The top projectors for 2025: covering everything from 4K to ultra short throw models.

      Once, acquiring a home projector meant investing a substantial amount in a large device that required professional installation on the ceiling for a specialized, dark "home theater" space. While these high-end setups still exist, the landscape of home projectors has evolved significantly.

      Home projector prices have dropped, as have their dimensions and the space required for installation. With advanced ultra short throw projectors, you can project an image onto a wall or screen from just inches away, and enhanced brightness levels are reducing the necessity for complete darkness in viewing areas.

      These modern projectors can display images ranging from 100 to 200 inches and can connect to a variety of devices, including streaming devices, gaming consoles, laptops, and smartphones. The selection in this market now includes high-end 4K laser projectors as well as compact and durable options suitable for portability, perfect for outdoor activities like camping or weekend getaways.

      Selecting the ideal home theater projector can be complicated. Specifications such as lamp type (LED, laser), brightness in lumens (ANSI, ISO), maximum image size, and features like Dolby Atmos can be overwhelming. Some projectors perform better in dim environments while others excel in well-lit areas, and ultra short throw projectors are increasingly popular for maximizing space in smaller rooms by allowing placement close to the wall or screen.

      If you're beginning your search for the perfect projector, we've gathered a range of excellent options across various price points, features, portability, and uses, from gaming to outdoor movie nights.

      **Epson Home Cinema LS11000**

      *Best standard-throw 4K projector under $5,000*

      **Pros:**

      - Bright 2,500 lumens image

      - Excellent color accuracy

      - Supports HDR, HDR10+, and HLG

      - Laser light source requires no replacement

      **Cons:**

      - Premium pricing

      - Could be brighter considering the cost

      The Epson Home Cinema LS11000 is a powerful 4K laser projector positioned at the higher end of the market, providing outstanding brightness, resolution, and performance for regular-throw projectors below $5,000.

      It's a versatile option for everything from films to sports to gaming and includes support for HDR, HDR10+, and HLG for remarkable contrast and color. A 120Hz refresh rate makes it ideal for gamers.

      Utilizing Epson’s 4K Pro-UHD technology, its triple laser system produces a bright 3,840 by 2,160-pixel picture at 2,500 lumens, excelling in dark rooms but still performing adequately in environments with some ambient light.

      While it lacks built-in operating systems like Google TV or Android TV, you can connect a Blu-ray player or streaming device via one of the LS11000’s HDMI 2.1 inputs, which support 48 Gbps bandwidth and eARC for an exceptional viewing experience.

      The Epson Home Cinema LS11000 is straightforward to set up, featuring motorized vertical and horizontal lens shifting, and you can store settings for repositioning. Ceiling mounting is recommended.

      **Xgimi Horizon Ultra**

      *Best standard-throw 4K with Dolby Vision for under $2,000*

      **Pros:**

      - Supports Dolby Vision HDR

      - Automated picture adjustments

      - Excellent brightness in dark rooms

      - Great color accuracy

      - Compact, premium design

      **Cons:**

      - Average performance in bright rooms

      - Installation can be difficult for non-Android users

      - Audio quality could be improved

      Unboxing the Xgimi Horizon Ultra reveals a stylish projector with a sleek faux leather finish and compact design. Driven by a dual laser/LED light source, it delivers 2,300 ISO lumens of brightness, excelling in darker environments.

      This projector’s standout feature is its Dolby Vision HDR capabilities, notably outperforming in this area compared to its price point. The color reproduction is also exemplary, covering 95.5% of the DCI-P3 range.

      As a "smart projector" with Android TV, it allows for direct streaming, though some users might prefer using an external device due to potential sluggishness in performance. Setup is made easier by its advanced auto adjustment features, which optimize image quality based on the projector's positioning.

      Connectivity options include two HDMI ports (one eARC), two USB ports, and a 1.5mm audio output. It also supports Bluetooth, Chromecast, Wi-Fi, and LAN connectivity.

      **BenQ V5000i 4K UST Laser Projector**

      *Best premium ultra short throw laser projector*

      **Pros:**

      - Vivid color reproduction

      - Excellent contrast even in bright conditions

      - Highly customizable

      - Low input lag for gaming

      - Bundled with Android TV

      **Cons:**

      - Expensive

      - Average brightness for the cost at 2,500 lumens

      - Challenging assembly for ALR screens

      While the BenQ V5000i may be sizable, its impressive HDR 4K display will