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The Best Home Projector for 2024 - Reviews & Guides

Andy Miles
  Oct 21, 2022 2:09 AM

The distinctions between projector types can be as hazy as their images, and the deceptively simple term "home projectors" encompasses a dizzying array of potential applications. The best home projector can be small enough to fit in a pocket or large enough to require two people to move into position. They can provide native resolutions as low as 640 by 360 pixels and as high as 4K UHD. Their brightness and contrast can be almost anywhere on the scale, and their onboard audio can range from barely audible to powerful enough for a large family room.

Epson Home Cinema 880 3-chip 3LCD 1080p Projector, 3300 lumens Color and White Brightness, Streaming and Home Theater, Built-in Speaker, Auto Picture Skew, 16,000:1 Contrast, HDMI 2.0, White


Overview

As you can use a projector at home in so many different ways, these features vary greatly. The ideal projector for a home theater, with controlled lighting and dark walls to reduce how much light reflects back to the screen, is not the ideal projector for a family-room TV replacement that you intend to watch with the lights on. Models that excel at either of these tasks may or may not be suitable for, say, gaming.

What's the point? You must match the features of your home projector to the applications you intend to use it for. Here's how to select the best one for you based on how you intend to use it, or you may need the best portable projector, best 4k projector or best wireless projector.

Epson Home Cinema 880 3-chip 3LCD 1080p Projector, 3300 lumens Color and White Brightness, Streaming and Home Theater, Built-in Speaker, Auto Picture Skew, 16,000:1 Contrast, HDMI 2.0, White


In-Depth Reviews

1. Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projection TV

Important Specifications 

  • Screen Size: 1 Inches

  • Brand: Epson

  • Supported Internet Services: Blockbuster

  • Resolution: 4K

  • Refresh Rate: 60 Hz

  • Special Feature: Flat

  • Model Name: EpiqVision Ultra LS500 4K PRO-UHD

  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, HDMI

  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Product's highlights

The LCD-based EpiqVision Ultra LS500 projector from Epson is available with or without a screen and costs more than some DLP-based projectors. However, it has good color accuracy, high brightness, and an image that is free of rainbow artifacts.

Epson's home projector isn't as expensive as it appears. The bundled ambient light rejection (ALR) screen costs $1,000, which is essential for any ultra short throw (UST) projector like this one (more on that shortly). The LS500 also has the highest brightness of the three and is free of rainbow artifacts, which are stray flashes of red, green, and blue that some viewers find distracting. Add good color accuracy and contrast, as well as a color management system for calibration.

Pros

  • 4,000 ANSI lumens laser-phosphor light source

  • Epson's Pro-UHD matches the ability of true 4K resolution to resolve detail.

  • The price includes a 100-inch ALR (ambient light rejection) screen.

  • A three-chip LCD design eliminates rainbow artifacts.

  • The Netflix app is included with the Android TV dongle.

Cons

  • More expensive than competitors using DLP

  • Android TV is not completely integrated.

  • Only Wi-Fi connections are supported by the dongle.

2. Optoma CinemaX P2

Important Specifications 

  • Model Name: CinemaX P2

  • Hardware Interface: USB

  • Mounting Type: Table top

  • Brand: Optoma

  • Wattage: 360 watts

  • Brightness: 3000 Lumen

Product's highlights

The Optoma CinemaX P2 is an excellent home projector with excellent color accuracy and contrast, as well as unusually capable audio. Just keep the image in mind if you're sensitive to rainbow artifacts.

Pros

  • Can fill an 85-to-120-inch screen from a distance of inches

  • TI's XPR pixel shifting allows for 4K resolution.

  • Excellent out-of-the-box color accuracy

  • Full calibration color management system

  • With ambient light, it is bright enough for a midsize to large family room.

  • Source of laser-phosphor light

Cons

  • Integrated streaming should be avoided in favor of an HDMI dongle (which demands a second remote)

  • Only two of the three HDMI ports support 4K HDR.

3. Xgimi Aura 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector

Important Specifications 

  • Model Name: AURA

  • Hardware Interface: USB, HDMI, Headphone, Bluetooth 5, 802.11 ac/b/g/n

  • Mounting Type: Table Mount

  • Brand: XGIMI

  • Wattage: 350 watts

  • Controller Type: Remote Control

Product's highlights

The Xgimi Aura offers better picture and sound quality, a potentially larger image, and more bang for your buck than any of its competitors.

Pros

  • Fast-switch pixel shifting allows for a 4K (3,840 by 2,160) resolution.

  • Ultra-short throw (UST); from inches away, fills up to a 150-inch diagonal screen.

  • ANSI lumen rating of 2,400

  • The laser-phosphor light source outlasts the projector.

  • Excellent audio quality

  • Android TV 10 is fully integrated.

  • 3D support in full HD

  • Several rainbow artifacts

Cons

  • Does not preserve shadow detail well.

  • There are few options for adjusting image quality.

4. LG CineBeam HU715QW

Important Specifications 

  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth

  • Display Technology: DLP

  • Image Brightness: 2500

  • Image Contrast Ratio: 2M:1

  • Image Contrast Ratio: 2M:1

  • Item Weight: 26.40 lbs

Product's highlights

Because of its 0.22:1 throw ratio, the stylish LG CineBeam HU715QW can be placed less than 5 inches from a projection surface and produce a vibrant 80-inch image. The projection image size is limited to 120 inches, making it suitable for a variety of settings. This model employs a single laser to project a bright, 2,500 lumen image with a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1, but it does not achieve the same color gamut as three laser models.

It has two 20W stereo speakers and a variety of inputs, including HDMI with eARC and HDMI 2.1 for use with the latest game consoles, such as the Sony PlayStation 5.

Pros

  • Outstanding resolution, lamp life, and brightness

  • Excellent streaming options

  • 0.22:1 ultra-short throw

Cons

  • Designed to be stationary

5. Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector

Important Specifications 

  • Model Name: Cosmos

  • Mounting Type: Tabletop Mount

  • Brand: NEBULA

  • Controller Type: Button Control

  • Item Weight: 10.69 Pounds

  • Color: Black+Gray

Product's highlights

The Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K projector makes it simple to connect your computer or mobile device and stream and project virtually any video content at up to 4K resolution. This projector is bright at 2400 lumens, making it suitable for use outdoors or in low light; and images look rich thanks to HDR support.

It has a built-in handle to help you carry it around, which is useful given that it weighs a hefty 10.5 pounds. If you're going to use it outside, you'll need a power source because this model lacks a battery. The Nebula projects 4K images between 60 and 150 inches and has a throw ratio of 1.27, which means you can't get too close to the projection surface.

Pros

  • HDR 10 support in 4K resolution

  • Streaming via Android TV 10 integrated

  • Built-in speakers that are powerful

Cons

  • Not powered by a battery


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Last update on Oct 21, 2022 2:09 AM / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will a projector be compatible with my devices?

Home projector inputs are intended to be similar to HDTV inputs, but you should always double-check before purchasing. Generally, there will be no compatibility issues, though you may need to rearrange some of your home entertainment equipment. Many projectors use the same platforms as smart TVs for simple streaming.

5G WiFi 1080P Projector 4K Supported - OSQ 800 ANSI HD Outdoor Movie Projector with Bluetooth, 4P & ±50° Keystone, Zoom 50%, 300

2. Is a screen required for a projector?

It is strongly advised. The only way to get a sharp image with good color accuracy is to use a dedicated projector screen. However, it is not required for casual viewing; a solid, clean, white wall can suffice in some cases.

3. What should the brightness of a projector be?

Home projectors typically require a certain number of lumens to function properly, especially since they may be used in central rooms with windows or rooms with lights turned on. The majority of our recommendations have a lumen output of 2,000 or higher.


Conclusion

Our current top picks for home projectors are listed above. They differ greatly in detail and are aimed at different home applications, but they all have one thing in common: they received high marks in our reviews.


4.3
4 ratings
Andy Miles
Andy Miles
Andy is a specialist in technology and gaming. He graduated in 2012 with a double degree in game theory and computer science. He has been a content writer and editor for various websites, including productfind. You can see him fixing computers or playing games in his free time.