Optoma UHD38x review: buy or skip?

Consider7.8/10 research score

Quick answer

Consider it, if you play competitive games on a big screen. Why: 4K projector with 240 Hz 1080p gaming and very low lag. The catch: lamp-based.

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

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Our verdict on the Optoma UHD38x

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

Best for: Fast gaming
Key feature: 4K projector with 240 Hz 1080p gaming and very low lag
Typical price: $999–$1,199

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

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

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

you play competitive games on a big screen
value very low input lag
can spend around $999–$1,199

Skip it if you

you want built-in streaming apps
mind this: lamp-based
mind this: no smart apps

Pros and cons

Pros

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

Cons

Lamp-based
No smart apps

The verdict in one breath

The Optoma UHD38x is a good projector for the right buyer, not an automatic pick. Its strength: 4K projector with 240 Hz 1080p gaming and very low lag. Check the skip-if line before you order.

Reasons to buy

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

Reasons to skip

Lamp-based
No smart apps

The specs that matter

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

Worth knowing

Its gaming mode is one of the fastest in any projector.

Buy it or skip it?

Consider it if you play competitive games on a big screen. Skip it if you want built-in streaming apps; the Epson Home Cinema 2350 is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best projectors.

Alternatives worth considering

Epson · Projectors

Epson Home Cinema 2350

Buy it if you want a bright, color-accurate projector for gaming and movies.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Gaming projector
Typical price: $899–$1,099

Pros

Bright 3LCD
Low input lag

Cons

Pixel-shift 4K

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

BenQ · Projectors

BenQ HT2060

Buy it if you value color accuracy over 4K resolution.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Color accuracy
Typical price: $1,299–$1,499

Pros

Accurate color
LED light source

Cons

1080p

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Optoma UHD38x?

Consider it, if you play competitive games on a big screen. Why: 4K projector with 240 Hz 1080p gaming and very low lag. The catch: lamp-based.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want built-in streaming apps. The Epson Home Cinema 2350 is the better buy then.

What does the Optoma UHD38x cost?

Usually $999–$1,199 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

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

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Optoma UHD38x: the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Optoma UHD38x worth buying? Short answer: consider it, if you play competitive games on a big screen. This review explains what this Optoma model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which projector to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the Optoma UHD38x does well

The headline: 4K projector with 240 Hz 1080p gaming and very low lag. Key specs: Brightness: 4,000 lumens; Resolution: 4K; Throw: Standard; Smart TV: No. In our list it is the pick for: fast gaming. It usually sells for $999–$1,199.

Its gaming mode is one of the fastest in any projector.

The trade-offs

Good: very low input lag, bright, 240 Hz at 1080p, good value. Not so good: lamp-based, no smart apps. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you want built-in streaming apps.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Epson Home Cinema 2350 ($899–$1,099): 3LCD 4K PRO-UHD projector with low input lag. Better if you want a bright, color-accurate projector for gaming and movies.

Instead, consider the BenQ HT2060 ($1,299–$1,499): LED 1080p projector with excellent color and contrast. Better if you value color accuracy over 4K resolution.

Instead, consider the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser 1080p ($449–$549): can-sized laser projector with Google TV and battery. Better if you want a projector for movie nights anywhere.

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.

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.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.