Looking for a new projector for your home theater setup? We’ve got you covered here at Heavy with our guide to the best HDMI projectors available right now.
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1. Visual Great GP80
Pros:- Great as a basic outdoor TV or for the kids
- Decent for video games without complicated UIs
- Dirt cheap
- Easy-to-use interface
- Lightweight
Cons:- Resolution isn’t large enough to be used for documents
- Speaker has very poor quality
- Only 1800 lumnens
For those who just need a basic projector, the GP80 gets the job done at an affordable price.
It has a great lamp life of up to 30,000 hours, an easy-to-use interface, and even keystone correction. That said, this projector is affordable for a reason. At 1800 lumens, one will need to turn the lights off to enjoy the picture as any interfering sunlight will make its image output invisible.
Also, a resolution of 800 x 480 is fine for TV and movies, but for anything with text, it is noticeably pixelated. This is a great projector for the kids or for casual use. It’s not a home theater projector, but it is a great deal for certain use cases.
Lumens 5000 | Resolution 800×480 @ 60hz | Contrast Ratio 10,000:1 |
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2. ViewSonic PJD5155
Pros:- Three-year limited warranty on parts and labor
- Decent resolution; great for TV and video games
- Easy to set-up
- Onboard speakers are better than others
- Sharp and vibrant colors
Cons:- A bit on the bulky side
- Can overheat sometimes
- Carry case is ugly
For those who are fine with a lower-res projector, but need the extra brightness and picture quality, this ViewSonic is a great solution.
Boasting a hearty warranty, superb contrast, and 3600 lumens, it’s very bright. Plus, it boasts a variety of inputs to make set-up easy and flexible.
It’s loved by many for its sharp image and great color. At this price, the only real shortcoming is the detail which may bother some. However, for many, once you’re several feet away, the pixelation isn’t noticeable or bothersome. However, for documents or presenting work, it does require using large, clear fonts and other accommodations.
Lumens 3600 | Resolution VGA: 640 x 480 to 1920 x 1080 | Contrast Ratio Not Stated |
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3. BenQ DLP Video Projector
Pros:- Great for videos and office applications (must use large fonts)
- Works for casual gaming
- Colors are decent
Cons:- Built-in speakers are terrible
- Some may find resolution insufficient for movies (at 100″)
- Cheaper Viewsonic has less resolution but better picture
For a slight bump in price on the Viewsonic, this BenQ Projector offers more resolution and a bit more brightness.
While the color is slightly weaker (due to its lower contrast ratio), for most, pixels tend to be stand out more than color information.
Another great perk about this projector is that it’s 3D-ready and has an eco mode, which is less bright but will make the bulb last longer. Overall, this is a great projector if you need solid brightness, decent image quality, and more than just basic resolution.
Lumens 3600 |Resolution800×600 |Contrast Ratio 15,000:1 |
Find more BenQ DLP Video Projector information and reviews here.
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4. Epson Home Cinema 1040
Pros:- Two year limited warranty
- Good lamp life length (10,000 on Eco, 5,000 on normal)
- Solid build quality
- Lamp replacement price is on the low side
- Three LCDs mean no rainbow effect (can be distracting)
Cons:- Projector does not do audio out (one must hook speakers into original source)
- Long throw distance
- Resolution is weird
If you’re looking for a true home cinema experience, this Epson Projector delivers.
Boasting slightly above full HD resolution at 1920 x 1200, great brightness, and a solid contrast ratio, this projector outputs excellent images. It also has three LCDs preventing the “rainbow effect” that bothers some users. Another perk here, replacing the lamp is fairly affordable.
Lumens 3000 | Resolution 1920 x 1200 | Contrast Ratio 15,000:1 |
Find more Epson Home Cinema 1040 information and reviews here.
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5. YABER Native 1080P Projector
Pros:- Extremely bright
- Easy to install and use
- Resolution is decent
Cons:- Only for people who prioritize brightness
- Needs a dark room for the best results
- Doesn't seem as bright as it should
It’s hard not to fall in love with the super-bright YABER Projector.
On the lumens front, this beast boasts a high 6200. If it’s brightness you’re after, you’re in luck.
But brightness isn’t the only thing this projector has going for it. With a contrast ratio of 7000:1, your image clarity is going to be crisp. Oh, and it’s also got support for 4K, so if you’re a gamer, this one is definitely worth considering.
The only downside is you will need a fairly dark room to get the most out of this beast. For most, I imagine, that shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
Lumens 6200 | Resolution 1920×1080 | Contrast Ratio 7000:1 |
Find more YABER Native 1080p Projector information and reviews here.
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6. Optoma Short Throw Projector
Pros:- 16ms response time is ideal for gaming
- Superb contrast
- 100-inch image from a mere 4-foot away
- Great for people with small rooms who want a big picture
Cons:- Only two modes: bright and eco
- Lamp lasts for 8000 hours (which isn't bad, but isn't the best)
- Lights need to be off
If you’re having space-concerns, this Optoma Projector has an insanely short throw. It can project a 100-inch image from less than four feet away.
On top of that, it has an excellent response time of only 16ms meaning it’s perfectly viable for fast-paced gaming (like first-person shooters). This is great for people with small or oddly shaped rooms who want a big, clear picture.
It supports 3D and has great contrast. The lamp is good for around 8,000 hours, which isn’t the best, but it’s on the high side. If you need to project a large image with a short distance, this is a choice with pretty much no compromises; 3000 lumens does mean the lights will need to be off, in most cases.
Lumens 1920 x 1080 | Resolution 3000 | Contrast Ratio 28,000:1 |
Find more Optoma Short Throw Projector information and reviews here.
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7. Epson Home Cinema 2040 (Editor’s Choice)
Pros:- Superb color quality
- Resolution is high enough for any use
- Solid for games
- Vibrant and crisp images
Cons:- 2500 lumens isn’t that bright
- Some color shifting can happen up close or at large angles
- Won't be great in well-lit office
While one can get similar specs for a lower price, the fact is that for most people, a projector is about having a cinema-like experience at home.
This Epson Projector really does offer that experience. While it isn’t the brightest model around, it does offer 1080P resolution, great response time (key for video games), and most important: highly accurate color. This is the kind of color that will work well for movies with bright color palettes and dark, moody dramas or horrors.
This projector is the editor’s choice because it delivers fully on the most common application of a projector. While it won’t work in a well-lit office for displaying documents, its full HD resolution means that if one turns the lights off, it’ll do great. It’s a minor trade-off for cinema-quality looks, and for most, is worth it.
Lumens 2500 | Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) | Contrast
Find more Epson Home Cinema 2040 information and reviews here.
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8. GooDee YG620 Native 1080p Projector
Pros:- Great resolution
- Decent for movies and gaming
- Mid-range price
Cons:- Better options available at this price
- Not great for work slideshows
- Possibily inflated stats
The GooDee YG620 Projector is a good mix of price and quality.
The only downside when buying lesser-known projectors is something the specs are inflated. The GooDee boasts 6200 lumens, and while it is bright, it’s not that bright.
Still, with native 1080p and a resolution of 1920×1080, and factoring in the price, there isn’t a lot to grumble about.
Just keep in mind you’ll need to use this in a fairly dark room to get the most out of it. I wouldn’t recommend it for bright rooms. In a similar vein, I’d avoid using this one for work. For movies and gaming (to a degree), sure. But if you’re trying to wow coworkers, this ain’t it.
Lumens 6200 | Resolution 1920×1080 | Contrast Ratio 7,000:1 |
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9. BenQ 3D Home Theater Projector (Short Throw)
Pros:- Hollywood quality color palette
- Quietest fan in its class
- Perfect, accurate color
- One year parts and labor warranty
- Short throw means one can get a 100-inches image from just 8-foot
Cons:- Brightness can be wonky
- Volume setting can reset without warning
- Not that bright
If you need a short throw projector but are also adamant about cinema-quality image, this BenQ Projector is a great choice.
Boasting a very short throw distance (100-inches from 8-foot) and Rec 709 (accurate color) support, the one thing the only real flaw in this projector is that it’s not all that bright at 2200 lumens. Still, for those who want a cinema experience at home, but don’t have a long space to aim their projector, this is as good as it gets. Plus, the lamp lasts a decent 6,000 hours and it works with 3D.
Lumens 2200 | Resolution 1920 x 1080 HD | Contrast Ratio 15,000:1 |
Find more BenQ 3D Home Theater Projector information and reviews here.
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10. Optoma X600 DLP Projector
Pros:- 3D compatible
- One of the brightest projectors one can buy
- Fan is on the quiet side
- Brightness is through the roof
Cons:- Remote could be better (confusing)
- No horizontal keystone control
- No hi-def sound output
If brightness is your thing, this Optoma Projector is about as bright as it gets.
While the resolution of this projector takes a step down, it’s still decent for most applications. Plus, it offers an absurd 6000 lumens. That means it’s visible in virtually all situations, including in a sunlit room.
That said, this really is a special case projector. It’s only recommended for those who need the absolute max in brightness. While it is decent otherwise, there’s no reason to pay this much unless you need it for its lumens.
Lumens 6000 | Resolution 1024 x 768 | Contrast Ratio 10,000:1 |
Find more Optoma X600 DLP Projector information and reviews here.
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11. Optoma 4K Projector
Pros:- Uses HDMI 2.0 for max data transmission (key for 4K)
- Rec 2020 (Hollywood wide color gamut)
- Unreal sharpness and detail
- Comparable to a movie theater
- HDMI 2 allows 4K at 60FPS
- Suprisingly quiet
Cons:- Casing could be better
- Large size
- A little bit pricey. Just a bit.
For those who truly want the ultimate projector, this Optoma Projector kills movie theaters.
Boasting 4K resolution, hyper-accurate color, and unreal sharpness and detail, there’s simply no reason to pay for a movie ticket with this at your home.
That said, it’s a huge device so be prepared to install some mounting to make it all work. Still, if you do, you’ll be left with a home theater that’s indistinguishable from that of an AMC. Maybe you can find a reason to leave the house if there’s something playing at IMAX, but beyond that, this projector is an absolute monster. Plus, it’s 60hz so it’ll work fine for gaming as well.
Lumens 3840 x 2160 | Resolution 3000 | Contrast Ratio 1,000,000:1 |
Things to Consider Before Buying a Projector
There are some factors to consider when buying a projector: brightness (measured by a unit called lumens), resolution (how much detail is on the screen), and color.
Another aspect of projectors is the "throw distance." While most of these projectors will project huge screens from a fair distance (100-inches from 9-foot or so), there are also projectors on this list known as "short throw" projectors. These projectors can project a 100-inch screen from as few as three or four feet.