The ultimate guide to buying a projector

How and where will you use it?

Most projectors are good all rounders, so choose one that best fits your price range, home, lifestyle and viewing habits. Pick a portable for use-anywhere convenience, or a larger model with 4K resolution for a dedicated home theatre, media room or lounge room.

Available wall space to serve as a screen is also a prime consideration, unless you plan to use a wall-mounted or portable screen. The distance between the projector and the wall/screen determines the size of the projected image, so work out a prime position beforehand.

A room's ambient light should also be factored in – particularly for daytime use. Consider, too, how often it will be used: everyday, or just brought out for movie nights and sporting events.

Projectors should always be placed on a flat, even surface and centred to the wall/screen to reduce any image distortion. Some portable models are designed to auto-straighten the image if the surface is uneven.

Screen specifics

Projectors offer the flexibility of variable screen sizes, making them suitable for most rooms. Sizes can range from 60–150 inches, with some upping that to a huge 300” for large living areas. 100–130” is generally considered optimal for the average home. While a white wall serves as a simple and convenient screen solution, if you want the highest possible picture quality, consider investing in a dedicated light rejecting screen that boosts picture brightness.

Resolution and contrast

Many entry-level, mini and portable projectors feature Full HD 1080p, while some mid-range and most premium models support 4K Ultra HD for a crystal clear picture and perfect colour reproduction that's comparable to the best 4K TVs. A projector with a high contrast ratio – the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of a picture – will bring out the best in HDR content.

The bright stuff

Perhaps the most important thing to look for is the projector's brightness level. The more well lit the room, the brighter it needs to be. Projector brightness is measured in ANSI lumens, and the higher the number, the brighter the picture. 2000 ANSI lumens or less is fine for very dark rooms like a dedicated home theatre, while 2000–3000 is recommended for a standard lounge room, daytime viewing, and use outdoors. Factors that can affect a projector’s brightness include the size of the screen, the distance between the projector and the screen/wall, and the use of specialised picture modes like Filmmaker, Movie and Sports. Using an ambient light rejecting (ALR) screen will considerably boost picture brightness, and you can always tweak the levels in the settings.

Go with the throw

Throw refers to the distance between a projector and the screen/wall.

Long throw projectors should be positioned around three to five metres away – usually in a ceiling mount – and generally suit large home theatres and living spaces, or boardrooms. Short Throw and Ultra Short Throw projectors (sometimes referred to as ‘Laser Cinema’ or ‘Laser TV’) beam a large image from a very short distance and can be placed on an entertainment unit where a TV would sit.

Short Throw projectors can be set one to three metres from a screen/wall, while Ultra Short Throw can sit even closer and work best when positioned just over a metre away. They are ideal if space is limited, feature increased brightness, and are optimal for viewing 4K HDR content.

Picture perfection

Most projectors have image adjustment tools to keep the picture rectangular and properly aligned. Lens Shift lets you move the image left, right, up and down, while Keystone Correction can adjust an angled image. Auto Screen Fit will set the screen size, keystone and focus for you, and Optical Zoom lets you adjust the lens to control picture size.

Sound selection

Most projectors have built-in speakers, which is convenient if you opt for a portable model to use anywhere. But when you’re watching a blockbuster movie on a 100”+ screen in a home theatre or lounge room, you’ll want a huge and immersive soundscape to match the visuals. Make sure the projector has an HDMI port so you can connect a soundbar for extra sonic punch.

Smart connection

Many projectors offer the functionality of a smart TV, including access to the major streaming apps, a built-in TV tuner, voice assistants, and the option to control compatible smart home devices. They also support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, along with USB connectivity for playback from a flash or hard drive, and HDMI ports to connect external devices like a games console, 4K Blu-ray Player, laptop or soundbar.

The big game

A projector brings next-level immersion to gaming, and the three things to look for in big screen play is a low input lag, a high refresh rate of 60–120Hz, and brightness of 1500 ANSI lumens and above. Check out the range of dedicated gaming projectors from specialist brand BenQ for the best one to suit your needs and budget.

Projector types

DLP (Digital Light Processing) projectors use micro mirrors and a spinning colour wheel to create an image. They are compact and deliver a high quality picture with minimal motion blur. Good for gaming and general use.

LCD projectors use three liquid crystal panels to beam a bright image with high colour accuracy and deep blacks. Good for home theatres and business use.

LED (Light Emitting Diode) projectors can be DLP or LCD. LEDs are used in portable and short throw projectors, deliver high brightness and colour, and have a long life. Good for on-the-go use and short-distance projection.

LASER projectors use a laser to create light instead of a lamp, and have a long lifespan. They are extremely bright with high colour accuracy and true blacks. Good for large rooms, home theatres, and viewing HDR content.

Portable perks

Portable projectors can be set up anywhere, providing plenty of opportunities to create fun and unique pop-up cinema experiences.

From the bedroom, backyard or balcony, to the beach and the bush, big screen entertainment can be wherever you are.

A portable screen is a perfect match, but a nearby wall, a white sheet, or even the side of a tent or caravan can easily serve as a makeshift screen.

Mini marvels

Mini projectors, while compact, can still beam big screen sizes, and often include preloaded streaming apps, inbuilt speakers, and wireless connectivity.

They can be quickly set up and are simple to operate. Lightweight and portable, minis suit a variety of uses, from workplace and school presentations to general home use. And smaller fans mean they are quieter than their larger counterparts.

Can a projector replace your TV?

Replacing your TV with a projector might sound like a radical move, but there are a lot of good reasons to make the switch.

Projectors can be a lot more affordable than a big screen TV and more versatile – especially if you opt for a portable model.

They also have TVs beat when it comes to big screen sizes, with an average 100–150 inches available. And if you don’t have the wall space for a massive picture, variable screen sizes give you the flexibility to fit the screen to suit the room. They are also a good alternative to a big TV when space is limited. All you need is ample wall real estate.

Short and Ultra Short Throw projectors are an ideal replacement for a TV, as they sit close to a wall and can be positioned atop an existing entertainment unit.

Many modern projectors share the functionality of smart TVs, with major streaming apps preloaded, voice assistants, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and HDMI ports to add external video and audio devices.

But before you offload the TV in favour of a projector, the most important thing to consider is the lighting conditions in the room where it will be permanently set up, as this can impact daytime viewing.

Most modern projectors will perform well in brightly lit rooms, but a lot of ambient light can reduce picture brightness and clarity. Ensure the room can be sufficiently darkened for all-day use.

Ultimately, a projector can indeed replace a TV, but both can also comfortably coexist in the same household.