Projector Shopping Guidelines

If you're looking to buy a home theater projector or an outdoor projector for movies, there are several excellent models to choose from. Suppose you’re looking for the best projector for under $1000. In that case, we can help you find models with advanced features like 4K image resolution support, high contrast ratios, advanced light sources, and short-throw distances. The best projector would also vary according to customers' different needs, such as home movie theaters, gaming, and portability. Here's a helpful buying guide to help you find the best projector. 

Image Quality and Format

If you want to get optimum quality images, one major thing to consider is matching the projector's native resolution to the connected source, which could be a computer, a mobile device, or a gaming console. Another consideration would be what kind of images you plan to show. For video, 4K ultra-high definition shows images in 3840 x 2160 pixel quality and is considered the highest resolution standard in today's modern projectors. However, you must also match a 4K projector with another 4K media source like a streaming device, Blu-ray player, or any 4K-capable streaming device. 

Some projectors can cast images in widescreen formats. Aspect ratio (or the ratio of image width to image height) affects the viewing experience. You'll want a projector that can match the aspect ratio of the original image or media source.  

Intended Use

One of the most significant considerations in your search for the best projector is what you intend to use it for. Do you need a home projector for viewing movies and sports events? Are you looking for a good gaming projector or do you need a model that's compact and powerful enough to bring with you on trips? 

Several low-priced projectors have decent specs for essential business use like presentations or online conferences. For movies and multimedia consumption, you'd want a projector with at least full HD (1920x1080 pixels) resolution and most of the Rec 709 color gamut used in HDTV and home video releases. 

A full HD model with a brightness of at least 2,500 lumens should serve you well when it comes to a projector for sports or video games. You would also want to look at models with low input lag features, which translates to a lesser amount of time between actual game action to screen projection. A game lag input of 16ms or less is highly recommended for gaming purposes. Some models offer a 120 Hz refresh rate, which means you are less likely to see motion blue when images are fast-moving.

Space Considerations

Do you have a dedicated home theater that will filter out natural light? Are you a movie enthusiast who can watch your favorite movies anywhere at any time? Maybe you are a true cineaste who wants only the finest cinematic quality when it comes to your big-screen experience. You can look at several higher-priced home theater projectors that feature higher contrast ratios, fuller color gamut, and deeper black levels that result in more life-like screen projections. Models with higher-quality lens systems produce images that are huge and crisp. 

If you want a projector for the living room or a den with ambient light, brightness is more important than black-level performance. You'll find more affordable home projectors that are still highly capable of projecting HD images onto a large screen size and decent brightness. 

Many of these models also come with built-in speakers and are often lighter for carrying around. If you're placing the projector in a smaller space, you should check out models with ultra-short-throw projector lens. A standard projector casting a 100-inch image would typically require a distance of 8 feet. Some models can project large, high-quality images from much shorter distances.

Screen Size 

If you're looking for a projector that can cast a bigger screen size, you should be looking at the light output source and brightness. Brightness levels are measured in lumens. For 100-inch image projections, a lumens score of at least 1,000 is recommended. If you're looking for a projector for a dedicated home theater, slightly lower lumens would be fine if the room you're using the projector in is completely dark. 

Portable projector models aren't designed for delivering a big-screen experience but do well for casual viewing. A portable model with a 300 lumens score can project a decent image about 55 inches in size in a room with moderate lighting. 

Special Features

Many projector models offer added features that would further enhance your home viewing or gaming experience. Some projectors offer HDMI input to connect to DVRs, gaming consoles, and media players. Some models allow you to connect to special streaming sticks or mobile devices. RGB input is still available in many best-selling projectors and USB ports. Built-in speakers are far less common as well as Bluetooth projector connectivity. If you need sound system support, you can refer to our top ten list of best projectors with speakers. Most projectors have 3.5mm audio output for connecting to external speakers via cable. 

Imaging Technology

Modern projectors use any of four different kinds of imaging technologies:

DLP projectors cast primary colors in sequence instead of simultaneously, resulting in rainbow artifacts. The same issue can also be observed in LCOS-based pocket-sized projectors. 

LCD projectors offer superior quality images because there are no noticeable rainbow artifacts. However, they are bigger and heavier in size and more steeply priced. There are only very few laser raster projector models. This imaging technology doesn't require image focusing. 

Light Source

Images are projected with the use of light, of course, and sometimes, how good a projector performs highly depends on how powerful the light source it uses. Traditional projectors use lamps, but today's most advanced models are built with LED and laser lights. Lamps lose brightness a lot faster and can be expensive to replace. LED and laser technologies maintain decent brightness levels for a more extended period. Projectors with LED, laser, or hybrid light sources will be more cost-efficient if you plan to buy a projector for long-term use.