If you're in the market for a home theater projector, there are plenty of great options. Here, contrast is especially important because home theater setups tend to be in dark or blacked-out rooms. Contrast is what gives movies depth, keeps blacks from looking gray, and helps the image feel truly cinematic. More affordable models can still work well, but as you move up in price, projectors usually improve not just in contrast but also in brightness, color, and overall picture refinement. Most movies and TV shows are filmed at 24fps, so a projector's ability to remove 24p judder is especially important for smooth motion, since this is by far the most common frame rate for this type of content. Some international content uses 25fps, so a projector needs to be able to remove 25p judder as well if you want smooth motion in shows like "The Crown." This article focuses mainly on those more theater-oriented options, while still including a few budget-friendly picks that offer solid performance for the money. If you're unsure what screen size you can get in your room, you can also use our projector throw calculator to see how each model fits your setup.

While some of our picks are great for enthusiasts, we don't cover ultra-high-end models aimed at the most demanding experts; instead, we focus on top consumer options that balance quality and value. We've tested more than 100 projectors, and below you'll find the best projectors for home theater. If you plan to use your projector for more than watching movies and shows, check out our recommendations for the best projectors. If you have limited space, check out our recommendations for the best short-throw projectors, and if you care most about gaming, see our article on the best gaming projectors. You can also vote on which projectors you want us to purchase and test.