The Ultimate Home Theater Projector Buyer’s Guide 2024

In this guide, we cover all the home theater and home entertainment projectors we reviewed over the past year. 2023 was another exciting year for projector enthusiasts, and new technologies are on the horizon for 2024.

Why Choose a Projector?

While large flat-panel TVs are more affordable than ever, projectors still offer better value per inch for those who want a truly massive, immersive image. An 85″ TV is big—but a projector delivers a screen measured in feet, ideal for home theaters.

If you’re torn between a projector and a TV, check out our article: “Projector or Flat Panel: Things to Consider When Choosing a Display.”

Whether you need an affordable projector for backyard movies or a high-end model for a dedicated theater room, this guide has something for every budget and use case.

Categories in This Guide

• Projectors under $1,000

• Projectors $1,000 – $2,000

• Smart Projectors $1,000 – $2,000

• Projectors $2,000 – $5,000

• Projectors $5,000 – $10,000

• Projectors over $10,000

This guide is designed to help you find the right projector based on your needs, preferences, and budget.

We include all home theater and home entertainment projectors reviewed in recent years. For a shorter list of top picks, see our article: Best Home Theater Projectors for 2023–2024.

Ultra-Short-Throw Projectors (Laser TVs)

UST projectors, also called Laser TVs, are growing in popularity. These 4K-capable smart projectors sit just inches from the screen and are easy to install. They’re designed to replace traditional TVs and include:

• Large images

• Built-in smart TV features

• Upgraded sound systems

Due to rising interest, we’ve created a separate UST Buyer’s Guide for this category.

Projectors for Outdoor Use

Projectors aren’t just for home theaters anymore. Many users now enjoy them outdoors. To help you choose the right model for portable or outside use, we’ve created an Outdoor/Portable Projector Buyer’s Guide, which explains what makes a projector truly portable.

Inside the Guide

This year, we reviewed dozens of projectors and selected the best options for different needs and price points. The guide includes:

• Breakdown by price and features

• Links to full reviews of each model

• Recognition of several award-winning projectors

Note: New projectors are often launched at CEDIA (September) and CES (January). We’ll continue updating this guide through 2024 as more models are released and reviewed.