The Best Projectors

• What sets this outdoor projector apart is its built-in sound system, renowned for delivering a rich and balanced audio experience capable of filling a large space.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• This projector measures 6.3 by 10.2 by 9.8 inches and weighs 9.9 pounds, making it bulkier than the majority of its counterparts.

• The Mars 3 lacks USB video ports, so you’ll want an HDMI adapter cable.

What you’ll need to complete your projector setup

A great screen

While many contemporary projectors boast sufficient brightness to project a passable image onto nearly any surface close enough to white, achieving accurate colors necessitates the use of a proper screen. Unlike walls, screens possess less texture and enhance the image’s vibrancy. Additionally, paint typically exhibits lower gain, meaning it reflects less light compared to a screen, resulting in a dimmer image than desired.

 

 

While projecting an image onto an outdoor wall or garage door is feasible, opting for a dedicated projector screen such as the Elite Screens Yard Master Plus or the Elite Screens Yard Master 2 ensures superior video quality. Both screens are crafted from the same ISF-certified material, which excelled in maintaining image brightness and color accuracy during our testing. Assembling their respective frames is a straightforward process, utilizing button snaps to attach the screen securely.

The Yard Master 2 is available in sizes ranging from 58 to 135 inches diagonally (in a 16:9 aspect ratio), offering a versatile range of options. On the other hand, the Yard Master Plus comes in sizes spanning from 100 to 200 inches, providing larger screen choices. Furthermore, the Plus model boasts an adjustable-height frame, adding an extra level of flexibility to accommodate various viewing preferences.

A projector mount

If you’re aiming to elevate your projector for optimal positioning, a mount is essential. The Peerless-AV PRGS-UNV Projector Mount stands out as one of our top picks, thanks to its remarkable flexibility and ease of setup. Featuring highly adjustable and removable mounting arms, it accommodates a wide range of projector sizes, from compact DLP models to large JVC D-ILA projectors that many other mounts cannot accommodate. The user-friendly dials enable effortless fine-tuning of the projector’s alignment with the screen, ensuring the best possible image quality with minimal effort. After extensive use of this mount with numerous tested projectors over the years, we have yet to encounter one that the Peerless-AV PRGS-UNV cannot effectively handle.

Various projectors are crafted to cater to different needs, with prices varying from a few hundred dollars to upwards of five figures. Selecting the ideal model amidst this plethora of options can be a daunting endeavor, but fear not, as we’re here to lend a guiding hand.

Here’s a summary of the top selections from our diverse array of projector guides. Our recommendations span premium 4K movie projectors, vibrant living-room projectors, budget-friendly home theater options, and beyond.

If you’re feeling uncertain about where to kickstart your quest for the perfect projector, we suggest delving into our guide on selecting the ideal projector for your viewing requirements. To streamline your decision-making process, consider these fundamental questions at the outset: What specific purpose will the projector serve? What are the characteristics of the room it will be stationed in? And finally, what screen size are you aiming for?

The chasm in both cost and capabilities is vast between a high-end 4K projector tailored for expansive home theater setups and a compact, portable mini projector intended to serve as a daily TV substitute. Certain projectors thrive when showcasing films within a completely dim environment, whereas others shine brightest when handling sports or gaming amidst moderate ambient lighting.

In general, the larger the screen you aspire for, the greater brightness your projector needs to deliver to ensure a visually captivating experience. Once you’ve honed in on the intended purpose of the projector, navigating towards the perfect selection becomes notably more straightforward.

Best 4K projector for a home theater

If you’re in the market to establish a top-tier home theater system in a basement or an extra room, and require a 4K projector capable of seamlessly managing high dynamic range video and wide-color-gamut content, look no further than the Epson Home Cinema LS11000. This LCD laser projector not only delivers exceptional performance but also boasts an array of features unmatched by any other projector priced under $5,000. Renowned for its prowess as a stellar 4K movie projector, it also impresses with its ability to enhance gaming, sports, and HDTV viewing experiences, even in partially illuminated environments.

Why we like it

• The LS11000 excels in rendering exceptional detail, ensuring every nuance of your content is vividly brought to life. With its impressive brightness levels, it effortlessly delivers an immersive high dynamic range (HDR) video experience, elevating your viewing pleasure to new heights. Moreover, in the Natural picture mode, it boasts wonderfully accurate color reproduction, further enhancing the visual fidelity of your cinematic journey.

• Employing an LCD technology coupled with a laser light source, this projector is designed to withstand the test of time, ensuring longevity that extends well into the next decade and beyond. With no requirement for replacement bulbs, you can enjoy uninterrupted viewing experiences without the hassle or additional expenses associated with maintenance.

• Currently, it stands among the select few 120-hertz projectors equipped with high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 inputs, allowing seamless compatibility with cutting-edge 4K gaming consoles and any prospective 8K sources that may emerge in the future.

• Featuring a motorized lens endowed with expansive zoom and lens-shifting capabilities, this projector stands out for its ease of setup, surpassing the convenience offered by many of its counterparts.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The LS11000 lacks support for 3D video playback, which may lead individuals with extensive collections of 3D discs to explore alternative options.

• Projectors often struggle to showcase HDR video at its peak brightness, necessitating adjustments to the HDR signal to fit within their brightness capabilities. Unlike some counterparts, the LS11000 does not undertake this adjustment automatically; instead, users are required to manually adjust the HDR brightness setting.

Best budget projector for a home theater

If you’re aiming to transform your home into a cinematic haven without breaking the bank, look no further than the BenQ HT2060. Regarded as the top performer within the $1,000-and-under price bracket, it offers an unparalleled big-screen movie experience that won’t strain your budget.

Why we like it

• It boasts impressive image contrast and remarkable color accuracy.

• Its brightness is sufficient to complement a sizable screen, enhancing the immersive quality of your home theater experience.

• Straight out of the box, this projector is capable of delivering a high-quality image with minimal adjustments required, making it an excellent choice for newcomers to the world of projectors.

• Setting it up is a breeze, and during operation, it runs quietly.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• During our testing, the HT2060 exhibited some digital noise in mid to dark grays.

• It doesn’t include features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or built-in streaming apps. However, you can easily incorporate these functionalities by connecting a media streamer.

• Due to its utilization of DLP projection technology, some individuals may perceive the rainbow effect.

Best living-room projector

The BenQ TK860i boasts impressive attributes such as high brightness, vivid color reproduction, sharp image clarity, and commendable HDR performance, rendering it ideal for everyday TV and movie viewing, especially in well-lit environments. While it may not rival the top-tier 4K home theater projectors in terms of contrast and accuracy, its exceptional brightness makes it a superior choice for spaces like living rooms or family rooms where complete light control isn’t feasible. Alternatively, if you lean towards an LCD projector for your living room setup, the Epson Home Cinema 3800 stands out as an excellent option, although it lacks full 4K resolution.

Why we like it

• The BenQ TK860i boasts considerable brightness, ensuring that the image retains its vibrancy even in well-lit environments.

• The TK860i includes an Android TV dongle cleverly tucked away in a recessed compartment, providing convenient access to streaming services and apps. Additionally, it offers three extra HDMI 2.0 inputs, allowing seamless connectivity with various video sources.

• The integrated speakers deliver a rich, well-balanced sound profile, surpassing the audio quality of numerous competitors, while the fan noise remains pleasantly subdued.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• It utilizes a bulb rather than a laser, which means it lacks instant on/off functionality, and eventually, you’ll need to replace the bulb.

• Achieving precise image positioning demands more effort due to this model’s 1.3x zoom, manual controls, and 10% vertical lens shifting.

Best portable mini projector

For those seeking a portable, compact projector that seamlessly fits into various spaces within their home, the Nebula Mars 3 Air emerges as a standout choice, offering a comprehensive array of features. Sporting an LED display with a crisp 1080p resolution, it extends support for HDR video in the HDR10 format, albeit lacking the brightness to fully showcase HDR’s capabilities. Additionally, it boasts a built-in battery for enhanced mobility, integrated Google TV and speakers for convenient multimedia consumption, automatic focus and image shaping for hassle-free setup, and Bluetooth audio support for enhanced versatility.

Why we like it

• The Nebula Mars 3 Air delivers impressive brightness and contrast, vibrant color reproduction, and a sharp 1080p resolution.

• Its built-in speaker system delivers quality sound output. Additionally, you have the option to connect an external speaker via Bluetooth for enhanced audio performance.

• The projector seamlessly adjusts focus and shapes the image automatically, ensuring it’s consistently optimized for your preferred throw distance and angle, regardless of its placement within the room.

• With its Google TV operating system, the projector provides direct access to a plethora of streaming apps, including popular ones like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The Mars 3 Air’s shallow tripod socket and ridged underside may render it incompatible with certain mounts and tripods.

• This model lacks a USB-C port, necessitating the use of an HDMI adapter cable to connect a mobile device.

• The black level, brightness, and color accuracy fall short in comparison to a traditional home theater projector, making it less than ideal for immersive big-screen movie watching or gaming experiences.

Best short-throw projector (for small spaces)

To achieve a large image, most projectors typically require significant distance from the screen, known as the throw distance, spanning from 8 to 15 feet depending on the projector and desired image size. Short-throw projectors offer a convenient solution for compact spaces or scenarios with limited room. The BenQ HT2150ST stands out by allowing placement much closer to the screen than standard projectors, while still delivering ample brightness for usage in environments with moderate ambient light.

Why we like it

• It operates effectively in spaces where other projectors may struggle, effortlessly producing a 100-inch image with just a couple of feet of space.

• It generates a luminous image suitable for rooms with some ambient light.

• Its integrated speaker and compact size facilitate easy storage when not in use.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The short-throw lens may result in some fringing artifacts that could be noticeable.

• While it boasts brightness, the color accuracy doesn’t quite match that of the non-short-throw HT2060.

• This projector has a 1080p resolution.

Best outdoor projector

While any projector can suffice for occasional backyard movie nights, opting for a more rugged and portable model is recommended for frequent outdoor use. The Nebula Mars 3 stands out as the brightest portable projector we’ve tested. Though its 1080p resolution falls short of 4K options (currently unavailable in battery-powered models), it still offers good contrast and decent accuracy. Its built-in speakers deliver admirable performance, while outdoor-friendly features like weatherproofing enhance its appeal, making it the ideal choice for crafting the perfect backyard movie night.

Why we like it

• The Nebula Mars 3 is purposefully designed for outdoor use, boasting an IPX3 weatherproof rating, drop resistance, and a built-in LED lantern.

• Among all the projectors we tested, this one showcased the longest battery life, enduring approximately 2 hours at 100% brightness and an impressive 4 hours and 45 minutes on eco mode (20% brightness).

• The Mars 3 boasts solid image contrast and color accuracy, while also supporting 3D playback and featuring MEMC motion smoothing.

• What sets this outdoor projector apart is its built-in sound system, renowned for delivering a rich and balanced audio experience capable of filling a large space.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• This projector measures 6.3 by 10.2 by 9.8 inches and weighs 9.9 pounds, making it bulkier than the majority of its counterparts.

• The Mars 3 lacks USB video ports, so you’ll want an HDMI adapter cable.

What you’ll need to complete your projector setup

A great screen

While many contemporary projectors boast sufficient brightness to project a passable image onto nearly any surface close enough to white, achieving accurate colors necessitates the use of a proper screen. Unlike walls, screens possess less texture and enhance the image’s vibrancy. Additionally, paint typically exhibits lower gain, meaning it reflects less light compared to a screen, resulting in a dimmer image than desired.

 

 

While projecting an image onto an outdoor wall or garage door is feasible, opting for a dedicated projector screen such as the Elite Screens Yard Master Plus or the Elite Screens Yard Master 2 ensures superior video quality. Both screens are crafted from the same ISF-certified material, which excelled in maintaining image brightness and color accuracy during our testing. Assembling their respective frames is a straightforward process, utilizing button snaps to attach the screen securely.

The Yard Master 2 is available in sizes ranging from 58 to 135 inches diagonally (in a 16:9 aspect ratio), offering a versatile range of options. On the other hand, the Yard Master Plus comes in sizes spanning from 100 to 200 inches, providing larger screen choices. Furthermore, the Plus model boasts an adjustable-height frame, adding an extra level of flexibility to accommodate various viewing preferences.

A projector mount

If you’re aiming to elevate your projector for optimal positioning, a mount is essential. The Peerless-AV PRGS-UNV Projector Mount stands out as one of our top picks, thanks to its remarkable flexibility and ease of setup. Featuring highly adjustable and removable mounting arms, it accommodates a wide range of projector sizes, from compact DLP models to large JVC D-ILA projectors that many other mounts cannot accommodate. The user-friendly dials enable effortless fine-tuning of the projector’s alignment with the screen, ensuring the best possible image quality with minimal effort. After extensive use of this mount with numerous tested projectors over the years, we have yet to encounter one that the Peerless-AV PRGS-UNV cannot effectively handle.