What is the best home theater projector? Use the chart below to see prices, ratings, resolution, brightness, contrast ratio, special features and more. **See special notes at bottom for more information
| Rating 1-5 | Resolution | Contrast Ratio | Brightness | Built-in Speaker | Price (approx) | DLP or LCD | Notes | |
Optoma HD243X | 4.5 | 1080p | 24,000:1 | 3300 ANSI lumens | Yes | $599-650 | DLP | Wide variety of display options so you can customize to your needs. Top quality picture for inexpensive projector. See full Optoma review |
Portable Mini Projector | 4.4 | 1080p | Yes | $240-300 | DLP | Ultra-convenient portable projector weighs less than 3 lbs and has a long 2.5 hour battery life. It also has speakers, but they don’t offer stereo quality sound. Get the Mini Portable Projector here | ||
ViewSonic PA503S | 4.5 | SVGA 800 x 600 | 22,000:1 | 3,800 Lumens | Yes | $569-610 | DLP | Simple set up with plug-and-play operation, plus great for work or education functions. Unit connects with media players, Macs and PCs, plus multiple mobile devices. Get the ViewSonic Projector here |
Optoma HD27
| 4.3 | 1080p | 25,000:1 | 3200 ANSI lumens | Yes | $779-825 | DLP | Can display up to 300″ image. Projector displays clear, detailed images. Plus, customers like the low price point. |
BenQ HT2050A | 4.7 | 1080p | 15,000:1 | 2200 lumens | Yes | $699-750 | DLP | Great picture quality, projects images up to 300″ plus special gaming modes for gamers. CNET rates it as “Best Projector for the Money”. Check Out the BenQ Here |
Epson Home Cinema
| 4.7 | 1080p | 60,000:1 | 2,500 lumens | Yes | $1150-1200 | LCD | Extra high contrast ratio allows for better images in ambient light, and fun runs quiet. Plus, wireless mirroring ability from other devices (for photos, videos, etc.). Get the Epson 2150 Here |
Epson Home Cinema 5040 | 4.8 | 1080p with 4K enhancement | 1,000,000:1 | 2,500 lumens | No | $3050-3200 | LCD | 2,500 lumens for both white & color. Bright even in ambient light. HDR Compatible. Silent operation. Check Out the Epson 5040 Projector Here |
**Additional Information on Home Theater Projectors:
- ANSI Lumen (vs lumen), is a standardization set by the American National Standards Institute, considered more accurate.
- Contrast Ratio is the difference between light and dark on the screen. Typically the higher the contrast ratio, the greater the video definition.
- LCD vs DLP: According to CNET, both are equally bright on a home theater projector, but each has its pros and cons. For example, LCD (liquid crystal display) models have better contrast ratios and black levels, whereas DLP (digital light display) looks sharper in fast-action games and movies.
