Top 12 Best Projectors For Gaming: Buyer’s Guide

These are the top 12 best home projectors for gaming and entertainment; make your display a statement piece with these colossal screen makers from across the price spectrum

Optoma UHD50X – Top Pick

WHY WE LIKE IT: With its 4K resolution, bright 3400-lumen lamp, and lightning-fast 16ms response time, this gaming projector is the best of the bunch. Additionally, it produces a stunning image with accurate colors and strong contrast that is sure to impress even the most ardent gamer.

Pros

• Bright lamp with rich contrast
• Blazing fast 16ms input lag
• 240Hz refresh rate

Cons

• Internal speakers aren’t great
• Remote control is somewhat flimsy

For many different reasons, the Optoma UHD50X is the best 4K gaming projector currently on the market. Starting off, the ultra HD resolution really elevates your gaming experience, especially on gaming PCs and the PS4 Pro. Additionally, the UHD50X supports HDR10 and HLG for deeper black levels and more vibrant colors. Additionally, you receive a 500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for improved light and dark object distinction. But more importantly, the Optoma 4K projector is among the fastest 4K gaming projectors available thanks to its lightning-fast response times of 26ms for 4K and 16ms for 1080p.

The Optoma also has a 3,400 lumen lamp that is excellent for use in moderately bright rooms and ideal for use in dark spaces. It is also very simple to install the projector. With its 40-degree keystone correction, 5-15% vertical tilt, and 1.3X optical zoom, you can mount it on the ceiling or set it up on a table to get the ideal image for your particular gaming space. Although this gaming projector has internal speakers, they aren’t the best, so for the best audio experience, we suggest using headphones or other speakers. Consider the best outdoor projector that can be used without an external audio system so that you can enjoy your outdoor viewing party.

Optoma GT1080HDR – Lowest Input Lag

WHY WE LIKE IT: With this gaming projector, your worries about unresponsive gaming caused by high input lag can be allayed. This projector offers a 120Hz refresh rate in addition to its 8.4ms response time and a ton of adjustability for a picture-perfect gaming experience.

Pros

• 40-degree keystone correction
• Extra-bright 3800 lumens lamp
• Versatile short-throw configuration

Cons

• Some blurriness on corners
• Built-in audio quality isn’t the best

The projector with the fastest response time for gaming is the Optoma GT1080HDR. This projector is quick enough for even the most competitive gamers, with an input lag time of only 8.4 milliseconds. When you pair that with its 120Hz refresh rate, the result is a responsive and fluid image on even the most demanding video games, including Call of Duty, League of Legends, and Overwatch. Additionally, the Optoma offers stunning 1080p picture quality. Additionally, you’ll get good color accuracy with both sRGB and Rec when using a six-segment, RYGCWB color wheel. 709 color profiles.

With the GT1080HDR, you’ll also enjoy extremely bright visuals. It offers a total of 3800 lumens of lamp brightness for top performance in both light and dark environments. Additionally, you get long-lasting performance before needing to buy a replacement bulb with a total lamp life of 15,000 hours. The Optoma GT1080HDR’s installation features include 40 degrees of vertical keystone correction and a 1.3x optical zoom, allowing you to get the best possible image from almost any angle. You don’t need a lot of room to set up and start using this short-throw gaming projector. Contrast that with the best short throw projector, which provides an incredible array of modern features and functions.

Optoma HD39HDR – Honorable Mention

WHY WE LIKE IT: This gaming projector is a good all-around choice that will work for most gaming applications because it has a six-segment color wheel, strong 1080p resolution, and 4000 lumens of brightness. The sound of your game won’t be drowned out by fan noise because it’s also among the quieter projectors.

Pros

• Six-segment color wheel for accuracy
• Incredibly fast 8.4ms response time
• 240Hz refresh rate

Cons

• Lacking HDR performance
• Black levels aren’t the darkest

A full HD gaming projector that also accepts 4K inputs is the Optoma HD39HDR. With an incredible 8.4ms of input lag in game mode, the HD39HDR supports refresh rates up to 120Hz. The absence of 4K native resolution shouldn’t be too much of an issue because this is one of the most responsive gaming projectors money can buy. You won’t be able to find a projector with a better picture quality unless it’s on our list of the best laser projectors, possibly. A super bright, colorful display is made possible by the Optoma’s six-segment color wheel and 4,000 lumens of brightness. The HD39HDR does support HDR10 content, but it’s not as good as what you’d find on a projector that supports native UHD.

With dual HDMI ports (2.0 and 1.4a), USB, VGA, and audio in/out, the Optoma also offers a wide range of connectivity options. Sound systems, streaming gadgets, and gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch are all easily connectable. If you want, you can even connect your gaming PC. This place also has excellent build quality overall. You can easily position the projector and make any necessary adjustments thanks to the vertical keystone correction and 1.3x optical zoom. The onboard cooling fan of the projector runs quietly at just 26 decibels, and the lamp can last up to 15,000 hours. The best iPhone projector, which also comes with a sturdy tripod you can use to set up the projector almost anywhere, is something you’ll undoubtedly love if you’re an iPhone owner.

Optoma HD142X – Best Brightness

WHY WE LIKE IT: This is one of the brightest gaming projectors you can currently purchase, making it ideal for use during the day. It boasts an impressive 3,000 lumens of brightness. A high-quality image with good contrast and vivid colors is also produced by this option.

Pros

• Excellent black levels in dark scenes
• Operates quietly at 24 decibels
• Supports 3D content

Cons

• Low, 8,000-hour lamp life
• No lens shift

Even though it is an older model, the Optoma HD142X gaming projector is still useful by today’s standards. Full HD 1080p resolution and the extra-bright REC.709 color space are both provided. This projector is among the best for gaming in well-lit areas like your living room thanks to these features and its impressive 3,000 lumens of brightness. Additionally, with a 23,000:1 contrast ratio, darker scenes will display an impressive level of detail and definition.

The HD142X has a respectable input lag rating of 32ms for gaming. While not ideal for serious gamers, this is more than sufficient for casual games on consoles and gaming PCs. Additionally, the HD142X supports 3D, which is compatible with both video games and movies. In addition, the projector has MHL connectivity available through one of its HDMI ports, allowing you to connect streaming devices to watch Netflix or Hulu. This projector’s cooling system, however, is one of our favorite discoveries. The Optoma HD142X is not loud when the fan starts spinning, even on the brightest setting. And if you’re looking for a good model to use at your place of business, think about the best business projector, which can be used during meetings without having to worry about being overpowered by fan noise, even in the brightest settings.

BenQ HT2050A- Best For Large Screens

WHY WE LIKE IT: When combined with the superior onboard audio, the 300-inch maximum image size that this gaming projector can produce encourages a more immersive gaming experience. Additionally, it has a 16ms input lag, which allows for excellent response times during intense gaming.

Pros

• Fast, 16ms response time
• Image sizes up to 300 inches
• High-quality built-in speakers

Cons

• Disappointing bright room performance
• Expensive lamp replacements

Most gamers and video games play well on the BenQ HT2050A, an affordable yet excellent gaming projector. The BenQ performs well with even the fastest-moving games because it has a low input lag of only 16ms. But the image size is where the BenQ really excels. You may be able to get image sizes as large as 300 inches, which is truly amazing if you’re after total immersion. This depends on where you place the device. Only the BenQ CinemaMaster Audio+ 2 speakers, which are exclusive to the company and integrated into the projector, can increase this sense of immersion. The crisp dialogue and rich bass produced by these potent 10-watt speakers make for an excellent audio experience overall.

You’ll discover that the BenQ is easy to use and straightforward during installation. You have the option of mounting the projector on the ceiling or placing it behind your chairs on a flat surface. You can get a square image thanks to its 2D keystone correction functionality. Additionally, you will be able to place it perfectly in your display area with a vertical lens shift. No matter where the projector is placed, you can get a good image by using the 1.3x optical zoom. The native 1080p resolution of the BenQ HT2050A is combined with the innovative CinematicColor technology to produce a vivid and colorful image. One of the top gaming projectors available right now is this one. If a bright room projector is what you really want, though, look at the best one available.

BenQ X1300i – Best Game Modes

WHY WE LIKE IT:  With an input lag of just 8ms and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, the BenQ X1300i is far superior to the vast majority of standard projectors and on par with gaming monitors. The trade-off is that this costs more than many 4K projectors and is expensive for a 1080p projector, but if your priority is a projector that is designed for gaming and might be the best projector for the PS5 or Xbox Series X, we believe this will meet your needs better than almost any other unit currently on the market.

Pros

• 8ms input lag, 120Hz refresh rate
• Three gaming modes for different genres 
• Excellent image quality

Cons

• 1080p picture at a 4K price 
• Need to self install included Android dongle

The X1300i has three game modes in place of the customary one, including ones for FPS, sports, and RPG titles. Therefore, when we used this as our primary gaming screen, it didn’t matter whether we were playing games in lush landscapes, dark corridors teeming with enemies, or on the football pitch (British or American version), as we found a picture mode perfect — and custom audio profiles to bring out the sounds you want to focus on for each. They’re also great for watching videos; for instance, sport mode is fantastic for showing off the contrasting uniforms and the greens of a pitch. 

Despite having a smaller shelf footprint due to its height compared to most projectors, it is much taller. There’s also an odd practical annoyance: rather than being integrated, the A dongle that needs to be installed comes with an Android interface. It is annoying, but you only need to do it once. In addition, the usual problem of Netflix and other apps needing a different media source because they are not authorized for use on this exists. 

If you’re looking for a home projector and plan to mostly use it for gaming, especially quite seriously gaming, then, in our eyes and from our testing, this just became the standard to beat

BenQ HT2150ST – Best Full HD

WHY WE LIKE IT: This short-throw gaming projector is your best option if you’re searching for the best 1080p content. You can view games as they were intended to be seen thanks to the 2,200 lumens, six-segment color wheel, and extremely low input lag.

Pros

• Low 16ms input lag
• Six-segment RGBRGB color wheel for accurate colors
• Short throw configuration for flexible installation

Cons

• Disappointing brightness uniformity
• Only for use in dark rooms

When it comes to full HD gaming, the BenQ HT2150ST gaming projector offers the best. The projector’s default setting, Game, creates a clear image with accurate colors and strong black levels. In most cases, you’ll get a great picture with a six-segment RGBRGB color wheel and 15,000:1 contrast ratio. With only 2,200 lumens of brightness, this projector is best used in dimly lit environments. Additionally, you’ll enjoy an incredibly responsive gaming experience with an input lag of just 16ms, which is remarkably low.

The HT2150ST’s short-throw configuration, which offers you more overall flexibility during installation and general use, impressed us. As a result, setting up and using the BenQ won’t take up much room. You can make a very adaptable gaming projector out of this by adding 1.2x optical zoom and vertical keystone correction. The BenQ also has a nice design, with red accent lines that really enhance its appearance. The best projector screen has a vinyl screen material that enhances the colors in ways you never imagined possible, which makes it look better.

Epson Home Cinema 2150- Best Connectivity

WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector is a great option for casual gamers thanks to its 1080p native resolution, 60,000:1 contrast ratio, and excellent colors right out of the box. For a smoother video game experience, it also has a ton of adjustability options and Frame Interpolation. Additionally, Miracast will allow you to screencast content from your mobile devices for the highest level of connectivity.

Pros

• Miracast functionality for screen mirroring
• Excellent Frame Interpolation
• Vertical lens shift for precise picture placement

Cons

• Remote control is not backlit
• Black levels could be better

Full HD projector with native 1080p resolution and top-notch overall performance is the Epson Home Cinema 2150, which is ideal for gaming. This performance is a result of the projector’s 60,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 3LCD lightning technology. It generates fairly rich darks and accurate colors. Although it’s difficult to tell while you’re watching, black levels could be better. All of these features support gaming performance, but the Epson projector’s Frame Interpolation feature, which produces an especially smooth image during intense action scenes, most impressed us. Additionally, the input lag on this Epson projector is fairly fast at 29ms. Although competitive gamers might experience some lag, this is best for casual gamers.

Both installing and using the Epson Home Cinema 2150 are simple. Almost anywhere in your gaming room is a good fit for its slim, lightweight design. Additionally, this projector offers a ton of adjustability and image sizes up to 300 inches. The most accurate positioning of your image is possible with 30-degree keystone correction and up to 60% vertical lens shift. The overall connectivity options offered by the Epson projector also caught our attention. It has the usual HDMI, VGA, and audio ports in addition to the distinctive Miracast feature, which enables you to screencast media from your laptop and smartphone. Consider the best cheap projector if you’re looking for something a little more affordable.

Epson Home Cinema 2040 – Best Colors

WHY WE LIKE IT: This gaming projector creates some of the best and most accurate color reproduction currently available thanks to a special 3LCD bulb technology, a deep 35,000:1 contrast ratio, and a bright lamp. Additionally, it supports MHL devices and images up to 300 inches.

Pros

• Unique bulb eliminates rainbow effects
• MHL support for more connectivity
• Up to 300 inches of display

Cons

• No lens shift
• Shorter bulb life than other projectors

With its 3LCD lighting technology, the gaming projector Epson Home Cinema 2040 offers a cutting-edge approach to display quality. With this special bulb arrangement, the rainbow effect that frequently appears in home theater projectors is completely eliminated. This means that when you need it most, your high-action gameplay will continue to be clear and crisp. Additionally, it provides a 35,000:1 contrast ratio for deeper blacks and better distinction between light and dark colors. The result is a picture that exhibits the best colors possible when all of this is combined with a powerful 2,200 lumen lamp. The Epson Home Cinema 2040 will astound you with vibrant colors and a crisp overall picture, whether you’re playing games or watching a movie.

With automatic vertical keystone correction, optical zoom, and focus controls, this Epson projector for home gaming also gives you some degree of adjustability. There are two HDMI ports, a USB port, a VGA port, and audio in/out ports available for connectivity. More importantly, one of those HDMI ports supports MHL, allowing you to connect your Epson projector to streaming devices like Chromecast, Roku, and Fire TV. Overall, both casual gamers and movie buffs will enjoy using this Epson projector. Additionally, if you enjoy playing video games, you may be interested in the best 3D projector, which features Sports and Game modes that produce judder-free, smooth images for a more immersive experience.

Sony VPL-VW695ES – Best Quality

WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector is the best of the best with ultra-sharp 4K resolution, amazing black levels, and IMAX certification for a close-to-theater experience. Additionally, this choice has a surprisingly low input lag that will please the majority of casual gamers.

Pros

• Reality Creation tech increases detail
• Supports IMAX content
• Dynamic Iris creates incredibly deep blacks

Cons

• No smart functionality
• Low lumens rating

If you have the money, the Sony VPL-VW695ES projector is a god among projectors, offering cutting-edge functionality and features. When compared to other, more affordable projectors, this one is on the more expensive end of the price spectrum, but it comes with a ton of extras. Beginning with a native 4096 x 2160 pixel resolution, the Sony provides incredibly sharp image quality. It is one of the best 4K projectors available even though it is only 4K technically, as this resolution is much higher than the typical 3840×2160 found in 4K projectors and TVs. This produces an extremely difficult to beat level of detail in the pictures. Additionally, Sony built this projector using its exclusive Reality Creation technology, which only improves the clarity and detail you can see.

Additionally, the VPL-VW695ES offers HDR10 support and a dynamic iris for ultra-deep blacks. On this projector, IMAX content can even be played, allowing you to see and hear it exactly as you would in a theater. We were awed to discover 4K UHD gaming content had input lag that was under 30 milliseconds. While not the best for the most intense gamers, this is more than sufficient for the majority of uses, especially at 4K resolution. We do wish Sony had added some smart or streaming capabilities, but it’s more likely that you’ll be using this in conjunction with an AV receiver for your home theater, which you can use to access streaming services using your Blu-ray player or gaming console. This is among the best projectors available right now for gamers who want a more immersive gaming experience. The best projector for sports would also be made with this one.

Anker Nebula II Mini – Best On A Budget

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re on a tight budget, look no further than this choice because it’s the best gaming projector available. With a rechargeable battery, 360-degree sound, and image sizes up to 100 inches, this mini projector is also incredibly portable.

Pros

• Compact design for easy transport
• High-quality onboard speakers
• 35ms input lag

Cons

• 720p resolution
• Not as bright as other projectors

The best cheap projector for gaming that we looked into is the Anker Nebula II. Yes, it makes some compromises in order to be more affordable, but it’s still a fantastic projector. The native resolution is 720p, which is still HD, so that’s the first thing you’ll get. You won’t notice the difference between this and full HD resolution on larger image sizes, which makes sense for a projector this small. You’ll also experience a slight loss in brightness, but the Nebula II still performs admirably in dark environments.

The high-quality, vibrant image produced by this affordable gaming projector works well for mobile gaming. In addition, you won’t experience any stuttering or hiccups while playing thanks to the surprisingly fast 35ms input lag. In the end, the Anker Nebula II’s portability is its best feature. It can easily fit in your backup or even your pocket and is roughly the size of a soda can. In addition, this portable projector has a long-lasting rechargeable battery. Additionally, the device comes with Android TV pre-installed, giving you access to more than 5,000 apps, including Twitch, YouTube, and Hulu. The Nebula II is the top portable projector for video games that money can buy because of all of these factors. Compare this to another portable model, which is currently the best mini projector available on the market.

Vamvo L6200 Native- Best Cheap Price

WHY WE LIKE IT: The Vamvo has a stylish case that makes carrying the lightweight device around even simpler, and it is remarkably stylish for the price. Of course, the most important thing to look at is what is on the screen, but it also delivers here, with up to 200 inches of excellent picture in good lighting. The LEDs are sufficiently bright without producing a lot of heat, so this projector can be used in the evening before nightfall.

Pros

• Horizontal and vertical keystoning
• Decent internal speaker

Cons

• Fiddly controls

The digital keystoning tool on the back is a nice addition, and the fact that you can adjust it both horizontally and vertically makes it simpler to set up in places where others might struggle. This is very helpful because many gardens lack the ideal location for a projector! If you don’t want to carry around a sound system every time you use it, the speaker is more than adequate. The only downside is that the controls on top of the device can be a little difficult to use, so be sure to keep the remote with you.

A Projector Is Good For Gaming, Right?

Gaming on a projector has a certain allure and allurement, though obviously this is highly subjective. The size of the image is something that projectors completely own and other screens can’t provide, allowing you to enjoy a great image like a huge painting. 

It’s still probably the case that’slower’ games like RPGs, adventure games, and single-player story games offer the best experience. Think Uncharted, Tomb Raider, Witcher 3, Assassin’s Creed et al – just because the latency isn’t great for those really competitive shooters and online games. Having said that, we’re sure you could still have a good time playing games like Doom or Wolfenstein on projectors.

Do PC Games Work Well With A Projector?

The answer is, in a word, yes! It can work and be a positive, enormous experience. It can be quite the experience to connect one of the best gaming projectors to a super-powerful rig, and the PC’s power will produce excellent results from the projector.

However, given the size of the living room screen, we frequently assume that console gamers would be a better fit (possibly more from a “traditional” perspective than anything else), but if you game on PC in the living room anyhow, a projector could be the display improvement you’ve been searching for!

How Do I Pick A Projector For Gaming?

A gaming projector with a high refresh rate and low latency is what you want if you want to play competitively online. When you try to react, it won’t feel like your character is moving through sludge because the information you need will arrive to your eyes more quickly.

You can accept a higher latency if competitive gaming isn’t your thing; the average gamer typically can’t tell the difference above 60ms. A 60Hz projector will do just fine unless your hardware can produce more than 60 frames per second.

Our list of gaming projectors achieves 40ms or less. Depending on the features that are most important to you when choosing a gaming projector, many of them come with impressive sound systems, a vibrant color range, high resolution, and long lamp lives.

Additionally, make sure you have room where your projector needs to go. A long throw projector will work best if you want it above or behind you. A short throw projector will be ideal if you want one to put on the coffee table. A projector with an ultra short throw is also necessary if you plan to mount it against a wall.

Best Projectors For Gaming Buyer’s Guide

The Most Important Features To Consider

1. Input Lag
   Milliseconds are used to measure input lag, which is the amount of time it takes for your projector to show what you are doing on your controller or remote control. Due to the fact that it directly impacts your gameplay, this is fundamental to gaming. Therefore, you should make sure to buy a projector with a low input lag. For gaming, we generally advise getting projectors with lag times under 40ms. For competitive gaming, anything under 25 ms is ideal.
2. Resolution
   As you are aware, a significant aspect of gaming is being able to appreciate the stunning graphics in your games. For this reason, it’s crucial to purchase a projector with at least full HD, or 1080p, resolution. Ultra HD, or 4K, resolution is starting to be offered by many gaming projectors. 4K projectors for gaming offer a better picture quality over 1080p options, but they also tend to be slower in response time, although not by enough to significantly impede your gameplay.
3. Refresh Rate
   There is a lot of movement and action in fast-paced games like first-person shooters and racing games. As a result, when choosing a projector, you should think about its refresh rate. This gauges how quickly your projector reloads the frame, making fast-moving action scenes appear smoother. You can get by with a 60Hz refresh rate, but 120Hz is the sweet spot between price and performance. 4K projectors for gaming go as high as 240Hz, which is even better, but much more expensive.
4. Image Size
   The ability to create different image sizes by simply moving the projector closer or farther away from the screen is one of the best things about projectors for gaming. Look at the area where you play games the most and think about the largest display you can build there. After that, get a projector with that size compatibility. Keep in mind that there are projectors with different distance requirements from the screen, including long throw and short throw models. Short-throw projectors frequently only need one or two feet of space, whereas long-throw projectors frequently need several feet. The best UST projector for gaming only requires a few inches to operate. Extremely short throw is referred to as UST.
5. Brightness
   ANSI lumens are used to gauge the brightness of gaming projectors. Your gaming environment will determine the brightness level you require. You can typically survive on just about any brightness level if it is dark the majority of the time. However, choosing a higher brightness option is typically still a good idea if you want a clearer picture with more accurate colors. You’ll need a projector with at least 2,000 lumens of lamp brightness if you play video games in a room with any kind of natural or ambient lighting. By doing this, you can avoid completely closing the blinds while still being able to see what’s happening.