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I do not just use my home theater to watch movies, binge on Netflix, or catch the local news. I also love to kick back and enjoy playing a game or two every now and then. Whether teaming up with friends to play a few rounds of Call of Duty, watching the kids play Fortnite, or just playing God of War alone – I wanted a projector that handled all of my gaming and home theater needs. On my pursuit for this projector, however, I came across plenty of options that would meet the needs of different users.
So what are the best gaming projectors of 2024?
- BenQ HT2150ST: Best Overall Value
- Optoma GT1080HDR: Best Short Throw Option
- EUG LCD Bluetooth WiFi Projector: Best Almost Budget Option
- BenQ TK800M: Best 4K Gaming Option
- Sony VPL-HW45ES: Best 3D Gaming Option
Do you want to know more about why each of these gaming projectors made my list? Keep reading to learn what landed on this list of the six best gaming projectors.
The Best Gaming Projector List
A gaming projector is not necessarily synonymous with a home theater model. In fact, finding one that meets the requirements of both these types of projectors is a science in and of itself. However, I have done the groundwork for you. Below, I provide the detail specifications you need, as well as a list of the pros and cons of each. (While I highly recommend each of these projectors, I also suggest that you do your own research as well. When buying electronics in stores or online, it is important to read the feedback provided by other users.)
1. BenQ HT2150ST: Best Overall Value Option
- Unparalleled picture quality with native 1080p Full HD, 2200 ANSI Lumens, 15,000:1 contrast ratio, and 6x RGBRGB color wheel for rich colors and crisp details
- Video games on the big screen with short throw projection, creating a 100 in. screen from just 3 ft., and projection up to 300 in.
- Low input lag and specialized game modes for ultra-smooth gaming
- Industry-leading warranty with 3-year limited parts and labor coverage and US-based customer service
- Award-winning projector recognized as Best Overall - Best Projectors for Gaming 2019 by IGN
- Flexible installation with vertical keystone correction and 1.2x zoom for easy setup
- DLP technology used in 90% of cinemas and 100% of digital IMAX theaters for sharper, crisper images
The BenQ HT2150ST (on Amazon) packs a lot into a little package. With a quality short throw, this projector offers beautifully crisp pictures up to 100 inches from just 4.9 feet away. BenQ, which is known for their excellent brightness, the CinematicColor and Rec. 709 HD True Color features ensure quality color saturation. The 10W built-in speakers included with the BenQ HT2150ST are actually of decent quality for a projector.
Lag is a moot point with this model. The 16.67-millisecond input lag and included microsecond DMD response time are included with the built-in Ultra-Fast Gaming Response mode.
Perhaps best yet, the BenQ HT2150ST comes highly recommended not just for gaming, but also for your home theater and sports projection needs. That means this projector can be used for more than just gaming.
Details:
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 4.79in x 14.98in x 10.91in
- Weight: 7.93 pounds
- Display Technology: DLP
- Ports: HDMI (2), USB, 3.5mm Audio output
- Brightness: 2200 ANSI Lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1
- Resolution: 1080p
- Cost: Under $800
Pros:
- The 10W built-in speakers offer decent sound for small spaces.
- The BenQ HT2150ST offers excellent color performance and a sharp corner-to-corner image that ensures you can lose yourself in your game of choice.
- Set up is extremely easy with this plug and play projector.
- The short-throw distance and high-quality image make this a great projector for small to medium spaces.
- Multipurpose capabilities make this investment diverse.
Cons:
- Brightness uniformity is occasionally a problem.
The Bottom Line: The BenQ HT2150ST offers a quality picture, brilliant colors, and much more – making it the best overall option for any gamer.
2. Optoma GT1080HDR: Best Short Throw Option
- HDR10 with 4K input for brighter whites and deeper blacks
- 8.4ms response time and 120Hz refresh rate for fast gaming
- Short throw lens projects 120 in. image from 4 ft. away
- 3,800 lumens, 50,000:1 contrast, and full HD 1080p resolution
- Lamp life up to 15,000 hours
- Dual HDMI inputs for gaming consoles and HDMI devices
- Vertical keystone correction ±40 degrees for flexible setup
I have mentioned the Optoma GT1080HDR (on Amazon) before. That is because it is one of the top gaming projectors on the market today.
When it comes to small spaces, it can be hard to find a gaming projector that provides a clear, large-scale image. That is where the GT1080HDR comes in. At less than 4 feet, this project displays beautifully crisp images up to 120 inches.
Optoma includes their Keystone Correction technology with this projector, allowing it to autocorrect potential color distortions instantly. Additionally, concerns of lag are ill-placed with this projector. Lag, which is often the bane of a multiplayer game, is virtually non-existent with the GT1080HDR. The ample inputs and compact size make this projector great for gaming on the go or in your home theater too.
If you enjoy 3D movies or games, the Optoma GT1080HDR is able to project these formats as well. Fully capable of producing 1080p images, this projector offers big quality for small spaces.
Details:
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 9.5in x 12.4in x 4.5in
- Weight: 7.7 pounds
- Display Technology: DLP
- Connectivity: 4K & 1080 HDR Input. HDMI 2.0, HDMI 1.4a, VGA, Audio in, USB-A, VGA out, Audio out, RS-232
- Brightness: 3800 ANSI Lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 50,000:1
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Cost: $849 – $1340
Pros:
- The Optoma GT1080HDR offers clear images from mere feet away, making it perfect for small apartments, dorm rooms, and more.
- Lightweight, this project is quite portable when compared to larger models.
- Virtually lag free, even multiplayer games are rendered beautifully and instantly with the GT1080HDR.
- Easy to hook up and use, this projector works with almost all game systems right out of the box.
Cons:
- The Optoma GT1080HDR does not include a lens shift.
The Bottom Line: If you are in need of a great gaming projector (our comprehensive guide) for a small space, the Optoma GT1080HDR is the best option for you.
3. EUG LCD Bluetooth WiFi Projector: Best Almost Budget Option
- 1920*1080p resolution with 9000 lumens for clear, bright images on a 200” screen
- All-glass crystal lens, 80% brighter, usable in lit spaces and offices
- Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity for wireless speakers, headsets, and soundbars
- Supports iOS/Android/Windows systems with streaming media apps, built-in 10W speaker
- Smart Android projector with apps like Netflix, YouTube, and more, no adapter needed
- Keystone correction (vertical and horizontal), 25% zoom, 360° flip for flexible installation
- Wide compatibility with 2 HDMI, 2 USB, VGA, Audio, and AV inputs for various devices
I will not lie to you. The EUG LCD Bluetooth WiFi Projector (on Amazon) cannot compete with some of the more expensive options on this list. However, for those who are looking for a mid-range gaming projector, with tons of input options, and decent images – this is the model for them.
The EUG LCD Bluetooth WiFi Projector offers users crisp images via a soft, non-flickering bulb. With a native resolution of 1920 x 1080, this projector has a throw distance that works best between 4.3 and 22 feet. With 9000 lumens, this projector is bright enough to work in almost all levels of ambient light.
Details:
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 14.7in x 11.3in x 5.1in
- Weight: 9.85 pounds
- Display Technology: LCD
- Connectivity: VGA cable, HDMI, Wireless
- Brightness: 4200
- Contrast Ratio: 5,000:1
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Cost: Above $400
Pros:
- 4P keystone correction projector that can adjust the display vertically and horizontally
- Budget-friendly without becoming laughably unusable, this projector has decent displays.
- Plenty of connectivity options mean you can hook almost any console up and stream wireless media through the EUG LCD Wireless WiFi HD Projector
Cons:
- The image quality is not as great as the higher-end models.
- The contrast ratio is under the typical average, meaning color may not be as vivid as some of the more expensive models.
The Bottom Line: The EUG LCD Bluetooth WiFi Projector has a wealth of features and functionality for budget shoppers looking to invest in a gaming projector.
4. BenQ TK800M: Best 4K Gaming Option
- 8.3 million distinct pixels deliver true 4K UHD image quality with stunning clarity
- DLP technology offers better image resolution and quality without pixelation
- Play games in 4K with lower input lag for consoles like PS4, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch
- High native contrast ratio for sharp image quality and deep black levels
- 3000 Lumens of brightness, ideal for watching sports in living rooms
- Crystal clear image with all-glass 4K-optimized lens array (7 elements/4 groups)
- Includes remote, power cord, user manual, quick start guide, and lens cover
BenQ hit another one out of the park with the TK800M (on Amazon). This projector is one of the only models that actually offers high-end, true 4K resolution. It also includes three modes to help enhance specific types of playability; game, football and sports modes help your projector with enhanced images and sound.
The BenQ TK800M utilizes automatic HDR color rendition and image optimization technologies to help you fully enmesh yourself in the latest games. While this is not a short-throw projector, it does provide a 1:1 image, allowing you to display beautiful pictures between 92- and 150-inches from 10- to 18-feet away. Unlike several of the other projectors on this list, that means this projector can be used in home theaters of almost any size.
Details:
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 10.71in x 13.9in x 5.31in
- Weight: 9.2 pounds
- Display Technology: DLP
- Ports: HDMI (2), USB, PC, 3.5mm Audio output
- Brightness: 3000 ANSI Lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1
- Resolution: True 4K UHD
- Cost: Under $1500
Pros:
- The colors produced by the BenQ TK800M are vivid, bright and crisp.
- This projector comes with Game, Football and Sports modes, which enhances both image and sound quality (more on what affects projector image quality in our guide).
- The two built-in speakers perform well enough in a small to medium-sized room.
- The BenQ TK800M offers true 4K technology for less than a television of the same size and quality would.
- This is a multipurpose projector, which means you can use it for gaming, sports viewing or for almost any home theater need.
Cons:
- This projector does not have a lens shift feature.
- The BenQ TK800M has some minor lag issues.
- Color saturation may be great, however, the black levels are not as deep as you may hope they would be. This means that watching images in the dark may be harder.
The Bottom Line: If keeping up with the latest technologies is important and you want a true 4K gaming projector, the BenQ TK800M is a great investment option.
5. Sony VPL-HW45ES: Best 3D Gaming Option
- Super Resolution enhances subtle details, colors, and textures for full HD images
- High contrast ratio with 1,800 lumens for brighter highlights and deeper blacks in well-lit rooms
- No motion blur with Motionflow technology for clear details during fast action scenes
- Zoom flexibility with manual 1.6x zoom ratio and wide lens shift for versatile room setups
- 3D viewing with built-in RF transmitter for wider coverage and stability
- Long-lasting lamp provides up to 6,000 hours of screen time
There are projectors with 3D capabilities and then there is the Sony VPL-HW45ES (on Amazon). To be clear, the VPL-HW45ES is Sony’s downgraded HW65ES, which has an even higher price tag to match. That being said, many of the core features are the same between the two models.
The VPL-HW45ES includes Sony’s Motionflow system; this helps boost details and keep them clear while rapid action occurs on the screen. That is great news for many of us gamers making instant decisions while playing! Whether utilizing the 3D capabilities or simply looking for a true 1080p resolution, the images projected by the VPL-HW45ES are beautiful. The color palette is both natural and vivid.
Most users have not noted any lag when streaming or playing games. With the 1.6x zoom feature, you can scale your picture up to 120 inches without overtaxing the included lamp. (Larger than that, though, and you will end up reducing the life expectancy of your lamp and cause your fan to run louder.)
Details:
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 18-3/8in x 16-1/8in x 7-1/8in
- Weight: 20 pounds
- Display Technology: LCD
- Ports: HDMI (2), USB, VGA, 3.5mm Audio output
- Brightness: 1800 Lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 60,000:1
- Resolution: 1080p
- Cost: Under $2,500
Pros:
- Images projected by the Sony VPL-HW45ES are crisp, detailed and stunning.
- The color pallet is brilliant, with little to no noted rainbow effects.
- Calibration and use is extremely easy, which should be expected for the cost of this projector.
- The Sony VPL-HW45ES is a multipurpose projector, allowing you to use it in combination with your gaming and home theater purposes.
Cons:
- When compared to other options on this list, the manual lens adjustment feature on the Sony VPL-HW45ES Is not as well designed.
The Bottom Line: If 3D games and movies are your cups of tea, the Sony VPL-HW45ES is an investment worth making!
