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Best 4K Projectors

Updated November 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Sony 4K HDR Laser Home Theater Projector
Sony
4K HDR Laser Home Theater Projector
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Best for Experts
Bottom Line

This 4K projector from Sony makes the top of our list for its theater-quality picture.

Pros

Bright and vibrant projection of up to 2,000 lumens. This projector has wide dynamic range optics, which produce deep blacks and rich, true colors making for a theater-quality viewing experience. Motion is smooth and natural thanks to Sony's Motionflow processing technology.

Cons

This is an exceptional projector, but it comes at a high price.

Best Bang for the Buck
ViewSonic PX701
ViewSonic
PX701
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Feature-packed
Bottom Line

If you need a quality 4K projector, this feature-packed unit is a worthy option for budget-conscious buyers.

Pros

Offers richly detailed 4K UHD resolution. Simple setup. Comes with a large collection of smart TV apps. Optimized for Blu-Ray players and other HDMI devices. Bright picture. Comes at a reasonable price.

Cons

Minimal networking and wireless connectivity.

Epson Home Cinema LS11000 4K PRO-UHD Laser Projector
Epson
Home Cinema LS11000 4K PRO-UHD Laser Projector
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

This laser projector will take your home theater to the next level with an 8.3-million-pixel resolution and virtually no lag.

Pros

The impressive resolution of this HDR projector is thanks to Epson's advanced pixel-shifting technology, which relies on three high-definition LCD chips for ultimate image clarity. Up to 2,500 lumens of color and white brightness. Epson's cutting-edge picture-processing technology makes for an exceptional, theater-quality experience.

Cons

This projector is not compatible with 3D movies.

LG CineBeam UHD 4K Projector
LG
CineBeam UHD 4K Projector
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Connected to Alexa
Bottom Line

All of the convenience of voice control with exceptional HDR picture quality.

Pros

This compact projector produces an image up to 140 inches wide at 4K UHD resolution. Use remote focus to zoom in on specific areas of the viewing range. LG's TruMotion technology provides a smooth picture. Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, so you hardly have to lift a finger to watch your favorite shows or movies.

Cons

The blacks are not as deep with this projector as with other models.

Epson Home Cinema 4010 4K UHD HDR Projector
Epson
Home Cinema 4010 4K UHD HDR Projector
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Accurate Color
Bottom Line

This 4K standard-throw projector boasts fantastic color accuracy and detail.

Pros

Stands out for its excellent picture quality with a wide, accurate color range. Boasts an impressive 2,700 ANSI lumens of brightness, good for a standard-lit room. The adjustable lens remembers various settings.

Cons

Doesn't have speakers. No internet or streaming.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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60
Consumers
Consulted
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Researched
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Buying guide for Best 4K projectors

While most of the world is oohing and ahhing over 4K TVs, many home theater enthusiasts are pushing the envelope even further by building their home entertainment centers with 4K home theater projectors.

These projectors display the crisp, astonishing picture of 4K content at sizes TVs can’t touch, so if you’ve ever dreamed of building your own home theater with a 100-inch screen, there’s never been a better time to get started.

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Although 3D support can no longer be found on televisions, many projectors continue to support the format. If you’re a fan of 3D movies, buy a 4K projector that supports 3D. Just be aware that the 3D standard is for 1080p content, and no 3D content is being produced in 4K resolution.

Let there be light: 4K projector bulb technologies

When you first start looking for a 4K projector, you may notice that there are a few acronyms that are important but can soon get confusing. Here are the three key 4K projector technologies you need to know about to make an informed decision.

  • DLP: Short for “digital light processing,” this is a technology that’s based on microscopic mirrors. DLP projectors usually feature bulbs that can last anywhere between 2,000 and 5,000 hours. These projectors are strong performers, typically with excellent 3D support, and the preferred option for home theater enthusiasts.

  • LCD: These projectors use liquid crystal displays to create the image that gets projected. LCD projectors are popular because they’re much more affordable than DLP projectors. However, these require frequent filter maintenance, and some users complain that dark colors aren’t represented accurately. If you need an affordable option that will perform admirably without being the best available, an LCD projector is a good choice.

  • LED: These projectors use light-emitting diodes, and much like regular LED lightbulbs, projectors with LED bulbs last much longer – sometimes up to 20,000 hours. LED-based projectors require no maintenance, but they do have an Achilles’ heel: they’re not as bright as DLP or LCD models. LED projectors are ideal for small- to medium-size rooms and users who prefer maintenance-free setup.

Specs to impress: key 4K projector features

It can be difficult to stand out in the crowded 4K projector market, so many manufacturers have begun to include innovative new features to help differentiate their best models. If you’re looking for a 4K projector that can go the extra mile, keep an eye out for models with these features.

  • Lens shift: Occasionally, you’ll need to adjust your projector’s image to make sure the picture isn’t crooked or change the height of the picture. Lens shift is a feature that allows you to adjust the lens and screen placement without physically adjusting the projector. This is a huge convenience because manual lens adjustments can be clunky and imprecise.

  • Wireless HDMI: Depending on where you place your 4K projector, you might end up with a tripping hazard: a long HDMI cable snaking around your viewing area. If you’re ready to ditch cables entirely, opt for a 4K projector that supports wireless HDMI – a new technology that can transmit a video signal from any HDMI source like a cable box or streaming box without the need for an extended wire.

  • Video upscaling: Chances are good that not all of your content will be in 4K, so it’s important to get a projector that can make your lower-resolution TV and movies look as good as they can. All 4K projectors are able to stretch older content to a 4K image size, but some projectors include video upscaling technology to improve the original image through post-processing. If you have a lot of DVD or Blu-ray content, or if you’ll mostly be using your 1080p cable box, buy a 4K projector that includes video upscaling.

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Did you know?
The brightness of projector bulbs is measured in lumens. Most 4K projectors use bulbs that are between 2,000 and 4,000 lumens. Different projectors use various bulbs based on their brightness and the throw of an image.
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Essential 4K projector accessories

Setting up your viewing area for a projector will require a few essential add-ons, so make sure to look for these when choosing a 4K projector.

Projector screen or projector screen paint

You’ll need a screen for your projected image, and there are hundreds of different options available. If you have room for a projector screen, buy one that can be pulled down from the ceiling. If you don’t have room for a dedicated screen, consider using projector paint on a bare wall. Projector paint creates a reflective surface that’s ideal for a minimalist setup.

Extra bulbs

Most 4K projector bulbs will last hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of hours before they burn out, but eventually, every bulb will burn out. Keep at least one spare bulb around at all times so you don’t have to wait for a replacement to arrive when your first bulb goes out.

Extra-long HDMI cable

Chances are good that you’ll want to place your projector behind your main seating or on the ceiling. If that’s the case, you’ll need an extra-long HDMI cable to connect your projector to a video source.

Grab one that’s longer than you think you’ll need. It never hurts to have the extra flexibility in case your placement plans change.

Audio solution

One thing that most 4K projector marketing materials leave out is that the projector speakers are usually terrible. That’s by design. Most projectors are made to be positioned far from the viewer, so they’re built on the assumption that you’ll be providing your own audio solution.

Whether it’s a soundbar or a full surround-sound setup, make sure you’ve got a plan for making your TV and movies sound as good as they look.

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Expert Tip
Want a 4K projector but are short of room? You can buy an ultra-short-throw (UST) projector, designed to sit directly under the screen. They’re expensive, but are ideal where mounting a traditional projector isn’t possible.
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4K projector prices

The 4K projector market can be tricky because high prices don’t always equal high quality. As you’re looking for your 4K projector, keep these price ranges in mind.

Inexpensive

Between $1,500 and $1,999, you’ll find the best bang for your buck: projectors that deliver incredible 4K images, include cutting-edge features like high dynamic range (HDR), and come from brands you know. The only drawback is that projectors in this price range don’t use the brightest bulbs available, making them only appropriate for average-size viewing areas. If you’re looking to add a projector to a typical living room, you don’t need to spend more than this, but if you’re building a proper home theater of 1,000 square feet or more, you’ll need to spend more to get a projector that’s powerful and bright enough for the room.

Mid-range

Between $2,000 and $2,999, expect to see projectors that include brighter bulbs and luxury features. If you have a small- to moderate-size viewing space, but you absolutely must have high-end options like wireless HDMI, expect to spend at least this much.

Expensive

At $3,000 and up, you’ll find 4K projectors designed for large, uncompromising home theaters. The projectors in this range are enormous, bright enough for auditoriums, and include just about every feature available. If you’re looking to invest in a powerhouse 4K projector for an extra-large space, and you absolutely need every last feature from HDR to 3D, it won’t be cheap.

Tips

  • Buy a ceiling mount for your 4K projector. Ceiling mounts are an affordable and easy way to keep your 4K projector out of harm’s way. The best part is when your 4K projector is mounted to the ceiling, people can walk about the room freely without having to worry about their shadow blocking the picture.

  • Make sure your 4K projector is plugged into a power outlet with surge protection. Projector bulbs are incredibly expensive, so you want to make sure that yours never burn out when a power surge strikes. Buy a robust power strip that includes surge protection. And if you’re particularly worried about protecting your investment, find one that ensures damage to connected devices in the event of a problem.

  • Read user reviews about how loud each 4K projector model is when running. All projector bulbs get hot – they are lightbulbs, after all. Most projectors have a built-in fan that kicks in when things get too hot, and those fans can generate a decent amount of noise. If you’re concerned about your projector fan being a distraction while you watch TV and movies, read user reviews to determine which models are acceptably quiet and which are too loud.

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Make sure to place your 4K projector in a well-ventilated area. If a projector overheats, it can break the bulb or, worse, permanently damage the projector’s internal components.

FAQ

Q. How dark does a room need to be for a projected image to look good? Will I still be able to see the image if the lights are on?

A. Most projectors look good – but not great – in fully lit rooms. If you use a projector in a room with a lot of windows or artificial light, you’ll be able to see what’s going on, but the edges of the picture may be fuzzy, and not all of the detail will be as visible. If you’re getting a 4K projector for a room that has a lot of light, consider investing in blackout curtains to create optimal lighting conditions when you need them.

Q. Is it difficult to install a projector mount?

A. Depending on the model, installing a projector mount can be moderately challenging. If you’re comfortable using a stud finder, drilling pilot holes, and following directions to the letter, you’ll be fine installing a projector mount yourself. If you’ve never attempted to mount anything before, call a professional for help.

Q. How big of a screen should I get for my 4K projector?

A. Most 4K projectors have a sweet spot around 100 inches, although high-end models support even larger screens. If you plan on going larger, buy a projector that includes a bulb that’s at least 3,000 lumens, and be prepared to pay a few thousand dollars more.

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