Best Gaming Projectors for All Budgets

Although TVs are more common for gaming, as well as TV and movie watching in general, when it comes to screen size, projectors absolutely dominate. The screen real estate-to-price ratio of projectors is unrivaled. While almost any projector can work fine for media consumption, for gaming you’ll want a specialized projector. Check out the best gaming projectors for all budgets!

What to Look for in a Gaming Projector – Top Gaming Projectors for All Budgets

When you’re selecting a projector for gaming, there’s a lot to consider.

Cost: Price is a major limiting factor, and will ultimately dictate what you end up purchasing.

Inputs/outputs (I/O): How you plan to connect your devices is essential. HDMI or DisplayPort will be the most common, although you might require other inputs such as VGA, component, and RCA.

Input lag: When it comes to gaming on a projector, the main deciding factor is input lag. While input lag doesn’t really affect movies and TV shows that much, it’s pretty noticeable for gaming. Ideally, you’ll want an input lag of somewhere under 20ms. Below 40ms is still decent, and under 60 isn’t ideal but should be fine for casual gaming and offline games. Over 65ms is noticeable even for single-player gaming. The best projectors for gaming feature a low input lag.

Frame rate/Refresh rate: Although frame rate is measured in frames per second (FPS) and refresh rate is measured in hertz (Hz), both are effectively the same. So a 120Hz or 240Hz projector can display 120 FPS or 240 FPS respectively. Whereas you’ll want low input lag, you’ll want a high frame rate for gaming on a projector.

Resolution: It’s best to get at least a 1080p projector. 4K is great too, although currently, no projectors offer 4K at 120 frames per second, watching movies and TV shows at 4K is awe-inspiring. Of course, on a budget 720p and lower is just fine.

Brightness: Look for a high lumen rating. It’s best to get at least a 2000 lumen projector for bright room performance. Though a 2000 lumen projector still works better in a dark room, a commonality among all projectors, it’s high enough that it won’t be washed out even with some ambient lighting. Chances are you might want to game during the daytime or with some nearby lights on, and higher lumens is great. Of course, some high lumen projectors sacrifice image quality somewhat for a brighter image.

HDR support: While it’s certainly true that a higher resolution makes a difference, particularly when blown up to over 100-inches, high dynamic range or HDR is a complete game-changer, giving greater depth to colors. Particularly since the current slate of consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 support HDR, as do most streaming boxes as well as streaming services, a projector with HDR onboard is a worthy choice.

Image adjustments: Keystone lets you achieve a perfectly rectangular image even when projecting at an angle. Lens shift lets you position the lens such that you can maintain a rectangular image without relying on keystone which degrades resolution.

What to look for when buying a projector for gaming:

• Input lag
• Frame rate/refresh rate
• HDR support
• Price
• Resolution
• Connectivity
• Image adjustments (keystone, lens shift)

Best Gaming Projector Overall – BenQ X3000i

The BenQ X3000i offers 4K HDR gaming as low as 16ms at 4K 60Hz. You can enjoy blazing fast low-latency response times as low as 4ms on 1080p at 240Hz. As such, the X3000i is a fantastic choice for next-gen gaming with a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or RTX 40- and 30-series GPU gaming PCs.

BenQ includes several dedicated presets including RPG, FPS, and SPG (sports games) modes. With its super bright 3000 ANSI lumens, the BenQ X3000i works well even with a decent amount of ambient lighting. Its LED light source last for thousands of hours without requiring replacement like a traditional bulb-based projector.

Aside from gaming, the X3000i is great for movies and TV shows. Its 100% DCI-P3 color coverage offers lifelike visuals. Normally, bright projectors sacrifice color accuracy, but not so with the BenQ X3000i. There’s an included Android TV dongle with support for apps like HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.

The onboard Trevolo speakers are above average for a set of projector speakers, although nothing to write home about. Connectivity is superb with a pair of HDMI ports including one with eARC, USB-A, TOSLINK optical audio out, VGA, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Unfortunately, the Android TV dongle doesn’t support Netflix, though you can still cast from another device like a phone or PC. While color accuracy is outstanding, black levels aren’t OLED-caliber. The 110% vertical offset isn’t a problem, but is important to consider for installation in rooms with low ceilings. We’d also like 4K 120Hz, though that’s not possible on a projector yet.

Overall, the BenQ X3000i is hands-down the best gaming projector on the market. If you’re ok with 1080p, the X1300i is a good pick that gets you similar specs with a step down in resolution and price.

Pros:

• Bright 3000 ANSI lumen 4LED light source
• Dedicated FPS, SPG, and RPG game modes
• Accurate colors with 100% DCI-P3 color coverage and wide color gamut (WCG)
• Excellent 3D performance
• Good onboard speakers
• Android TV dongle included
• 16ms at 4K 60Hz, 4ms at 1080p 240Hz
• 100-inch image from 8.3-feet away from the screen
• 1.3x optical zoom
• Great connectivity: 2x HDMI including 1x with eARC, USB-A, VGA, 3.5mm audio out

Cons:

• No Netflix support (works via casting)
• Lacks 4K 120Hz support
• 110% vertical offset
• Average black levels

Best 4K Projector for Gaming on  the PS5 and Xbox Series X – Optoma UHD38 4K Gaming Projector

If you want to step up to a 4K gaming projector, the Optoma UHD38 is an incredible performer. Sporting a blisteringly fast 240Hz refresh rate and a 16ms response time, the UHD38 is an awesome 4K projector with low input lag. Its HDR implementation features HDR10 and HLG support for lifelike colors.

A whopping 1,00,000:1 contrast ratio gushes inky dark blacks and ultra-bright whites. Although the UHD38 isn’t a short-throw projector, a 1.3x zoom and 5-15% vertical lens shift coupled with its +/-40-degree keystone correction makes for a flexible installation. 4000 ANSI lumens shoot a bright image that doesn’t get washed out even with lots of ambient light.

Disappointingly, its lowest input lag gaming setting for 4.2ms, it requires a resolution dip down to 1080p. If you want to experience true 4K UHD, you’ll need to accept an input lag of 26ms. That’s not terrible and should be fine for both serious and casual gamers alike. What’s more, toggling on its advanced gaming mode disables any picture adjustments such as keystone. So if you can’t get a perfectly straight image naturally, the lowest input lag setting won’t be useful.

At the end of the day, the Optoma UHD38 is one of the best projectors for Xbox One X, PS4, and PC gaming as a 4K projector featuring low input lag. Alternatively, consider the similarly specced Optoma UHD35 which features nearly the same performance but with a lower price tag and 3600 ANSI lumens.

Pros:

• Low 16ms input lag at 4k 60Hz, and 4.2ms at 1080p 240Hz – one of the lowest input lag projectors you can find
• 4K UHD native resolution
• Up to 240Hz refresh rate
• 4000 ANSI lumens
• +/-40-degree keystone correction
• 1,00,000:1 contrast ratio
• HDR10 and HLG high dynamic range
• 1.3x zoom
• 5-15% vertical lens shift
• Accurate colors
• 8x color wheel

Cons:

• Game mode bumps down to 1080p (26ms input lag in 4K UHD mode)
• Expensive
• No Dolby Vision HDR

Best Value 4K Gaming Projector – Epson 2350

The Epson 2350 is a 4K gaming projector with good bang-for-your-buck. Boasting 2800 lumens, the 2350 features a bright, crisp image. Its 35,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio offers top-notch picture quality with excellent color accuracy thanks to its 3LCD chip. HDMI 2.0 ports provide a full 18Gbps of bandwidth with 10-bit HDR support.

Although it’s not a true 4K projector, pixel-shifting produces a 4K image that looks stunning. With input lag around 20ms and up to 120Hz gaming at 1080p, the Epson 2350 is a solid all-around projector that’s capable of pumping out lush visuals for movies and games alike.

±60 percent vertical shift offers flexible placement options. Onboard, there’s Android TV with support for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and other apps. Unfortunately, there’s no 3D capability. Especially considering how impressive 3D visuals look on a big screen, that’s a bit disappointing. And while we’d like 4K 120Hz, that’s unheard of on a projector yet. All-in-all, the Epson 2350 is a value-packed 4K gaming projector.

Pros:

• 4K
• HDR
• 3LCD chip
• Bright, 2800 lumens
• 20ms response time, up to 120Hz at 1080p
• HDMI 2.0
• 35,000:1 contrast ratio
• Excellent image quality
• Android TV onboard

Cons:

• Not native 4K, relies on pixel shifting
• No 3D support

Best Short-Throw Projector for 4K Gaming – BenQ TK700STi

For 4K gaming with limited room, the BenQ TK700STi is a spectacular choice. Boasting a 4K ultra-HD resolution with HDR, the TK700STi produces a bright image thanks to its 3000 ANSI lumens. An ultra-low 16ms input lag at 60Hz on 4K ensures compatibility with PCs and consoles such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. In our testing, we found the BenQ TK700STi an outstanding projector for movies and gaming…

The TK700STi can game at 4K 30Hz with 33ms of input lag, 1080p 60Hz with 16.67ms of lag, 1080p 120Hz at 8.2ms, and 4ms at 1080p 240Hz. There are pre-set gaming modes for different types of games such as first-person shooters (FPSes) and role-playing games (RPGs).

There’s great connectivity. You’ll find a pair of HDMI ports, one of which features HDMI ARC, an RS-232 input, 3.5mm audio output jack, and USB Type-A header. BenQ includes an Android TV dongle that provides smart TV capabilities for streaming from the likes of Hulu, Disney+, Plex, and other services. While a dedicated surround sound system or soundbar is recommended, the onboard 5W speakers work extremely well.

Aside from its excellent gaming performance, the BenQ TK700STi handles movies and TV shows with equal aplomb. 100% Rec.709 color coverage ensures good color accuracy, and you’ll find both the HDR10 and HLG HDR standards.

3D support allows you to watch 3D content which plays with little to no visible crosstalk. And a slew of different image adjustments such as vertical as well as horizontal keystone eliminate the trapezoid effect for flexible placement options.

With its short throw, the TK700STi can generate a 100-inch or larger image from about 6.5-feet away from the screen. While that’s shorter than average, it’s a bit longer than most short-throw projectors which typically can produce a 100-inch image from 4 or 5 feet away from the screen.

Despite the low input lag, the TK700STi is limited to low-lag gaming at 60Hz at 4K. For high-refresh rate gaming, you’ll need to dip down to 1080p. Although many console gamers won’t mind, PC gamers may be disappointed. Color accuracy should satisfy most users, but its black levels and contrast ratio might not meet cinephile standards.

Ultimately, the BenQ TK700STi is a superb short-throw 4K gaming projector that’s good for movies and TV shows, and is great for living room use with its bright image. If you don’t need the short throw, consider BenQ’s TK700 (our review) which features a standard longer throw ratio, capable of producing a 100-inch image from 8.2-feet away from the screen.

Pros:

• 4K 3840 x 2160 resolution
• HDR (HDR10 and HLG)
• 100% Rec.709 color coverage
• Android TV dongle
• 3000 ANSI lumens
• 3D-ready
• Vertical and horizontal keystone
• Image rotation adjustments
• 5W champer speaker
• Excellent connectivity” 2 x HDMI 2.0b one with ARC, RS-232, 3.5mm audio out, USB Type-A
• 1.2x zoom
• 0.9-1.08 throw ratio
• Low 16.67ms input lag @ 4K (33ms @ 4K 30Hz, 16.67ms @ 1080p 60Hz, 8.33ms @ 1080p 120Hz, 4ms @ 1080p 240Hz)

Cons:

• 4K low latency gaming is limited to 60Hz, high refresh rate gaming only availabel at 1080p
• Included Android TV dongle doesn’t support Netflix
• Throw ratio is on the longer end of the short-throw spectrum requiring 6.5 feet for a 100-inch image

Best Short-throw Gaming Projector for 1080p – Optoma GT1080HDR

The Optoma GT1080HDR is a superb short-throw projector for gaming. From just four feet away, the GT1080HDR can shoot an image up to 120 inches. As the name suggests, the GT1080HDR can display high dynamic range (HDR) for a gorgeous color palate.

Its 120Hz refresh rate and low input lag of just 8.4ms makes the Optoma a solid performer for gaming. A high 3800 ANSI lumen output ensures a bright, vivid picture even with ambient lighting. A 6-segment RYGCWB color wheel makes for deep, dark blacks and bright whites.

A 40-degree vertical keystone allows for a flexible installation. There’s great connectivity too including dual HDMI 1.4 inputs with 3D support. While the GT1080HDR can handle a 4K signal, it’s downscaled to 1080p.

Sadly, the enhanced gaming mode disables image adjustments such as keystone. Therefore, you’ll need to be able to place the GT1080HDR straight on in order to enjoy low lag, high refresh rate gaming. But the GT1080HDR despite its 1080p native resolution handles video games, movies, and TV with equal grace.

Pros:

• 1080p native resolution (4K compatible)
• HDR10 display
• Accurate colors with a 6-segment color wheel (RYGCWB) for deep black and bright whites
• 3800 ANSI lumens
• Up to 15,000-hour lamp life
• 2 x HDMI 1.4 with 3D support
• +/- 40-degree vertical keystone
• 8.4ms input lag
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Short throw gaming projector – shoot a 120-inch image from just 4 feet away

Cons:

• Not 4K
• Enhanced game mode disables image adjustments such as keystone

Best Short Throw Gaming Projector for Bright 1080p – BenQ TH671ST

The BenQ TH671ST is the best short-throw gaming projector for 1080p in a bright room. With great bang for your buck, the TH671ST boasts gaming performance with gorgeous colors and a vivid image. Its 3000 ANSI lumens maintain a bright, vivid image even with lots of ambient light. The 1080p full high definition (HD) resolution is crisp. And with a 92% REC. 709 color accuracy, you’ll enjoy pretty accurate colors.

A low 16ms input lag allows for fast response time when gaming. The short-throw lens generates a large 100-inch image from a mere five feet away. Its 10,000:1 contrast ratio is respectable, although some cinephiles might be off-put by the somewhat lower contrast ratio and only 92% REC. 709  color coverage.

When compared to many home theatre projectors, colors might not appear quite as realistic. However, the high 3000-lumen brightness of the BenQ TH671ST compensates for its contrast ratio and 92% REC. 709. Real-world performance proves that this short-throw gaming projector is spectacular for gaming and movies alike.

Pros:

• 1080 full HD native resolution
• 3000 ANSI lumens
• 10,000:1 contrast ratio
• 92% REC. 709 color coverage
• 16ms response time
• 5W speaker
• 15,000-hour lamp life

Cons:

• Slightly low 10,000:1 contrast ratio
• Only 92% REC. 709 color coverage
• No 4K or HDR

Best Projector for Gaming and Movies – BenQ HT2150ST

Many gaming projectors feature high ANSI lumens to allow for lights-on gaming. Unfortunately, that high brightness often comes at the expense of color accuracy. But the BenQ HT2150ST balances both gaming and cinema masterfully. Like BenQ’s TH671ST, the HT2150ST is a short-throw gaming projector that can cast a 100-inch image from about five feet away.

However, whereas the TH671ST features 3000 lumens and 92% REC. 709 color coverage, the HT2150ST sports 2200 lumens and 96% REC. 709 color coverage. Moreover, BenQ outfits the HT2150ST with a 15,000:1 contrast ratio and 6x RGBRGB color wheel. This combination produces lush, lifelike images.

With its 16 ms response time, the BenQ HT2150ST is hands-down the best projector for gaming and movies. It maintains top-notch color accuracy without sacrificing response time. The 2200 ANSI lumen output might be a bit low for ambient lighting, so you’ll want a mostly dark room. Still, if you want the best of both worlds for gaming and movies, the HT2150ST delivers on both.

Pros:

• 1080p native resolution
• Short-throw lens
• 2200 ANSI lumens
• 96% REC. 709 color coverage
• 15,000:1 contrast ratio
• 6x RGBRGB color wheel
• 16ms input lag

Cons:

• Low lumens won’t withstand a ton of ambient lighting
• No 4K or HDR

Best Gaming Projector Under $1,000 – BenQ TH685

The BenQ TH685 is a magnificent projector that, despite its 1080p resolution, supports HDR. Its 3500 ANSI lumens is bright enough to withstand lots of ambient light. While it can’t display a 4K image, the TH685 accepts a 4K signal and downscales it to 1080p. Sporting a low 8ms input lag with a blisteringly fast 120Hz response time, the TH68HDR promises lag-free projector gaming.

Although it’s not a short-throw projector, the BenQ TH685 does have a more flexible throw ratio and can generate a 100-inch image from 8.2 feet away. What the TH685 delivers in low input lag and brightness, it somewhat sacrifices in contrast ratio. That’s not to say the picture quality is bad, just that it’s not necessarily cinephile caliber. There’s no 4K support or a built-in streaming platform, unlike the slightly more expensive TH685i. Nevertheless, the BenQ TH685 is a phenomenal, versatile projector that’s as comfortable gaming as it is displaying movies.

Pros:

• 8.3ms response time
• 120Hz refresh rate
• 1080p with HDR
• Accepts a 4K signal
• Bright 3500 lumens

Cons:

• Only 1080p, not 4K

Best Laser Projector for Gaming – Optoma GT1090HDR

Whereas most traditional bulb-based projectors suffer from shorter lamp life, a laser projector will have a much longer shelf-life. What’s more, laser projectors can deliver super bright images and gorgeous image quality. The Optoma GT1090HDR is a laser projector that touts a low input lag and high 120Hz refresh rate. Its whopping 4200 lumens of brightness makes lights-on gaming feasible.

There’s an IPX6 dust resistance rating, 30,000 hour light source life, and a short throw that’s capable of achieving a 120-inch image from just four feet away. The GT1090HDR can accept a 4K HDR signal and supports HDr10 as well as HLG. But while it can take a 4K signal, the GT1090HDR is limited to a 1080p native resolution. Yet, the enhanced gaming mode provides a low 16ms response time. Bright and boasting low input lag, the Optoma GT1090HDR is a terrific laser projector for gaming.

Pros:

• 1080p with HDR (HDR10 and HLG)
• Accepts a 4K image
• Laser projector with 30,000 light source life
• IPX6 dust resistance
• Enhance gaming mode with 16ms response time
• Short throw (120-inches from 4 feet away)

Cons:

• Not 4K

Best UST Projector for Gaming – Epson LS500

The Epson LS500 is a fantastic ultra-short throw (UST) projector for gaming. It boasts a 3-chip 3LCD chip, super bright 4000 ANSI lumens, and excellent Rec.709 color coverate. Its 2,500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio means that the colors really pop with deep, dark blacks and vivid whites. Pumping out pure eye-candy, the LS500 handles games elegantly thanks to a low 16ms response time. Coupled with a high lumen output and an ultra-short throw ratio, the Epson LS500 serves as a solid TV replacement that doesn’t get washed out even when faced with lots of ambient light. However, the LS500 doesn’t come cheap. Despite its hefty price tag, the LS500 is an amazing 4K UST projector for gaming that should please cinephiles as well.

Pros:

• 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio
• 4K with HDR (HDR10)
• 3D-capable
• 4000 lumens
• Great connectivity – 3 x HDMI with ARC, USB, audio out, Ethernet, RS232C
• 3LCD chip
• Low input lag of 16ms
• Android TV HDMI streaming dongle included

Cons:

• No built-in streaming platform (includes Android TV-based streaming dongle)

Best Budget Ultra-short Throw Gaming Projector – JMGO O1

The JMGO O1 (our review) is a great budget ultra-short throw projector. It features a native 1080p full high-definition resolution and 800 ANSI lumens. A mere 10.6 inches of space between the projector and the wall yields a massive 100-inch image. Onboard, the O1 features the Android-based Luna OS for installing streaming apps.

You’ll find several different image presets including a Movie Mode and a Gaming Mode which drops input lag down to under 30ms. Generally, less than 50ms of input lag should be fine for most casual gamers, and 30ms is more than playable for all but competitive gaming.

The JMGO O1 produces a bright, lifelike image. And its speakers, co-created with Dynaudio, provide plenty of oomph. Although I still recommend a soundbar or surround sound system, the O1 is a complete audiovisual package.

Though the built-in Luna OS is pretty good, you can’t natively install Netflix. As such, a streaming device such as an Android TV box or Fire TV is recommended. It’s limited to 1080p, not 4K, but the resulting image is nonetheless crisp and clear. The brightness is a bit low at 800 ANSI lumens, however with less distance between the lens and the screen, and paired with a proper UST CLR/ALR screen, the O1 manages a big, bold, bright image.

Affordable and awesome, the JMGO O1 is hands-down the best budget ultra-short throw projector for gaming, if not the best cheap UST projector on the market.

Pros:

• Native 1080p resolution
• 800 ANSI lumens
• Up to 100-inch screen size (10.6 inches from the wall produces a 100-inch image)
• Dynaudio speakers
• Excellent I/O: 2x HDMI, 2x USB, 1x Optical TOSLink audio, 1x Ethernet LAN
• Android-based Luna OS onboard
• Affordable
• Great for gaming – under 30ms in game mode

Cons: 

• Only 1080p
• 800 lumens is a bit low
• Luna OS doesn’t let you install Netflix

Best Portable Projector for Gaming – EliteProjector MosicGO UST Projector

With a 372000mAh battery, EliteProjector MosicGO (our review) is a superb portable gaming projector. It sports an IPX2 rugged rating for outdoor use. The built-in 37200mAh power bank lets you operate the projector on battery power and doubles as a power delivery device for USB-A and USB-C device charging.

Its 25,000-hour lamp life means little to no maintenance. There’s an included carrying case as well as a screen. The dual 8w speakers let you stream music to them for using the MosicGO as a Bluetooth speaker.

A native 1080p resolution and a 20,000:1 contrast ratio yield good image quality. Boasting a low 17ms input lag, the MosicGO provides lag-free gaming. What’s more, the ultra-short throw ratio allows for a 100-inch or larger image from just a few inches from the screen.

Unfortunately, the lumens are a bit low at 1000, although the picture looks stunning in dark situations. While 1080p full HD is fantastic, it’s not 4K. Still, for on-the-go gaming, the EliteProjector MosicGO is the best portable projector for gaming.

Pros:

• 1000 ANSI lumens
• Native 1080p
• 20,000:1 contrast ratio
• 1 pound
• Portable – included 372000mAh battery with power bank capabilities
• 17ms input lag – great for gaming
• IPX2 water and dust resistance

Cons:

• Only 1000 lumens
• Not 4K

Best Mini Projector for Gaming – Xgimi Halo

For gaming on the go, the Xgimi Halo (our review) is a fantastic choice. Small, portable, and stylish, the Xgimi Halo does just about everything well, Onboard, there’s a high-capacity 5400mAh battery. With its native 1080p resolution, the image is crisp and clear. Its 800 ANSI lumens plugged in and 600 ANSI lumens on battery power make the Halo is one of the brightest pico projectors on the market.

It runs Android TV 9.0 Pie and clocks in under 4 pounds. +/-40-degree 4-point auto vertical keystone and manual horizontal keystone as well as autofocus makes it easy to set up. There’s solid I/O with an HDMI input, USB port, and 3.5mm audio output plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Outfitted with dual 5 Watt Harman Kardon speakers, the Xgimi Halo looks and sounds stunning. What’s more, the Xgimi Halo features 3D support, a feature rarely found on portable projectors. Since the Xgimi Halo’s input lag is around 35-40ms, it’s perfectly capable of handling casual gaming.

The input lag is a bit high for competitive gaming, but for most users, that should be speedy enough. Despite its built-in version of Android, the Xgimi Halo can’t run Netflix natively or even cast from Netflix. Still, using a dedicated media streaming box such as an Android TV device is a good workaround.

While the Halo is portable, it lacks a carrying case which would be a nice inclusion. Nevertheless, with a reasonably low input lag, best-in-class speakers, 3D support, and decent brightness, the Xgimi Halo is the top portable pico projector for gaming.

Pros:

• 800 ANSI lumens plugged in, 600 ANSI lumens on battery
• 4-hour battery life
• Excellent connectivity: HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
• Terrific-sounding 2 x 5W Harman Kardon speakers
• 3D support
• Tripod mount and kickstand
• Autofocus
• 40-degree horizontal/vertical keystone
• Android TV 9.0 Pie

Cons:

• Could be brighter
• No tripod included
• Lacks native Netflix support
• Doesn’t include a carrying case
• Only USB 2.0, no USB 3.0 or USB-C

Best Budget Gaming Projector – Optoma HD146X

Optoma’s HD146X is a marvelous all-around projector. Boasting a bright 3600 ANSI lumens, 1080p full HD resolution, and a DLP DMD single-chip design, the HD146X provides excellent image quality. A high 500,000:1 contrast ratio makes the HD146X a cinephile-caliber home theatre projector, while an enhanced gaming mode produces a low 16ms response time. Its 15,000-hour lamp life should last quite a while.

Wrapped up in a modest price tag, the Optoma HD146X is the best budget gaming projector that money can buy. Sadly, the HD146X foregoes HDR, 4K or a short-throw lens. As such, you’ll need to position the projector about 9 feet back to enjoy a 100-inch image. Still, the Optoma HD146X is one of the top gaming projectors and handles movies with equal grace.

Pros:

• 1080p native resolution
• 16ms response time in enhanced gaming mode
• 500,000:1 contrast ratio
• 3600 ANSI lumens
• 15,000-hour lamp life
• DLP DMD single-chip design

Cons:

• No 4K or HDR
• Not a short-throw projector

Top Projectors for Gaming: FAQs

Best Gaming Projectors for All Budgets – Final Thoughts

Ultimately, a projector can help you game on a big screen with ease. For a high-end gaming projector, the BenQ X3000i and UHD38 are fantastic choices. The BenQ TK700STi, Optoma GT1080HDR, and BenQ HT2150ST are great short-throw gaming projectors. JMGO’s O1 and Epson LS500 are solid UST gaming projectors. For portable gaming, the EliteProjector MosicGo and Xigmi Halo are excellent choices. On a budget, the Optoma HD146X dominates. If you want life-size gaming, a projector is the way to go.

Your turn: which projectors for gaming do YOU recommend?