10 Best Projectors (Review) In 2022

Patrick has been passionate about technology for as long as he can remember. As a graduate of engineering, this allowed Patrick to expand on his passions, learning all about what goes on behind the scenes when designing some of the worlds greatest creations. After spending many years in the engineering industry, Pat now dedicates his time to writing, with a keen interest in electronics, smart devices and technology for the home.
- The Best Projector
- 1. Vankyo Leisure 3 1080p Portable Projector
- 2. BenQ 4K HDR Home Theater Projector
- 3. Optoma Short Throw Gaming Projector
- 4. BenQ 1080p Short Throw Projector
- 5. Vava 4K UHD Laser Home Theater Projector
- 6. Kodak Luma 150 Pocket Projector
- 7. Optoma UHD50 True 4k DLP Home Theater Projector
- 8. BenQ 4k UHD HDR Home Theater Projector
- 9. Sony 4K HDR Home Theater Video Projector
- 10. LG 4K UHD Laser Smart TV CineBeam Projector
Love going to the movie theatre? Well, now you can bring that experience to your own home. Home projectors are becoming more affordable and produce higher quality images than ever before. Now is the perfect time to invest in one of the best projectors on the market.
We all remember a time when projectors were reserved for cinemas and boardrooms. Back then, it was a specialist technology that was made to serve a pragmatic purpose. You would have never thought about having a projector in your home because it was reserved for the super-rich, with their home theatres. Anyway, times have changed, technology has moved on, and just about anyone can have their very own personal theatre. You can get a super high-quality projector for around the same price as a high-end TV.
At the bottom of this article, you’ll find information on the different types of projectors (best mini projector) and what features to look out for. Most of the projectors on this list are in the $1000+ bracket and are designed to watch movies and TV on the big screen, in the comfort of your own home. We’ve also included a couple of portable projectors that are much cheaper and are designed to provide entertainment, wherever you are.
The Best Projector
1. Vankyo Leisure 3 1080p Portable Projector



Key Features
Resolution – Full HD 1920×1080
Contrast ratio – 2000:1
Screen size – 170″
I/O connection – HDMI & USB
Fan noise suppression system
Carrying bag included
Dimensions – 7.9″ x 5.9″ x 3.1″
You’ll notice, as you read through this buying guide, that Vankyo Leisure 3 1080p Portable Projector isn’t in the same league as a lot of the other projectors we’ve featured. The reason is pretty simple – it’s much, much cheaper. At just over $100, you can’t expect movie theatre quality. The question is – is it worth buying as a cheap projector? We think the answer is yes, as long as you limit your expectations.
It supports 1080p resolution and provides a screen size up to 170″. The contrast ratio is 2000:1 (not a scratch on the other home theatre projectors in this list) and the brightness is around 60% better than other projectors in this price range. Honestly, though, you need to be in a totally dark room for the projected image to be bright enough. Remember, the bigger the projected image, the darker it looks.
Pros
Decent image quality for the price
Easy to set up
Runs cool
Affordable
Cons
Can’t compete with home theatre projectors
Speakers are low-quality
Room needs to be completely dark
On the plus side, the VANKYO LEISURE 3 Mini Projector has a ton of great reviews on Amazon. If you’re not looking to build a home theatre, this is a fantastic budget option. We also really like the fact that it has two simple I/O connections – an HDMI port and a USB, allowing you to plug your laptop, phone, games console, and just about any other device into it.
2. BenQ 4K HDR Home Theater Projector



Key Features
Resolution – 4K UHD 3840 x 2160
Contrast ratio – 30.000:1
Screen size – 100″
I/O connection – 2 x HDMI 2.0b & 1 x HDCP 2.2
HDR-Pro Tone Mapping
DLP technology
Dimensions – 15″ x 5″ x 10.3″
You might be wondering why our Best Value product costs well over $1000. Well, the truth is, you’re going to have to spend that much money if you want one of the best projectors on the market. The BenQ HT3550 4K HDR Home Theater Projector is the top-of-the-line model in BenQ’s affordable projector range. We’ve picked this model in particular because it has all of the same video processing and color management capability that we’ve seen in more expensive BenQ projectors, at a fraction of the price. If you’re looking for a way to get a high-quality home theatre experience for as cheap as possible, this is the unit we’d recommend.
In terms of stats, you’re looking at 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution provided by the 0.47″ DLP chip, 30,000:1 contrast ratio, and a six-segment RGBRGB color wheel. It also has five-position HDR brightness control and HDR-Pro Tone Mapping, which make it easier to get an accurate and colorful image.
Pros
4K UHD resolution
Affordable
Impressive color accuracy
Installation flexibility (8.2 feet throw)
Cons
Input lag too high for gamers
Some cooling fan noise
One of the main benefits of the BenQ HT3550 is installation flexibility. The 1.3x big zoom lens means you can get a 100-inch diagonal image from as little as 8.2 feet away from the screen. That means you can set up your home theatre in a small space.
3. Optoma Short Throw Gaming Projector




Key Features
Resolution – Full HD 1920×1080
Contrast ratio – 50.000:1
Short throw (120″ image from four feet)
Response rate – 8. 4ms with 120Hz refresh rate
I/O connection – 2x HDMI
Dimensions – 12.4″ x 9.5″ x 4.5″
If you’re looking for a projector that’s suited to gaming, the Optoma GT1080HDR is one of the best. Crucially, it has a response time of 8.4 milliseconds with a 120Hz refresh rate. That means you can play your favorite games on a 120″ projected image, with no input lag. The other benefit of the Optoma GT1080HDR is how short the throw is – it can project a 120″ image from just four feet away. That makes it perfect for so many situations – makeshift outdoor theatres (best outdoor extension cord), gaming in your bedroom, etc.
The other stats make for pretty impressive reading as well. It has a six-segment color wheel, 3,800 lumens, a 50.000:1 contrast ratio, and up to 15,000 hours of lamp life.
Pros
Barely any input lag for gamers
Super short throw
Affordable
Impressive HD image
Cons
Some issues with bulb durability
Focal distance is fixed – no zoom
4. BenQ 1080p Short Throw Projector



Key Features
Resolution – Full HD 1920×1080
Contrast ratio – 15.000:1
Short throw (100″ image from five feet)
I/O connection – 2 x HDMI
Dimensions – 4.79″ x 14.98″ x 10.91″
The BenQ HT2150ST 1080p Short Throw Projector is another short throw projector that you should seriously consider if you’re planning to use it for gaming. With an average input lag of around 17ms, this is a seriously fast projector. It’s safe to say, you won’t experience any noticeable lag when you’re gaming. So, how does the image stack up against competitors? Well, many expert reviewers think that the BenQ HT2150ST has a better picture quality overall than the Optoma 1080 we just looked at, and we’re in agreement. The 1080p image is helped along by a six RGBRGB color wheel that delivers vivid colors and sharp details. Overall, while the image can’t be compared to the BenQ HT2250 (later in the list), it’s a few hundred dollars cheaper, so you’re still getting plenty of bang for your buck.
Pros
Sharp, colorful image
Competitively priced
Short throw
Barely any input lag
Cons
Loud fan noise
Runs hot
5. Vava 4K UHD Laser Home Theater Projector



Key Features
Resolution – 4K UHD 3840 x 2160
Contrast ratio – 3.000:1
2.500 lumens
Ultra short throw – (100″ image from 7.2″)
I/O connection – 3 x HDMI, 1 x USB
Integrated 60W Harman Kardon Soundbar
Dimensions – 20.98″ x 14.49″ x 4.21″
The VAVA 4K UHD Laser TV Home Theatre Projector is one of the most impressive products on this list. If you’re used to old-school projectors, the ultra-short-throw of this unit is going to blow your mind. Place it 7.2 inches away from the screen (works best with an ALR screen) and it casts a 100″ image. That means you don’t need a complicated mounting installation and you won’t cast shadows when you walk in front of the screen.
The VAVA 4K UHD Laser TV Home Theatre Projector is one of the most affordable projectors of its type. Known as a laser TV, this technology is the latest in home theatre systems technology. With an integrated Harman Kardon soundbar and Android Smart TV interface (streaming apps built-in), you might never have to make use of the nine I/O connections. We also need to make a quick mention of the world-class picture quality. It’s bright enough to look great in a room with plenty of ambient light with your smart bulbs and when you turn the lights off the 4K resolution with HDR10 is enough to inspire awe from even the harshest critics of projector technology.
Pros
Sits inches away from the screen
Bright enough to watch in a well-lit room
Amazing sound quality from soundbar
Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, etc. built-in
Cons
Adjustable color settings need upgrading
Not the best color accuracy
6. Kodak Luma 150 Pocket Projector




Key Features
Resolution – 854 x 480
150-lumen lamp
LED life – 3.000 hours
Contrast ratio – 1.000:1
Screen size – 150″
I/O connection – USB & HDMI
Dimensions – 3.9″ x 3.9″ x 0.89″
The Kodak Luma 150 is a projector that can literally fit in your pocket. It also costs a fraction of most of the other projectors on this list. If you’re not looking for serious image quality, short-throw projection, no input lag, or any of the other features that serious videophiles and gamers need, it’s a pretty good buy. We have to say that we were impressed by this little device. It has a USB and an HDMI and comes with the necessary cables to hook up your smartphone, laptop, or gaming console. The native resolution is 854 x 480, it has a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, boasts a 150-lumen lamp, and provides 16.7 million display colors. Those stats tell you that it’s not a serious contender to provide the best picture quality but for a pocket projector, it’s the real deal.
Pros
Literally fits into your pocket
Decent picture quality
Comes with USB & HDMI connections
Cons
Doesn’t work with any ambient light
Too much input lag for gaming
7. Optoma UHD50 True 4k DLP Home Theater Projector



Key Features
Resolution – 4K UHD 3840 x 2160
Contrast ratio – 500.000:1 with Dynamic Black
Screen size – 130″ (from around 15 feet)
I/O connection – HDMI, USB & VGA
15,000 hours of lamp life
Dimensions – 5.1″ x 15.4″ x 11.1″
The Optoma UHD50 True 4k DLP Home Theater Projector is about as cheap as it gets for a serious 4K UHD projector. A couple of years ago, people would have thought you were practicing witchcraft if you talked about a 4K projector that is at this price rate. With a six-segment color wheel, so it’s great for people that tend to see the rainbow effect (RBE) in projected images. It offers around 2200 lumens, which means you need to control the ambient lighting or use it in a fully darkened room. It also has a 1.3x zoom, which means you throw a 130″ image from around 12-15 feet. So, it’s not the most impressive projector on this list but at this price, you really can’t complain.
Pros
Amazing price
Colorful, vivid image
Doesn’t show up rainbow effect
Cons
Long-throw (need plenty of space)
Input lag too much for serious gamers
8. BenQ 4k UHD HDR Home Theater Projector





Key Features
Resolution – 4K UHD 3840 x 2160
Contrast ratio – 10.000:1
Screen size – 100″ (from 10.7 feet)
I/O connection – 2 x HDMI & 2 x USB
Cinematic Color Technology
Dimensions – 13.9″ x 5.3″ x 10.7″
We’ve already featured the BenQ HT2150 and the BenQ HT3550 on this list. Both of them are awesome projectors in their own right – the HT2150 for its price and the HT3550 for the sheer quality of the image. The BenQ HT2150 4k UHD HDR Home Theater Projector is the midrange model. Honestly, if you’re looking at buying the HT2150 and you can stretch a couple of hundred bucks, this projector is a big step up. It’s one of the cheapest 4K projectors on the market and boasts some pretty impressive stats – 8.3 million pixels, HDR10 support, 2200 lumens, and an RGBRGB color wheel.
Pros
Competitively priced
Impressive image
Great colors
Cons
Not short throw
Image isn’t as sharp as expected
9. Sony 4K HDR Home Theater Video Projector





Key Features
Resolution – 4K UHD 3840 x 2160
Three LCos panels
HDR10 support
1500 lumens
Zooms lens ratio – 2.06:1
I/O connection – 2 x HDMI
Dimensions – 23″ x 20″ x 11.5″
When we’re creating these buying guides we always like to ask ourselves: ‘what would we choose if we had unlimited money?’ Well, the answer for this list is the Sony VPLVW285ES 4K HDR Home Theater Video Projector. When it came out, it was one of the first 4K projectors for under $5000, which, at the time, was considered ‘affordable’ And, even though it’s been around for a couple of years, it’s still one of the best projectors on the market. With three LCoS panels, 1500 lumens, HDR10 & HLG standard support, and full calibration controls, it’ super easy to get a world-class 4K cinema screen in your home. We could go on about how amazing this projector is for weeks but instead, you should just buy it and see for yourself.
Pros
Amazing 4K image
High precise color accuracy
Cons
Expensive
Input lag isn’t ideal for gamers
10. LG 4K UHD Laser Smart TV CineBeam Projector





Key Features
Resolution – 4K UHD 3840 x 2160
Contrast ratio – 150.000:1
2500 lumens
Streaming apps built-in
I/O connection – 2 x HDMI
Dimensions – 6.5″ x 6.5″ x 18.5″
The first thing that everyone notices about the LG HU80KA 4K UHD Laser Smart TV CineBeam Projector projector is that it doesn’t look like other projectors. The reason? It isn’t like other projectors. Instead of mounting it on the roof, you can put it on the floor, lift open the lid, and it will project a 150″ image onto the wall or screen. Granted, it’s not a short-throw projector, so you need a fair bit of space to make it work but it’s still a useful feature. One of the best things about the LG HU80KA is that it comes with all the same streaming apps as an LG smart TV. It’s about time projector manufacturers integrated this technology and we’re glad that LG is paving the way.
Pros
No need to mount it on the roof
Comes with Smart TV technology
Super bright and clear image
Cons
Only comes with a one-year warranty
Features To Consider With Projectors
I/O Connections
I/O (Input/Output) connections refer to what you can plug into your projector. The most important and common connection you will need is HDMI but you should look into what output connections your device has before buying.
Controls
Most projectors come with controls on the projector itself as well as a remote control.
Size
There isn’t a huge amount of variation in the size of projectors (except for portable projectors). Check the dimensions and ensure that the projector will fit into the space you have.
Weight
Weight normally isn't that important when it comes to projectors. If you're planning to mount it, you will need to make sure the mounting can handle the weight.
Resolution
Most consumer projectors fall into two resolution categories - 1080p and 4K. 4K projectors are a bit more expensive than 1080p projectors (especially the short-throw ones) but it makes a huge difference on a big screen.
Response Rate
Response rate (or input lag) is extremely important if you’re planning on using your projector for gaming. If you’re a gamer, you should look for a DLP projector with an input lag of fewer than 20 milliseconds.
Brightness
Projector manufacturers tend to make projectors to be as bright as possible. That’s because, when you project an image onto a larger screen, it naturally loses some of the brightness. If you’re planning on using a projector in a completely dark room, you won’t need to worry as much.
Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio is the ratio between the height and width of the projected image. The three most common aspect ratios are 4:3 (XGA & SXGA), 16:10 (WXGA & WUXGA) and 16:9 (1080p).
HDR
HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a technology that has become popular on TVs in the last few years. It is available on projectors but the technology hasn't been perfected yet so you won't get the same bright lights and lavish colors that you would on a TV.
Lamp Life
The lamp inside your projector has an expected operating time that is called its lamp life. Typically around 1500 - 2000 hours, you can find models that boast a much longer lamp life.
Contrast Ratio
Contrast ratio relates to the difference between the whitest white and the blackest black of an image. It’s recommended to look for a projector with a contrast ratio of 10000:1 or better.
Image Stability
Projectors used to suffer from images that move around when projected. This isn't really an issue with modern projectors thanks to image stability technology.
Types Of Projectors
Portable
If you're planning on taking your projector to a friend's house, to work, or anywhere else, it might be worth getting a portable projector. You won't get the same picture quality than a permanent projector but they're much easier to move around.
Related Post: Outlet Timers
Short Throw
Short throw projectors are designed for small rooms. 'Throw' is the distance between the projector and the screen. A normal home-theatre projector will require a throw of around 12 feet. A short-throw projector, on the other hand, can usually produce a 100-inch screen from a few feet away. Some can do it from even closer. The downside is that they cost more and the image is usually not as sharp.
Home Theater
A home theatre projector is designed to be used in (you guessed it) a home theatre. They normally need to be mounted around 12 feet away from the screen and come with all different types of projection technology.
Types Of Projection Technology
DLP (Digital Light Processing)
This type of projector uses tiny mirrors to reflect light, which is projected through a color wheel that spins to create color images. This is the most common type of projector and they vary in price from a few hundred dollars to thousands. The cheapest projectors on the market are likely to be DLP.
3LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
3LCD projectors use three liquid crystal display panels that each produce a separate color (red, green, & blue) that combine on the screen. These projectors have better color reproduction, so you get a more impressive, colorful image on the screen.
LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)
These are kind of a combination of DLP and 3LCD technologies. These are usually the most expensive projectors ($3000+) because they offer better black levels, amazing color reproduction, and super hi-resolution images.
Sources
How to Set Up a Video Projector for Home Theater Viewing - LifeWire
How To Connect A Projector To A Windows Or Mac Computer - Online Tech Tips