Are you struggling to find the best projector for yourself? Have you spent a lot of money trying even the most expensive projectors but they didn’t work for you? If these are the situations with you, then we are here to help you out with a detailed projector buying guide.
Brands like BenQ, Epson, Optoma, and ViewSonic are capturing the market of projectors under every price category. However, many people still don’t find these projectors helpful for themselves. The reason behind it is that they ignore many factors that a buyer should keep in mind before buying a projector.
If you are looking to order the best projector, 4K projector, or mini-projector, then make sure to read and understand all the factors listed in the projector buying guide below.
Types of Projectors
Every projector is made for a specific role. In the market, you will see many projectors that are designed according to the needs of a specific audience. Before you choose a projector for yourself, you have to understand the projector types.
Following are a few common types of projectors that you see in the market in 2021:
Short Throw Projectors
The most widely used projectors are short throw projectors. In this modern era, teachers don’t like to prefer whiteboards for teaching the students. The same is the case with the students. They also want an exciting way so they can learn without getting bored. The short throw projectors are perfect for such types of tasks. On average, their throw ratio is between 0.38:1 to 1.4:1, making them the best for small rooms.
Long Throw Projectors
Long throw projectors are perfect for movie theaters or large venues. They have a throw ratio of over 2:1. It is the reason why these projectors are only in-demand for commercial purposes. If you are after a projector for residential use, then you should never waste your money on long throw projectors. But if you want to use a projector in an extra-large room, these projectors will give you what you want.
Pocket Projectors
These small-sized projectors are no bigger than a smartphone. If you are looking to reduce energy consumption, you can prefer pocket projectors instead of your TV screen or monitor. These small projectors are affordable but they don’t produce a bright image. As of 2021, pocket projectors have a brightness of only 1,500 lumens. Also, remember that these projectors are only for creating small-sized images.
Multimedia Projectors
Multimedia projectors are the most selling projectors because they offer exceptional features. A high-quality multimedia projector can offer up to 4,000 lumens of brightness, which is enough to enjoy a crispy bright image. Apart from that, multimedia projectors offer versatile connectivity. You will see VGA, HDMI, and USB ports in every multimedia projector, which makes them a popular option in the market. (we will cover this connectivity topic later in this article)
Home-Theater Projectors
The trend of going to a cinema hall to watch movies is not so popular now. Nowadays, people love to enjoy entertainment on big screens by staying in their homes. If you want to enjoy a theater-like experience in your home, you should look for the best home theater projectors in the market. In 2021, many home-theater projectors offer 4K resolution, which is why they win the hearts of every projector lover.
These were a few common types of projectors that you see in the market. Apart from these, other projectors such as mini-projectors have recognizable roles; thanks to their name. So, we don’t think we have to describe them in detail in this projector buying guide.
Cost
Are you a fan of watching movies on a projector that offers bright output? If that is the case, then you should understand your budget before buying a projector with a bright output and high resolution. Why? Because buying a premium projector might result in an empty wallet. Thus, make sure to understand your budget so you buy the best projector that you can get under your available budget.
Brightness
Once you are done with selecting the projector type, the next step is the brightness. Projectors offer brightness in lumens and range from 1,000 lumens to 7,000 lumens. But how much brightness do you need? It is the question that you need to answer before buying a projector for yourself. Brighter is not always better, so make sure to keep it in mind.
The following table will help you pick the best projector that matches your needs:
Projector Buying Guide – Brightness table
| Brightness (lumens) | Best For | Image |
| 1000 to 1500 | Home Theater |  |
| 2000 to 2500 | Living Room |  |
| 3000 to 3500 | Small Outdoor Area |  |
| 4000 to 4500 | Meeting Hall |  |
| 5000 to 5500 | Lecture Hall |  |
| 6000 to 6500 | Church Sanctuary |  |
| 7000 | Large Auditorium |  |
Consider these figures while buying a projector for yourself.
Resolution
The resolution also plays a crucial role in differentiating projectors. As of 2021, you have to go for a projector that offers at least 1080p resolution. You can easily get the best projector with 1080p resolution if you have a budget of under $1000. If you can afford to pay more, then you can go for the best 4K projectors. These projectors work way better than those offering 1080p resolution. But don’t forget that 4K projectors are expensive.
Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio has a huge impact on the input of every projector. It would not be wrong if we say that the contrast ratio defines the quality of projectors. For those who don’t know, the contrast ratio is the ratio between a white image and a black image. If a projector has a contrast ratio of 10000:1, it means the white image is 10,000 times brighter than the black one. In short, a projector having a higher contrast ratio will offer a quality output.
Connectivity
Every projector offers VGA and HDMI connectivity if its resolution is 1080p. However, modern projectors offer USB, Bluetooth, 4K input, and even Wireless connectivity for convenient use. Note that a projector with 4K connectivity is more expensive than a projector with VGA or HDMI connectivity. But if you want to enjoy a quality image, you should have the heart to spend on expensive projectors.
Built-In Speakers
Last but not least on our projector buying guide is the built-in speakers feature. If you are buying a projector for the first time, you might not know that many projectors have built-in speakers. Of course, most of you would prefer using external speakers to enjoy quality sound. However, if you are looking for a projector for a small room, you will definitely prefer a projector with built-in speakers. Note that it is not an important feature because speakers don’t impact the picture quality.
Bottom Line
It was a detailed projector buying guide that you should consider when buying a projector. The most important factors to consider while buying a projector are:
- Projector Type
- Brightness
- Resolution
- Contrast Ratio
- Connectivity
If you focus on these factors, we guarantee that you will end up buying the best projector for yourself. Apart from these, other factors such as cost and built-in speakers are also there if you want to consider them. Now that you have read the content, you might have understood that an expensive projector is not always the best.
That’s all you need to know when you are looking for a projector that meets your requirements. Whenever you decide to buy a projector, make sure to consult this projector buying guide. If you are still confused, feel free to ask your question in the comment box or through our Contact Us section.
Thanks for reading!