Last Updated on February 19, 2018 by Tim
Buying your own projector greatly improves your home theater system and your family’s viewing experience. They produce the biggest picture so that everyone in the audience can enjoy the film. They also don’t take up too much space since the projector screen can simply be stored away when not in use. Installing a projector is not as hard as you might think. You can just set it up on top of a table, on a shelf or on the ceiling.
Best Home Theater Projector Under $2000
Epson Home Cinema 3600e 1080p 3D 3LCD Home Theater Projector
Why we chose this item:
- Offers superior image quality with 3X brighter colors than rival models
- 2 built-in 10W stereo speakers
- The price is right on the budget
One disadvantage of projectors, though, is that they’re not really cheap. However, we did find a few jewels in the market which offer top quality but are priced quite affordably.
These are the top seven best projectors worth buying that cost less than $2,000.
| Brand/Model | Finest Features | User Feedback | Price to Expect | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ViewSonic PRO9000 1080p DLP Home Theater Projector | Standard projector combines LED and laser technology to utilize light; shows minimal rainbows; can operate straight up to 20,000 hrs | Very Good | Very High | 4.25 / 5 |
| Sony VPLHW40ES 1080p 3D SXRD Home Theater/Gaming Projector | Among the affordable projectors sold today; features zoom & lens shift; easy to install and images are clearer to view from is 1700 lumens | Very Good | High | 4.5 / 5 |
| [easyazon_link identifier="B00NJTXW7M" locale="US" tag="newstartups-20"]Epson Home Cinema 3600e 1080p 3D 3LCD Home Theater Projector[/easyazon_link] < click to view at Amazon.com | High quality HD image and performance; with 2500 lumens, it uses wireless HD transmitter for 2D and 3D content projection; wide vertical & horizontal lens shift with 2 speakers for more natural sound | Excellent | Mid-range | 4.75 / 5 - Our Top Pick for 2016 |
| BenQ W1500 1080P HD Wireless HD DLP Home Theater Projector | Affordable and performs excellently; wireless and HDMI capability; shows images clearly with its 2200 lumens | Excellent | High | 4.5 / 5 |
| Panasonic PTAE8000U 1080p Full HD Projector | With superior HD and 3D capabilities; projects vibrant and detailed images with 2400 lumens; equipped with lens shift and 2X zoom feature | Very Good | Very High | 4.25 / 5 |
| Optoma HD36 | With 3000 lumens, this can be used in brightly-lit rooms; built-in decent speakers; colors are intense when viewed in 3D | Excellent | Low | 4.5 / 5 |
| Acer H9500BD Home Theater Projector | Supports 3D images with detailed and intense colors; resolution and brightness are brought about by 2000 lumens; fitted with lens shift | Very Good | High | 4.5 / 5 |
Best Projector Under $2000
1. ViewSonic PRO9000 1080p DLP Home Theater Projector
Note – This model is typically sold for just over $2000 but we felt it necessary to include it in the list. Shop around if you cannot go over $2000.
The ViewSonic PRO9000 is a standard projector which displays brilliant images thanks to its 1080 pixels resolution. It uses a combination of LED and laser for its light source which increases the durability of the projector, helping it last as much as 20,000 hours. If you’re concerned about electricity expenses, you’ll be glad to know that this projector only consumes 186 watts. The projector can be connected via VGA port, HDMI port, and composite and S-Video ports. Most DLP Projectors have a common issue labeled “the rainbow effect” meaning bright objects on the screen appear to have rainbows. Fortunately, the ViewSonic PRO9000, though being a DLP Projector, shows minimal, if any rainbows.
2. Sony VPLHW40ES 1080p 3D SXRD Home Theater/Gaming Projector
When it comes to superior quality technology, Sony is often at the top of the list. It’s a pleasant surprise though to find an economical projector like the Sony VPLHW40ES among their products. Although it’s just under $2,000, you would expect it to cost more. This projector shows images in excellent detail up to 1080 pixels. It also displays in HD and 3D. Brightness is about 1700 lumens which makes it clearer and easier to see. The lamp life is up to 2,000 hours; it will need to be replaced after that. Other highlights of this projector are the zoom and lens shift features, plus it’s incredibly easy to install.
3. Epson Home Cinema 3600e 1080p 3D 3LCD Home Theater Projector
Another brand which makes several best selling projectors is Epson and one of their more popular models is the Epson Home Cinema 3600e. The most notable feature of this projector is that it has wireless capabilities for an HDMI connection. Imagine not needing to connect the projector to the image source and being able to conveniently position your laptop anywhere in the room. The images are quite vivid, since the projector displays up to 1,080 pixels. The light it produces is also exceptionally bright at 2,500 lumens. It also has built-in speakers, something that does not come with all projectors.
4. BenQ W1500 1080P HD Wireless HD DLP Home Theater Projector
For affordability but high performing projectors, BenQ has outdone their competitors. Their BenQ W1500, in particular, has earned praises from majority of its users. Image quality is superb at 1080 pixels. With 2,200 lumens, it can show images clearly despite some light in the environment. This is also one of the few projectors with wireless capability for a device with an HDMI source. A lot of users are satisfied with the performance of this convenient feature. This projector is also 3D compatible. Two built-in speakers are also available.
5. Panasonic PTAE8000U 1080p Full HD Projector
The Panasonic PTAE8000U distinguishes itself as a brilliant projector with capacity for High Definition and 3D and it’s one of the brightest among those offering 3D capabilities. Resolution is at 1080 pixels and with its terrific contrast, images are seen precisely, colors are vibrant and details well-defined. The powerful 2x zoom feature and lens shift makes it very adaptable. The 2400 lumens give more than adequate brightness in a dark room but also make it easy to see in a lighted room. There are also three HDMI connections and the lamp life is outstanding, up to 4,000 hours compared to the market standard of 2,000.
Best Projector Under $1500
6. Optoma HD36
What makes the Optoma HD36 so great is that you can use it even in a room with light thanks to its stellar 3,000 lumens, the best in its class. A DLP projector with 1080 pixel resolution, image quality is quite good, details show up exactly and colors are intense especially when viewed in 3D. Users also appreciate the lack of noise when this projector is running. Another bonus feature is the built-in speaker which is pretty decent though not really top-of-the-line. One concern regarding this projector is that though it has connection for video, VGA, composite and DVI-D, it only has one HDMI. All things considered, for such an affordable price, the features are surprisingly first-rate.
7. Acer H9500BD Home Theater Projector
Although Acer is better known for laptops, their projectors are also quite competitive, especially their Acer H9500BD Home Theater Projector. This DLP projector is able to support 3D images and they show up in intense color and fine details thanks to the projector’s contrast. Resolution and brightness are satisfactory at 1080 pixels and 2000 lumens. Also included are manual zoom and lens shift. The lens shift is particularly useful for convenient placement of the projector. As for input connections, there are two for VGA, two for HDMI, one for DVI-D, one component and one S-video; and there’s one output connection for VGA.
All of these projectors offer great value for money but you’ll need to be specific with what features you want so you can choose the one most suitable for your needs. Consider the brightness, contrast, keystone, number of connections, and resolution. Would you prefer DLP or LCD? Are you looking for built-in speakers? How important to you is 3D support? You’ll also need to decide on where you’re planning to place the projector. Details like the measurement of the screen or blank wall, how far the projector is to the screen, and how much light the room has are necessary as well.
Things to Consider when Buying a Projector
Projectors are one of the best inventions in the field of multimedia. This new technology can zoom in an image and project it towards a flat surface so that more people can view the illustration with ease. It has significantly helped businesses in presentations, meetings, and analyses.
Uses of Projectors
One of the more useful functions of projectors is disseminating information or giving the entertainment at a larger base. The latest projectors can just about do everything to make the job of educators, students, people in business and others who need an efficient method of presenting relevant information easier and clearer.
The use of projectors is not limited to management of information dissemination; it has also made significant contributions to making people’s lives better and more comfortable. Projectors make home viewing more entertaining since viewing is always better on a larger screen. People find the idea of having a home theater particularly relaxing and convenient.
Types of Projectors
There two different types of projectors – the LCD and the DLP. LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display while DLP stands for Digital Light Processing. LCD projectors provide vibrant colors and sharp images compared to the DLP variety because it has a higher lumens output. On the other hand, DLP projectors are more portable. All projectors that weigh three pounds or less are DLP projectors.
The decision to select a DLP or an LCD depends on what activities the projector will be used for. Powerpoint presentations are better with LCD projector. The DLP projector offers the best quality output for moving images like movies or audiovisual presentations. The size and weight of the unit should also be considered. This means that if the job needs constant relocating, then the more portable DLP will be the logical choice.
There are differences in the quality of output of different models because models have different specifications and capacities. Projectors with the highest Lumens can offer the brightest and clearest images.
Appropriate for trade shows, conventions and conferences are projectors with 6000 Lumens. This type of projector is understandably pricier and heavier as compared to models with lower lumens. Most people use projectors with 2000 Lumens, an entry level projector. The best projector, naturally, will depend on the use the buyer intends to put it into.
Buying a Projector
When purchasing a projector, there are a few things that should be considered. Each type or model of the projector has its characteristic regarding functionality, output, and price. Functionality can, of course, influence the value of the presentation. This means that the ease of use is as important as the clarity of the image. Although manufacturers practically utilize the same technology, whether it’s the LCD or DLP type, the controls, and responsiveness differ with each product. Naturally, you will find that the simpler the controls, the better.
The price is another determining factor in deciding the type and model of the projector to buy. Present projectors have prices that range from $1,500 to $ 3,000. The price depends on the features, functionality, size, weight, and output quality.
The clarity of images generated by the projector is the single most important factor in choosing the type and model to buy. Projectors with higher resolutions and brightness have clearer and sharper image outputs. The resolution data, as well as other useful information about the projector, are usually included in the product information as provided by manufacturers. This means that it will not be too difficult to decide on the kind of model that can guarantee the best image output.
