Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K: Since it has a handle and a compact size, the Cosmos Laser 4K is technically portable, but there's no battery, so you'll need to plug it in. It's also nice and bright, but the other downsides -- lack of zoom, average overall image quality and a steep price for what you get -- keep it off the list.Read our Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector review.

Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE: The SE version of the Cosmos 4K is a little dimmer but a fair amount cheaper. It has all the same pros and cons, but the lower cost makes it more interesting. We like our top picks better, but this one was close to making the list.Check out our full review of the Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE.

BenQ TK860i: The TK860i is a decent step up in detail compared to 1080p projectors, though overall performance isn't quite as good as other BenQ options. It's been discontinued, but if you can find it used, it might be a good deal.Read our BenQ TK860i review.

BenQ W2720i: The W2720i is a classy-looking projector that's longer-throw than the BenQ X500i but shorter-throw than several others on this list. While more expensive than the X500i, its performance is worse.Read our full review of the BenQ W2720i.

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 and zoom and is quieter. However, the contrast ratio is poor, so it doesn't look nearly as good overall as other 4K projectors we've tested.Read our LG HU810PW review.

Optoma GT2100HDR: The GT2100HDR is a short-throw projector like the X500i we recommend above. While the Optoma is cheaper, the X500i is significantly better in every way.Check out our full review of the Optoma GT2100HDR.

Xgimi Horizon S Max: The Horizon S Max looks like the Horizon Ultra we recommend above, just with a gimbaled base for "easier" setup. We're pretty "meh" on gimbals, especially when they add a lot to the price like this one does.Check out our full review of the Xgimi Horizon S Max.

Picture quality.Even the best projectors don't have the image quality of a modern TV, especially OLED. However, they are able to produce massive images for not a lot of money, comparatively. Images that size benefit from as much resolution as possible, so you'll typically see a benefit moving to 4K from a 1080p projector. The two main considerations beyond that are overall brightness, which determines how large an image you can make and how easy it is to watch, and contrast ratio, which determines how "punchy" it looks. 

Where are you using it?A 4K projector can be used just about anywhere. They'll benefit from an actual screen, though, since their image quality is often better than a budget projector. If you want to replace a TV, consider a model with built-in streaming. Conveniently, most have this feature now. Even those that don't will usually have an HDMI input near a USB connector so you can power a streaming stick. Our top Epson picks are rather larger, but the others are small enough to be fairly portable.

What about X spec?Projector specs are often wildly exaggerated. If a company states a projector is 2,000 lumens, it isprobably brighter than a 500-lumen projector, but 1,500- and 1,700-lumen projectors are probably about the same. Even if they are different by that exact amount, it'd be hard to see that difference, even viewed side-by-side.

How much should you spend?Typically, 4K projectors start at around $1,000. There are decent options for less than $2,000 and some great ones for less than $3,000. Generally, spending more gets you greater light output and sometimes a better image overall, but not always.

What features should you look for?There aren't many features you really need in a projector, beyond overall brightness, contrast and image quality in general. Lens shift and zoom are handy if you want more flexibility in placement. Most projectors now have Google TV streaming built in, or at least come with a dongle you install during setup. No projector has great speakers, though some are better than others, so you should definitely consider getting areceiver and speakers or a soundbar. These connect with HDMI as long as the projector hasARC or eARC, which nearly all of them do.

All the projectors we review at CNET go through the same testing process that includes objective measurements and side-by-side subjective evaluation. I've been reviewing projectors for over 20 years and have used one (OK, many over the years) as my main "TV" since I started reviewing them. I'm alsoImaging Science Foundation certified and did training at theNational Institute of Standards and Technology to correctly measure displays. I use specialized test equipment, including a C6 HDR5000 colorimeter, a Minolta LS-100 luminance meter and an AEMC CA813 illuminance meter. The data is collected and collated by Portrait Displays CalMan Ultimate software. All projectors are initially set up using their most accurate color temperature and color modes. Test patterns, sent from a Portrait Displays VideoForge PRO 8K, are then used to adjust the various picture settings so the projector looks its best before measurement and evaluation. Contrast ratios are measured in each lamp or LED/laser and iris mode (when available). Once the projectors are fully set up and objectively measured, we watch a variety of content, including TV, movies and games, both with the projector by itself, and compared side-by-side with two direct competitors. 

With 4K projectors, like portable and other home theater projectors, I'm looking for the three most important picture quality aspects: contrast ratio, overall light output and color reproduction. Contrast ratio is the most important part of any projector's performance. It's the difference between the darkest part of the image and the brightest. While certain TV technologies, like OLED, can create a black that's the actual absence of light, no projector technology can do this. Therefore, projector contrast ratios are far lower. It's the difference between a washed-out and "flat" image and one that's more lifelike and that "pops." The better projectors will have a measured contrast ratio in the thousands. Most are between 500 and 1,000:1. The median contrast ratio for all the projectors we've measured in the last few years is 468:1, and the average, bumped up by several high-priced projectors, is 876:1. Overall light output, measured in lumens, is not only how bright the image is, but how large you can make it and still have a watchable image. A few lumens difference doesn't matter, but several hundred can be the difference between a dim, boring image and one that really pops. Color is a complex topic, but after years of testing, including dozens of "face-offs" with non-techy and non-reviewers, accurate color almost always wins out over under- or oversaturated color. The most accurate projectors produce lifelike colors that are very natural to watch.

Light output is the second most important factor, because it's not only how bright the image appears on your wall, but also how big an image you can produce. Most modern projectors are significantly brighter than projectors from even 10 years ago. We measure brightness in candelas per square meter (cd/m2) and then convert to estimated lumens for ease of comparison. It's important to note that we use the most accurate color temperature mode for our brightness comparisons, but we'll note when a less-accurate mode is significantly brighter. Most of the projectors we test are between 1,000 and 2,000 lumens, with battery-powered models far less, and some specialized projectors even higher. The average brightness for the projectors we've measured over the last few years is 901 lumens.

Color accuracy is the last major factor. No projector can truly take advantage of HDR, Dolby Vision or wide color gamut, but some can do more than others. Generally, we're satisfied with accurate colors, but adding HDR effects is a bonus. Most home theater projectors we test are fairly accurate. Budget models, those that prioritize brightness over everything, along with devices from newcomers to the projector space often have wildly inaccurate colors that result in a very unnatural image.

Other factors, like video processing and HDR processing, are evaluated in the viewing tests. These are rarely a major factor in projector performance, but some models still use older chips that have issues.

The best projector will have a high contrast ratio, high brightness and great color. Those are difficult to do at the same time, but as long as the balance works and it looks better than its competitors at a similar price, it's a winner.

For more info, check out how CNET tests projectors.

What we updated: May 2025

Added the BenQ W2720i to the Other Projectors We've Tested section.