Which Projector Should You Get?
4 questions. 60 seconds. One perfect recommendation.
Where will you use your projector?
Common Recommendations
The most popular quiz outcomes. Jump straight to the result that matches your setup.
Projector Buying FAQs
What projector do I need for a home theater?
For a dedicated home theater with controlled lighting, the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB ($3,000) is the top pick. It delivers 4K PRO-UHD resolution with 200,000:1 contrast, motorized lens shift for flexible placement, and 10-bit HDR processing that produces cinema-quality images. In a dark room, contrast ratio matters more than brightness, and the 5050UB leads its class. For a tighter budget, the Epson Home Cinema 3800 ($1,100) delivers 80% of the flagship's performance with 3,000 lumens and excellent out-of-box color accuracy. Pair either with a fixed-frame screen like the Silver Ticket STR-169100 for the best results.
Best projector for gaming?
The BenQ TK700STi ($1,300) is the best gaming projector with 4.2ms input lag at 1080p/240Hz and 16ms at 4K/60Hz. Its short throw design projects 100 inches from just 6.5 feet, fitting smaller game rooms and apartments. Dedicated FPS, RPG, and Sports game modes optimize the image for each genre. For brighter rooms, the Optoma UHD38x ($1,100) pushes 4,000 lumens with equally fast input lag. For a dual-purpose gaming and movie projector, the XGIMI HORIZON Ultra ($1,500) adds HDMI 2.1, Dolby Vision, and Harman Kardon speakers. Under 20ms input lag feels instantaneous for most gamers.
Best outdoor movie projector under $300?
The NexiGo PJ40 Gen 3 ($250) is the best outdoor projector under $300. It needs wall power via an extension cord, but delivers 700 ANSI lumens with D65-calibrated color accuracy and built-in smart features for streaming. Wait until dusk for the best outdoor image quality, as even 700 lumens cannot compete with direct sunlight. Pair it with a portable Bluetooth speaker for open-air audio and an inflatable screen ($50-$80) for the full backyard cinema experience. For a battery-powered option, step up to the XGIMI MoGo 4 ($400) with 450 ISO lumens and a 2.5-hour battery.