To see a film the way the creators intended, you really need a projector. A good one can show a bright, sharp image up to 250 inches in size for an immersive experience that no TV can match — and usually at a much lower price. Plus, they’re great for immersive gaming with consoles and PCs.
Thanks to companies like Anker and Valerion, projectors are starting to be seen as a must-have item for cinephiles and outdoor party screenings alike. That means there are a wide variety of choices, ranging from classic ceiling-mounted models to battery-powered projectors you can take on a camping trick. You can also choose from dozens of ultra short throw (UST) models for a more TV-like installation.
But compared to TVs, projectors remain a bit more confusing for a majority of buyers. This guide will fill you in on important details to consider like brightness, type (classic, portable and ultra short throw) and other factors to help you choose the best model for your setup.
Best projectors for 2026
Some projectors are for serious cinephiles, projecting sharp 4K video with HDR brightness and hyper realistic colors to a large screen. Others are bright enough to replace your TV for sports or gaming, and some low-cost portable models can be set up for camping or outdoor fun. That’s why we’ve divided this guide into several categories to help you find the right one.
NEBULA Best mainstream projector Anker Nebula X1 Triple Laser 4K Projector The bar for a mainstream projector went way up this year, thanks to an invasion of high-quality laser projectors. My pick for the best all-round model is Anker’s Nebula X1. It comes with a triple-laser engine and dynamic iris that allows for 3,500 lumens of brightness, excellent contrast ratios along with incredible color accuracy and Dolby Vision HDR support. New for a projector in this price range is the motorized tilting lens that automatically fits the picture to your screen or surface. That lets you set it up in a few minutes, rather than a couple of hours. And finally, the Nebula X1 comes with a retractable handle so you can take it outside for incredible moonlight projections, watching sports and more. $2,399 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $2,400 at Best Buy
Epson Best budget projector Epson Home Cinema 980 1080p Projector For a bright and sharp projector on a budget, Epson’s Home Cinema 980 LCD projector is our pick. It’s rated for 4,000 lumens at the brightest settings, enough for use in ambient light. At the same time, the three-chip system delivers 1080p video that’s sharp enough for movies, sports and gaming. Another plus is its light 5.7 pound design, which makes installation easy and allows you to take it down for the occasional outdoor film festival. As is typical in this price range, though, it lacks HDR and contrast is mediocre, though improved over the last model at 16,000:1. $750 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $800 at Best Buy
Valerion 86 100 Expert Score Best high-end projector Valerion VisionMaster Max 4K Laser Projector Read our full Valerion VisionMaster Max review If the absolute best projector quality is what you want, Valerion’s VisionMaster Max delivers thanks to its triple-laser system and dynamic iris. Brightness is outstanding at 3,500 nits and it delivers inky blacks with a class-leading 50,000:1 contrast ratio. Color accuracy is also a strong point with 110 percent coverage of the BT.2020 HDR color spectrum, meaning you’ll see films and series how the directors intended. The VisionMaster Max is also an excellent choice for gamers, with latency as low as 4ms and a refresh rate up to 240Hz at 1080p, and 15ms for 4K at 60Hz. The main drawback is the $5,000 price, but it can often be found on sale. $3,999 at Amazon
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