Home Theater Projectors

The home theater projectors page includes the latest projectors used for home theater and home entertainment. See below for a list of reviews of home theater projectors, and also information pages. They are listed in order, most recent first.

Projectors for the home come in two flavors: home theater and home entertainment.

Scroll down for the list of all of our most recent home theater projector reviews!

Most of today’s home theater projectors offer Full HD, which is 1080p resolution, while 4K resolution is quickly becoming the new standard by which the picture is judged.

To learn more, check out our recent Home Theater Projector Report which is our most comprehensive buying guide for home theater projectors in several different price points and classes.

Typically those home entertainment projectors are also less “perfectionist”. Some very bright projectors have to be considered true “home theater” because they are still offering image performance to satisfy the enthusiast in many of us. Most home entertainment projectors sell for well under $2000, and many are “entry – level”. For those seeking high performance image quality, moving up a big step, look to spend around $2000 to $3500 or so.

We consider that range to be the market sweet spot, with the best projectors in that price range offering the most bang, for the least buck. Spend more than that, and picture quality will continue to improve, but the best overall value for those looking for a first class picture will be the best of the $2000 – $3500 priced models.

Find out which home theater projectors won our top awards and why, one of them is probably the right projector for you! Popular projectors for you own home theater or cave include those from brands like Sony, Epson, Viewsonic Panasonic, Optoma, JVC, BenQ…

BENQ X1300i GAMING PROJECTOR REVIEW

Overview Today I get to talk to you about a cool looking performance projector that BenQ is releasin…Read More

February 17, 2021
LG AU810PB CINEBEAM 4K LASER PROJECTOR REVIEW

As we have mentioned in a few reviews this year, we have been very impressed by some television manu…Read More

February 15, 2021
BenQ TK850i 4K SMART HOME ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTOR

BENQ TK850i SMART HOME ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTOR REVIEW The BenQ TK850i is an excellent home theater p…Read More

February 12, 2021
LG GRU510N 4K Laser Projector Review

The LG GRU510N is an HDR-compatible DLP home theater laser projector that retails for $3999. It util…Read More

January 4, 2021
Epson EpiqVision LS500 Laser TV Review

Great for families, sports fanatics, serious gamers… The long awaited Epson LS500, first announced j…Read More

December 11, 2020
Sony HDR Projection Reimagined

VPL-GTZ380 Could Be A Game-Changing HDR Projector In this month’s article sponsored by Sony, we expl…Read More

December 1, 2020
HISENSE 100L5F LASER TV REVIEW

Hisense markets their line-up of ultra-short throw laser projectors as Laser TVs, which are designed…Read More

November 14, 2020
JVC DLA-RS3000 4K PROJECTOR REVIEW

JVC offers two different series of 4K D-ILA Projector, which differ mainly in their cosmetic appeara…Read More

November 9, 2020
Sony’s Powerful Video Processing Delivers A Better HDR Picture

The topic of this month’s sponsored article is video processing and its impact on a projector’s SDR…Read More

October 5, 2020
Sony VPL-VW715ES 4K SXRD Home Theater Projector Review

The VW715ES adds projector optimized X1 processing and Dynamic HDR Tone-mapping to an outstanding SD…Read More

September 19, 2020

Home Theater Projectors REVIEWS

Image	Review
	BENQ X1300i GAMING PROJECTOR REVIEW Review Date: February 17, 2021 MSRP:$1,299 Technology: DLP
	LG AU810PB CINEBEAM 4K LASER PROJECTOR REVIEW Review Date: February 15, 2021 MSRP:$3999 Technology: DLP with XPR (0.47” DMD)
	BenQ TK850i 4K SMART HOME ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTOR Review Date: February 12, 2021 MSRP:$1699 Technology: DLP with XPR (0.47” DMD)
	LG GRU510N 4K Laser Projector Review Review Date: January 4, 2021 MSRP:$3999 Technology: DLP with XPR (0.47” DMD)
	Epson EpiqVision LS500 Laser TV Review Review Date: December 11, 2020 MSRP:$4999 (100" Screen) $5999 (120" Screen) Technology: 3LCD
	Sony HDR Projection Reimagined Review Date: December 1, 2020 MSRP: Technology:

	HISENSE 100L5F LASER TV REVIEW Review Date: November 14, 2020 MSRP:$3,999 Technology: DLP
	JVC DLA-RS3000 4K PROJECTOR REVIEW Review Date: November 9, 2020 MSRP:17,999 Technology: DILA, 3Chip
	Sony’s Powerful Video Processing Delivers A Better HDR Picture Review Date: October 5, 2020 MSRP: Technology:
	Sony VPL-VW715ES 4K SXRD Home Theater Projector Review Review Date: September 19, 2020 MSRP:9999.99 Technology: 3 LCoS panels (SXRD)
	Sony VPL-VW915ES 4K SXRD Home Theater Laser Projector Review Review Date: September 8, 2020 MSRP:$19,999.99 Technology: 3 LCoS panels (SXRD)
	The Compelling Case for Projectors with Integrated Smart Capabilities Review Date: September 1, 2020 MSRP: Technology:

	Hisense 100L10E Laser TV Review Review Date: August 20, 2020 MSRP:$6,999 Technology: DLP
	Optoma CinemaX P1 Laser TV Review: A Smart, 4K UHD Projector For The Really Big Screen Experience Review Date: June 5, 2020 MSRP:$6649 Technology: DLP
	BenQ TH585 vs. Vankyo V630 Comparison Review Review Date: April 12, 2020 MSRP: Technology:
	Sony VPL-VW695ES Review: The Native 4K Home Theater Projector With Premium Performance Review Date: March 23, 2020 MSRP:$9999 Technology: SXRD (3)
	BenQ HT3550 vs BenQ TK850: Choose the Best Home Projector for Your Room and Viewing Preferences! Review Date: March 5, 2020 MSRP: Technology:
	HT9060 Projector Review: BenQ’s Flagship 4K UHD Home Theater Projector Review Date: February 15, 2020 MSRP:$8999 Technology: DLP

	LG HU70LA CINEBEAM THINQ 4K PROJECTOR REVIEW Review Date: January 26, 2020 MSRP:$1,799 Technology: DLP
	Epson Pro L1070U Commercial Projector: Our First-Look Review of Key Features and Capabilities Review Date: January 21, 2020 MSRP:$8463 Technology: 3LCD
	JVC LX-NZ3 4K Laser DLP Projector Review Review Date: December 31, 2019 MSRP:$3,699 Technology: DLP
	Optoma UHD52ALV Home Entertainment Projector: Our First-Look Review of Key Features and Capabilities Review Date: December 16, 2019 MSRP:$1,799 Technology: Single chip, DLP
	VAVA Laser TV Review: 2500 Lumens of 4K UHD Ultra Short Throw Projector For The Whole Family Review Date: December 2, 2019 MSRP:$2,799.99 Technology: DLP
	Epson Home Cinema 3200 Home Theater Projector Review Review Date: November 27, 2019 MSRP:$1,499 Technology: 3 LCD

	Epson Home Cinema 3800 Home Theater Projector: Our First-Look Review of Key Features and Capabilities Review Date: November 27, 2019 MSRP:$1699 Technology: 3LCD
	2019 Holiday Guide To Seven Great Home Theater Projectors Under $2000 Review Date: November 22, 2019 MSRP: Technology:
	2019 Holiday Guide To Five Great Home Theater Projectors Over $2000 Review Date: November 22, 2019 MSRP: Technology:
	Epson Pro Cinema 6050UB 4K Capable Home Theater Projector Review Review Date: November 15, 2019 MSRP:$3999 Technology: 3 LCD
	Optoma UHL55 4K UHD Home Entertainment LED Projector Review Review Date: October 7, 2019 MSRP:$999 Technology: DLP
	Optoma HD27HDR Home-Entertainment Projector: Our First-Look Review of Key Features and Capabilities Review Date: September 15, 2019 MSRP:650 Technology: DLP
	BenQ HT5550 vs. Epson Home Cinema 5050UB Comparison Review Review Date: September 9, 2019 MSRP: Technology:
	Sony’s VPL-VW295ES – The Only Native 4K Projector under $5K, Will Rock Your World – And There’s More… Review Date: September 1, 2019 MSRP: Technology:
	JVC DLA-NX7 4K Home Theater Projector Review Review Date: August 31, 2019 MSRP:$8,999 Technology: DILA, 3Chip
	Aaxa 4k1 Home Entertainment Projector Review Review Date: August 15, 2019 MSRP:$999 Technology: DLP
	LG HU85LA CineBeam ThinQ 4K Projector Review – UST Design Brings Quality Home Theater To Your Living Room Review Date: August 13, 2019 MSRP:5999 Technology: DLP
	Optoma HD243X Home-Entertainment Projector: Our First-Look Review of Key Features and Capabilities Review Date: July 30, 2019 MSRP:$499 Technology: DLP
	BenQ HT5550 Review – A Very Impressive 4K UHD Home Theater Projector – Under $2500! Review Date: July 22, 2019 MSRP:$2499 Technology: DLP
	BenQ TK800M Projector First Look Review — 4K UHD HDR Optimized for Sports Fans Review Date: July 5, 2019 MSRP:$1,299 Technology: DLP
	LG CineBeam HU85LA First Look Review – 4K UHD and Ultra Short Throw Review Date: June 13, 2019 MSRP:N/A Technology: DLP
	The Optoma P1 4K UHD Laser Projector – Is this The Game Changer… Review Date: May 31, 2019 MSRP: Technology:
	AAXA 4K1 – 4K LED Projector – A First Look Review Review Date: May 20, 2019 MSRP:$999 Technology: DLP
	BenQ HT5550 4K UHD Home Theater Projector – A First Look Review Review Date: May 16, 2019 MSRP:$2499 Technology: DLP
	Epson Home Cinema 5050UB Review – An Extremely 4K Capable Home Theater Projector Review Date: May 12, 2019 MSRP:$2999 Technology: 3LCD
	The Epson Pro Cinema 6050UB Has Arrived – Turns Out It Is Even Better! Review Date: May 7, 2019 MSRP: Technology:
	Meet the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB – This New Ultra Black Projector Raises the Bar Review Date: May 1, 2019 MSRP: Technology:
	BenQ HT3550 Review – The 4K UHD Home Theater Projector with Better Black Levels Review Date: April 24, 2019 MSRP:$1,499 Technology: DLP (1)
	Epson Home Cinema 5050UB – The Best Home Theater Projector Value Yet? – A First Look Review Review Date: April 13, 2019 MSRP:$2999 Technology: 3LCD
	BenQ HT3550 Home Theater Projector – A First Look Review Review Date: March 11, 2019 MSRP:$1,499 Technology: DLP
	Sony VPL-VW995ES Projector Review: Sony’s New Flagship: Expensive – But Awesome Review Date: January 21, 2019 MSRP:$34,999 Technology: LCoS
	Epson’s HC4010 and PC4050 Take Off – Combining 4K Capabilities, Features and Value Review Date: January 15, 2019 MSRP: Technology: 0
	Hisense 100″ Laser TV Review – A 4K UHD, Smart Projector with Screen Review Date: January 2, 2019 MSRP:$7,999 Technology: DLP (1)
	Epson Home Cinema 4010/Pro Cinema 4050 4K Capable Home Theater Projector Review Review Date: December 6, 2018 MSRP:$1999/$2399 Technology: 3LCD
	Optoma HD143X Home Theater Projector Review Review Date: December 5, 2018 MSRP:$899 Technology: DLP (1)
	Sony VPL-VW295ES 4K Home Theater Projector Review Review Date: November 21, 2018 MSRP:$4999.99 Technology: SXRD (3)
	ViewSonic PX747-4K First Look Review – Now for $999! Review Date: November 13, 2018 MSRP:$1,261 Technology: DLP (1)
	Meet Sony’s VPL-VW295ES: The Only True Native 4K Resolution Projector Under $5000! Review Date: November 1, 2018 MSRP:$4,999 Technology: SXRD (3)
	Epson Pro Cinema 4050 First Look Review – 4K UHD with HDR Review Date: October 23, 2018 MSRP:$2,399 Technology: 3LCD
	ViewSonic PX706HD Gaming Projector Review Review Date: October 22, 2018 MSRP:$785 Technology: DLP
	Epson Combines 4K Capabilities, Performance, Features with a Focus on Value Review Date: October 21, 2018 MSRP: Technology: 0
	JVC DLA-RS3000 First Look Review – With 8K Resolution Review Date: October 9, 2018 MSRP:$17,999 Technology: D-ILA-3
	LG HU80KA Review – A Laser Powered, Smart, Home Entertainment Projector Review Date: September 29, 2018 MSRP:$2999 MSRP/$2698 Street price Technology: DLP
	Optoma UHL55 First Look Review – Compact, 4K and Full of Smarts Review Date: September 27, 2018 MSRP:$2,999 Technology: DLP with LED light source
	JVC DLA-RS440U Review – A Serious, 4K Capable Home Theater Projector Review Date: August 20, 2018 MSRP:$3999 Technology: LCOS 3 Panel
	Optoma UHD51A A Smart 4K UHD Home Theater Projector Review – With Alexa Review Date: July 29, 2018 MSRP:$3199 Technology: DLP
	BenQ TK800 4K UHD Home Entertainment Projector Review Review Date: July 9, 2018 MSRP:$1499 Technology: DLP
	The LG CineBeam HU80K – A 4K Laser Projector That Gets It Review Date: June 29, 2018 MSRP:$2999 Technology: DLP
	Acer VL7860 4K UHD Laser Projector Review Review Date: June 22, 2018 MSRP:$3999 Technology: DLP
	Viewsonic PX727-4K Review: An Affordable 4K UHD Home Theater Projector Review Date: June 11, 2018 MSRP:$1499 Technology: DLP
	Sony VPL-VW385ES – True 4K Home Theater Projector Review Review Date: May 7, 2018 MSRP:$7999 Technology: SXRD (3)
	First Look Review of BenQ TK800 4K UHD Projector – Is Better For You Than The BenQ HT2550? Review Date: April 27, 2018 MSRP:$1,499 Technology: DLP
	BenQ HT2550 Projector Review – The Best 4K UHD Value Yet? Review Date: March 28, 2018 MSRP:$1499 Technology: DLP
	Vivitek HK2288 4K UHD Home Theater Projector Review Review Date: February 9, 2018 MSRP:1999.00 Technology: DLP
	BenQ HT2550 – At $1499, The Most Affordable 4K UHD Projector Yet – First Look Review Date: January 10, 2018 MSRP: Technology:
	ViewSonic PJD7828HDL Home Theater Projector Review Review Date: January 7, 2018 MSRP:$679 Technology: DLP (1)
	Optoma UHZ65 4K Laser Projector Review Review Date: December 20, 2017 MSRP:$4500 Technology: DLP
	Optoma UHD60 Projector Review and Comparison to UHD65 Review Date: December 12, 2017 MSRP:$3799 Technology: DLP
	Two Holiday Guides, Ten Great Home Projectors Review Date: November 28, 2017 MSRP: Technology: 0
	Epson Home Cinema 2100 and 2150 Home Entertainment Projector Review Review Date: November 16, 2017 MSRP:$899 Technology: 3LCD
	Epson Home Cinema LS100 Laser Projector Review Review Date: November 9, 2017 MSRP:$2999 Technology: 3LCD
	Sony VPL-VW285ES 4K Home Theater Projector Review Review Date: October 26, 2017 MSRP:$4999 Technology: SXRD (3)

Theater vs Entertainment

Remember the differences between home theater and home entertainment.

A bright home theater projector can handle a 128" screen even with lighting present. — A bright home theater projector can handle a 128″ screen even with lighting present.

A good projector to drop into a home theater, not only has color optimized for movie viewing, but also should be able to produce very dark “blacks.” Those dark blacks are the key to dark scenes looking great. However, it is important to remember that most people expect to be watching more things than just movies at home, including HDTV, sports and there are a lot of folks using projectors for gaming. What you watch, as well as your room conditions, will be a key factor in selecting your projector.

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Price Range

Today’s projectors targeting a home theater or “cave” start at under $500 dollars for 720p resolution, and as low as $700 for 1080p projectors. Just four years ago one could not buy 1080p resolution home theater projectors for much under $2000. Note please that the least expensive home projectors are “crossover” projectors, their design based as a business portable. Despite their “upbringing,” some of those can do an admirable job for the amount spent, but they are home entertainment.

Almost all dark room projectors are relatively modest in brightness. It’s a trade-off for better picture quality and especially, contrast and black levels. Most “home” projectors you will consider today offer 3000 lumens or less, with the brighter ones being capable of tackling brighter rooms, such as family rooms, living rooms or media centers. In fact some are really geared for that, while other bright projectors may be even more at home in a dedicated theater.

Brightness has increased in the past few years to support 3D. 3D home theater projectors now include almost every new projector geared for home use. Virtually all that have hit the market since 2012 has offered 3D. Not all come with 3D glasses, but they are otherwise ready to go. Active 3D for projectors is mostly a firmware thing, so not expensive to implement.

An image from the Epson Home Cinema 5030UB, a popular, low-cost LCD projector.

Click Image to Enlarge

Our Annual Report for Home Theater Enthusiasts

Each year we have had a chance to review the large majority of new home theater projectors announced at the annual CEDIA show, which is held in September or October. Most of the projectors announced at this event begin shipping between September and February. Since the bulk of each year’s newly announced projectors are 1080p, the report focuses on these higher resolution projectors, but now also includes those new 4K projectors.

Home Theater Projectors

Home Theater Projectors

BENQ X1300i GAMING PROJECTOR REVIEW

LG AU810PB CINEBEAM 4K LASER PROJECTOR REVIEW

BenQ TK850i 4K SMART HOME ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTOR

LG GRU510N 4K Laser Projector Review

Epson EpiqVision LS500 Laser TV Review

Sony HDR Projection Reimagined

HISENSE 100L5F LASER TV REVIEW

JVC DLA-RS3000 4K PROJECTOR REVIEW

Sony’s Powerful Video Processing Delivers A Better HDR Picture

Sony VPL-VW715ES 4K SXRD Home Theater Projector Review

Home Theater Projectors REVIEWS

Theater vs Entertainment

Price Range

Our Annual Report for Home Theater Enthusiasts

Overcoming Seven Common Projector Installation Challenges

BENQ X1300i GAMING PROJECTOR REVIEW

LG AU810PB CINEBEAM 4K LASER PROJECTOR REVIEW

BenQ TK850i 4K SMART HOME ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTOR

NEC P506QL 4K LASER BUSINESS PROJECTOR REVIEW

Panasonic Announces New 2020 Education and Installation Projectors

LG Professional Launches Two Smart Laser Business Projectors for 2020

Best Selling 4K UHD Home Entertainment, Interactive, Laser Projectors: November 2019 & January 2020 Summary

Let’s Save the Planet – Hire the Space Billionaires! An idea that can work!

Behind the Scenes at CES 2020