Best Projector for 2025
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" target="_self. In turn, the best short-throw projector is the BenQ X500i" target="_self, and if you're looking for something more portable, check out the Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air.
The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is the best all-around home projector we've reviewed. Take 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, and you've got all the pieces for a fantastic image. This home entertainment projector isn't cheap, but it offers a significant step up in image quality over other projectors on this list. Extensive lens shift and a motorized zoom are the icing on the cake. If you want to transform your living room into a home theater, this is the best place to start.
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The Leisure L570 projector is an affordable, feature-packed home entertainment solution ideal for cost-conscious tech novices. Available at Walmart, it features built-in, officially licensed Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video apps for instant streaming. With native 1080p resolution and dual 5-watt speakers powered by Dolby Audio, the Leisure L570 turns any space into a cinematic escape, delivering stunning visuals and immersive sound you can't resist. Powered by Vankyo's PixPerfect technology, it offers autofocus adjustment, auto keystone correction, intelligent obstacle avoidance and precise screen alignment for seamless viewing. For the ultimate viewing experience, the Leisure L570 is available at Best Buy, bundled with a 100-inch screen -- everything you need for a complete home entertainment setup.
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The BenQ HT2060 replaces our longtime favorite, the HT2050A, which is officially discontinued. It has many similarities, including 1080p resolution, lens shift and great color accuracy. The move to LEDs instead of a traditional lamp has two main benefits. First, the LEDs last the life of the projector, so no more replacing lamps. Second, it offers a rich and lifelike image with impressive color accuracy. The only downside is a slight reduction in overall brightness.
Yet, while the older projector may still look great, in a head to head with its predecessor, the HT2060 is still a little better. If your budget is around $1,000 and you have a light-controlled room, this is the projector to get. If you need extreme light output, the Epson HC2350 mentioned below doesn't look as good but is far brighter.
For smaller rooms, or when placement behind (or above) a couch isn't possible, the BenQ X500i is an excellent option. It needs just 5 to 6 feet to create a 100-inch image, compared with around 10 feet for a non-short throw projector. It creates a bright, 4K image with tons of contrast and excellent color. Its image is better than many projectors that cost more.
The Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air does just about everything right for a portable projector. 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 highly portable for the occasional movie night at home or on the go, it does a great job.
A new sub-category of projectors has a pedestal base that rotates and a hinge so the projector can pivot up and down. It makes the projector easier to set up, but it comes at quite a premium compared with a non-gimbaled projector that can rotate (just turn it) and pivot (built-in feet or propping something under the front). If saving a few minutes of setup is worth that premium 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, though like any projector, you'll need some curtains for daytime viewing.
The Epson HC2350 is an extremely bright 4K projector at a great price. It has lens shift, built-in streaming and a compact size. Its price has fallen since it was released, so now it goes head-to-head with another favorite of ours: the 1080p BenQ HT2060 mentioned above.
The HC2350 is impressively bright. It's one of the brightest projectors we've ever measured. However, 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's 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're ready for 4K and need something with extreme brightness, this is the best option anywhere near $1,000.
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The soda can-size Anker Nebula Capsule 3 is just about as portable as you can get. It has 1080p 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.
It's not particularly bright, no projector this size is, but for something you can easily throw in a backpack for a viewing party just about anywhere (anywhere dark, anyway), it's great.
If you're looking for something unobtrusive that doesn't stick out like a traditional projector, the BenQ X300G is a black-and-white cube with orange highlights that'll blend better into many rooms. At the very least, it looks much cooler than most projectors.
Its performance is very good, creating a colorful image with great contrast. However, it's not particularly bright, especially for its price, but as long as you're not trying to create some massive wall-size image, it'll do fine. It doesn't look quite as good as BenQ's own similarly priced X500i, but it should be easier to fit in places that the X300i can't.
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.
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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, but for a portable, all-in-one streaming machine, it works really well.
Picture quality: Projectors lag behind TVs when it comes to 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 even 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 we 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).
CNET puts projectors through a rigorous and unbiased testing process that's the culmination of more than two decades of projector reviews. We 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 we 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, we 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, we're 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. We 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 we use the most accurate color temperature mode for our brightness comparisons, but we'll note when a less accurate mode is significantly brighter. Most of the projectors we 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, we're satisfied with accurate colors, but adding HDR effects is a bonus. Most home theater projectors we 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.
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 our 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 our 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" target="_self. Check out our review of the Optoma GT2100HDR" target="_self.
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 we 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 we didn't love, the Xiaomi at least has a gorgeous, Apple-like design going for it. We 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 our 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 our 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 our Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector review.
If you want to move movie night outdoors, you have a few options. We generally recommend, when possible, using a regular home projector and running an extension cord. Home projectors offer far better, brighter images for the same amount of money or less compared with portable projectors.
If you want to go fully cordless, we like the Anker Nebula Capsule 3. It's not very bright, but it's small and convenient.
For more options, check out our list of the best outdoor projectors.
LCD and Digital Light Processing projectors are the most common technologies. Higher-end projectors often use LCOS, or liquid crystal on silicon, designs. These are marketed as SXRD and DILA. LCOS is superior to LCD and DLP in almost every way, but it's also significantly more expensive.
LCD (used almost exclusively by Epson) and DLP both have their strengths and weaknesses. DLP is typically sharper, while LCD often brighter. However, both technologies still offer images which are plenty bright and sharp. It's more down to implementation on a specific model of projector than either technology.
You can use any flat surface to project your image. However, don't expect any surface to be the best for a projector. Any and all tiny bumps in a wall, for example, will be visible as extra "noise" in the image. If you want the best image quality from your projector, even an inexpensive screen is a far better option. This is because projector screens tend to brighten the image noticeably and create a smooth surface that best shows off your TV program, movie or game.
Portable models are expensive for their performance, but the advantage is they can work where there's no outlet. If you don't plan on ever using the projector away from your house, a traditional projector will be far brighter and can be used outside. Just remember to bring it inside when you're done.
The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB boasts the best picture quality of our best projector picks. While certainly not a budget option, the 5050UB offers excellent performance in rooms with ambient light, vibrant color and superior contrast ratio and is a significant step up in image quality over its competitors.
Yes, most projectors can connect to your phone. If you're okay with a few cables, you can connect your device via an adapter or "dongle" to the projector's HDMI or USB inputs. For a wireless connection, you'll need a Bluetooth-enabled projector to pair your phone or tablet. You can also opt for a third-party media box or streaming stick, though these still require an HDMI port. Either way, displaying your phone on the big screen is easier than ever with modern projectors.
A short-throw projector can create a 100-inch image from a distance of just 5 feet, while a traditional home projector can create the same size image from around 10 feet. A short throw ks especially helpful in narrower or smaller rooms where it may be hard to get a traditional projector far enough away to create the desired image size. The projected image can also be extremely bright -- even in rooms with more ambient light. With the promise of simple installations and impressive brightness specs, short-throw projectors are an excellent option for those looking to improve their home viewing experience without the hassle.
Regular projectors can create a 100-inch image from around 10 feet away. Short throw, about 5 feet. An ultra-short throw only needs a few inches. These wide, squat projectors, often called "laser TVs" are one of the latest heavily marketed trends in the projector category. They are extremely expensive for their performance, and unlike the marketing, can't compete with ambient light unless paired with an expensive specialty screen. While they seem an easy solution to a complex setup with a traditional projector, that's misleading as well. Given their cost, complexity and misleading marketing hype, we recommend regular and non-ultra-short-throw projectors for most people.
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