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Different projectors are designed for different uses, and they can range in price from a couple hundred dollars to well into the five-figure range. Choosing the right model for your needs can be a daunting task, and we’re here to help.
Below is an overview of the top picks from our various projector guides. We have recommendations for premium 4K movie projectors, bright living-room projectors, budget home theater projectors, and more.
If you’re not sure where to begin your projector search, we recommend reading about how to pick the right projector for your viewing needs. In summary, you have three important questions to ask at the start: What do you plan to use the projector for? What type of room will you use it in? How big of a screen do you want?
There’s a huge difference in price and performance between a 4K projector designed for a big-screen home theater and a portable mini projector designed to be an everyday TV replacement. Some projectors excel with movies in a completely dark room, while others are better for sports or gaming in a room with some ambient light.
Generally, the bigger the screen you want, the brighter your projector must be to produce a satisfyingly rich image. Once you have a general idea of the projector’s intended use, it’s easier to zero in on a specific choice.
Epson Home Cinema LS11000 – The best 4K projector under $5,000
If you want to set up a high-performance home theater in a basement or spare room and need a 4K projector that can handle high dynamic range video and wide-color-gamut material, choose the Epson Home Cinema LS11000. This LCD laser projector offers a combination of performance and features that you won’t find in any other projector priced lower than $5,000. It’s an excellent 4K movie projector, but it also looks great with games, sports, and HDTV when some room lights are on.
Why we like it
- The LS11000 has great detail, is bright enough to produce satisfying high dynamic range (HDR) video, and has wonderfully accurate color in the Natural picture mode.
- This LCD projector uses a laser light source that should see you through the next decade (or longer), with no need to pay for replacement bulbs.
- It’s one of only a few 120-hertz projectors right now that has high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 inputs to work with the most advanced 4K gaming consoles and any future 8K sources that might emerge.
- A motorized lens with generous zoom and lens-shifting capabilities makes this projector easier to set up than many others.
BenQ HT2060 – The best budget projector around $1,000
If you want to create a big-screen movie experience at home on a modest budget, the BenQ HT2060 is the best performer in the $1,000-and-under price range.
Why we like it
- It offers great image contrast and color accuracy.
- It’s bright enough to pair with a large screen for a more immersive home theater experience.
- Out of the box this projector can produce a good image with very little adjustment, which means it’s good for people new to projectors.
- It’s easy to set up and quiet in operation.
BenQ TK860i – The best 4K projector for a living room
The BenQ TK860i’s high brightness, rich color, razor-sharp image, and solid HDR performance are well suited for everyday TV and movie watching in a brighter viewing environment. It can’t compete with the best 4K home theater projector in contrast and accuracy, but its high brightness makes it a better choice for use in a living room or family room where you can’t block out all the light. If you’d prefer an LCD projector for a living room, the Epson Home Cinema 3800 is a great option, but it does not have a full 4K resolution.
Why we like it
- The BenQ TK860i is quite bright, so the image will pop even in a room with a good amount of light.
- The TK860i comes with an Android TV dongle that hides in a recessed chamber, and it gives you three additional HDMI 2.0 inputs to connect other video sources.
- The built-in speakers sound fuller and more balanced than those of many competitors, and the fan noise is not excessively loud.
Nebula Mars 3 Air – Best portable mini projector
If you need a small, compact projector that you can easily move around your home, the Nebula Mars 3 Air offers almost everything we could ask for in this type of projector. The Mars 3 Air is an LED projector that has a 1080p resolution and supports HDR video in the HDR10 format (though it isn’t bright enough to show off what HDR can do). It also includes a built-in battery, built-in Google TV and speakers, automatic focus and image shaping, and support for Bluetooth audio.
Why we like it
- The Nebula Mars 3 Air offers good brightness and contrast, rich color, and a 1080p resolution.
- Its internal speaker system delivers good sound. You can also connect an external speaker via Bluetooth.
- The projector automatically focuses and shapes the image so that it’s always optimized for your desired throw distance and angle, no matter where you place it.
- Its Google TV operating system gives you direct access to streaming apps such as those for Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix.
Nebula Mars 3 – Best outdoor projector
While nearly any projector can work for the occasional backyard movie night, a more rugged and portable model is advisable if you plan to use it outdoors a lot. The Nebula Mars 3 is the brightest portable projector we’ve tested, and while its 1080p resolution doesn’t measure up to a 4K projector (currently there are no battery-powered 4K options) it still provides good contrast and decent accuracy. Its built-in speakers performed admirably, and outdoor-friendly features like weatherproofing make it an ideal option for the perfect backyard movie night.
Why we like it
- The Nebula Mars 3 is built for the outdoors because of its IPX3 weatherproof rating, drop resistance, and built-in LED lantern.
- This projector had the longest battery life out of any other we tested, lasting around 2 hours on 100% brightness and 4 hours and 45 minutes on eco mode (20% brightness).
- The Mars 3’s image contrast and color accuracy are pretty solid, and it supports 3D playback and has MEMC motion smoothing.
- What makes this outdoor projector stand out is its built-in sound system, which produces a full and balanced sound that can fill a large space.
NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) – Best cheap projector
If you’re looking for the best possible value, look no further than the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3). Even though it’s much cheaper than any other projector on this list, it’s no slouch when it comes to image quality thanks to its truly excellent contrast, delivering punchy images in light-controlled rooms. Its brightness is inadequate for any room with lights on, but it performs well in dark settings. While its colors are muted, the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) still delivers impressive image quality for its price. Calibration is highly recommended to achieve the most accurate visuals, as the default settings are noticeably off.
The NexiGo comes with a rich feature set for its price. It includes Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi, and robust casting capabilities with Miracast and Apple AirPlay. Although it features built-in Android TV, its implementation is rather limited, so you’ll need a streaming dongle if you plan to use any streaming apps. The projector is equipped with two HDMI ports, one of which supports ARC, making it easy to connect a soundbar directly. Additionally, it has a 20W speaker system, which is a convenient option if you prefer using the projector’s built-in audio. Rounding out its feature list are a dedicated Game Mode and HDR10 support. While it may not have the brightness to stand out in well-lit environments, it offers excellent value for dark-room setups.