can play music loud enough to fill a large family room.
This device is a great choice for people who are not susceptible to rainbow distortions because of its minimal input latency, superb handling, and downconversion of 4K HDR content. (Ideally, HDR content should only be seen in poorly light areas.)you can’t watch or play with headphones or an external sound system attached.
Gamers can enjoy powerful real-time gaming experiences with the BenQ TH685P projector. Magnificent 1080p HDR images and 3,500 lumens of ultra-brightness provide amazing action even during the day, and the amazing music takes you to a whole new level of gaming entertainment. The TH685P’s built-in 5-watt speaker enhances all sounds in First Person Shooter with its finely tuned Game Sound Mode. Clear, high-quality audio is produced by the TH685P using both physical and psychoacoustics.
Pros
4K resolution using TI’s XPR fast-switch pixel shifting
Short input lag
Cons
Can’t read files from USB memory
4.VANKYO PERFORMANCE V700W
Despite being slightly larger than other low-cost tiny projectors, the Vankyo Performance V700W, which listed for a few dollars and is typically sold for less, is a direct competitor with high-end models. With a native resolution of 1080p (1,920 by 1,080-pixels) and an incredibly watchable image that is guaranteed to be free of rainbow aberrations, it offers features that are equivalent to those of competitors. It’s also the smartest kid on the block, at least for its class, with a 420 ANSI lumen rating. Using the best picture quality settings in our tests, it illuminated a 90-inch screen flawlessly with the lights off. We tested an 80-inch screen in a family room at night, and it generated a bright enough image.
Along with having a high brightness, the V700W has somewhat superior image quality than other projectors in this price range, including more shadow detail. For a low-cost projector, even the integrated audio, which features two 5-watt speakers and Dolby Digital Plus, is remarkable. Furthermore, the input latency, which is 26 milliseconds for 1080p, 60Hz input, is more than quick enough for light gaming.
The V700W should be at the top of the list for anyone searching for an affordable entry-level projector for light-hearted home entertainment purposes. Even though its pricing is on the higher end of the cheap model range, it doesn’t cost much more than its competitors, who are mostly restricted to considerably lower image sizes in any given light condition. It is also reasonably priced, making it a good backup projector for sporadic usage. That way, you may use it to enjoy a movie in your backyard while keeping your more costly projector in its fixed location.
Pros
Resolution of 1,920 by 1,080
Guaranteed free of rainbow artifacts
Cons
Big settings menu obscures image (and seeing the effect of your changes)
5.BENQ X3000I
The BenQ X3000i is our top pick for 4K gaming projectors and our top pick for gaming in general. In BenQ’s Immersive Gaming Series, it is the flagship model. Its 3,000-ANSI-lumen LED light source allows it to function as both a light cannon and a pair of 5-watt stereo speakers, producing high-quality sound in a large family room. Each of the three preset Game mode variations—sports, role-playing, and first-person shooter games—modifies the sound and visual elements of the respective game genre. HLG HDR and HDR10 compatibility are two more noteworthy features. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art low input latency is essential. We measured it at 16.7 milliseconds (ms) for 4K/60Hz, which is about equivalent to 10.7 milliseconds for 1080p/60Hz.(ms) for 4K/60Hz, essentially the same for 1080p/60Hz, and at 8.7ms for 1080p/120Hz—all of which are consistent with the rated 4.2ms at 240Hz.
It is obvious that the X3000i is intended for hardcore gamers. It may also be used for watching movies and videos, and to make that process easier, an Android TV 10.0 streaming stick is included. BenQ does, however, state that the footage is adjusted to best showcase HDR on gaming consoles rather than, say, Blu-ray players. Observe that one of its convenient features is a dedicated button on the remote that allows you to quickly switch between the three gaming modes. Purchasing the X3000i without any serious gaming plans in mind would be like purchasing a private jet without any intention of taking it airborne.
Pros
4K (3,840 by 2,160) resolution
Bright LED light source (rated 3,000 ANSI lumens)
Cons
Wi-Fi is sole network connection option
Buying Guide: The Best Projectors for 2024
If you’ve read through our selection criteria for each model above, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that they vary based on a variety of factors, such as your budget, the purpose for which you intend to use the projector, and even purely subjective considerations like whether or not you find rainbow artifacts annoying. All of these factors should be considered before making any purchases, but deciding what type of photographs you want to examine is a good place to start.
pictures may be divided into two categories: data, which includes text and graphics, and photorealistic, which includes pictures from cinema, video, and photography. Both are typically present in some degree in games. Of course, any projector can display any type of image, but certain projectors do better with certain types of images than others. It is preferable to have a projector that is optimized for every type of picture you anticipate viewing, but at the absolute least, for the ones you want to view most frequently.
Depending on its intended audience, data projectors are sometimes referred to as business or education projectors. They are made to display spreadsheets, PDF files, presentations, business graphics, and line drawings. They project a picture on a big screen that is sufficiently bright to withstand ambient light, making them ideal for use in conference rooms and schools. Many are adept at producing lifelike graphics that are suitable for projecting brief video snippets during a lecture or even for seeing a movie in class. However, if you want anything close to the quality you get from a movie theater or a TV, they are rarely suitable options for full-length films. They frequently prioritize brightness above contrast and color fidelity, even though brightness is more crucial for withstanding ambient light.
Projectors for gaming, home theater, and entertainment are so close to one another that a single device is sometimes sold in two or three categories. These projectors for home use concentrate on contrast and color accuracy, and typically come with additional settings to adjust color, minimize noise, sharpen pictures, and perform other digital effects on film and video.