Best 4K Projectors for 2024

Reasons to Buy

• Deep black levels
• Jaw-dropping colors with high color brightness
• Excellent price to picture quality ratio
• Long lasting laser light source
• Higher lumen output makes it suitable for moderate to low light environments
• Very versatile installation to to generous lens shift and zoom

Reasons to Avoid

• Out-of-the-box colors need some fine tuning
• Contrast is not as good as other home cinema models
• Higher price than other 4K home theater projectors
• Only has two HDMI ports
• The remote has an overwhelming number of buttons

Two years ago the Epson 6050UB was our runner up. This year again, the 2022 Epson LS11000 takes the gold medal.

If you want a projector that looks good, the Epson LS11000 isn’t for you. If you want a projector that looks AMAZING get the Epson LS11000. This UHD projector far exceeds expectations with fantastic black levels, breathtaking sharpness and a dazzling color palate.

This 5 star projector easily pays for itself when you stop going to the movie theaters and just buy the Blu-rays to watch on your own theater. If you’re thinking about buying the laser based LS11000, do it - you won’t regret it.

Reasons to Buy

• The projected picture can best be described as “wow!”
• All glass lens for sharpest image quality.
• Industry leading black levels with a bold native contrast ratio better than most other projectors.
• Mesmerizing color gamut and near perfect color accuracy.
• Extensive picture adjustment menus with a wide range of lens shift and zoom.
• 3D video support

Reasons to Avoid

• Poorly designed remote control.
• Large, heavy chassis.
• Relatively low brightness, so it works best in a dedicated theater room.
• Bulb based instead of laser.

The NP5 was released as the updated version of the JVC NX5, one of our favorite home theater projectors. Much like its predecessor, the JVC NP5 delivers outstanding image quality. We picked this home theater projector because it balances some of the best visuals on the market, while staying under $7,000. The visuals on this projector are definitely better than the Epson LS11000 but when you factor in price, the LS11000 gets the edge.

With dedicated home theater conditions, this 4K projector will blow you away with strikingly powerful sharpness, vivid colors and incredible contrast.

With a relatively modest lumen output, this projector spits out more than enough light for use in a dedicated cinema room and maintains close to its full level of brightness when engaged in HDR or other calibrated picture modes.

While the input lag of 33.8 ms is good enough for most video gamers, it definitely doesn’t meet the sought after 16 ms lag for serious competitive gaming. This device is a true masterpiece of a 4K home theater projector well worth the large price tag.

Buying a JVC DLA-NP5 will come down to your budget, your viewing conditions, and your desire for the very best image quality. But if you’re looking for the overall best 2024 4K projector, the JVC DLA-NP5 is at the top.

Reasons to Buy

• Phenomenal value for the price
• Excellent setup flexibility with 1.62x zoom and wide lens shift
• Low 20ms input lag for 4K gaming
• Inexpensive, quality 4K projector with HDR support

Reasons to Avoid

• Black levels and contrast leave something to be desired
• While it has great visuals, it can’t compete with the visuals offered by higher end projectors

When it comes to bang for your buck, nothing beats the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 3800. Which is why we chose it as the 2024 4K projector that offers the most value.

This ultra high def projector from Epson gives you vivid colors and provides enough lumens to work in a moderately lit living room. (Though like all cinema beamers, it works even better in the dark.)

With a low input lag for 4K gaming, it is a great choice for gamers looking to play on a significantly larger screen.

When put head to head against other projectors like the Epson LS12000, it’s easy to understand why the 3800 is the more affordable option; particularly when it comes to the contrast ratio. That being said, in a vacuum the Epson 3800 still offers fantastic visuals and is a great choice for anyone looking to buy their first in-home theater projector.

Reasons to Buy

• ALPD 3.0 laser engine helps achieve deep black levels and very good contrast
• Great color accuracy right out of the box
• Low priced 4K laser projector with Dolby Vision and HDR support
• Autofocus and auto-keystoning allow you to point the projector and it will correct the image
• Compact size for portability
• Excellent built-in sound system allows you to watch content without external speakers

Reasons to Avoid

• No lens shift or variable throw ratio
• No input button on the remote
• Uses the Chinese FengOS operating system so you need to use the included Firestick
• Only has 2 HDMI ports and one gets taken up with the Firestick

The Formovie X5 isn't your traditional home theater projector, it's a lifestyle projector. This means it's a projector that's good enough for a cinema room but also portable so that it can be taken on-the-go. The X5 is compact and lightweight and has smart features that automatically focus and square off the projected picture, so set up is a snap. It also features smart TV tech and built-in Denon speakers, making it a true all-in-one projector.

Despite what its low price would suggest, the Formovie X5 is an excellent 4K projector. You get a great picture and a low cost. In fact the Formovie X5 was so impressive that it tied for 1st place as the judges pick at the 2023 Lifestyle Projector Showdown.

The 2500 lumens from this 4K beamer are bright enough to let you watch TV and movies with the lights on.

Reasons to Buy

• The absolute best image on a consumer projector
• Offers 8K resolution by upscaling a 4k source
• 3000 lumen laser light source
• Otherworldly, best-in-class black levels and contrast ratio
• Maintains brightness in a calibrated picture mode
• Extensive picture adjustment menus with a wide range of lens shift and zoom

Reasons to Avoid

• High price point
• Size is rather bulky

Describing the NZ9 as the Ferrari of the home theater world, would not be undue. The picture quality of the NZ9 will 100% blow you away like no other device can. The image is so crisp thanks to its native 4k resolution that can upscale to 8K. That's right this bad boy is an 8K projector.

The color gamut and color accuracy are the best in the industry. The most impressive thing about the NZ9 are the black levels. They’re on par if not better than OLED flatscreens.

The 3000 lumen laser light source makes this projector perfect for dedicated theater room with low light levels. But this top of the line JVC home theater projector is also bright enough that you can take it out of the basement and into more well lit rooms while still getting an outstanding picture.

The high price tag will likely scare away most casual consumers. But if you want the absolutely best image in your home theater there is no better projector in 2024 than the JVC DLA-NZ9.

Reasons to Buy

• Low price tag, especially given the incredible performance
• Can produce an image up to 150” inches
• Triple laser light source produces some of the most stunning and vivid colors
• Great black levels and contrast
• Sits closer than most other USTs
• Supports Dolby Vision
• Best Built-in soundbar

Reasons to Avoid

• Doesn’t come with Netflix
• Fan can be a little noisy
• Lacks 3D support
• Menu is sometimes less intuitive

The top selling ultra short throw projector of 2022 was the Formovie Theater. It has continued this trend thanks to the low price given how incredible the specs are.

This triple laser ultra short throw takes full advantage of the advanced ALPD® 4.0 RGB+ technology that helps give the Formovie Theater some of the best black levels and contrast you'll find on a projector. The amazing specs helped the Formovie Theater take 1st place in the 2022 Laser TV Showdown and the 2023 Laser TV Showdown.

Another big advantage that helps the Formovie Theater win is the level of control you have over the picture. This 4K ultra short throw offers a plethora of calibration options that let you dial in the projector to your liking more than most other units. The wide variable focus allows you to pick your preferred screen size all the way up to 150 inches. This is a BIG deal (pun intended). If you don't want to use an external sound system, the Formovie Theater features the best built-in soundbar. It offers rich and powerful sound, unmatched by any other UST projector.

As our #1 selling ultra short throw projector, our projection experts chose this as the best 4K UST in 2024.

Reasons to Buy

• Sits directly under the screen so it takes up less space
• Solid built in soundbar
• High brightness for lights on viewings
• Vibrant colors
• Great contrast
• Smart TV streaming apps including Netflix

Reasons to Avoid

• Projector needs to be more carefully aligned to avoid focus issues around the edges
• Not great for gaming
• Large Bulky Chassis

With an impressive 3,700 ANSI lumens, the LG HU915QE delivers a vibrant images, even in well-lit rooms. While the color gamut isn't as wide as the Formovie Theater, it still offers 94% DCI-P3 coverage and 2700:1 contrast ensuring vibrant colors, deep blacks and bright whites

The LG HU915QE includes a smart TV system, allowing you to access streaming services, apps, and content directly from the projector, including Netflix, HULU, Disney+ and more. It's also able to sit directly under your screen thanks to the 0.19:1 throw ratio making it a true up-close projector.

Equipped with 2.2-channel, 40W speakers, the projector delivers clear and robust audio without needing an external sound systems.

Because of its extra short throw distance and more compact chassis, the Hisense L5H stands out as a great choice for anyone looking for the big screen experience in their apartment in 2024.

It was a tough call between this 2024 laser TV and its sibling the LG HU915QB. While the picture quality is overall better on the HU915QB, we awarded the HU915QE because of the increased brightness and lower price.

Whether you’re watching during the day or evening, this 4K UST projector gifts owners a truly captivating entertainment experience.

Reasons to Buy

• Stunning 4K picture
• 3000 Lumen laser light source
  
• Input lag of just 4ms at 1080p and 16.9ms at 4K is incredible for gamers
• Enhanced gaming mode

Reasons to Avoid

• Speakers are weak
• Streaming apps are frustrating and quality is inconsistent
• There are lower priced gaming projectors but those lack the performance of the TK700STi

The BenQ TK700STi was built to be the ultimate gaming projector. And it certainly delivers. With 4ms lag time and 240Hz refresh rate, this video game projector is up there with the best gaming monitors.

This ultra high definition projector also delivers outstanding visuals as long as you don't have a discerning eye for detail. Plus it offers Full HD 3D support.

The 3000 Lumen laser light source works fantastically in well lit rooms (especially when paired with an ambient light rejecting projector screen.) The moderately low price tag makes the BenQ TK700STi an excellent choice not just as a gaming projector but as a home theater beamer as well.

Reasons to Buy

• Comes bundled with the screen
• Works fantastically in well lit room
• 16.7ms lag time is incredible for gamers and the lowest of any UST projector.
• Brightest 4k Laser UST currently available.
• Can produce an image size up to 150 inches
• 3 LCD Chipset is “Rainbow Effect” proof
• Available in either black or white chassis

Reasons to Avoid

• No 3D support
• Limited grayscale, gamma and color management
• No dynamic tone mapping, Dolby Vision or HDR10+ Dynamic HDR formats
• Manual lens focus

Many video game enthusiasts want to play in a well lit environment. Most projectors just aren’t bright enough to allow you to do that. As an ultra short throw, The Epson LS800 EpiqVision lets you game in beautiful 4K, even in a well lit living room.

We tested it with the Playstation 5 and it was phenomenal! The vibrancy of the colors, the razor sharp details and the optional and huge 120 inch screen that comes bundled gave us an extra edge for fast paced shooters and other games. It can even produce an image size up to 150 inches!

If you’re looking for a giant screen to play video games on, the Epson LS800 is definitely a phenomenal choice.

Reasons to Buy

• Low price for 4K resolution projector
• Robust built-in sound system
• Automatic sliding shield protects the lens from dust and damage
• Compact size so it doesn't take up much space
• Autofocus and keystone correction make it easy to set up and move around

Reasons to Avoid

• Only has 2 HDMI ports
• Contrast is somewhat lacking
• Built in speakers are not great

The XGIMI Horizon Ultra placed second at the 2023 Lifestyle Projector Showdown for good reason. This all-in-one projector offers a bright picture with accurate colors, powerful built-in Harman/Kardon speakers and smart tv technology for your favorite streaming apps, making it perfect for apartment living. With 2300 lumens, this apartment projector puts out enough light to allow you watch TV and movies with the lights on.

For gamers, this XGIMI 4K projectors offers a very low 18ms lag time (4K/60Hz).

The stylish beige chassis looks fantastic in any apartment setup.

While we wouldn’t call this a cinephile grade projector, it offers an outstanding picture and is a great option to replace your flatscreen for everyday use. If you want to buy an overall great projector for your apartment, you can't go wrong with the XGIMI Horizon Ultra.

Reasons to Buy

• Triple laser light source
• Brighter more vibrant colors
• Sharp image
• Includes built-in TV tuner
• Black body
• Supports Dolby Vision
• Comes with Netflix

Reasons to Avoid

• Limited to 130 inch screen size
• No dynamic tone mapping
• Built-in soundbar is not stellar
• Only has 2 HDMI ports

The triple laser Hisense PX2-Pro is a serious home theater quality projector that’s also bright enough for your living room (especially when paired with an ambient light rejecting screen). The Hisense PX2-Pro provides tremendously vibrant yet comfortingly accurate colors. It's capable of producing 107% of the BT.2020 color space. It also supports Dolby Vision and HDR content.

The simple design allows this living room projector to fit in with practically any interior aesthetic. It does feature a built-in soundbar, although it doesn't perform as well as some of the other USTs out there.

Pictures and videos of the projector in action just don’t fully capture the absolute grandeur of the Hisense PX2-Pro on a UST screen. You must see it for yourself in person. And when you do you’ll exclaim, “I need this!”

Because of its great value, short throw distance and more compact chassis, the Hisense PX2-Pro stands out as a great choice for anyone looking to achieve a big screen experience in their apartment in 2024.

If you don't already have a projector screen or you're looking for a more bright room UST projector, we'd recommend checking out the 3000 lumen Hisense L9H that comes with a bundled UST screen.