If you're searching for a home projector, image quality and features take precedence over portability. Sure, the ability to carry your projector from room to room is nice, but ultimately, you'll always have access to an outlet. You'll also have greater control over room conditions, like lighting, than if you were to take the projector outside. Thus, before shopping, consider the room, or rooms, where you hope to set up the projector. If the room has a few lights or windows, having a projector with higher peak brightness is more important than deep contrast. The inverse is true if you install the projector in a darker room. Also, consider the projector's primary usage. Will it be used solely for watching movies on physical media, or do you prefer streaming services? Or perhaps you're buying a projector to play games with your friends? All of these will guide you toward the best product for your needs. If you're unsure how far you can place a given projector for your screen size, our projector throw distance tool can help you plan your setup.
We've bought and tested over 75 projectors, and below, we list the best overall projectors for home use, covering a few critical use cases from home theater to gaming. We only cover consumer models, not high-end products meant strictly for enthusiasts. If you want more tailored picks, check out our roundups for the best home theater projectors, the best cheap projectors, and the best outdoor projectors. If you'd prefer a wider range of options, look up the best 4k projectors and best projectors instead. Don't forget that you can vote on which models we should buy and test next.
We've independently bought and tested over 75 projectors and published 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 methodologies are also public on our website, so you can validate the results yourself.
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Best Home Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutSupported ResolutionsInput LagImaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLaserSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you want the best image quality for a mixed lighting home setup and you do not care much about smart features or competitive gaming, the XGIMI TITAN is the best home projector you can buy. It's a long-throw 4k pixel-shift DLP projector with a dual-laser light engine that is incredibly bright, so it holds up better than most projectors with lamps on or during daytime sports. Even with that brightness, contrast is excellent for this class, so movies still look punchy once you dim the lights. It supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, plus IMAX Enhanced, and its powered lens makes placement easy with motorized zoom and generous lens shift, so you are not locked into a perfect center mount.
The tradeoff is convenience. There is no built-in smart OS, so you will want an external streamer for apps. Gaming is also not its strength, since input lag is on the high side at 60Hz and 120Hz, making it better suited to slower titles than to fast competitive play. PC gamers, however, would benefit from playing at 1080p @ 240Hz, where its input lag is better, albeit still high compared to other better gaming-oriented projectors. Connectivity is otherwise solid with two HDMI ports, including eARC, plus USB, optical audio, Ethernet, and wireless support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Overall, the TITAN is for people who prioritize raw brightness and a premium-looking picture in real-world living rooms, and are fine with adding their own streamer and keeping gaming casual.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Home Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutSupported ResolutionsInput LagImaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLaserSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you like the idea of a bright, premium home projector but do not want to give up modern convenience, the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max is a better-balanced alternative to the XGIMI TITAN. Compared with the TITAN, you lose some of that raw, lights-on punch and the extra image refinement you get from its higher-end optics, but you gain a much more complete living room experience with a built-in smart platform and noticeably better gaming responsiveness. The 20 Max is a 4k pixel-shift single-chip DLP with an RGB laser light source, so it still gets very bright for this class and stays saturated thanks to its wide color gamut. Contrast is strong enough that movies keep depth once you dim the lights, and out-of-the-box accuracy is very good, so most people can just pick a decent picture mode and start watching. HDR support is also excellent for home use, with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, so it plays nicely with modern streaming apps and consoles.
It's also very easy to set up. Motorized zoom and lens shift give you real placement flexibility, and features such as autofocus, auto keystone, screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance make quick table setups painless. Gamers get a much snappier experience than you typically see from a bright home projector, with 4k @ 60Hz plus high-refresh 1080p support up to 240Hz, and VRR for smoother play when frame rates dip, though you may see some artifacting if performance is very unstable. Add Android TV, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, and eARC for a soundbar or AVR, and the HORIZON 20 Max is the better pick if you want one projector that can handle movies, sports, and gaming without extra boxes or compromises.
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Best Mid-Range Home Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutSupported ResolutionsInput LagImaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLED + LaserSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you want the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max experience but at a more approachable price, the XGIMI HORIZON S Max is the mid-range pick to get. Compared with the 20 Max, you give up some brightness and overall punch in brighter rooms, along with the higher-end gaming support, but you keep the same general easy-to-live-with feel, with strong picture quality and a full smart platform built in. The S Max is a 4k pixel-shift DLP with a laser-based light engine that is bright enough for a dim living room and looks even better once you turn the lights down. Contrast is great, so darker scenes keep some depth, and its wide color gamut helps movies and shows look rich and saturated. Out of the box, it's already quite accurate, so most people will not feel the need to calibrate. It also has XGIMI's convenient setup suite and a gimbal stand, so it's easy to place on a shelf or table and get a straight image quickly.
It supports Dolby Vision, which is a nice bonus, but it's still a mid-range projector in terms of brightness, so you should not expect dramatic HDR highlights. For gaming, it's best treated as a solid 60Hz experience. It accepts 4k @ 60Hz and feels responsive enough for story games and casual multiplayer, but it does not offer the 120Hz and 240Hz modes you get on the 20 Max. Add built-in streaming, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, and eARC for a soundbar or AVR, and the HORIZON S Max is the sweet spot if you want a cinematic 4k image and modern features without stepping up to the upper mid-range tier.
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Best Budget Home Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutSupported ResolutionsInput LagImaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLaserSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you like what the XGIMI Horizon S Max offers but want to spend less, the Hisense M2 Pro is the best budget home projector you can get. You give up some overall brightness and a bit of that big living room punch the XGIMI can deliver, but the Hisense is smaller, more accurate out of the box, and still delivers a sharp, clean-looking image with a very wide color gamut for the price. It's best in a dim room, but for casual TV and movies at night, it looks surprisingly rich and holds up well on smaller screen sizes.
It's also very easy to live with. The compact chassis and 360-degree stand make it easy to aim on a shelf or table, and its auto-setup tools help you get aligned quickly without fiddling. Smart features are built in with a complete streaming platform, so you do not need a dongle, and wireless connectivity makes it easy to cast or pair audio. Gaming is another area where it punches above its price, with responsive input lag for console play and high-refresh 1080p support up to 240Hz for smoother PC gaming, even if you still want to use a dedicated sound system for the most immersive experience. Overall, the M2 Pro is the pick if you want a more compact, budget-friendly home projector that still feels modern and capable, especially if you also care about casual gaming.
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Best Cheap Home Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutSupported ResolutionsInput LagImaging TechnologyLCDLight SourceLEDSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pIf the Hisense M2 Pro is still more than you want to spend, the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) is the best cheap home projector we have tested. Compared with the Hisense, you are giving up a lot, including brightness, color richness, out-of-the-box accuracy, smart platform polish, and gaming responsiveness, but the PJ40 still has one big strength for the money: truly excellent native contrast. In a dark room, movies and shows look surprisingly punchy and cinematic for such an inexpensive 1080p projector, as long as you keep the lights down and do not mind that colors look muted due to its limited brightness and narrow color gamut.
Feature-wise, it's loaded for a bargain unit. You get Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi, and casting via Miracast or Apple AirPlay (screen mirroring), plus two HDMI ports with one supporting ARC for a soundbar, and a USB input for direct playback. It also includes HDR10 support and a Game Mode toggle, though it's not bright enough to make HDR look impactful. Gaming is best treated as casual only. It can accept 4k and 1440p signals downscaled to 1080p, but input lag stays high, and there is no 120Hz support, so it's only comfortable for slower single-player titles. The Android TV interface is very bare bones and does not really replace a proper streaming OS, so most people will still want to plug in a Chromecast or Fire TV Stick. Overall, the PJ40 (Gen 3) is not the most polished option, but if you can darken your room and want the biggest picture for the least money, or if you're looking for the best projector for a bedroom, it's a solid, cheap pick.
Notable Mentions
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Valerion VisionMaster Max:
The Valerion VisionMaster Max is the best overall option for a blacked out home theater room. In brighter rooms, however, it loses out against the brighter XGIMI TITAN and XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max, both of which output a lot more light, alongside still excellent contrast.
See our review -
Hisense PX3-PRO:
The Hisense PX3-PRO is one of the best projectors you can get if you're specifically looking for a UST TV replacement. If that's not the case, the XGIMI TITAN and XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max are both better, delivering noticeably better image quality overall.
See our review -
Hisense C2 Ultra:
The Hisense C2 Ultra is a tremendous option if you're looking for a short-throw option with solid gaming chops. Still, if you're not specifically looking for an ST option, the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max is better for most people, as it's brighter, has better contrast, isn't as loud under load, and is almost as good as the Hisense for gaming.
See our review -
Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2:
The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 is a capable premium projector, but the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max generally wins on brightness, contrast, HDR color, and out-of-the-box accuracy. The Valerion's main perk is that it runs quieter, so it's worth a look only if fan noise is your top concern and prices are close.
See our review -
BenQ HT2060:
The BenQ HT2060 is a 1080p, 4-LED home theater projector with excellent contrast and very accurate color, making it a great dark room movie option. It just can't match the XGIMI HORIZON S Max for brightness, smart features, or 4k pixel-shifting, so it mainly appeals if you want a more traditional 1080p cinema projector at a lower price.
See our review
Recent Updates
Feb 25, 2026:
We added the XGIMI TITAN as our new top pick for its fantastic brightness and still-excellent contrast. We've also converted our article to a price tier format. The other picks were lightly rewritten to clarify what you're gaining and losing when stepping down a tier.
Dec 17, 2025:
The Hisense C2 Ultra is now both the Best Gaming Home Projector and the Best Short-Throw Home Projector; it replaces the BenQ X3100i in the picks, with the latter now being in the Notable Mentions.
Nov 24, 2025:
Reworked our picks to focus on brighter, living-room-friendly models, adding the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max, Hisense PX3-PRO, Hisense C2 Ultra, and XGIMI Horizon S Max to the list, and updating the Notable Mentions accordingly.
May 08, 2025:
Ensured that our picks are all widely available for purchase.
Apr 11, 2025:
Moved the BenQ TH671ST to the Notable Mentions, as it's harder to find than it used to be, at a slightly higher price. The Epson Home Cinema 1080 is now the 'Best Budget Home Projector' and the BenQ HT2060 is the 'Best Dark Room Home Projector.'
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the top home projectors for most people to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper projector wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no models that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you'd like to do the work of choosing yourself, here's the list of all our projectors. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no projector is perfect, many are good enough for most uses; however, avoid the worst models to ensure adequate quality.