What company makes the best projectors?

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

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CNET puts projectors through a rigorous and unbiased testing process that's the culmination of more than two decades of projector reviews. We use specialized test equipment, including a Photo Research spectroradiometer, a Minolta LS-100 luminance meter and an AEMC CA813 illuminance meter. The data is collected and collated by Portrait Displays CalMan Ultimate software, which helps us evaluate every PJ we review. Every lamp-based projector is "burned in" for 50 hours before measuring, and all projectors are initially set up using their most accurate color temp and color modes. Test patterns, sent from CalMan, are then used to adjust the various picture settings so the projector looks its best before measurement and evaluation. Contrast ratios are measured in each lamp and iris mode (when available). Once the projectors are fully set up and objectively measured, we watch a variety of content, including TV, movies, and games, both with the projector by itself, and compared side-by-side with two direct competitors. 

Broadly speaking, we're looking for the three picture quality aspects: contrast ratio, overall light output and color reproduction. Contrast ratio is the most important part of any projector's performance. It's the difference between the darkest part of the image and the brightest. While certain TV technologies, like OLED, can create a black that's the actual absence of light, no projector technology can do this. Because of this, contrast ratios with projectors are far lower. It's the difference between a washed out and "flat" image and one that's more lifelike and "pops." The better projectors will have a measured contrast ratio in the thousands. Most are between 500-1000:1. 

Light output is the second most important factor, because it's not only how bright the image appears on your wall, but also how big an image you can produce. Most modern projectors are significantly brighter than projectors from even 10 years ago. We measure brightness in candelas per square meter (cd/m2) and then convert to estimated lumens for ease of comparison. It's important to note that we use the most accurate color temperature mode for our brightness comparisons, but we'll note when a less-accurate mode is significantly brighter. Most of the projectors we test are between 1,000-2,000 lumens, with battery-powered models far less, and some specialized projectors even higher.

Color accuracy is the last major factor. No projector can truly take advantage of HDR or wide color gamut, but some can do more than others. Generally, we're satisfied with accurate colors, but adding HDR effects is a bonus. Most home theater projectors we test are fairly accurate. Budget models, those that prioritize brightness over everything, and PJs from newcomers to the projector space, often have wildly inaccurate colors that result in a very unnatural image.

Other factors, like video processing and HDR processing, are evaluated in the viewing tests. These are rarely a major factor in projector performance, but some models still use older chips that have issues.

The best projector will have a high contrast ratio, high brightness and great color. Those are difficult to do at the same time, but as long as the balance works and it looks better than its competitors at a similar price, it's a winner.

For more info, check out how CNET tests projectors.

*See review for more details

**As measured. See how CNET tests projectors for details.

Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.

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.

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.

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.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projector

Best Home Theater Projector Overall

5.0 Exemplary

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.

PROS

• 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

CONS

• Expensive
• No 3D support

SPECS

Name Value Engine Type LCD Rated Brightness 2700 ANSI lumens Native Resolution 3840 by 2160 using Epson's 4K Pro-UHD technology Maximum Resolution 4096 by 2160 @ 120Hz Inputs and Interfaces HDMI 2.1 (HDCP 2.3), HDMI (eARC) Dimensions (HWD) 7.6 by 20.5 by 17.6 inches Weight 28 lbs Warranty 3 years All Specs

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$4,999.00 Epson

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Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projector Review

BenQ TK860i

Best 4K Home Entertainment Projector

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

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.

Who It's For

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.

PROS

• 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

CONS

• Initial physical setup is difficult
• Frequent rainbow artifacts in testing

SPECS

Name Value Engine Type DLP Rated Brightness 3300 ANSI lumens Native Resolution 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting Maximum Resolution 3840 by 2160 HDR; Full HD 3D Inputs and Interfaces HDMI 2.0b, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 Dimensions (HWD) 5 by 15 by 10.4 inches Weight 9.25 lbs Warranty 3 years All Specs

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$1,299.00 Amazon

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BenQ TK860i Review

BenQ TH685P

Best 1080p Home Entertainment Projector

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

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.

Who It's For

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.

PROS

• 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

CONS

• Can't read files from USB memory
• Shows rainbow artifacts (red-green-blue flashes)

SPECS

Name Value Engine Type DLP Rated Brightness 3500 ANSI lumens Native Resolution 1920 by 1080 Maximum Resolution 3840 by 2160 HDR; Full HD 3D Inputs and Interfaces HDMI 2.0b Dimensions (HWD) 4.3 by 12.3 by 8.9 inches Weight 6.2 lbs Warranty 3 years All Specs

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$710.60 Amazon

$699.00 Walmart

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BenQ TH685P Review

Vankyo Performance V700W

Best Budget Home Entertainment Projector

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

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.

Who It's For

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.

PROS

• 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

CONS

• Big settings menu obscures image (and seeing the effect of your changes)
• Minor tweaking needed to bring out shadow detail

SPECS

Name Value Engine Type LCD Rated Brightness 420 ANSI lumens Native Resolution 1920 by 1080 Maximum Resolution 1920 by 1080 Inputs and Interfaces HDMI 1.4, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth (audio in), Bluetooth Dimensions (HWD) 3.7 by 11.4 by 8.7 inches Weight 4.9 lbs Warranty 3 years All Specs

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$299.00 Walmart

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Vankyo Performance V700W Review

BenQ X3100i

Best Gaming Projector

4.5 Outstanding

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.

Who It's For

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. 

PROS

• 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

CONS

• Wi-Fi is the only network connection option
• Shows rainbow artifacts
• Hardware setup requires some tricky assembly

SPECS

Name Value Engine Type DLP Rated Brightness 3300 ANSI lumens Native Resolution 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting Maximum Resolution 3840 by 2160 HDR; Full HD 3D Inputs and Interfaces HDMI 2.0b, USB 2.0, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct Dimensions (HWD) 8.4 by 10.7 by 10.2 inches Weight 15 lbs Warranty 3 years All Specs

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$2,399.00 Amazon

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BenQ X3100i Review

BenQ LH730

Best 1080p Business/Education Projector

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked it

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.

Who It's For

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.

PROS

• 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

CONS

• Frequent red/green/blue flashes while viewing movies and video
• Brightest mode adds an obvious green bias

SPECS

Name Value Engine Type DLP Rated Brightness 4000 ANSI lumens Native Resolution 1920 by 1080 Maximum Resolution 3840 by 2160 HDR; Full HD 3D Inputs and Interfaces HDMI 2.0b, USB-A, Ethernet, Wi-Fi (optional) Dimensions (HWD) 5.2 by 16.5 by 11.3 inches Weight 11.7 lbs Warranty 3 years All Specs

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$1,299.00 Amazon

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BenQ LH730 Review

Epson EX3280 3LCD XGA Projector

Best Budget Business/Education Projector

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

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.

Who It's For

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.

PROS

• 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

CONS

• Relatively low 1,024-by-768 native resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio
• No optical zoom
• Only one HDMI port

SPECS

Name Value Engine Type LCD Rated Brightness 3600 ANSI lumens Native Resolution 1024 by 768 Maximum Resolution 1920 by 1080 Inputs and Interfaces Analog VGA, HDMI Dimensions (HWD) 3.2 by 9.3 by 11.9 Weight 5.2 lbs Warranty 1 year All Specs

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$449.99 Amazon

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Epson EX3280 3LCD XGA Projector Review

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

Best Rainbow-Artifact-Free Business/Education Projector

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked it

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.

Who It's For

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.

PROS

• 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

CONS

• No HDR support
• Middling contrast
• Not suitable for 24/7/365 operation

SPECS

Name Value Engine Type LCD Rated Brightness 4600 ISO Lumens (Equivalent to ANSI) Native Resolution 1920 by 1080 Maximum Resolution 3840 by 2160 60Hz Inputs and Interfaces HDMI, Analog VGA, USB-A, USB-B (Direct USB Display) Dimensions (HWD) 4.1 by 12.8 by 11.8 inches Weight 9.5 lbs Warranty 1 year All Specs

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Additional reading:
GROVIEW Projector, 4k Projector with WiFi and Bluetooth ...

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$1,455.00 Amazon

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

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

Best Ultra Short Throw Projector

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked it

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.

Who It's For

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.

PROS

• 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

CONS

• No Ethernet port; streaming requires Wi-Fi
• No 3D support

SPECS

Name Value Engine Type LCD Rated Brightness 4000 ISO Lumens (Equivalent to ANSI) Native Resolution Equivalent to 3840 by 2160 using Epson's 4K PRO-UHD technology Maximum Resolution 3840 by 2160 60Hz, HDR Inputs and Interfaces HDMI 2.0, USB Dimensions (HWD) 6.2 by 27.4 by 13.4 inches Weight 27.6 lbs Warranty 2 years All Specs

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$2,999.99 Amazon

$2,999.99 Best Buy

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

Hisense C1 Laser Mini Projector

Best 4K Room-to-Room Projector

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

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. 

Who It's For

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. 

PROS

• 4K resolution on screen
• Supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision
• Smart TV features
• Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity

CONS

• No 3D support
• Shows more frequent rainbow artifacts than some competitors

SPECS

Name Value Engine Type Laser Scanning Rated Brightness 2300 ANSI lumens Native Resolution 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting Maximum Resolution 3840 by 2160 60Hz Inputs and Interfaces HDMI 2.0, HDMI 2.1, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 Dimensions (HWD) 7.1 by 9.7 by 8.5 inches Weight 10.1 lbs Warranty 1 year All Specs

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$1,797.97 Amazon

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Hisense C1 Laser Mini Projector Review

Anker Nebula Mars 3

Best Rugged Indoor/Outdoor Projector

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

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.

Who It's For

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.)

PROS

• 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

CONS

• No optical zoom
• Battery status light can be distracting when watching from behind the projector

SPECS

Name Value Engine Type DLP Rated Brightness 1000 ANSI lumens Native Resolution 1920 by 1080 Maximum Resolution 3840 by 2160 60Hz Inputs and Interfaces HDMI 2.1, USB-C, USB-A Dimensions (HWD) 9.8 by 6.3 by 10.2 inches Weight 9.9 lbs Warranty 1 year All Specs

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$979.98 Amazon

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Anker Nebula Mars 3 Review

Kodak Luma 75 Portable Pocket Projector

Best Pocket Projector

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked it

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.

Who It's For

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.

PROS

• Compact
• Built-in battery rated at 90 minutes per charge
• Unusually sure focus control
• Supports up to 1080p input resolution

CONS

• No image adjustment settings
• Low native resolution (640 by 360 pixels)
• Low 30-lumen rated brightness

SPECS

Name Value Engine Type DLP Rated Brightness 30 ANSI lumens Native Resolution 640 by 360 Maximum Resolution 1920 by 1080 Inputs and Interfaces HDMI, USB Dimensions (HWD) 0.8 by 3 by 3 inches Weight 5 oz Warranty 1 year All Specs

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$179.99 Amazon

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Kodak Luma 75 Portable Pocket Projector Review

Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser

Best Mini Projector

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

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. 

Who It's For

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.

PROS

• 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

CONS

• Needs some minor tweaking to get good image quality
• No Netflix support in Android TV 11
• No 3D support

SPECS

Name Value Engine Type DLP Rated Brightness 300 ANSI lumens Native Resolution 1920 by 1080 Maximum Resolution 3840 by 2160 60Hz, HDR Inputs and Interfaces HDMI, USB-C (power only) Dimensions (HWD) 6.7 by 3.3 inches (diameter) Weight 2.1 lbs Warranty 1 year All Specs

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Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Review

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. 

(Credit: Epson)

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.

(Credit: Xgimi)

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.)

(Credit: Anker)

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.

(Credit: Epson)

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. 

(Credit: Optoma)

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.

(Credit: Epson)

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.

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