The Best Gaming Projectors– Buyer’s Guide


Gaming for the longest time has been done on fixed monitors with varying sizes and resolutions. However, the quest for getting the biggest possible display with the best possible quality has been steadily changing with the introduction of gaming projectors. 

Projectors are well-known for playing movies and running sideshows on large flat surfaces, but now manufacturers also cater to gamers by optimizing the resolution and input lag to offer the smoothest gaming experience. 

The market has been growing rapidly and for a good reason, since having a bigger display provides deeper immersion into the game. That’s why gaming projectors are all the rage now with the ability to turn an entire wall into a screen, all while maintaining high resolution and low input lag. 

Of course, there are a lot of competing manufacturers and different models offering different features and specs. So, we’ve compiled a list of the best gaming projectors out there to help you figure out what to look for when making your purchase.

At a Glance:

1. Optoma UHD50X – Best Overall

2. Epson Home Cinema 5050UBe – Runner-up

3. Optoma GT1080Darbee – Best Short Throw

4. TMY V08 720p Native Projector – Best Outdoor Projector

5. Anker Nebula Capsule II – Best Portable Projector

6. Optoma HD39HDR – Lowest Input Lag

7. Sony VPLHW45ES SXRD Gaming Projector – Best 3D Projector

8. BenQ TK800M – Best Budget 4K Projector

The 8 Best Gaming Projectors of 2022

1. Optoma UHD50X – Best Overall

Optoma UHD50X

When it comes to gaming projectors, it doesn’t get better than the Optoma UHD50X. In an age where resolution is king, you’ll be able to play in 4K with 60 Hz using this excellent projector. This allows for amazing visuals, especially with games with pixel-packed scenery like Assassin’s Creed. 

With that being said, competitive gamers will find this projector pretty useful because it can run 1080p at a whopping 240Hz! You get a frame rate that most monitors cannot achieve, all with an input lag of 16ms, which might not be the best out there, but it sure is more than good enough. 

Speaking of monitors, have you ever heard of a 302-inch monitor? Because the Optoma UHD50X has a screen size of 34.1 to 302.4 inches, which is enough to turn an entire wall into your personal gaming screen without dropping in resolution. 

And if that wasn’t enough, this projector produces more than a billion colors at the astonishing brightness of 3,400 ANSI Lumens. This is a projector that will turn the world around you to that of the game you’re playing with all of these amazing features. 

Pros:

  • High resolution at a high frame rate
  • Big screen size 
  • High brightness

Cons:

  • Not the best input lag

Our Take

This is a great purchase to add to your gaming setup. Sure, you can get something with a lower input lag, but 16ms on top of all of these great features will not make you regret the purchase. 

2. Epson Home Cinema 5050UBe – Runner-up

Epson Home Cinema 5050UBe

Coming in a close second on our list without a significant downsize in features is the Epson Home Cinema. It carries on the tradition of 4K resolution from the best overall in this guide, making it perfect for an immersive gameplay experience. However, it doesn’t offer resolution downscaling, so if your PC can run games in 4K smoothly, you won’t face much of a problem. 

Moreover, you get 1.7 billion colors just like the Optoma UHD50X and a 49.93 to 300-inch screen size to turn your bedroom into the gaming room you always dreamed of. 

It’s a pretty good projector to have, but one of the downsides is the 23.5ms input lag it has. That input lag is not really that bad, but with things like the Optoma UHD50X lying around with 16ms of input lag, you can definitely do better. 

Also, it’s pretty hefty for a projector, weighing at around 25lbs. So, it’s better left in the same place at most times since it doesn’t support the on-the-go lifestyle that much. 

Moreover, one of the great features this projector has is that it can be controlled wirelessly. You get to use a remote, so you don’t have to be too close to the actual device all the time. 

 Pros:

  • 4K resolution
  • Great colors
  • Big screen size
  • Wireless transmitter

Cons:

  • Not the best input lag
  • Heavy

Our Take

This one is a very reliable projector if your equipment supports 4K gaming. It deals well with colors on a big display, and although the input lag is not the best, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal since 23.5ms is good enough for a good gaming experience. 

3. Optoma GT1080Darbee – Best Short Throw

Optoma GT1080Darbee

One of the problems gamers face with projectors is that sometimes to get a good image on a big display, you need to position the device a bit far from the display area. If you have a small room, however, that wouldn’t result in a good image. However, the Optoma GT1080Darbee solves this issue by being able to produce a display of 100 inches at 1080p from as close as 4 feet away. 

This projector will be a great addition to your gaming setup with its 60Hz frequency and 16ms of input lag. Now, 60Hz might not be the highest around, especially when it comes to competitive players, but it should work well with the 16ms input lag. 

This projector is also very bright with 3000 ANSI Lumens, so you don’t have to be in a dark room to see all the details. But that’s not all, because that bright lamp also lasts 10,000 hours of usage, which should suit you perfectly for years of playing with no worries. 

Pros:

  • High brightness 
  • Short throw
  • Long lamp life

Cons:

  • It doesn’t exceed 1080p
  • Limited at  60Hz

Our Take

This projector is perfect for small rooms and dedicated gamers. The lamp will last you years with amazing brightness and great visuals. It might not be 4K, but 1080p in such brightness shouldn’t be too much of a problem. 

4. TMY V08 720p Native Projector – Best Outdoor Projector

TMY V08 720p Native Projector

This quarantine has kept us all at home for most of the year, but if things are easing up in your country, why not play your favorite game somewhere else for a change? And the TMY V08 will be perfect in this situation. 

This projector produces enough light to illuminate any surface in any environment with its massive 4500 ANSI Lumens. It does so with a 720p resolution that is scalable to 1080p. Sure, a 1080p native resolution would have been better, but we can’t complain about this brightness. 

And because you might not always find a suitable wall outside, this projector comes with a 100-inch sheet to put anywhere you want and enjoy your favorite games. And with dual speakers on the device, you don’t have to worry about the volume outside.

Pros:

  • High brightness
  • 100-inch sheet included
  • Dual speakers

Cons:

  • Not 1080p native

Our Take

This projector is perfect for the outdoors with its incredibly bright lamp and dual speakers. And the sheet that comes with it is a great plus, and it shows how much the company cares about customers.

5. Anker Nebula Capsule II – Best Portable Projector

Anker Nebula Capsule II

We introduced an outdoor projector on this list, but what if you go out a lot and need a gaming projector as part of your everyday carry? Then, the Anker Nebula Capsule II is the one for you. 

This projector is almost the size of a can and weighs only 1.5lbs. It’s so small you won’t feel it in your backpack. And for its size, it produces an image quality of 720p, which is impressive. 

But it doesn’t end here, as this projector has a maximum screen size of a 100 inches. This all comes with a catch, though, since its brightness is only 200 ANSI Lumens, which is way too low compared to all the projectors on this list, so you’ll need to make sure the room is dark enough to play better. 

Pros:

  • Very small
  • A good resolution for its size

Cons:

  • Low brightness

Our Take

Your on-the-go lifestyle will significantly benefit from this projector since it’s tiny and light. You will need to use it in a darker setting to maximize its potential, but then again you’ll play anywhere at 720p smoothly. 

6. Optoma HD39HDR – Lowest Input Lag

Optoma HD39HDR

While all the projectors on the list are good for gaming, this by far will take your competitive gameplay to the next level. You get a 1080p resolution at a fantastic refresh rate of 120Hz, which will produce amazing visuals, although we had hoped to see it go 4K.

The best thing about the Optoma HD39HDR by far is the 8.4ms input lag. That’s almost two times faster than our best overall, and it will provide the smoothest gaming experience of any product on this list. 

And as if that wasn’t enough, this projector can light up a screen size of up to 301 inches with 4000 ANSI Lumens. You will be able to turn an entire wall into a monitor and win every tournament you join. 

Pros:

  • Low input lag
  • High brightness 
  • Big screen size
  • High refresh rate

Cons:

  • Not 4K

Our Take

If you’re a hardcore gamer who wishes to top the ranks on your favorite game, then this is the projector for you. It might not give the best quality there is, but the high refresh rate and low input lag will put you at an advantage far beyond that of any other competitor. 

7. Sony VPLHW45ES SXRD Gaming Projector – Best 3D Projector

Sony VPLHW45ES SXRD Gaming Projector

With the advancement of technology, image quality improves bit-by-bit, and with this projector, the image will come to life. The Sony VPLHW45ES focuses on 3D technology to produce crisp visuals, unlike any other. 

To make things better, you get these crisp images in 1080p, which is sure to let you enjoy your gaming life even more. The downside, however, is the brightness that’s only at 1800 ANSI Lumens, which will suffer a little in light conditions. 

The projector also has a max screen size of 300 inches, which is perfect for immersive gameplay, especially with the advanced Reality Creation technology built into it that will literally make the game come to life. 

Pros:

  • 3D compatibility 
  • Reality Creation technology
  • Bug screen size

Cons:

  • Low brightness

Our Take

If you’ve always had the dream of living in your favorite game’s world, then this is the projector for you. It might not be the brightest out there, but in the right conditions, it will show crisp images and will make everything look realistic. 

8. BenQ TK800M – Best Budget 4K Projector

BenQ TK800M

4K technology is expensive on any device, and rightly so since it’s so high-end. That’s why finding a gaming projector with 4K capabilities under $1000 is a rarity these days, and the BenQ TK800M is among those rare ones. 

This 4K projector won’t break the bank and will even give you a brightness of 3000 ANSI Lumens with a max screen size of 300 inches, which will light up your entire room no matter how much light there is around you. It also emits 1.07 billion colors, which is perfect for vivid images of amazing quality. 

It does come with a downside, though, since the input lag is at 49ms, which is the highest input lag on this list, and it’s not always suitable for competitive players, but it should give great value for money nonetheless. 

Pros:

  • 4K resolution
  • Wallet-friendly 
  • Big screen size
  • Vivid colors

Cons:

  • High input lag 

Our Take

If you’re tight on budget but want to experience gaming in 4K, then this is the projector for you. It produces images at fantastic quality, but you have to be okay with its high input lag. 

What to Look for in a Gaming Projector? 

If you’re looking for a gaming projector, there are a few things you need to consider first. From brightness to resolution and input lag to screen size, keep these things in mind while shopping for your gaming projector. 

Brightness 

Brightness is measured in ANSI Lumens, and the amount of brightness a projector produces will tell you if you can use it in light conditions or only in a darker setting. Whether you choose something with less than 1000 or over 4000 ANSI Lumens is really up to your environment and where you plan to use the device. 

For indoor settings where you can control how much light enters the room, then you’re safe to get a projector with low brightness. However, if you can’t control how much light comes in or you plan on using the projector outside, then you’ll need something with high brightness, so you’re able to see the image no matter how bright it is in your environment. 

Resolution

Gamers love their high-resolution monitors for obvious reasons, and choosing a projector that caters to your gaming needs is vital to your gaming experience. So, you’ll be able to find projectors ranging from 720p to 4K easily. 

Which resolution you’ll choose depends on your budget and whether your equipment can run the resolution you want. Of course, 4K projectors will be more expensive than 1080p or 720p, and you’ll need a PC that’s powerful enough to run games in such a high resolution. 

Input Lag

This is a no brainer since all gamers need the lowest possible input lag to avoid delayed responses and frame drops. When looking for a gaming projector, you’ll find options ranging from as low as 8ms to 25ms, and you need to link this to refresh rate in the device and resolution as well. 

So, you could find a projector with low input lag and 60 to 120Hz refresh rate, and good quality. But, make sure first your equipment can handle such features so you can get the most out of your projector. 

Screen Size

No matter how big monitors get, they will never be big enough to fill an entire wall. Having a projector will give you the biggest display you can fit in your room, but how big it can get varies from one projector to another. 

Projectors can produce a screen size as small as 30 inches and as big as 300 inches. Some models are capped at 100 inches, and some exceed that without any loss in image quality. It all depends on how big the wall you have is. 

Manufacturers know, of course, that gamers would want to play in other places besides their rooms because it’s easy to move a projector around. That’s why some models are small enough for portability, and some even come with big sheets for display if there are no flat walls around you. 

Final Thoughts

Gamers all around are always looking for the best gaming experience, and it doesn’t get better than being completely immersed in the game. That’s why a gaming projector will help you achieve your dream by turning an entire wall into a gaming monitor. 

We know that the different features might look confusing on paper; that’s why there are various products here that showcase the best out there in the market. From the Optoma UHD50X with its impressive 4K ability and 1080p at 240 Hz to the can-sized Anker Nebula Capsule with its 100-inch screen size at 720p, you’ll be able to get the projector that suits you best. 

There are excellent outdoor projectors like the TMY V08 with the incredible brightness of 4500 ANSI Lumens and loudspeakers to make gaming fun anywhere you go. And the shortest input lag of 8.4ms with the Optoma HD39HDR with its 1080p resolution at 120 Hz will destroy the competition in any tournament. 

The options are many, and each one caters to different needs. So, with the help of this article, you’ll be able to upgrade your gaming rig and climb up the ranks.

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