The best projectors of 2023

Projectors used to feel like the type of gadget that was only accessible to people with a lot of space, disposable income, or both—thankfully that’s no longer the case. It’s possible to get a projector at virtually any price that will work in rooms both big and small. In fact, one of our picks only needs to be about a foot or so away from your wall to make a picture far bigger than even the largest of TVs. There’s still a time and a place for those, but you should seriously consider getting one of the best projectors if you’re building out or upgrading a home theater space.

• Best overall: LG HU810PW
• Best 4K: ViewSonic X11
• Best for gamers: BenQ TK700STi
• Best portable: XGIMI Halo+
• Best budget: AAXA P7 Mini

How we chose the best projectors

We canvased the entire portfolio of every major projector maker to determine the very best projectors for both general and specialized use cases. Our assessments factored in the size and lighting situation of your room, both of which play a huge part in performance. Finally, value was a big consideration—we made sure the projectors in our guide offered the most features for their cost.

The best projectors: Reviews & Recommendations

Whether you’re ditching your 4K TV for an even bigger screen, or are finally fitting out the home theater system of your dreams, our projectors will prepare you for almost every type of viewing experience.

Best overall: LG HU810PW

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay 

Specs

• Resolution: 4K
• Ports: 3 HDMI, 1 USB-A, 1 optical audio, 1 Ethernet
• Screen size: 300 inches

Pros

• High native resolution
• Massive maximum screen size
• Excellent port selection

Cons

• Expensive

If money is no object, and you’re after the best possible projector for any use case, LG’s HU810PW is the one to get. The 4K projector has an ultra-bright 2700-lumen bulb, which means you’ll be able to use it in a room that has moderate light leakage (think sun seeping in through closed blinds) without a derogated picture. The projector even has dedicated bright and dark modes, which adjust the picture settings based on how much outside light is in the room. You’ll also be able to watch 4K TV shows and movies with no loss in quality, which is important if you’re a stickler for video definition.

The HU810PW supports HDR (high dynamic range), a technology that improves contrast and color quality, which makes video look more realistic. LG developed a technology called Adaptive Contrast, which takes this concept further by automatically adjusting the projector’s brightness level in real time based on the scene you’re watching.

LG’s use of forward-thinking technology extends to this projector’s software. The HU810PW runs WebOS, an operating system that allows you to natively run streaming apps without requiring you to plug in a media streamer. It also supports AirPlay 2, Miracast, and Bluetooth, so you can send media to it wirelessly from your phone. These wireless technologies are complemented by the HU810PW’s assortment of HDMI and USB ports, which make it possible to connect several gadgets to it simultaneously. Crucially, one of the HDMI ports is an eARC (Electronic Audio Return Channel) port, which allows you to route audio from connected components through an A/V receiver.

All of these luxe features will make a big difference in your viewing experience, but they also increase the HU810PW’s price. We still consider it to be a great value based on the technology inside, especially since it can produce a 300-inch image when it’s far away from a wall, but it’s absolutely an investment. Still, if you want a true movie theater-like experience at home, this is the projector to get.

Best 4K: ViewSonic X11

Specs

• Resolution: 4K
• Ports: 2 HDMI, 3 USB-A, 1 Ethernet, 1 MicroSD Card slot, 1 audio input, 1 audio output, 1 optical audio output
• Screen size: 200 inches

Pros

• Bright bulb
• Short throw performance
• Harman Kardon speaker system

Cons

• Expensive

ViewSonic’s X11 has many of the same features as our top pick but costs nearly $1,000 less. The 4K projector has a 2,400-lumen bulb, a wide assortment of ports (including an HDMI ARC port), and supports HDR. The difference? The X11 won’t make automatic adjustments based on your room or what you’re watching. Additionally, the X11 doesn’t run an operating system, which means you’ll need to connect a media streamer or game console to it if you want to watch videos. These quality-of-life features are nice to have, but not essential, so you shouldn’t have a degraded viewing experience under most circumstances.

One of the X11’s biggest selling points is its built-in audio system, designed by luxury aural brand Harman Kardon. The projector’s 16W audio system should be loud and clear enough that you won’t need to immediately connect it to an A/V receiver. If you’re planning an outdoor movie night, the speakers will be even more important as you won’t have to lug an external set in and out of your home. If you’re interested in a projector, but don’t have a lot of space, the ViewSonic X11 is an even better buy than LG’s HU810PW thanks to its short throw performance. The projector can create a 100-inch image from under six feet away. If space isn’t an issue, the X11 can show a 200-inch image.

Ultimately, the X11’s only real weakness is its price tag. You’re getting a lot for your money, but you’ll still be spending upwards of $1,500 for one component in a home theater system.

Best for gamers: BenQ TK700STi

Specs

• Resolution: 4K
• Ports: 2 HDMI, 1 USB, 1 audio out
• Screen size: 150 inches

Pros

• Ultra bright bulb
• Supports higher frame rates
• Runs Android TV

Cons

• Expensive

Gaming on a projector is a completely different experience compared to using a TV, and it’s hard to go back once you get used to playing on a 100-plus-inch screen. BenQ designed the TK700STi to optimize its performance for console and PC gaming, so you’ll have a good experience regardless of your preferred platform. Playing games is all about visual fidelity, which is why the TK700STi has a 4K resolution and supports HDR. Both of its HDMI ports follow the 2.0b standard, which allows you to play games at up to 120 frames per second, depending on your resolution. One of the TK700STi’s HDMI ports acts as the ARC, so you can hook it up to an A/V receiver to play in surround sound. BenQ created a dedicated game mode for this projector to minimize lag—important when playing fast-paced games like first-person shooters.

All of these technical details will appeal to gamers, but the TK700STi is an impressive projector even when the controllers are down. Its 3000-lumen bulb tackles challenging environments for viewing in all kinds of sunlight. It runs Android TV, so you can run streaming apps directly from the projector, or stream video to the TK700STi’s built-in Chromecast. These convenient features aren’t necessary, but they extend the TK700STi’s appeal to non-gamers. If you don’t have a current-generation console, but plan on getting one in the future, the TK700STi is worth the investment. We chose that word carefully because this projector costs $1,500.

That said, the TK700STi is a good all-around projector whose specific features make it a particularly good choice for gamers with cutting-edge hardware.

Best portable: XGIMI Halo+

Specs

• Resolution: 1080p
• Ports: 1 HDMI, 1 headphone jack, 1 USB-A
• Screen size: 120 inches

Pros:

• Bright bulb
• Powerful speaker system
• HDR support

Cons:

• So-so battery life

Getting a portable projector used to mean making a lot of technical compromises for the sake of a wire-free experience, but XIGIMI’s Halo+ proves that’s no longer. This 1080p projector can create a 120-inch screen, supports HDR, has a built-in 10W stereo speaker system designed by Harman Kardon, and runs Android TV. It’ll run for up to two hours per charge, which is enough time to make it through the average movie or a few TV show episodes with a little time to spare.

A big part of the Halo+’s appeal is its all-in-one design. You can stream videos directly to the projector from a streaming service or your phone, and watch it without any other hardware. One of our typical complaints with portable projectors has been the quality of their built-in speaker, but that’s not the with XIGIMI’s hardware thanks to its Harman Kardon partnership. If you decide to use the Halo+ indoors, you’ll appreciate the fact that its sole HDMI port can be used as an ARC.

Our only real complaint with the Halo+ is its battery life. Yes, this is a small projector with a surprisingly bright 900-lumen bulb and a comparatively great sound system, but you’ll still have to worry about topping it up fairly regularly. Regardless, this projector’s technical features are impressive for a model you can take anywhere.

Best budget: AAXA P7 Mini

Specs

• Resolution: 1080p
• Ports: 1 HDMI, 1 USB-A, 1 headphone jack, 1 A/V input, 1 MicroSD card slot
• Screen size: 120 inches

Pros

• Portability
• Built-in speaker
• Price

Cons:

• Not 4K

Whether you need a projector for light gaming, office use, or casually watching videos, the AAXA’s P7 is the only projector we recommend. The ultra-portable 1080P projector can fit in a backpack, briefcase, or purse, and run on battery power for up to 90 minutes. AAXA managed to fit several inputs onto the P7 despite its small size, including one HDMI port, so you can connect most laptops or a media streamer to it without an adapter. You can also store videos on a USB thumb drive or MicroSD Card to play them directly from the projector itself. We’re also very impressed that the P7’s bulb is 600 lumens—that’s far brighter than we’d expect from a pint-sized portable projector. There’s even a built-in speaker, which will come in handy in a pinch. However, it’s not beefy enough to create robust audio like a sound bar.

There are a handful of limitations to the P7: its maximum screen size is lower than full-sized projectors, it’s only HD, it doesn’t support HDR, and it doesn’t run an operating system.

What to consider when buying the best projectors

If you love watching movies and TV shows or playing videogames, a projector will offer an immersive, cinema-like experience that’s totally engrossing. However, shopping for one isn’t as straightforward as walking right to the electronics section of your favorite bix box chain. Here’s what to know when screening the best projectors:

Light pollution and bulb brightness

The amount of light in your room will have a huge impact on the performance of your projector. If your home theater system is in a basement or a room with light-blocking curtains, a projector is a great alternative to a TV. If the room has a lot of natural light throughout the entire day, you’ll only be able to use your projector at night, limiting its appeal.

Light pollution can wash out their ability to project a picture, making it look washed out or otherwise harder to see. The brighter the projector’s bulb (measured in lumens), the less susceptible it is to light pollution. Think of it this way: All projectors will struggle in a room with a lot of light, but brighter ones will perform better in a room with moderate or dim lights. If you only plan on using your projector in totally dark environments, its luminosity won’t matter as much, but it’ll still impact the overall quality of its image.

Wall space

A projector requires a large, empty, white-painted wall to work best. If your wall is cluttered with stuff, you’re better off getting a TV unless you’re okay with installing a separate projection screen.

Resolution

This is the most tricky metric to consider when picking up a projector because of how some companies use this term. A projector’s native resolution will determine the overall quality of its image. For example, a projector with a native resolution of 1080p will be able to play back an HD video at its full quality. A projector’s maximum resolution determines the highest quality video that can be fed into it, regardless of its native resolution. If a projector has a maximum resolution of 1080p (high definition), but a native resolution of 480p (standard definition), it’ll play back your HD video at a non-HD resolution, which will look grainy or pixelated. All of our projector recommendations have a native resolution of 1080p or 4K, so you don’t have to worry about image quality.

Throw distance

A projector’s throw distance determines how big of a picture it can make based on how far it is from a wall. “Short throw” style projectors can be very close to a wall while still making a very large picture, which makes them ideal for smaller rooms. A standard projector will work best when it’s installed between eight and 10 feet away from your wall.

Maximum screen size

All of the projectors we’re recommending can create a picture that’s over 100 inches long depending on how far it is from your wall. Some models can create a picture that’s even larger without suffering any loss in quality.

Port selection

A projector’s ports determine the types of components (e.g., game console, Blu-Ray player, media streamer) you can plug into it. All of our projector recommendations have at least one HDMI port, which is the universal standard for HD A/V hardware. Some projectors also have a headphone jack or other audio out port, which allows you to connect them to external speakers for better sound.

Built-in speakers

Many of the projectors in this guide have built-in speakers, which is useful if you’re prioritizing portability over audio quality. Projector speakers used to be subpar, but many companies have partnered with speaker makers to design custom-built audio systems that produce surprisingly rich sound. That said, you’ll still want to hook your projector up to a proper home theater system if you want to experience surround sound.

Smart features

A lot of newer projectors have useful smart features, like running an operating system that allows you to access streaming apps directly from the device. A projector with a built-in operating system will leave all of its HDMI ports free for external components since you won’t need to connect a media streamer.

Portability

Most projectors are small and light enough to be taken from one place to another but require a nearby outlet for power. A battery-powered projector allows you to host outdoor movie nights without a single cable.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best projectors

The best home projectors offer the experience of a multiplex, but at home. Whether it’s outdoor BBQs with family videos playing, gaming in-between commercials during the big game with friends in the garage, or a replacement to a TV for home entertainment use, the best projector will offer incredible image quality at a larger size than most televisions (with the benefit of being compact, portable, and easy to pack away). With so many streaming options now, it’s a great time to get a projected screen worthy of a theater.

• Best overall: LG HU810PW
• Best 4K: ViewSonic X11
• Best for gamers: BenQ TK700STi
• Best portable: XGIMI Halo+
• Best budget: AAXA P7 Mini

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