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10 Best Projectors 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
Epson Home Cinema 980 3-Chip 3LCD 1080p Projector 4,000 Lumens Color and White Brightness, Streaming/Gaming/ Media Room, Built-In Speaker, Auto Picture Skew, 16000:1 Contrast, 2 HDMI Ports
The Epson Home Cinema 980 is a solid choice for anyone wanting a bright and sharp projector for home cinema, gaming, or media rooms. It offers a full HD 1080p resolution which means clear, detailed images suitable for movies, sports, and gaming. Its 4,000 lumens brightness rating is impressive, allowing it to perform well even in rooms that aren't completely dark, providing vibrant colors thanks to its 3LCD technology which avoids the distracting rainbow effect seen in some other projectors. The contrast ratio of 16,000:1 ensures good differentiation between dark and light scenes, enhancing picture depth.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,352
Brightness (Lumens)
Resolution
Portability
Most important from
440 reviews
#2
Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 - 4K HDR Laser Home Theater Projector with Native 4K SXRD Panel (VPL-XW8100ES), Black
The Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES) is a high-end home cinema projector designed for those who want a top-quality 4K viewing experience. It features a native 4K resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, ensuring sharp and detailed images. With up to 3,400 lumens of brightness, it can deliver vibrant and clear pictures even in rooms that aren’t totally dark. The laser light source not only provides consistent brightness but also offers a very long lamp life of about 20,000 hours, meaning less frequent replacements compared to traditional lamps.
#3
soundcore Nebula P1 Portable GTV Projector with Detachable Speakers, 650 ANSI Lumens, 1080P, 20W Truly 2.0 Surround Sound, Dolby Audio, Built-In Gimbal, Auto Adjustment, 180" Big Screen, Carry Handle
The Soundcore Nebula P1 is a portable projector designed mainly for home cinema lovers who want a big-screen experience on the go. It offers a sharp Full HD 1080p resolution, providing clear and detailed images suitable for movies and shows. Its brightness of 650 ANSI lumens is decent for indoor use but may struggle in very bright rooms or daylight. The projector’s standout feature is its dual detachable 20W speakers that provide true 2.0 surround sound with Dolby Audio, delivering richer and more immersive audio compared to many projectors with built-in speakers. This makes it a great choice if sound quality is important to you without needing extra speakers.
Rating
9.4
Brightness (Lumens)
Resolution
Portability
Most important from
23 reviews
Top 10 Best Projectors 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
Epson Home Cinema 980 3-Chip 3LCD 1080p Projector 4,000 Lumens Color and White Brightness, Streaming/Gaming/ Media Room, Built-In Speaker, Auto Picture Skew, 16000:1 Contrast, 2 HDMI Ports
Epson Home Cinema 980 3-Chip 3LCD 1080p Projector 4,000 Lumens Color and White Brightness, Streaming/Gaming/ Media Room, Built-In Speaker, Auto Picture Skew, 16000:1 Contrast, 2 HDMI Ports
Brightness (Lumens): 4,000 lumens
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Contrast Ratio: 16,000:1
Portability: 6.8 pounds, compact
Connectivity Options: 2 HDMI, 1 USB port
Speakers and Sound: Built-in speaker
Chosen by 1352 this week
Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 - 4K HDR Laser Home Theater Projector with Native 4K SXRD Panel (VPL-XW8100ES), Black
Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 - 4K HDR Laser Home Theater Projector with Native 4K SXRD Panel (VPL-XW8100ES), Black
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Brightness: 3,400 lumens
Lamp Life: 20,000 hours
Connectivity: HDMI
Portability: 40 pounds
soundcore Nebula P1 Portable GTV Projector with Detachable Speakers, 650 ANSI Lumens, 1080P, 20W Truly 2.0 Surround Sound, Dolby Audio, Built-In Gimbal, Auto Adjustment, 180" Big Screen, Carry Handle
soundcore Nebula P1 Portable GTV Projector with Detachable Speakers, 650 ANSI Lumens, 1080P, 20W Truly 2.0 Surround Sound, Dolby Audio, Built-In Gimbal, Auto Adjustment, 180" Big Screen, Carry Handle
Brightness (Lumens): 650 ANSI lumens
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Portability: Lightweight, carry handle, no battery
Connectivity Options: Built-in Wi-Fi, Google TV
Lamp Life: Good lamp life
Throw Distance and Image Size: Up to 180 inches image
Speakers and Sound: Dual 20W speakers, Dolby Audio
NEBULA Mars 3 Outdoor Portable Projector, 1000 ANSI Lumens, AI-Powered Image, Built-In Battery with 5 Hour Playtime, Android TV, 200 Inch Home Theater, for Backyard, Office and Business, and Camping
NEBULA Mars 3 Outdoor Portable Projector, 1000 ANSI Lumens, AI-Powered Image, Built-In Battery with 5 Hour Playtime, Android TV, 200 Inch Home Theater, for Backyard, Office and Business, and Camping
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Brightness: 1000 ANSI Lumens
Connectivity: USB, Android TV, Chromecast
Portability: Carry handle, 9.9 pounds
BenQ GV50 | Laser Portable Projector, 500 Lms, Native 1080p, 4K Supported, Ceiling Projection, Tripod Base, Rotating Angle, Google TV, Certified Netflix, WiFi & Bluetooth, Deep Woofer Built in speaker
BenQ GV50 | Laser Portable Projector, 500 Lms, Native 1080p, 4K Supported, Ceiling Projection, Tripod Base, Rotating Angle, Google TV, Certified Netflix, WiFi & Bluetooth, Deep Woofer Built in speaker
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Brightness: 500 ANSI Lumens
Lamp Life: laser technology
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI
Portability: 4.4 pounds
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LG ProBeam 4K (3,840x2,160) Laser Projector with 5,000 ANSI Lumens Brightness, 20,000 hrs. life, 12 Point Warping, & Wireless Connection
LG ProBeam 4K (3,840x2,160) Laser Projector with 5,000 ANSI Lumens Brightness, 20,000 hrs. life, 12 Point Warping, & Wireless Connection
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Brightness: 5,000 ANSI Lumens
Lamp Life: 20,000 hours
Connectivity: USB, HDMI, Wi-Fi
Portability: Portable
XGIMI MoGo 4 2025 NEW Portable Projector with PowerBase Stand, 5 Hours of Playtime, Google TV with Licensed Netflix, 360° Adjustable Stand, 450 ISO Lumens, 2 x 6W Harman Kardon
XGIMI MoGo 4 2025 NEW Portable Projector with PowerBase Stand, 5 Hours of Playtime, Google TV with Licensed Netflix, 360° Adjustable Stand, 450 ISO Lumens, 2 x 6W Harman Kardon
Brightness (Lumens): 450 ISO Lumens
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Portability: Small, lightweight, size of coffee thermos
Connectivity Options: WiFi 5 Dual-band, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C
Speakers and Sound: 2 x 6W Harman/Kardon speakers
NEBULA Capsule 3 Laser, Outdoor Portable Mini Wi-Fi Smart TV Projector, Upgraded with Google TV, Official Netflix, Dolby Digital, 120 inches Screen and 2.5H Built-In Battery
NEBULA Capsule 3 Laser, Outdoor Portable Mini Wi-Fi Smart TV Projector, Upgraded with Google TV, Official Netflix, Dolby Digital, 120 inches Screen and 2.5H Built-In Battery
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Brightness: 300 ANSI Lumens
Connectivity: HDMI, Aux Out, Type-C, Bluetooth
Portability: 1.98 pounds, Battery 2.5 hours
NEBULA Mars 3 Air GTV Projector - Netflix Officially Licensed, 400 ANSI-Lumen Brightness, Native 1080P, Dolby Digital Sound,150-Inch Picture, Built-In Battery for 2.5 Hours of Playtime Anywhere.
NEBULA Mars 3 Air GTV Projector - Netflix Officially Licensed, 400 ANSI-Lumen Brightness, Native 1080P, Dolby Digital Sound,150-Inch Picture, Built-In Battery for 2.5 Hours of Playtime Anywhere.
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Brightness: 400 ANSI-Lumen
Connectivity: HDMI, USB-A, Bluetooth, WiFi
Portability: 3.7 pounds
#10
Sony VPL-XW7000ES 4K HDR Laser Home Theater Projector with Native 4K SXRD Panel
Sony VPL-XW7000ES 4K HDR Laser Home Theater Projector with Native 4K SXRD Panel
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Brightness: 3200 lumens
Connectivity: HDMI
Portability: Portable
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Buying Guide for the Best Projectors
Choosing a projector can seem overwhelming due to the variety of models and technical jargon. The key to finding the right projector is understanding how and where you'll use it: are you planning to watch movies at home, give presentations, or set up outdoor screenings? By matching your needs with the essential specs, you'll pick a projector that delivers the experience you want.Brightness (Lumens)Brightness, measured in lumens, indicates how much light the projector can output. This is crucial because a brighter projector performs better in rooms with more ambient light, while dimmer rooms allow for lower lumen models. Projectors with lower lumens (under 2000) work best in dark settings, such as home theaters. Mid-range projectors (2000–3500 lumens) are good for rooms with some lighting, like typical living rooms or classrooms. High-brightness projectors (above 3500 lumens) are meant for large, bright spaces or outdoor use. To choose the right brightness, think about your environment: if the room is dark, you can go lower; if there's uncontrolled light, you'll need higher lumens.
ResolutionResolution is the number of pixels the projector can display, affecting the sharpness and clarity of the image. Common resolutions include SVGA (800x600), XGA (1024x768), HD (1280x720), Full HD (1920x1080), and 4K (3840x2160). Lower resolutions are suitable for basic presentations with text and simple graphics. If you're planning to watch movies or play games, higher resolutions like Full HD or 4K will give you a crisper, more vibrant picture. Match the resolution to your content: text-based slideshows are fine with basic resolution, but video and detailed graphics benefit from higher numbers.
Contrast RatioContrast ratio describes how well the projector can differentiate between the darkest blacks and brightest whites on screen. Higher contrast ratios create more vivid and dynamic images, especially noticeable in movie scenes with shadows and highlights. For basic office work, a lower ratio might not be an issue. For home cinema or gaming, higher contrast is better for an immersive experience. When picking, consider if deep blacks and rich colors are important for your viewing pleasure, especially for movies and photos.
PortabilityPortability refers to the size and weight of the projector. Some have a compact, lightweight design for easy carry, while others are larger and intended for permanent installation. If you'll be moving the projector between rooms or taking it to meetings, prioritize smaller, lighter models. For a fixed setup in a home theater or an office, a larger and heavier projector might offer more features. Think about how often you’ll move your projector and pick accordingly.
Connectivity OptionsConnectivity covers the types of inputs and outputs the projector has, such as HDMI, VGA, USB, audio out, and sometimes wireless options like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This is important because it determines whether you can easily connect your devices, such as laptops, gaming consoles, or streaming sticks. More connectivity options give you flexibility. If your setup is simple, you may only need HDMI, but for multiple device use or old equipment compatibility, look for a variety of ports.
Lamp LifeLamp life estimates how many hours the projector's light source will last before needing replacement. Longer lamp life means less frequent replacements and lower ongoing maintenance. Typical lamp lives are around 2,000–6,000 hours, but some newer models (using LED or laser light sources) can last much longer. If you plan frequent, long viewing sessions, or don't want the hassle of changing lamps often, opt for a projector with a longer-rated lamp life.
Throw Distance and Image SizeThrow distance is the space between the projector and the screen and affects how large the projected image will be. Shorter throw projectors can create big images from nearby, which is useful in small rooms, while standard (long-throw) projectors need more room to make a large picture. Consider where you'll set up: in compact spaces, a short-throw is helpful; in large rooms, a regular model is fine. Check the projector’s specifications for the right match with your intended setup location.
Speakers and SoundMany projectors come with built-in speakers, but their quality and volume can vary widely. If sound is crucial, especially for movie watching, you might need to connect external speakers. For simple use like presentations, built-in sound might be enough. Think about your sound needs and whether you mind adding an external audio solution.