Best Projectors in 2023

What Are the Different Types of Projectors?

Though you might remember the old projector that your teacher used in the classroom, these electronic devices came a long way over the years. You’ll now find some that let you recreate the feeling of a drive-in movie theater in your living room or backyard and others that let you show family movies in a fun and new way. Make sure that you look at all of the different types of projectors to find the best option for your home and needs.

4k projectors

Whether you plan on inviting over friends to watch a new movie or you want to stream your favorite show, you might go with a 4k projector. These projectors often use a USB hardware interface that makes it easy to connect one to your TV. As they offer 4k resolution, they can pull you into a video and make you feel like you’re a part of the action. You can choose a portable model or opt for one that you can mount to the ceiling in your home.

Nebula projectors

If you want a convenient projector that you can use in different ways, consider a nebula projector. You can use one as-is and connect it to your TV or another device with some type of cable like a USB cable. Many models allow you to connect to a Wi-Fi signal and download apps to watch videos. You can even log into your Netflix or Disney+ account and stream videos through it. Nebula projectors are lightweight and easy to carry.

LED projectors

If you want a projector that works with your TV but can also connect to other devices, go with an LED projector. These are great for working professionals because they work in most office settings. An LED projector offers the sharp clarity that you need when displaying images or videos. Though they can make a lot of noise due to the interior fan, some models reduce the size of that fan and use soundproofing to reduce the noises you hear.

Laser projectors

Some shoppers prefer laser projectors because they don’t want to spend a lot of money on one and a lot of time on maintenance. Laser projectors can last for years and won’t overheat or burn out as quickly as some models do. They use laser beams that adjust the colors and saturation levels as they run.

LCD projector

LCD projectors are similar to the ones you once used in school. They function as both overhead and slide projectors. You place a flat image on the projector and turn on the light, which shines the image onto a nearby surface. Though they do not work as well for moving images, LCD projectors are suitable for business and education uses. The biggest downside is that you may need to replace the crystal panels more often than you would like.

How many lumens do you need?

As you shop for and compare projectors, you’ll notice that most models produce a different amount of lumens. This tells you how bright the projector is and whether it will run as well during the day as it does at night. The term lumen is a type of measurement. It measures how much light a candle will produce in one second. You might think that you need a higher number of lumens because you want a bright image or a lower number because you don’t mind seeing some dark spots. As the 100-watt bulbs in your home put out up to 1,600 lumens, it’s easy to see how bright some projectors are.

Home use

The best projects for home use generally produce between 2,000 and 4,000 lumens. A projector that produces 3,000 lumens will project an image onto a flat surface of up to 80 inches without creating any blurry areas or distortions. Distortions often appear around the edges of the image but can also appear near the center of the screen. A projector with a smaller number of lumens will work better in dark spaces, while one with a higher number is better for brighter spaces.

Daytime vs. nighttime use

Keep in mind that brighter projectors are not always better than darker models. You generally need a projector with a higher lumen number if you plan on using it outside or in a room with a lot of natural light. Natural light refers to the sunlight that comes through your windows. You also need to think about ambient light, which can include any lamps in the room or streetlights that shine through your windows. For daytime use, you want a minimum of 3,000 lumens. You can get by with 2,000 or fewer lumens if you plan on using the projector at night when there is less available light.

Indoor and outdoor projecting

The number of lumens you need will also depend on whether you plan to use the projector inside or outside. Outside projectors need a higher lumen count because you have less control over the surrounding lights. You never know when your neighbors might turn on their porch lights or when the streetlights will shine right into your yard. Projectors that produce 2,200-2,500 or more lumens are the best ones for outdoor use. They are bright enough that they can compensate for any lights nearby. For indoor use, you can invest in a projector that produces less than 1,000 lumens. Projectors with 300-1,000 lumens can work nicely outside as long as you limit the surrounding light.

What features matter the most when choosing a projector?

Shopping online is a great way to get a look at all of the top projectors, but you might need some help comparing those models. That’s why we encourage you to take a look at some of the best features to look for in a projector.

Mounting options

You likely have an idea of where and how you want to use a projector, but have you considered where you will mount it? Ceiling mounts are one of the more common types. These projectors come with accessories that help you attach the projector to the ceiling. You just need to make sure that the lens points in the right direction as projectors have either front or rear lenses. Table mounts are another good option because you can use one on any flat surface. You might mount the projector to your coffee table or a sofa table behind your couch. You need to make sure that you mount it far enough off the ground that walking or moving around the projector won’t interfere with the image. Portable projectors do not require mounting and are lightweight. Some even have a built-in handle.

Lamp life

Older projectors tend to burn out quickly because they use lamps that feature old forms of technology. Modern projectors can last much longer, especially when you choose one with a long lamp life. Basic lamps usually last for a minimum of 3,000 hours and can survive for 5,000 hours or longer when you take care of them. You have the option of replacing the lamp to get more life out of your projector. A handful of modern projectors use laser bulbs that last for as long as 20,000 hours. These are a great choice if you want to host movie marathons or game for hours.

Resolution type

Most of the projectors we found have either 4k or UHD resolution. Though you can find some SD projectors, they usually aren’t worth your time or money unless you love watching old movies that studios didn’t enhance. HD projectors have 720p and more than 921,000 pixels. They project the same type of images that HD TVs do. Full HD projectors are more popular today because they increase the pixel count to more than two million and give you 1080p. A full HD projector gives you more than twice as many pixels as an HD projector will. If you own UHD movies or have a streaming plan that offers this resolution type, go with a 4k UHD projector. Between the 2160p and eight million pixels, you’ll see every little thing that happens in the background. You might even pick up on jokes or scenes that you missed in the past. There are also a few 8k UHD projectors on the market, but many customers find that the technology isn’t quite good enough yet to justify the high prices.

Connections

Do not buy a projector unless you’re sure it will work with all of your devices. When we picked the best projectors, we included information on what devices work with them. You usually want at least one USB port because USB cables let you plug in your cell phone and other mobile devices. VGA and HDMI ports are helpful for gamers because most consoles use one of those cables. Bluetooth and wireless projectors are also available. Once you connect it to your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signal, you can stream content or share data from a linked device. Several projectors let you use a Wi-Fi connection to download apps, too like HBO Max and Discovery+.

Throw distance

A projector’s throw distance tells you how far it can “throw” or project an image. Many brands have online calculators that let you input data about the distance between your projector and screen to tell you how large of an image it can create. A ratio of 1.5 is common, which tells you that the projector will give you one foot of the image for every 1.5 feet you move it away from the screen. Measure your screen to find out how big of an image you want. You can then compare throw ratios to find a projector that delivers a big enough image for the screen but will also fit in the space.

Aspect ratio

Have you ever watched a movie at home on an old TV and noticed that you didn’t see the whole picture? That is due to the aspect ratio of the film. While movie theaters let you view films the way the directors intended, your TV at home cuts off some of the image. If you want to make sure that you don’t miss a thing, a 4k UHD projector is your best option. It allows you to see every square inch of the video on your screen. Projectors with an XGA aspect ratio only show you a small fraction of the image, which is often 10 percent of it. WXGA, SXGA, and WUXGA aspect ratios are also available. These projectors cut some of the image but show more than XGA does.

Contrast ratio

Looking at the projector’s contrast ratio lets you see how darker and lighter colors play against each other. Some of the cheaper projectors have a contrast ratio of 3,000: 1 or less. This means that the lighter scenes will appear up to 3,000 times brighter than the darker scenes do. It also applies to the colors within a scene. The brighter and lighter colors have a sharper contrast to the darker colors, which can eliminate shadows and help you see everything in the movie. Some of the more expensive projectors have a contrast ratio of 15,000:1 or more.

Other features to consider

You might also consider features like 3D compatibility and speakers. If you don’t have a surround sound system or have a TV that is softer than you would like, built-in speakers are a must-have. You can compare speakers in terms of the watts they have and how much sound they produce. Projectors with 3D capabilities allow you to watch 3D films at home and get the same experience you would have in a theater, though you may need to invest in 3D glasses to use this feature. Projectors that come with remotes give you more convenience, too. The remote allows you to cycle through modes and turn the projector on and off. Don’t forget to look for projectors that have the modes you want and need either like daytime and nighttime modes as well as game and eco modes.