If the biggest TVs aren’t big enough for you, then a projector is often a cheaper, easier way to get a wall-size image. You don’t need to spend a lot, though the higher-priced models are brighter with better image quality. Projectors are easy to set up, and nearly all have streaming built in. While a dedicated screen is ideal, any smooth, flat surface will work. That could be the wall of a bedroom or the side of your house for an epic backyard movie night. You can also use projectors to watch your favorite TV shows and play games on your PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch.

What is the best overall projector?

If you’re looking for impressive brightness, contrast and great overall picture quality, the Xgimi Titan Noir Pro is the best overall projector. It uses RGB lasers to create light for an impressively punchy picture, though the lasers can cause artifacts for glasses wearers. The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB, our former top pick, doesn’t have that issue and also looks fantastic, though it isn’t as bright. 

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. Next, the best ultra-short throw is the Xgimi Aura 2, while the Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus is even better for a lot more money.

If you’re looking for something more portable, we have a whole guide for the best portable projectors. Our top picks are the compact Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air and the larger, but far brighter, Anker Nebula X1.

Best projectors of 2026

*See review for more details

**As measured. See how CNET tests projectors for details.

What I updated: September 2026

Added the Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus and Xgimi Aura 2 as UST projector picks. Moved the Espon Flex Plus and Anker X1 to Other PJs tested due to limited space on our list. Added the AWOL Vision Aetherion Pro to the Other PJs section as well.

What I updated: July 2026

Added the Xgimi Titan Noir Pro as our top pick, the JMGO N3 Ultra as a pick for best gimbaled projector and replaced the Epson Home Cinema 2350 with the Hisense M2 Pro as the budget 4K pick. Added the Leica Cine Play 1 and Anker Soundcore Nebula P1i to the Other PJs tested section. Also did some housekeeping/cleanup, moving some older picks to the Other PJs section.

What I updated: May 2026

Added the BenQ TK705STi to the Other PJs tested section.

What I updated: February 2026

Added the Xgimi Horizon 20 Max to the Other PJs tested section.

What I updated: December 2025

Added the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus and BenQ W4100i as new picks and the TCL PlayCube and Valerion Pro2 to the Other projectors I’ve tested section. Previous picks, the JMGO N1S Pro 4K and Anker 4K SE, were replaced as picks and moved to the Other PJs tested section.

What I updated: October 2025

Updated the Anker Nebula X1 section to reflect its Editors’ Choice award.

What I updated: June 2025

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

Added the BenQ W2720i to the other projectors I’ve tested section.

Factors to consider when buying a projector

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

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

Sony

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 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 and brightest parts of the image. 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 produce wildly inaccurate colors, resulting 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.

Other projectors I’ve tested

Anker Nebula X1: The X1 is an extremely bright portable projector. It’s far larger and more expensive than a typical portable, but far more capable. It held the crown as the brightest projector I’d ever measured for quite a while. If you need a massive image for your backyard movie night or want something that can just create a bright image anywhere, it’s a fantastic option. Check out my full review of the Anker X1.

Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus: The Flex Plus was a former pick and only got dropped off the list due to space. It’s a great, compact projector that doubles as a lamp (see photo above). The image quality is good, and the design lets it fit easily in many spaces, including bedrooms. Definitely recommended. Check out my full review of the Flex Plus.

AWOL Vision Aetherion Pro: The Aetherion Pro is an ultra-short throw projector with a cool sci-fi design. Performance is similar to the Xgimi Aura 2 mentioned above, but the price is higher. Check out my review of the AWOL Vision Aetherion Pro.

Epson LS11000: Pretty much everything we like about the Epson 5050 can be transferred to the LS11000. It’s a little more expensive, but instead of replaceable lamps (a rarity in today’s projector market), it has a laser/phosphor light source. This isn’t quite as bright as some of the newer RGB laser projectors, but it doesn’t have the potential for chromatic artifacts for people who wear glasses. Being an LCD projector, it also doesn’t have the DLP rainbow effect that can bother some users. Check out my full review of the LS11000.

JMGO N1S 4K: Is a small, inexpensive, gimbaled projector. It was a former pick and is even more interesting now that JMGO dropped the price. The performance of the Hisense H2 Pro is better, but it’s also more expensive. If that extra money makes it out of your budget, check out this one instead. For more info, check out my review of the N1S 4K.

Anker Soundcore Nebula P1i Projector: The P1i is an inexpensive portable projector with big movable “ears” that contain speakers. It’s a good portable option, but the smaller Mars 3 Air recommended above is the better portable option overall. If you don’t need a built-in battery, the P1i is worth considering. Check out my full review of the Nebula P1i for more details.

Leica Cine Play 1: The Cine Play 1 is a compact, gimbaled projector that has a high-end aesthetic and a high-end price. The image is good, but there are better options for the same, or less, money. Check out my full review of the Leica Cine Play 1 for more info.

Epson Home Cinema 2350: The HC2350 was our former pick for best budget 4K projector. It was replaced by the Hisense H2 Pro. However, it’s still a great projector and doesn’t have the laser issues that some viewers will have with the Hisense. It’s also a bit cheaper. Check out my full review of the Home Cinema 2350.

BenQ W4100i: The W4100 is a former pick and a great projector for dedicated home theaters. It just barely doesn’t make this list. For more, check out my full review of the W4100i.

BenQ GP520: The GP520 was a former pick but has since been discontinued. If you can find one used it’s great, compact projector. For more, check out my review of the GP520.

BenQ TK705STi: The TK705STi is a cube-shaped, short-throw projector that can create a 100-inch image from less than 6 feet away from a wall/screen. It has Google TV for streaming and is an all-around decent performer. It’s not a particular standout, but it doesn’t do anything wrong, either. BenQ’s own X500i, recommended above, isn’t as bright and has a larger footprint, but looks better overall.

Xgimi Horizon 20 Max: The compact Horizon 20 Max is, as of writing, the brightest projector I’ve tested. That accolade seems to get attached to a new projector with increasing frequency. The 20 Max has accurate color, a gimbaled design and a motorized zoom. It’s a little pricey, and I came across some minor issues during the review process, which kept it from being a main pick. But if you want an incredibly bright projector that’s barely larger than a portable projector, the 20 Max is a solid option. Read my full review of the Xgimi Horizon 20 Max.

TCL PlayCube: The PlayCube is an excellent portable projector with 1080p resolution and a big built-in battery. It can even charge via USB-C so a battery bank will help keep the movie going when you’re off the grid. It outperforms the Mars 3 Air but not by double, which is what its price suggests. Worth considering if you have a more flexible budget. Read my full review of the TCL PlayCube.

Valerion VisionMaster Pro2: The Pro2 is an exceptionally bright and well-chromed projector, the second brightest we’ve ever tested. Overall image quality is good, but it’s not as bright as the Anker Nebula X1 nor as accurate as the BenQ W4100i. It’s a very good projector, and if you can find it on sale for less than those two PJs, it’s worth considering. Read my full review of the Valerion VisionMaster Pro2.

JMGO N1S Pro 4K: The N1S Pro 4K is one of the best gimbaled projectors we’ve tested. It was a former pick, and at its current price, it’s a fantastic bargain. We can only recommend so many projectors on this list, so it got bumped down here, but it’s still very good overall. Read my full review of the JMGO N1S Pro 4K.

Anker Nebula 4K SE: The Nebula 4K SE is the cheaper, less bright, sibling of the X1. It has a similar design, including the big handle. It was a former pick, but was bumped off the list due to some newer projectors that offered a bit more. It’s still a good projector and at its current price worth considering if you like the idea of the X1 but not the price. Read my full review of the Anker Nebula 4K SE.

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-shaped design 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. Read my full review of the BenQ X300G.

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. Read my review of the Horizon S Max.

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 lunchbox-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. Read my full review of the BenQ GS50.

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.

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

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.

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Geoffrey Morrison

Contributor

Geoffrey Morrison is a writer/photographer about tech and travel for CNET, The New York Times, and other web and print publications. He’s also the Editor-at-Large for Wirecutter. He is the author of Budget Travel for Dummies as well as the bestselling sci-fi novels Undersea, and Undersea Atrophia. He’s NIST and ISF trained, and has a degree in Audio Production from Ithaca College. He spends most of the year as a digital nomad, living and working while traveling around the world. You can follow his travels at BaldNomad.com and on his Instagram and YouTube channel.

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