Top 5 HD Projectors

It’s not enough to have a powerful projector—you want one that throws out an image in HD. We give you the top 5 HD Projectors on the market today.

The age of the faulty health class film projector is long behind us, and digital projectors are now the standard. There are giant, professional-grade DLP models, sharp and accurate LCD models, home theatre projectors, home entertainment projectors (there is a difference), and even pocket-sized LED projectors.

But digital projection alone is not enough. There’s HD+, full HD, maximum HD, and WQHD for your consideration. Basically, if there’s a way to ratchet up pixel count and expose the artifacts in whatever dreadfully ancient display you’re using, manufacturers will find a way. And whatever ocular miracle companies build next, the rest of the display tech market will need to keep up. High definition is de rigueur, and even 720p is starting to sound dated.

So why buy a projector that’s stuck in the last century? Whether you’re presenting a Powerpoint deck to clients, teaching fractions to your first-grade class, or screening a movie in your backyard, the projection tech should match the source quality (if not exceed it).

Here, we give you the top 5 HD projectors that we’ve reviewed in the past year. These models combine high-end specs, excellent brightness, stable image quality, and lasting power. In many cases, they’re also the best deals for their respective performance grades. Each received a rating of at least 3 stars or above and a few even garnered an Editors’ Choice award.

Once you take a look at some of these models, you’ll kiss your old sub-720p projector goodbye.

FEATURED IN THIS ROUNDUP:

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8100

$1,499 direct
The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8100 isn’t the least expensive budget-priced 1080p home theater projector, but it’s easily worth the extra money you’ll spend for it. Read the full review ››

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8700 UB

$2,199 direct
The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8700 UB Projector delivers great looking images whether in theater dark lighting or with the ambient light in a family room. Read the full review ››

Optoma HD33

$1,500 street
The Optoma HD33 delivers gorgeous 2D and 3D HD images, but shows rainbow artifacts often enough so you should approach it cautiously if you see the rainbow effect easily. Read the full review ››

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8350

$1,299 street
Although it lacks the dark blacks of more expensive projectors, the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8350 offers more than acceptable image quality at a budget price. Read the full review ››

Acer H7531D

$1,029 list
The Acer H7531D 1080p home theater projector does a credible job for the price as an entry level choice, but won’t satisfy more demanding users. Read the full review ››

By Lindsay Cutler, PCMag