Best home theater projector

Home theater projectors are no small investment—they can cost as much as high-end TV sets and often involve expensive maintenance. Some models are definitely better than others, and not all home theater projectors will cater to your specific needs. That’s why it pays to shop around and look for useful features to make sure you get your money’s worth.

There’s no such thing as the best home theater projector—each homeowner has different preferences and a different budget. The best home theater projectors for your home are the ones that satisfy both factors. So before you hit the shops, it’s important to have a budget and specific features in mind. For instance, do you want a DLP or LCD projector? LCDs are cheaper, but DLPs deliver unmatched quality for a complete home theater experience. Decide how much you’re willing to spend before settling on a type.

Another thing you should look for is brightness. There are two ways to measure home projector brightness rating: by ANSI lumens or by foot-Lamberts (fL). Lumens refer to the amount of light energy produced by the system, while the foot-Lamberts measure brightness relative to the screen size. The latter is more reliable, but most manufacturers publish only the ANSI rating. There are several consumer websites that allow you to calculate your projector’s fL rating based on ANSI specifications.

Operating costs should also be considered when choosing home projectors. A projector may be cheap upon purchase, but the replacement bulbs may cost as much as a new projector. Look for a projector with a high energy efficiency rating—these models generate the lowest heat and their bulbs will last a lot longer.