Everyone loves going to the movie theater, enjoying the big screen thrills that, even in a world of massive TVs, are challenging to recreate at home. But there are plenty of less enjoyable things about it, too, such as sticky floors, nacho smell, and the chatter in the row behind. The best projectors let you enjoy all the best parts of the movie theater in your own living room.
As said, TVs are only getting larger and the latest technology more affordable, but you'll still need to spend thousands of dollars to get a cinema-sized screen at home. On the other hand, projectors are far more affordable and can give you huge images up to 300" on a screen or blank wall.
Many can also be used inside or outside, opening you up to outdoor movie nights in the summer and cozy winter evenings on the couch alike. If you're more interested in the former, you can learn more in our guide to the best outdoor projectors. And why not repurpose it for a work presentation or to enjoy the big game with friends?
We've rounded up the top projectors on this list, ranking projectors on price, resolution, sound quality, and smart features. Keep reading to see what we think and for more advice on choosing the best projector.
The best projectors in 2023
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For home theater enthusiasts who want the best picture quality and design, Samsung's The Premiere LSP9T ultra-short throw 4K projector is perfect. Along with its stunningly bright and vivid images, the projector supports HDR content, so viewers get rich details and sharp contrast. A compact and modern design also allows the projector to be placed as close to the wall as 0.37ft and can produce a picture of up to 130".
With Acoustic Beam technology, the projector's audio is just as immersive as its visuals. The LSP9T has built-in WiFi, voice control options like Google and Alexa, and is easy to set up and use. This is a top-of-the-line home cinema projector designed for those who want the finest picture and sound quality, as well as a contemporary design. It's pretty expensive, but its advanced features and unmatched image quality could make it worth it.
With its brightness of 900 ANSI lumens and high contrast ratio for a portable model, the XGIMI Halo+ outdoor projector has impressive video and audio specs. The perforated grill casing and auto-focus lens at the bottom make the projector attractive, and it's also lightweight and easy to carry, fitting comfortably into a suitcase or backpack without taking up too much space.
Harman Kardon speakers enhance your viewing experience with powerful and immersive sound, and you can stream your favorite shows and movies thanks to Android TV and Google Assistant onboard. We loved the Halo+ while testing, and it would be a good choice for those looking for a high-quality, portable projector with a sleek design, fantastic video and audio specs, and other versatile features.
Livingetc rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars - read our full XGIMI Halo+ review
Able to upscale content to stunning 8K, the JVC DLA-NZ8 is an excellent laser projector with high brightness and contrast that performs even in well-lit rooms. The upscaling comes courtesy of JVC's proprietary E-shift technology, which basically means the projector will make HD, Full HD and 4K content look even sharper and clearer. There's also streaming and two HDMI inputs for connecting your devices.
In combination with the 2,500 lumens of brightness and excellent contrast ratio, the HDR formats on board help deliver vibrant colors, deep blacks, and bright whites. There are no built-in speakers, so make sure you have an audio device on hand, and the DLA-NZ8 doesn't come cheap, but it's an excellent investment if you want your movies and shows to look the best possible.
This sleek and modern portable projector from Anker has impressive video and audio specs that put it in line with other home cinema projectors. That said, it's also suitable for taking the cinematic experience on the go, with its 4K Ultra High Definition resolution and 2,400 lumen brightness. Streaming is easy with the included streaming stick and the Nebula Connect app, and there's automatic keystone correction and autofocus.
The Cosmos 4K has four Dolby Audio speakers, and projection can stretch to 150". Motion looks blurry in fast-action scenes, but the color contrast is incredible. The overall build is visually appealing and highly functional, making it appropriate for both home cinema setups and outdoor movie nights.
Livingetc rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 laser projector provides crisp, vivid images with HDR support, and streaming content is straightforward with access to streaming apps and services via Android TV. Color and white brightness sit at 1,000 ANSI lumens, so outdoor use is possible, and the projector has Yamaha-tuned speakers, making it suitable for outdoor movie nights or gaming sessions.
It's also easy to connect to a variety of devices, including HDMI, USB, and Bluetooth. All in all, if you're looking for a high-quality, versatile projector for streaming content outdoors, the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 is very impressive with its sound quality, compact, portable design, and multiple connectivity options.
With its impressive image quality and deep blacks, the BenQ HT2050A is an excellent home theater projector with 1080p Full HD resolution. Its sleek white design and compact size mean it will fit into most home theater setups, and its 1.3x zoom and vertical lens shift make it easy to install. The projector's 15,000:1 contrast ratio really improves the image and supports 3D content (though you'll need a separate emitter and glasses for this).
The projector's built-in speaker also isn't very powerful, so you'll need external speakers. The BenQ HT2050A is an ideal option for watching movies and TV at home, while still adding a modern design element to the room. It also offers value for those on a budget looking for a high-quality home theater experience.
About this guide
All recommendations that we give to our readers on products like the projectors on this list are based on a combination of hands-on experience and industry knowledge. We endeavor to test and review everything that we include in our buying guides, but unfortunately, this is not always possible.
We will clearly mark within the content where we have had this real-world experience with links to in-depth reviews. For more, head over to our article on how we create our buying guides.
Projectors are tested at home and ranked based on their ease of use, expense, versatility, and audio and visual performance. We noted how simple they were to set up and use, as well as how well they fit into the existing home environment. This is why products are trialed in the writers' own homes rather than a lab environment, to ensure that promises made by the manufacturers translate to the average home environment.
Choosing the best projector for your home
Are projectors better than TVs?
If you're reading this article, you're probably weighing the pros and cons of purchasing a projector rather than upgrading to a larger TV. While most people opt for the latter, there are certainly compelling points on the other side.
If you value the size of your image, for example, projectors can achieve anything up to 300", while TVs are only commercially available between 80"-90" right now. And it's also worthwhile to note that projectors cost a fraction of the price of an 85-inch television set.
Picture quality is traditionally lacking in projectors, however. While projectors can now offer 4K HDR resolution and very bright images, TVs are still the most effective way to get clear, deep visuals for your content.
Portability is another differentiator, as projectors can easily be unplugged and stored away or moved from room to room (or outside). At the same time, TVs are very much stuck in one location once set up.
Can projectors be 4K?
Projectors offering 4K resolution were once out of reach. Still, now that more people consider projectors as their main entertainment source over traditional TVs, more brands are bringing out models offering 4K (or even 8K!) resolution. They're still pretty pricey but much more within reach.
Will a projector work in daylight?
Why should you care about lumens? The number of lumens attributed to a projector is, in essence, the amount of brightness it can produce. The brighter the picture, the better, especially if you plan to watch outside or want to watch on sunny days. Generally speaking, the optimal brightness sits between 1-4000 lumens, but those who don't mind viewing in complete darkness (such as in a dedicated home cinema room) can get away with less.
Why should I care about contrast ratio?
Like brightness, the contrast ratio of a projector is vital to the overall quality of the image. This ratio refers to the amount of difference between whites and blacks, so the higher the difference, the richer those colors (and the ones between them) will appear. You don't really want to go lower than a 1500:1 ratio for watching movies or anything similar, and anything higher will look great in most cases.
More affordable, portable projectors tend to fall below this, so it's up to you whether the other benefits outweigh the lack of color depth.
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