The Best 4K and 1080p Projectors

Turn any space into a home theater

By
Jon Fisher
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Jon Fisher
Editor
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA-certified technologist with more than 10 years of experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
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Updated on April 4, 2025

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Hisense C2 Ultra 4K projector pointed to the right
Photo:

Amazon

The best 4K and 1080p projectors provide excellent picture quality for home movie nights with little calibration necessary.

We researched the market, and these are our favorites for most people based on overall quality, affordability, and versatility.

Note: Prices are subject to change.

Our Top Picks

Just Buy This (All Around Best):
Hisense C2 Ultra at Amazon $2,498
Jump to Review
Also Great:
Samsung The Freestyle Gen 2 at Amazon $798
Jump to Review
Easiest on the Budget:
Epson CO-FH02 at Amazon $550
Jump to Review

Just Buy This (All Around Best)

Hisense C2 Ultra

Hisense C2 Ultra 4K projector
PHOTO: Amazon
$2,498 at Amazon View on B&H Photo Video

TL;DR: The C2 Ultra is small and jam-packed with everything you could want in a flexible 4K home projector.

Why We Recommend It

The Hisense C2 Ultra presents portability, first-rate picture quality, and loads of features for flexible home viewing.

This 4K projector delivers pristine brightness, color accuracy, and contrast out of the box with up to 3000 lumens of brightness and bonuses such as optical zoom, Dolby Vision, and adaptive focus.

Pros

  • Excellent 4K picture

  • Super portable with built-in speakers

  • 1.67 optical zoom

  • Certified for Xbox

Cons

  • Less flexibility for mounting than competitors

The C2 can accommodate screens up to 300 inches and comes with powerful 10-watt JBL speakers that may or may not impress, depending on the volume and your preferences.

Another bonus that could tip the scales for you is the Xbox certification of this projector, and gaming-centric features like an automatic low latency mode and a lag of 12 milliseconds.

The Hisense C2 also comes with the brand's Vidaa OS for streaming apps, which might take some setup and getting used to, but it's another possible perk for shoppers seeking a feature-rich and adaptable 4K home projector.

  • Who else recommends it? PCMag, Tom's Guide, and Wirecutter praise the C2's exceptional picture quality and overall versatility for home viewing.
  • What do buyers say? While reviews are still trickling in, Amazon shoppers give this projector a definitively positive 4.9-star average rating.

Also Great

Samsung The Freestyle Gen 2

Samsung The Freestyle Gen 2 with Gaming Hub Projector
PHOTO: Best Buy
$798 at Amazon $800 at Samsung $800 at Best Buy

TL;DR: Affordable, compact, and ready to go wherever you go.

Why We Recommend It

The Freestyle Gen 2 project from Samsung is an ultra-portable projector option for home and on-the-go use.

While it lacks the brightness of our top or budget picks, the 230 lumens should be enough for a really dark living room, and the color saturation is solid.

Pros

  • Ultra portable

  • Built-in streaming with Tizen OS

  • Good sound quality

Cons

  • Not very bright; best for dark rooms

  • Battery charger costs extra

On the other hand, the sound quality from the built-in speaker is pretty surprising, and the 180-degree adjustability from the cradle stand, and the super-simple setup with auto keystone and auto focus technology bring lots of versatility.

One of the best parts about this projector is the installed Tizen operating system (the same OS on Samsung TVs) that makes this projector a sort of all-in-one streaming hub for your favorite games and apps.

Though it could be a bit pricey for some for what you get, the Freestyle Gen 2 is a compelling buy for folks who like to watch movies all over their homes and on the go.

  • Who else recommends it? Publications like RTINGS, TechRadar, and What Hi-Fi also enjoy the Freestyle Gen 2's brightness, image quality, and versatility.
  • What do buyers say? Amazon buyers give this projector 4.1 stars out of 5, and praise the portability.

Easiest on the Budget

Epson CO-FH02

Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-FH02 1080p projector
PHOTO: Amazon
$550 $500 at Amazon $500 at Best Buy $500 at Dell

TL;DR: 1080p is still really good, and the Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-FH02 delivers just that for a good price.

Why We Recommend It

If you'd rather spend less for a solid 1080p projector, the Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-FH02 delivers.

This projector offers exceptional brightness in its class with 3,000 lumens, and works with screens up to 300 inches.

Pros

  • Very bright: 3000 lumens

  • Android TV and Chromecast

  • Portable build

  • Affordable price

Cons

  • Sound quality unimpressive

  • Limited HDMI ports

The projector also comes with an adequate built-in speaker and Android TV streaming with your favorite apps, and support for Chromecast.

The Epson CO-FH02 is also super portable for easy transporting from the living room to the backyard.

Though one downside is the lack of HDMI ports—you only get one—but this is a pretty impressive Full HD option at an affordable price.

  • Who else recommends it? CNET and PCMag also like the CO-FH02's brightness, color, and value for its price and category.
  • What do buyers say? Amazon buyers like this affordable unit and give in an average 4.2-star rating out of 5 stars.

What to Look For in a Projector

When shopping for the best 4K or 1080p projector for your home, we recommend considering these three main factors.

  • Resolution: When deciding between 1080p or 4K resolution, consider the content you already view and your expectations. Like a TV, your projector's resolution determines how sharp and clear your picture will be. The lower the resolution, the boxier your image will be.
  • Contrast Ratio: The contrast ratio depends on the difference in color between the brightest brightness a projector can achieve and the darkest black. Contrast ratio matters because it allows your projector to display a full range of colors without getting too grainy or washed out. The contrast ratio will be a number:1, like 1,000:1 or 1,000,000:1. You want the first number to be as high as possible.
  • Lumens: Lumens determine how bright the projector's light is. The higher the lumens, the brighter the picture. Dim projectors can project just fine in the dark, but high lumens are best for casting a crisp picture in a bright room, such as a living room. If you plan on adorning a dark home theater, you can get away with a lower number.

FAQ

  • Can a projector replace my TV or Monitor?

    Yes. A projector is nothing more than an image generator, much like a TV. Unlike a TV, projectors are not limited to the size of their chassis. They can blow up to huge proportions while staying in a small package. Like TVs, most require an input such as a streaming dongle, Blu-Ray player, or gaming system. Some are smart and have operating systems and apps. 

  • How far do I place a projector from the screen?

    Various projectors will have different "throw" lengths. That's the distance a projector needs to be from the screen. Short-throw projectors can be very close. Other projectors need to be across the room depending on their focal length. Consult your manual to determine the best distance.

  • Do I need a screen?

    It depends. Projectors function best when they project onto a screen. However, most flat surfaces will do a passable job. You'll want that surface to be shaded as light as possible because the shade of the surface will affect the shade of colors shown on it. For example, whites will look more tan when projected onto a brown wall. A screen will give you the best possible picture, so if it's within your budget, especially if this is a permanent installation, you should also have a screen.

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