Best for Most

amazon.com

Upgrade Pick

techradar.com

walmart

bazaarvoice

Budget Pick

cnet.com

Wirecutter

If you’re short on space, the BenQ HT2150ST can produce a larger image from a shorter distance.

TechGearLab

It's hard to do much better than the BenQ HT2150ST when you're looking for a high-quality home theater centerpiece that stays out of quadruple-digit price tag territory. In our testing, it treated us to impeccable clarity and consistently vibrant colors, whether watching fast-paced action scenes or tranquil panoramic shots. Its fan is one of the quietest we've ever encountered, remaining barely noticeable even when the sound effects faded away and yielded to muted scenes of dialogue. Perhaps its best attribute is its relatively short throw ratio. This allows you to project an absolutely massive 150-inch image with the projector just over 8 feet from the screen. To achieve the same picture size, most comparable models would need to be placed at least 14 feet from the screen. 
The relative dimness of the lamp is the only real downside to this model. We measured it at 1548 lumens, which is perfect in a darkened home theater but can feel a bit weak if you turn the lights on. If you're looking for a projector that can pull double duty for both presentations and movies, the HT2150ST isn't for you. However, this is our top recommendation if you're looking for a dedicated home theater machine. 

pcmag.com

powerreviews

This LCD projector delivers solid image contrast and high brightness, so it’s a good choice for a brighter viewing space. Plus, it has Android TV built in (sort of).

If you are looking for an all-around quality projector and don't mind dropping the extra cash, the Epson Home Cinema 2250 is a great choice. The WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity options make the 2250 the ultimate entertainment device. You can easily utilize most streaming services, such as Netflix, right off the device when connected to WiFi, and if you want some sweet surround sound, connect your projector to your favorite Bluetooth speakers. All this is made very simple through an intuitive interface and remote control. Whether you are projecting charts and graphs or your kids' favorite movies, the 70,000 to 1 contrast ratio and 1080 pixel resolution provide the viewer with a crisp and clear picture. The image adjustments allow for a distortion-free experience, and the color accuracy is fantastic. 
While we have almost nothing negative to report about the Home Cinema, there is a little room for improvement. It was not designed with portability in mind, but some of Epson's other projectors that are a similar shape and size come with a convenient carry bag. We know this may be nit-picky, but we would have loved to have received some storage or carrying option. Epson could make two more minor improvements to this amazing device: backlit remote buttons and a quieter fan. The fan emits a low hum, which is pretty easy to ignore but is still rather loud when you're trying to hear the dialogue in a quiet movie scene. Still, overall, this top-notch device is a great option for someone looking for a versatile, high-end projector.

theverge.com

The JVC DLA-NX5 produced the best overall image of the 4K home theater projectors we tested.

The JVC DLA-NX5 produced the best overall image of all the projectors we tested.

expert-review

The Best 4K Projector

The Home Cinema 5050UB supports HDR and wide color gamut technologies, but it can’t match the detail or contrast of the best 4K projectors.

The BenQ HT2050A has the best contrast ratio in its class and more realistic color than the competition, and it’s brighter than some projectors that cost a lot more.

The BenQ HT2050A has the best contrast ratio in its price class, as well as realistic color, great detail, and a robust connection panel.

Why We Love the BenQ HT2050A Movie Projector

Consumer Reports

This super-portable mini projector—about the size of a paperback book, among the smallest of the models CR tested—offers hassle-free operation and the ability to project fairly big and satisfyingly bright images at 720p resolution.The built-in battery has a claimed run time of about 2 hours. The model doesn't come with a remote control, but it does have the usual HDMI and USB ports, plus a USB-C video input, which lets you connect newer Apple devices without needing an HDMI cable. There's also a second USB-C port you can use to charge devices. This is one of the more expensive models CR evaluated, but the on-page coupon at Amazon provides a nice discount.

Home Theater Projector Comparison