Best projectors in Australia 2024

The best projectors in Australia

• Best projector overall: Epson EH-TW7100
• Best portable projector: XGIMI Halo Plus
• Best mini projector: Anker Nebula Capsule Portable Projector
• Best projector for the home theatre: Epson EH-TW9400
• Best budget projector (under $500): Vamvo L6200
• Best 4K projector: Samsung The Premiere SP-LSP9T
• Best short throw projector: Hisense Laser Cinema 4K Ultra Short Throw Smart Projector
• Best projector for gaming: BenQ TH671ST

Our editorial team selected the products on this list based on independent reviews as well as actual customer reviews on sites such as Amazon, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, eBay, Digital Cinema and more. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the projectors with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

The Epson EH-TW7100 is the best overall projector for most people for a number of reasons. It offers a quality 4K viewing experience alongside an impressive list of specs, and it delivers all this with a reasonable price tag.

It's no stranger to positive reviews either, with plenty of glowing feedback from independent tech reviewers and an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Google reviews. It's worth checking out if you're in the market for a home theatre projector.

The first thing you'll notice about the EH-TW7100 is that its native resolution is full HD, but it uses 4K enhancement technology to shift each pixel diagonally and double the native resolution. And with Epson's 3LCD technology, it delivers colour and white brightness of 3,000 lumens.

The contrast ratio of up to 100,000:1 ensures that you can enjoy a wide range of detail no matter how dark or bright the scene may be, while 10-bit HDR colour processing means that it delivers an impressive level of visual quality. In terms of screen size, it's suitable for screens ranging from 40 to 500 inches.

Image quality aside, the Epson is also packed with a huge range of other useful features. It includes 2 built-in 10W speakers, Bluetooth connectivity for audio streaming and HDMI and USB ports, so it's easy to hook your projector up to a wide range of other devices.

Set-up is easy via the remote, and the Epson is backed by a 2-year warranty. Delivering high-level performance at a reasonable price, the Epson EH-TW7100 has a lot to offer for any home cinema enthusiast.

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How do Australians rate Epson's projectors?

92% of surveyed Australians recommend Epson

4.3

Value for money

4.5

Overall

4.4

Performance

4.4

Ease of use

4.5

Features and design

4.4

Image quality

How Epson compares

In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.

For projectors, Epson was ranked 7th for value for money, 5th for performance, 5th for ease of use, 1st for features and design and 3rd for image quality.

15 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

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If you're in the market for a highly rated portable projector, there's a lot to like about the XGIMI Halo Plus, the improved version of the popular XGIMI Halo.

This pint-sized product is one of the best mini projectors on the market, offering true full HD and 3D projection, quality Harman Kardon sound and easy portability. And with the Halo Plus having earned an average score of 4.5 out of 5 from over 30 Google reviews, we think it's the best portable projector you can buy right now.

Before going any further, let's take a closer look at just how portable the XGIMI Halo Plus is. Like its predecessor, it weighs in at 1.6kg and measures 113.5x145x171.5mm, so it's compact enough to take just about anywhere. It'll also stand the test of time with a LED lifespan of 30,000 hours. That's a lot of movies you can watch.

Offering 900 ANSI lumens of brightness, the Halo provides a native full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels and can support resolutions of up to 4K. HDR decoding delivers rich and detailed images and you can enjoy watching movies, sport and more on screens of up to 300 inches.

A key component of the Plus is the auto keystone correction, reducing the need to tweak and fiddle until your image is just right. Instead, simply place your projector and the image will automatically focus and resize accordingly.

In terms of sound, the Halo features 2 5W Harman Kardon speakers. Because it also features Bluetooth, you can use it as a portable set of Bluetooth speakers when needed. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi, HDMI and USB. The Halo is powered by Android TV 9.0.

With handy features such as a remote, voice control (there's a mic button on the remote) and 4-point keystone correction, there are a lot of good reasons to check out the XGIMI Halo Plus portable projector.

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When size matters, it doesn't get much smaller than the Nebula Capsule. This projector is roughly the size of a coke can and weighs about the same too (390g). Throw in a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Google reviews and a truck full of bells and whistles and you've got one winning mini projector.

Despite its size, there's a lot going on inside the Nebula. It has a 360-degree speaker and an in-built app store that lets you access your favourite streaming and music services including Netflix, YouTube and Spotify – all via a WiFi connection. If you've got movies on other devices, there is an HDMI and USB port for you to access them.

It runs on the Android 7.1 system and you can control it using your phone via the Nebula Connect app. Alternatively, it comes with a remote which is nifty if your phone is low on juice.

Strong and sturdy, there's a mount on the base to attach it to a tripod and with a 4-hour battery life for videos, you can make it through the entire movie – and then some.

In terms of sound, many reviewers remark that while decent, it's on the "tinny" side. This is kind of what you can expect from something so tiny and can be overcome by connecting your own Bluetooth speakers to it.

As for the picture? It's clear, but at 100 ANSI Lumens, it's recommended you set the Nebula Capsule up in a very dark space to get the most out of it.

How do Australians rate Anker's projectors?

88% of surveyed Australians recommend Anker

4.3

Value for money

4.3

Overall

4.3

Performance

4.2

Ease of use

4.2

Features and design

4.1

Image quality

How Anker compares

In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.

For projectors, Anker was ranked 7th for value for money, 11th for performance, 10th for ease of use, 5th for features and design and 12th for image quality.

15 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

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Searching for a high-quality projector for your home theatre set-up? The Epson EH-TW9400 is our top pick.

This highly rated Epson projector delivers excellent bang for your buck, providing impressive picture quality, easy set-up and use, plus flexibility in installation options. And while it doesn't boast as many customer reviews as some other projectors on the market, the fact that it has been showered with praise and 5-star reviews by independent experts means it's a clear winner in this category.

It's worth pointing out that this isn't actually a native 4K projector. However, it can display 4K content thanks to Epson's pixel-shifting resolution-enhancement technology and it delivers big-screen images with excellent clarity, colour and depth.

This model uses Epson's 3LCD technology, providing a contrast ratio of up to 1,200,000:1 along with 2,600 lumens colour brightness and 2,600 lumens white brightness. A dedicated HDR processor is also included. This projector can deliver images to screens up to 300 inches.

Connectivity options include HDMI, USB, ethernet and optional wireless, so it's easy to connect to a wide range of devices. The EH-TW9400 also features a motorised lens that can shift ±96.3% vertically and ±47.1% horizontally, providing ample flexibility when choosing the most suitable installation point in your media room. And with the lens also capable of remembering up to 10 pre-set positions based on your viewing needs, this is an impressive overall package for any home cinema space.

How do Australians rate Epson's projectors?

92% of surveyed Australians recommend Epson

4.3

Value for money

4.5

Overall

4.4

Performance

4.4

Ease of use

4.5

Features and design

4.4

Image quality

How Epson compares

In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.

For projectors, Epson was ranked 7th for value for money, 5th for performance, 5th for ease of use, 1st for features and design and 3rd for image quality.

15 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

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Searching for a quality projector for less than $500? Be sure to add the Vamvo L6200 to your shopping shortlist.

This projector is worth a look if you're putting together a home cinema on a tight budget. It offers full HD resolution, plenty of connectivity options and an affordable price tag. And with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 from over 700 Amazon customer ratings and plenty of positive feedback from Aussie buyers, it's our pick as the best projector under $500.

This 1080p projector features a high contrast ratio of 8000:1 and a brightness of 5,000 lux. Capable of displays up to 300 inches in size, it has everything you need for your ideal home cinema set-up.

In terms of connectivity, the Vamvo L6200 features dual HDMI and USB ports and also supports micro SD card, VGA, 3.5mm audio connection and other options. There's also an energy-saving feature to keep your power bills down and prolong the life of the lamp, plus a built-in speaker for added convenience.

Several reviewers express surprise at the quality of HD images the Vamvo can deliver at such an affordable price point while others report that the sound quality from its built-in speaker is also much better than expected.

Best of all, with a budget of $500, you'll have around $140 left after buying a Vamvo L6200 — money that can be put towards sorting out audio for your home theatre room (or maybe just stocking up on popcorn).

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Searching for the best 4K projector for your home cinema? We recommend checking out Samsung's The Premiere SP-LSP9T.

This ultra-short-throw projector offers wonderful picture quality, powerful speakers and a host of smart features. It also picked up its fair share of positive reviews, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 from over 170 Google reviews. As a result, it takes the win here as the best 4K projector.

The Premiere uses triple laser technology to deliver 130-inch pictures on your wall. Designed to let you create a big-screen cinematic experience at home, it can be placed just 24cm away from the wall for crystal-clear images with 2,800 ANSI lumens of brightness.

The 40W built-in sound system provides 4.2ch audio, and this model features acoustic beam technology with 22 holes to help distribute sound around your room.

Connectivity options include 3 HDMI ports and USB and RF inputs while the fact that The Premiere can connect to your Wi-Fi network is another big plus. This model gets the same operating system as Samsung smart TVs, ensuring easy access to apps and other services. An included TV tuner means you can access free-to-air programming too.

Of course, if you're going to add one of these Samsung projectors to your home theatre space, you'll need to be willing to stump up a whole lot of cash. And while the $9,999 RRP might be enough to give some people heart palpitations, we saw it selling for under $4,000 from multiple retailers at the time of writing. That's why it's always a good idea to shop around to find the best deal.

There's also a cheaper option in the Premiere range that offers a smaller picture and needs to be placed slightly further away from the wall. You can check this out if you're on a tighter budget.

How do Australians rate Samsung's projectors?

94% of surveyed Australians recommend Samsung

4.4

Value for money

4.5

Overall

4.6

Performance

4.5

Ease of use

4.4

Features and design

4.6

Image quality

How Samsung compares

In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.

For projectors, Samsung was ranked 3rd for value for money, 1st for performance, 1st for ease of use, 2nd for features and design and 1st for image quality.

15 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

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When you're short on space the wide-angle lens of a short-throw projector can deliver. For the ultimate experience, Samsung The Premiere SP-LSP9T is a top-shelf device that can produce 130-inch pictures from just 24cm away. But with an RRP of $9,999, it's not for everyone. This is why we've chosen the Hisense Laser Cinema 4K Ultra Short Throw Smart Projector as the best short throw to buy as it offers a good mix of price and quality.

Google reviewers rate it a 4.5 out of 5, calling it an "unbelievable projector" that exceeds expectations. And at a quarter of the price of Samsung The Premiere, it won't burn a hole in your pocket either.

So how short is short? This compact unit can be placed as close as 21cm to the wall for an 80-inch projection. Place it 42cm from the wall however and you'll experience its full impact: a 120-inch projection.

Offering 4K ultra HD image quality coupled with X-Fusion Laser Technology, it provides super sharp images filled with natural colours. Toss in 2100 ANSI Lumens and you can watch shows even during daylight in spaces of up to 50sqm.

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How do Australians rate Hisense's projectors?

90% of surveyed Australians recommend Hisense

4.5

Value for money

4.4

Overall

4.4

Performance

4.5

Ease of use

4.2

Features and design

4.3

Image quality

How Hisense compares

In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.

For projectors, Hisense was ranked 1st for value for money, 5th for performance, 1st for ease of use, 5th for features and design and 5th for image quality.

15 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

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The BenQ TH671ST is the best gaming projector for a number of reasons. This short-throw projector is designed especially for gaming use, pairing low input lag with high resolution and brightness. It put smiles on the faces of plenty of users too, with positive reviews from Amazon customers and an average of 4.5 out of 5 from over 25 Google reviews.

The TH671ST can deliver your gameplay to a 100-inch screen from a distance of just 1.5m. Perhaps the headline feature for gamers is this model's 16.67ms low input lag and fast DMD response time, ensuring that motion blur or slow image response doesn't hamper your gaming experience.

The BenQ TH671ST offers full HD 1080p resolution, with sharp and detailed images so you don't miss any of the action. It also provides 3,000 lumens of brightness to help ensure functionality in brighter rooms, while vertical keystone correction allows you to get your image alignment just right.

Connectivity options for this DLP projector include PC, 2 HDMI ports, USB and 3.5mm audio. Audio is provided by a built-in 5W speaker, though some users suggest connecting an external speaker system for optimum sound performance. The TH671ST also offers special audio modes for games, cinema, music and sports, cranking up the bass and delivering sharper highs for a more immersive experience.

So if you're searching for a projector that can provide a smooth, fast and trouble-free gaming set-up, the BenQ TH671ST ticks a lot of important boxes.

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Amazon prices last updated on 20 November, 2024 at 07:01 pmeBay prices last updated on 20 November, 2024 at 11:09 am

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Projector resolution

One way to distinguish between the many different options is to check each projector's native resolution (the number of pixels it displays). The following are the 2 most popular options for HD viewing:

• 1080p (HD) projectors: 1920x1080 pixels. Capable of displaying 1080p full HD content, these projectors are widely available and a more affordable choice.
• 4K (ultra HD projectors): 4096x2160 pixels. There are an increasing number of 4K projectors offering top-shelf picture quality, but they do come with a price premium.

While projectors can show signals that are higher or lower than their native resolution, they'll have to either compress the picture or scale it up to do so.

Types of home theatre projectors

The other main factor you can consider is the projection technology used:

• DLP projectors. Digital light processing (DLP) projectors work by shining light onto microscopic mirrors on a chip. Higher-end models have multiple chips since the greater the number of mirrors, the higher the resolution. DLP projectors produce smooth images and high contrast ratios. They're also the most affordable option. However, single-chip projectors can produce something known as the "rainbow effect", which results in brief flashes of colour and can be distracting to some viewers.
• LCD projectors. Most LCD projectors pass light through 3 LCD panels for red, green and blue colours. The pixels can either be open or closed to allow light through and to make up the picture. They offer impressive brightness and good image quality, but they are generally slightly more expensive than DLP projectors.
• LCoS projectors. The third and most expensive option is liquid crystal on silicone (LCoS). It combines some of the features of DLP and LCD projectors to offer superior image quality, but you'll need a big budget to buy one. Take note that different manufacturers have their own names for LCoS technology, such as Sony's SXRD or JVC's D-ILA.

How to compare projectors

As well as image resolution and the projection technology used, there are a number of other factors you'll need to weigh up before buying an HD home theatre projector. Cost is always an important consideration while specs such as brightness levels and contrast ratios help determine the image quality a projector can provide.

Here's what you'll need to take into account when comparing your options:

Additional features

• Remote control. Is the projector's remote easy to use? Is it well laid out and simple to understand?
• HDMI. Check how many HDMI ports the projector has so you have enough slots to connect your Blu-ray player, game console and other devices.
• 3D If you want to watch movies in 3 dimensions, check that the projector has 3D compatibility.
• HDR If choosing a 4K projector, check whether it has high dynamic range (HDR) compatibility so you can watch the highest quality content, for example, ultra HD Blu-rays.
• Noise A noisy fan on a projector can disrupt your viewing experience, so look for a model with a quiet and non-intrusive cooling system.
• Lens shift This feature lets you move the projected image side to side or up or down without having to move the projector itself. It allows you to put the projector wherever you want and then adjust the lens to make the projected images fit your screen.

Installation

You'll also need to consider where you plan to place the projector in your living room. For example, will it be projecting directly onto the screen, placed to one side or mounted from the ceiling? Ceiling mounting is often the neatest option and also means you don't have to worry about anyone walking in front of the projection.

Check the manufacturer's specs to find out how far the projector needs to be from the screen to produce the best results – this is commonly referred to as the throw ratio or throw difference. Some models are "short throw" projectors that can be situated just a few inches back from the screen.

Finally, when choosing where to place your projector, remember to consider where its infrared sensors are located to make sure you can use its remote from wherever you are sitting.

Choosing a projector screen

While you can use your HD projector to project images onto a plain white wall, this will lead to a reduction in picture quality and a less immersive overall viewing experience. For the best results, you'll also need to invest in a special projector screen.

Typically available in sizes ranging from 90 to 140 inches (but you can go much bigger if you wish), these screens are coated to improve their reflective characteristics and commonly feature a black frame to help focus your attention on the image.

There are fixed-frame and retractable options available, and prices start at around $300 but go well past the $1,000 mark for larger models. Make sure you think of an HD projector itself as a 2-piece set – the projector and the screen – and factor the cost of a screen into your budget.

Pros and cons

If you're still deciding, check out some reasons why you may or may not want to buy an HD home theatre projector.

Frequently asked questions

• Are 4K projectors as good as 4K TVs?

  The short answer is yes, they can be. A good quality projector with native 4K can provide crisp and clear images in the likeness of a 4K TV. However, it won't be completely the same. A 4K projector can give you a more immersive experience, though the colour gamut may not be as wide as its TV counterpart which leads to poorer quality brightness and contrast.

• Is a 4K projector worth it vs 1080p?

  That depends on what you value.

  4K projectors are more expensive than 1080p ones as they have a higher resolution and can offer better quality images in terms of sharpness and brightness.

  On the downside, the contrast ratio won't be quite as good as in 1080p. There are also optimal viewing distances with a 4K whereas a 1080p should deliver a fairly similar image at all viewing distances.

• How much should I pay for a good projector?

  Projectors can range from a couple of hundred dollars to upwards of $4,000 and the cost will reflect the size, quality and abilities of the projector.

  For example, a budget projector may not have great image quality and might require a pitch-black room to produce a decent image.

  A more expensive projector can project cinematic-quality images in different light conditions, onto a larger surface and from a shorter distance away from the screen.

• Are projectors more expensive?

  Projectors are more expensive than flat-screen TVs because they have a smaller target market. However, there are more affordable projectors that you can buy, depending on their features and your needs.

  Projectors with a higher resolution will cost more. Options with a smaller throw distance may be cheaper, but these require you to sit closer for a clear view.

• Can a projector replace my TV?

  Generally, you can use a projector as a TV, but you may need various hardware to make it work. TVs and projectors aren't interchangeable. A TV has built-in tuners to receive broadcasts while a projector doesn't. However, you can stream your favourite series and play games using a project.

  To use your projector as a TV alternative, you might need a cable box to watch over-the-air broadcasts. A projector requires a streaming device like Google Chromecast or Roku Express 4k+ to stream online shows. If your projector has native apps, you may be able to run a streaming app directly on it without needing a separate device. Check out our complete guide to projectors vs TVs here.

• What is the difference between a lamp projector and a laser projector?

  Lamp projectors have a giant light bulb to project images on the screen. They are more affordable than laser models. You can also restore a lamp projector's full brightness by simply replacing its lamp. While it's easy to maintain, a lamp projector requires frequent maintenance. Bulb replacements are a bit costly as well.

  Laser projectors have LED lights to be able to project images. These produce brighter, sharper images and don't require heating up – something that lamp projectors need. They also have greater contrasts. However, the upfront cost is far more expensive. Replacing a broken light engine is also pricey.

• How much energy does a projector use?

  Apart from dictating the projector's brightness, the bulb used affects its energy consumption. Depending on the indicated lumen output, a projector consumes about 150–800 watts per hour.

  Lampless projectors use lasers and LEDs as their light source. They have the same energy requirements as your traditional projectors. LED-only options have similar energy consumption to LED TVs, ranging from 50–200 watts per hour.

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