Sometimes even the biggest, best TV just isn't big enough. How about something wall-sized -- with larger-than-life actors -- for the ultimate immersion? Indoors or out, modern projectors are bright and compact, and many even offer 4K resolution. Most have streaming built in, so you can watch Disney Plus shows or Netflix movies on them. Or use them to play games from PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch. Whether you want an awesome home theater or the perfect setup to host a backyard movie night, the best projectors are easy to set up and only require a power cable and Wi-Fi. With Amazon's October Prime Day coming fast, there will be many chances to get to save money on projectors, so it's worth checking out for any savings on big brands. Here are the best models I've tested for every situation.
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What is the best overall projector?
If you're looking for impressive picture quality, good brightness in ambient light, vivid colors and a quality contrast ratio, then the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is the best overall home theater projector.
If you want something less expensive, the best projector for the money is the BenQ HT2060. In turn, the best short-throw projector is the BenQ X500i and if you're looking for something more portable, check out the Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air.
One of my newest picks is the Anker Nebula X1, which is expensive at $3,000, but also the brightest projector I've ever tested. Indoors or out it can create a massive, and bright, image.
Best projectors of 2025
Pros
- Superb overall picture quality
- Excellent contrast ratio
- Motorized lens
- Ample lens shift and motorized zoom
Cons
- Huge
- Expensive
- Still uses replaceable lamps
Why I like it:
The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is the best all-around home projector I've reviewed and if you want to transform your living room into a home theater, this is the best place to start. It has an excellent contrast ratio, paired with impressive brightness and accurate color, all with better detail than what's possible with a 1080p native resolution projector. These all make for one of the best projector's I've reviewed in years. It also has extensive lens shift and zoom options, so it will fit in a variety of setups including mounted to the ceiling, on a shelf behind a couch, and so on. Even better, the adjustments are motorized, so you can have a 2.35:1 screen and with the press of a button zoom out to fill it or zoom in to just fill the central 16x9 portion for TV shows. It still uses lamps, however, and if that's a dealbreaker for you check out the Epson LS11000 mentioned below. It's very similar to the 5050, but uses lasers instead of a lamp, which has additional benefits beyond not having to replace lamps.
Who is it for:
Anyone who wants to transform their living room into a home cinema and wants better image quality than what a less-expensive projector can provide.
Who shouldn't buy it:
If you just want something for an occasional movie night the 5050 is big, bulky, and wildly overkill. One of the less expensive projectors on this list will do most of what the 5050 does for way less money.
Pros
- Ridiculously bright
- Impressively quiet
- All you need for an epic movie night, anywhere
Cons
- Brutally expensive
- Did I mention it's expensive
- Who is this for, exactly?
The Anker Nebula X1 is a high-end portable projector capable of extreme light output. It's the brightest projector I've ever tested. It's also quiet, has a great contrast ratio and offers vibrant colors. The fact that it's relatively compact and portable (it has a retractable handle) makes this projector a real oddball -- but an impressive one.
Why I like it:
The X1's performance is exemplary. It's extremely bright -- so bright that, depending on your room or screen, you might even need to turn it down. It's not the the most attractive projector I've tested, but it's certainly up there; its ridiculous light output makes up for any shortcomings. And it's why it landed my Editor's Choice award.
Who is this for?
Anyone who wants a truly massive screen, especially outside.
Who shouldn’t buy it
The X1 is extremely expensive for a projector, especially with the wireless speaker package -- something you likely won't use every day. Other, similarly-priced projectors (like the Epson LS11000), offer far easier placement in a wider variety of rooms. Certain people with glasses will also notice color artifacts around white lights on the screen due to its three-laser design. Most people won't have that issue, though. Check out the full review for more info.
Best 1080p projector
BenQ HT2060
Pros
- Excellent, lifelike color
- Decent contrast ratio
- The Goldilocks of price and performance
Cons
- Brightness is rather average
- A little pricey for 1080p
Why I like it:
This projector's predecessor, the HT2050A, was one of my favorite projectors for many years. The HT2060 improves on it in most ways, and if your budget is around $1,000 and you have a light-controlled room, this is the projector to get. It creates a fantastic image with excellent contrast and color accuracy. It easily outperforms projectors that cost a lot more. It even has some lens shift to make installation easier in a wider range of rooms. While it's "only" 1080p resolution, that should be plenty for all but the most resolution-obsessed viewers. Its LEDs will last the life of the projector, so there are no lamps to replace. It's bright enough for most uses, but if you need more extreme levels of brightness, check out the Epson HC2350 mentioned below. It doesn't look as good but is far brighter.
The HT2060 is my go-to recommendation for most people looking for a projector. It looks great and does just about everything well, especially considering the price.
Who is it for:
Anyone who wants a great projector at a great price.
Who shouldn't buy it:
If you want the extra resolution possible with 4K, or want a huge image, there are brighter and higher-resolution projectors on this list that I like almost as much as the HT2060.
The 1.2x zoom lens.
Best short-throw projector
BenQ X500i
Pros
- Excellent contrast
- Accurate colors
- Bright
Cons
- Expensive
- Short throw not for everyone
Why I like it:
This is one of my favorite projectors. The image it creates is gorgeous. If you have a smaller room, or when placement behind (or above) a couch isn't possible, this projector's short-throw is an excellent option. It needs just 5 to 6 feet away from a wall or screen to create a 100-inch image, compared with about 10 feet for a non-short throw projector. I like it so much I wish it was more flexible because its image quality is some of the best I've seen in years. It creates a bright, sharp, 4K image with tons of contrast and excellent color. Its image is better than many projectors that cost far more. I wanted to buy one after I reviewed it but alas my theater setup isn't conducive to a short-throw projector.
Who is it for:
People with smaller rooms, or the ability to mount a projector above where a coffee table would be.
Who shouldn't buy it:
If coffee table placement, or a ceiling mount above where a coffee table would be, isn't where you want a projector, the X500i isn't for you. Short throw projectors don't work in every room, but if they do work in your room this projector makes a beautiful image.
Pros
- Great size
- Google TV streaming
- Decent color and contrast for a portable
Cons
- A little pricey
- Shorter battery life
- Outperformed by larger, but still portable, models
Why I like it:
If you're looking for a highly-portable projector that can be battery powered but still create a decent image, the Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air does just about everything right. It's my pick for best portable projector, and it creates a relatively bright image, sounds decent, has Google TV built in and is easy to move around and set up. It's a little on the expensive side, but if you're looking for something for the occasional movie night at home or on the go, it does a great job.
Who is it for:
Anyone who wants something extremely portable (it even has a handle!) for movie nights outside or anywhere a normal projector would fear to tread.
Who shouldn't buy it:
If you don't need something as easily portable, the BenQ HT2060 (elsewhere on this list) is brighter and looks better overall. It's far larger and more expensive, of course, but still easy to move from room to room.
The speakers, positioned on the sides, allow for clearer sound when you're sitting alongside the projector, which is a common situation for larger images/screens.
Pros
- High brightness in a small(-ish) projector
- Surprisingly good speakers
- Basically instant setup
Cons
- Colors aren't accurate
- The gimbal design is still weird
- Outperformed by non-gimbaled alternatives
Why I like it:
If you're looking for a projector that can be ready to watch within seconds of plugging it in, a new sub-category of projectors has a pedestal base that both rotates and pivots up and down. This design makes the projector easier to set up compared to non-gimbaled designs, especially handy for portable models. If saving a few minutes of setup is worth the extra cost to you, the JMGO N1S Pro produces a bright, reasonably accurate image. It also sounds good and has built-in Google TV for streaming. It's also quite bright, so it can compete somewhat with room lights, although like any projector, you'll need some curtains for daytime viewing. The short-throw BenQ X500i (mentioned above) will fit better in smaller rooms and create a bigger image from a shorter distance from a wall or screen.
Who is it for:
Someone who moves and sets up a projector often enough that saving a few minutes each time is worth spending hundreds compared to a non-gimbaled projector.
Who shouldn't buy it:
The gimbal design doesn't really make economic sense, as much cheaper, non-gimbaled projectors can rotate (just turn it) and pivot (with built-in feet or by propping something under the front). If you only move your projector once in a while, or are willing to spend 2 to 3 minutes setting one up when you do, the JMGO's price premium over other projectors is a waste.
Pros
- 4K for the cost of 1080p
- Compact design
- Very bright
Cons
- Contrast is pretty mediocre
- Loud at max brightness
- Technically 4K but other projectors are sharper
Why I like it:
The Epson HC2350 is an extremely bright 4K projector at a great price. I'm talking really, really bright. It's one of the brightest projectors I've ever measured. It also has lens shift, built-in streaming and a compact size. It's brighter than the BenQ HT2060 mentioned above, although that projector looks better overall. Unfortunately, its contrast ratio isn't great and is well below average. As a result, its image is more washed out and "flat" compared with some other projectors, notably the aforementioned BenQ. While it is 4K, the HC2350 uses LCDs to create its image so it's susceptible to motion blur. Because of that, it doesn't always look as sharp as you might expect. If you really want 4K and need something with extreme brightness, this is the best option anywhere near $1,000.
Who is it for:
If you want to create a massive image, like 150-inches diagonal massive, the HC2350 can do it.
Who shouldn't buy it:
If you want image quality over light output, the HT2060 is a better option.
Best compact 4K projector
JMGO N1S 4K
Pros
- Excellent price for 4K
- Great diminutive size
- Reasonably bright
Cons
- Colors aren't impressive
- Not particularly bright
- No zoom
The compact JMGO N1S is a plucky little 4K projector that offers a great alternative to the BenQ HT2060 and Epson HC2350 for those looking for something more portable.
Why I like it:
The N1S does most things right, including a decent contrast ratio, decent brightness, 4K detail, built-in Google TV and quiet operation. The aforementioned BenQ and Epson look better, but they're also a lot larger. You can pick up the N1S and carry outside, to another room, pretty much anywhere there's WiFi and an AC outlet. It's also one of the cheapest 4K projectors I've reviewed.
Who is this for?
Anyone who wants a small, easily portable, 4K projector. It even has a handle in the base.
Who shouldn’t buy it
Image quality is good, but not great. Light output is good, but not great. In picture modes other than Movie, the colors are wildly inaccurate. Which is to say, there are better looking options, but none as small as the N1S.
Pros
- Fun sized
- Full version of Google TV
- Useful optional accessories
Cons
- Not very bright
- Not very accurate
Why I like it:
The soda can-size Anker Nebula Capsule Air is just about as portable as you can get. It has 720p resolution, built-in Google TV for streaming and a battery that should last for a long movie or several episodes of your favorite TV show. There's even an optional tripod with a battery to extend playtime to 4 hours. However, it's not particularly bright, no projector this size is, but for something pocket-sized for a viewing party just about anywhere (anywhere dark, anyway), it's great. If you don't need that extreme level of portability, the Anker Mars 3 Air elsewhere on this list looks better overall while being a bit larger.
Who is it for:
Someone who wants an extremely small projector that still looks good.
Who shouldn't buy it:
Anyone who wants an image larger than a small TV or needs to compete with any amount of ambient light.
Best all-in-one projector
BenQ GP520
Pros
- Highly accurate, lifelike color
- Lots of light
- Great size
Cons
- Contrast ratio is below average
- No zoom
Why I like it:
The roughly cube-shaped BenQ GP520 is a compact, all-in-one projector with built-in Google TV and lots of light output. Thanks to multiple, optional, stands and mounts, it's easy to place the GP520 either on a low table, high shelf, on the floor facing the ceiling, or mounted on that ceiling facing a wall. It also has extremely accurate color, creating a bright, vibrant image.
Who is it for:
Someone who wants a projector that can easily sit out of the way when not in use.
Who shouldn't buy it:
While bright and colorful, the GP520's contrast ratio isn't great. In terms of absolutely image quality, BenQ's own X500i (short throw) or HT2060 (cheaper, better looking, though lower resolution), are likely better options. The older X300G, which the GP520 replaced as a pick in this guide, isn't as bright but has a better contrast ratio. It's mentioned below in the Other Projector's I've Tested section.
Pros
- Lasers never need to be replaced
- Bright and colorful
- Very natural looking
Cons
- Not as detailed as some 4K DLP projectors
- Performance doesn't quite justify the price
Why I like it:
The Epson Home Cinema LS11000 is similar to the Epson 5050 but instead of a lamp, it uses a laser and phosphor combo to create light. This means even better color, no lamp replacements, faster turn on/off and a more usable dynamic contrast ratio. A more advanced pixel shift means better resolution than the 5050 as well. The LS11000 is more expensive to start but over the life of the laser projector, they should be about the same. So better picture quality for roughly the same total cost of ownership makes this well worth considering over the 5050. Between the two I'd pick the LS11000, assuming the higher initial price wasn't a major obstacle.
Who is it for:
Anyone looking for a fantastic home projector and doesn't mind paying a little more up front not to have to replace lamps over the life of the projector.
Who shouldn't buy it:
It's big and bulky. This isn't a projector for the occasional movie night. This is for transforming a room into a home theater.
There's no zoom or lens shift. There is autofocus and automatic keystone, though you shouldn't use the latter.
Pros
- Large but fairly portable
- All-in-one streaming machine
- Doubles as a BT speaker
Cons
- No zoom or lens shift
- Light leak halo a bit excessive for the price
- Mediocre contrast ratio
Why I like it:
The Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE is a bit large to be easily portable but it outperforms the smaller, easily portable models. It's a narrow niche, ideal for people who want something capable of a decent image for the occasional movie nights while retaining some semblance of portability thanks to a big handle.
In addition to a bright image, it sounds surprisingly good for a projector and can double as a Bluetooth speaker. There's no zoom or lens shift so it's not as ideal for permanent placement as the cheaper (and better looking) BenQ HT2060 or short-throw BenQ X500i (both of which I like better), but for a portable, all-in-one streaming machine, it works really well.
Who is it for:
Someone who wants something fairly portable but with enough performance to look good creating a big image.
Who shouldn't buy it:
If you're looking for something to sit in once place and always be ready to go, there are other options on this list that will work better while only being a little less portable.
Compare best projectors
As measured by CNET. Prices at time of review. See the individual reviews for more details.
* Estimated due to light engine behavior
| Brand | Model | Price | Resolution | Lumens** | Contrast ratio** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anker | Capsule 3 | $500 | 1080p | 123 | 471:1 |
| Anker | Capsule Air | $400 | 720p | 84 | 381:1 |
| Anker | Mars 3 Air | $600 | 1080p | 252 | 405:1 |
| Anker | Cosmos SE 4K | $1,300 | 4K | 1,219 | 232:1 |
| Anker | Nebula X1 | $3,000 | 4K | 2,383 | 1,544:1 |
| BenQ | GP520 | $1,500 | 4K | 1258 | 369:1 |
| BenQ | HT2060 | $1,000 | 1080p | 985 | 1,380:1 |
| BenQ | X300G | $1,900 | 4K | 700 | 1,762:1 |
| BenQ | X500i | $1,700 | 4K | 1,549 | 1,990:1 |
| BenQ | W2720i | $2,200 | 4K | 1,003 | 604:1 |
| Epson | HC 2350 | $1,300 | 4K | 2,075 | 348:1 |
| Epson | HC 5050 | $2,500 | 1080p x2* | 1,732 | 5,203:1 |
| Epson | LS11000 | $4,000 | 4K | 1,378 | 1,808:1 |
| JMGO | N1S Pro | $2,000 | 4K | 1,198 | 526:1 |
| JMGO | N1S 4K | $1,300 | 4K | 575 | 1,196:1* |
| Optoma | GT2100HDR | $1,700 | 1080p | 1,168 | N/A |
| Optoma | UHZ50 | $2,800 | 4K | 1,486 | 1,007:1 |
| Xgimi | Halo Plus | $750 | 1080p | 284 | 368:1 |
What I Updated: October 2025
Updated the Anker Nebula X1 section to reflect its Editor's Choice award.
What I Updated: June 2025
I added the BenQ GP520 as Best All-in-One projector and moved the BenQ X300G to the other projectors I've tested section.
What I Updated: April 2025
I added the BenQ W2720i to the other projectors I've tested section.
Factors to consider when buying a projector
Picture quality: Projectors lag behind TVs in overall picture quality. However, they largely make up for it with absolutely massive images. Want a TV that's 100 inches or more? If you're not ultrarich then only a projector can do that. Even so, there's a wide range of picture quality even among projectors of a similar price. A projector with a great contrast ratio but only average light output is going to look better than the opposite. However, a brighter projector will be easier to see with some lights on and can create an even bigger image.
Where are you using it?: For light controlled rooms and home theaters, a projector with a high contrast ratio is better than one that prioritizes light output. For mixed-use rooms where it'll be hard or impossible to totally control the ambient light, or if you want an outdoor movie night with an image the size of the side of your house, one that prioritizes light output will be better, because the contrast ratio won't be as noticeable.
What about "X" spec?: Ignore the specs. Companies claim million-to-one contrast ratios, insane brightness ratings and more. But the specs are largely divorced from reality. A claimed 2,000-lumen projector is probably brighter than a 500-lumen projector, but 1,500 and 1,700-lumen projectors are probably the same.
How much should you spend?: $1,000 is the sweet spot with projectors, where you can get great picture quality and brightness. Less than that usually requires a compromise of some kind. Some highly portable and battery-powered models are far less. They're not as bright but they're great for their intended use. Spending more gets you incremental improvements. Above $3,000 there's a big jump in picture quality again and from there the sky's the limit. Great picture quality but they're well beyond what I usually test.
What features should you look for?: If you're connecting the projector to an audio system (and you should, either receiver/speakers or soundbar), then you don't really need many features in the projector itself. Just get one that has great picture quality and high brightness. Lens shift and zoom are handy if you want more flexibility in placement. If you're looking for some kind of "all-in-one" device with speakers, make sure it has a full version of Android TV inside for streaming, otherwise you'll want to connect a streaming stick like Roku. This is because many highly portable and budget models use the Aptoide store, which won't have as many streaming app options and those it does have often have compromised functionality (no HD, difficult to navigate and so on).
How I test home theater projectors
CNET puts projectors through a rigorous and unbiased testing process that's the culmination of more than two decades of projector reviews. I use specialized test equipment, including a Portrait Displays C6 HDR5000 colorimeter, a Minolta LS-100 luminance meter and an AEMC CA813 illuminance meter. The data is collected and collated by Portrait Displays CalMan Ultimate software, which helps us evaluate every PJ I review. Every lamp-based projector is "burned in" for 50 hours before measuring, and all projectors are initially set up using their most accurate color temp and color modes. Test patterns, sent from a VideoForge Pro 8K, are then used to adjust the various picture settings so the projector looks its best before measurement and evaluation. Contrast ratios are measured in each lamp and iris mode (when available). Once the projectors are fully set up and objectively measured, I watch a variety of content, including TV, movies and games, both with the projector by itself and compared side by side with two direct competitors.
Broadly speaking, I'm looking for the three picture quality aspects: contrast ratio, overall light output and color reproduction. Contrast ratio is the most important part of any projector's performance. It's the difference between the darkest part of the image and the brightest. While certain TV technologies, like OLED, can create a black that's the actual absence of light, no projector technology can physically do this. As a result, contrast ratios with projectors are far lower. It's the difference between a washed-out and "flat" image and one that's more lifelike and "pops." The better projectors will have a measured contrast ratio in the thousands. Most are between 500 and 1,000:1.
Light output is the second most important factor, because it's not only how bright the image appears on your wall but also how big an image you can produce. Most modern projectors are significantly brighter than projectors from even 10 years ago. I measure brightness in candelas per square meter (cd/m2) and then convert them to estimated lumens for ease of comparison. It's important to note that I use the most accurate color temperature mode for my brightness comparisons, but I'll note when a less accurate mode is significantly brighter. Most of the projectors I test are between 1,000 and 2,000 lumens, with battery-powered models far less and some specialized projectors even higher.
Color accuracy is the last major factor. No projector can truly take advantage of HDR or wide color gamut, but some can do more than others. Generally, I'm satisfied with accurate colors, but adding HDR effects is a bonus. Most home theater projectors I test are fairly accurate. Budget models, which typically prioritize brightness over everything, and PJs from newcomers to the projector space often have wildly inaccurate colors that result in a very unnatural image.
Other factors, like video processing and HDR processing, are evaluated in the viewing tests. These are rarely a major factor in projector performance, but some models still use older chips that have issues.
The best projector will have a high contrast ratio, high brightness and great color. Those are difficult to do at the same time, but as long as the balance works and the projector looks better than its competitors at a similar price, it's a winner.
For more info, check out how CNET tests projectors.
*See review for more details
**As measured. See how CNET tests projectors for details.
Other projectors I've tested
BenQ W2720i
BenQ W2720i: The W2720i has a great design that would blend well into a modern room. Its image quality is decent, but not as good as others I've tested. It's not quite a short throw, but if you can fit a short throw BenQ's X500i performs far better. Read my full review of the BenQ W2720i.
BenQ X300G: The X300G is a great projector, with a compact, cube shape and great orange highlights. It was a former pick in this guide due to its excellent contrast ratio. The GP520, mentioned above, is a better choice for most people due to its greater light output. If you can find the X300G on sale for less than the GP520, it's still a great option.
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21: The small EF21, and its gimbaled sibling the EF22, are roughly the size of a toaster and look decent. For the level of performance they're pricey, but can often be found cheaper. Check out my full review of the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21.
Xgimi Horizon Ultra: The Horizon Ultra (image above) has a stylish design and is capable of an extremely bright image. However, its contrast ratio is quite poor. Check out my review of the Xgimi Horizon Ultra.
Xgimi Horizon S Max: Similar to the Horizon Ultra, the S Max improves on the Ultra's contrast ratio but drops the optical zoom for a gimbaled design. Not an upgrade that the price suggests, but more a side-step.
Optoma GT2100HDR: The GT2100HDR is a bright short-throw projector with 1080p resolution. It lacks any zoom and is outclassed by the, admittedly more expensive, BenQ X500i. Check out my review of the Optoma GT2100HDR.
BenQ GS50: The GS50 is a lunch box-size 1080p projector with a built-in battery. You can even use it as a Bluetooth speaker. However, it's dimmer than the Xgimi Halo Plus for similar money, so I recommend that one instead.
Samsung Freestyle: The small, cylindrical Freestyle is an interesting idea, but it comes up short. It's about the size of a Bluetooth speaker and in fact can double as one, and the Freestyle can pivot on its stand to project an image at any height on walls and even the ceiling. Its built-in streaming is far better implemented than with most portable projectors. However, it lacks a battery and its performance is average, at best. Worse, its price is a good 50% higher than it should be based on how it looks and performs. Read our Samsung Freestyle review.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Projector 2: Another relatively expensive projector I didn't love, the Xiaomi at least has a gorgeous, Apple-like design going for it. I appreciated the compact size, 1080p resolution and built-in Android TV streaming, but the cons outweigh the pros. It's relatively dim, especially for the price, and it lacks both a built-in battery and compatibility with a USB power source, so it's not truly portable. Read our Xiaomi Mi Smart Projector 2 review.
Epson Home Cinema 880: The 880 is one of Epson's less expensive home projectors, but it still puts out a remarkable amount of light. That, and the price, make it tempting. The contrast ratio is terrible, however, so the overall image quality is weak. Read my Epson Home Cinema 880 review.
LG HU810PW: The HU810PW is a higher-end, laser-powered projector with 4K resolution that's able to create some lovely, colorful images. It's also quiet and sports an attractive, boxy case. The contrast ratio is quite poor, so it doesn't look nearly as good overall as other projectors in its price range. Read the LG HU810PW review.
Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K: Since it has a handle and it's a compact size, the Cosmos Laser 4K is technically portable, but it's hardly mini at more than 10 pounds. There's also no battery, so you'll need to plug it in. It's nice and bright, but the other downsides -- lack of zoom, average overall image quality and a steep price for what you get -- keep it off this list. Read my Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector review.
