LED projectors are more likely to have oversaturated color, but not all models necessarily have that problem. The Epson scheme uses three 1080p LCD chips and puts two sets of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels onscreen per frame. We also watch a lot of movies. Like the Epson, it omits 3D support. Just be mindful of the image if you're sensitive to rainbow artifacts. (For more about screens, check out our guide to finding the right screen for your projector.). The LS11000 is very easy to set up and has plenty of advanced features that will please both movie and gaming enthusiasts. In the low to moderate level of ambient light in a typical family room, you'd need 1,200 lumens for the same screen size. That's especially true because the term "4K," which more or less universally means 3,840 by 2,160 pixels for TVs, is occasionally used for other resolutions for projectors, such as the 4,096 by 2,160 used in digital cinema. That puts bulbs in the waste stream, some of which contain mercury so youll need to check your local city or state ordinances to ensure you dispose of them properly. First, Epson has switched to a laser light source instead of a lamp. I keep every projectors measurement results in a spreadsheet so I can compare their performance. The conventional wisdom in the projector business has long been that people who need high-quality or high-volume audio are going to use external soundbars or speakers, so there's little point in trying to build a deluxe sound system into the projector itself. The Xgimi Horizon Pro 4K is a 4K DLP projector with a smaller form factor that is easy to move around, but it doesnt have dedicated HDR viewing modes, has limited setup tools, and has poor contrast compared with our picks. 
For the best possible image quality in a dark room, a well-designed home theater projector with a lamp will deliver darker black levels than a solid-state light source, as well as better contrast, which translates to more visually dramatic dark scenes. Ours discuss the usable image sizes we found to deliver the best image quality in different lighting conditions. At this writing, the only projectors in this price range that use a different pixel-shifting technology are Epson's 4K Pro-UHD models. So if you love everything about the LS11000 but want the best movie performance in a completely dark room, you might want to visit your local Epson dealer and get a demo of the LS12000 first. Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox. If you're in this group, you definitely want a three-chip LCD model. This builds on HDR10, both improving image quality and eliminating some of the manual adjustment HDR10 requires when switching from one image source to another. The Epson Home Cinema LS11000 offers a combination of performance and features that you wont find in any other projector priced lower than $5,000. 
Also, the projector uses an external power supply housed in a very large brick that could be challenging to accommodate, especially for a ceiling installation. In addition, DLP is currently your only choice for a less expensive entry-level or portable projector. M. David Stone is a freelance writer and computer industry consultant. 
Room-to-room portables, most weighing roughly 6 to 9 pounds, often have a nearly cubical shape, with enough room inside the box for surprisingly high-quality audio. Many have trouble delivering suitably dark blacks, as well. 
Epson lists the input lag at 20 milliseconds, so there should be minimal delay between when you perform an action in the game and when you see it on the screen. It looks like the Nebula Mars II Pro on steroids and comes with an Android TV dongle that hides in a recessed cabinet. They also mention the screen size and type of setting (dark home theater, conference room, family room with ambient light) for which the projector is suited. You can read about them in our guide to the best home projector for a living room. 
PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. 4K (3,840 by 2,160) resolution using fast-switch pixel shifting, Ultra-short throw (UST); fills up to a 150-inch diagonal screen from inches away, Laser-phosphor light source lasts the life of the projector, Limited options for tweaking image quality. (The latter is the measure of how often the screen image is redrawn.) If the director and cinematographer want a shirt to be a specific color when they shoot the movie, a projector with high color accuracy will ensure you see that color on screen. 
It has integrated streaming apps, so it is easy to access content, and integrated speakers, which make it more suited for a living room than a home theater roombut it is not as bright as our living room picks. LGs HU810PW is a 4K DLP laser projector that we tested for our guide to the best living-room projector. 
Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). If youre a serious videophile whos building a dedicated home theater room, you may be willing to make that investment. Its color accuracy is good enough for most casual viewers. Epson is not the only manufacturer of higher-end 4K projectors that abandoned 3D support in 2022 (Sony did too), and we dont think its a huge issue because new content is not being produced in 3D. The DLA-NP5 uses a 40962160 D-ILA panel and a lamp (not laser) light source with a claimed brightness of 1,900 ANSI lumens. As a result, although many 4K projectors do offer HDR support, some don't support it at all, and some of those that do don't handle it well. I do head-to-head comparisons between projectors using an HDFury Integral box to split the HDMI source and show the two projected images simultaneouslyblocking the output from one projector and then switching to the other for comparison. So when shopping for a 4K projector, don't let the difference in pixel count affect your decision. 
Your eye integrates all four sets into a single 4K image. The most portable 4K model is at the high end of the mini projector range, but only if you stretch the definition of "mini" to just under 4 pounds. 
The use of a laser light source also lets the projector turn on and off much more quickly, produces rich color, and allows for nearly silent lens adjustments (more on this in a second). This native 4K projector is a slightly older, lamp-based model thats dimmer than the Epson LS11000 and only supports HDR10 and HDMI 2.0. Prices for projectors with those variations, however, start at $4,000 and up, making them less affordable than the models we're focusing on here. However, if you keep the projector long enough to need one or more lamp replacements, your total cost of ownership may be about the same. The LS11000 is a great 4K laser projector that can deliver a big, bright, beautiful image and has almost all the features you needexcept 3D support. But if you choose carefully, you'll have a big-screen image you'll loveat least until 8K becomes the norm, and that's not going to happen anytime soon. Lots of budget projectors serve up exaggerated, oversaturated color that may pop off the screen but is not an accurate reflection of the filmmakers intent. We saw a lot of light spill around our screen (meaning the lens is sending stray light beyond the screen area), and the Android TV dongle that came with our review sample did not appear to support HDR playback. In either case, lower lag time is always better. We cover cheaper, lower-contrast 4K projectors in our living-room projector guide and 1080p projectors in our budget projector guide. These models are simply too large to fit atop a stool or a coffee table in a living room, and they arent designed to be moved around. The infrared remote is rather large, but its fully backlit and has all the buttons you need to adjust the image on the fly. The input lag of any given projector will vary with its resolution and refresh rate. The Home Cinema LS11000 (and its Pro Cinema counterpart, the LS12000) offer two key improvements over previous Epson home theater projectors. That sounds like only half of 4K, but surprisingly, Epson's approach delivers image resolutionin the sense of ability to resolve detailthat's indistinguishable from models based on TI's pixel shifting. It supports HDR10+, HDMI 2.1, and 3D video playback, and it has motorized zoom and lens shifting thats almost as generous (but not quite) as that of the Epson LS11000. Checks all the image-quality boxes: color accuracy, contrast, shadow detail, black level, and more, Epson's 4K Pro-UHD essentially matches the detail of true 4K resolution, Powered lens with memory for easy aspect ratio switching and placement flexibility, Brightness drop from 2D to 3D is less than most projectors'. Let's examine each issue in turn, starting with those specific to 4K. While we did not test the LS12000 directly, Epson claims it has about twice the contrast as the LS11000, and since its only 200 lumens brighter, that improvement is almost entirely in black-level performance. You want a projector that can produce crisp, detailed images without relying on processing tricks that may make the picture look sharp, but add a lot of potential noise and unnatural-looking digital artifacts in the process. But if youre a black-level purist, you might want to consider the other options. BenQs HT9060 and HT8060 are the companys premium 4K LED DLP projectors, released in 2019. Wonderfully accurate, actually, so there was really no need to make any advanced color adjustments. At this writing, there are no palmtop or pico projectors with 4K resolution, and none that works on battery power. 3,840-by-2,160 resolution using TI's XPR fast-switch pixel shifting, Just 3.8 pounds, and includes carrying case, Bright enough for a small-to-midsize family room, Supports HDCP 2.2 copy protection scheme on 4K UHD discs, Even modes with the best color accuracy show a slight green bias, Limited settings; no way to adjust hues in any color mode. The best 4K projectors have excellent picture quality, but what does that mean? I have more than a decade of experience reviewing TVs, projectors, and other video devices. Companies like JVC and Sony still make excellent 4K home theater projectors, but the price of entry begins at about $6,000. Color accuracy refers to how well a projector can display the colors on screen to be true to the original content, and how accurate the color temperature (or color of white) is. 
Sonys SXRD projectors characteristically have great contrast and black levels. Some DLP projectors are more prone to showing rainbow artifacts than others, and some people see these artifacts more readily than others, so you may or may not see them with any given DLP model. As mentioned earlier, there are currently only two display technology options for affordable 4K and 4K-equivalent projectors: DLP (what most manufacturers use) and LCD (from Epson). And its one of only a few 120-hertz projectors right now that has high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 inputs to work with the most advanced 4K gaming consoles and any future 8K sources that might emerge. The higher refresh rate, mated with the two HDMI 2.1 inputs that accept a 4K/120 Hz signal, makes this projector a good match for the newest Xbox and PlayStation gaming consoles. You can also find room-to-room portable projectors, which are just a few pounds heavier. The larger the screen size, the more fine details you can seewhich is why a 4K resolution can be more beneficial in a projector than in a smaller TV. 
We found that it is a fairly quiet, bright projector with great color. It's possible to calculate the exact brightness you need for SDR images. The LS11000s higher light output also allowed for solid HDR performance. 
The better option is to mate this projector with our favorite Ultra HD Blu-ray player, the Panasonic DP-UB420, which handles the auto tone mapping on its end. Another reason is that your eyes (with apologies to them) aren't exactly the Hubble Telescopethere's only so much detail you can see. HDR video can be much brighter than standard dynamic range (SDR) video and is best suited for display on TVs, which can get much brighter than any projector. LED light source designed to last for the life of the projector, Rated at 2,200 ANSI lumens; suitable for a midsize family room, 4K resolution with XPR pixel shifting and full HD 3D support, Rainbow artifacts more obvious than with most modern DLP projectors. Here's all you need to know to buy the right one. Like on previous Epson projectors, the LS11000s lens iris can be set to automatically adjust the image brightness and black level to suit the content being shown. So, while you will find DLP projector picks in some of our other guides, the picks here are usually LCD and LCoS projectors. The key advantage for DLP models is price: Between projectors with similar features and image quality, DLP units cost less. What makes an awesome 4K movie projector? Obviously, the input lag that matters to you is the one in effect at the resolution and refresh rate you plan to use. That means they retain more than 75% of their original brightness considerably longer than lamps do, both in terms of hours of use and percentage of lifespan. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. (, Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projector, Epson Pro Cinema 4050 4K Pro-UHD Projector, Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projection TV, Xgimi Aura 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector, Read Great Stories Offline on Your Favorite, PC Magazine Digital Edition (Opens in a new window), How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files, How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac, Read Our Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projector Review, Read Our Epson Pro Cinema 4050 4K Pro-UHD Projector Review, Read Our Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projection TV Review, Read Our Xgimi Aura 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector Review, finding the right screen for your projector, How to Choose the Right Screen for Your Projector, How to Create the Perfect Backyard Movie Night on the Cheap, Vankyo Leisure 495W Dolby Audio Projector Review, 3840 by 2160 using Epson's 4K Pro-UHD technology, Equivalent to 3840 by 2160 using Epson's 4K PRO-UHD technology, 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting, 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPS fast-switch pixel shifting, 4096 by 2160 at 30Hz; 3840 by 2160 at 60Hz; Full HD 3D, Bluetooth (in Android TV dongle), Wi-Fi (in Android TV dongle), Direct Wireless (Chromecast). Keep an eye on your inbox! However, the contrast ratio is well below average for a DLP projector, so with anything but fully bright scenes, the HU810PW looks washed out and flat. The majority of new, sub-$5,000 projectors are designed for multipurpose use in a room with more light. That's why we cover HDR quality separately from SDR quality in our reviews. We preferred the Optoma UHZ50 if you want a laser projector for a brighter room. If you're making a business or classroom presentation or watching movies and videos, even a long lag won't matter. The LS11000s true strengths lie in its good brightness and contrast, its rich yet accurate color with both SDR and HDR video, and its ability to render a very clean image without a lot of digital noise and other artifacts. So while 4K resolution (3,840 by 2,160 pixels) has long since taken over as the standard for flat-screen TVs, only now are 4K projectors dipping below $1,000 to reach the sweet spot as consumers' preferred resolution. 
Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. She has been a writer, editor, and reviewer in the consumer electronics industry for 20 years, and previously served as the executive editor of Home Theater Magazine and the managing editor of HomeTheaterReview.com. Epson is more generous with its setup tools than any other projector manufacturer: The 2.1x zoom, 96.3% vertical lens shift, and 47.1% horizontal lens shift made it easy to precisely place the image on our screen, and all the lens controls are motorized, so you can use them via the remote and set up different lens memories for different video aspect ratios (such as 16:9 for HDTV, or 21:9 for some movies). Learn more. Contrast ratio, or the difference between the darkest part of the image and the brightest, is the most important factor when it comes to picture quality. The use of an all-glass lens also helps with image clarity, and Epsons Image Enhancement tool lets you further tweak the picture clarity and sharpness. 
This article was edited by Grant Clauser. But not exceptional because the black level in the darkest scenes (like chapter four of Dune or chapter 12 of Sicario) wasnt as deep as youll see on the best LCoS projectors, such as our previous top pick, the now-discontinued JVC DLA-NX5. These DLP projectors produced a very sharp image and had good color, but their black levels were not as good as what we saw from the LCD and LCoS projectorsso the image lacked pop, and the HDR tone mapping often left highlights looking washed out. Unfortunately, there is no widely accepted standard for how bright an image you need for HDR viewing, which makes it impossible to make broad recommendations for how bright a projector has to be. JVCs D-ILA (LCoS) projectors are known for their exceptional black level and contrast. Their price points are high for this guide, and theyre a bit long in the tooth at this point. We reviewed every type of projector to find the best projector to fit your needs, whether its for a home theater or a home office. Plus, its very easy to set up, thanks to the motorized focus, zoom, and lens adjustments that Epson provides. A high-performance 4K projector is designed for the person who has the desire, space, and budget to re-create the movie-theater experience in their home. The flipside of brightness is black level, and a good black level is the key to good movie performance. David has significant expertise in imaging technologies (including printers, monitors, large-screen displays, projectors, scanners, and digital cameras), storage (both magnetic and optical), and word processing. Image brightness and detail were good, but contrast and color accuracy were just average (even for a DLP projector), and you get none of the advanced picture adjustments or zoom/lens-shifting features that are common to projectors at this price. But it still received excellent reviews as a high-performance home theater projector, and you may be able to get a deal on it before it disappears. It also lacks HDMI 2.1 inputs, and it uses a lamp instead of a laser light source, so you dont get the performance benefits of a laser and will have to pay to replace the bulb every few years. AAXA's compact 4K1 Ultra HD projector offers suitable resolution and support for the copy protection scheme of 4K UHD discs, but it lacks HDR support. I measure all the projectors picture modes at their default settings to determine their brightness capabilities and find the most accurate mode to use going forward. If you seldom watch movies in a completely dark room, youll lose the advantages in image contrast and black-level performance that a premium 4K projector offers over cheaper models. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. If you're projecting a first-person shooter game, a lower lag can make the difference between surviving to the next frame or not. https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-4k-projectors. To watch HDR video, you need both specially formatted content and a projector that can properly play that content. But no matter how high-quality its lens, the resulting image will have a soft focus versus that of an otherwise identical projector with a real 1080p chip. Finally, the LS11000 doesnt support 3D video playback. The black level is excellent, so movies can look rich, colorful, and detailed in a dark roombut the HU710PW is significantly dimmer than the Epson LS11000 and is best suited for use only in a fully light-controlled environment. While entry-level projectors are about the size of a few stacked laptops or textbooks, a home theater projector is closer in size to a home theater receiver, so you should place it out of the way. There are several HDR formats. An eagle might, but the human visual system can't. If you still watch 3D movies or just want to spend a bit less: The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is our former budget pick and sells for about $1,000 less than the newer LS11000. More concerning is the light spill we saw coming off the lens, which cast a ring of light on the floor in front of our screen. 
All projectors use one of three technologies to create an image: LCD (liquid crystal display), LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon), or DLP (Digital Light Processing). This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. It uses Sonys new, smaller 38402160 SXRD (LCoS) imaging panel that allows for a slightly smaller form factor. The good news is that the number of affordable 4K projectors is climbing quickly, making it ever easier to find one that fits your needs and budget. 4K (3,840-by-2,160) resolution using TI's XPR fast-switch pixel shifting, Good color accuracy with default settings, Android TV dongle uses an HDMI port, leaving only one free, Showed rainbow artifacts more often than most UST DLP models, Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. The LS11000 does not. If you can tolerate some rainbows but not too many, you may or may not be happy with any given DLP projector. Youll want to set up different picture modes for SDR and HDR movies (which you can save) and will have to switch into them manually. You can choose from five presets or adjust several different controls individually. The Home Cinema LS11000s connection panel includes two high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 inputs, a powered USB port, and RS-232 and LAN ports for integration into an advanced control system. Most projectors designed for business or education, by contrast, include an audio system, but in many cases it's just a convenience feature with volume far too low for the size of the room the projector is likely to be used in. Plus, they were not as favorably reviewed as similarly priced models from JVC and Sony. I preferred a setting of 2 or 3, but theres a nice degree of flexibility to dial in the level of clarity you want. It is certainly bigger and heavier than your average 1080p home projector (like our budget recommendation, the BenQ HT2050A), but its size is on a par with most high-performance 4K. Sonys $6,000 VPL-XW5000ES replaces the older VPL-VW325ES and moves to a laser light source, with a claimed brightness of 2,000 ANSI lumens. 
2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. But the best 4K projectors can automatically tailor HDR video to look its best within their brightness abilities. We recommend the best displays, sources, and accessories for watching 4K HDR movies and TV shows at home. Epsons Home Cinema LS11000 is our favorite 4K projector because it delivers the best performance with movies that youll find for less than $5,000, but it also looks great with games, sports, and HDTV when some room lights are on. This determines how large of a screen you can have, what type of screen you can have, and, of course, how bright the image is. 1996-2022 Ziff Davis. These issues wont matter if youre sending audio to a sound system, though. There are four elements to a great-looking image: contrast ratio, brightness, color accuracy, and detail. However, the XW5000ES is not as full-featured as the Epson LS11000: It has less zoom and lens shifting, and those functions are manual, not motorized. Note that when comparing projector brightness, you should limit your comparisons to ANSI or the equivalent ISO lumen ratings. These days its not hard to find a bright 4K projector for gaming or sports in a multi-use room, but its much more difficult to find a great 4K home theater projector that doesnt cost a fortune (many land in the five-figure range). It produces a bright, colorful image with excellent detail, but its image contrast and black level are not on a par with our pick here. JVCs DLA-NP5 is the replacement for our former top pick, the DLA-NX5, but it carries a higher price of $7,000. It costs $1,000 more than the LS11000 while having almost identical specs and featuresbut the one crucial difference is that it uses Epsons UltraBlack technology to produce darker black levels. If you don't see these artifacts or don't find them bothersome, more power to you. To take advantage of any of them, your projector must specifically support it, which means you need to check before buying which HDR formats a projector supports and make sure they include those used by the image sources you want to watch. Overall, the HU710PW just isnt as refined as the Epson LS11000 in many respects, but if youre looking for a more affordable projector for use in a light-controlled space, its a solid choice. 
Another advantage of traditional lamps is that they cost less than LEDs and lasers, so a lamp-based projector will be less expensive than an otherwise identical solid-state model. No projector is bright enough to really do HDR justice, but bright highlights in Ultra HD discs like Dune, Pan, and Justice League had decent pop here, even when I set the projector at about half its maximum brightness for dark-room viewing.
For the best possible image quality in a dark room, a well-designed home theater projector with a lamp will deliver darker black levels than a solid-state light source, as well as better contrast, which translates to more visually dramatic dark scenes. Ours discuss the usable image sizes we found to deliver the best image quality in different lighting conditions. At this writing, the only projectors in this price range that use a different pixel-shifting technology are Epson's 4K Pro-UHD models. So if you love everything about the LS11000 but want the best movie performance in a completely dark room, you might want to visit your local Epson dealer and get a demo of the LS12000 first. Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox. If you're in this group, you definitely want a three-chip LCD model. This builds on HDR10, both improving image quality and eliminating some of the manual adjustment HDR10 requires when switching from one image source to another. The Epson Home Cinema LS11000 offers a combination of performance and features that you wont find in any other projector priced lower than $5,000. Also, the projector uses an external power supply housed in a very large brick that could be challenging to accommodate, especially for a ceiling installation. In addition, DLP is currently your only choice for a less expensive entry-level or portable projector. M. David Stone is a freelance writer and computer industry consultant. Room-to-room portables, most weighing roughly 6 to 9 pounds, often have a nearly cubical shape, with enough room inside the box for surprisingly high-quality audio. Many have trouble delivering suitably dark blacks, as well. Epson lists the input lag at 20 milliseconds, so there should be minimal delay between when you perform an action in the game and when you see it on the screen. It looks like the Nebula Mars II Pro on steroids and comes with an Android TV dongle that hides in a recessed cabinet. They also mention the screen size and type of setting (dark home theater, conference room, family room with ambient light) for which the projector is suited. You can read about them in our guide to the best home projector for a living room. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. 4K (3,840 by 2,160) resolution using fast-switch pixel shifting, Ultra-short throw (UST); fills up to a 150-inch diagonal screen from inches away, Laser-phosphor light source lasts the life of the projector, Limited options for tweaking image quality. (The latter is the measure of how often the screen image is redrawn.) If the director and cinematographer want a shirt to be a specific color when they shoot the movie, a projector with high color accuracy will ensure you see that color on screen. It has integrated streaming apps, so it is easy to access content, and integrated speakers, which make it more suited for a living room than a home theater roombut it is not as bright as our living room picks. LGs HU810PW is a 4K DLP laser projector that we tested for our guide to the best living-room projector. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). If youre a serious videophile whos building a dedicated home theater room, you may be willing to make that investment. Its color accuracy is good enough for most casual viewers. Epson is not the only manufacturer of higher-end 4K projectors that abandoned 3D support in 2022 (Sony did too), and we dont think its a huge issue because new content is not being produced in 3D. The DLA-NP5 uses a 40962160 D-ILA panel and a lamp (not laser) light source with a claimed brightness of 1,900 ANSI lumens. As a result, although many 4K projectors do offer HDR support, some don't support it at all, and some of those that do don't handle it well. I do head-to-head comparisons between projectors using an HDFury Integral box to split the HDMI source and show the two projected images simultaneouslyblocking the output from one projector and then switching to the other for comparison. So when shopping for a 4K projector, don't let the difference in pixel count affect your decision. Your eye integrates all four sets into a single 4K image. The most portable 4K model is at the high end of the mini projector range, but only if you stretch the definition of "mini" to just under 4 pounds. The use of a laser light source also lets the projector turn on and off much more quickly, produces rich color, and allows for nearly silent lens adjustments (more on this in a second). This native 4K projector is a slightly older, lamp-based model thats dimmer than the Epson LS11000 and only supports HDR10 and HDMI 2.0. Prices for projectors with those variations, however, start at $4,000 and up, making them less affordable than the models we're focusing on here. However, if you keep the projector long enough to need one or more lamp replacements, your total cost of ownership may be about the same. The LS11000 is a great 4K laser projector that can deliver a big, bright, beautiful image and has almost all the features you needexcept 3D support. But if you choose carefully, you'll have a big-screen image you'll loveat least until 8K becomes the norm, and that's not going to happen anytime soon. Lots of budget projectors serve up exaggerated, oversaturated color that may pop off the screen but is not an accurate reflection of the filmmakers intent. We saw a lot of light spill around our screen (meaning the lens is sending stray light beyond the screen area), and the Android TV dongle that came with our review sample did not appear to support HDR playback. In either case, lower lag time is always better. We cover cheaper, lower-contrast 4K projectors in our living-room projector guide and 1080p projectors in our budget projector guide. These models are simply too large to fit atop a stool or a coffee table in a living room, and they arent designed to be moved around. The infrared remote is rather large, but its fully backlit and has all the buttons you need to adjust the image on the fly. The input lag of any given projector will vary with its resolution and refresh rate. The Home Cinema LS11000 (and its Pro Cinema counterpart, the LS12000) offer two key improvements over previous Epson home theater projectors. That sounds like only half of 4K, but surprisingly, Epson's approach delivers image resolutionin the sense of ability to resolve detailthat's indistinguishable from models based on TI's pixel shifting. It supports HDR10+, HDMI 2.1, and 3D video playback, and it has motorized zoom and lens shifting thats almost as generous (but not quite) as that of the Epson LS11000. Checks all the image-quality boxes: color accuracy, contrast, shadow detail, black level, and more, Epson's 4K Pro-UHD essentially matches the detail of true 4K resolution, Powered lens with memory for easy aspect ratio switching and placement flexibility, Brightness drop from 2D to 3D is less than most projectors'. Let's examine each issue in turn, starting with those specific to 4K. While we did not test the LS12000 directly, Epson claims it has about twice the contrast as the LS11000, and since its only 200 lumens brighter, that improvement is almost entirely in black-level performance. You want a projector that can produce crisp, detailed images without relying on processing tricks that may make the picture look sharp, but add a lot of potential noise and unnatural-looking digital artifacts in the process. But if youre a black-level purist, you might want to consider the other options. BenQs HT9060 and HT8060 are the companys premium 4K LED DLP projectors, released in 2019. Wonderfully accurate, actually, so there was really no need to make any advanced color adjustments. At this writing, there are no palmtop or pico projectors with 4K resolution, and none that works on battery power. 3,840-by-2,160 resolution using TI's XPR fast-switch pixel shifting, Just 3.8 pounds, and includes carrying case, Bright enough for a small-to-midsize family room, Supports HDCP 2.2 copy protection scheme on 4K UHD discs, Even modes with the best color accuracy show a slight green bias, Limited settings; no way to adjust hues in any color mode. The best 4K projectors have excellent picture quality, but what does that mean? I have more than a decade of experience reviewing TVs, projectors, and other video devices. Companies like JVC and Sony still make excellent 4K home theater projectors, but the price of entry begins at about $6,000. Color accuracy refers to how well a projector can display the colors on screen to be true to the original content, and how accurate the color temperature (or color of white) is. Sonys SXRD projectors characteristically have great contrast and black levels. Some DLP projectors are more prone to showing rainbow artifacts than others, and some people see these artifacts more readily than others, so you may or may not see them with any given DLP model. As mentioned earlier, there are currently only two display technology options for affordable 4K and 4K-equivalent projectors: DLP (what most manufacturers use) and LCD (from Epson). And its one of only a few 120-hertz projectors right now that has high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 inputs to work with the most advanced 4K gaming consoles and any future 8K sources that might emerge. The higher refresh rate, mated with the two HDMI 2.1 inputs that accept a 4K/120 Hz signal, makes this projector a good match for the newest Xbox and PlayStation gaming consoles. You can also find room-to-room portable projectors, which are just a few pounds heavier. The larger the screen size, the more fine details you can seewhich is why a 4K resolution can be more beneficial in a projector than in a smaller TV. We found that it is a fairly quiet, bright projector with great color. It's possible to calculate the exact brightness you need for SDR images. The LS11000s higher light output also allowed for solid HDR performance. The better option is to mate this projector with our favorite Ultra HD Blu-ray player, the Panasonic DP-UB420, which handles the auto tone mapping on its end. Another reason is that your eyes (with apologies to them) aren't exactly the Hubble Telescopethere's only so much detail you can see. HDR video can be much brighter than standard dynamic range (SDR) video and is best suited for display on TVs, which can get much brighter than any projector. LED light source designed to last for the life of the projector, Rated at 2,200 ANSI lumens; suitable for a midsize family room, 4K resolution with XPR pixel shifting and full HD 3D support, Rainbow artifacts more obvious than with most modern DLP projectors. Here's all you need to know to buy the right one. Like on previous Epson projectors, the LS11000s lens iris can be set to automatically adjust the image brightness and black level to suit the content being shown. So, while you will find DLP projector picks in some of our other guides, the picks here are usually LCD and LCoS projectors. The key advantage for DLP models is price: Between projectors with similar features and image quality, DLP units cost less. What makes an awesome 4K movie projector? Obviously, the input lag that matters to you is the one in effect at the resolution and refresh rate you plan to use. That means they retain more than 75% of their original brightness considerably longer than lamps do, both in terms of hours of use and percentage of lifespan. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. (, Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projector, Epson Pro Cinema 4050 4K Pro-UHD Projector, Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projection TV, Xgimi Aura 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector, Read Great Stories Offline on Your Favorite, PC Magazine Digital Edition (Opens in a new window), How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files, How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac, Read Our Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projector Review, Read Our Epson Pro Cinema 4050 4K Pro-UHD Projector Review, Read Our Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projection TV Review, Read Our Xgimi Aura 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector Review, finding the right screen for your projector, How to Choose the Right Screen for Your Projector, How to Create the Perfect Backyard Movie Night on the Cheap, Vankyo Leisure 495W Dolby Audio Projector Review, 3840 by 2160 using Epson's 4K Pro-UHD technology, Equivalent to 3840 by 2160 using Epson's 4K PRO-UHD technology, 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting, 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPS fast-switch pixel shifting, 4096 by 2160 at 30Hz; 3840 by 2160 at 60Hz; Full HD 3D, Bluetooth (in Android TV dongle), Wi-Fi (in Android TV dongle), Direct Wireless (Chromecast). Keep an eye on your inbox! However, the contrast ratio is well below average for a DLP projector, so with anything but fully bright scenes, the HU810PW looks washed out and flat. The majority of new, sub-$5,000 projectors are designed for multipurpose use in a room with more light. That's why we cover HDR quality separately from SDR quality in our reviews. We preferred the Optoma UHZ50 if you want a laser projector for a brighter room. If you're making a business or classroom presentation or watching movies and videos, even a long lag won't matter. The LS11000s true strengths lie in its good brightness and contrast, its rich yet accurate color with both SDR and HDR video, and its ability to render a very clean image without a lot of digital noise and other artifacts. So while 4K resolution (3,840 by 2,160 pixels) has long since taken over as the standard for flat-screen TVs, only now are 4K projectors dipping below $1,000 to reach the sweet spot as consumers' preferred resolution. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. She has been a writer, editor, and reviewer in the consumer electronics industry for 20 years, and previously served as the executive editor of Home Theater Magazine and the managing editor of HomeTheaterReview.com. Epson is more generous with its setup tools than any other projector manufacturer: The 2.1x zoom, 96.3% vertical lens shift, and 47.1% horizontal lens shift made it easy to precisely place the image on our screen, and all the lens controls are motorized, so you can use them via the remote and set up different lens memories for different video aspect ratios (such as 16:9 for HDTV, or 21:9 for some movies). Learn more. Contrast ratio, or the difference between the darkest part of the image and the brightest, is the most important factor when it comes to picture quality. The use of an all-glass lens also helps with image clarity, and Epsons Image Enhancement tool lets you further tweak the picture clarity and sharpness. This article was edited by Grant Clauser. But not exceptional because the black level in the darkest scenes (like chapter four of Dune or chapter 12 of Sicario) wasnt as deep as youll see on the best LCoS projectors, such as our previous top pick, the now-discontinued JVC DLA-NX5. These DLP projectors produced a very sharp image and had good color, but their black levels were not as good as what we saw from the LCD and LCoS projectorsso the image lacked pop, and the HDR tone mapping often left highlights looking washed out. Unfortunately, there is no widely accepted standard for how bright an image you need for HDR viewing, which makes it impossible to make broad recommendations for how bright a projector has to be. JVCs D-ILA (LCoS) projectors are known for their exceptional black level and contrast. Their price points are high for this guide, and theyre a bit long in the tooth at this point. We reviewed every type of projector to find the best projector to fit your needs, whether its for a home theater or a home office. Plus, its very easy to set up, thanks to the motorized focus, zoom, and lens adjustments that Epson provides. A high-performance 4K projector is designed for the person who has the desire, space, and budget to re-create the movie-theater experience in their home. The flipside of brightness is black level, and a good black level is the key to good movie performance. David has significant expertise in imaging technologies (including printers, monitors, large-screen displays, projectors, scanners, and digital cameras), storage (both magnetic and optical), and word processing. Image brightness and detail were good, but contrast and color accuracy were just average (even for a DLP projector), and you get none of the advanced picture adjustments or zoom/lens-shifting features that are common to projectors at this price. But it still received excellent reviews as a high-performance home theater projector, and you may be able to get a deal on it before it disappears. It also lacks HDMI 2.1 inputs, and it uses a lamp instead of a laser light source, so you dont get the performance benefits of a laser and will have to pay to replace the bulb every few years. AAXA's compact 4K1 Ultra HD projector offers suitable resolution and support for the copy protection scheme of 4K UHD discs, but it lacks HDR support. I measure all the projectors picture modes at their default settings to determine their brightness capabilities and find the most accurate mode to use going forward. If you seldom watch movies in a completely dark room, youll lose the advantages in image contrast and black-level performance that a premium 4K projector offers over cheaper models. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. If you're projecting a first-person shooter game, a lower lag can make the difference between surviving to the next frame or not. https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-4k-projectors. To watch HDR video, you need both specially formatted content and a projector that can properly play that content. But no matter how high-quality its lens, the resulting image will have a soft focus versus that of an otherwise identical projector with a real 1080p chip. Finally, the LS11000 doesnt support 3D video playback. The black level is excellent, so movies can look rich, colorful, and detailed in a dark roombut the HU710PW is significantly dimmer than the Epson LS11000 and is best suited for use only in a fully light-controlled environment. While entry-level projectors are about the size of a few stacked laptops or textbooks, a home theater projector is closer in size to a home theater receiver, so you should place it out of the way. There are several HDR formats. An eagle might, but the human visual system can't. If you still watch 3D movies or just want to spend a bit less: The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is our former budget pick and sells for about $1,000 less than the newer LS11000. More concerning is the light spill we saw coming off the lens, which cast a ring of light on the floor in front of our screen. All projectors use one of three technologies to create an image: LCD (liquid crystal display), LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon), or DLP (Digital Light Processing). This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. It uses Sonys new, smaller 38402160 SXRD (LCoS) imaging panel that allows for a slightly smaller form factor. The good news is that the number of affordable 4K projectors is climbing quickly, making it ever easier to find one that fits your needs and budget. 4K (3,840-by-2,160) resolution using TI's XPR fast-switch pixel shifting, Good color accuracy with default settings, Android TV dongle uses an HDMI port, leaving only one free, Showed rainbow artifacts more often than most UST DLP models, Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. The LS11000 does not. If you can tolerate some rainbows but not too many, you may or may not be happy with any given DLP projector. Youll want to set up different picture modes for SDR and HDR movies (which you can save) and will have to switch into them manually. You can choose from five presets or adjust several different controls individually. The Home Cinema LS11000s connection panel includes two high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 inputs, a powered USB port, and RS-232 and LAN ports for integration into an advanced control system. Most projectors designed for business or education, by contrast, include an audio system, but in many cases it's just a convenience feature with volume far too low for the size of the room the projector is likely to be used in. Plus, they were not as favorably reviewed as similarly priced models from JVC and Sony. I preferred a setting of 2 or 3, but theres a nice degree of flexibility to dial in the level of clarity you want. It is certainly bigger and heavier than your average 1080p home projector (like our budget recommendation, the BenQ HT2050A), but its size is on a par with most high-performance 4K. Sonys $6,000 VPL-XW5000ES replaces the older VPL-VW325ES and moves to a laser light source, with a claimed brightness of 2,000 ANSI lumens. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. But the best 4K projectors can automatically tailor HDR video to look its best within their brightness abilities. We recommend the best displays, sources, and accessories for watching 4K HDR movies and TV shows at home. Epsons Home Cinema LS11000 is our favorite 4K projector because it delivers the best performance with movies that youll find for less than $5,000, but it also looks great with games, sports, and HDTV when some room lights are on. This determines how large of a screen you can have, what type of screen you can have, and, of course, how bright the image is. 1996-2022 Ziff Davis. These issues wont matter if youre sending audio to a sound system, though. There are four elements to a great-looking image: contrast ratio, brightness, color accuracy, and detail. However, the XW5000ES is not as full-featured as the Epson LS11000: It has less zoom and lens shifting, and those functions are manual, not motorized. Note that when comparing projector brightness, you should limit your comparisons to ANSI or the equivalent ISO lumen ratings. These days its not hard to find a bright 4K projector for gaming or sports in a multi-use room, but its much more difficult to find a great 4K home theater projector that doesnt cost a fortune (many land in the five-figure range). It produces a bright, colorful image with excellent detail, but its image contrast and black level are not on a par with our pick here. JVCs DLA-NP5 is the replacement for our former top pick, the DLA-NX5, but it carries a higher price of $7,000. It costs $1,000 more than the LS11000 while having almost identical specs and featuresbut the one crucial difference is that it uses Epsons UltraBlack technology to produce darker black levels. If you don't see these artifacts or don't find them bothersome, more power to you. To take advantage of any of them, your projector must specifically support it, which means you need to check before buying which HDR formats a projector supports and make sure they include those used by the image sources you want to watch. Overall, the HU710PW just isnt as refined as the Epson LS11000 in many respects, but if youre looking for a more affordable projector for use in a light-controlled space, its a solid choice. Another advantage of traditional lamps is that they cost less than LEDs and lasers, so a lamp-based projector will be less expensive than an otherwise identical solid-state model. No projector is bright enough to really do HDR justice, but bright highlights in Ultra HD discs like Dune, Pan, and Justice League had decent pop here, even when I set the projector at about half its maximum brightness for dark-room viewing.