If you're looking for the best gaming projector, there are a few additional considerations beyond basic movie watching. In addition to good contrast and color, a gaming projector requires low input lag, support for higher refresh rates, and sufficient brightness to see what's happening even in darker games. Not every "4k" or home theater model is a good fit here, so this list focuses on projectors that work well with modern consoles and PCs, whether you mostly play cinematic single-player titles or fast competitive shooters. If you're unsure about the size of screen you can accommodate at your distance, you can also use our projector throw calculator to determine how each model fits your room.
We've purchased and tested over 60 projectors, measuring input lag, refresh rate support, and overall picture quality to find the best gaming projectors available. Still, if you primarily want something more affordable and don't mind limited gaming performance, consider the best budget and cheap projectors. If you care more about 4k image quality than responsiveness, see our list of the best 4k projectors. And if your room has tight placement constraints and throw distance is a priority, consider the best short-throw projectors. You can also vote on which projectors you want us to purchase and test.
Quick Look
We've independently bought and tested over 60 projectors, and we've published all the detailed results for each so you can decide which one to buy. These have all been tested under the same standardized methodology, allowing you to compare them side by side. We still have all these projects in our lab so we can continually go back and compare them to ensure our reviews are still accurate. All our test methodology is also public on our website, so you can validate the results yourself.
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Best Gaming Projector
Gaming8.0Input Lag7.5Supported Resolutions9.6Brightness8.2Contrast7.7Color Gamut8.4Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy8.5Imaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLEDSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you want the best gaming projector we've tested, get the BenQ X3100i. It uses 4k pixel-shifting to put a sharp, detailed image on screen, and its LED light source is bright enough for a dimly lit living room and really shines in a fully dark room. Contrast is very strong, and it has a wide color gamut, so games don't look washed out the way they can on cheaper options. It also supports HDR10 and HLG, giving modern consoles and streaming apps a bit more punch when you turn the lights down, for an immersive HDR gaming experience.
Where the BenQ really earns its keep is in its responsiveness. In Game Mode, it has low input lag at every supported mode, from 4k @ 60Hz for console story games to 1440p @ 120Hz and 1080p @ 240Hz for more competitive titles. If you care most about consistently snappy controls, it's the best all-around choice and still a clear step up in image quality and flexibility from budget options like the ViewSonic PX701-4K. Day-to-day, it's easy to live with. It comes with an Android TV 11 QS02 dongle that adds streaming apps, Chromecast, AirPlay, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0, so you don't need a separate box. Two external HDMI inputs plus a third under the top cover (for the dongle) cover your sources, and one supports eARC if you want to hand audio off to a soundbar or AVR. Overall, the BenQ X3100i is the best gaming projector for most people.
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Best Premium Gaming Projector
Gaming7.8Input Lag6.3Supported Resolutions9.8Brightness9.2Contrast8.6Color Gamut9.7Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy7.8Imaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLaserSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you want the best-looking gaming projector we've tested and don't mind paying a premium, opt for the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max. Its 4k pixel-shifting keeps HUDs, fine text, and distant targets looking razor-sharp, so it feels closer to a big 4k TV than a typical 1080p gaming projector. The RGB laser light engine is very bright, and the contrast is excellent for a DLP, which helps in both slightly lit rooms and dark scenes where enemies can hide in the shadows. Where it really pulls ahead of the BenQ X3100i is HDR: it supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, and its very wide color gamut makes modern games and movies look richer and more saturated overall. Dolby Vision, in particular, is a good asset for Xbox gamers.
Responsiveness is also very good. It accepts 4k @ 60Hz for cinematic titles and 1080p @ 120Hz or 1080p @ 240Hz when you want a more competitive feel, and in Game Mode, input lag is low enough at these modes for shooters and racers to feel snappy. It also supports VRR, which helps reduce tearing and smooth out minor frame-rate dips. However, there is some visible artifacting, especially when frame rates fluctuate a lot. Therefore, VRR works best when your FPS is capped or relatively stable. In practice, the BenQ X3100i offers very similar gaming responsiveness for a lower price, making it the better pure value choice. The XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max earns its "premium" label by adding brighter, more cinematic HDR, wider format support, and a more refined overall image. If you game a lot and care deeply about picture quality for movies and shows, it's the premium pick.
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Best Short-Throw Gaming Projector
Gaming7.7Input Lag7.2Supported Resolutions9.6Brightness6.7Contrast8.1Color Gamut8.1Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy9.4Imaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLEDSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you're looking for a serious gaming projector that can sit close to the screen, the BenQ X500i is the best short-throw option. Its 4k pixel-shifted image is sharp, but the real win is placement: it throws a big image from much closer than a standard projector, so you can place it on a coffee table in a small room and still get a huge screen without worrying about people walking through the beam. The contrast is strong for a gaming-focused DLP, and although it isn't exceptionally bright, it still appears punchy in a dark or dim room.
Where this BenQ shines is for high refresh rate gaming. In Game Mode, input lag is low across the board, but it really shines at 1080p @ 120Hz and 1080p @ 240Hz, making it a great choice for any faster competitive titles. It also handles 4k @ 60Hz cleanly for slower, cinematic titles. If you want the responsiveness of a dedicated gaming projector and specifically need short-throw placement, the X500i is the most balanced option in BenQ's gaming lineup that we've tested so far, sitting between cheaper 1080p models and the higher-end X3100i. BenQ includes its Android TV 11 QS02 dongle, providing access to streaming apps, Chromecast, AirPlay, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0, all without requiring additional hardware. You get multiple HDMI inputs (including one with eARC) plus a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode, making it easy to connect consoles, PCs, and even handheld devices. Overall, the BenQ X500i is the go-to pick if you game in a smaller space and want a short-throw projector that still feels fast and responsive.
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Best 60Hz Gaming Projector
Gaming7.6Input Lag7.1Supported Resolutions7.3Brightness7.8Contrast7.8Color Gamut9.3Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy8.4Imaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLED + LaserSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you mostly play at 60fps and care more about how your games look than squeezing out 120Hz, the XGIMI HORIZON S Max is the best 60Hz gaming projector you can get. It offers a sharp 4k image with pixel shifting, and its bright laser light source provides a punchy image on a big screen in a dim living room or game room, even if it isn't quite as bright as the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max or the BenQ X3100i. Contrast is very good, and, combined with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG support, makes modern console games look rich and saturated, rather than flat or washed out. Out of the box, it's very accurate, so you don't have to spend time adjusting settings to get a good picture.
The trade-off is refresh rate: the S Max tops out at 4k @ 60Hz and 1080p @ 60Hz, with no 120Hz or 240Hz support. In its Game Mode, input lag at 60Hz is low enough that most players will find it very responsive for action games and shooters, but if you're chasing high-refresh rate performance modes on PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC, something like the 20 Max, X3100i, or BenQ X500i is a better fit. As a living-room gaming display, though, it's extremely easy to live with. You get a full smart OS with the major streaming apps, Chromecast-style casting, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, plus autofocus, auto keystone, and other image-correction tools to get a clean image quickly. An eARC-capable HDMI port lets you hand off audio to a soundbar or AVR. If you're a 60Hz-first console gamer who wants top-tier HDR and image quality more than ultra-high frame rates, the XGIMI HORIZON S Max is the one to beat.
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Best Budget Gaming Projector
Gaming7.7Input Lag7.6Supported Resolutions9.6Brightness7.0Contrast7.6Color Gamut6.4Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy4.8Imaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLampSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you prioritize speed and price over perfect picture quality, the ViewSonic PX701-4K is the best budget gaming projector. Like every unit on this list, it uses 4k pixel-shifting, so you still get a genuinely sharp image. It's not nearly as bright as the other products here, however, so turn off the lights when using the ViewSonic for the best experience. That isn't the only downgrade when it comes to image quality compared to the other picks: its color gamut is relatively narrow, colors appear a bit dull, and out-of-the-box accuracy is poor, and doesn't improve much with calibration. HDR10 and HLG are supported, but HDR never really pops, so you're better off treating it as an SDR-first gaming display.
Where it absolutely delivers is gaming responsiveness. Both HDMI inputs accept 4k @ 60Hz and up to 1080p @ 240Hz, and in Game Mode, input lag is very low, so it feels snappy in all games. If you want the smoothest, quickest big-screen gaming experience for the least money, the ViewSonic is hard to beat, even if it can't match the contrast and color of projectors like the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max or the BenQ X3100i. There's no smart OS, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, so you'll want to plug in a streaming stick or console for apps. However, the USB port can power your dongle, eliminating the need for an extra outlet. If you're a competitive-minded gamer on a tight budget and can live with flat, inaccurate color, the ViewSonic PX701-4K is the best budget gaming projector we've tested.
Notable Mentions
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BenQ TK700STi:
The BenQ TK700STi is a good short-throw 1080p alternative to the BenQ X500i and ViewSonic PX701-4K if you just want a fast, compact projector you can park close to the screen. It's usually cheaper than the X500i, but it lacks its 4k sharpness and features. While it's quick, the ViewSonic still wins on pure value if you don't specifically need short-throw placement.
See our review -
JMGO N1S Ultimate:
The JMGO N1S Ultimate is a good alternative to the XGIMI HORIZON S Max if you want a brighter 60Hz projector. It's also less noisy than the XGIMI when both are running at max brightness. However, the XGIMI is usually the better choice for living-room gaming thanks to its more accurate picture, Dolby Vision support, and typically slightly lower price.
See our review
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are the best gaming projectors for most people right now. We focus on models that balance low input lag, good motion handling, and solid overall image quality, and we factor in price (a cheaper gaming projector wins over a pricier one if the performance gap isn't worth it), feedback from our users, and availability (we avoid models that are hard to find or nearly out of stock).
If you'd rather choose for yourself, you can look at our full list of tested projectors and filter by what matters to you. Just try not to get lost in minor spec differences: no projector is perfect, but many are good enough for most games. The key is to avoid the worst performers and select something that suits your room, budget, and level of gaming commitment.