Best home projectors: Big screen cinema, gaming & sports for cheap
If you’re an old timer like me, your introduction to projectors was in school with a hefty light bulb-powered device as large as a photocopier. Probably because of memories of those blurry screens of boring lessons, I largely ignored home projectors as an adult.
Until now. I had the opportunity to try them out recently and was delighted by how much they have improved! The modern home projector is a stylish device small and light enough to be carried with one hand.
Playing around with them, I realised that home projectors have their own niche and it’s a pretty big one. You probably fall right into one and didn’t even know it. The obvious question is: why look for the best home projector when you could just get a large screen TV? The answer follows.
Why buy a home projector?
There is quite a bit of overlap between what a projector and a large screen TV can achieve in terms of image. However, a home projector has the edge for several reasons:
Image size: Large screen TVs can get quite expensive as they approach the 100-inch mark. On the other hand, even the more affordable home projectors effortlessly can give you an image 100 inches or larger for a cinema-like experience.
Setup: A modern home projector is a plug-and-play device, so all you need is a power source and you can then position it wherever you like. It allows you to play files from a USB thumb drive and even mirror your smartphone screen. Mountable projectors can be attached to a ceiling for a space-saving setup.
Portability: To me, the best feature of home projectors is their portability. Invest in a large-screen TV and it’s imprisoned in one room; today’s portable home projectors can move all over the house, the office and even outdoors. All you need is a suitable wall or screen.
Maintenance costs: Have an issue with your large-screen TV outside the warranty period and it often becomes more economical to simply buy a new one. A home projector with its simpler components is usually easier and cheaper to fix.
Purchase cost: Few home projectors will cost you more than S$1,000 brand new. On the other hand, even the most affordable large-screen TVs cost thousands of dollars. Projectors are definitely the more affordable option if you want the cinema experience at home.
What to look for in a home projector
A home projector can be an excellent device for the home, if you choose the right one. To do that, I consider these factors:
Resolution – A higher native resolution means crisper images. Look for FHD (1920×1080) at least but if you can afford it, a 4K projector (3840×2160) is the way to go.
Brightness – If you have a dedicated theatre room or blackout curtains where you will project your shows, projector brightness isn’t very important. In rooms with ambient light, a home projector with high brightness rating (3,500+ lumens) is recommended.
Screen size – A versatile projected image range (usually 30 to 300 inches) to suit a wide variety of rooms and use cases.
Throw distance – This is the distance between the projector and the screen. A smaller throw distance can focus the image precisely within even a small room.
Lens shift – This feature allows you to adjust the projected image up, down, left and right without moving the projector itself.
Keystone correction – Images tend to distort when projected at an angle to a wall or screen; keystone correction transforms the trapezoid projection into a standard rectangle.
Connectivity – A wide range of input options such as USB, Bluetooth, wireless, screen mirroring and HDMI are very helpful.
Recommended home projector specifications for different users
Okay, so I wrote a lot of words above, some of which you read. Now, you want to buy a projector for your home and want the short version. Here are the 3 most common use cases for a home projector. Use them as a guide to decide which projector to buy.
Film enthusiast
Projectors specifications for a film enthusiast’s home theatre:
Resolution: 4K
Brightness: 3,000+ lumens
Contrast ratio (min.): 100,000:1
Screen size: 50-300 inches
Casual viewer
Projectors specifications for a home theatre for daily use:
Resolution: FHD (1080p)
Brightness: 1,500-2,500 lumens
Contrast ratio (min.): 10,000:1
Screen size: 30-200 inches
Multi-purpose viewer
Projectors specifications for a home theatre used for film, gaming, presentations and more:
Resolution: FHD (1080p) or higher
Brightness: 2,500-4,000 lumens
Contrast ratio (min.): 10,000:1
Screen size: 30-300 inches
Others: Low-lag input for gaming (<30ms); 3D compatibility; >60Hz refresh rate
Of course, you do not have to conform to any of these distinct use cases. Some of the models we recommend below fall outside these recommended ranges but are priced attractively.
The best home projectors to buy in Singapore
Here are some of the best projectors that I tested. They have been arranged from most affordable (just S$109!) to most expensive (find out below!). How far down the list is the perfect home projector for you?
1. Salange HY320
Super-budget home projector with FHD, Android compatibility and 180° projection angles.
Resolution: Full HD (1080p)
Brightness: 10000 Lumens
Screen Size: Up to 150 inches
Throw Distance: 1-4 m
Buy now from S$109 on Lazada Shopee
2. Samsung Projector Freestyle Gen 2 SP-LFF3C
FHD smart portable projector from reliable Samsung with HDR, 360 Sound, and gaming capabilities.
Resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080)
Brightness: 230 ANSI lumens
Contrast Ratio: Not specified
Screen Size: Up to 100 inches
Buy now from S$498 on Lazada Shopee
3. LUMOS AURO V2 Home Cinema Projector
Native 1080p portable projector with Dolby Audio, large screen projection, and inbuilt streaming apps.
Resolution: Full HD (1080p)
Brightness: 6000 Lumens
Contrast Ratio: 4000:1
Screen Size: Up to 300 inches
Throw Distance: 1.5m – 9.2m
Buy now from S$498 on Lazada Shopee
4. ViewSonic M1+ G2
Compact LED projector with 360° stand, Harman Kardon audio, and extensive battery life.
Resolution: 854×480
Brightness: 300 (LED Lumens)
Contrast Ratio: 120000:1
Screen Size: 24”~100”
Throw Distance: 0.64-2.66 m
Buy now from S$649 on Lazada
5. BenQ MW560
Eco-friendly mode to extend lamp life while reducing power consumption
Resolution: WXGA (1280 x 800)
Brightness: 4000 ANSI Lumens
Contrast Ratio: Not specified
Screen Size: Not specified
Throw Distance: 1.55 to 1.7:1
Buy now from S$680 on Lazada Shopee
6. XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro
1080p smart projector with ISA technology, vibrant colors, and 360-degree Dolby Audio.
Resolution: 1920×1080
Brightness: 400 Lumens (ISO)
Contrast Ratio: Not specified
Screen Size: Up to 200 inches
Throw Distance: 3.5’ – 17.5’
Buy now from S$878 on Lazada Shopee
7. LUMOS ATOM Home Cinema Portable Projector
Native 1080p portable projector with Dolby Audio, large screen projection, and inbuilt streaming apps.
Resolution: Full HD (1080p)
Brightness: 6000 Lumens
Contrast Ratio: 4000:1
Screen Size: Up to 300 inches
Throw Distance: 1.5 – 9.0m
Buy now from S$999 on Lazada Shopee
8. Epson EpiqVision Mini Projector EF-11
Full HD laser projector with advanced color correction and integrated audio system.
Resolution: Full HD (1080p)
Brightness: 1000 Lumens (ISO)
Contrast Ratio: 200,000:1
Screen Size: Up to 150 inches
Throw Distance: 2.2’ – 10.9’
Buy now from S$1,109 on Lazada Shopee
9. ViewSonic X10-4K
4K UHD portable projector with long-lasting LED light source and built-in Harman Kardon speakers.
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Brightness: 2400 LED Lumens
Contrast Ratio: Not specified
Screen Size: Up to 120 inches
Throw Distance: 0.8 Short Throw Ratio
Buy now from S$2,288 on Lazada
10. BenQ X300G
4K UHD short-throw projector with HDR-PRO, gaming hub, and powerful audio.
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840×2160)
Brightness: 2000 ANSI Lumens
Contrast Ratio: 600,000:1
Screen Size: Not specified
Throw Distance: 0.69-0.83 (Zoom: 1.2x motorised)
Buy now from S$2,279 on Lazada Shopee
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