100 inches of gaming goodness anyone?
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Last Updated: April 2018
Screen sizes have come a long way since many of us played Adventure on our Atari 2600 connected to a 13-inch color CRT. In just the last 10 years flat panel prices have lowered as screen sizes have grown. But if you want a wall full of Destiny 2, there still isn’t a reasonably priced television that can compete with a Projector.
When looking to buy any display – be it a computer monitor, a flat panel television, or a projector – there are basic specifications to keep in mind. Color accuracy, contrast ratio, and resolution combine to create a true-to-life and engaging image. With gaming, another primary concern is a Low Input Lag on the projector so you can be the frag-er and not the frag-ee. We recommend aiming for something below 35ms.
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Below we’ve broken down what kind of rooms are good fits for a projector, details and light levels, and several excellent models to consider. But the bottom line? The BenQ HT2150T is your best option. Low input lag, excellent contrast ratio and its short-throw design make it a fantastic pick.
There are a few more important necessities to keep in mind when it comes to projectors. The room you plan to have your projector in, and more specifically the amount of ambient light in that room, can drastically affect image quality. If the projector doesn’t output enough light, measured in lumens, the ambient light in the room can cause the picture to look washed out and dull. You’ll lose definition in the blacks and colors won’t seem as vivid. If your room lets in a lot of light you’ll want a projector that outputs around 2500 lumens or more. A light-controlled room will be fine with a 1500-2000 lumen projector. No matter what avoid any unnecessary direct light on the displayed surface.
That displayed surface is another concern. While it is completely possible to display your projector on to a white wall, color and contrast will be affected. There are fixed (non-retractable) options like the Silver Ticket 100-inch STR-169100 for under $200, and there are screens that are mounted to a separate stand that sits in front of a wall, or products for painting a screen surface directly onto your wall. Having the screen sit in front of wall causes you to lose a couple feet of space, which is not ideal if space is at a premium. The paint option is cool, but can be messy and finicky to apply. Plus, if you move it’s difficult to take the entire wall with you. If you can afford it, we recommend just using a fixed screen.
Where you put your projector can also drastically affect your gaming experience. If it sits in a low position directly behind your couch you’ll need to sit to one side to avoid any MST3K shadows. Plenty of ceiling mounts, like the VIVO Universal Mount, are available for under $20, but be aware you’ll need to think about how you’re going to run power and signal cables. Projectors have a throw range that determines how near or far they need to be from the screen. If your room depth is limited, a short throw projector needs only around four or five feet of distance to project a 100-inch diagonal image on the screen or wall.
Best Overall – BenQ HT2150ST
BenQ has been a stalwart in the projector industry for years. The HT2150ST is the updated version of the excellent HT2050, and the ST indicates it is a short-throw model needing only 5 feet to project a 100-inch picture. At that distance you can have the projector placed in front of you and not worry about any shadows on the screen.
The 2200 ANSI lumens will provide plenty of light in a moderately bright room and, paired with its 15000:1 contrast ratio, will look stunning in a dark room. The best thing about the HT2150ST for gamers is its low Input Lag. When set to Game Picture Mode with Fast Mode enabled, lag is comparable to a television. It has excellent performance for a projector under $1,000.
Another Great Option – Epson Home Cinema 2040
The Epson Home Cinema 2040 is very close in image quality to the BenQ HT2150ST but is less expensive and isn’t a short throw projector. You’ll need around 9 feet of space to project a similar-sized image to the BenQ. It also has 2200 lumens of light output making it suitable for most room setups. Its dynamic iris – that adjusts the contrast continually based on the picture on screen – can get as high as 35000:1. The input lag is higher than the BenQ, sitting in the high 20ms range, but if fast first-person shooters aren’t your cup of tea it might be worth saving a couple hundred dollars over the BenQ.
An Entry-Level Option – EUG Multimedia Projector
If the BenQ and Epson are a little too expensive for you, the EUG is a good entry-level option into the world of projection gaming at just $350. It’s very bright at 3600 lumens and you could even bring it outside for movie nights. But the lower price does lead to some compromises, namely its native resolution is 1280×800 and the contrast ratio is only 3500:1.
A Step-up with 3D – Sony VPL-HW45ES
The Sony VPL-HW45ES has excellent picture quality with very deep blacks. With its input lag reduction turned on the lag reduces to only 22ms. The drawback is its max light output is only 1800 lumens. If you don’t have a dark gaming room this is not the choice for you. But if you have a room where you can control the ambient light with shades or curtains, and you’re looking for a projector with fantastic picture and 3D viewing support, the 45ES is a terrific option.
The Money-Is-No-Object 4K Pick – Sony VPL-VW675ES
Projectors are still lagging behind televisions in their ability to implement 4K for a reasonable cost. But if 4K and HDR is something you absolutely must have right now from a projector and nothing – including money – will stop you, then the Sony VPL-VW675ES is the way to go. There are other, less expensive 4K projectors out there, but Sony is the only company that makes a true pixel-for-pixel 4k projector. Others use a process that flashes images multiple times to simulate a 4K picture. It’s also 4096×2160 pixels instead of 3840×2160 like most 4K displays. The 675ES supports HDR10 and HLG (for when the content actually becomes available). For gaming though, the input lag reduction option is only available in SDR. It has a dynamic contrast ratio of 350000:1 and, like the 45ES, a light output of 1800 lumens. But if you’re spending $15,000 on a projector, chances are your room is a dedicated theater with little to no ambient light bleed.
