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Best Projectors: The biggest screen in the home
In This Article
Projectors offer bigger pictures than TVs at a comparable price, and if you’re looking to replicate the cinema experience at home, the best projectors are a great of achieving that goal.
We test lots of projectors each at a range of prices and use-cases, and what you see on this list is the best we’ve reviewed. How have we come to this conclusion? We test the design and controls to performance and image quality. We also consider the user interface, battery life and any additional features, such as HDR or gaming modes.
We watch films at home or in dedicated cinema rooms to see how well each projector performs and determine whether they can be used in bright rooms. We also look at how well each projector handles processes such as upscaling and motion and test the input lag on projectors that can be used for gaming.
Keep reading to discover all of the best projectors we’ve reviewed. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a little more specific, you may be interested in our guides to thebest outdoor projectorsand thebest portable projectors.
Best projectors at a glance
How we test
We test projectors by, well, watching lots of movies on them. But not just movies: we watch sports and TV programmes to get a sense of how they work in terms of motion, sharpness, detail and overall image fidelity.Depending on the projector, we’ll test them in a bespoke home cinema room or in our own rooms and gardens to see if they live up to the manufacturer’s claims about their performance.If it’s an HDR projector, we’ll watch plenty of HDR content to determine if colours are correct and whether the projector can do a decent approximation of HDR. If it’s a gaming projector we’ll test the latency to determine how responsive it is.We’ll also assess the projector in terms of its size and whether it needs a dedicated installation, as well as how much noise it makes during operation and whether that can be a hindrance to watching content. Are they easy to use? And do they require more expert knowledge to operate are considerations we also take into account.With our reviewers knowledge of previous projectors tested, they’ll be considered to what’s come before to determine whether they offer good value, regardless of how much or how little they cost.
JVC DLA-NZ800
Pros
Cons
The JVC NZ800 essentially replaces the DLA-NZ8, and though this new projector isn’t as revolutionary as that 4K HDR laser projector, it evolves upon its predecessor for an even more impressive, class-leading performance.
It looks identical to the outgoing NZ8, boasting the same great build quality though at 23kg it’s a heavy unit and one you’ll need a dedicated installation for. The twoHDMI 2.1inputs can support refresh rates up to 120Hz, as well as HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+ formats.
The brand’s proprietary Gen3 D-ILA (LCoS – liquid crystal on silicon) 4K chipset allows for brighter images, deeper blacks, and better uniformity, with a claimed brightness of 2,700 lumens and contrast ratio of up to 100,000:1. Our reviewer found the projector to be a very impressive performer, delivering rich, accurate and saturated colours, improved contrast over the older model, and deep blacks for a projector.
The lifespan of the projector is around 20,000 with normal use, and other features include Filmmaker mode for accurate looking images, and 3D support, although this optional. Input lag for gaming has been reduced to 36ms, which our reviewer felt was a good latency for a projector.
The NZ800 picks up where its predecessor left off and delivers an even better performance. If you want the best projector for your home cinema, this JVC is currently it.
Reviewer:Steve WithersFull Review:JVC DLA-NZ800
JVC DLA-NZ7
Pros
Cons
JVC’sNZ7is considered to be the entry-level option within the brand’s newest projector range, priced at $10,999 / £11,499. Enormous cost aside, this is an 8K projector that takes few prisoners on a performance level, feature a lamp-based lighting system, native 4K HDR and higher frame support for gaming.
The NZ7 uses the same glass 65mm lens element as the more expensive NZ8 but lacks the coating inside to help enhance contrast ratios and suppress reflected light. Even so, its claimed contrast ratio of 40,000:1 is better than rivals such as the Sony VPL-XW7000ES.
It features twoHDMI 2.1certified ports that can accept 8K/60p and 4K/120p images, and there’s HDR support in the form of HDR10, HLG and HDR10+. Our reviewer found the HDR performance to be class-leading with the premium home cinema market, a watch of The Shining inHDR10+revealed deeper blacks, more detailed shadows and white snowy surfaces free of any clipping (loss of detail) in the brighter parts of the image.
In general the JVC DLA-NZ7 delivers an awesome 4K image, with what we felt were remarkably detailed native 4K images that retain a film-like appearance, as well as highly accurate colour gamut (range), and a big and bright image. Motion handling is excellent, with images free of any judder or blurring with 24p content. This level of excellence also helps with games that have frame rates up to 120Hz, and with a latency of just 38ms (which is good for a projector), the JVC can provide a high-end gaming experience for a projector.
SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) images are produced with no artefacts, deep blacks and accurate colours, and if you’re still interested in the 3D format, then our reviewer felt the performance here was equally as fantastic as the rest of the JVC’s picture, with big, bright and accurate images. You will need to purchase the optional RF transmitter and glasses, but we don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you do.
While a significant investment, the JVC NZ7 puts in an awesome performance across the board. If you want something smaller for portable use, theJMGO N1 Ultrais a less expensive alternative but for gaming, watching TV and films in the home, there aren’t many projectors as good as the JVC.
Reviewer:Steve WithersFull Review:JVC DLA-NZ7
Samsung Premiere 9
Pros
Cons
TheSamsung Premiere 9is anultra short-throw laserwith smart features make it more accommodating and accessible to those looking to ditch the TV and get an even bigger screen experience.
As an ultra short throw projector it can be placed close to a wall for the space conscious, and while it’s large for a projector, aesthetically its soft rounded corners and white colour can see it disappear in the right room.
It doesn’t come with a built-in tuner like the LS9PT predecessor did, which is disappointing, but it would appear that Samsung is putting the emphasis on its Tizen interface with the likesNetflix, Prime Video and iPlayer, as well as its free-to-access TV Plus service. HDR support equals HDR10, HLG, andHDR10+. Once again for a Samsung product, Dolby Vision is noticeable by its omission.
With 3450 ISO lumens of brightness, the Premiere 9 delivers big, bright images with both SDR and HDR content. Blacks can, however, be more of a dark grey, but the real impressive aspect about the Premiere 9 is the range and variety of colours that it can display. Motion handling is also superb, delivering smooth movement when it is activated.
Reviewer:Steve WithersFull Review:Samsung Premiere 9
Samsung Freestyle (2023)
Pros
Cons
We’re onto thesecond generationof Samsung’s Freestyle projector and it’s arguably even better thanthe original.
Like the Freestyle 2019 version, this new model looks not unlike Luxor Jr. of Pixar fame, dressed in a white finish with its cylindrical shape and adjustable stand. Like before, the stand can be adjusted from 90 to 180 degrees, allowing for an image to be projected on a wall or even the ceiling.
It’s in the features area where the new Freestyle begins to diverge from the old Freestyle. There’s support 21:9 for screen ratios as well as Samsung’s Gaming Hub for cloud gaming. The Smart Edge Blending combines the images of two Freestyles into, a image we found to be even bigger and brighter than using one by itself. It also increases the minimum screen size from 100-inches to 130-inches that allows users to get the full benefit of the 21:9 ratio.
The micro-HDMI input can acceptHDR signalsand supportsARCfor adding a soundbar. There’s a USB-C port for connecting to the power adapter or connecting the projector to an external battery. Its wireless support includes Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3 andApple AirPlay 2. Wi-Fi offers access to the Tizen-powered smart platform where you can find streaming apps such asDisney+,Netflix, andApple TV+.
There’s built-in Bixby andAlexa voice assistancealong with SmartThings support, which like before is an app that we found makes set-up and installation very simple. The Smart Calibration feature allows images to be calibrated with a smartphone, accurately compensating for colours if you’re watching on a non-white coloured wall or surface.
Our reviewer measured the amount of the noise the projector produced from two feet away, and found it matched the original with only 25dB of noise. In general we found picture quality to be very good with images that look clean and detailed, and though the projector is limited to 1080p resolution, we did not see any distracting image artifacts when the projector downscales content from 4K.
It is slightly brighter than the original at 550 lumens, which is not as bright as theYaber K2S‘ 800 ANSI lumens, but we found its tone mapping to be very good, producing HDR images with plenty of pop. Unfortunately, the Freestyle 2023 does suffer from limitations such as weak blacks, contrast and possible colour fringing (rainbow effect) for some people.
It’s a decent option for gaming with a 40ms gaming lag (better than the original), and the built-in speaker system spreads audio in all directions, and we found it could go loud without distorting or losing its composure.
The new Freestyle takes what made the original good and adds a few more useful features and refines the overall performance. This is a fun, hassle-free smart projector that’s easy to use for big screen viewing in your home. The original Freestyle is still available at around £499, though the Samsung has recently reduced the price of the new model to £699.
Reviewer:Steve WithersFull Review:Samsung Freestyle 2023
BenQ X3100i
Pros
Cons
Looking for a projector that’s explicity for gaming? BenQ’sX3100iis what you’re looking for with its solid 4K HDR picture and low input lag.
There’s a range of gaming features available with multiple modes with low input, 1080p/120Hz support, an FPS Crosshair feature and BenQ’s SettingXchange, which allows you to import custom gaming modes and colour parameters that have been created by experts and professional gamers. We measured input lag at an impressively low 16ms, and at 1080p/240Hz that figure falls to 4ms.
The picture puts in a bright, colourful and punchy performance. At its maximum output, the X3100i offers 3300 ANSI lumens of brightness (cinema mode reduces it to 2000 ANSI lumens). Black levels are more grey than black, but the performance we see with the X300G is consistent with other single chip DLP projectors, so contrast doesn’t deliver on what BenQ claims the projector does out of the box. Motion handling is superb, and overall, its wide colour performance and brightness makes up for its lack of deep blacks.
The sound system is pretty good for more casual viewing, but the 2.1 channel system (device Bon Jovi’s cousin) doesn’t have the scale or power to create a soundstage that complements its big screen images. They can’t go too loud without starting to distort.
Reviewer:Steve WithersFull Review:BenQ X3100i
Hisense PL1
Pros
Cons
Not everyone can afford theSamsung Premiere 9, which commands a price of £5999. In which case, if you’re looking for a TV replacement in the form of a projector, theHisense PL1is a more affordable option at less than £1999.
We found its design less intrusive than a TV as it can sit in front of a wall, and a screen up to 100-inches possible would be our recommendation. It’s much more convenient than a long-throw projector like the similarly pricedBenQ W270i, as we found you could use the Hisense in a relatively small room.
We were impressed by the picture quality of the PL1. Packing 2100 lumens of brightness, it’s not the brightest UST and so for the best performance we would recommend that you draw the curtains for a proper cinema experience.
HDR support includes HDR10, HLG,HDR10+andDolby Vision; the latter helps the projector deliver a sharp image, with excellent colour vibrancy and motion handling. While projectors can’t match TVs for HDR output, we found the PL1 gives it a good go. It can’t manage deep blacks, reaching dark grey instead but for most dark content, the PL1 should look fine.
The system’s stereo sound system is serviceable enough for news but anything more challenging and you should consider adding additional speakers.
Reviewer:Steve WithersFull Review:Hisense PL1
BenQ W2710i
Pros
Cons
It’s been a few years since theW2700was released, so we were pleased as punch to see its successor arrive in theW2710i, a projector aimed at home cinema enthusiasts that sits within the mid-range of the market.
Our reviewer observed that the W2710i follows the same living room-friendly design template BenQ has used for many years. Its reasonably compact size allows it to fit comfortably onto almost any coffee or side table, and its three screw-down feet help angle the image correctly onto a screen or wall, and we’d recommend owning or getting a screen for a projector such as this.
The W2710i supports 4K and HDR, though it isn’t necessarily native 4K as the projector uses some clever tricks to create the illusion of ‘proper’ 4K.There are plenty of features to talk about with the W2710i but the most important is that BenQ claims it covers 95% of the DCI-P3 colour range and the full coverage of the SDR Rec 709 spectrum.
It can achieve a brightness of 2200 lumens, which is an increase on the W2700 for slightly brighter images, and there’s support forFilmmaker modeto get close to viewing content as it was mastered. There’s also a special port for a BenQ Android TV smart dongle to stream media with support for apps such asDisney+,Netflix, ITVX, Amazon Prime Video, Now,Apple TV, andParamount+. Disappointingly, there’s no support for iPlayer or Channel 4.
We found set-up to be a breeze as its optical zoom and optical vertical image shifting gives the user a decent degree of flexibility in terms of placement, while an effective auto keystone adjustment helps get the edges of the image to where it needs it to be.
The W2710i improves on the performance of its predecessor in a number of areas – and in our humble opinion it’s easily one of the best projectors in its class. Images look incredibly sharp and detailed, with good quality native 4K sources looking absolutely pristine, packed with detail and textures no HD image could give you. We also observed that its sharpness doesn’t take a hit when there’s motion to deal with, the W2710i’s 24p True Cinema option serving up one of the most natural and relaxed looking 24p experiences we’ve seen on any projector.
HDR tone mapping is good, enjoying more vibrancy and volume than we’ve seen on other similarly priced projectors, though we did notice that skin tones can look a little suntanned with the projector’s out-of-the-box settings.
The sound system developed by BenQ’s internal Trevolo division is one of the better ones we’ve come across. It’s well-rounded, less harsh and projects audio away from its body well. If you’re sitting behind the projector, we noticed that it does feel as if it comes from the screen.
BenQ is launching another projector in the TK860i that shares similar specs with the W2710I but is designed for more casual users. Look out for that review soon.
Reviewer:John ArcherFull Review:BenQ W2710i
JMGO N1S Ultimate 4K
Pros
Cons
If you’re looking for a portable projector with a higher level of performance, we’d recommend having a look at theJMGO N1S Ultimate 4K.
Brightness is rated at 3500 lumens, which is bright enough to get it up and running in any environment, though a darker room is best to produce an even bigger image. Its triple laser backlight is good for 30,000 hours of use, and it boasts support for HDR10, although we’re a little disappointed it couldn’t accomodate Dolby Vision.
With twoHDMI 2.1inputs, one of which is dedicatedeARCto connect aDolby Atmos soundbar, the N1S Ultimate 4K swaps Android for Google TV, which means that along with all the usual streaming apps, this projector has official support forNetflix.
The design features a built in gimbal that makes it easy to point the projector at whatever surface you want an image on, although it doesn;t support a tripod mount.
We were impressed by the images the JMGO delivered, the levels of detail and sharpness are good, and though blacks are greyer than what you’d find on a TV; we found them good enough for a projector. Bright objects really ‘pop’ with this projector, making for a cinematic performance. The dual 10W speakers that deliver a big, loud sound though in terms of bass we found them lacking.
Reviewer:David LudlowFull Review:JMGO N1S Ultimate 4K
Optoma UHD38
Pros
Cons
The JVC andSamsung ultra-short throwprojector are both capable of 4K resolution, but they’re also both expensive. If you’re after a 4K beamer for around $1000 / £1000, our current choice would be the UHD38 from Optoma.
It’s capable of 4000 lumens of brightness, which makes this an option for not only brightly-lit rooms but also garden use with its ability to fend off ambient light. We found the UHD38 is capable of seriously bright-looking images, with the brightness feeding the projectors wide colour range to produce rich red and blues for a colourful image.
It’s not without its constraints, however. While it supports HDR10 and HLG, it’s not a native 4K beamer though it can accept 4K signals.Black levelsare shallow, which affects its ability to convey dark scenes well and restricts itsHDRperformance in a manner that doesn’t affect more expensive projectors. Its sound is clear and detailed and avoids feeling dislocated from the image on screen, faring better than most projectors, though to our ears it lacked much bass or dynamism.
First and foremost this is a gaming projector, and in its Enhanced Gaming mode we found it proved to be very responsive especially with high frame rates. Motion and pans are rendered well with no judder or noise perceptible, while our reviewer measured the input lag at 16.7ms, which is outstanding for a projector and can be reduced to 4.2ms when the projector is fed 240Hz images which is comparable togaming TVswithVRR enabled.
This projector is made for the more casual home cinema fan rather than the enthusiast who watches in dark rooms. If that sounds like you and you’re also big into gaming, then the UHD38 warrants a closer look.
Reviewer:John ArcherFull Review:Optoma UHD38
FAQs
In some ways a projector is better than a TV, but it depends on what you want. If you’re after a big viewing experience then projectors are deliver an image much bigger than any TV can. However, TVs can go brighter, have a wider range of features and can operate in both bright and dark living room conditions. Not all projectors are bright enough to handle ambient light in bright rooms.
We also considered…
A great smart projector with a very flexible stand.
A bright and affordable ultra-short-throw 4K beamer
A dazzling debut projector from Leica
An outstanding home cinema projector
We’ve reviewed
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Specs compared
Kob began his career at What Hi-Fi?, starting in the dusty stockroom before rising up the ranks to join the editorial and production team as the Buyer’s Guide editor. Experienced in both magazine and …
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
