The Best Projectors to Turn Your Living Room Into Your Own Personal Cinema
From high-end devices with massive speakers to travel-friendly options, here are the best projectors to make your living room — or backyard — feel like a cinema.
Plus Icon
Thomas Hindle
More Stories by Thomas
- The Coolest Last-Minute Father’s Day Gifts for Every Kind of Dad, From Actually Cool Socks to the Ultimate Pizza Oven
- The Most Stylish Men’s Watches Under $1,000, from Classic Dress Pieces to Statement Dials
- The Best Amazon October Prime Day Deals on Headphones for Every Type of Listener, from Frequent Flyers to Audiophiles
March 31, 2021 7:06am
- Share on Facebook
- Share on X
- Show additional share options
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share on Pinterest
- Share on Reddit
- Share on Tumblr
- Share on Whats App
- Send an Email
- Print the Article
- Post a Comment
Add us as a Google Preferred Source
Samsung
- Share on Facebook
- Share on X
- Show additional share options
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share on Pinterest
- Share on Reddit
- Share on Tumblr
- Share on Whats App
- Send an Email
- Print the Article
- Post a Comment
Home theaters are increasingly easy to set up. Whereas in the past, you might need a massive room with a large robotic machine hanging precariously from the ceiling, today’s home cinemas can be smaller and far more convenient. That can largely be attributed to advancements in technology which means those large projectors that once used to hang from the ceiling can now be placed inches from a blank wall and deliver incredible quality.
And various makers have noticed the potential. The market for good projectors is fuller than ever, and the options are far more numerous. However, it’s now incredibly difficult to pick the right projector for your home theater.
Related Stories
Lola Blankets' Early Black Friday Sale Delivers Half Off Hollywood's Most Coveted Throws
The 5 Best Home Projectors for Movie Buffs, From 4K to Portable Picks
Related: Not Into Projectors? Check Out The Best 4K TVs for Watching Sports
There are indeed many factors to consider. But perhaps the most pressing has been, and will continue to be, picture quality. Most projectors on the market will promise 4K HD viewing. But there are caveats. Some only produce that quality from mere inches away from the wall, and allow it to rapidly decline as the projector moves further away. There are other factors to consider, too. Audio quality is a mixed bag, and though many projectors can be paired with a soundbar or external speaker system, it’s worth considering how great your machine will sound without help. Perks vary across models, but the best new projectors come with Smart TV capability, or at the very least Wi-Fi connectivity, included — another aspect worth considering when shopping for the best projector for your home.
Amidst the enumerated options, there are a few projectors that stand out among brands like Samsung and Anker that have created some fantastic home theater-making machines. While there is an argument to be made for a massive projector, equipped with the best technology and most elaborate system, sometimes a smaller one can do the job, and more conveniently.
So, here are the five best projectors to buy now, of various sizes and at various price points, to ensure that you can transport yourself to the movies without ever having to leave your living room.
1. Samsung Premiere Projector
The Premiere projector from Samsung is among the best projectors out there. Unlike some of its rivals, the Premiere is sleek and smooth-looking — only about five inches high and a foot wide. All white, with some gray accents, it doesn’t put an ugly dent in your room. Meanwhile, the performance you get is fantastic. The Premiere can project a massive screen even from incredibly close to the wall, and it maxes out at 120 inches. All of this comes while maintaining 4K HD quality, and blasting sound out of its 30-watt speakers. Furthermore, the Premiere comes equipped with smart TV, as well as Alexa capability, so you don’t have to invest in a Roku or Chromecast to be able to access all streaming services. This is the best projector out there which is why it also comes with a higher price tag.
Samsung The Premiere Projector $3,498
2. Optoma CinemaX P2 Projector
Everything about the Optoma CinemaX projector is bright and maximalist. The company promises to offer picture quality “the way the director envisioned it.” And they appear to have delivered on that promise. Like others, Optoma offers 4K picture quality and 120 inches of projection. However, Optoma’s colors are cleaner and more emphasized. Buoyed by 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, every line, shape and shade is emphasized. PureMotion technology ensures smooth video quality, as well. Optoma also spent time developing clear sound. Dolby Audio, as well as noise reduction technology, ensures that the noise is movie theater quality. And to cap it all off, an eco-mode means that the lamp seldom needs replacing — making the CinemaX a sustainable and reliable machine.
Optoma CinemaX P2, $3,300, on Amazon
3. LG HU85LA Movie Projector
LG is among the more stablished names on the home cinema market. And, after developing models over time, its models have become thinner and cleaner. The HU85LA projector, the brand’s top of the range model, is a mere five inches thick, and fits a lot of power into a sleek, otherwise innocuous looking box. The standard trimmings are all there: 4K HD, TruMotion technology, 120 inches of screen from just 7.2 inches away. But the appeal in the HU85LA is in the specifics.
Most projectors offer some sort of wrapping and cropping — allowing users to customize screen size. However, the LG provides very specific manipulation, with 12 points from which to adjust on the screen. Furthermore, the projector splits its RGB colors, rather than using a wheel — making sure that no shades are lost when amplified on a big screen. For extra accessibility, users can also connect their phone and display it — not unlike an Apple TV.
LG HU85LA Projector $4,949
4. Kodak Luma 150 Ultra Mini Projector
Kodak’s Luma 150 portable projector serves as a mini alternative to the massive plugin units that might clog up your home theater. Though significantly smaller — and less powerful — than some of its competitors, the Luma performs like a massive laser projector. Wireless, and therefore very flexible, the Luma delivers fantastic screen size and quality wherever it might be situated.
The device’s 150 inches of screen place it among the best on the market, and 200 ANSI-lumen brightness makes it a good option for a home theater experience, especially given its size and price. It comes with some ideal specifications as well, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so streaming services are readily available. A portable will never pack the same wattage as a plug in, but the Luma 150 stands as a fantastic option for those with a more restrictive budget.
Kodak Luma 150 Ultra Mini Projector $200
5. Anker Nebula Apollo Projector
For a more portable option, the Anker Nebula Apollo is worth considering. While most projectors on the market are slim and wide, the Apollo stands up straight. However, it’s by far the smallest option worth considering. At just 1.65 pounds and 5 inches tall, the Anker is no bigger than the average portable speaker. It packs a lot of power for its small stature, though. The potential screen size ranges from 40 to 100 inches, and 4 hours of wireless video playtime.
Like most, it comes with a remote to cycle between USB plug in, Bluetooth, wireless, and app control. But the top of the projector is complete with a unique touch pad that allows you to change HDMIs and channels seamlessly. More than anything, though, the Apollo allows you to take your home theater anywhere, without sacrificing performance. Movie night in the park, anyone?
Anker Nebula Apollo Projector $350
Read More About:
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day
More from The Hollywood Reporter
-
Lola Blankets’ Early Black Friday Sale Delivers Half Off Hollywood’s Most Coveted Throws
-
Heidi Klum Reveals This Year’s (Very Bloody) Halloween Costume
-
Best Celebrity Halloween Costumes 2026: Paris Hilton as Britney Spears, Lisa Rinna as Kylie Jenner and More
-
The 5 Best Home Projectors for Movie Buffs, From 4K to Portable Picks
-
From Beard-Grooming Kits to Brain-Teasing Puzzles, Here Are 20 of the Best Christmas Gifts for Husbands
-
Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff File for Divorce After Three Years of Marriage
The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News
Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter
Most Popular
Best Celebrity Halloween Costumes 2026: Paris Hilton as Britney Spears, Lisa Rinna as Kylie Jenner and More
Michael Douglas Shares Update on Jack Nicholson: “He’s Well. He Has Disappeared”
‘Klara and the Sun’ Director Taika Waititi Calls Critics “Sad Lost Souls” Over Negative Reviews
Eric Bauza Remembered as a “Once-in-a-Generation” Talent Who Gave Looney Tunes a New Voice
Heidi Klum Reveals This Year’s (Very Bloody) Halloween Costume
Netflix’s New Releases Coming in November 2026
Macklemore Wraps Up Free Palestine Tour in London: “It Was More Uncomfortable for Me to Stay Silent”
Must Reads
Olivia Rodrigo: The Queen of Sad Finds Her Happy Place
‘Ted Lasso’ Star Jason Sudeikis Goes One-on-One With WNBA Great Breanna Stewart (Watch)