# Best Projectors Source: https://hometheatersetuphub.com/best/best-projectors Updated: 2026-09-15 Publisher: Home Theater Setup Hub. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://hometheatersetuphub.com/how-we-research#our-score A projector turns a blank wall or screen into a cinema-sized picture that no flat-panel TV can match. Whether you are working with a bright living room or a light-controlled dedicated room, the right projector depends on your throw distance, ambient light, and how large you want the image to be. Lumens, contrast, and native resolution all shape what you actually see on screen. This guide breaks down projectors for real home theater setups, from apartment-friendly short-throw units to room-filling long-throw models. We look at brightness for daytime viewing, contrast for deep movie blacks, and the connectivity you need for consoles and streaming. Use it to match a projector to your space and your budget. ## Picks ### 1. Epson Home Cinema 1080 3-Chip 3LCD 1080p Projector, 3400 Lumens, Streaming/Gaming/Home Theater, Built-in Speaker Our score: 8.6/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) Epson's Home Cinema 1080 3-chip 3LCD 1080p projector with 3400 lumens and a built-in speaker for movies and gaming. Pros: - 3LCD design shows equal color and white brightness with no rainbow effect - 3400 lumens is bright enough for rooms with some ambient light - Built-in speaker gets you started before adding a sound system Cons: - 1080p only, so it will not show native ultra HD detail from streaming - Built-in speaker is thin compared with a soundbar or AV receiver Details: https://hometheatersetuphub.com/product/B08GL2DSKZ ### 2. BenQ TH585 1080p Home Entertainment Projector, 3500 Lumens, Low Input Lag for Gaming, 10W Speaker Our score: 8.6/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) BenQ's TH585 1080p DLP projector with 3500 lumens, low input lag for gaming and a 10W speaker for casual viewing. Pros: - Low input lag makes console gaming feel responsive on a big screen - 3500 lumens handles family rooms that are not fully dark - 10W speaker is louder than the tiny speakers in many projectors Cons: - Single-chip DLP can show rainbow effect for sensitive viewers - Limited lens shift means careful placement to square the image Details: https://hometheatersetuphub.com/product/B07Y5W8PZ5 ### 3. BenQ TH575 Full HD DLP Home Theater Gaming Projector Bundle with Laptop Stand and Accessory Tray Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) BenQ's TH575 Full HD DLP gaming projector sold as a bundle with a laptop stand and accessory tray for flexible setups. Pros: - Bundle adds a laptop stand and tray, handy for movable setups - Full HD DLP picture is sharp for games, sports and movies - BenQ tuning gives good color out of the box with little calibration Cons: - Stand-based setup is less tidy than a permanent ceiling mount - Full HD only, so ultra HD sources are downscaled Details: https://hometheatersetuphub.com/product/B0C3N1HT18 ### 4. Epson Home Cinema 3100 1080p 3LCD Home Theater Projector Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Epson's Home Cinema 3100 1080p 3LCD projector, a dedicated home theater model aimed at movie watching in darker rooms. Pros: - 3LCD engine delivers bright, accurate color without rainbow artifacts - Home theater tuning favors contrast and cinema-style picture modes - Epson reliability makes it a proven mid-range movie projector Cons: - Older model, so it lacks streaming apps and modern gaming modes - 1080p resolution trails current ultra HD projectors at a similar price Details: https://hometheatersetuphub.com/product/B01LWAQHAO ### 5. BenQ HT2050 DLP Home Theater Projector (Full HD / 2000lm) Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) BenQ's HT2050 Full HD DLP home theater projector at 2000lm, a classic choice for dark, dedicated movie rooms. Pros: - Cinema-focused color gives a rich, film-like picture in the dark - Vertical lens shift makes ceiling or shelf placement easier - Well-known model with plenty of setup guides and mounts available Cons: - 2000lm is dim for bright living rooms without blackout blinds - Older lamp-based model lacks modern streaming features Details: https://hometheatersetuphub.com/product/B0184TTHK2 ### 6. Epson Home Cinema 1040 1080p, 2X HDMI, 3LCD, 3000 Lumens Color and White Brightness Home Theater Projector Our score: 7.2/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) Epson's Home Cinema 1040 1080p 3LCD projector with 2 HDMI ports and 3000 lumens color and white brightness. Pros: - 3000 lumens color brightness holds up in living rooms with lamps on - Two HDMI inputs let you connect a streamer and a console together - Long-running Epson model with a straightforward setup Cons: - Older design with a lamp that will need replacing eventually - No ultra HD input or HDR support for newer streaming content Details: https://hometheatersetuphub.com/product/B014D7XGNS ### 7. 200 inch Smart Home Theater Projector 8000LM, Wireless WiFi and Bluetooth, FHD 1080P with HiFi Speaker and Airplay Our score: 5.5/10 (Fit for the job 5/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 5/10 · Value 6/10) A budget 200 inch smart projector claiming 8000LM, with WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, FHD 1080P and a HiFi speaker. Pros: - WiFi and AirPlay let you mirror phones without extra cables - Bluetooth can pair a speaker or headphones for better sound - All-in-one smart features suit casual backyard or bedroom use Cons: - 8000LM and 200 inch claims are marketing, real results are far smaller - Check for firmware and app update support before buying Details: https://hometheatersetuphub.com/product/B07RQSG9RC ### 8. Movie Projector, 1080P HD 6500 Lumen Home Theater Video LED Projector, Compatible with TV Stick, PS5, HDMI, USB Our score: 5.2/10 (Fit for the job 5/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 5/10 · Value 6/10) A generic 1080P LED movie projector claiming 6500 lumen, compatible with TV sticks, PS5, HDMI and USB for casual use. Pros: - HDMI and USB inputs work with streaming sticks and game consoles - LED light source avoids replacing lamps down the line - Very low cost way to try big-screen movie nights Cons: - Lumen claim is not ANSI rated, so real brightness is far lower - Picture quality and fan noise lag well behind Epson and BenQ Details: https://hometheatersetuphub.com/product/B07Q3W263F As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.