Today’s projectors make it easier than ever to upgrade the TV in your living room to a big-screen experience. Optoma is one of the companies releasing this new wave of user-friendly, versatile projectors. Two of the most popular models in their line are the HD243x and the HD143x, both of which strike a great balance between performance and value.
Comparing the Optoma HD243x vs HD143x, the HD243x can be seen as a slight upgrade over the HD143x. The HD243x equals or exceeds the HD143x on every metric except for price. >>> Find price on Amazon While the HD243x is the better projector, the Optoma HD143x is by no means a bad buy. Let’s dig deeper into the features so you can see how they stack up side by side.
Optoma HD243X vs HD143X Side by Side Comparison
| Optoma HD243X | Optoma HD143X | |
|---|---|---|
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| Resolution | 1080p | 1080p |
| Brightness (Lumens) | 3,300 | 3000 |
| Contrast Ratio | 24,000:1 | 23,000:1 |
| Throw Ratio | 1.47-1.62:1 | 1.47-1.62 |
| Screen size | 28”-301” | up to 300” |
| Lamp life | up to 15,000 hours | up to 12,000 hours |
| Input lag | 16ms | 16.4ms |
| Price | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon |
Brightness
A bright lamp is necessary if your space isn’t light controlled. At 3,000 lumens, the Optoma HD143x is in the lower end of the acceptable range. The brighter lamp on the Optoma HD243x is less likely to look washed out due to ambient light—sunny days won’t stop you from watching your favorite shows.
Brighter projector: Optoma HD243x
Sharpness and Resolution
Both of these projectors have a native 1080p resolution. The Optoma HD243x pairs this with an upgraded DLP processing chip, and as a result, the image has a sharper overall look, with less movement blur and no pixel fuzz. The Optoma HD243x also has a higher contrast ratio, making sure the screen doesn’t lose detail in darker areas.
Better resolution: Optoma HD243x
Durability
There are two sides to this equation for a projector: the build quality of the casing, and the longevity of the lamp. On the first point, both the HD143x and the HD243x feel sturdy enough for basic home use. They are plastic, so you’ll need to be careful when carrying them from place to place. As long as they’re not dropped or otherwise damaged, however, Optoma projectors can serve you well for years.
When it comes to the lamp, the HD243x uses an upgraded lamp that will give you a longer, stronger performance. In both cases, you can measure the typical lamp lifespan in the thousands. With the Optoma HD243x, however, you get up to 15,000 hours. That’s over 10 years if you use your projector 4 hours a day.
Most durable projector: Optoma HD243x
Optoma HD243x vs HD143x: Full Reviews
Optoma HD243x
The Optoma HD243x is the ideal projector if you want to replace your main TV. The lamp is bright enough you don’t have to worry about controlling the light levels—day or night, you’ll get a sharp picture. It’s also very responsive, with a low enough lag time for serious gaming. You can find it among top projectors for golf simulators here.
Optoma projectors are generally very user-friendly, and the HD243x follows this trend. You can go from box to viewing party in as little as 30 minutes. Dual HDMI ports let you plug in your game system and cable box, or any combination of content sources.
Another great thing about the Optoma HD243x is that it can produce a larger image than most—up to 300” if you have enough space. While you’re unlikely to want a screen this big in your living room, it’s perfect if you want to take your projector outside for driveway drive-ins. At only 9 pounds, the portable Optoma HD243x can really be used anywhere. It also included among top 1080p projectors under 500 USD.
Pros
- Bright lamp with a sharp, vibrant image
- Great for gamers
- Easy to set up and align the image
- Excellent contrast ratio
- Long lamp life in Eco Mode
- Supports 3D content
Cons
- Colors aren’t as vibrant as with other projectors
- Some users find the fan sound too loud
Optoma HD143x
The Optoma HD143x is similar to the HD243x in many respects. It’s designed for both indoor and outdoor use and has the portability to move from room to room easily. The resolution and 3D support are the same, as well, so it’s ideal for watching movies.
The brightness and contrast ratio are lower in the Optoma HD143x. In our opinion, though, the differences are slight—noticeable if you’re comparing them side by side, but functionally the same in your living room.
The Enhanced Gaming Mode on the Optoma HD143x brings the input lag down to the same levels the Optoma HD243x is capable of. It is worth noting that switching into any of the higher-performance modes on the Optoma HD143x reduces the lamp life dramatically, in some cases as low as 4,000 hours. Depending on how much you use your projector, this could make the cost of the HD143x more equal to that of the HD243x in the long run.
Pros
- Quick, simple set-up
- Lamp bright enough for moderately lit rooms
- Supports 3D content
- Portable enough for outdoor use
Cons
- Lamp doesn’t last as long, especially in high-performance modes
What’s the user experience?
Most buyers of both the Optoma HD143x and HD243x are impressed by the picture quality from all their content sources. Games on Xbox or PlayStation consoles have the same crisp, HD-quality image as movies and TV shows. Across the board, users are also happy with the value, reporting the overall viewing experience compares to projectors that cost a thousand dollars or more.
When it comes to user frustrations, the noise of the fan in the HD243 is the primary complaint. Some users have also noticed the rainbow effect from both projectors. Depending on what kind of screen you use, this can be a concern if you’re sensitive to these image issues. >>> Find the current price on Amazon
What’s the bottom line?
Both of these projectors are competitively priced for the features they offer. In the grand scheme of home theater projectors, the cost difference is as slight as the picture improvements on the Optoma HD243x. Still, the Optoma HD143x can save you a couple hundred bucks in your home theater budget and will work equally well in all but the brightest rooms. Whichever one you choose, we think you’ll be happy with the big-screen entertainment you get out of an Optoma projector.