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Best 4K Projectors: Our Top 12 Picks
The best way to play a PS5 or Xbox game or watch a movie is on the biggest screen possible, and projectors can produce images larger than any TV on the market.
The price of projectors, especially 4K Ultra UHD models, has come down a lot over the past few years. They still cost more than 1080p projectors, though.
That said, resolution is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to image quality.
A 1080p projector with incredible brightness, color gamut, contrast ratio, and keystone correction will outperform a 4K projector that only has high resolution and falls short everywhere else.
The best 4K Ultra HD projectors nail all of these picture quality factors on top of 4K resolution, delivering truly incredible images.
So if you’re ready to upgrade your home theater, check out the projectors listed below. We’ll also break down the most important aspects of picture quality in detail. Let’s go!
What Makes a Great Projector?
Brightness
Brightness, or a projector’s light output, is one of the most important aspects of picture quality. It determines how large you can make the screen and how vivid the picture looks.
4K projectors don’t need to be as bright as TVs because nobody buys them to use in bright areas, but higher brightness can definitely help with HDR content.
Color Accuracy
Color accuracy refers to how well a projector displays colors as they were intended.
For example, if a movie director shoots a scene with a specific color palette in mind, a projector with high color accuracy will reproduce those colors faithfully.
Color Gamut
Color gamut refers to the total range of colors a projector can display. 4K Ultra HD content has a wider color gamut than Full HD (1080p) content.
Currently, most 4K content is formatted using the same DCI/P3 color gamut used in theatrical cinema.
The long-term goal is an even broader Rec 2020 color gamut. This expanded range lets the projector show richer blues, greens, and reds.
Plenty of projectors still can’t handle all these hues. But some can.
Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio is the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of an image. It’s the single most important factor in determining image quality.
A projector or smart TV with a low contrast ratio will produce dull, flat, and washed-out images.
Many new projectors support HDR, which is designed to show a wider range between the brightest highlights and the deepest shadows.
The content needs to be specially formatted to stream in HDR, and your projector has to support it as well.
List of Best 4K Projectors Include:
| 12 Best 4K Projectors | Brigtness | Projection Size | Projection System | Ports | Speaker Output | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ TK700STi | 3000 Lumens | Up to 150 Inches | DLP | 1x Aux, 1x RS-32, 1x USB and 2x HDMI ARC | 1x 5W | 18 x 13 x 7 in. | 6.83 lbs. |
| BenQ TK800M | 3000 Lumens | Up to 300 Inches | DLP | 2x Aux, 1x Mini USB, 1x RS-32, 1x USB and 2x HDMI | 1x 5W | 10.7 x 13.9 x 5.3 in. | 9.2 lbs. |
| BenQ V7050i | 2500 Lumens | Up to 120 Inches | Laser | 1x Optical Audio, 1x RS-32, 2x HDMI and 3x USB | 2x 5W | 8.3 x 12.4 x 3.7 in. | 11.50 lbs. |
| Epson Home Cinema 3800 | 3000 Lumens | Up to 150 Inches | DLP | 1x Aux, 1x RS-32, 2x USB and 2x HDMI | 2x 5W | 12.99 x 16.14 x 6.46 in. | 15.2 lbs. |
| JVC DLA-NX7 | 1900 Lumens | Up to 300 Inches | DLP | 1x Aux, 1x LAN, 1x USB and 2x HDMI | None | 25.25 x 26.25 x 16.38 in. | 53.3 lbs. |
| LG HU70LAB | 1500 Lumens | Up to 140 Inches | DLP | 1x Antenna, 1x Aux, 1x LAN, 1x Optical Audio, 2x HDMI and 2x USB | 2x 3W | 27.16 x 21.96 x 13.5 in. | 32.60 lbs. |
| LG HU85LA | 2700 Lumens | Up to 120 Inches | Laser | 1x Antenna, 1x LAN, 1x Optical Audio, 2x USB, 1x USB-C and 2x HDMI | 2x 5W | 26.8 x 13.7 x 5 in. | 26.9 lbs. |
| Optoma UHD65 | 2200 Lumens | Up to 150 Inches | DLP | 1x Aux, 1x LAN, 1x Optical Audio, 1x RS-32, 1x USB and 2x HDMI | 2x 4W | 6.00 x 19.60 x 13.00 in. | 16 lbs. |
| Samsung: The Premiere | 2800 Lumens | Up to 150 Inches | Laser | 1x Aux, 1x Optical Audio, 1x RF and 3x HDMI | 4x 10W | 14.4 x 21.7 x 5 in. | 25.35 lbs. |
| Sony VW325ES | 1500 Lumens | Up to 200 Inches | DLP | 1x Aux, 1x LAN, 1x USB, and 2x HDMI | None | 24.75 x 21.75 x 12.5 in. | 31 lbs. |
| XGIMI Aura | 2400 Lumens | Up to 150 Inches | Laser | 1x Aux, 1x LAN, 1x Optical Audio, 3x HDMI and 3x USB | 4x 15W | 23.8 x 15.7 x 5.4 in. | 41.4 lbs. |
| XGIMI Horizon Pro | 2200 Lumens | Up to 300 Inches | DLP | 1x Aux, 1x LAN, 1x Optical Audio, 2x USB and 2x HDMI | 2X 8W | 8.2 x 8.6 x 5.36 in. | 6.40 lbs. |
1. BenQ TK700STi
Best 4K Projectors – BenQ TK700STi
If you have a moderate budget and still want a solid 4K projector, the BenQ TK700STi is hard to beat. We’d recommend it even more if you plan on using it for gaming.
This unit supports 4K at 60Hz with a 16ms response time, which is about as low as you’ll find on any native 4K projector.
Want to project up to 150 inches of bright, crisp images on your screen or wall? The TK700STi sets a new standard for that.
If you want to game at 120Hz, you’ll need to drop down to Full HD (1080p) output. That’s not necessarily a bad thing considering the higher refresh rate.
Key Specifications
Brightness: 3000 Lumens
Projection Size: Up to 150 Inches
Projection System: DLP
Ports: 1x Aux, 1x RS-32, 1x USB and 2x HDMI ARC
Speaker Output: 5W
Dimensions: 18 x 13 x 7 Inches
Weight: 6.83 Pounds
2. BenQ TK800M
BenQ TK800M
BenQ is a name that always shows up when you’re shopping for affordable projectors with great image quality.
The TK800M is another projector from BenQ that delivers solid value if you’re on the hunt for a 4K projector for your home theater.
Its color technology is impressive. Blues, greens, and reds aren’t overly saturated, and it delivers excellent color depth for darker shades.
Its 4K resolution produces sharp images in most light levels, though it might struggle if there’s a lot of natural light in the room.
Key Specifications
Brightness: 3000 Lumens
Projection Size: Up to 300 Inches
Projection System: DLP
Ports: 2x Aux, 1x Mini USB, 1x RS-32, 1x USB and 2x HDMI
Speaker Output: 5W
Dimensions: 10.7 x 13.9 x 5.3 Inches
Weight: 9.2 Pounds
3. BenQ V7050i
BenQ V7050i
The BenQ V7050i is a short-throw laser projector with 2500 ANSI lumens of brightness, making it a great choice for watching content in naturally lit rooms.
This is one of the top short-throw projectors on the market, throwing a 100-inch image from just 8.7 inches away.
The V7050i has HDR-Pro for excellent color clarity and quality. It also comes with built-in Android TV, which makes streaming content a breeze.
Netflix isn’t natively available, but you can stream it through the Chrome browser or via HDMI.
Key Specifications
Brightness: 2500 Lumens
Projection Size: Up to 120 Inches
Projection System: Laser
Ports: 1x Optical Audio, 1x RS-32, 2x HDMI and 3x USB
We walk through portable projector for movies step by step in a separate post.
Speaker Output: 2x 5W
Dimensions: 8.3 x 12.4 x 3.7 Inches
Weight: 11.50 Pounds
4. Epson Home Cinema 3800
Epson Home Cinema 3800This projector makes Epson a serious contender in the 4K projector market. The price tag might make you think the image quality is lacking, but it’s surprisingly good.
Colors look superb whether you’re watching face close-ups or sweeping landscapes. There are some minor issues with the blacks not being as deep as they could be, but you’d really have to be looking for it.
The 4K settings don’t offer frame interpolation options, but action stays smooth and motion blur is low.
Even at Full HD (1080p), you’ll still get fantastic images with additional settings to reduce motion blur.
Key Specifications
Brightness: 3000 Lumens
Projection Size: Up to 140 Inches
Projection System: DLP
Ports: 1x Aux, 1x RS-32, 2x USB and 2x HDMI
Speaker Output: 10W
Dimensions: 12.99 x 16.14 x 6.46 Inches
Weight: 15.2 Pounds
5. JVC DLA-NX7
JVC DLA-NX7
The DLA-NX7 from JVC is an HDR home cinema projector that delivers true 4K resolution.
Its massive contrast ratio combined with 4K resolution gives you top-of-the-line performance at a relatively fair price for a native 4K projector.
All of JVC’s NX series projectors use the company’s 3rd Gen 0.7-inch native 4K D-ILA panels.
These updated panels offer a noticeable and rich contrast improvement over previous JVC native 4K Ultra HD projectors.
Key Specifications
Brightness: 1900 Lumens
Projection Size: Up to 300 Inches
Projection System: DLP
Ports: 1x Aux, 1x LAN, 1x USB and 2x HDMI
Speaker Output: None
Dimensions: 25.25 x 26.25 x 16.38 Inches
Weight: 53.3 Pounds
6. LG HU70LAB
Best 4K Projectors – LG HU70LAB
The LG HU70LAB packs impressive performance and a good set of advanced features for the price. It delivers up to 1500 lumens of brightness, and the lamp is rated to last up to 20,000 hours.
The HU70LAB is a pixel-shifter that uses a DLP chip to take advantage of the full speeds of DMD and process pixels faster than the video signal’s frequency.
This setup works so well that it would be tough for anyone to spot the difference and realize it’s not a native 4K projector.
Key Specifications
Brightness: 1500 Lumens
Projection Size: Up to 140 Inches
Projection System: DLP
Ports: 1x Antenna, 1x Aux, 1x LAN, 1x Optical Audio, 2x HDMI and 2x USB
Speaker Output: 2x 3W
Dimensions: 27.16 x 21.96 x 13.5 Inches
Weight: 32.60 Pounds
7. LG HU85LA
Best 4K Projectors – LG HU85LA
Need a projector that can sit close to the wall? Take a look at the LG HU85LA CineBeam ultra-short-throw 4K ultra HD projector.
The form factor is sleek, with a slim rectangular design that fits on your lounge coffee table or entertainment console without blocking the projected image.
You can also mount it on the ceiling if you’d rather not have it on a stand.
This projector throws a 90-inch image when just 2.2 inches from your screen or wall, and a 120-inch image from 7.2 inches away.
Key Specifications
Brightness: 2700 Lumens
Projection Size: Up to 120 Inches
Projection System: Laser
You might also want to read our mini projectors for iPhone guide for the full picture.
Ports: 1x Antenna, 1x LAN, 1x Optical Audio, 2x USB, 1x USB-C and 2x HDMI
Speaker Output: 2x 5W
Dimensions: 26.8 x 13.7 x 5 Inches
Weight: 26.9 Pounds
8. Optoma UHD65
Optoma UHD65
The UHD65 is a capable 4K HDR projector at a competitive price point.
When you consider that some pricier projectors don’t even offer 4K and HDR, the Optoma UHD65 is definitely worth a look if you’re serious about your home theater setup.
The UHD65 might not have every feature you’d find on a native 4K projector, but the image quality is great. The 4K upscaling, color production, and motion handling are all impressive.
Key Specifications
Brightness: 2200 Lumens
Projection Size: Up to 150 Inches
Projection System: DLP
Ports: 1x Aux, 1x LAN, 1x Optical Audio, 1x RS-32, 1x USB and 2x HDMI
Speaker Output: 2X 4W
Dimensions: 6.00 x 19.60 x 13.00 Inches
Weight: 16 Pounds
9. Samsung: The Premiere
Samsung: The Premiere
Most 4K projectors don’t generate a lot of buzz when they launch, but Samsung’s first projector in over a decade sure did when it dropped in 2020.
The Premiere lived up to the hype and then some, arguably becoming the best 4K projector available at the time.
Its three-laser light source generates stunning images with a dedicated laser for each blue, green, and red hue. That means distinctive colors even in a room with natural light.
This is a true 4K projector, and the fact that it’s also a short-throw model makes it even more impressive. You can place it close to the screen and still get an image of up to 130 inches.
Key Specifications
Brightness: 2800 Lumens
Projection Size: Up to 130 Inches
Projection System: Laser
Ports: 1x Aux, 1x Optical Audio, 1x RF and 3x HDMI
Speaker Output: 40W
Dimensions: 14.4 x 21.7 x 5 Inches
Weight: 25.35 Pounds
10. Sony VW325ES
Best 4K Projectors – Sony VW325ES
The VW325ES is a step up from its predecessor, thanks to Sony’s X1 processor. This is the same chip found in Sony Bravia TVs.
The X1 is an incredibly fast processor that constantly works to produce top-tier image quality.
The VW325ES is big and bulky, but that’s true of most native 4K projectors.
One minor downside is the limited video inputs beyond HDMI and USB, but if you’re spending this much on a projector, you most likely have an AV receiver in your home theater setup already.
Key Specifications
Brightness: 1500 Lumens
Projection Size: Up to 200 Inches
Projection System: DLP
Ports: 1x Aux, 1x LAN, 1x USB, and 2x HDMI
Speaker Output: None
Dimensions: 24.75 x 21.75 x 12.5 Inches
Weight: 31 Pounds
11. XGIMI Aura
Best 4K Projectors – XGIMI Aura
The XGIMI Aura is an entry-level short-throw 4K projector with excellent sound, thanks to four built-in Harman Kardon speakers.
Place it several inches from your screen or wall and you’ll get a huge, crisp image.
While 4K resolution here is achieved through pixel shift technology rather than native 4K, it still throws sharp, clean images whether you’re gaming or watching movies.
Key Specifications
Brightness: 2400 Lumens
Projection Size: Up to 150 Inches
Projection System: Laser
Ports: 1x Aux, 1x LAN, 1x Optical Audio, 3x HDMI and 3x USB
Speaker Output: 4x 15W
Dimensions: 23.8 x 15.7 x 5.4 Inches
Weight: 41.4 Pounds
12. XGIMI Horizon Pro
Best 4K Projectors – XGIMI Horizon Pro
XGIMI has put out one of its most powerful home theater projectors with the Horizon Pro, the flagship of its projector lineup.
The Horizon series includes both the Horizon and the Horizon Pro. The standard Horizon is a solid Full HD (1080p) projector, while the Horizon Pro is an all-in-one 4K (2160P) DLP projector.
Key Specifications
Brightness: 2200 Lumens
Projection Size: Up to 300 Inches
Projection System: DLP
Ports: 1x Aux, 1x LAN, 1x Optical Audio, 2x USB and 2x HDMI
Speaker Output: 2X 8W
Dimensions: 8.2 x 8.6 x 5.36 Inches
Weight: 6.40 Pounds
Final Thought
When buying a 4K projector, think about the built-in features, the space you have available, and how much ambient light is in the room where you’ll set it up.
Once you’ve sorted those things out, pick one of the devices we’ve covered here and you can feel good about your choice.
