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The best projectors to buy in the US
The Hisense C2 Ultra wins for its bright, colorful 4K picture and flexible setup; the other picks cut the cost substantially.
| Best overall | Best value | Cheapest that's still good | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Hisense C2 Ultra | JMGO N1S 4K | NexiGo PJ40 Pro |
| Price | about $2,500 | about $770 | about $280 |
| Why | It combines 4K resolution, strong measured brightness, wide color, and flexible placement. Tom's Guide measured 3,231 lumens and found accurate color and good gaming response. | It offers a convincing 4K laser picture for well under the C2 Ultra's price, with strong contrast and built-in Google TV. RTINGS calls it one of the best projectors under $1,000. | At roughly $280, it is a credible 1080p option rather than a no-name mini projector. The Hook Up praised its contrast, image processing, and built-in Google TV, while RTINGS recommends it for dark-room viewing under $500. |
| Good to know | It is expensive, and its smart interface includes ads. | It lacks optical zoom and lens shift, limiting placement flexibility. | Its fan gets loud at maximum brightness. |
| See on Amazon | See on Amazon | See on Amazon |
picture by AIIt combines 4K resolution, strong measured brightness, wide color, and flexible placement. Tom's Guide measured 3,231 lumens and found accurate color and good gaming response.
Good to know: It is expensive, and its smart interface includes ads.
See on Amazonpicture by AIIt offers a convincing 4K laser picture for well under the C2 Ultra's price, with strong contrast and built-in Google TV. RTINGS calls it one of the best projectors under $1,000.
Good to know: It lacks optical zoom and lens shift, limiting placement flexibility.
See on Amazonpicture by AIAt roughly $280, it is a credible 1080p option rather than a no-name mini projector. The Hook Up praised its contrast, image processing, and built-in Google TV, while RTINGS recommends it for dark-room viewing under $500.
Good to know: Its fan gets loud at maximum brightness.
See on AmazonDanilli may earn a small commission from Amazon when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Product pictures are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.
What matters
Room light, throw distance, and screen size affect the picture as much as resolution does. For a dim room, contrast matters; for a brighter room, prioritize measured brightness, and remember that budget models make trade-offs.
Who this is for
These picks suit buyers looking for a versatile living-room projector, a less expensive 4K option, or a genuinely usable low-cost model. None is a substitute for a TV in a bright room with daylight.
The picks, one by one
Best overall: Hisense C2 Ultra
It combines 4K resolution, strong measured brightness, wide color, and flexible placement. Tom's Guide measured 3,231 lumens and found accurate color and good gaming response. Its RGB laser image is bright enough to hold up with some room light, though a dim room still gives the most cinematic result. The gimbal and automatic image adjustments make setup easier, and it supports Dolby Vision and HDMI 2.1. Tom's Guide measured 96% DCI-P3 color coverage and tested brightness with an ANSI pattern. Skip it if you want a bargain: it costs far more than the budget choices, and RTINGS notes it has no lens shift.
Good to know: It is expensive, and its smart interface includes ads.
See on AmazonBest value: JMGO N1S 4K
It offers a convincing 4K laser picture for well under the C2 Ultra's price, with strong contrast and built-in Google TV. RTINGS calls it one of the best projectors under $1,000. RTINGS found excellent, consistent contrast and vibrant colors, but says the colors are oversaturated and motion judder is not removed. Its gimbal makes it easy to aim up at a wall or ceiling, and autofocus and automatic keystone help with quick setup. There is no optical zoom or lens shift, so placement needs more care than with the Hisense. Best for dark-room movie watching; skip it if you need strong brightness in a lit room or are sensitive to DLP rainbow effects.
Good to know: It lacks optical zoom and lens shift, limiting placement flexibility.
See on AmazonCheapest that's still good: NexiGo PJ40 Pro
At roughly $280, it is a credible 1080p option rather than a no-name mini projector. The Hook Up praised its contrast, image processing, and built-in Google TV, while RTINGS recommends it for dark-room viewing under $500. RTINGS says its higher contrast gives dark scenes more depth than the brighter Epson CO-FH02, but it is not bright enough to cope well with ambient light. The built-in Google TV means streaming apps do not require a separate stick. The Hook Up tested it alongside other projectors in the $100–$500 range and singled out its picture quality. It is best for an inexpensive movie setup in a dark room; choose the Epson instead if you expect to watch with lights on.
Good to know: Its fan gets loud at maximum brightness.
See on AmazonHow we chose
Reviewers measured brightness, contrast, color, and gaming response, and evaluated setup and picture quality with real viewing. RTINGS says it buys projectors and compares them using a standardized test method; Tom's Guide reports using a light meter and colorimeter for the C2 Ultra. Danilli read the reviews and tests listed below and compared current prices; it does not take money from brands to pick a product.
Sources
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Written with Danilli's AI from the sources above and refreshed about once a month; prices change, check Amazon for today's price. Danilli may earn a small commission from Amazon when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Product pictures are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.