The television has spent decades at the center point of many living rooms, demanding the space fit around its monolithic black form. From arranging furniture to planning walls, the TV has commanded a lot of power to dictate how a lounge space is laid out. The advent of lifestyle projectors represents a chance to break free from that paradigm as modern living spaces get a design-led rethink.
This fresh category for projectors finally allows us the chance to have both a living room space and a home cinema setup all in one harmonious and minimal layout. This conflict between tech and interiors has finally been solved in a way that makes this ideal for renters, small homes, open-plan spaces and design-conscious homeowners.
These projectors are designed to be in-all-one devices which are both portable and compact. That can mean ease of adjustment and a setup that allows for a flexible living space with a calm interior that prioritizes minimalism.
Many models come with built-in speakers, WiFi connectivity, streaming apps support, and automatic image correction to suit the space they're in. That means you won't need to worry about set-top boxes, AV receivers, or external speakers if you want to simply plug in and get going.
So, considering TVs vs projectors, if keeping the aesthetic of your home as minimal and calm as possible, while still having quick access to cinema level viewing immersion, is a combination that appeals, a lifestyle projector may be just the thing to help.
Lifestyle vs Standard Projectors — What’s the Difference?
For years, projectors have been largely reserved for the homes of cinephiles, where a dedicated space allows for the installation of a projector. These units have required a meticulous setup with precise alignment, a dedicated screen and controlled lighting conditions. The end result is often fantastic but the requirements have left many would-be big-screen fans wanting.
Enter the lifestyle projector, a compact model that can be placed in front of a wall and auto-adapts to throw up a huge image and pump out its own sound. That can mean these can be placed on a coffee table, sideboard or even the floor, and you still get a 100+ inch screen. Crucially, these automatically adapt to adjust focus and keystone to give a square, sharp picture. Some even work on ceilings above the bed.
Design is also a factor with lifestyle models. These are designed to be seen and to fit into your home's decor. As such, many are made without the sharp angles and vents of a standard projector, instead favoring softer shapes, fabric coverings and warm neutral tones.
Of course, there are trade-offs. A lifestyle projector is generally less bright than a dedicated model. This can mean daylight viewing requires getting the room dark to get the best picture. Also, those built-in speakers do the job, but won't compete with a dedicated multi-speaker surround sound system.
Ultimately, a lifestyle projector makes that TV disappear, while staying stylishly designed, minimally formed and super simple to use.
Which Brands Have ‘Lifestyle’ Projectors?
The demand for lifestyle projectors has grown and now many brands are competing with offerings. The result is more choice, lower prices and better performance options than ever before. Here are some of the stand out picks:
Epson – Lifestudio Flex
The name Epson has been synonymous with the very best projectors (yes, and printers) for years. Now the company is using all its experience to bring the worlds of premium projectors and lifestyle together. The result is some of the most powerful and quality lifestyle projector options at a price that's very reasonable for what you get.
The Epson Lifestyle Flex is portable, stylish and is optimized for fast and fuss-free setup. Helpfully this is bright enough for real-world use — although daylight use is a push — making this a very viable TV replacement option if you have blinds. It's not, still, going to be a replacement for the best TVs for a bright room.
LG – CineBeam
LG has gone for a design focus with its CineBeam range which uses industrial design elements to create a visually striking lifestyle projector. These not only offer ultra-short throw options – to sit right in front of a wall, ideal for tight spaces – but also more classic styles. In all cases you can expect quiet running, accurate colour reproduction and a now famously user-friendly webOS interface as seen – and well loved – on LG TVs.
The fact there are several options — HU70LA, PF510Q and HU915QE — means there should be something for most budgets and needs.
Samsung – The Freestyle (Gen 2)
Samsung's lifestyle projector was made to stand out as a real statement. As such, The Freestyle (Gen 2) looks like a modern spotlight or track light, disguising it from actually being AV equipment. It has an ability to rotate up to 180-degrees meaning it can be pointed for use on a wall, ceiling, or even as an ambient mood projector.
This runs on the Samsung TV platform meaning it has access to the many apps and connectivity features Samsung is known for. The design makes this very portable and it's easy to setup and use, so it's a good option for most.
Dangbei – LP1 Max
A less known name that offers some more compact options and affordable projectors. The LP1 Max is its premium offering and manages to cram in some very powerful specs into a compact and adjustable form that punches well above its price point.
The LP1 Max is a 4K triple laser plus LED unit that can pump out 3,100 ISO brightness. Plus it has Dolby Audio and DTS:X onboard for powerful sound from such a compact unit. Capable of tilting 135-degrees, this can be placed flexibly and still offers easy viewing without the need for a tripod.
Anker Nebula – Capsule, Mars, Cosmos
The Anker Nebula projectors, available on Amazon, are ultra portable with some models as small as a can of drink. As such these come with built-in speakers, projectors, and batteries for complete viewing freedom. That makes this great for on-demand use in your home, or a friend's, as well as working as an outdoor projector.
XGIMI – Horizon Ultra, MoGo 2 Pro
A fast-growing brand, XGIMI offers sleek designs and advanced auto correction features combined with high brightness and sharp images to get a premium finish. The Horizon Ultra is the stand-out premium model that competes with high-end projectors, while staying living room friendly
BenQ – GS Series
Thanks to the rugged build of the BenQ projectors, and their portability, these are good options for both indoor and outdoor use. The design is practical and useful, and pricing reflects this with some good options to suit a wide range of needs.
The Specs to Look Out for
Since lifestyle projectors can mean compromises on some specs, over traditional projectors, it's worth knowing what you'll want to pay more for and what can perhaps be less of a concern. Here are the major specs to think about.
Brightness
This is a huge concern as it can determine how everything else works. If it's not bright enough it will affect color and quality not to mention daytime viewing. You'll want to look out for 2,000+ lumens of brightness ideally for households that do regular daytime viewing.
The 1,200+ lumens brightness is more for rooms that have blinds to create a darker environment suitable for daytime viewing. Anything in the sub-1,000 lumens range is strictly for darker rooms only, but will do the job for evening movie viewing, for example.
Resolution
This is the number of pixels on the display and the more you have, the larger you can make the image without losing quality. So 1080p is a minimum requirement but ideally you'll want to go for a 4K option if that's in your budget.
Throw Ratio
Think about how much space you have. If the distance from where your projector is going to live is just a meter or two from the wall or screen, then you'll want a short-throw projector.
Anything less it's an ultra short throw option, and for anything further, you may be able to get away with more standard throw models. Measuring this is an important consideration before you buy.
Keystone correction and autofocus
By automating keystone correction and autofocus your projector will be able to create a square and flat display on the wall, even when placed at an angle. Having multi-axis correction is ideal as you will just be able to place the projector, let it auto align, and begin viewing. Worth paying for if you plan to project onto angled walls.
Speakers
Many lifestyle projectors have speakers built-in but be sure to check how powerful these are. Too small and you'll need to spend more on a sound system. Anything less than 5W will likely not be enough.
Some also come with Dolby Audio, JBL tuning or directional output which can all help to enhance the immersive audio experience.
Smart OS and connectivity
Built-in apps can make your life a lot easier, automatically giving you access to your favourite media with the likes of Netflix and Disney+ onboard. The operating system is also worth considering, not only for ease of navigation, but also for the number of apps available. The Android TV, Tizen and webOS options are all well established and work well.
Also look out for Bluetooth, WiFi and port options which can make sharing media from other sources, or outputting to speakers, an easy future option.
Extra features
Other features you may consider useful include voice assistants, auto wall detection, automatic screen sizing, 360-degree sound, wireless casting, ambient modes, and built-in batteries.
Lifestyle Projectors in Practice
To make sure you have the best end result from your lifestyle projector, these few practical considerations are worth giving some thought.
Lighting
Daytime viewing can hinder the best performance of a projector so it's worth keeping in mind blinds or curtains if you plan to do a lot of daytime viewing. This is especially so for a room that may have a lot of sunlight coming in – keeping in mind where that falls and where you want your image to light up is also important.
Surface
While you can use lifestyle projectors to turn a wall into a screen, white or light-grey work best. A dedicated projector screen will still offer the best results. Pull-down options, that offer ambient light rejection, ALR, can get you a sharper and brighter image while still keeping that minimalism. They don't need to be permanent installations.
Room size and sound
Acoustics work best in smaller rooms, for the speakers that are built into most projectors. If you're going for a larger more open-plan space, it might be worth considering upgrading the speakers too with something like a soundbar setup.
Placement
Lifestyle projectors can find a home in many places from coffee tables and shelves to bedside tables and even floors. But keep in mind the throw distance and that the ideal setup is having the lens perpendicular to the wall, or as close to that as you can get.
Outdoors
If you plan to use your projector outdoors, perhaps to watch sporting events, you need to wait until later in the day as direct daylight is going to be too much for most lifestyle projectors. A portable screen can also help get the best result here.
How to Boost the Performance
No matter what level of lifestyle projector you opt for, there are ways to ensure you get the best performance out of it for the most immersive experience possible.
Pair with a soundbar
Upgrading the audio is pretty much going to improve all lifestyle projectors out there right now. None can compare to a dedicated sound system with surround setup. Even a soundbar, with dedicated subwoofer, will enhance the power of the audio experience to give a more cinema-like experience.
Use an ALR screen
A portable projector screen will enhance brightness and contrast in daylight. You can roll these up and put them away so they need not take up room in your living space.
Use a stand
Investing in a tripod or adjustable stand can mean the best positioning for the ideal picture quality from your projector. Again, this can be portable and compact to be put away when not in use.
Light controls
Improve the room's lighting by using blinds or thick curtains to enhance the image and dramatic effect.
Mounting
Consider if a semi-permanent mounting, like a TV wall, is an option. This can guarantee consistency in viewing, making use easier and keeping everything tidied away.
FAQs
Can a Lifestyle Projector Replace a TV?
For a lot of households a lifestyle projector can replace a TV. That said, if you do a lot of daytime viewing then a TV may be an easier and better performing option for you.
Are Lifestyle Projectors Good Value for Money?
These vary in price but can represent a good value option when you consider the size of the screen you can get for the cost. Factor in that these have speakers onboard, offer smart TV functionality and are portable and that value becomes even more impressive.
How Bright Does a Projector Need to Be for Daytime Use?
For realistic daytime use you'll want between 2,000 and 2,500 lumens as a minimum. This should then mean you can view images even with the blinds open and still enjoy the quality.
Do Lifestyle Projectors Have Built-in Speakers?
Yes, most lifestyle projectors have built-in speakers. Although the power and quality varies so it's worth looking closely at this – some offer 360-degree sound, for example, as an even more immersive option.
Can I Use a Lifestyle Projector Outdoors?
You can use a lifestyle projector outdoors. In fact that's a stand out feature of these portable and versatile models. Just keep in mind it will ideally be after dark and on a screen to get the best results.
Can a Lifestyle Projector Work on a Ceiling or Angled Wall?
Some modern lifestyle projectors allow you to angle the image so it can work on a ceiling. Also, thanks to auto angle correction, many of these are able to throw the image onto an angled wall and still offer you a squared screen finish.
