As 4K resolution has become more available, the price of full HD projectors has steadily dropped—and that’s great news for anyone putting together a home theater on a budget. The best 1080p projector matches higher-resolution models on features like installation ease and streaming support, giving users exceptional performance at an incredible value.
Not sure which full HD projector to buy? You’re in the right place! We’ve picked out our favorite 1080p projectors on the market today and compared them side by side.
Based on all the factors, the Optoma GT1080HDRx is the best model for a home theater, combining a bright lamp and short throw distance with a low input lag and high picture quality (>>> Check on Amazon) This doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for everyone, though. Let’s take a closer look at where each comes out ahead.
Best 1080p Projector – Top picks in 2023:
| BenQ TH575 | Epson Home Cinema 2350 | ViewSonic X2 | BenQ TH690ST | BenQ TH685P | Optoma GT1080HDRx | |
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| Resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 4K w/pixel shifting | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Brightness (Lumens) | 3,800 ANSI | 2,800 ANSI | 1,300 ANSI | 2,300 ANSI | 3,500 ANSI | 3,800 ANSI |
| Contrast Ratio | 15,000:1 | 35,000:1 | 300,000:1 | 500,000:1 | 10,000:1 | 50,000:1 |
| Input lag | 16.7ms | 18ms | 17ms | 8.3ms | 8.3ms | 8.4ms |
| Throw Distance | 3.5' - 32.5' | 6.2' - 48.7' | 1.8' - 15.0' | 1.8' - 10.0' | 3.2' - 24.6' | 1.3' - 10.9' |
| Screen size | 30" - 300" | 40" - 500" | 30" - 300" | 30" - 200" | 30" - 300" | 36" - 307" |
| Speakers | 10.0 Watts Mono | 10.0 Watts Mono | 6.0 Watts × 2 | 5.0 Watts × 2 | 5.0 Watts Mono | 10.0 Watts Mono |
| Price | BHPhotoVideo.com | BHPhotoVideo.com | BHPhotoVideo.com | BHPhotoVideo.com | BHPhotoVideo.com | BHPhotoVideo.com |
Brightness
In a light controlled home theater space, brightness isn’t much of an issue. For lights-on viewing, though, it’s best to get a projector rated for at least 2,500 lumens. In a bright space with lots of windows, you should bump that up to the 3,000-4,000 lumens range.
Both the Optoma GT1080HDRx and the BenQ TH575 have a brightness of 3,800 ANSI lumens, while the BenQ TH685P comes in a close second at 3,500 ANSI lumens. Any of them will be bright enough to maintain the image quality in any indoor light environment.
Brightest projector: Optoma GT1080HDRx, BenQ TH575
Throw Distance
How much space you’ll need to get a big picture depends on the throw of the projector’s lens. Standard throw projectors will need somewhere between 8 and 15 feet between the lens and screen to produce a 100” image.
For smaller spaces, an ultra-short throw projector will be a better choice, producing the same size of image with mere inches of distance.
There are 3 short-throw projectors on the list: the ViewSonic X2, BenQ TH690ST, and Optoma GT1080HDRx. Of the three, the GT1080HDRx has the shortest throw, producing a clear image with as little a 1’3” of distance.
That said, any of the three gives users the flexibility to get a big screen in a smaller space, and give an easier and faster overall setup process than the typical standard throw projector.
Shortest throw distance: Optoma GT1080HDRx
Gaming Performance
While specs like picture quality and brightness still matter to gamers, the more important concern is input lag. This measures how long it takes for user input to reach the screen. If it’s too high, there will be a frustrating delay, especially when playing competitive online games.
Any of these projectors can be used for fast-paced gaming, and they can all achieve an input lag under 20ms. You’ll get a single-digit lag from 3 of them: the Optoma GT1080HDRx, the BenQ TH690ST, and the BenQ TH685P.
All 3 also use a 120Hz frame refresh rate that provides the same responsiveness for the on-screen action. If you’re looking for the absolute best option for gaming, the impressively high image contrast of the BenQ TH690ST gives it the slight edge over the others.
Best projector for gaming: BenQ TH690ST
Wireless Connectivity
For a modern streaming-based home theater, a built-in TV interface is a convenient feature, allowing you to control the projector and your content through a single remote. Wireless capability also makes it easier to connect external sound, and adds the possibility for voice control or other home automation integration.
While none of these projectors have an integrated streaming interface, some of them do provide wireless connectivity. You can use Bluetooth streaming on the Epson 2350, while the ViewSonic X2 has bi-directional Bluetooth as well as Wi-Fi screen mirroring.
The Epson 2350 also includes an Android TV dongle that adds streaming capabilities to the projector, giving it the most wireless versatility for modern homes.
Best built-in streaming: Epson Home Cinema 2350
BenQ TH575
Pros
- Colorful, high-contrast full HD display
- Bright lamp will work in any indoor viewing area
- Multiple picture modes
- Responsive enough for gaming
- Compact and portable design
- Excellent value
Cons
- Long throw distance
- No built-in wireless connectivity
The BenQ TH575 is a versatile and affordable option for both home theater and professional uses. It weighs just over 5 pounds, with a compact housing that lets you take it on the go easily.
With its powerful 3,800-lumen lamp, you also don’t need to worry about ambient light, letting you use it in even bright rooms without any picture issues. This makes it a great option for those who want to take their projector outside for backyard movies, educators who want a projector they can use at school or home, and anyone else who needs multi-space flexibility.
Now, you will need a fairly large room to get a big image from the BenQ TH575. It’s a standard throw projector, needing around 11-12 feet to fill a 100-inch screen. The alignment options are also somewhat limited, though it does have a vertical keystone correction to ensure a square image.
The multiple picture modes of the BenQ TH575 lets users quickly adjust the image to match their content, with options for Cinema, Sports, Games, and 3D, as well as one specific for bright spaces.
All of these modes take advantage of the more than 1 billion colors it produces, along with a sharp image contrast with rich black levels and excellent detail across the image.
It’s responsive, too, with a low enough input lag that you can play fast-paced first-person shooters and other games from modern systems without experiencing any frustrating delays or issues.
Full review: BenQ TH575
Epson Home Cinema 2350
Pros
- Pixel-shifted resolution sharper than Full HD
- 3LCD color with no rainbowing
- Accepts 4K content
- Suitable for gaming
- Includes an Android TV dongle with Google Assistant
- Supports Bluetooth streaming
Cons
- Low brightness, especially in Eco mode
- Long throw distance
The 4K PRO-UHD pixel shift engine used in the Epson Home Cinema 2350 gives it a picture quality advantage over the other options on this list.
While it can’t quite hit full 4K resolutions, it displays roughly twice the pixels of a typical full HD display. Combined with the 3-chip LCD color and high dynamic image contrast, that means a stunningly immersive and realistic image at all screen sizes.
Those screen size options are wider than with your average projector, too. The Epson 2350 can project images up to 500 inches diagonally—provided you have the space for it. Its standard throw lens needs around 12 feet to fill a 100-inch screen, so it’s not a great choice for small spaces.
The lamp brightness may also be an issue, particularly in eco mode, which drops the brightness down to around 1,900 lumens. That’s fine in a completely dark space but will be prone to washout if there’s much ambient light.
On the plus side, the 2350 is otherwise flexible to install, with extensive image correction options including a 60% lens shift and 2D keystone correction.
The included Android TV dongle is another handy feature for modern home theaters. Plugging this into one of the HDMI ports adds Android TV streaming and Google Assistant voice control. It also has integrated Bluetooth streaming for devices, giving users lots of ways to access their content wirelessly.
Full review: Epson Home Cinema 2350
ViewSonic X2
Pros
- Excellent color and contrast
- Short-throw lens with flexible installation features
- Accepts 4K content
- Good sound from built-in speakers
- Low lag for gaming
- Built-in wireless mirroring
Cons
- Low lamp brightness
- No built-in voice control or streaming
The ViewSonic X2 uses an LED light source instead of the lamp or laser found in most projectors. This gives it an impressively long lifespan of up to 30,000 hours along with realistic and nuanced color performance, covering 125% of the Rec.709 spectrum.
The downside of an LED light source is that it’s not as powerful. It puts out 3,100 LED lumens, which is roughly equivalent to 1,300 ANSI lumens. That’s enough in a dark space but will wash out quickly in any ambient light.
While brightness may be a concern, the ViewSonic X2 is very flexible when it comes to the size and shape of your space.
Its short-throw lens fills a 100-inch screen with around 5-6 feet of distance, roughly half the space of a standard throw projector. This is combined with options like a 1.2x zoom, 10% lens shift, and 2D keystone correction, making it easy to align in nearly any setup.
The connectivity of the ViewSonic X2 expands this flexibility. Along with the standard HDMI and USB inputs, it also has bi-directional Bluetooth built-in and can mirror content through Wi-Fi.
You can also use it for gaming with its 3X Fast Input setting, which drops the latency under 20ms for 1080p content. Add in the 360° audio from the Harman Kardon speakers and you have a fully equipped entertainment machine. Our more in-depth ViewSonic X2 review.
BenQ TH690ST
Pros
- Excellent color and contrast
- Single-digit input lag for gamers
- Accepts 4K content
- Short throw distance with flexible installation
- Long lamp lifespan
- Lightweight and compact
Cons
- No wireless connectivity
- Not suitable for bright spaces
Here’s another option for those interested in an LED projector. The 4LED light source of the BenQ TH690ST is brighter than many similar projectors, so while it’s still not a great choice for bright spaces it can be used in rooms with low to moderate ambient light.
You’ll still benefit from the long lifespan and exceptional color of an LED projector, too.
Along with its wide color gamut, the BenQ TH690ST has a high native image contrast. This is good news for gamers as well as movie lovers, ensuring you see every detail even in darker areas of the screen.
It’s one of the most responsive options on the list, too, with a single-digit input lag and 120Hz refresh rate so you won’t miss a second of the action.
The short-throw lens of the BenQ TH690ST produces a clear image with less than 2 feet of distance. It also has 2D keystone correction and a 1.2x zoom to expand its flexibility across different spaces. The TH690ST gets high marks for portability, too, with a relatively compact housing and weight under 10 pounds.
Full review: BenQ TH690ST
BenQ TH685P
Pros
- Bright lamp works in any indoor light level
- Low latency for serious gamers
- Accepts 4K and 3D content
- Lightweight and portable
- Great value for the money
Cons
- Standard throw distance
- No wireless connectivity or streaming
The BenQ TH685P is one of the best home theater projectors you can get for under $1,000. It can do full justice to any type of full HD content, including 3D content.
That also includes games thanks to its impressive 8.3ms input lag, responsive enough to satisfy even the most competitive players. It also will play 4K content, though it downscales it to a full HD resolution.
All content benefits from the strong image contrast and decently wide color gamut, which covers 95% of the Rec.709 spectrum.
The BenQ TH685P has one of the brightest lamps on the list, at 3,500 ANSI lumens, so the light level in your space isn’t a concern. It’s also a fairly portable projector, weighing just over 6 pounds and with a durable, road-worthy build.
This means you can use it in the office, the classroom, or outdoors, as well as in a home theater space. The only thing to bear in mind is that it does use a standard throw distance, meaning a larger room will be better for a big picture.
It’s also relatively limited when it comes to alignment options, with just a 1.3x zoom and vertical keystone correction.
Now, you will need to have some other devices on-hand to use the BenQ TH685P. It has no wireless streaming or screen mirroring, for one thing, so you’ll need to connect content sources to its USB or HDMI ports.
Its speaker is also weak, even compared to other projector speakers, so you’ll want an external sound source for all but the most basic uses. Click here for our more in-depth review of the BenQ TH685P.
Optoma GT1080HDRx
Pros
- Sharp, high-contrast picture
- Bright lamp
- Excellent choice for gaming
- Short throw distance
- Full 3D support
- Compact and portable
Cons
- Built-in speakers are weak
- No wireless connectivity
Last but not least we have the Optoma GT1080HDRx, the 2022 update of the company’s popular GT1080HDR model. It’s the most flexible option on the list in terms of where you install it, combing a bright lamp with a short throw distance so you can use it in spaces of any size, without needing to turn the lights off.
Putting the Optoma GT1080HDRx in Enhanced Gaming Mode drops the input lag down to 8.4ms, with a 120Hz frame refresh rate to prevent image tears, freezing, and other on-screen image issues.
For movie buffs, the 24p mode puts films in their original format, or you can watch modern 3D games from any source. Whatever you’re watching, the contrast and color are strong, and it supports the full Rec.709 color gamut.
It’s also compatible with HDR, so you can count on whatever you’re watching to be accurate and look its best.
All of this is packed into a surprisingly compact package that weighs 6.6 pounds and is less than 5 inches tall, exactly what you need for outdoor movies, road trips, or other on-the-go uses. That said, you will need to bring speakers and content sources with you.
It doesn’t have any wireless connectivity, and the built-in speaker is functional but doesn’t provide either the output or the sound quality most want in a home theater.
Full review: Optoma GT1080HDRx
So What’s the Best 1080p Projector?
Any of these projectors can be a great option for the right home—it all comes down to how you’ll use it. The bright lamp, short throw, and responsiveness of the Optoma GT1080HDRx make it the best overall performer (>>> Find on Bhphotovideo.com), but the rest of these projectors have their strengths, too.
The low price of the BenQ TH575 makes it ideal for budget-conscious buyers, while the Epson 2350 offers the highest picture quality as well as a convenient streaming interface. Choosing the right one all comes down to what you need in your home.
FAQs
All of these projectors have built-in speakers, so you can theoretically use them without any external sound. However, these speakers aren’t going to produce the full detail and room-filling output most want from their home theater audio.
They also max out at two channels, making it difficult to balance the sound for modern content designed for 5-channel surround sound. Basically, you can use them as-is, but most will want to have external speakers, too.
In most cases, yes. The majority of full HD projectors made today will still support Ultra HD video signals, they’ll simply downgrade that content to the resolution the projector is capable of displaying.
If you think you’ll be playing a lot of 4K content, the Epson 2350 is the best option listed here. It will give you a resolution that’s closer to the 4K original thanks to its pixel shifting.
