(Credit: PCMag / Amazon, Best Buy)
Looking to enjoy some outdoor movie nights this summer? It might be time to pick up a new digital projector and really dazzle your guests.
These machines used to be pretty cruddy, with blurry pictures that featured colors that bled along the edges. But new technology, including bright LED bulbs and three-chip image processors that separate the signal more accurately, mean that digital projectors are looking extremely good at a number of distances. Whether you're interested in a high-end model that's fast enough for console gaming or something more affordable and portable, major manufacturers like Samsung, BenQ and XGIMI have models available at nice discounts. Here are the best projector deals we've found for July.
Epson EpiqVision Flex Portable Projector
$369.99 Save $70.00
Let's lead off with a solid mid-budget projector at a nice $70 discount. We reviewed the EpiqVision Flex when it was released and said that its "high brightness and good color accuracy make it a tempting budget choice for presentations in a small or medium conference room or classroom, for casual movie viewing at home, or for shuttling between home and office." This unit boasts WXGA resolution, which is great for slideshows and spreadsheets, but also easily handles video at 720p. It's a little heavier than some competitive units, but not so much that it'll be a problem.
XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector
$1,699.00 Save $599.01
This is definitely a steep price, but the lightweight Horizon Pro is a next-generation projector that delivers incredible high-resolution output. In our review, we gave it an Excellent rating and said it "offers all sorts of keen features, from 4K resolution to auto focus." With a 2,200 ANSI lumen bulb, it handles indoor or outdoor projection ably, and it's easy to set up. The audio quality is also solid, meaning you don't have to worry about hooking up additional speakers. It also has the Android TV platform integrated for streaming directly off the device. (If that's not quite what you're looking for, then take a look at our picks for the best home projectors of 2024.)
BenQ HT3560 True 4K Home Theater Projector
$1,699.00 Save $600.00
If picture quality is a priority, few projectors in this price range perform as well as the BenQ HT3560. We reviewed this impressive model and said that it "is an excellent home theater projector for dark rooms, delivering a high-quality image with top-tier color accuracy, shadow detail, and contrast," while giving it an Editors' Choice award. With a six-panel color wheel and 4K resolution using XPR fast-switch pixel shifting, great color fidelity and low input lag, it's a great choice for indoor spaces and gaming. It even supports full-screen 3D with DLP-Link glasses. $600 off is a steal.
Xgimi MoGo 2 Projector
$399.99 Save $100.00
If you're on a tight budget, one of the best projectors you can pick up in this price range is the compact and reliable Xgimi MoGo 2. We reviewed it and said that it "offers plenty of features, including auto focus and robust audio for its size," as well as praising its built-in Android TV 11 platform that lets you stream content from your favorite services without plugging in an additional device. The MoGo 2 does not incorporate an internal battery, so you need to have access to power to operate it or purchase an external battery pack.
Samsung The Freestyle FHD HDR Projector
$799.99 Save $200.00
Weighing in at just 1.8 pounds, this portable projector is great for outdoor cinema in the most random of locations. Ever want to show a movie on the side of a McDonald's or in a quarry? Weird, but it works. Pick this one up for $200 off and you can. Lit by a laser for exceptional color fidelity, this thing is about the size of a soda can. It does have some drawbacks, most notably the lack of a built-in battery, but it's still extremely cool. (And don't forget, we've also reviewed some of the best portable projectors of 2024.)
Recommended by Our Editors
Elephas Mini Phone Projector
$116.99 Save $63.00
This is a pretty enticing bargain for a projector (don't forget to apply the coupon), which connects through USB or HDMI, so you can push 1080p video from phones, consoles, or whatever other devices you have. OSRAM LED projection technology delivers surprisingly decent color fidelity for a unit this size. It even has a built-in speaker, but you'll probably want to push audio to something more robust through Bluetooth. Check the coupon box on the page for 40% off.
More Projector Deals
- Epson EF-100 Smart Streaming Laser Projector for $799.99 (List Price $999.99)
- Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser 1080p Wi-Fi Mini Projector for $664.99 (List Price $799.99)
- Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air 1080p Portable Projector for $489.99 (List Price $599.99)
- LG CineBeam PF510Q 1080p Portable LED Smart Projector for $524.95 (List Price $599.99)
- Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 1080p Smart Laser Projector for $599.99 (List Price $999.99)
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
What should I look for in a projector?
The two most important metrics for a projector are brightness and resolution. Brightness is measured in lumens, with a larger number being better. However, projectors typically have two distinct brightness numbers, one for white light and one for color. If the color rating is lower than the pure white rating, images may appear dull. Resolution determines the number of pixels the projector uses to create the image. 720p standard definition is most common, but technological innovations have made HD and even 4K projectors possible. For best results, match your projector resolution to the image source.
What are the different types of projectors?
Digital projectors create images using three primary types of technology. The most basic, DLP (Digital Light Processing) have an array of minute mirrors inside the lens to transform white light into other colors. 3LCD projectors use a trio of LCD screens, one for each primary subtractive color. And LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) uses an active-matrix display on a silicon backplate for the most accurate colors, although they are significantly more expensive.
Do I need a screen for my projector?
The projector deals above don't come with an included screen. In general, although you can cast an image from a projector on any wall or surface, it's not going to look as good as if you use a non-reflective white screen designed for that purpose. There are many different types of screens on the market, including some that are inflatable for easy setup and storage. While they're not strictly required, they definitely make your viewing experience better.
How do we test projectors?
The short answer? Thoroughly. When we test projectors, be they data projectors, home entertainment projectors, or home theater projectors, we're performing both video and data tests as well as giving the units a 30-minute warm-up time while running through preliminary setup steps. And that's just the start! Dive in to any of our reviews to see how deep we go.
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