Top Picks

Scroll down for Ultra-Short-Throw Projectors.

Xgimi Horizon Ultra Mini RGB Laser Projector: $1,700
As TV screen sizes continue to grow, with many now approaching or exceeding 100 inches (diagonal), the world of video projection has no choice but to evolve and maybe even reinvent itself, which helps explain the boxy form factor of two similarly priced laser projectors we recently reviewed: the Hisense C1 and the XGIMI Horizon Ultra. Measuring about 9 x 9 x 10 inches, the Ultra is slightly larger than the C1, though still fairly compact. XGIMI hails from China (as does Hisense) and claims to be the country’s largest projector maker.

The Horizon Ultra, successor to the company’s previous top model, the Horizon Pro, offers built-in streaming (though no Netflix), supports Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR), and is equipped with optical zoom for adjusting screen size to accommodate minor changes in placement. It’s a good all-around projector that builds on the performance of its predecessor, delivering natural color and bright images, though it still falls short in the contrast department and doesn’t quite measure up to C1 in this area. (Posted 5/22/24,Read Full Review)

Hisense C1 Mini RGB Laser Projector: $1,799
Yes, the Hisense C1 is unusual looking for a projector. At around 10 x 7 x 8.5 inches, it’s also relatively small. But don’t let any of that dissuade you from checking it out — especially if the idea of a grab-n-go light cannon that can put up a 300-inch (diagonal) image appeals to you. The Chinese-made C1 has a lot going for it. Thanks to “AutoMagic” features like obstacle avoidance, automatic keystone correction, and screen alignment, the projector is easy to set up and offers a nice range of features, including a long-lasting RGB laser light source, onboard streaming, two HDMI inputs (one eARC-ready), a surprisingly robust set of calibration controls, and support for Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) and wide color gamut. The Hisense C1 is an affordable option for casual viewers. (Posted 4/24/24, Read Full Review)

LG HU710PW 4K Laser DLP Projector: $2,499
LG continues down the smart projector path with the HU710PW, a follow-up to last year’s HU810PW that retains many of the same features — including TV-like direct access to Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming apps — while shaving $500 off the price. The tradeoff that makes the lower price possible? Brightness. Unlike its sibling, which uses a full-on dual laser, the new model employs a lower output LED/laser light source, which makes it best suited for use in dark rooms. Whether he was streaming The Batman on HBO Max or watching No Time to Die on Ultra HD Blu-ray disc, reviewer Al Griffin was impressed with the high level of detail he saw, particularly in the dark and moody production design of The Batman, which proved to be an ideal torture test for contrast. (June/July 2022, Read Full Review)

LG HU810PW 4K Laser DLP Projector: $2,999
LG’s HU810PW breaks ground as the first ceiling-mount projector to offer the sort of smart features we’ve come to expect from today’s TVs. The laser-lit DLP projector uses pixel shifting technology to deliver 4K resolution and provides ready access to Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, YouTube, Showtime, Starz, and other streaming apps via a wired or Wi-Fi connection, courtesy of the same webOS 5.0 interface found in LG's flat-panel TVs. The projector also comes with LG’s Magic Remote, which lets you control the projector using voice commands or by pointing at (and clicking on) a cursor on the screen. Smart TV tricks aside, the projector is also an all-around strong picture performer. Reviewer Al Griffin was particularly impressed with the detail and contrast conveyed in the opening scenes of the sci-fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey on Ultra HD Blu-ray and the rich color in the Amazon Prime series ZeroZeroZero. (June/July 2021, Read Full Review)

Epson LS12000 4K Pro-UHD Laser LCD Projector: $4,999
Epson's LS12000 4K Pro-UHD laser projector delivers fantastic-looking images and you will be hard-pressed to find a model that offers the same level of performance and features for the price. Though it lacks dynamic tone mapping, reviewer Al Griffin remained “fully impressed by the bright and vibrant images the LS12000 put out.” (August/September 2022, Read Full Review)

Sony VPL-VW325ES 4K LCOS Projector: $5,499
An update of the entry-level VW295ES 4K projector we reviewed back in 2018, Sony’s VPL-VW325ES brings a few new features into the fold but, like its predecessor, is still best suited for use in home theater rooms that can be darkened. In addition to a number of useful features that carry over from the 295ES, the most notable upgrade is the projector-optimized version of Sony’s excellent X1 picture processor, which analyzes images scene by scene to enhance contrast and detail. Reviewer Al Griffin was mesmerized by the bright, rich color he saw while streaming the animated film Encanto. The VW325ES is the least expensive true 4K projector you can buy and it’s a great all-around choice for movie fans who don’t want to spend a fortune. (February/March 2022, Read Full Review)

Sony VPL-XW5000ES 4K HDR Laser Projector: $6,000
A follow-up to the VPL-VW325ES we reviewed last year, the VPL-XW5000ES offers many significant upgrades and deploys the same three-chip SXRD LCoS imagers and “X1 Ultimate for Projector” processor found in Sony’s top projectors. Upgrades include better video processing, higher brightness, and a longer light-source lifespan thanks to a laser rated for 20,000 hours. Setup is straightforward and your efforts are rewarded with exceptional color accuracy and outstanding motion handling. The 5000ES is particularly well suited for gaming with an incredibly smooth frame rate, low lag (11 milliseconds) and support for 1080p at 120 Hz. As reviewer Mark Henninger put it, “Gameplay feels incredibly responsive, and I definitely gain a competitive advantage from the low lag.” (April/May 2023, Read Full Review)

JVC DLA-RS1100 4K D-ILA Projector: $7,000
JVC's DLA-RS1100 projector defines the law of diminishing returns where increasingly subtle improvements command dramatically higher prices. In this case, you get an HDMI 2.1-compliant projector that’s equipped with dynamic tone mapping and capable of producing outstanding image quality notable for its inky blacks and exceptional resolution. (October/November 2022, Read Full Review)

JVC DLA-NZ9 8K D-ILA Projector: $25,000
Are you ready to jump into the 8K game and do it the right way? If so, the DLA-NZ9 projector will help you get you there but the price of admission is steep at 25 grand. The good news: You will own one of the best home theater projectors in its price class and one of the first with HDMI 2.1 inputs to support bandwidths up to 48Gbps, enabling 4K video at 120 frames per second (fps) and 8K at 60fps. The NZ9 is also the first projector to support HDR10+ high dynamic range (HDR) in addition to JVC’s excellent adaptive tone mapping algorithm. A follow-up to the DLA-NX9, the NZ9 is an impressive specimen that boasts higher light output than its predecessor and features the next generation of JVC’s BLU-Escent laser light engine and pixel shifting 8K e-Shift technology. Summing up his impressions, video guru Kris Deering wrote, “I can't think of a projector that offers better overall picture quality at anywhere near its $25K price point.” (February/March 2022, Read Full Review)

Ultra-Short-Throw Projectors

BenQ V7050i 4K DLP Laser TV Projector: $3,499
BenQ may be late to the party, but its first ultra-short throw (UST) projector was worth the wait. The V7050i is bright enough for watching sports in the light of day and provides many useful features for optimizing picture quality, including two Filmmaker modes and a wide color gamut filter. It also provides a wealth of streaming apps through a USB dongle that plugs into one of its HDMI ports and is able to project a huge image when placed only inches from the wall. All in all, an impressive entry into a category that’s making huge strides. (February/March 2022, Read Full Review)

Epson LS800 4K Ultra-Short-Throw Projector: $3,500
The LS800 is a significant update of the LS500 that impressed us in 2020. The projector is built around a three-chip RGB LCD, making it immune to the “rainbow effect,” and uses proven pixel shifting technology to increase perceived resolution from 1080p to 4K. Easy to set up, the LS800 can display images as big as 150 inches (diagonal) when placed only a few inches from the wall and is bright enough to thrive in spaces with windows and ambient light, though an ambient-light rejecting (ALR) screen is recommended. Overall color looks great out of the box and is close to what you would get with professional calibration, especially in the Natural, Cinema, and Game modes. The Epson LS800 is one of the best UST projectors we’ve seen to date. (February/March 2023, Read Full Review)

Hisense PX1-Pro 4K DLP Laser TV Projector: $3,500
Looking for a hassle-free path to a bigger big-screen experience? The PX1-Pro projects a brilliant image up to 9.4 feet across (130 inches diagonal) when placed only a foot or two away from the projection surface so you won’t have to worry about mounting a projector on the ceiling to bring the theater home. It has a motorized focus system for easy setup and delivers an exceptional picture as long as it’s mated with the right screen and there is some light control in the room. In addition to supporting high-dynamic range (HDR), the projector boasts a built-in (ATSC 1.0) TV tuner for receiving high-definition broadcasts over the air and (Android) smart TV connectivity that puts a host of streaming services at your fingertips. (October/November 2022, Read Full Review)

Epson LS500 4K Laser Projection TV Review: $4,999
Epson’s LS500 “projection TV” is the latest stop along the path to an affordable movie-theater-at-home experience. The two-piece system combines a projector that uses pixel shifting technology to achieve 4K resolution with a 100- ($4,999) or 120-inch ($5,999) ambient-light rejecting (ALR) screen designed for use in daylight. But what makes the system special is its ability to project a huge, remarkably bright image when placed only a foot or so from the wall. Impressed with system’s performance in a daylight setting, S&V editor Al Griffin concluded that “the LS500 delivers more successfully on the promise of UST (ultra-short-throw) projection as an affordable alternative to massive flat-panel TVs than any similar model I’ve yet reviewed.” (February/March 2021, Read Full Review)

Projectors Archive

<1,999

ViewSonic LightStream Pro7827HD 3D DLP Projector, $749
(2016 model, $749 on amazon.com as of 7/9/19; original price $890)
Okay, ViewSonic’s Pro7827HD is not perfect nor should you expect it to be for the price. What it does bring to the table is excellent brightness, compatibility with Roku and Amazon Fire TV streaming devices, a remote control, and ISF certification with Day and Night modes. Video guru Al Griffin summed it up this way: “In the end I found myself surprised by how well the Pro7827HD performed. (September 2016, Read Full Review)

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 2045 LCD Projector, $750
(2016 model, $750 on Epson.com as of 7/9/19; original price $850)
The PowerLite 2045 is a godsend for anyone who wants to get into the video projection game without having to drop a fortune. For less than a grand, you get a super bright, accurate image from a projector that is not only shockingly small but supports wireless streaming from WiDi-compatible Android phones and Windows laptops. Reviewer Kris Deering called it a great projector for all-around family use. (May 2016, Read Full Review)

BenQ HT4050 3D DLP Projector, $1,247
(2016 model, $1,247 on amazon.com as of 7/9/19; original price $1,399)
For the price, you’ll have a better chance of finding Waldo than another projector that equals the HT4050’s package of color accuracy, image clarity, and overall fidelity. High-grade optics provide edge-to-edge sharpness and precision calibration controls and ISF modes are guaranteed to wow enthusiasts. Summing up, reviewer Michael Hamilton wrote: “The BenQ HT4050 provides a stable platform of stellar performance.” (April 2016, Read Full Review)

Epson Home Cinema 3700 LCD Projector: $1,299
(2017 model, $1,299 on amazon.com as of 7/9/19; original price $1,500)
An exceptional mix of features and performance make it easy to recommend Epson’s Home Cinema 3700 to anyone considering a mid-priced projector. As video maven Al Griffin put it, “The 3700 delivers a screamingly bright picture out of the box but the wide array of adjustments, including a contrast-enhancing Auto Iris mode, lets you tune the picture for a properly light-controlled home theater.” (July/August 2017, Read Full Review)

BenQ Cineprime HT3550 4K DLP Projector: $1,499
If price has been holding you back from making your move into the world of video projection with its movie-theater-like screens, today might be your lucky day. BenQ’s HT355 DLP projector uses rapid pixel shifting to achieve a “4K” image with vivid color and excellent detail that you’d be hard pressed to distinguish from a true Ultra HD image — and it does so at a price that makes it a slam dunk for our Top Value designation. If your 65-inch screen seems small, you owe it to yourself to take the HT355 for a spin. (February/March 2020, Read Full Review)

Epson Home Cinema 3800 4K LCD Projector: $1,699
For seventeen hundred bucks Epson's newest 3LCD projector gets you the same outstanding 4K PRO-UHD pixel-shifting technology and 12-bit video processing used in the $3,000 5050UB, our 2019 Top Pick of the Year. Making it all the more impressive, the 3800 is bright enough for use in spaces where light control is limited and rich in features you don’t expect to find in a projector at this price level, including two HDMI 2.0 inputs and generous vertical and horizontal lens-shift capability. All in all, an outstanding value that in the words of reviewer Al Griffin offers “very good overall picture quality marked by strong contrast courtesy of an Auto Iris feature that provides a noticeable resolution boost.” (Summer 2020, Read Full Review)

Epson Home Cinema 4000 4K-Enhanced 3LCD Projector: $1,700
(2017 model, $1,799 on epson.com as of 7/9/19; original price $2,200)
The Home Cinema 4000 offers an impressive combination of high-dynamic range (HDR) and near 4K resolution at a price that seemed impossible a year ago. “I could have been fooled more than once into thinking I was watching a far more expensive projector,” wrote reviewer Tom Norton. Credit goes to the company’s excellent pixel-splitting technology. (January 2018, Read Full Review)

Epson Home Cinema 4010 4K PRO-UHD LCD Projector: $1,999
Epson’s 4010, a follow-up to 2017’s Top Pick-designated Home Cinema 4000 delivers near-perfect color, good brightness and contrast, and provides an arsenal of useful setup features. That it’s not a “true 4K” projector — relying instead on Epson’s 4K PRO-UHD pixel-shifting technology to achieve Ultra HD resolution — is a mere technical fact that will quickly fade into obscurity when you settle in for movie night. (December 2018/January 2019, Read Full Review)

$2,000-3,999

Epson 5030UBe 3D LCD: $2,012
(2014 model, $2,019 on epson.com as of 7/9/19; original price $2,899)
The 5030Ube offers several enhancements over its predecessor, the 5020Ube: Contrast has been improved and the projector comes with a wireless HD transmitter offering five HDMI inputs, one of which is MHL-enabled for sharing content from smartphones and adding streaming capability. Reviewer Al Griffin wrote: “I didn’t think I’d ever see blacks this deep come from an LCD projector.” (May 2014, Read Full Review)

Epson Home Cinema 5050UB Pro-UHD 3LCD Projector: $2,999
Kudos to Epson for bringing high-end features and performance to an affordable projector. The 5050UB offers motorized lens shift and focus and uses a proprietary filter to deliver solid black-level performance, hence the UltraBlack (UB) designation. Throw in HDMI 2.0, HDR (with curve adjustment), impressive brightness, convincing “4K” images created by Epson’s 1080p-plus-pixel-shifting process, and you have a projector that can keep up with models costing much more. (August/September 2019, Read Full Review)

Sony VPL-HW65ES 3D SXRD Projector, $2,999
(2016 model, $2,999 on sony.com as of 7/11/19; original price $3,999)
Thanks to its dynamic iris, Sony’s 1080p projector beams bright images with great contrast and delivers performance so good on 2D and 3D material that you may not care it’s not 4K. The days of having to pay big bucks for a projector you can use in a room that’s not completely dark are over. Video guru Al Griffin wrote: “The VPL-HW65ES can deliver ample enough light output that it can be used in a mixed-use room.” (April 2016, Read Full Review)

$4,000-$9,999

Sony VPL-VW285ES LCOS Projector: $5,000
Sony has given fans of high-performance video projection true 4K/Ultra HD (UHD) resolution at price most can aspire to. Add expanded color with high dynamic range (HDR) contrast and the VPL-VW285ES is hard to resist. Reviewer Tom Norton said most of the UHD discs he tried looked “amazing.” Click here to see how the VPL-VW285ES fared in a face-off with another one of our Top Picks — JVC’s DLA-X790R. (February/March 2018, Read Full Review)

Sony VPL-VW295ES 4K Video Projector: $5,350
With its new VPL-VW295ES projector, Sony has refined the performance of last year’s excellent VPL-VW285ES, making it is easy to recommend. Though there is room for improvement in black-level performance, veteran reviewer Tom Norton was nonetheless impressed with its peak brightness and resolution. (December 2018/January 2019, Read Full Review)

JVC DLA-X790R D-ILA Projector: $6,000
Fans of high-performance video projection who write off DLA-X790R because it’s not a “true” 4K projector are making a huge mistake. JVC’s fifth generation e-shift5 “pixel shifting” technology is so good that this projector more than holds its own against Sony’s native 4K VPL-VW285ES — another December 2017 Top Pick. Click here to see how it fared in a face-off with the VW285ES. (January 2018, Read Full Review)

Hisense Laser TV 4K DLP Projector: $6,500

(2018 model, $6,500 on amazon.com as of 7/11/19; original price $10,000)
Hisense’s Laser TV is expensive to be sure (and it’s not really a “TV” per se) but it strikes a good balance between performance and price while delivering a gigantic 150-inch 4K image when placed only a few inches from the wall. “It’s a very good option for watching in a bright room, and it also performs well when you dim the lights for movie time,” concluded reviewer Al Griffin. (May 2018, Read Full Review)

Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema LS10500 LCD Projector: $6,995
(2017 model, $6,995 on audiovideonation.com as of 7/11/19; original price $8,000)
The LS10500’s dual lasers are rated to last 14,000 hours and deliver outstanding “4K-enhanced” HD performance with compelling HDR (high dynamic range) highlights. “Oblivion was one of the best-looking HDR discs I watched on the Epson,” observed veteran reviewer Tom Norton. “[It] produced deep, rich, crisp, and immersive images.” (May 2017, Read Full Review)

$10,000 >

JVC DLA-NX9 D-ILA Projector: $18,000
JVC’s second-generation native 4K projector has a lot going for it. It sets a tall bar for high dynamic range (HDR) performance and is the first projector to feature the brand’s 8K e-shift technology for near-8K image quality. Add to that JVC’s third-generation 4K D-ILA imager, industry leading contrast, reference-quality optics, exceptional installation flexibility and you have an all-around winner that reviewer Tom Norton called “one of the best home theater projectors I’ve tested.” (June/July 2019, Read Full Review)

Sony VPL-VW915ES 4K LCOS Projector: $20,000
Sony is looking to engage videophiles that crave the most realistic picture possible with its VPL-VW915ES 4K laser projector, which replaces the VPL-VW885ES we reviewed in 2018. The projector addresses shortcomings Kris Deering outlined in his review of the 885ES at a price that is $5,000 less. The key improvement is a second-generation X1 video chip that delivers “a higher level of processing granularity” and there are now two high dynamic range (HDR) tone mapping curves — HDR10 and Reference. The VW915ES acquitted itself well, delivering an outstanding picture that captivated video guru Kris Deering: “Its out-of-box color accuracy and contrast performance contribute to an image that will no doubt dazzle even the most discerning videophile.” (December/January 2020, Read Full Review)

Sony VPL-VW995ES LCOS Projector: $35,000
No, that’s not a misprint — there’s an extra zero in the price tag. The VPL-VW995ES is built for videophiles who demand true reference-level 4K performance — which is exactly what you get thanks to its laser light engine, high-end optics, HDR (high dynamic range) tone mapping, and dynamic aperture to name just a handful of its many sophisticated features. Reviewer Kris Deering likened it to watching a massive flat-panel TV. (February/March 2019, Read Full Review)

JVC DLA-RS4500 D-ILA Laser Projector: $35,000
Aimed at hard-core enthusiasts who want nothing less than a credible movie theater experience, the DLA-RS4500 is a flagship-caliber home projector. As JVC’s first native 4K light canon, it represents a design departure for the company with its three 4096 x 2160 D-ILA imaging chips, laser light engine, and massive 18-element glass lens. All of which combine to deliver a positively stunning picture. “If you’re out to get the best-looking 4K and HDR from a projector, I can’t see much in the way of competition at or near this price point,” concluded reviewer Kris Deering. (May 2017, Read Full Review)