Best Home Theater Projectors: Editors’ Choice 2025

The Projector Market Landscape in 2025

While projectors are still the display of choice in most movie theaters, they remain a fairly niche product for the home. With the advent of ultra large TV screens at lower and lower prices, the old adage of “if you want a big screen, get a projector” isn’t as clear cut as it used to be. But the fact remains that, for screen sizes over 100 inches, home projectors still make good financial sense. Flat screen TVs do exist over 100 inches today, but they are still priced outside the budget of most consumers.

Also, projectors can appeal to those who don’t want a huge black rectangle sitting on the wall in their living room. If you combine a projector with a motorized screen, your “giant TV” can bring a cinematic viewing experience to your living room when you want it to, but can then virtually disappear at the touch of a button.

Home theater projectors are also well suited for those who enjoy an ultra wide CinemaScope screen experience. While TVs generally only come in a 16:9 (1.77:1) aspect ratio, projection systems can be adapted for virtually any aspect ratio from classic films like “Casablanca” (4:3), to IMAX movies at 1.43:1 or 1.9:1, to 70MM films at 2.2:1 or to CinemaScope (2.35:1). There are even motorized masking screens that can work with a projector’s lens memory or anamorphic lens to adjust their aspect ratio dynamically, depending on what you’re watching.

For those who think projectors are too complicated to install, a fairly new category of home projectors called UST (Ultra Short Throw) allows the projector to be placed right up next to the wall and still produce a 120 inch or even 150 inch image. Also called “Laser TVs,” many of these UST projectors include a streaming platform like Google TV as well as built-in speakers, so they really can replace a traditional television without needing additional components like speakers or streaming sticks or a coffee table full of remote controls. And the laser light engines in these UST projectors are rated to last 20,000 hours or more with no need for a bulb replacement.

A separate category of projectors known as “lifestyle projectors” are similar to UST projectors in that they usually include streaming and built-in speakers, but lifestyle projectors are typically smaller and more portable as well as flexible in their placement. Lifestyle projectors typically trade off video performance for simplicity, lower pricing, overall ease of use and portability. Some lifestyle projectors offer built-in batteries as well as some degree of weather resistance so they make great choices for camping or backyard movie nights.

Below are our picks for Editors’ Choice awards for best projectors in a number of different categories. All models included in our 2025 Editors’ Choice picks are those we have reviewed or spent extended viewing time with. Prices listed are current as of December, 2025.

Best Home Theater Projector Under $20,000: Sony BRAVIA Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES)

First introduced at CEDIA Expo 2024, Sony’s BRAVIA Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) is second from the top in Sony’s BRAVIA projector line, and is one of the first to feature the company’s new “XR for Projectors.” This is the latest version of Sony’s industry-leading XR video processor, optimized for projectors.

Compared to the previous generation XW6000, the BRAVIA Projector 8 offers superior video performance including higher brightness (2700 ANSI Lumens), better contrast and noticeably improved HDR tone mapping. While it’s great at both upconversion of low resolution content and at improving the viewability of low bandwidth streaming content, it really shines on high quality native 4K content with HDR on UHD Blu-ray or Kaleidescape, producing a stunning, dynamic image, even when blown up to 120 inches or more.

The BRAVIA Projector 8 features a 3-chip native 4K SXRD imaging engine with a laser + phosphor lighting engine, rated for at least 20,000 hours of use. By using three imaging chips, each dedicated to a primary color, the projector needs no color wheel so it avoids the rainbow effect (RBE) that happens on most DLP projectors. Also, with a native resolution of 3840×2160 pixels, Sony’s SXRD projectors do not need to shift the pixels in order to create a 4K image. Most 4K LCD and DLP projectors require pixel shifting in order to reproduce a 4K visual image and this can introduce visual artifacts.

The BRAVIA Projector 8 has several features that make it ideal for home theater installations. It includes a motorized 2.14:1 zoom lens with lens memory, and a wide range of optical lens shift. This allows the projector to be mounted at varying heights and distances from the screen and even off-center from the screen without having to resort to detail-robbing digital keystone correction.

The BRAVIA 8’s Picture Position Memory feature (a.k.a. “lens memory”) is particularly useful for those who enjoy watching ultrawide movies in CinemaScope. With a quick button push, the projector can switch among aspect ratios like 16:9, 4:3, 2.21:1 or 2.35:1. In actual use, the lens memory feature worked flawlessly and adjusted to each aspect ratio quickly. The BRAVIA 8 also supports anamorphic lens attachments for those who wish to go that route.

While not inexpensive ($18,999) the BRAVIA Projector 8 offers exceptional performance, coming very close to the flagship BRAVIA Projector 9 which sells for $35,999. It makes an excellent centerpiece for a high-end home theater.

Pros:

• Outstanding video performance
• Best in class HDR tone mapping
• Native 4K resolution
• Accurate color reproduction
• Built-in lens memory feature works great for aspect ratio switching

Cons:

• Expensive
• Not the brightest projector in its price class
• No 3D support

Where to Buy:

Sony BRAVIA Projector 8 at ProjectorScreen.com | Crutchfield | Amazon

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Best Home Theater Projector Under $5,000: Epson LS9000

Epson is the top-selling projector maker for a reason: value. The company’s latest budget 4K home theater projector, the LS9000, continues this tradition. Featuring a 3-chip LCD imaging engine, the Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 offers full 4K resolution (via dual phase pixel shifting), 2,200 Lumens of both color and white brightness, a flexible motorized zoom lens with wide lens shift and lens memory. And it does all that for just under $4,000.

Using 3-chip imaging, the LS9000 avoids the RBE (rainbow effect) which plagues most DLP-based projectors. It also offers accurate colors right out of the box in its “Natural” picture mode. Big screen gamers will appreciate its native 4K/120 Hz support, though the LS9000 lacks support for ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and other gaming-specific features. While the LS9000 lacks the dynamic HDR tone mapping we find on more expensive projectors (which can lead to clipping of bright details or loss of shadow detail on HDR content), it does support HDR10+ dynamic HDR which can help optimize HDR content for the limited dynamic range of a projector.

Like the Sony projector’s “Picture Position Memory,” the Epson’s lens memory feature is great for those who want to enjoy a variety of movies and TV shows in different aspect ratios. The projector can adjust its zoom to fill the appropriate screen area from 4:3 to 2.35:1 and beyond, depending on the content.

Pros:

• Bright enough for some ambient room light
• 4K resolution with HDR10+ support
• Accurate color reproduction in some picture modes
• Lens memory feature works great for aspect ratio switching
• Excellent value

Cons:

• No dynamic HDR tone mapping
• Colors inaccurate in brightest picture modes
• No 3D support

Where to Buy:

Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 at ProjectorScreen.com | Crutchfield

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Best Home Theater Projector (Cost No Object): Christie Eclipse G3

While consumer home theater projectors like the Sony BRAVIA Projector 8 work extremely well for a medium sized home theater, those who want to fill a larger or brighter space with cinematic goodness may need to consider something even more powerful. And it doesn’t get much more powerful than Christie’s Eclipse G3 projector ($400,000).

With a laser light source and 6-chip DLP light engine, the Christie Eclipse G3 features a whopping 30,000 ANSI Lumens of brightness, and attains 98% of the REC.2020 color space. This makes it suitable for even the largest home cinema (or even professional cinema) installation.

The projector’s large size, 400+ pound weight, relatively loud operational noise and requirement for a liquid cooling system means it will need its own separate space behind the theater. But those who want the best will surely find a way to make it work.

Pros:

• Video performance approaches OLED flat panel TV with outstanding contrast
• 6-Chip design with RGB Laser lighting offers native 4K resolution with no RBE
• 30,000 Lumens makes it bright enough for the brightest rooms and the largest screens

Cons:

• Large, heavy and fairly loud
• Expensive

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Best UST Projector: Hisense L9Q

First shown at CES 2025, the Hisense L9Q shows the world how it’s done with UST projectors. After inventing the “Laser TV” category, Hisense has continued to lead with high performance UST projectors, and the L9Q takes things to the next level. At 5,000 ANSI Lumens, the L9Q is one of the brightest UST projectors on the market, and that makes it suitable not just for darkened home theaters but also for bright living spaces.

But the L9Q is no one-trick-pony: it also leads the pack in shadow detail and HDR tone mapping as well as offering rich accurate color reproduction right out of the box. Hisense says it can support screens up to 200 inches diagonal, and while we’ve only seen it at a 100-inch screen size on a high performance ALR screen, its visible brightness seemed well up to the task of going much larger.

About the only drawback of the L9Q is its size and cost. Compared to its competition at the 2025 UST Showdown, the L9Q was noticeably more massive than all but the Epson QS100 (another light cannon, with a rated peak brightness of 4,500 Lumens).

Of course, the L9Q has the latest version of Google TV on board for access to all the popular streaming apps, as well as four HDMI ports (two HDMI 2.1 and two HDMI 2.0), with support for HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) and eARC (Extended Audio Return Channel) for connection of an outboard sound system or soundbar.

Pros:

• Industry-leading peak brightness creates vibrant image, even with ambient room lighting
• Excellent contrast, shadow detail and specular highlights
• Top notch tone mapping of HDR content

Cons:

• Fairly large and heavy: this one is not portable
• Expensive

Where to Buy:

Hisense L9Q at ProjectorScreen.com | Amazon

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Best Value UST Projector: XGIMI Aura 2

In the real world, price matters. Those looking for a strong UST projector with an actual street price under $2,000 will want to check out the XGIMI Aura 2. Recently updated from Android TV to the full GoogleTV OS, the Aura 2 now has access to Netflix as well as all the rets of the popular audio and video streaming apps. It may not offer the high peak brightness our outstanding shadow detail of our current favorite UST, the Hisense L9Q, but the XGIMI Aura 2 sells for roughly one third of the price of the L9Q, while still offering a dynamic and colorful large screen image in a light-controlled room.

Also, the Aura 2’s hybrid Dual Light 2.0 Laser+LED light source minimizes laser speckle, which some viewers can find annoying on certain content. The XGIMI Aura 2 supports 3D content as well as Dolby Vision HDR and good color accuracy in HDR mode, right out of the box. With the money saved, you can afford to add a nice motorized ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen for improved performance as well as the ability to virtually disappear when not in use.

Pros:

• Affordable
• GoogleTV O/S offers all the top streaming apps
• Good color accuracy in HDR mode

Cons:

• Lower peak brightness makes this projector less suitable for bright rooms
• Contrast and shadow detail not quite up to the category leaders

Where to Buy:

XGIMI Aura 2 on ProjectorScreen.com | Amazon

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Most Versatile UST Projector: JMGO O2S Ultra

At the most recent 2025 UST Showdown, the JMGO O2S Ultra put in a solid overall performance, making the top 3 for judges picks for both “Best Value” and “Mixed Use” categories. But it was after the event that we saw what the JMGO projector could really do. As with any projector, the JMGO benefits from a good ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, as this enhances the contrast while also minimizing the glare of any ambient light in the room. But if all you have to work with is a blank wall, the JMGO O2S Ultra can make the most of the situation.

The JMGO O2S includes advanced optical and digital image correction that can create a squared off geometrically accurate image, even if your wall is textured or warped. It even includes color correction which samples the wall color and adjusts the color temperature to create accurate colors even on a wall that is not white or gray. We placed the O2S up against one of the walls at the ProjectorScreen.com headquarters and the projector was able to create a sharp, bright, color-rich 4K image at 150 inches with just a few button presses in the set-up menu.

The O2S Ultra is also one of the brightest consumer UST projectors on the market with a rating of 3,600 ISO Lumens. In the Showdown, only the Epson QS100 and Hisense L9Q offered higher brightness, but each at more than double the cost. The O2S Ultra is built on the GoogleTV OS so it has access to all the top streaming apps and services. It also includes a triple laser light engine with support for both Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos immersive surround sound.

The O2S Ultra’s compact size and included travel case make it the perfect projector to take on vacation or to a second home. It’s even small enough to take on a plane in the overhead compartment. If you can combine it with a motorized ALR screen, you’ll get the best combination of stealth and performance, but if all you’ve got to work with is a blank wall, the O2S Ultra is the obvious choice.

Pros:

• Advanced digital and optical processing compensates for less than perfect walls or placement
• Bright enough for a room with some ambient light (ALR screen recommended)
• Google TV on board, no need for separate streaming stick or remote

Cons:

• Not the best performer for contrast and shadow detail
• Some minor image artifacts

Where to Buy:

JMGO O2S Ultra at ProjectorScreen.com

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Best Lifestyle Projector Bundle: XGIMI Mogo 4 Laser Outdoor Collection

While there are literally dozens of portable/lifestyle projectors on the market, the XGIMI Mogo 4 stands out for its clever design, portability and installation flexibility. It comes in two versions, but we recommend the upgraded triple laser-light powered “Laser” version with its increased brightness (550 Lumens, compared to the standard version’s 450 Lumens) as well as longer usable life span.

The Mogo 4 includes Google TV built-in, so you’ll have access to all the top streaming services, including Netflix, AppleTV+, Disney+ and HBO Max. It also includes two built-in speakers, designed in collaboration with Harmon/Kardon, which actually sound pretty good, given the size and price. If you want to add a source like a gaming console, separate streaming stick or Blu-ray Disc player, or a separate soundbar or audio system, there’s an HDMI port with support for ARC (Audio Return Channel). There’s also a USB port for media playback as well as Bluetooth connectivity so you can synch with a Bluetooth speaker or headphones.

What we love about the XGIMI Mogo 4 Laser is that it comes in a bundle that includes everything you need for an instant movie night, anytime, anywhere. The XGIMI Mogo 4 Laser Outdoor Collection bundle includes the projector itself as well as a screen and a robust tripod stand that doubles as a high capacity power bank. And it all comes nicely bundled in a compressed foam travel case. With the power base tripod and the projector’s own built-in battery, you can get up to 5 hours of viewing on a single charge (2.5 hours from the projector alone) The power base features a strong magnetic mount system that quickly and securely latches onto the projector itself, allowing 360 degrees of rotation.

The bundle also comes with a 70-inch screen complete with a weather-resistant collapsible and lightweight metal frame. The screen design is simple and straightforward, assembling in minutes and keeping the screen at good tension. The projector itself is stated to support screen sizes of up to 200 inches, but at that size, you will need a very dark environment. Even at 70 inches, you’ll need to keep the lights low for best effect. Even so, we would have preferred to see a larger screen offered in the bundle, but the compact size of everything makes it easy to transport.

In terms of picture quality, the Mogo 4 offers HD 1080p resolution, but not 4K. It does support HDR (HDR10 and HLG) but with a peak brightness of only 550 ANSI Lumens, there’s only so much dynamic range it can do. Even so, for the convenience and the novelty of having a fully portable “movie night in a box,” we’re willing to make some sacrifices. Color accuracy, color depth and contrast look pretty good, particularly if you can wait until it gets really dark outside. It may not be suitable as the centerpiece of a “serious” home theater, but its “fun factor” is high and it’s good enough for casual viewing in a dorm, apartment, campsite, pontoon boat or other small space.

Pros:

• Pretty bright for a portable lifestyle projector
• Bundle includes everything you need for an instant movie night: projector, tripod with extended battery pack, screen and travel case
• Integrated sound by Harman/Kardon
• Google TV streaming platform built-in
• Triple laser light source enables wide color gamut support
• Long life laser light engine

Cons:

• 70-inch screen is a bit small for large group gatherings
• Travel case is a bit large and doesn’t seem very robust or durable (compressed foam)
• Some RBE (rainbow effect)
• No 4K support

Where to Buy:

XGIMI Mogo 4 Laser Outdoor Collection on Amazon.com

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The Bottom Line

Projector buyers have more choices than ever in 2025, at a wide range of prices, performance and use cases. Whether you’re looking for something you can take on the road or the centerpiece for a high-end home theater, there is sure to be a projector out there to suit your big screen needs.

Related Reading:

• 2025 UST Showdown Features the Top UST Projectors – Check Out Which One Won
• Best TVs of 2025: eCoustics Editors’ Choice
• Most Recent Editors’ Choice Awards