Table of contents
- Projector Landscape in 2026
- Best Value Lifestyle Projector – Hisense M2 Pro
- Best Value UST Projector – Hisense PX4-Pro
- Best Value Long Throw Projector – Epson Pro Cinema LS9000
- Best Premium Lifestyle Projector – Hisense XR10
- Best Premium Long Throw Projector – Sony BRAVIA Projector 8
- Best Portable Projector Bundle – XGIMI Mogo 4 Laser Outdoor Collection
Projector Landscape in 2026
Anyone buying a projector for home use in 2026 will find a greater range of options available than in previous years. That’s because the traditional “long throw” projector, a type that sits at the back of the room or is mounted to a ceiling, has been supplemented by living room-friendly ultra short throw (UST) models that sit just a few inches out from a screen, and also powerful new portable “lifestyle” projectors that offer 4K resolution and brightness levels that can rival, or even exceed, more traditional options, but with more flexible placement options. These lifestyle projectors can vary from inexpensive fully portable battery-powered models to more substantial AC-powered projectors that can work well even in a dedicated home theater.
Built-in streaming capability and Dolby Vision high dynamic range support, two features that previously were limited to smart TVs, are also now becoming more common in projectors, particularly UST and lifestyle models. Projectors that use an RGB laser light engine can also provide extended coverage of both the P3 and BT.2020 color gamut while extending the usable life of the projector without the need for frequent bulb replacements. For an ultimate home theater experience, however, the motorized zoom and lens memory features typically found in long throw projectors are equally important, as they enable you to view 2.35:1 aspect ratio movies on an ultra-wide screen without distracting black letterbox bars.
No matter the type, new projectors in 2026 are generally better, brighter and more feature-packed than their predecessors. Below are our Editors’ Choice award picks for our favorite projectors in the lifestyle, UST, and long throw categories. All models are ones we have either reviewed or spent extended viewing time with. Prices listed are current as of October, 2026.
Methodology
Our projector testing methodology involves making brightness measurements at nine points across the screen to verify the manufacturer’s ANSI lumens specification. Native contrast ratio is recorded, along with the contrast ratio at any iris presets or dynamic iris settings. Brightness uniformity is also measured, along with color accuracy and color gamut coverage.
In addition to measurements and subjective evaluation, we take the projector’s features and value relative to the competition into consideration. All of these factor into our Editor’s Choice selection, with picture quality and value being primary points for determining the award.
Best Value Lifestyle Projector – Hisense M2 Pro
Affordable portable, or “lifestyle,” projectors can be a mixed bag when it comes to performance, but the Hisense M2 Pro sets a high bar for the category. With a specified 1,300 ANSI lumens, the compact and lightweight M2 Pro is plenty bright for a lifestyle model, and its 1.3:1 optical zoom, gimbal mount with 360-degree horizontal and 180-degree vertical swivel, and auto setup features provide flexible installation options. This 4K RGB laser projector supports Dolby Vision HDR and 3D display, both of which are features not typically found on portable models in the M2 Pro’s price range. Hisense’s own VIDAA smart TV platform is used for streaming and has excellent app support. There’s also a built-in 20-watt speaker system that provides better-than-average sound.
Why We Picked It: The Hisense M2 Pro has a bright picture for a portable projector, along with accurate color and wide-ranging setup options. It costs a bit more than the average compact portable projector, but the combination of performance and features here justifies the price.
Where to buy: $1,299 at Best Buy, Crutchfield
Best Value UST Projector – Hisense PX4-Pro
Hisense’s current premium (but not flagship) UST projector combines high 3,500 ANSI lumens brightness with accurate color and extended color gamut coverage. It also introduces a new feature not typically found in UST models: a dynamic iris setting. The PX4-Pro’s iris provides improved contrast over what you typically see from DLP projectors. It has support for both the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ formats, is IMAX Enhanced certified, displays 3D and features a Devialet-tuned built-in 66-watt Dolby Atmos/DTS:X speaker system. The PX4-Pro is also an excellent projector for gaming, with low input lag, FreeSync Premium VRR and a built-in Xbox app for cloud-based gaming.
Why We Picked It: While it’s not as bright as the flagship Hisense L9Q UST projector ($5,999 MSRP), the PX4-Pro is substantially cheaper. It provides just about every feature you would want in a UST, and is an excellent option for sports watching in bright rooms, gaming and dark room movie viewing.
Where to buy: $3,999 at Amazon, Best Buy, Crutchfield
Best Value Long Throw Projector – Epson Pro Cinema LS9000
The $4,499 Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 is an excellent value for a 4K home theater projector. For that price you get a laser light engine that delivers 2,200 lumens color and white brightness, and its 3LCD technology means you don’t have to worry about the rainbow effects that can plague DLP projectors. The LS9000’s installation features are impressive for an under-$5,000 model, with powered lens shift, powered zoom and focus and a motorized lens with lens memory all included. The LS9000 also supports HDR10+ high dynamic range and 4K 120Hz input for gaming, both of which are solid features in a budget projector.
Why We Picked It: Not everyone needs built-in streaming in a home theater projector, and not everyone wants to pay the high prices that some projector makers charge even for their entry-level 4K models. The Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 provides a high level of performance for the price, along with key features that home theater enthusiasts look for, such as a motorized lens with lens memory and HDR10+ high dynamic range. Its 4K 120Hz input support also makes it a great projector option for gamers.
Where to buy: $4,499 at Best Buy, Crutchfield, ProjectorScreen
Best Premium Lifestyle Projector – Hisense XR10
The Hisense XR10 straddles the line between a portable and a more typical 4K home theater projector, and the good news is that it’s highly effective in both applications. You can simply put it down on a table and its auto setup features will give you a great-looking picture with almost no effort on your part. Alternatively, it can be installed on the ceiling like a regular front projector and its full set of manual controls, including motorized 2.38x optical zoom, focus and horizontal/vertical lens shift, will let you tweak its picture to perfection. Unlike some dedicated home theater projectors, the XR10 lacks a lens memory feature so simple switching among different aspect ratios is not an option.
This $5,999 projector is packed with features for the price. Both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are supported and Hisense’s VIDAA smart TV platform provides all of the apps you’ll need for streaming. It has iris presets for enhanced contrast, and its RGB laser light engine delivers a specified 6,000 ANSI lumens (we measured 5,424 ANSI lumens in our testing) and extended P3 and BT.2020 color gamut coverage. The XR10 is also a great gaming projector, with a DLP Turbo Mode that substantially reduces input lag (we measured 4.6ms in Game mode for a 1080p/240Hz input).
Why We Picked It: The XR10 delivers higher brightness than much of its traditional front projector competition while also providing a wide range of setup features, including auto setup. At $5,999 it gives the competition a serious run for the money.
Where to buy: $5,999 at Amazon, Best Buy, Crutchfield
Best Premium Long Throw Projector – Sony BRAVIA Projector 8
Sony’s BRAVIA Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) isn’t new for 2026, but it’s a projector that seriously impressed us when we tested it. This 3-chip native 4K SXRD projector delivers high brightness at 2700 ANSI Lumens, best in class HDR tone-mapping, and accurate color reproduction. 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 MSRP when launched was nearly $20,000, but it is available now at a steep discount ($11,999) making it a much better value.
Why we picked it: With outstanding video performance that nearly matches the $35,999 flagship BRAVIA Projector 9, the BRAVIA Projector 8 makes an excellent centerpiece for high-end home theater, while avoiding rainbow effects that can occur among its DLP competition.
Where to buy: $18,999 $11,999 at Amazon, Best Buy, Crutchfield
Best Portable Projector Bundle – XGIMI Mogo 4 Laser Outdoor Collection
The XGIMI Mogo 4 Laser is an easy recommendation for portable entertainment. The all-in-one bundle comes complete with 70-inch screen, projector, tripod and power bank in a convenient travel suitcase. Although the projector only supports 1080p resolution, its color accuracy, color depth and contrast look pretty good, particularly if you can wait until it gets really dark outside. Just note that we recommend the “Laser” version, which increases brightness from 450 to 550 lumens over the standard model.
Why we picked it: With up to 5 hours of battery life, it brings a high “fun factor” that’s good enough for casual viewing in a dorm, apartment, campsite, pontoon boat or other small space or remote location. And the bundle comes with everything you need, including a travel case.
