Feed: Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Feed Link: https://www.engadget.com/
---

Title: The best projector for 2025

Date: Fri, 23 May 2025 09:00:35 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/be...

If youΓÇÖre hunting for the best projector, thereΓÇÖs never been a better
time to dive in. Projectors arenΓÇÖt just for movie buffs anymore ΓÇö
theyΓÇÖve become a great way to upgrade your living room setup, build a cozy
home theater or even host an epic outdoor movie night under the stars.
Whether you want something ultra-portable or a full-on 4K home cinema
experience, thereΓÇÖs a projector out there to fit just about every space and
budget.

The cool thing about the projectors you can get today is how versatile they
are. Some models are built for gaming, some are designed for streaming your
favorite shows and others are tough enough to take camping or on the road.
Plus, newer projectors pack in smart features, better brightness and sharper
image quality than ever before, making them a real alternative to a
traditional TV. No matter what you're aiming for, we'll help you find the
right projector to upgrade your setup.

Table of contents

Best projectors for 2025

What to look for in a projector

Best projector FAQs

Best projectors for 2025

Some projectors are for serious cinephiles, projecting sharp 4K video with
HDR brightness and hyper realistic colors to a large screen. Others are
bright enough to replace your TV for sports or gaming, and some low-cost
portable models can be set up for camping or outdoor fun. ThatΓÇÖs why
weΓÇÖve divided this guide into several categories to help you find the right
one.

What to look for in a projector

For a deep dive on projector technology check my previous explainer, but
there are few key things to keep in mind. What will the projector mainly be
used for? What type of room will it be used in? And how big of an image do
you want? YouΓÇÖll also see a variety of specifications that may be
confusing, so here are a few to consider and what they mean.

Brightness and contrast

Brightness is measured in ANSI lumens; the brighter the projector, typically
the more expensive it will be. 1,500-2,500 lumens is good for darkened rooms,
3,000-4,000 lumens allows you to see with some ambient light and 4,000+
lumens is bright enough to use in direct sunlight. High contrast is
important, because projectors are more sensitive to things like ambient light
and reflections.

DLP vs LCD

Digital light processing units (DLPs) used by Optoma, BenQ, LG and others
allow bright 4K images. The negative is that they can produce a ΓÇ£rainbowΓÇ¥
effect, or red/blue/green artifacts that affect some viewers more than
others. LCDs are used mainly by Epson, but also Sony and Sanyo. Those are
often brighter, more color accurate and donΓÇÖt produce rainbow effects, but
are also more expensive and susceptible to image degradation over time.

Resolution

If you want a true 4K projector, beware: only expensive models have native 4K
resolution (many movie theaters still use 2K projectors for various reasons).
However, most DLP projectors and some LCD models can use pixel-shifting to
attain 4K resolution.

Elite Starling HDR and color accuracy

Projectors canΓÇÖt produce anywhere close to the amount of light required to
qualify as true HDR. Rather, they use a technique called tone mapping to fit
the entire HDR gamut into a lower brightness range. That said, many
projectors can display millions of colors, with some models surpassing the
color accuracy of TVs and monitors.

UST vs. classic

Classic projectors and screens can be mounted on the ceiling so theyΓÇÖre
great if you have no floor space. They can also project a larger video for a
truly cinematic experience. UST projectors mount on the floor right next to
the screen so they can take the place of a TV. They donΓÇÖt beam as big an
image but are generally brighter, sharper and more expensive. For best
results, they require special screens.

Mounting and fan noise

Ceiling mounting requires some work and donΓÇÖt forget to budget for a
bracket and any necessary long cables, including extra power for a Google
Chromecast or other streaming device. UST projectors require less labor, but
getting the image perfectly square can still be surprisingly time-consuming.
As for fan noise, some projectors (usually cheaper DLP models) generate more
than others.

Optics

For more flexibility with location and image size, ceiling mounted projectors
need a good zoom range. Lens shift, meanwhile, is used if the projector is
mounted higher or lower relative to the screen than recommended by the
manufacturer. Otherwise, you might have to use a "keystone correction" to
digitally stretch part of the image, resulting in distortion or artifacts.
Also, keystore correction may not work in gaming modes for some models.

Gaming and streaming

If youΓÇÖre interested in a projector for gaming, look up the refresh rate
and input lag figures. Some projectors offer good numbers in that regard
(240Hz and <20 ms, respectively), but others designed for home entertainment
have very poor input lag and refresh rates at just 60 Hz. If itΓÇÖs streaming
you want, be sure to pick a model either with built-in Google TV or a bundled
streaming dongle.

Screens

Should you project onto a wall, roll-down screen, fixed screen or ambient
light rejecting (ALR) screen? The choice depends largely on the room and what
kind of projector you have. Roll down screens take up no space as theyΓÇÖre
ceiling mounted, fixed screens can be moved easily and ALR models are perfect
in rooms with a lot of ambient light.

Best projector FAQs Are 4K projectors better?

Yes, because higher resolution is more noticeable on larger screens, so 4K is
particularly useful with projectors since they beam images up to 200 inches
in size. That being said, brightness and contrast are more important.

Is a projector better than a TV?

Projectors can provide a more immersive experience thanks to the large
screen, but theyΓÇÖre not necessarily ΓÇ£better.ΓÇ¥ Since you usually have to
dim the lights with a projector, TVs are superior for everyday use.

Is 2000 lumens bright enough for a projector?

Yes, 2000 lumens is easily bright enough, even with some ambient light in the
room. However, the image will still be hard to see with the windows open on a
bright day.

Should I get a 4K or 1080p projector?

That depends on your budget and needs. If your budget is below $1,000, look
for a 1080p projector with the best brightness and contrast. Between $1,000-
$2,000, youΓÇÖll need to weigh whether brightness or 4K resolution is most
important. Above that, choose the brightest 4K projector you can afford.

What are the best projectors in daylight?

The best projectors in daylight are ultra short throw (UST) models, as they
have the brightest and sharpest image. However, they generally cost more than
$2,000.

Do you need a screen for a better projector experience?

Technically, you donΓÇÖt need a screen to use a projector ΓÇö any light-
colored, smooth wall can work in a pinch. But if you want to get the most out
of your projector, a screen can make a difference. Projector screens are
designed to reflect light evenly and enhance contrast, so colors look more
vibrant and the picture appears sharper. With a screen, youΓÇÖll notice
darker blacks and brighter colors, which can give a real boost to your movie
nights or gaming sessions. So while you can absolutely enjoy a projector
without one, a screen can make the experience feel a bit more like your own
personal theater.

Should I buy a portable or home projector?

It depends on how and where you plan to use it. If you want a projector you
can easily move around, bring to friendsΓÇÖ houses or set up indoors or
outdoors easily, a portable projector is a great choice. TheyΓÇÖre usually
smaller, lightweight and often have built-in speakers and batteries, making
them convenient for on-the-go use.

On the other hand, if youΓÇÖre looking for a more permanent setup for a home
theater or living room, a home projector might be the way to go. Home
projectors tend to be more powerful, with higher resolution and brightness,
which gives you that crisp, cinema-quality experience. TheyΓÇÖre ideal if you
have a dedicated space and donΓÇÖt mind leaving it set up in one spot.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/be...
123004354.html?src=rss

---
VRSS v2.1.180528