Which home theater projector is best?
If you’re a film buff who wants to bring the authentic theater experience into your living room, a projector is a great purchase for your home. These devices turn any wall into a movie screen, making your films, video games and even business presentations more immersive than ever before.
You can easily position a projector on a coffee table, desk or counter, and many are portable enough to move from room to room. While projectors are typically more affordable than purchasing a new 4K or 8K TV, there are still many factors to consider when choosing the best projector for your home.
What makes a good projector?
Projector resolution
When shopping for a home projector, the resolution is perhaps the most important detail to consider. Most mid-tier projectors have a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, while many 4K models support 3840 x 2160. Anything less than 1080p is going to produce a low-quality image on most surfaces.
Lumens
Just like the projector in a movie theater, home projectors perform best in dark or low-light areas. If you’re unable to make your viewing space sufficiently dark, look for an extra bright projector. Anything over 2,000 lumens should be suitable for rooms that contain a lot of ambient light.
Portable projectors
Most home projectors are meant to stay in one place, but certain models are built with portability in mind. These devices may have reduced resolution, but are typically more compact and perfect for taking on vacation or hosting a movie night outdoors.
Accessories
While some projectors come with everything you need to start using them right away, most models will need a few accessories.
Screen: Many consumers choose to project their entertainment directly onto a white wall or curtain in their home, but you can also purchase a high-quality screen for the best viewing experience. These typically come with mounts or foldable stands that can be collapsed and carried easily.
Remote control: Depending on where you choose to place your projector, a remote control can be a very convenient accessory that is used for things like switching your projector’s content source and adjusting the light settings. Your projector might come with its own simple remote, but a smart universal remote can be helpful if you want to control multiple devices in tandem.
Speakers: While projectors are great at producing theater-quality video, the built-in speakers are usually subpar. To truly maximize your viewing experience, get standalone speakers or a soundbar.
Bulbs: Projector bulbs are usually included with your purchase and will last for several thousand hours of usage, but expect to make the additional purchase once they eventually go out. In the meantime, conserve bulb life and electricity by turning off the projector when it’s not in use.
Projector maintenance
In addition to the occasional bulb replacement, dust can build up in your projector’s fans over time. Buy a can of compressed air and use it every few months to prevent overheating. If the lens gets dirty, use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe away any dust or debris. If you have one, you can also place a dust cover on the lens when the projector’s not in use.
The best home projectors
Best of the best home projector
Our take: This high-end projector comes with crystal-clear color and a dynamic HDR-enhancer for realistic picture quality.
What we like: 4K native resolution and nine pre-calibrated picture modes mean that the quality is excellent for a wide variety of entertainment.
What we dislike: At 1,500 lumens, this projector is not as bright as you might expect for the price point.
Where to buy: Available at Amazon
Best bang for your buck home projector
Our take: This affordable projector uses 1080p resolution and 3,600 lumens to deliver vibrant picture quality.
What we like: The high amount of lumens means that this projector is bright enough for use during the day, and the 120Hz refresh rate prevents graphics stuttering.
What we dislike: Some users report blurry images on larger screens.
Where to buy: Available at Amazon
Honorable mention
Samsung Premiere Smart Laser Projector
Our take: Compact, stylish and integrated into the Samsung device ecosystem, this smart projector boasts bright images and built-in surround sound speakers.
What we like: This projector is loaded with features like smart voice assistants and 30W speakers. The sleek design means that it will blend seamlessly with your existing decor.
What we dislike: Navigating the projector’s menus can feel slow.
Where to buy: Available at Amazon
Best portable home projector
AAXA 4K1 LED Home Theater Projector
Our take: This lightweight projector delivers native 4K UHD resolution in a tiny package, making it suitable for most indoor and outdoor viewing spaces.
What we like: It’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand yet it projects up to 200 inches of screen size. Dual 2W speakers provide impressive sound for the size as well.
What we dislike: This projector is more expensive than some portable models and only delivers 1,500 lumens of brightness.
Where to buy: Available at Amazon
Best home projector for gaming
Our take: This versatile 4K projector is specifically optimized for gaming.
What we like: This lightweight projector boasts 3,400 lumens of brightness and an enhanced gaming mode that eliminates lag.
What we dislike: This model is a bit pricey and better suited for gaming than watching films or TV.
Where to buy: Available at Amazon
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Patrick Farmer writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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