Are you looking to buy yourself a new projector which you’ll use for gaming? Or maybe you’re here because you want to surprise a friend with this awesome gift?
Well, you’re in luck! Today, we will show you how exactly to choose the best projector for gaming and name a few selected examples. We will go through all the pros and cons and in the end, give you our honest recommendation.
Nowadays everybody enjoys gaming, no matter the age. The best gaming experience comes when you have a large screen and projectors are there to help us achieve just that – have an unforgettable gaming experience!
Top Picks:
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How to Choose the Best Projector for Gaming
There are several important factors you should take into consideration when choosing your best gaming projector:
Type of the projector
There are two main types of projectors available, the DLP (Digital Light Processing) and the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
Display Resolution
Majority of users have an HDTV and should aim for a higher display resolution, 1920×1080 being the minimum.
Contrast ratio
This is the ratio between the black and white parts of the image. Higher contrasts give you whiter whites and blacker blacks. Contrast complements brightness. If you’re in a darker room, look for one that has a ratio of at least 1,500:1. If you’re in a brighter room, choose one with a ratio of 2,000:1.
Response time
Very important factor for gaming since it makes sure you don’t notice any motion blur. For a smooth experience aim for a response time lower than 18ms.
Audio
Simply put, the bigger the wattage the louder the sound. Keep in mind that a lot of projectors rob you of those rich sounds. Some are excluded from this list, but more on that later.
Lumens
The best way to determine whether a projector will produce enough light to project bright images is by checking the ANSI lumen rating. A rule of thumb is that projectors with more than 1,000 ANSI Lumens rating have good enough brightness for home theater use.
8 Best Projectors For Gaming
Optoma UHD50X
The Next-Gen Ultra-HD Home Theater Projector
Few projectors can offer an authentic 4K UHD picture quality cinema experience and a lag-free ability to project high-intensity gaming. Optoma UHD50X is an example of a marvelously done projector that excels in all areas of its use.
Thanks to its 8- segment color wheel and over 8 million distinct addressable on-screen pixels, you can enjoy picture quality that makes on-screen projections feel vivid and intense while protecting your eyes at the same time due to light reflection technology.
Gamers are in for a real treat- these projectors can run on two separate modes:
1. At lag-free 16 ms, you get lightning-fast projections at 1080p 240Hz – perfect for competitive gaming where every moment matters.
2. A more detailed, 4K UHD resolution option makes it seem like you are watching a theater-quality movie unfold right before you. With a 25ms input response time, it is both extremely detailed and fast at the same time.
With HDR10 and HLG content compatibility, there are practically no barriers to this projector’s capabilities.
It can connect to many devices, give out 400 lumens of brightness, and a long-lasting lamp life that can function without flaws for up to 15,000 hours on end. Indeed, with so much to offer, this is an offer that is hard to put down.
Pros:
- Fantastic resolution at breakneck response time
- Multi connectivity
- It offers a truly unique viewing experience
Cons:
- It is quite pricey
BenQ TH685
A Dedicated Multi-Purpose Projector, Geared Towards Professional Gamers
When compatibility with the latest selection of devices is paramount for your latest high-end projector, look no further as the BenQ TH685 is perfect for offering an HD viewing experience from any compatible device.
From portable handheld gaming devices to blue-ray players, you can use this projector for pretty much any purpose and enjoy a premium 1080p viewing experience.
The projector’s response time is 8.3ms, making it incredibly adapted for the fastest games while offering no drop in quality whatsoever. It is also HDR compatible, delivering 4K visual quality at a moment’s notice.
The 3500 lumens of brightness are equally as efficient in delivering lit pictures during the day and nighttime.
And there’s more, as this hardware is custom designed to not only revolutionize your entire viewing experience but also to bring you a sound quality that is almost indistinguishable from that of a cinema.
The custom-tuned CinemaMaster Audio+2 provides stellar sound quality and a truly immersive feel. All of the aforesaid gives you a powerful projector for any activity.
Pros:
- Fantastic compatibility
- Speedy response time
- It offers a multitude of features
- You get a 3-year warranty in case any issues occur
Cons:
- It could use better keystone correction
Optoma HD28HDR
A Unique Budget-Cut Home-Cinema Projector
If you wish to get your hands on the latest 3D compatible projector that can be used for intense gaming and streaming video content in 4K resolution, look no further as Optoma HD28HDR has you covered.
It can be placed almost anywhere – from the ceiling to the table and still project HD images up to 12 feet away. The Dynamic Black technology adapts to the light conditions in your room to make all the images crisp and clear, with an outstanding level of shade and light detail alike.
The 50.000:1 contrast level goes hand-in-hand with the 1920×1080 default resolution. Connected to a UHD HDMI, you increase your resolution to 4K, ensuring you receive an unparalleled home theater experience.
What sets this device apart from the rest of the competition is the specifically-engineered gaming mode, which plays out a myriad of games in just 8.4 ms input lag and a 120 Hz refresh rate.
This set of features is further enhanced by the 1.3 zoom and vertical lens shift, giving you a wide range of different positions that suit you the best. This next-gen marvel is an excellent addition to any gamer, as well as movie enthusiasts.
Pros:
- Unparalleled contender for fast-paced gaming
- Limitless connection options
- Fantastic light and color in any environment
- An affordable projector unit with high-end specs
Cons:
- Limited throw range
LG HU70LA
The Luxurious TruMotion Projector With AI Assistance
When you want to get the best of the best for yourself, there are but a few options that genuinely go well beyond the quality threshold reserved for the everyday consumer. The LG HU70LA is one of those projectors that sets an entirely new standard of quality rivaled by the ones found in the most prestigious theaters.
Equipped with HDR10 with Dynamic tone mapping for optimizing picture quality for every frame and TruMotion technology, every picture feels alive and motions fluid, almost perfectly replicating the scenes as if they were unfolding right before your eyes.
This model adopts a wheel-less LED approach for optimal color settings. The RGB settings allow this projector to showcase all pictures without a change in color quality, which is almost unseen, even with other high-end projectors.
With AI assistance technology integration, you can seamlessly stream and browse all your favorite content with just your voice. Choosing between Alexa and Google Assistant, you can feel right at home with a familiar system that adapts to your usage.
The sheer level of variety does not end there as you can access LG’s webOS system with the included Magic Remote and instantly access your favorite streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, VUDU, and many others.
This device’s extremely detailed 4K resolution can fit a 140-inch screen setting, with many features that set it in a league of its own, making it perfect for every occasion, excelling in personal and group use.
Pros:
- The extreme level of detail on a large screen setting makes this projector immensely enjoyable to use
- Integrated AI assistance allows you instant access to your content
- The WebOS smart TV system extends the use of this projector far further in terms of available content and its selection
Cons:
- Very pricey
Optoma GT1090HDR
The Perfect DuraCore Laser Light Projector
Right of the bat, this short-throw home projector oozes a distinct feel of genuine quality and asserts a promise of enjoyable long-term use.
With the dual HDMI ports, you can use multiple devices- from game consoles to media players; there are few limits to this projector’s versatility!
The most noticeable feature is its DuraCore laser light source that is long-lasting and sturdy – allowing up to 30,000 hours of unhindered and maintenance-free use enriched with a plethora of enjoyable features that make the entire experience memorable and fun.
The full 3D compatibility works with 3D broadcasting devices, blue-ray players, and the latest generation gaming consoles- bringing you visuals that come to life right before your eyes!
Well-known among the veteran user base, the HDR 10 technology is a building block of today’s premium light technology. Alongside a 4K output, your streaming activities become a truly unique experience that subsidizes going to the cinema.
The projector also brings 4,000 lumens of brightness to the table, ensuring that wherever you use it and in whatever conditions, it offers optimal results every single time.
This projector gets many things right, being outstanding in all areas without leaving any aspect unattended. That alone puts it on the higher end ladder.
Pros:
- Works excellently with all the latest HDMI compatible devices
- It offers excellent visual quality and is 3D compatible
- A long-lasting laser light source
Cons:
- The shorter throw range might be unappealing to some users
Epson Home Cinema 1080
The Budget Home Cinema System With A Lot To Offer
The largest number of home projectors worth a dime tend to be on the expensive side, which can diminish most potential users’ desire to invest in them. Epson, on the other hand, offers a quality product at an affordable price.
Providing industry-standard 1080p picture quality on any service up to 320″”, it promises excellent experiences by the sheer variety of specs alone and the excellent build quality present throughout the entirety of the projector’s components.
The very moment you turn it on, you can witness the fantastic levels of brightness- all thanks to the 3LCD technology, which excels in providing color accuracy and maintaining the quality of color at all times. This marvel complements the 16,000:1 contrast ratio nicely, giving you exact and colorful visuals.
With the inclusion of the two standard HDMI ports, you can connect it to a wide array of devices- from consoles to satellite boxes; it works perfectly with everything you pair it with!
A unique implementation revolves around the picture skew sensor, which serves to correct keystone for a square image in a matter of moments, all without your intervention. With the high brightness factor, ensured by the 3,400 lumens, the images appear vivid every time.
Pros:
- It offers extraordinary performance at a reasonable price
- Immense color accuracy and brightness
- Automatic keystone correction
- It comes with a 2-year warranty
Cons:
- It lacks sound output
Optoma HD146X
High-Performance Mobile Projector For Everyone’s Pocket
Engineered for above-average standards that go beyond the market’s demands, this little beauty promises a fantastic, long-lasting experience that fits every demand placed upon it.
As you can notice while picking up and inspecting the device itself- it is of high-build quality, and it has a pre-installed long-lasting lamplight, which can function up to 15,000 hours without any need for maintenance.
You can enjoy a fantastic 1080p picture resolution experience with this projector with a contrast ratio of just 25,000:1. Combined with HD146X and a 6-segment color wheel, you can calibrate and adjust the projector to your liking to receive any combination you wish.
The pictures align perfectly, thanks to the DPL DMD chip, which allows optimal brightness to enhance the projector’s already-potent power.
The device also comes packed with the option to switch from movie to gaming modes within seconds. Aside from enhanced visuals that fit the scenario, the entire process can be silenced to 26dB of noise, extremely useful for those moments when you want to enjoy your games, not make any noise.
With so much going for it, ranging from the 500,000:1 contrast ratio to the 3 600 levels of brightness, this projector takes the cake as a premium option for the everyday consumer.
Pros:
- Immense capabilities at an affordable price
- High-quality build ensures years of maintenance
- HDMI-CEC for great control
Cons:
- The infamous rainbow effect can be a nuisance at times
ViewSonic PX706HD
Good Gaming Projector for an Affordable Price
This projector is designed for gamers first. If you’re looking for a projector for your home theater it would be better to look at other options. The most important feature this projector has for gamers is its 16.4ms input lag.
It provides excellent on-board audio and a full HD 1080p resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It has Full HD 3D capability and doesn’t lack focus at any part of the screen.
A lot of ports can be found on it, including the standard VGA, HDMI and USB type C port, so you will connect your gaming monitor easily. It’s very portable and easy to carry around because it weighs only 6 pounds.
At a 6 feet distance it fills up a 120″ diagonal screen meaning that it is ideal for smaller rooms. The 2700 ANSI lumens rating helps it give vivid picture.
If you’re a gamer looking for an affordable projector then seriously consider the ViewSonic PX706HD!
Pros:
- 120-inch image from a distance of 6 feet
- Bright enough to use it even in the middle of the day
- 1080p picture
- Very customizable
- Auto keystone adjustment
Cons:
- Only one speaker just isn’t loud enough
Final Word
Since buying a projector is a serious investment you should always aim to do it once and do it right. You can hardly go wrong when buying from trusted brands.
Hopefully, we helped you choose which projector is best for you, or at the very least we helped you narrow it down to a few choices. Thank you for reading and have a good game!