We test the best 4K projectors in real-world conditions, viewing with both room lighting on and lights off to get a sense of how well the projector performs under a range of conditions. All of our viewing is done using a projection screen, either a matt white material or an ambient light-rejecting screen in the case of ultra short throw projectors. Higher-end long throw projectors are generally “dumb” displays, with no built-in smart TV interface or ability to stream video directly. That’s because they’re usually the main video component in an AV system that uses a receiver and separate speakers for audio, with the receiver sending video directly to the projector, and audio to the speakers.

The best 4K projector 2023: top home theater beamers

LG CineBeam PH30N: The LG PH30N is tiny even compared to other portable projectors, even smaller than the AAXA. It's not particularly bright, however, nor does it have built-in apps. The battery doesn't last as long as the AAXA either although it is a bit cheaper. Read our LG CineBeam PH30N review.

EZCast Beam V3

Screen options: the cheapest option for a projector screen is to use a wall, although the quality of the experience depends on its smoothness, and obviously colour. You can improve this with special reflective paint, but it’s also worth considering a dedicated projector screen. Manual projector screens come in various types, including tripod or wall mounted. There are also motorised projector screens, including premium screens that can be stored away when not in use. Other modes include Standard, Cinema, Sports, and Game, and we found that the Standard or Cinema modes looked the best in most situations, with the Cinema mode probably being the best when you’re able to cut down on ambient light.

TV Vs Projector: Which Is Best? - Which?

Anker Nebula Solar Portable: We didn't like the Solar Portable as much as the BenQ GS50, Xgimi Halo Plus or even its sibling, the Mars II Pro. Its main disadvantage compared to others on this list is its relatively dim image, which means it can't project as large a picture and still look good. If you want a sleek, budget-friendly portable with 1080p and plan on keeping the image on the small side, however, this is a solid choice. Read our Anker Nebula Solar Portable review. Short throw projectors need to be around one metre from the wall to display a 100-inch image. Ultra-short throw projectors can achieve the same size image while placed just inches from the wall. Ultra short throw (UST) projectors can throw large images from close to the screen, avoiding the need to run cables through walls and ceilings. The Epson LS800 takes that advantage a step further—or closer, really—by offering an even shorter throw than most. It can actually fill a 120-inch wall-mounted screen without having to pull the furniture it's resting on away from the wall. Along with that, it offers a laser light source with 4,000-ANSI-lumen brightness, a high-quality image with good color accuracy and contrast, a three-LCD design that guarantees it can't show rainbow artifacts, and an unusually short input lag for a 4K UST projector. By our measurements, the lag is just a few milliseconds longer than we expect from today's best gaming projectors, at 20.4 milliseconds (ms) for 4K/60Hz input, 21.4ms for 1080p/60Hz, and 11.7ms for 1080p/120Hz. It even offers a stereo audio system that amounts to a built-in soundbar, with two 5-watt speakers and a 10-watt subwoofer. Who It's For Three-chip LCD projectors are free from rainbow artifacts, because the three chips allow projection of all three primary colors at once. However, they tend to be bigger and heavier than comparable DLP models. Standard-size LCOS projectors, also rainbow-free, offer the best-quality images, but they tend to be bigger and heavier than either DLP or LCD projectors, as well as far more expensive. There aren't many laser raster projectors, so it's hard to make general statements about them. But the one clear advantage of using a laser is that the image doesn't require focusing. If you need to give presentations regularly in medium or large rooms where you can't lower or otherwise control the lighting, the Epson Pro EX7280 3LCD WXGA brings on the brightness. Plus, this 1,280-by-800-pixel unit delivers vibrant, saturated color and a high-quality image guaranteed to be free of rainbow artifacts. That's thanks to its 3LCD design (meaning it's built around three LCD chips that let it project all three primary colors at once). Even if you're in a room with lots of ambient light, it should do the job: It lit up a 90-inch screen with a suitably bright image in our tests in a brightly lit room, even in Eco power mode and using the lower-brightness Cinema picture mode. It's also portable—or easily transportable at least—at less than 6 pounds, and it comes with a carrying case. Who It's ForAlong with high brightness, the V700W offers more-than-acceptable image quality, including better shadow detail than most projectors in this price range. Even the onboard audio, built around dual 5-watt speakers and Dolby Digital Plus, is impressive for an inexpensive projector. And the input lag—measured at 26 milliseconds for 1080p, 60Hz input—is easily fast enough for casual gaming. Who It's For Obviously we also make sure we test any special or promoted features, like the software / network features, or obstacle avoidance.

LG Minibeam Projectors | LG UK Business

It can retain that sharpness when there’s motion, too, thanks to the LSP9T carrying a projector-optimised version of the motion processing systems Samsung has been refining on its TVs for years now. You need to handle the motion processing with care, as the higher powered settings can cause distracting processing side effects. But the lowest setting does a good job of reducing judder without causing too many unpleasant trade offs. Not everyone will have room for a conventional projector, but that doesn’t mean you can’t supersize your images. An Ultra Short Throw model can be positioned just centimetres from a wall or screen, and still cast a huge image. Where the two categories differ is in their shape and in some key features that make the best mini projectors a better fit for home entertainment. Although no particular shape defines a mainstream mini projector, most are towers, like models in the Anker Nebula Capsule series. The extra height makes room for relatively robust audio systems, which deliver higher volume and better sound quality in almost every case than any oversize palmtop. Most couple that with built-in smart TV features for streaming—most often by way of Android TV. None of this hurts their usability for business presentations, and some types of presentations can benefit from the better audio. But the extras also mean these models will do a better job than most oversize palmtops for watching movies. Many can also double as Bluetooth speakers. Inexpensive Single-LCD Mini Projectors Considering the two Premiere models are the first home entertainment projectors Samsung has released for over a decade, it’s impressive to see how widely Samsung is distributing them across the world. It’s a clear sign of Samsung’s manufacturing and distribution might – and, perhaps, its confidence in its new creation.There’s no denying the breathtaking quality of the Hisense L9G, but it’s a projector that takes a commitment to make sense for would-be buyers. It’s definitely less of a commitment than a 100-inch TV, though, as even the affordable models are multiple times the price of the L9G. 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. One way to avoid these artifacts is to use three chips, as with the three-LCD chip design that's standard for most LCD projectors. The three chips put all three primaries on screen at once, and let your brain integrate the colors over space rather than sequentially over time. But three-chip designs are expensive, and tend to add weight. Another alternative, which these lightweight single-LCD models offer, is to use a single large LCD with enough individual cells to deliver the resolution you need. Cover the cells in a 5,760-by-1,080-pixel matrix with red, green, and blue filters, so each set of red, green, and blue gives you a single pixel, and the image resolution works out to 1,920 (5,760 divided by 3) by 1,080 pixels. This single-LCD approach won't usually give you the same level of contrast that a DLP chip would, but it's guaranteed not to bother you with rainbow artifacts, potentially making for better image quality. Viewing experience: many people feel that due to the larger screen size and less overall brightness compared with a TV, projectors can actually give a more comfortable viewing experience. Just as with the cinema, the picture is also typically more immersive. HID projector headlights: The second type of projector headlights to arrive used HID bulbs, and they are still available today. These are also known as Xenon HID headlights. They're much brighter than traditional halogen bulbs, and they also last longer. In most cases, it's a bad idea to put HID bulbs into projector housings designed for halogen, because they're so much brighter.

The best projector for video in 2023 | Digital Camera World The best projector for video in 2023 | Digital Camera World

You’ll need the space – this is a large and heavy model that’s nearly 70 cm in width and more than 12 kg in weight – so it’s not ideal for smaller rooms, but we love that you can get such a big image from a projector that’s placed just 2.3 cm from the wall. There is a solid selection of apps via Android TV software, including Google Play, Prime Video and YouTube (although Netflix is not supported). Sound quality on the speakers is fine on its own, but you’ll probably want to match such high-quality image with high-quality speakers. We found that the sound was generally a little midsy, and there wasn’t a ton of detail in the high end, but they’re certainly passable for most situations. Again, though, for true home theaters, you’ll want to invest in something with a little more oomph. This system is considered effective enough by the US’s Consumer Technology Association, though, to qualify as true 4K. And certainly 4K pictures look beautifully detailed, sharp and textured with the LSP9T. Not quite as pristine as the best Sony 4K models, perhaps, but a cut above most other ‘pseudo’ 4K DLP projectors. The most basic on this list has a 720p image (1280x720 pixels), which is the lowest acceptable for a decent picture. Full HD (1080p or 1920x1080 pixels) projectors are the most common and generally most affordable, but the absolute best is 4K (3840x2160 pixels) – ideal for movie aficionados. Brightness

Pros: DLP projectors give you stunning and realistic pictures on screen. They project a sharper and more detailed image during fast motion sequences compared with other projector types.