Best projectors (2026): buy these, skip those

Quick answer

Buy the Hisense C2 Ultra if you want one answer: bright triple-laser 4K projector with a built-in gimbal stand. Best for living room projector: the XGIMI Horizon S Max. Best for color accuracy: the BenQ HT2060.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated November 2, 2026 1 min read

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Our picks at a glance

Buy this first Hisense C2 Ultra Best for Best home projector · Typically $1,999–$2,499
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Living room projector XGIMI Horizon S Max Best for Living room projector · Typically $1,699–$1,899
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Color accuracy BenQ HT2060 Best for Color accuracy · Typically $1,299–$1,499
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Gaming projector Epson Home Cinema 2350 Best for Gaming projector · Typically $899–$1,099
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Portable Nebula Capsule 3 Laser 1080p Best for Portable · Typically $449–$549
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Bright UST Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 Best for Bright UST · Typically $1,999–$2,499
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Ultra-short-throw Formovie Theater Best for Ultra-short-throw · Typically $2,299–$2,999
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Fast gaming Optoma UHD38x Best for Fast gaming · Typically $999–$1,199
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Portable home theater Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE Best for Portable home theater · Typically $1,299–$1,499
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Ultra-portable XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro Best for Ultra-portable · Typically $399–$449
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Paid link: buttons go to the retailer. Prices change often, so we link to the current price instead of listing one.

Comparison table

Feature	Buy this firstHisense C2 Ultra	Living room projectorXGIMI Horizon S Max	Color accuracyBenQ HT2060	Gaming projectorEpson Home Cinema 2350	PortableNebula Capsule 3 Laser 1080p	Bright USTEpson EpiqVision Ultra LS650	Ultra-short-throwFormovie Theater	Fast gamingOptoma UHD38x	Portable home theaterAnker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE	Ultra-portableXGIMI MoGo 3 Pro
Verdict	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Buy	Consider	Consider	Consider	Consider	Consider
Typical price	$1,999–$2,499	$1,699–$1,899	$1,299–$1,499	$899–$1,099	$449–$549	$1,999–$2,499	$2,299–$2,999	$999–$1,199	$1,299–$1,499	$399–$449
Best for	Best home projector	Living room projector	Color accuracy	Gaming projector	Portable	Bright UST	Ultra-short-throw	Fast gaming	Portable home theater	Ultra-portable
Key feature	Bright triple-laser 4K projector with a built-in gimbal stand	Bright 4K laser with Dolby Vision and built-in Netflix	LED 1080p projector with excellent color and contrast	3LCD 4K PRO-UHD projector with low input lag	Can-sized laser projector with Google TV and battery	Bright 3LCD ultra-short-throw with Yamaha speakers	Triple-laser ultra-short-throw with Dolby Vision	4K projector with 240 Hz 1080p gaming and very low lag	4K projector with handle, Google TV and Dolby Vision	Pocket-size Google TV projector with a flexible stand
Brightness	3,000 ANSI lumens	3,100 ISO lumens	2,300 lumens	2,800 lumens	300 ANSI lumens	3,600 lumens	2,800 ANSI lumens	4,000 lumens	1,800 ANSI lumens	450 ISO lumens
Resolution	4K	4K	1080p	4K PRO-UHD	1080p	4K PRO-UHD	4K	4K	4K	1080p
Throw	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard	Ultra-short	Ultra-short	Standard	Standard	Standard
Smart TV	VIDAA	Google TV	No	Android TV	Google TV	Google TV	Google TV	No	Google TV	Google TV
Where to buy	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link

Hisense · Projectors

Hisense C2 Ultra

Bright triple-laser 4K projector with a built-in gimbal stand.

Buy it if: you want a bright, flexible home cinema projector.
Skip it if: you need an ultra-short-throw model.

Pros

Bright triple laser
Gimbal stand
Dolby Vision
Google TV-style apps

Cons

Pricey
Fan noise at max

Key specifications

Brightness: 3,000 ANSI lumens
Resolution: 4K
Throw: Standard
Smart TV: VIDAA

Read the full review

XGIMI · Projectors

XGIMI Horizon S Max

Bright 4K laser with Dolby Vision and built-in Netflix.

Buy it if: you want an easy living-room projector with official Netflix.
Skip it if: you want ultra-short-throw.

Pros

Dolby Vision
Official Netflix
Bright
Good sound

Cons

Pricey
Large

Key specifications

Brightness: 3,100 ISO lumens
Resolution: 4K
Throw: Standard
Smart TV: Google TV

Read the full review

BenQ · Projectors

BenQ HT2060

LED 1080p projector with excellent color and contrast.

Buy it if: you value color accuracy over 4K resolution.
Skip it if: you want built-in apps.

Pros

Accurate color
LED light source
Good contrast
Low lag

Cons

1080p
No smart apps

Key specifications

Brightness: 2,300 lumens
Resolution: 1080p
Throw: Standard
Smart TV: No

Read the full review

Epson · Projectors

Epson Home Cinema 2350

3LCD 4K PRO-UHD projector with low input lag.

Buy it if: you want a bright, color-accurate projector for gaming and movies.
Skip it if: you want true native 4K.

Pros

Bright 3LCD
Low input lag
Android TV
Good color

Cons

Pixel-shift 4K
Lamp-based

Key specifications

Brightness: 2,800 lumens
Resolution: 4K PRO-UHD
Throw: Standard
Smart TV: Android TV

Read the full review

Anker Nebula · Projectors

Nebula Capsule 3 Laser 1080p

Can-sized laser projector with Google TV and battery.

Buy it if: you want a projector for movie nights anywhere.
Skip it if: you need a bright image in daylight.

Pros

Very portable
Laser light
Google TV
Battery

Cons

Dim in daylight
1080p

Key specifications

Brightness: 300 ANSI lumens
Resolution: 1080p
Throw: Standard
Smart TV: Google TV

Read the full review

Epson · Projectors

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650

Bright 3LCD ultra-short-throw with Yamaha speakers.

Buy it if: you want a bright UST that handles some daylight.
Skip it if: you want Dolby Vision.

Pros

Bright 3LCD
No rainbow effect
Good sound
Google TV

Cons

Pixel-shift 4K
Expensive

Key specifications

Brightness: 3,600 lumens
Resolution: 4K PRO-UHD
Throw: Ultra-short
Smart TV: Google TV

Read the full review

Formovie · Projectors

Formovie Theater

Triple-laser ultra-short-throw with Dolby Vision.

Buy it if: you want a 100-inch image from a cabinet near the wall.
Skip it if: you cannot install a proper screen.

Pros

Triple laser
Dolby Vision
Good sound
IMAX Enhanced

Cons

Needs an ALR screen
Pricey

Key specifications

Brightness: 2,800 ANSI lumens
Resolution: 4K
Throw: Ultra-short
Smart TV: Google TV

Read the full review

Optoma · Projectors

Optoma UHD38x

4K projector with 240 Hz 1080p gaming and very low lag.

Buy it if: you play competitive games on a big screen.
Skip it if: you want built-in streaming apps.

Pros

Very low input lag
Bright
240 Hz at 1080p
Good value

Cons

Lamp-based
No smart apps

Key specifications

Brightness: 4,000 lumens
Resolution: 4K
Throw: Standard
Smart TV: No

Read the full review

Anker Nebula · Projectors

Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE

4K projector with handle, Google TV and Dolby Vision.

Buy it if: you want a 4K projector you can move between rooms.
Skip it if: you want the brightest image.

Pros

Dolby Vision
Carry handle
Google TV
Good sound

Cons

Not as bright as Hisense
Bulky

Key specifications

Brightness: 1,800 ANSI lumens
Resolution: 4K
Throw: Standard
Smart TV: Google TV

Read the full review

XGIMI · Projectors

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro

Pocket-size Google TV projector with a flexible stand.

Buy it if: you want something tiny for travel and bedrooms.
Skip it if: you want a big bright image.

Pros

Very small
Google TV
Flexible stand
Quiet

Cons

450 lumens
Small image best

Key specifications

Brightness: 450 ISO lumens
Resolution: 1080p
Throw: Standard
Smart TV: Google TV

Read the full review

Compare more Projectors on Amazon Paid link

The short answer

Home theater, portable and ultra-short-throw projectors compared on brightness, picture, placement, sound and value. We researched 10 models sold on Amazon.com and put each one in one of two piles: buy it, or skip it (with a few “consider” calls where it depends on you).

How the buy-or-skip call is made

We read spec sheets, manuals and warranty terms, check warranty support in the US and track the usual Amazon.com price. A product earns “Buy” only if we would recommend it to a friend at that price. No brand pays for a place on this list.

Check these before you buy

Brightness: aim for 2,000+ ANSI lumens if you cannot fully darken the room; lumen claims without “ANSI” are often inflated.
Placement: ultra-short-throw models sit inches from the wall; standard projectors need 8–12 feet for a 100-inch image.
Streaming: a built-in Google TV or licensed Netflix app saves you a separate streaming stick.

US buyer tip

Projectors see the deepest Amazon cuts on Prime Day and Black Friday; budget extra for a proper screen, which improves the picture more than a pricier projector. The full checklist is in our projectors buying guide.

Frequently asked questions

Which projector should I buy in 2026?

Start with the Hisense C2 Ultra (bright triple-laser 4K projector with a built-in gimbal stand). It usually sells for $1,999–$2,499 on Amazon.com.

Projector or big TV?

A projector wins for a 100-inch-plus image in a room you can darken. For daytime viewing in a bright living room, a TV is still the better buy.

Do I need a screen?

A white wall works to start, but an ambient-light-rejecting screen makes images brighter and punchier, especially with ultra-short-throw models.

What is the cheapest projector worth buying?

The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser 1080p, usually $449–$549. Read its skip-if line first so you know what you give up.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

The best projectors, sorted into buy and skip

Which projector should you buy in 2026? It depends on how you use it, the space you have and what you want to spend, so instead of one winner this list gives every model a clear call and a one-line reason. 5 of the 10 models here earn a straight buy. Read the skip-if lines too: they save more money than the buy-if lines.

Every model, one line each

Buy: Hisense C2 Ultra ($1,999–$2,499). Bright triple-laser 4K projector with a built-in gimbal stand. Buy it if you want a bright, flexible home cinema projector; skip it if you need an ultra-short-throw model.

Buy: XGIMI Horizon S Max ($1,699–$1,899). Bright 4K laser with Dolby Vision and built-in Netflix. Buy it if you want an easy living-room projector with official Netflix; skip it if you want ultra-short-throw.

Buy: BenQ HT2060 ($1,299–$1,499). LED 1080p projector with excellent color and contrast. Buy it if you value color accuracy over 4K resolution; skip it if you want built-in apps.

Buy: Epson Home Cinema 2350 ($899–$1,099). 3LCD 4K PRO-UHD projector with low input lag. Buy it if you want a bright, color-accurate projector for gaming and movies; skip it if you want true native 4K.

Buy: Nebula Capsule 3 Laser 1080p ($449–$549). Can-sized laser projector with Google TV and battery. Buy it if you want a projector for movie nights anywhere; skip it if you need a bright image in daylight.

Consider: Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 ($1,999–$2,499). Bright 3LCD ultra-short-throw with Yamaha speakers. Buy it if you want a bright UST that handles some daylight; skip it if you want Dolby Vision.

Consider: Formovie Theater ($2,299–$2,999). Triple-laser ultra-short-throw with Dolby Vision. Buy it if you want a 100-inch image from a cabinet near the wall; skip it if you cannot install a proper screen.

Consider: Optoma UHD38x ($999–$1,199). 4K projector with 240 Hz 1080p gaming and very low lag. Buy it if you play competitive games on a big screen; skip it if you want built-in streaming apps.

Consider: Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE ($1,299–$1,499). 4K projector with handle, Google TV and Dolby Vision. Buy it if you want a 4K projector you can move between rooms; skip it if you want the brightest image.

Consider: XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro ($399–$449). Pocket-size Google TV projector with a flexible stand. Buy it if you want something tiny for travel and bedrooms; skip it if you want a big bright image.

How we sorted them

How we make the call: we read spec sheets, manuals and warranty terms, check long-term owner feedback and US support, and track the usual Amazon.com price. A product gets “Buy” only if we would tell a friend to buy it at that price. Brands cannot pay for a verdict. Brightness: aim for 2,000+ ANSI lumens if you cannot fully darken the room; lumen claims without "ANSI" are often inflated.

When to buy

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

US buyer tip

Projectors see the deepest Amazon cuts on Prime Day and Black Friday; budget extra for a proper screen, which improves the picture more than a pricier projector.