15 Best Projectors for Every Budget in the UK for 2023
Still watching cinematic epics like Dune, The Northman or The Batman on your humble telly? Well it’s high time you sorted yourself out with living room upgrade such films deserve. Yes, we’re talking about a serious projector – one that’s a world away from the boring boardroom models you’re currently picturing. The best projectors in 2023 deliver a proper cinema experience at home, and with the 90-day theatrical window now a thing of the past, the latest must-see movies are now up on Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime far sooner than ever.
Trust us, if you pick up a high quality projector for your home, you’ll notice the immediate improvements to your viewing experience. They can beam blockbusters at a far larger size than your TV while being just as clear and detailed (and causing less eye strain). Our list includes premium home cinema kit, the best budget options, short throw models for those with minimal space in small flats, and projectors for gaming and watching football. Looking to take the viewing party outdoors or on the road? We’ve selected some top mobile models below and in our dedicated roundup for the best portable projectors.
Some of our best projector picks below are expensive, of course, but just consider how much more a 100-inch TV screen would set you back. There are several high-res 4K models in our roundup and we reckon adding a projector to your setup is worth it whether you’re gaming, watching sports with your mates, or catching up on indie gems and the best TV shows. It’s just like being in your local movie theatre, but without the squelchy floors, threadbare armrests, and overpriced popcorn.
Skip straight to our best projector recommendations and buying advice:
Here’s our edit of the best projectors for your home in 2022:
Best All-in-One 4K Projector
Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector
£1,999.99
£1,599.00 (20% off)
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This 4K laser projector is a bright high-res model with integrated Android TV, four speakers and all the main ports you need. It’s quick to set up, and we had it streaming Netflix in mere minutes. It’s got a chunky handle too, making it portable enough to lug from room to room. When it comes to bang-for-your-buck, this is one of the best options around.
Best Budget Projector
LG CineBeam PF50KS Projector
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There aren’t many models on our list for under £500, and this one ticks a lot of the right boxes for anybody on a budget. It won’t rival some of our picks for brightness, but it’ll be fine if you turn down the lights. It comes with built-in apps including Netflix and YouTube, it has decent Full HD quality, a built-in two-and-a-half-hour battery life, and loads of ports and connectivity options.
Best Portable Projector
Anker Nebula Solar Portable Projector
£599.99
£449.99 (25% off)
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At one kilo, this is light enough to toss in your backpack and bring round to a mate’s house for a footie viewing party. It generates a big 120-inch picture, delivers Full HD quality, has a pair of built-in speakers, a three-hour battery life, and Android TV. It’s small and portable but if you’re after a tinier option, we’d recommend going for the can-sized Capsule from Nebula.
Best Outdoor Projector
XGIMI Halo+ Portable Projector
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After a portable option to bring outside? We reckon you’d be best off with this bright and capable Full HD model. We were impressed with its quick setup with Android TV and fast auto-keystone correction. It’s got an onboard battery that will last up to two hours but can also be run on mains power, and it has a kickstand and tripod mount that make it ideal for outdoor use.
Best Ultra-Short Throw 4K Projector
LG CineBeam HU715Q
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If you’re after a full-on cinema setup and TV substitute, this ultra-short throw laser projector comes with all the streaming apps and connectivity options you need, along with a powerful audio system with 40W speakers and the ability to create an image as large as 120 inches on your wall. It’s bright, detailed and smart – an ideal replacement for a flat-panel telly.
We don’t mean to sound dramatic, but sitting back in your own home to enjoy any film with a top-spec projector turns it into far more of an event than it can ever be on the small screen. To be honest, that’s true whether you’re tuning in for a sports event or watching the latest mindless YouTube video too – it can all be enhanced with an enormous over 100-inch display. Gamers will likely never recover when they start to play Call of Duty on such a big, fast-moving screen.
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Best All-in-One 4K Projector:
Best All-in-One 4K Projector
Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector
£1,999.99
£1,599.00 (20% off)
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Available at and
When it comes to simplicity and capability, there’s a lot that makes this Nebula laser projector an easy recommendation. It’s a complete all-in-one bundle with Android TV built-in, quick autofocus and keystone correction, and a handle on top so you can move it from the living room to the bedroom with ease. If you’re anything like us, you’ll have it set up and streaming in a quarter of an hour. Its speakers sound great too, but we reckon it makes sense to connect external speakers if you have it set up behind the sofa as we did. Hooking up our or was straightforward in the Android interface.
It’s easy to get lost in the specs when delving into projector display technologies, but the key thing to note is that lasers are more durable, responsive and longer-lasting than traditional projector bulbs, making these options a worthwhile investment. The quality and brightness of the Cosmos Laser looked impressive no matter what we watched on it, as we tested it out by streaming the Telugu action epic RRR, episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Studio Ghibli classic Whisper of the Heart. We like how this has a functioning Netflix app, unlike some rivals, and how it has an eye guard feature to dim it if anybody moves in front of the lens.
Resolution: 4K
Brightness: 2400 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 1500000:1
Maximum Projection Size: 150 inches
Ports: HDMI x1, USB-A x1, Headphone x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power
Dimensions: 26.3 x 16.5 x 22 cm
Weight: 4.85 kg
Best 4K Projector for Image Size:
Best 4K Projector for Image Size
XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector
£1,899.00
£1,649.00 (13% off)
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Available at and
The Horizon Pro and the top Nebula model both offer Android TV for apps and streaming (although this lacks Netflix), 4K quality from a compact package, and clever auto keystone correction. With this model, you miss out on the top handle of the one above, but get the benefit of a far bigger maximum display size and more connection options. While we talked about the benefits of laser for the Cosmos, don’t discount LED lamps. The ones in our list are rated to last ages, and this XGIMI will go for up to 25,000 hours. To put that in perspective, you could use it for six hours a day every single day and it’ll be fine for over a decade.
Once we set up a Lord of The Rings trilogy marathon, we were blown away by the colour reproduction and quality. Granted, our 4K discs were already crystal clear, but the projector seems to squeeze the contrast out and enhance the image just that extra bit more. The speakers are solid too, with deep bass, and you can connect to external audio sources via Bluetooth or the headphone port.
Resolution: 4K
Brightness: 2200 lumens
Contrast Ratio: Not officially stated
Maximum Projection Size: 300 inches
Ports: HDMI x2, USB-A x2, Ethernet x1, Headphone x1, Optical x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power
Dimensions: 20.84 x 21.84 x 13.62 cm
Weight: 2.9 kg
Best Home Cinema Projector For Action Movies:
Best Home Cinema Projector For Action Movies
Optoma UHD42 4K Projector
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Available at , Richer Sounds, and
After an affordable route into true cinema-quality viewing? This Optoma model is an ideal pick to bring action movies to life with its lightning-fast image transference and a silky-smooth 240Hz refresh rate. It’s available at a lower price than either of the options above, yet it gets a lot brighter. We were impressed with its colour reproduction and it’s noticeable how the 3,400 lumens mean you don’t need blackout curtains and a hermetically sealed room to get the best out of this projector.
We loaded up Nolan’s Batman trilogy and appreciated just how black the blacks get and how much it enhanced the viewing experience. The setup is super simple too, with a great selection of ports for connectivity. It will require just a little more tinkering with the settings to sort out the keystone correction and it doesn’t offer quite as much as certain rivals when it comes to its throw distance or lens shift capabilities, so make sure you’ve got a dedicated spot for it that’s a good few metres away from the wall.
Resolution: 4K
Brightness: 3400 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 500000:1
Maximum Projection Size: 302.4 inches
Ports: HDMI 2.0 x1, HDMI 1.4 x1, USB-C x1, USB-A x2
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power
Dimensions: 31.5 x 11.8 x 27 cm
Weight: 3.9 kg
Best Budget Projector:
Best Budget Projector
LG CineBeam PF50KS Projector
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Available at , and Richer Sounds
For under £500, this is a capable and reliable pick that we’d recommend for its versatility. While the lumen count is low and we’d recommend using it in a dark room or outdoors at night, it delivers a good-looking image and a lot of connectivity options for a reasonable cost, along with a battery life that’ll last you long enough to watch most films. It comes with Netflix and YouTube apps, along with some basic built-in speakers. While these won’t offer much sound quality, you can connect headphones via the 3.5mm jack or Bluetooth.
While we think the WebOS interface provides good connectivity to some apps, you’ll want to pair this up with a streaming stick to get certain apps that aren’t available, like iPlayer and Prime Video. We think this is a good pick for home videos or presentations too, as you can either use the USB-A port for flash drives or the USB-C port for screen mirroring from a laptop or tablet.
Resolution: 1080p Full HD
Brightness: 600 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 100000:1
Maximum Projection Size: 100 inches
Ports: HDMI x2, USB-C x1, USB-A x1, Headphone x1, Ethernet x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power and 2.5-hour battery
Dimensions: 17 x 17 x 4.9 cm
Weight: 1 kg
Best Budget Projector for 4K:
Best Budget Projector for 4K
Anker Nebula Cosmos Max
£1,399.99
£949.99 (32% off)
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Available at and
Many top-spec 4K projectors are well over £1,000 and can go up to £4,000 or more. That’s why we think the Nebula Cosmos Max is a great 4K option if your budget can’t stretch past £1,500 but you still want some of the best features. It’s an unusual-looking projector with a Colosseum-esque design that houses a 4K lens, plenty of smarts, and four 10W speakers that can blast out Dolby sound to give you some of the best audio outside of a dedicated speaker.
What we like about this one is that the projector will automatically zoom and adjust the image based on the wall you shine it on, with excellent autofocus and auto-keystone. If it detects something in the way, it will shrink or expand to give you the best image every time, and it’s pre-loaded with plenty of apps ranging from Disney+ to BT Sport.
Resolution: 4K
Brightness: 1500 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 100000:1
Maximum Projection Size: 150 inches
Ports: HDMI x2, USB-A x1, Optical x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power
Dimensions: 35 x 25 x 10 cm
Weight: 3 kg
Best Portable Projector:
Best Portable Projector
Anker Nebula Solar Portable Projector
£599.99
£449.99 (25% off)
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Available at and
So you’re after something compact but don’t want to make the compromises required with the below (namely, the lower 720p resolution and lower lumen count)? If that’s the case, we recommend going for our overall best portable pick, Anker’s Nebula Solar. It doesn’t weigh a whole lot at 1kg, it packs in better battery life than most portable picks on the market (it’s the only mobile model on our list that’ll get you to the end of Saving Private Ryan), it’s slim enough to fit in your bag and it can still deliver a huge 120-inch image with a decent amount of brightness.
Like all Anker projectors, there’s Android TV built-in and a huge number of apps available. You’ll need a bit of a workaround to get Netflix on the device, but it is possible. Overall, this model brings you a selection of features that you’d expect to cost more than £600, especially given that it has a good range of connectivity options via its ports, Bluetooth, Android TV, and Chromecast. The HD image quality is good (especially with the lights dimmed) and the sound is adequate in a pinch (and can be improved via a wireless speaker if necessary).
Resolution: 1080p Full HD
Brightness: 400 lumens
Contrast Ratio: Not officially stated
Maximum Projection Size: 120 inches
Ports: HDMI x1, USB-C x1, USB-A x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power and 3-hour battery
Dimensions: 19.2 x 19.2 x 5.8 cm
Weight: 1 kg
Best Outdoor Projector:
Best Outdoor Projector
XGIMI Halo+ Portable Projector
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Available at , and Richer Sounds
At over £700, this XGIMI costs you a bit more than a lot of other portable projectors, but we think there are a few improvements here that make it a worthwhile pick for anyone heading outdoors. It gets brighter than many portable models, can project a larger maximum image, and has a pair of booming 5W speakers, courtesy of Harmon Kardon. The brightness is enough to contend with early evening light, something we probably wouldn’t say about a few other battery-powered rivals, and while its lumen count goes down to 600 when on battery, that’s still more than the Anker above.
You get reliable Android TV here (with the typical lack of a native Netflix app), and it’s easy to connect up external video sources via the HDMI or USB port. We used it to stream JA Bayona’s 2012 film The Impossible via Disney+ and found ourselves swept up in the action and feeling immersed when using the built-in speakers. The Full HD quality is impressive and detailed, and its rapid autofocus and auto-keystone mean you can set it up and have it ready to go in mere minutes.
Resolution: 1080p Full HD
Brightness: 900 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
Maximum Projection Size: 200 inches
Ports: HDMI x1, USB-A x1, Headphone x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power and 2-hour battery
Dimensions: 11.4 x 14.5 x 17.5 cm
Weight: 3.3 kg
Best Mini Projector:
Best Mini Projector
Anker Nebula Capsule II
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Available at , and
If price and portability matter most, go for the Capsule. Of course, it won’t match the quality of the powerful 4K models on the list, but it’ll deliver more than enough resolution for a movie night with friends. Yes, you’ll have to lower your image quality expectations a little as it’s 720p rather than Full HD, but the benefits come with the super tiny size. It’s about the same dimensions as a can of beer, and light enough that you’ll be happy to bring it on a trip or move it between rooms without throwing your back out.
It runs Android TV to get you access to streaming apps (Netflix requires , once again) and has enough battery life to get you through most movies. You can load up videos via a USB drive, the HDMI connection or by using Chromecast from your phone, and from about three metres away you can blast out a big 100-inch image. It’s small and reliable, and we think it’s the best pick if you need something for a camping trip that won’t weigh you down. If you need more battery life, you can also charge the projector off a power bank to keep the viewing party going for longer.
Resolution: 720p HD Ready
Brightness: 200 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 600:1
Maximum Projection Size: 100 inches
Ports: HDMI x1, USB-C x1, USB-A x1, Headphone x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: 2.5-hour battery
Dimensions: 12 x 7 x 7 cm
Weight: 0.68 kg
Best Ultra-Short Throw 4K Projector:
Best Ultra-Short Throw 4K Projector
LG CineBeam HU715Q
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Available at , , and
If you’re after an all-in-one ultra-short throw projector, this is the one we’d recommend for top features. It comes at a high cost of almost £3,000, but you’re getting a lot for your investment. This package delivers when it comes to 4K picture quality, cinematic audio and ease of use. We had it fully set up and streaming within 15 minutes, and it’s simple to access apps via LG’s WebOS interface or by adding a media player like our to get content up on the big 120-inch display.
We used it to binge-watch Yellowjackets and didn’t find it a struggle to see darker scenes, and we also watched Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on Disney+, which looked and sounded appropriately cinematic at home. We did find it needed a bit of tinkering to get it into filmmaker mode so that the motion smoothing didn’t affect our experience, and the image needs a bit of adjusting via the projector feet and keystone correction. These are small adjustments that you’ll be able to set and then forget about, though.
Resolution: 4K
Brightness: 2500 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2000000:1
Maximum Projection Size: 120 inches
Ports: HDMI x3, USB-A x2, Ethernet x1, Optical x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power
Dimensions: 53.3 x 31.5 x 15.3 cm
Weight: 11.1 kg
Best Ultra-Short Throw 4K Projector for Style:
Best Ultra-Short Throw 4K Projector for Style
Samsung LSP7T Premiere Projector
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Available at , , and Richer Sounds
While we love the LG above, there’s no denying that this sleek Samsung ultra-short throw model oozes style while delivering many of the same specs. You can put it right up against your wall and still project a whopping 120-inch display – perfect if you want to save space for a popcorn maker. Much like the LG, it’s a 4K fan’s dream, with crisp imagery, brilliant illumination for darker scenes, and plenty of apps to connect your streaming services or beam your smartphone content over Bluetooth or Apple AirPlay.
We love its white minimalist design, favoured by the Scandi innovators, and because you can put it on your TV stand and replace your flatscreen, it feels unobtrusive and subtle. The audio is far from shy, though, with plenty of bass and range to cover everything from whispered dialogue to Avengers-level destruction.
Resolution: 4K
Brightness: 2200 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2000000:1
Maximum Projection Size: 120 inches
Ports: HDMI x3, USB-A x1, Ethernet x1, Optical x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power
Dimensions: 12.37 x 53.2 x 34.2 cm
Weight: 9.1 kg
Best All-in-One Ultra-Short Throw 4K Projector:
Best All-in-One Ultra-Short Throw 4K Projector
XGIMI Aura 4K UHD Ultra Short Throw Projector
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Available at , and Richer Sounds
Love the idea of these ultra-short throw models but prefer something a little closer to the £2,000 than £3,000 mark? We’re not about to call the XGIMI Aura an affordable pick, but it’s a bit more wallet-friendly than the Samsung or LG above while offering many comparable features. It gets plenty bright enough, has the same maximum image size, and more ports for connectivity than either of its rivals above. Its look may be a little more “old-school VCR” than “sleek and sexy” but we think it’s more than capable enough if you don’t mind its design.
Specs-wise, it delivers 4K quality that’s vibrant and clear, and it has serious audio power with four 15W Harman Kardon speakers that get loud without distortion and will mean you won’t need a dedicated soundbar. Already have your home cinema audio set up the way you want it? You’ll have all the connections you need for external speakers whether that’s via the HDMI ARC, optical port, Bluetooth or 3.5mm headphone jack.
Resolution: 4K
Brightness: 2400 lumens
Contrast Ratio: Not officially stated
Maximum Projection Size: 120 inches
Ports: HDMI x3, USB-A x3, Ethernet x1, Optical x1, Headphone x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power
Dimensions: 60.6 x 40.1 x 13.95 cm
Weight: 11 kg
Best 4K Projector for Gaming:
Best 4K Projector for Gaming
BenQ TK700STi 4K HDR Short Throw Gaming Projector
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Available at , BenQ and Richer Sounds
This is a serious 4K contender to delight gamers, and it comes with the essential low latency that Horizon Forbidden West demands. You’ve got a pair of HDMI 2.2 ports to hook up consoles, a proper daylight-beating 3000 lumens of brightness and a low input lag of 16ms at 60Hz with its 4K resolution. That’s enough to keep gameplay smooth and responsive at 120 inches, and will thrill pro gamers.
It’s a short throw option that can project a 100-inch image from about two metres away, so it’s more flexible if you don’t have loads of space. It’s no slouch as a cinema projector too, especially with the built-in Android TV interface and apps (although it’s sadly lacking Netflix). There aren’t many downsides if you’re after a solid gaming projector, but it’s worth noting that this generates a lot of noise in use.
Resolution: 4K
Brightness: 3000 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 10000:1
Maximum Projection Size: 120 inches
Ports: HDMI x2, USB-A x1, Headphone x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power
Dimensions: 24.6 x 31.2 x 11 cm
Weight: 3.1 kg
Best Budget Gaming Projector:
Best Budget Gaming Projector
BenQ X1300i 4LED
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Available at , and
Some ‘gaming’ projectors are really just rebadged cinema projectors, but this BenQ model is a console-friendly specialist, courtesy of the two HDMI ports, and a mere 8.3ms lag between the time you press a button and the action appearing on your screen. Pair that with the blinding 3000 lumens display and you could probably play Fortnite at home on a bright day and still get a clear image.
That said, it will do movie night proud too, thanks to a sharp 1080p HDR display that offers deep blacks and popping colours. Granted, it can’t quite hit the cinematic experience of our best cinema projector picks above, but the opening scene of Star Wars: A New Hope is still appropriately epic on a 100-inch screen.
Resolution: 1080p Full HD
Brightness: 3000 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 500000:1
Maximum Projection Size: 100 inches
Ports: HDMI x3, USB-A x1, Optical x1, Headphone x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power
Dimensions: 27.2 x 25.9 x 19.7 cm
Weight: 6.4 kg
Best Projector For Fast-Moving Sports:
Best Projector For Fast-Moving Sports
BenQ TK850 4K Ultra HD Projector
£1,478.99
£1,299.00 (12% off)
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Available at , BenQ, , , Richer Sounds
If you’re after a great value 4K projector, this BenQ is another top pick. Where it excels is with its dedicated sports mode. Among other things, this smoothes out skin tones and makes the grass look greener, providing the realism you need when you can’t get into the actual stadium. Its 3000 lumens of brightness mean you’ll be able to watch any event on the sporting calendar – from the Premier League to the Grand Prix – without feeling like you need to invest in blackout curtains for your living room.
It offers a great range of connectivity options for hooking up streaming sticks, USB drivers or external media players, and it can beam a massive 100-inch picture from just over two metres away. Its 4K UHD display means you’ll see every bead of sweat falling from your favourite sports stars. The built-in speaker is passable, but really you’re going to want to run this one into a dedicated set of speakers or soundbar to get audio that matches up to the picture quality.
Resolution: 4K
Brightness: 3000 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 30000:1
Maximum Projection Size: 300 inches
Ports: HDMI x2, USB-A x2, Optical x1, Headphone x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power
Dimensions: 12.7 x 38 x 26.3 cm
Weight: 4.2 kg
Best Portable Projector for Sports:
Best Portable Projector for Sports
ViewSonic M2 Full HD Smart Portable LED Projector
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Available at and
Need a portable projector that’ll work well for sports? This ViewSonic model is a worthwhile pick that you can grab without remortgaging the house. The forced motion smoothing makes it a little harder to recommend as a cinema projector (as it’ll probably ruin the look of several recent movies and classic films), but it’s reliable for vibrant and bright colours, HDR performance and quick auto-keystone and autofocus during setup.
We were able to get a 90-inch image to display a metre away from the wall, and we were impressed with the high contrast ratio and solid lumen count. It’s got passable built-in Harman-Kardon speakers, which deliver crisp trebles and deep bass, and enough connectivity options that you’ll find it easy to hook up external speakers, headphones or content on a Micro SD card. We also love that while this doesn’t have a battery, it can run off a USB-C power bank for when you’re on the go.
Resolution: 1080p Full HD
Brightness: 1200 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 3000000:1
Maximum Projection Size: 100 inches
Ports: HDMI x1, USB-A x1, USB-C x1, Micro SD card reader, Headphone x1
Speakers: Yes
Power: Mains power (and USB-C power bank support)
Dimensions: 7.37 x 22.35 x 22.35 cm
Weight: 1.32 kg
Before you buy, there are a couple of key things to keep in mind about the type of projector you pick. These are a few of the main things to consider, although it’s worth bearing in mind that there can be some crossover between the types – for example, you can find ones with a short throw distance that may also be portable or have the all-in-one features explained below:
Short throw projectors: You’ll quickly find that the “throw distance” of your chosen projector is one of its key features, as it determines whether you’ll be able to project images in larger or smaller rooms. The distance just refers to how much space there needs to be between the projector and the picture on your wall or screen. Projectors with a long throw may need to be positioned further back in a very large room, but most of those on our list should be capable of beaming a big image on a wall from just over two metres away.
Ultra-short throw projectors: It’s a different story when you start looking at ultra-short throw models (UST), though. These are designed for smaller spaces and can sit right close up to the wall (on your TV stand or cabinet) and many can display a massive image from around 40cm away from the surface you’re projecting onto. For minimal home decor, you may consider USTs as a replacement for a traditional flatscreen TV – they’re just as versatile.
All-in-one projectors: We’d describe an “all-in-one projector” as any model that can work without needing any extra bits connected to it. This includes ones that have built-in speaker systems (like several on our list) and an operating system that includes access to streaming apps, so you can use it without having to connect a streaming device or Blu-ray player.
Portable projectors: You’ll find some of our favourite portable projectors within our roundup, and the priorities with these models include a small and compact form factor (petite enough to pop in a backpack or at least in the back of the car), low weight, and built-in batteries or the ability to run on a portable charger for power.
Gaming projectors: If you pick the right projector, it can be great for gaming. However, you’ll have to pay attention to the input lag – something as high as 30 milliseconds will be a serious drag for gamers. Put it like this, that doesn’t sound like much, but it’s the difference between being able to dodge, parry or flip out of the way of your attacker. Good luck completing Elden Ring with that much latency.
Resolution: What’s the most important thing you need to look at when picking the best projector? We reckon it’s got to be the image quality. Take a good look at its resolution, measured in the number of pixels it can show off. The most basic on this list has a 720p image (1280×720 pixels), which is the lowest acceptable for a decent picture. Full HD (1080p or 1920×1080 pixels) projectors are the most common and generally most affordable, but the absolute best is 4K (3840×2160 pixels) – ideal for movie aficionados.
Brightness: Projectors need the perfect setting to get the most out of them, and that often means closing the curtains and watching in near-complete darkness. However, some can cope with brighter environments and even work in the garden if you’re throwing an outdoor watch party. Brightness is measured in lumens, and the rule of thumb is to get as many lumens as possible – around 2,500 is the sweet spot. If you want to make the most of those darker films (looking at you, Batman) then keep it in mind.
Contrast Ratio: This is how well your projector can distinguish between blacks and whites, and will ultimately give you better clarity when watching darker content. Remember that pitch-black episode in the final season of Game of Thrones? With improved contrast, we’d all have understood what happened in that battle much better. The bigger the ratio, the better the performance. At 500000:1 and more, blacks will be inky and colours will pop. At 2000:1, though, the image will look a little blurry and colours may bleed into each other. You have been warned.
Screen Size: We’ve explained the difference between short throw and ultra short throw projectors above, and the screen size will depend on how close you put the projector to the wall or screen. Before you buy, it’s worth thinking about where you can put the projector in your home. Sure, TVs are getting wider, but they can’t compete with the width of some of the more advanced projectors, which can stretch to more than 300 inches if you happen to own the world’s biggest living room wall. In most cases, you’ll be looking at between 50 and 100 inches, and we’ve listed the maximum size available for the models on our list.
Lens Shift and Keystone Correction: In an ideal world, you’d have got a wall directly opposite the location of your projector, and no alignment issues whatsoever. In reality, you’ll need to think about lens shift and keystone correction. Lens shift won’t be available on all models – it will allow you to physically move the lens to sort out wonkiness. Keystone correction is a digital adjustment that’ll make your skewed projection rectangular without you having to reposition the projector. A few of the top projectors on our list have automatic keystone correction, a feature that feels a bit like wizardry in action.
Connectivity: Many on this list are smart enough to be able to link up to your wifi to allow you to watch Netflix or over the internet, and they will also have plenty of ports to connect games consoles, streaming sticks or a laptop. Our picks all have at least a USB port or HDMI cable so you can add another device to your setup. You might also find built-in speakers for better audio, smart features like Google Assistant, Siri or Alexa compatibility, headphone jacks for a more personal viewing experience, and optical audio to connect to external speakers or soundbars.
Power: Projectors are pretty power-hungry, and in general they usually consume more power than a telly. All of the ones on our list connect to mains power for movie night, but if you’re taking the show on the road you’ll want to know about projectors with built-in batteries. We’ve highlighted which models have batteries on our list, and they last for between two to three hours. It’s also worth noting that some can run on a USB-C power bank to keep them going – we’d recommend a high-capacity one like our own .
Dimensions and Weight: If you do move away from the sofa to head outdoors, you’ll need a model that is small and light enough to carry with you. There are some monstrous ones on this list that come in at over 11 kilos, and we’ve also featured little ones that weigh as little as half a kilo. The best portable projectors will be roughly the size of a laptop (small enough to put in a rucksack), while the heavier ones will be about as big as a microwave, which is considerably harder to move around for obvious reasons. To help you choose, we’ve broken down the best projectors on the market into a few categories: the best for a cinema-like experience, the best low-cost models, the best for portability, ultra-short throw variants, and those for sports and gaming. Just add popcorn.
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