Overview
Home video quality is getting closer and closer to that of a movie theater. And whether you want the best projector for home theater to take your movie room to the next level or want to have a movie night in the backyard, it can be hard to choose the right projector.
The best projectors are bright and clear and can even project from very short distances. It is made possible by clever lens technologies that make setup easier. You can stream movies outside on a big screen for a movie night in the garden with wireless support. Below are the top picks you can buy right now.
Top Picks
1. Best Overall: XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector
2. Best Value: BenQ HT2150ST 1080P Short Throw Projector
3. Best Smart: Anker Nebula Solar Portable 1080p Projector
4. Best Portable: Anker Nebula Astro Mini Portable Projector
5. Best Mini: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 Projector
Reviews
1. XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector
Why we love it
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Reasonably priced
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4K technology
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Excellent quality and clarity of the picture
Take note
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No internal battery
There are many good things about XGIMI's best projector. The Horizon Pro 4K has a long list of must-have features, including 4K support, solid 2200-lumen brightness, excellent picture quality (even at bigger screen sizes of over 150 inches), and a reasonably priced. Plus, it all comes in a sleek, simple metal case that doesn't look like it costs about $1,700.
The brightness is good but doesn't blow you away, so the picture doesn't look as good in very bright places. There are ways to get around the fact that it doesn't have a built-in battery or assistance for some streaming services like Netflix. Still, we're pretty sure that the Horizon Pro 4K is the best 4K projector on the market.
2. BenQ HT2150ST 1080P Short Throw Projector
Why we love it
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Easy setup
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DLP technology
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Built-in 10W speakers
Take note
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No HDR support
The HT2150ST from BenQ is advertised as a "home theater projector for gaming," which is not very catchy. Short-throw projection, strong onboard speakers, and a comfortable carrying bag are just a few of the features that make it an excellent projector for gaming.
In a dark room, the 2,200 lumens can make a 16:9 image 210 inches wide. We found that the image quality on mid-range projectors was good right out of the box, with only a few settings to change. The image quality is better than most, and most viewers should be happy with the 1080p resolution. Also, because it has a small footprint and comes with a soft carrying case, it's easy to move between places or take to a friend's house for the last-minute movie or game nights.
3. Anker Nebula Solar Portable 1080p Projector
Why we love it
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Compact and portable design
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Smart platform
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Easy to adjust
Take note
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The fan can be loud
The Solar Portable is an entry-level projector from Nebula. It has a complete HD picture, a great innovative platform, and an image that can be scaled up to 120 inches. Plus, since it can be taken with you, it can run for three hours of battery life. It has a lot of ways to connect, including USB drives, HDMI gadgets, Wi-Fi signals, and more, so it works with almost any external media device. The built-in retractable stand lets you get your photos' perfect pitch and angle.
4. Anker Nebula Astro Mini Portable Projector
Why we love it
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Compact size
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Eye guard tech
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Kid-Friendly content
Take note
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Only 2.5-hour battery life
The best compact projectors are an excellent option for a kid's TV and can be very useful when camping or going somewhere else where you can't bring a big TV. The Anker Nebula Astro Mini works well in all of these situations. It has a cute, kid-friendly style that is detailed and vibrant enough for watching TV and movies. It also has some helpful safety systems to protect young eyes.
This small device looks more like a friendly robot than a traditional big projector. It has a 480p resolution, a battery life of up to 2.5 hours, and built-in support for Apple Airplay, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube Kids. It also has a sensor turning it off if it senses movement up to 60 cm in front of the lens. You can control it from the app or plug in a USB-C or HDMI cable from an external device to stream local content.
5. Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 Projector
Why we love it
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Compact size
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Built-in Android TV
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Sound by Yamaha
Take note
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No internal battery
The Epson EpiqVision EF12 is among the best mini projectors on the market. It looks good, has a high-quality picture, and is very easy to carry around. It's a short-throw projector, so you don't have to mount it on the ceiling far from the screen to get a big picture, though that can still give you a better picture.
It's bright and colorful enough, and the laser system should last long without needing any bulb changes. It functions well in bright rooms but works best in dark rooms with closed curtains. It has a clear 1080p picture that looks good for big movies and small TV shows. The sound is good for such a small device. The Yamaha speaker system inside gives you the punchy sound you'd expect from a good Bluetooth speaker.
FAQs
1. Does a projector require a screen?
It comes highly suggested. The only way to have a clear image with excellent color accuracy is to use a projector screen. But it's not necessary for casual viewing; sometimes, a clean, white wall is enough.
2. How bright a projector should it be?
Most home projectors must have a certain number of lumens to work well, primarily since they are often used in rooms with windows or lights. Most of the lights we chose have at least 2,000 lumens.
3. What is the optimal screen color for a home projector?
When choosing a projector screen, you'll notice immediately that they come in many colors, such as white, silver, gray, and black. Which do you like best? That depends. Most of the time, lighter screens have better color precision and work well in dark rooms and home theaters. Most of the time, darker screens have a contrast ratio and perform better in rooms with more light. The less you worry about the screen's color, the brighter the projector is.
Even compared to models from just a few years ago, the picture quality of today's best projector for home theater is leaps and bounds better, and the price is low enough that anyone can buy one. We have chosen some of the best-selling items on the market above for you. We hope it makes you feel easier to choose the right one after reading this post.
