If you're looking for the best overall projectors, there are plenty of options, ranging from budget-friendly portable models to high-end home theater setups. Are you specifically seeking a projector for home theater use? Do you want a versatile device that handles both the latest movies and gaming sessions with ease? Or are you looking for something that's easy to carry around? Whatever your needs, we've got you covered—from more affordable models that trade image quality for portability, to bulkier, pricier units that deliver top-notch image quality. Many portable projectors also come with smart features, eliminating the need for an external streaming device. However, larger models may require an external streaming dongle if you want smart functionality. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget.
We've bought and tested over 45 projectors, and below, we list the best models for a few critical uses. We only cover consumer models, not high-end products meant for enthusiasts. If you're specifically looking for a projector to use indoors, explore our recommendations for the best models for home use. If you'd rather want a list of the best budget and cheap projectors on the market, look up the best cheap projectors. Want to take your projector outdoors? Consider our picks for the best outdoor projectors. And don't forget—you can even vote on which projectors you'd like us to purchase and put to the test!
If you're looking for the best overall projector, get the BenQ X3100i. This projector comes with a ton of features, delivering advanced home theater features while catering to gaming enthusiasts and content streamers. With the help of pixel-shifting technology, it projects a crisp image that shines in various lighting conditions. It's bright enough to look great in moderately lit rooms, and its good contrast and wide color gamut provide a pleasant viewing experience in dark rooms. It's also very accurate out of the box; even color accuracy perfectionists will be mostly satisfied with this unit's performance without needing to calibrate the projector. HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG compatibility add another layer of versatility, making it a truly adaptable product.
Not only does it impress with its display capabilities, but it also excels in streaming content. The included Android TV 11 QS02 dongle supports Google Cast and Apple AirPlay, making it fully cast-capable, and offers Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 support. The projector is fantastic for gamers with two HDMI 2.0b ports capable of accepting 4k @ 60Hz, 1440p @ 120Hz, and 1080p @ 240Hz signals. The third HDMI port, hidden behind the top cover, is designed for use with the bundled dongle but can also be used with any HDMI device. Ultimately, this is the most versatile projector we've tested.
If you're in the market for the best home theater projector, consider the Epson Home Cinema 3800. This model is laser-focused on delivering exceptional image quality while keeping features to a minimum. It boasts impressive brightness, making it suitable even for moderately lit rooms. However, its true strength shines in darker environments due to its excellent contrast ratio. Out of the box, this model offers remarkable accuracy, and for perfectionists, its extensive calibration options allow for further fine-tuning. While its color gamut is decent, it doesn't quite match the projector's stellar performance in brightness and contrast, especially in HDR content. Still, it's vibrant enough to satisfy most viewers.
As for features, the projector doesn't have integrated Wi-Fi or a built-in smart OS, although it does have Bluetooth support. If smart features matter to you, consider investing in an external streaming dongle or purchasing the more versatile BenQ X3100i. The projector does include a 2.0A USB port primarily for powering dongles. The unit's two HDMI 2.0 ports allow seamless connection to external devices, with both ports capable of handling a 4k @ 60Hz signal, and the 12V trigger out port facilitates automated projector screen deployment. Overall, the Epson is a great choice for movie enthusiasts seeking a home cinema replacement in their basement.
If you'd rather place your projector close to the wall or screen, the BenQ X500i is a very good choice. This 4k pixel-shifting short-throw projector can display large images from very short distances, projecting a 60-inch image from just three feet away, and up to 120 inches from six to 7.2 feet away. Its contrast is great and is especially impressive in darker scenes, but it also holds up well in brighter content. Its wide color gamut provides a vibrant viewing experience, although it's not bright enough to make the colors pop in well-lit rooms. Finally, its image accuracy is outstanding, making it unnecessary for even video purists to tweak any settings; it's that good.
The BenQ X500i is packed with features due to the included QS02 streaming dongle, which supports Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay, alongside Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, HDR10+, and native Netflix support. The projector itself has two HDMI ports, one hidden under the top cover, all supporting 4k @ 60Hz and 1080p @ 240Hz for gaming. The second HDMI port on the back also doubles as an eARC port. Additionally, it has a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode, enabling content streaming from compatible devices. Overall, it's the best short-throw projector available due to its performance, price, and versatility.
If you're in the market for a projector that delivers excellent value for its price, the BenQ TH671ST is a worthy contender. Despite its budget-friendly cost, it offers decent performance. It projects a sharp 1080p image and boasts satisfactory contrast, making it a good choice for darker rooms. However, its brightness is only mediocre, so try to stick to dimmer rooms for the best overall viewing experience, as it otherwise looks a bit washed out in brighter contexts. Thankfully, it has a wide color gamut, and its colors are very accurate right out of the box. In the right lighting conditions, the projector offers a vibrant image without sacrificing accuracy.
Unfortunately, it doesn't have a smart OS or HDR support, and it lacks Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It also doesn't have a USB data port, but one of its two HDMI ports has the MHL technology, which lets you directly connect a phone or tablet to the projector for easy content streaming. Both HDMI ports support 1080p @ 60Hz but lack ARC/eARC capability; the projector instead has 3.5 mm audio out and audio in ports. Overall, the BenQ is the best value home projector on the market and is more than sufficient for most people, except perhaps enthusiasts.
If you're searching for a highly portable projector, consider the XGIMI Halo+. This compact unit weighs 3.7 pounds, making it easy to toss into your backpack. Its integrated battery, which offers up to 2.5 hours of uninterrupted playback and is sufficient for most movie sessions, makes it the perfect choice for a picnic. This projector boasts several image correction features, including full auto keystone adjustment, autofocus, intelligent screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance. As you move it around, it automatically corrects its image geometry, ensuring a hassle-free setup. Additionally, it comes equipped with the Android TV smart interface, supports Chromecast and AirScreen, and offers Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities.
It's brighter than many direct competitors in the portable category, although it's still dim. Thankfully, its decent contrast makes it suitable for projecting pleasant images in darkened rooms. Connectivity-wise, it provides one HDMI port (which also serves as an eARC port), allowing you to connect it to external devices. Its eARC port lets you easily pair it with a soundbar if you want optimal sound quality. Alternatively, you can use the projector's 3.5 mm audio jack. Lastly, there's a USB port for direct video file playback. In summary, this projector balances portability and performance, making it a decent choice for users needing to take their projector out of the house.
While the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB stands out as the best movie projector we've tested, it offers only a slight improvement over the significantly more affordable Epson Home Cinema 3800. However, its barebone set of features means that it isn't nearly as versatile as the BenQ X3100i.
See our reviewThe NexiGo Aurora Pro's contrast is excellent, making it a top contender if you're looking for a short-throw home theater projector. Still, it falls short of the BenQ X3100i for sheer versatility, as the BenQ is brighter and more accurate. For those shopping for a short-throw projector, the BenQ X500i offers slightly worse image quality but is almost half the price of the NexiGo, making it the better value.
See our reviewUpdated our introduction for improved readability, and did the same for a few of our picks.
Sep 25, 2024: Replaced the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 with the BenQ X500i as the 'Best Short-Throw Projector' as the BenQ model has a much better value overall. Also made sure that all of our picks are still widely available.
Aug 28, 2024: The BenQ TH671ST is now the 'Best Value Projector' due to its versatility, image accuracy, and wide color gamut. The brighter Epson Home Cinema 1080 is now in the Notable Mentions.
Aug 01, 2024: Added the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 as the 'Best Short-Throw Projector' pick and moved the Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 to the Notable Mentions. We also updated our other picks for improved clarity and consistency.
Jul 04, 2024: Replaced the Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 with the Epson Home Cinema 1080 as the 'Best Value Projector,' as the Flex is now the 'Best Productivity Projector'; this clarifies each projector's intended usage. We also refreshed our Notable Mentions.
Our recommendations above represent what we consider the best overall projectors currently available for most consumers. We consider factors like price (we favor more affordable options unless the difference in quality justifies a higher cost), feedback from our visitors, and product availability (we avoid models that are scarce or nearly out of stock).
However, if you prefer to make your own selection, here's a list of the top projectors we've tested, so you can decide for yourself which is the best projector of 2024 for your particular needs. Remember not to get too bogged down in the minutiae. While no projector is flawless, many perform well for most purposes. Just be cautious of the lowest-quality models to ensure a satisfactory viewing experience.