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The best 4K projectors for your home theater

Being stuck at home is a new adventure when you upgrade to one of these best 4K home theater projectors, giving you that authentic theater experience in your living room.
Written by Lena Borrelli, Contributing Writer
Reviewed by Allison Murray
Epson Home Cinema 5050UB | Best 4K projector overall
Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
Best 4K projector overall
View now View at Amazon
Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K | Best portable 4K projector
Person holding the handle of an Anker projector with a light shining from its middle
Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K
Best portable 4K projector
View now View at Amazon
Hisense PX1-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema | Best laser 4K projector
Hisense PX1-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema
Hisense PX1-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema
Best laser 4K projector
View now View at Amazon
LG HU85LA CineBeam | Best ultra short-throw 4K projector
A projector on a table shining a light at the wall behind it
LG HU85LA CineBeam
Best ultra short-throw 4K projector
View now View at Walmart
Samsung The Premiere | Best splurge 4K projector
White projector on a table next to a vase
Samsung The Premiere
Best splurge 4K projector
View now View at Samsung

A home theater projector does more than just play a film. It can transform an entire space, suddenly bringing the movie theater home to you. You can finally play movies just as the directors and actors intended in a wall-to-wall screening that puts you right in the action.

Also: The best movies and shows to stream right now

Today, you can use home theater projectors to easily stream your favorite content. Mimic the feel of a real movie theater with wide-screen viewing right within the comfort of your own home. But first, you need to determine which home theater projector is the best. 

We scoured the market to bring you today's best 4K home theater projectors for your home or office. This is what we found.

Also: 

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Incredibly bright
  • Excellent customization
  • HDR technology
Cons
  • No Bluetooth capability
  • No built-in speaker
More Details

Tech specs: Mounting type: Front, rear, or ceiling mount | Brightness: 2600 Lumens | Display: LCD | Bluetooth: No

The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is our pick for the best overall 4K home theater projector with its fantastic performance. It boasts 4K PRO-UHD projection technology with advanced 3LCD technology for better imaging and true colors.  

There is an impressive Dynamic Contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 and 2600 Lumens for incredible brightness, paired with Epson UltraBlack Technology that brings better light polarization. The unit is operated via easy button control with several options for mounting, including front, rear, and ceiling mount options.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Android TV-compatible
  • Solid construction
  • Great for living rooms
Cons
  • Bulky
  • Limited customization
More Details

Tech specs: Mounting type: Tabletop mount | Brightness: 2400 Lumens | Display: DLP | Bluetooth: Yes

The Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K skips the fuss of other installation methods with a convenient tabletop mount.  Little details help, too, like the button control and an ergonomic handle to help you transport it to the space of your choosing. Once there, the Intelligent Environment Adaptation (IEA) Technology, which means that the screen will automatically size itself to your chosen space. 

The 4K UHD display is startlingly clear and also bright with 2400 ISO Lumens. You do not have to sacrifice sound, either, with dual 5W tweeters with dual 10W speakers for fantastic sound.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Dolby Vision and Atmos
  • Excellent 4K resolution
  • Built-in streaming apps
Cons
  • Lower Lumens
  • No Netflix app
More Details

Tech specs: Mounting type: Tabletop mount | Brightness: Lumens | Display: UHD | Bluetooth: Yes

The Hisense PX1-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema also shares a tabletop mount for easy setup. As an ultra-short throw projector, it does not have to be placed far away to fill your space. It shares 200 watts with 2200 Lumens, so while it is not the brightest on our list, you will receive excellent pictures from the incorporated TriChroma laser engine. 

There is 4K UHD imaging with over eight million pixels to make an incredible picture, plus there are special modes like Filmmaker Mode and Game Mode to better customize your picture. With built-in 30W Dolby Atmos sound, it is an all-around great pick.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Superior imaging
  • Fantastic color display
  • Long-lasting laser
Cons
  • Very expensive
  • Mediocre speakers
More Details

Tech specs: Mounting type: Tabletop mount | Brightness: 2700 Lumens | Display: UHD | Bluetooth: Yes

The LG HU85LA CineBeam is a Class 1 laser projector that is ultra-bright with 2700 Lumens, the most on our list, with a 4K UHD display. It is an ultra short-throw projector, meaning it can display a 120-inch screen from less than 7.5 inches away, giving greater flexibility with placement. 

With LG Smart TV, this model uses a simple HDMI connection with Bluetooth connectivity and instant streaming for apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Alexa comes built-in, as well. HDR 10 and Dynamic Tone Mapping brings beautiful picture, plus you will find LG's exclusive ThinQ AI technology.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Built-in Purcolor
  • Excellent in lighter rooms
  • Fantastic image quality
Cons
  • Pricey
  • Some slight blurring reported
More Details

Tech specs: Mounting type: Wall mount | Brightness: 2200 Lumens | Display: UHD | Bluetooth: Yes

Samsung The Premiere is an ultra-short throw projector that does not require large distances to project your favorite movies and shows on the latest surfaces. It does require a wall mount but features 4K UHD Ultra Bright Laser technology. 

There are 2200 Lumens with 240 Watts for brightness with a 4K resolution that is sparkling clear. This smart TV from Tizen incorporates outstanding sound with a powerful subwoofer and 30W speakers. Plus, voice assistants are available from all your favorite services, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Bixby.

What is the best 4K home theater projector?

Our vote for the best 4K home theater projector is The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB. With its exclusive 4K PRO-UHD projection technology, this provides a picture that is sharp, clear, and bright -- everything you want in a projector. 

To see how it stacks up, this is an overview of the best 4K home theater projectors.

Best 4K home theater projector

Cost

Lumens

Type

Epson Home Cinema 5050UB

$3,000

2600

Front, rear, or ceiling mount

Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K

$1,500

2400

Tabletop mount

Hisense PX1-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema

$2,800

2200

Tabletop mount

LG HU85LA CineBeam

$3,400

2700

Tabletop mount

Samsung The Premiere

$3,500

2200

Wall mount

Which is the right 4K home theater projector for you?

Our expert recommendations can help you find the best 4K home theater projector for your family.

Choose this 4K home theater projector...

If you want...

Epson Home Cinema 5050UB

The best overall option

Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K

To watch a movie around the house or in the backyard

Hisense PX1-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema

Fantastic imaging in a 4K projector

LG HU85LA CineBeam

A premium laser projector

Samsung The Premiere

A splurge-worthy 4K projector

How did we choose these best 4K home theater projectors?

There are several factors we use to find the best 4K home theater projectors.

  • Image: The best 4K home theater projectors share 4K picture quality that provides unique sharpness and excellent coloring. 

  • Brightness: The number of Lumens can help you determine how bright a display will be, with more lumens providing a brighter picture.

  • Modes: Some of the best 4K home theater projectors have special modes you can use to fine-tune your display, whether it is Filmmaker Mode or Game Mode.

  • Cost: Budget is always a concern, so we look for affordable options for your next 4K home theater projector. 

What is a home theater projector?

A home theater projector is a type of media player that uses a very bright light and projector lens to display images on a wall or surface.

Why do I need 4K?

4K is the new gold standard in quality for your home theater, with many home theater projectors employing 4K UHD technology in their displays. It provides greater detail and sharpness than seen in other lesser-definition TVs.

How much does the best 4K home theater projector cost?

The cost of a 4K home theater projector can vary significantly. Our picks for the best 4K home theater projectors range in cost from $2,200 to more than $3,700, depending on the option you choose.

Are there alternative 4K home theater projectors worth considering?

To help you find the best 4K home theater projectors, we also found these excellent options that almost made our list.

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