The choice of projector depends on how you plan to use it. If you want the projector to completely replace your TV, then the priority is the durability and reliability of the device. A projector based on three LCDs is a good choice. But if you want extraordinary image quality and a full-fledged home theater, then you need a DLP-based projector.
In our rating, we have collected the best models of projectors of 2020, and we will show you how to choose the model that is best suited for your tasks.
How to choose a projector for home theater: lamps against lasers
Three types of sources can provide light on the screen. These are lamps (halogen or gas discharge), as well as LEDs and even lasers. All three have their own advantages and disadvantages.
- Lamps. The light from them comes out bright and stable. However, the lamps do not live long.
- LEDs They work, of course, longer, they heat less, therefore, they do less harm to the surrounding components of the projector. But from the point of view of luminosity, they are inferior to lamps. In addition, it makes sense to buy a fancy projector, even if the filter can not be used? And with LEDs it will not work.
- Lasers It is very difficult to calibrate them so that you get a clear picture with natural colors at the output. Therefore, most often lasers are used by professionals, for example, at exhibitions or installations in art museums.
The most common resolution for home projectors is the classic FullHD (i.e. 1920 by 1080). However, the first swallows with 4K support have already appeared on the market.
Which is better - LCD or DLP projector?
- LCD matrix
A set of several semi-permeable (that is, transmitting light from one spectrum and cutting off another) mirrors and prisms, which reconnects the streams of light and forms a full-color image. A projector may have one or more LCD matrices; the most common are three. The higher the number of matrices, the better the brightness and color of the picture (and the better the build quality of the product should be for normal operation of the device). However, there is a minus - the more components, the larger and heavier the projector. And more expensive, of course. - DLP matrix
It is a cluster of many tiny mirrors that all fit on the chip surface of the projector. An image with a DLP matrix is more contrast and sharper than that of a liquid crystal, but unpleasant artifacts may appear on the screen when changing frames quickly. Most often, projectors use one such matrix. - LCOS matrix
Combined the strengths of both LCD and DPL matrices, while eliminating the weaknesses. Such a matrix has one minus - you will have to pay for quality.
How to choose a screen for the projector
It is important that the screen size is proportional to the projected image, that is, it has the same ratio of width and height. For movies, they usually use the classic 16: 9 format. For slides - 3: 2.
Usually at home use screens attached to the wall or ceiling. Portable options are good for presentations or classes at school, but for an ordinary apartment they are quite inconvenient.
And inveterate movie fans will probably prefer a stationary screen in a frame. You can’t hide it, you can only curtain it. But the surface will always be perfectly flat.
But the coverage should be chosen based on the level of illumination of the room. A distinctive feature of the white matte finish is the ability to diffuse light equally in all directions. This means that the image on such a screen can be perfectly distinguished from any angle. This is a universal choice for both audiences and home.
The bead coating, unlike matte, reflects light mainly towards the source, so it will be difficult to distinguish the image from the side. But the picture is clearly visible even in a brightly lit room.
And there is also a reflective coating with a high gain and a wide viewing angle. This is the best choice for ceiling screens.
TV or projector - which is better for home?
In terms of screen size, superiority remains with the projector. If you wish, you can stretch the screen even on the entire wall.
But in terms of image quality, the TV wins in the middle price category. The main problem of the projector is the illumination of the picture, grayish black and white.
But in the high price category, both projectors (especially laser ones, especially those based on DLP), and televisions go almost head to head.
It is worth considering the ease of installation. To install the TV, you have to: bring the device home, put it on a horizontal surface and plug it into a power outlet. If you want to hang on the wall - drill a hole under the bracket. But the projector will have to tinker with: first install or suspend the screen, apply electricity to it (if it is electric), select a location for the projector, pull the cables from the media device of the files being played to it, take care of the audio system and stretch the cables to the carrier already from it .
Paradoxical as it may seem, the price of an average good projector and an average good TV (if you look at them in the conglomerate of a home theater) is approximately the same. A good 40-inch TV, an audio system for it and a high-resolution projector, a screen and an audio system will cost about 80-85 thousand rubles. every.
Best Home Theater Protectors
3. Optoma HD144X
The average price is 38,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- portable widescreen projector
- DLP technology
- Resolution 1920 × 1080 (Full HD)
- luminous flux 3200 lm
- contrast ratio 23000: 1
- HDMI connection
- USB flash drive output
- 3D support
Opens the list of projectors for the home in the 2020 ranking model, capable of delivering excellent image quality even when projecting on a normal white wall.
The projector has high resolution, so the image quality is quite comparable to a movie theater, largely due to the excellent operation of DLP technology.
pros: picture quality, brightness, color.
Minuses: lamps in the device do not live long; To view, you need absolute darkness in the room, otherwise there will be problems with dark colors.
2. BenQ W1720
The average price is 76,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- stationary widescreen projector
- DLP technology
- Resolution 3840 × 2160
- luminous flux 2000 lm
- 10,000: 1 contrast ratio
- VGA connection (DSub), HDMI
- HDR support
- USB flash drive output
- 3D support
The image quality and color of the picture is simply mesmerizing even on a large screen with a double image magnification. Well, still, in 4K resolution.
And for gamers, the built-in HDR support will be important, which gives the picture on the screen clarity and brightness. Moreover, the image does not lose quality even in the absence of a special screen (it can be projected directly onto the wall).
pros: resolution, color rendition.
Minuses: in a brightly lit room there is a loss of color; a thin gray frame is at the edge of the image, which may interfere with viewing.
1. TouYinGer X20
The average price is 6,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- ultraportable projector
- LCD technology, LED light source
- resolution 800 × 600
- luminous flux 2200 lm
- 2000: 1 contrast ratio
- VGA connection (DSub), HDMI
- USB flash drive output
- image output from memory cards
- weight 1.1 kg
The cheapest projector in the ranking. At the same time, for your money you will get a parting that can produce a picture in 720 resolution and with good quality.
In general, a great option if you want to understand what a projector is and whether you need it at all. Of course, the resolution does not shine, and the brightness is not as good as we would like, but for such a price it is a sin to wish for more.
The main disadvantage of the device is the lack of support for AC3 sound, and this is one of the most common formats for video files from the network.
pros: price, size, weight.
Minuses: noise at work, lack of ac3 support.
The best projectors for school: presentations and study
3. Epson EH-TW9400
The average price is 185,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- stationary widescreen projector
- LCD x3 technology, UHE light source
- Resolution 1920 × 1080 (Full HD)
- luminous flux 2600 lm
- 1200000 contrast ratio: 1
- VGA connection (DSub), HDMI
- Ethernet network connection
- HDR support
- USB flash drive output
- 3D support
The king of projectors for the school assembly hall and stands royally. But for this price you get: high brightness, contrast comparable to the top TVs, excellent colors, HDR support, quiet operation, excellent focus and many different options. Including zoom, the ability to connect different presets for even greater picture quality and much more.
pros: Great picture quality.
Minuses: like all 3LCD projectors, black is not as black as we would like. The matrix can become dusty, which will inevitably affect the image quality, but you can’t clean it yourself, you will have to go for repairs.
2. Xiaomi Mijia Laser Projection MJJGYY02FM
The average price is 86,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- stationary widescreen projector
- DLP technology, Laser-LED light source
- Resolution 1920 × 1080 (Full HD)
- luminous flux 5000 lm
- 3000: 1 contrast ratio
- HDMI connection
- network connection via Wi-Fi, Ethernet
- USB flash drive output
- weight 7 kg
One of the few projectors powered by laser light sources. Together with innovation are:
- great solid design;
- high-quality performance;
- great picture;
- convenient remote control.
Moreover, the device is almost silent. Alas, like many other products from Xiaomi, this one is focused primarily on the Chinese market. This means that the menu is not only not in Russian, but not even in English. To eliminate this drawback, you have to give the projector for flashing.
pros: design, execution, image quality.
Minuses: Chinese menu without firmware.
1. Epson EB-X41
The average price is 27,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- portable projector
- LCD x3 technology, UHE light source
- resolution 1024 × 768
- luminous flux 3600 lm
- contrast ratio 15000: 1
- VGA connection (DSub), HDMI
- USB flash drive output
- weight 2.5 kg
In the top of projectors for presentations and studies is a product from Epson. Its weight is not as tiny as that of pocket models, but also not as solid as that of stationary products for home theaters.
The picture is good, perfect for presentations and training films. It's nice that, unlike other models, cooling air is not drawn back (and does not blow directly into the face of the audience), but forward.
pros: portability, picture quality, thoughtful design.
Minuses: in the full sense of the word, it can only work together with a computer, and to connect Wi-Fi you will have to spend money on a proprietary USB adapter.
Best Pocket Projectors
3. Everycom S6 plus
The average price is 13,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- pocket widescreen projector
- DLP technology, Laser-LED light source
- resolution 854 × 480
- luminous flux 1500 lm
- 2000: 1 contrast ratio
- HDMI connection
- Wi-Fi network connection
- USB flash drive output
- image output from memory cards
S6 plus is not only one of the smallest and lightest, but also one of the cheapest projectors. Its price compares favorably with stationary monsters for home theaters and even its own brothers - pocket projectors.
Thanks to the DLP matrix, the picture is clear and bright, although its resolution is small. This model can be powered by a battery, which is enough for a couple of hours of viewing, but no more, so you have to carry the charge with you.
pros: size, weight
Minuses: Own stand is unreliable.
2. DIGMA DiMagic Cube
The average price is 15,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- pocket widescreen projector
- DLP technology, LED light source
- resolution 854 × 480
- luminous flux 50 lm
- 1000: 1 contrast
- weight 0.34 kg
The DIGMA projector with the saying “magic cube” really looks like a cube. It is made magical both by a not-so-high price, and by its small size, the ability to play video from a medium and the presence of a remote control. And to make it easy to understand the settings, the device has an interface in Russian. It works on battery power, which is enough for a couple of films.
pros: compact size, built-in sound.
Minuses: noise, does not read mkv format.
1. Acer C202i
The average price is 21,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- pocket widescreen projector
- DLP technology, LED light source
- resolution 854 × 480
- luminous flux 300 lm
- 5000: 1 contrast
- HDMI connection
- USB flash drive output
- weight 0.35 kg
The size and weight of the Acer C202i is more like a pocket book than a high-tech device. Conveniently, with the help of EZCast technology, the projector can be connected without any wires even to a computer, even to a smartphone, or even to Apple’s cranky devices in this regard. And for wire lovers, there is HDMI.
Moreover, the kind manufacturer included a tripod with which the projector can be installed anywhere without losing viewing convenience.
pros: Size, tripod and remote control included.
Minuses: You can watch the picture only in a darkened room, the built-in speakers are purely for show, the audio quality is poor.
The best stationary projectors
3. Epson EH-TW6700
The average price is 108,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- stationary widescreen projector
- LCD x3 technology, UHE light source
- Resolution 1920 × 1080 (Full HD)
- luminous flux 3000 lm
- 70,000 contrast ratio: 1
- VGA connection (DSub), HDMI
- USB flash drive output
- 3D support
- weight 6.9 kg
Three of the best stationary projectors are opened by a model from Epson. It is big (a joke, almost 7 kg), but this is not a problem for a stationary projector. True, this size is best suited for a country house or a spacious studio apartment, although the owners of the rooms will be more modestly able to find a lot of fun in the EH-TW6700.
The picture on the projector is beautiful, especially in Cinema Eco mode. Not only that, even the black color, which affects many projectors, the EH-TW6700 is truly black. In addition, this is one of the rare projectors that can independently play video from a flash drive.
pros: picture, ease of use.
Minuses: After 800+ hours of operation, the picture may begin to fade, color distortion will begin.
2. JVC LX-UH1
The average price is 150,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- stationary widescreen projector
- DLP technology
- Resolution 3840 × 2160
- luminous flux 2000 lm
- contrast ratio 100000: 1
- VGA connection (DSub), HDMI
- HDR support
- USB flash drive output
- weight 4.6 kg
Just say that the 4K resolution of this projector is not entirely true. In fact, this is the usual FullHD with the "4K shift" function. The picture quality is excellent; if the source is 4K, then the projector will show it in 4K (or close enough to it), but Full HD will come out even better.
In this case, the JVC LX-UH1 projection distortion is minimal. Users will appreciate the abundance of settings and amenities, such as a remote control with backlight.
pros: image quality, user-friendly interface.
Minuses: starting to make noise, this is treated by activating the e-shift function.
1. Sony VPL-HW45ES
The average price is 130,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- stationary widescreen projector
- SXRD x3 technology, UHP light source
- Resolution 1920 × 1080 (Full HD)
- luminous flux 1800 lm
- HDMI connection
- USB flash drive output
- 3D support
- weight 9 kg
One of the main advantages of this projector (in addition to the excellent picture, which is expected in this price category) is quiet operation. You can safely watch a movie when a one-year-old baby sleeps in the next room.
However, the size and weight of the projector is quite large, so in an ordinary small apartment it may be inconvenient to use it. Especially considering the difficulties with the focal length, it is specific for the VPL-HW45ES.
pros: picture quality, quiet operation.
Minuses: traditional problems with the picture in the lighted room; possible smell of plastic during operation.
