Although 3D on televisions is all but dead, projectors keep 3D alive. Whereas 3D looks fine on a 50- or 60-inch display, when blown up to 100 inches or more, 3D content looks absolutely stunning. While 3D performance is important, you’ll also need a quality pair of 3D glasses. Check out the best 3D glasses for bringing your movies to life!
Are 3D Glasses Worth it?
If you own a 3D-capable projector, 3D glasses are absolutely worth it. Particularly for movies where the 3D conversion is good, it can prove an immersive experience. Where once 3D was a gimmicky fad, recent fare including “Gravity,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Predator,” and a slew of other movies look stunning in 3D. Whereas 3D on a TV fails to wow because of the comparatively small screen, an over 100-inch image really makes the 3 dimensional elements pop. Many Blu-ray movies come with a 3D Blu-ray, so particularly if you’ve got a 3D-compatible Blu-ray player, a collection of 3D Blu-ray discs, and a projector that can shoot in 3D, a set of 3D glasses are a great investment.
Is Active or Passive 3D better?
When it comes to 3D videos, there’s passive 3D and active 3D. Active 3D switches between showing frames intended for the left and right eye. The glasses themselves are synced with a TV or projector, and a shutter darkens the lenses individually in conjunction with the image on-screen. As such, only the individual eye intended to see the image made for that perspective actually sees that element. Though active 3D is capable of achieving a full 1080p resolution, active 3D glasses require batteries and must be synced with a projector. Additionally, active 3D is more susceptible to crosstalk, an issue where artifacts intended for the opposite eye are seen by the other eye.
Passive 3D on the other hand simply blends two frames together with alternating horizontal lines in a frame meant for the left and right eyes. A different polarization in each lens lets passive 3D glasses produce a 3-dimensional image. Despite having half of the vertical resolution of active 3D, passive 3D does have its benefits. Namely, it’s more comfortable for the eye with less flickering and crosstalk. Additionally, passive 3D glasses don’t require batteries and are available pretty cheap. In fact, most movie theaters use passive 3D, so if you’ve got a pair of 3D glasses from the cinema, those could work with a 3D television. Unfortunately, almost all home theatre projectors require active 3D glasses. So while many users prefer passive 3D, which is arguably better than active 3D, you’ll need a pair of active 3D glasses to enjoy your 3D Blu-rays at home.
Active 3D:
- Full 1080p resolution
- Require a battery and must sync with a display
- Susceptible to crosstalk
- Shutter darkens individual lenses to achieve 3D for the correct eye
Passive 3D:
- Relies on polarized lenses
- Less flickering and crosstalk
- Cheap – the same as movie theatre glasses
- Half of the vertical resolution at 1920 x 540
What to Look for in a Pair of 3D Glasses for Your Projector or TV
Since passive 3D glasses won’t work with home theatre projectors, you’ll need a set of active 3D glasses for use with a projector. Many 3D TVs require active 3D, although you can find passive 3D-capable television sets. Depending on your projector or TV, you’ll want either active or passive 3D glasses.
You’ll want to safely store your 3D glasses when not in use. As such, many pairs of 3D glasses come with storage pouches, cases, and cleaning cloths. Fit and comfort level is important. You won’t want to sit through a two- or three-hour-long movie with poor-fitting glasses. Price is key as well. For watching with friends, you might consider a multi-pack.
When it comes to active 3D glasses, look for DLP Link. This should ensure compatibility with virtually any DLP projector on the market including projectors for leading brands such as BenQ and Optoma. Additionally, battery life is a key consideration. Because active 3D requires power, a long battery life is best. And look for a standard USB charging feature rather than a proprietary plug. On-device left/right eye rotation is extremely useful. Although you can often swap eyes on your projector, some projectors lack such a feature, so it’s handy to have on the glasses themselves.
For passive 3D glasses, you can find two varieties: standard full-frame glasses or clip-on form factor options. If you wear glasses, a pair of clip-on passive 3D lenses is a great idea. But if you don’t wear glasses, just opt for a set of passive 3D glasses with frames.
3D glasses buying considerations:
- Active vs. passive 3D
- Battery life
- Accessories (storage pouch/case, cleaning cloth)
- USB charging
- Comfort/fit
- Frames vs. clip-on
- On-device left/right eye roatation
- Price
Best 3D Glasses for Projector Use Overall – Boblov DLP Link 3D Glasses
The Boblov DLP Link 3D glasses are fantastic for at-home 3D. Boasting compatibility with most projectors from the likes of BenQ, Optoma, Acer, Vivitek, Panasonic, Dell, Viewsonic, LG, Samsung, and Mitsubishi, the Boblov DLP 3D Link glasses are high-performing but well-priced. You’ll find a blisteringly-fast 144Hz refresh rate that alleviates ghosting and flickering for a buttery-smooth 3D experience. Left/right eye rotation lets you flip the right and left eyes for synchronizing with a single click.
A long-lasting battery works for up to 45 continuous hours, with a 180-day standby time. The battery is rechargeable with USB, and there’s an auto 5-second standby with a 5-minute shut-off timer. Charging comes via a micro USB cable. Included, you’ll find a cloth storage pouch, cleaning cloth, and zippered glasses case. As is common with virtually all active 3D glasses, you might notice some crosstalk. In my testing, I enjoyed the price-to-performance ratio of the Boblovs. I noticed no ghosting or crosstalk, enjoyed excellent 3D performance, and appreciated on-device polarity switching. Coming in a two or four pack, the Boblov 3D glasses are an affordable solution to 3D that lets you watch with family and friends.
Pros:
- Available in a one, two, or four-pack
- Comes with zippered cases, pouches, and cleaning cloths for storage
- Active 3D
- 144Hz refresh rate to combat ghosting
- On-device left/right eye rotation for easy synching
- Long battery life (45-hour continuous use, 180 days in standby)
- Comfortable
- Affordable
- Works with most projector manufacturers including BenQ, Optoma, Vivitek, Mitsubishi, Acer, and more
Cons:
- Some occasional crosstalk
Best Budget Active 3D Glasses – Wowoto DLP Link 3D Glasses
The Wowoto DLP 3D Link glasses are a good, cheap set of active 3D glasses. There’s a 144Hz refresh rate for limiting crosstalk and flickering. Left/eye rotation lets you swap the left and right eye views without having to perform this on the projector itself. A long battery life affords up to 40-hours of continuous use and 180 days in standby time. The Wowoto DLP Link 3D glasses are comfortable and lightweight. You’ll find an included cleaning cloth, storage pouch, and micro USB charging cable. There’s great compatibility with 3D projectors from Optoma, BenQ, and a variety of other manufacturers. As with all active 3D glasses, some crosstalk might be evident. Nevertheless, for DLP Link 3D glasses on the cheap, the Wowoto are a good solution for home cinema 3D.
Pros:
- Active 3D
- Works with DLP Link 3D projectors from the likes of Optoma, BenQ, Acer, and more
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Includes cleaning cloth and storage pouch
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Long-lasting battery (40-hours of continuous use, 180 days standby)
Cons:
- Some crosstalk may be evident
Best Passive 3D Glasses – EDimensional Cinema 3D Glasses
eDimensional offers a solid budget-priced set of passive 3D glasses that simply work. The ED 3D glasses clock in at a super low price and work with passive 3D televisions from the likes of LG, Philips, Toshiba, Panasonic, and Sony. Real3D technology means you can use the eDimensional 3D glasses at home or bring them to a movie theatre. However, you can’t use the ED passive 3D glasses in IMAX or for active 3D situations. Therefore, projector owners are out of luck. The frames are modestly thick, though build quality isn’t the highest. With no crosstalk, little to no lens flare, good image quality, and excellent comfort, the ED are top-notch passive 3D glasses that won’t break the bank.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Good image quality
- No crosstalk
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Not the best build quality
- Won’t work with most home theatre projectors
Best Clip-on Passive 3D Glasses – AoHeng Clip-on Glasses
AoHeng makes a convenient clip-on set of passive 3D glasses. With a frameless design, these simply slot onto an existing set of glasses. Thus, AoHeng’s clip-on passive 3D glasses are extremely lightweight and comfortable. While they work well for at-home 3D with compatible TVs, there’s RealD and IMAX compatibility with two different pairs of glasses, one for each. If you want to bring your own 3D glasses to the cinema and avoid stacking 3D glasses over a pair of correctional lenses, the AoHeng clip-on passive 3D glasses are a great purchase.
Pros:
- Clip-on style
- Includes RealD and IMAX lenses
- Works for at-home passive 3D
- Passive 3D
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight and comfortable
Cons:
- No frames (options with frames available)
- Won’t work with most home cinema projectors
Best 3D Glasses for All Uses – Top Active 3D and Passive 3D Glasses You can Buy
3D can really elevate the movie-watching experience whether in the theatre or at home. To enjoy 3 dimensional movies, a set of 3D glasses is a must-have. Active 3D is required for most home theatre projectors, while passive 3D is fine for some 3D TVs as well as many cinema situations. Bobolov makes the best 3D glasses for projector use, with Wowoto delivering a good budget set of DLP Link 3D glasses. On the passive 3D side, eDimensional offers a great, budget-priced set of passive 3D frames while AoHeng manufacturers an awesome pair of clip-on passive 3D glasses. Ultimately, you have a lot of choices when it comes to enjoying big-screen 3D movies.
Your turn: Which 3D glasses do you recommend for home use?
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