One of the simplest ways to observe a film, TV display, or play a online game, is on an enormous display screen. There is no higher solution to get an enormous display screen in your house than with a projector. The costs of 4K projectors have fallen considerably the previous couple of years, regardless that Extremely HD 4K projectors nonetheless price greater than their 1080p opposite numbers.
That mentioned, the low finish of the 4K projector vary is now best reasonably greater than the top finish of the 1080p vary, so 4K content material is at your fingertips. Have in mind, regardless that, answer is only one side of image high quality. A projector with an excellent distinction ratio, colour gamut, keystone correction and brightness can simply grasp its personal over a 4K UHD projector that best provides upper answer on the expense of the entirety else. The most productive 4K projectors, mix nice efficiency in all facets of image high quality in conjunction with 4K answer for in reality improbable pictures.
In case you are in a position to take your house theater to the following degree, listed below are the most productive projectors you’ll get for 4K content material. Take a look at our Perfect House Theater Projectors for 2022 record for extra, frequently more cost effective, choices if 4K HDR is not your best precedence. Or, if portability is your major worry, we even have a record that can assist you discover a moveable projector to take at the cross.
Learn extra: House Theater Projectors: 6 Issues to Know Prior to You Purchase
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The Epson House Cinema 5050UB is the most productive all-around 4K projector as it has the very best stability between symbol high quality and worth. A very good distinction ratio, paired with spectacular brightness and correct colour, all with higher element than what is imaginable with a 1080p projector, and you have all of the items for an unbelievable symbol. This UHD projector isn’t affordable, however provides a vital step up in symbol high quality over different 4K projectors. In depth lens shift and a motorized zoom are the icing at the cake.
Learn all about it in our in-depth evaluate of the House Cinema 5050UB.
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The Sony VPL-VW325ES is a thoroughbred amongst ponies, a Porsche amongst Volkswagens, an absolute stunner with a ticket to compare. The distinction ratio, simply a very powerful side of general image high quality, is best than the Epson 5050 and a lot better than any projector that does not price considerably extra. And that’s the reason pronouncing one thing, for the reason that Sony itself prices considerably greater than another projector in this record. If worth is not any object, the 4K answer image high quality is improbable.
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The Optoma UHZ50 makes use of a wholly other, and new, era to create gentle: lasers! Maximum different projectors, together with all of the others in this record, use UHP lamps as a substitute, that are glorified gentle bulbs. The UHZ50’s blue laser is paired with a yellow phosphor, and the result’s a vivid, colourful symbol. Element is unbelievable, and it turns off and on temporarily, making it simple to reside with. It is also slightly quiet. The distinction ratio is superb for a DLP projector, however inferior to the LCD and LCOS projectors in this record. The small, inexpensive-looking case additionally has minimum zoom and lens shift, making it tougher to slot in some rooms than the Sony and Epson choices on this roundup. General, regardless that, an excellent projector.
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The UHD35 packs so much into its tiny case and occasional worth. It may throw a ton of sunshine, produces correct colours and has nice element. The distinction ratio is not nice, however is lovely moderate amongst 4K projectors on this worth vary. And that worth truly is the UHD35’s greatest promoting level. It provides nice image high quality for just a few hundred bucks over the most productive 1080p projectors. It does not be offering lens shift or a lot in the best way of a zoom, but when it suits on your room it is a good way to get 4K on the cheap.
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The BenQ HT3550i trades gentle output for deep colours. They are now not reasonably as deep as the ones discovered at the LG UH810PW, however they are richer and extra compelling than maximum projectors produce and the 3550i best prices more or less part of what the LG does. Alternatively, its distinction ratio is best moderate for a 4K projector, and the sunshine output is a long way less than moderate, that means its symbol does not pop the best way pictures from different projectors in this record do.
Take a look at our complete evaluate of the HT3550i for all of the main points.
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How to buy the best home theater projector
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Other products we’ve tested
LG HU810PW: The HU810PW costs about the same as the Optoma UHZ50, and is also a laser-powered DLP projector with 4K resolution. It has better lens shift, zoom, and is quieter in operation. However, the contrast ratio is quite poor, so it doesn’t look nearly as good overall as other 4K projectors we’ve tested. Check out our full review of the LG HU810PW.
Epson Home Cinema 2250: The HC 2250 is an excellent 1080p LCD projector. It won’t look nearly as detailed as any of the projectors in this list, but it’s bright and looks great otherwise. It’s also a lot cheaper. Check out our full review of the Epson Home Cinema 2250.
BenQ HT2050A: The HT2050 has been one of our favorite home theater projectors for several years. Which is to say, it’s not new. So it’s not as bright as some other options, nor is it 4K. However, it looks fantastic and relatively inexpensive. Check out our full review of the BenQ HT2050A.
How we test 4K projectors
Every projector we review goes through elaborate objective and subjective testing. CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
For more info, check out How CNET Tests Projectors.
Laptop FAQs
Do I need a 4K projector?
All mid- and high-end projectors are either 1080p or 4K. On the huge screens typical of even a modest home theater, often 100 inches or more, the 4X difference between these resolutions is quite noticeable.
Resolution is only one aspect of picture quality, however. A great 1080p projector will always create a better image than a mediocre 4K projector. That said, the added resolution certainly doesn’t hurt, and adds a new layer of realism and fine detail to things like textures, hair, wrinkles, and more.
Should you break the bank to get a 4K projector? Absolutely not, but if you can easily afford it, a good 4K projector can look epic.
What kind of projector should you get?
LCD and Digital Light Processing projectors are the most common technologies. Higher-end projectors often use LCOS, or liquid crystal on silicon, designs. These are marketed as SXRD and DILA. LCOS is superior to LCD and DLP in almost every way, but is significantly more expensive.
LCD (used almost exclusively by Epson) and DLP both have their strengths and weaknesses. DLP is typically sharper, LCD often brighter. However, both technologies offer bright, sharp images. It’s more down to the specific model of projector than specific technologies.
Do you need a screen for a better projector experience?
It’s technically possible to use any flat surface to project your image. That is far from ideal, especially with 4K projectors. Any and all tiny bumps in a wall, for example, will be visible as extra “noise” in the image. This can be distracting and reduces the image quality of your expensive projector.
If you want the best image quality even an inexpensive screen is a far better option. This is because projector screens tend to brighten the image noticeably and create a smooth surface that just shows your TV, movie or game.
