Fancy an extra-wide screen for your home? Like in the cinema?
Imagine when you can watch your favorite shows and series on a wider movie theater-sized screen in the comfort of your home after a long day.
With the cinematic rumbling from every scene into your own space, minus the sticky floor and overpriced popcorn and pizzas, you can finally say, “This is life!”
But nobody knows what kind of projector suits your media room if you buy one for the first time. I understand.
Those techie terms can be overwhelming. And you want to set up that home theater projector so bad!
Since buying a smart projector is not an ordinary purchase, we’ve sifted through an array of choices to make your home cinema journey easier.
In this article, we’ll guide you on how to choose your dream projector for your home theater system.
So grab your seat and dim the lights as we show you our blockbuster solutions for your home media display!
Smartest 4k home projectors
#1 Editors Choice
AWOL Vision LTV-3500
Ultra short throw projection of 6 to 20 inches
3500 ANSI lumens, the brightest on our list
Dolby Vision & Atmos audio
Clear motion pictures both in dark and bright environments
With built-in 36W stereo speakers
Can connect to Bluetooth speakers
Can connect and stream with Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Dedicated ALR screen for separate purchase
Do not include auto keystone
#2 Best value
XGIMI Aura
Impressive ultra-short throw projection at 4.3 to 17.3 inches
Stream through Chromecast or Bluetooth
Extra bright at 2400 ANSI lumens
Operates by Android TV 10
Starts up in 12 seconds
Has 3 HDMI input ports
Supports Dolby Vision & Atmos
Impressive audio from built-in speaker
No eArc
Image quality adjustment issues
#3 Best short-trow 4k
LG HU85LA
Amazingly throws a 120-inch screen at 7.2 inches
Built-in voice assistant, Alexa
Three-channel laser system produces realistic and accurate colors
Impressive LG WebOS
May show rainbow artifacts
Built-in speakers can be improved
#4 4k home theater projector
Optoma CinemaX
Throws up to 120 inches screen at a distance of 5.7 to 14.5 inches
Impressive lamp life of up to 30,000 hours
Watch even with lights on st brightness of 3,000 lumens
Produces accurate colors even in dark viewing
SmartFit image alignment makes setting up a breeze
One out of three HDMI ports does not support 4K
Bulky unit
#5 Streaming projector
AWOL Vision LTV-2500
Set up as short as six inches from the wall
Projects crystal clear pictures
With built-in 36W audio speakers
30 ms lowest screen lag
Average image quality in daylight
Mono laser capability
#6 Home theater projector
Wemax L176FGN
Equipped with 8-point keystone correction
Has three HDMI ports
Sturdy build
Aesthetically pleasing
Switch from gaming to movie mode
Limited image quality customization
The remote control doesn’t have a backlight
Lacking 3D support
#7 4k Streaming projector
LG HU810PW
Detailed pictures, vibrant colors
Long-lasting light source
Impressive motion processing
Utilizes dual laser
Contrast ratio needs improvement
No 3D support
Setting issues
#8 4k Projector for gaming
Optoma CinemaX D2
Has 3D and HDR support
Impressive 4ms @1080p and 16ms @4k screen lag
Extremely long light life of up to 30000 hours
Out-of-the-box accuracy needs improvement
Enhanced gaming mode is available only on a single HDMI port
#9 Most affordable
BenQ TK850i
Impressively bright, 3000 lumens, at an extremely low cost
3D compatible
With built-in 10W speakers
Color accuracy compromised with so much brightness
Streaming apps not included
Top 1080p projectors
#1 Top 1080p
LG HF85LA
Throws 90 inches screen at 4.7 inches away from the wall
Operates on LG’s own, LG webOS
Detailed pictures even at a 120-inch screen
Impressive motion processing with TruMotion
A wide array of input choices
Stream wirelessly
No built-in speakers
#2 1080p smart projector
BenQ TH685P
Very bright at 35000 lumens
Supports 4k resolution and downscales to 1080p
Supports HDR
Low input lag
Adjusting to sharp images can be challenging
Not suitable for RBE-sensitive
Can’t read USB memory files
#3 1080p home theater projector
Epson EF-100
Long-lasting laser light source
Built-in Android TV
Removes rainbow artifacts with 3-chip LCD
No 3D and HDR support
Poor black level
Only one HDMI port is available
#4 1080p smart projector
Artlii Energon 2
Supports 4K UHD
Projects up to 250 inches screen
Extremely long-lasting lamp life
Audible fan noise
#5 Most affordable 1080p
Fangor F506
Connect to a wide range of content sources
Extensive lamp life of up to 65,000 hours
Projection of up to 230 inches of screen
Decent brightness even with background light
Bluetooth connection limited to audio
Needs quality internet network for a better experience
Why home theater projectors are worth it?
Projectors are usually more expensive than TVs. It’s a hefty purchase, so you must ensure it is worth it.
So, before making any purchase, ensure you understand how a projector can solve your home entertainment needs.
1. Smart projectors have integrated entertainment systems.
Smart projector packs up a home theater, gaming console, and streaming systems in one device.
It combines the projector’s versatility with smart home entertainment features.
Although not all units have built-in streaming apps, projectors support external content sources. You can integrate some models with other smart home devices.
2. Connect to the internet seamlessly.
Before, projectors relied on external sources for content.
Today, projectors have wired and wireless options to connect to the internet.
Some of them have built-in connections to Wi-Fi, which provides access to more content.
3. Run streaming apps at any time.
You do not have to go to the cinema to watch a new movie. Since projectors can connect to the internet, you can access different content on streaming applications.
Audiences watch more on streaming apps rather than the cinema or free channels. They prefer to pay for subscriptions to access more exclusive content.
4. More portable and flexible than a TV
TVs are fixed in their places. Unlike a projector, you can bring it and set it up outdoors when you create an event.
Also, projectors are not limited to watching TV. You can also play games and use it for presentations in school or in the office.
5. Adjust screen size to your preferences.
One of the conveniences of having projectors than TVs is you can adjust the screen size to fit your wall.
Projectors only need a wall to display movies and TVs.
Unlike TVs, the screen shown by a projector is not bound to the size of the device. And the good thing about it is that no matter how large or small the images projected are, they retain their quality.
It is like bringing the theater screen into your home because you can technically adjust images to a life-like size.
6. Integration with compatible AV equipment.
If you think only TVs can connect to computers and other devices, smart projectors can also work with other AV equipment, depending on the model.
That means you can use your projector to connect with different sources like gaming consoles, Blu-ray or DVD players, streaming devices, laptops or computers, cable boxes, and more.
Aside from that, you can also equip your projector with audio devices like a soundbar or surround sound system.
7. Enjoy a life-like viewing experience.
Having a home cinema seems like a dream. With a huge screen paired with an all-in-one surround soundbar,we can now enjoy a cinematic experience at home.
We can now immerse ourselves in the scene. We can hear the thunder or helicopters from above us. We can now watch like we are in the scene.
Thanks to the screen size adjustment technology. We can now see things more in detail and front of us.
8. Smart home integrations
If you are converting to a smart home, you can include your projectors in your network of devices.
These devices speak with each other devices. You can access and control them with voice commands.
How do you choose a home theater projector?
Find out the light source.
The light source is crucial in selecting a projector. The light source affects the overall user experience and device performance. Lamp, LED, and laser are the three types of light sources.
a. Lamp
Typically found in entry-level projectors, they are made from lamps or bulbs. They offer reliable brightness and color accuracy. However, you must replace the lamps at some point because they degrade.
b. LED
LED lights offer longer life and energy efficiency.
With better color saturation, LED projectors can produce high-quality images that are eye-friendly. Moreover, they don’t require ventilation and constant replacement.
c. Laser
Laser projectors offer the best motion picture quality, ideal for larger places with ambient light.
Most short-throw projectors use a laser to project crisp, clear pictures at 90 to 150-inch screens at a short distance of 4.5 to 20 inches.
Aside from the higher price range, laser projectors may not be the friendliest for the eyes. But for the best home theater viewing experience, a laser projector will surely deliver.
Do you often watch high-resolution content?
Resolution
We know that 4k projectors offer the most detailed screen images. Although most movies produced today are not in 4k format, some 4k projectors can downscale to 1080p.
With a 4k projector, you can future-proof your home theater. If you are serious about it, it will be a worthy investment.
Although 1080p is still a decent choice for most movies, some projectors support the 4k format.
For personal or family use, I’d say that 1080p is still a practical choice if you have a lower budget.
Brightness
You don’t necessarily need the projector with the highest lumens. It depends on the room or environment.
If you use the projector in a dark room without ambient light, you can go with 1500 to 2000 lumens. If the room has ambient light sources, you need a brighter projector with 3,000 lumens.
Contrast ratio
The contrast ratio is the difference between the brightest white and darkest black parts of the image.
In projectors, a higher contrast ratio is better. A higher contrast ratio will display better and more vivid visual graphics.
For example, a projector with 2000:1 means the white in the picture is 2000 times brighter than the image’s black. With a higher contrast ratio, the brighter the image. You will see a more detailed image on the screen.
Check your budget.
If you are serious about setting up a home cinema, you must set a budget range for your projector. Understand that projectors are not usually cheap equipment, so plan for it.
Also, some projectors, like the lamp types, will have maintenance requirements.
But they are generally cheaper compared to laser projectors. Be aware of the consumption hours before you need to replace the lamps. Allocate a budget for lamp replacement.
Ultra-short throw projectors are costly, but they require little maintenance.
Take note of your screen size and viewing distance.
We purchase a projector because we want that cinematic screen size in our room.
Find out how much screen size a projector will throw at a distance from the wall.
From here, you should plan where your projector should go.
Will you mount it from the wall? Will you place it on a tabletop? How far will it go against the wall?
Ensure that the projector can support audio and visual formats that are significant for a better home theater experience.
Also, remember to have the necessary ports like HDMI and eArc for audio and visual data processing.
What’s the input lag?
Input lag is crucial for real-time motion pictures.
When you also use the projector for gaming or watching live streams, you want one that responds to the press of a button or command in a few seconds.
The best smart home theater projectors
Top performing 4k smart projector
AWOL Vision LTV-3500
AWOL Vision LTV-3500 is a high-performance ultra short throw projector with 3500 ANSI lumens that shoots up to 150 inches screen six to 20 inches from the wall.
With this number, the device projects exceptionally bright images and vibrant, accurate colors even with ambient lighting. Unlike others, it doesn’t operate on Android TV but with Android9 OS and Amazon Firestick.
The projector is equipped with Triple Laser technology, covering a wide Rec.2020 color gamut.
Inside the chassis are 36W speakers that you can set to movies, sports, or music modes.
The 2-ft wide projector has a wide range of connectivity, including two HDMI inputs at the rear! With one arc, an ethernet port, a slot for optical cable, another HDMI in front, and a USB port for the dongle.
Although you might find the calibration controls confusing, this unknown brand can match up performance from high-end projectors in the 3000 lumens range.
Pros
Supports Dolby Atmos and HDR10+
RGB Triple Laser technology
30ms input lag
Includes an eye safety feature
Two-year warranty coverage
Performs best with a dedicated ALR screen
Cons
Box is bulky
Expensive
Best value 4k
XGIMI Aura
XGIMI Aura is one ultra short throw projector that provides great value for the money.
First, this projector could sum up all your home theater needs.
The almost 24-inch wide chassis holds 60W built-in Harman Kardon speakers, which support DTS Studio Sound, DTS HD, and Dolby Audio. Also, Aura operates on Android TV, which makes streaming a breeze.
The modern elegant projector could throw images in 150-inch screen size at 17.3 inches and surprisingly bright at 2500 ANSI lumens.
Also, this projector comes equipped with automatic dimming capability with IR sensors that activate when it detects any audience presence.
Although still expensive, its capabilities, features, and build lowers its price compared to projectors of the same specs.
Pros
Phosphor ALPD laser
Uses XPR pixel shifting to achieve 4K UHD
Mirror cast with Chromecast
Has three HDMI input ports
Impressive sound from Harman Kardon speakers
Cons
Black detail needs improvement
No eArc
Image adjustment issues
Top 1080p
LG HF85LA
If you want smart TV functionalities in an ultra-short throw projector, LG HF85LA delivers with its smart TV platform, LG webOS.
Watch 1080p movies crystal clear in Full HD with 1500 lumen bright projector.
This projector shoots up to 120 inches within 4.7 to 16.6 inches short of the wall.
The projector comes with TruMotion technology, enabling smooth image transition while maintaining picture quality.
Pros
Share content with Miracast
Quick on and off feature
Can be used outdoors
Enjoy built-in smart TV features
Cons
Minimal fan noise
No Netflix, Hulu, or other channels
Most affordable 4k
BenQ TK850i
Not a short-throw projector. But this BenQ TK850i is equipped with a Google-certified Android TV, which makes watching smooth and convenient.
It throws images up to 150 inches screen at a 7.4 to 12.3′ distance. Powered by Dynamic Iris, the 4K HDR projector displays impressive black levels and vibrant, rich colors.
The low-profile projector takes only 15-inch width and 10-inch depth.
TK850i has a built-in 10W speaker having three modes: music, cinema, and game.
It has a wide array of ports for inputs, including HDMI, USB, and a VGA port, making this projector a wise investment for your home theater.
Pros
High brightness
High-precision colors
With built-in Android TV and Chromecast
Lots of input choices
Cons
Needs replacement after 15 hours of around six to seven years, depending on usage
Will need external speakers
4k vs 1080p: Which one should you get?
If you are still torn between a 4k and 1080p projector, I understand. The difference lies not only in the image quality.
On the flat surface, most of the 4k projectors in this list have 3840 x 2160 pixels or 8.3 million individual pixels.
Meanwhile, a 1080p projector has 2,073,600 individual pixels.
If you are getting excited about the new low-light action cameras that can record in 4k, you might want to watch your personal videos in 4k!
Who should use a 4k projector?
4K projectors provide an immersive experience on large screens, making it perfect for cinephiles or movie enthusiasts.
For serious gamers who want an interactive screen, 4k projectors will bring you into action.
Content creators and photographers who take image details seriously for presentations will appreciate 4k projectors. Yes, you can bring it outside your home too.
For homes with walls where you can project expansive screens and individuals who take image details seriously and have the budget to spend, a 4k projector is a wise investment.
Advantages
Brighter than 1080p
For environments with ambient light
Higher contrast ratio
Wider color gamut
Better frame rates
HDR support
More detailed images
Disadvantages
Expensive
Finding replacement bulbs can be a challenge
Needs stronger hardware for processing
Most content is not in 4k yet
Who should use a 1080p?
However, it is not the end for people with tighter budgets. You can get a quality projector under 1500 or even 1000 and still enjoy the cinematic experience right at your home paired with a quality budget soundbar.
Some games do not support 4k graphics. You can take a 1080p instead. In my opinion, 1080p is still a wise investment if you’re looking for a projector that will last up to the next 13 to 15 years.
Also, if you casually watch movies or are more likely to watch TV shows than movies, love to enjoy them on the big screen, and do not have time to go to the theater, you may not have to spend over two thousand bucks on a 4k projector.
Also, if you want to enjoy it on a smaller screen, like under 70 inches, some 1080p projectors can narrow it down to 22 inches.
So, what do you get from a 1080p screen?
Advantages
More affordable, of course.
Can support 3D images
High definition, still
Generally smaller and more portable
Availability of replacement bulbs is not an issue.
Disadvantages
Limited color gamut
Lower frame rates
How I compared the features
4k smart projectors
AWOL Vision LTV-3500
XGIMI Aura
LG HU85LA
Optoma CinemaX P2B
AWOL Vision LTV-2500
Wemax L176FGN
LG HU810PW
Optoma CinemaX D2
BenQ TK850i
Verdict:
Top 4k
Best value 4k
Brightness:
3500 ANSI lm
2500 ANSI lm
2,700 ANSI lm
3,000 ANSI lm
2,600 ANSI lm
2,100 ANSI lm
2,700 ANSI lm
3,000 ANSI lm
3,000 ANSI lm
Contrast ratio:
1,000,000:1
2,000,000:1
2,000,000:1
1,000,000:1
3,000:1
2,000,000:1
1,800,000:1
30,000:1
Throw distance:
6 to 20"
4.3 to 17.3"
up to 7.2"
5.7 to 14.5"
6 to 20"
5.5 to 9.3 "
3.6 to 22.6'
7.4 to 12.3'
Screen size:
80 to 150"
80 to 150"
90 to 120"
85 to 120"
80 to 150"
80 to 150"
40 to 300"
50 to 100"
70 to 150'
Lamp life
25,000 hrs
25,000 hrs
20,000 hrs
30,000 hrs
25,000 hrs
25,000 hrs
20,000 hrs
30,000 hrs
15,000 hours
1080p smart projectors
LG HF85LA
BenQ TH685P
Epson EF-100
Artlii Energon 2
Fangor F506
Verdict:
Top 1080p
Most affordable
Brightness:
1500 ANSI lm
3500 ANSI lm
2,000 lm
340 ANSI lm
6500 lm
Contrast ratio:
150,000:1
10,000:1
2,500,000:1
10,000:1
10,000:1
Throw distance:
4.7 to 16.6"
8.2 to 12.5'
6.1 to 11.5'
5 to 27'
7 to 20"
Screen size:
90 to 120"
100 to 150"
22 to 150"
44 to 250"
30 to 230"
Lamp life
20,000 hrs
15,000 hrs
20,000 hrs
100,000 hrs
65,000 hrs
Our top smart home theater projectors
After extensive tests and research, our top smart home theater projector is AWOL Vision LTV-3500.
The 4K projector boasts a single-chip digital light processing equipped with an eye safety feature. With a 3500 ANSI lumens rating, you can watch movements in detail even with ambient light.
The wired and wireless connectivities provide more options and help you enjoy more content with Android TV functionality and Amazon Firestick.
Truly, the LTV-3500 embodies a perfect all-in-one solution for home theater needs.
