Our Guide To The Best Projectors Under 2000 Dollars
Projectors allow for a large, crisp display that can span far wider than most LCD screen on the market. Ideal for home and commercial usage, projectors can be found in high-end home theaters, movie theaters, educational institutes and meeting rooms across the world.
Epson Home Cinema 1440 1080p 4400 Lumens Color and White Brightness 3LCD Home Theater Projector
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Our favorite for 2020
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LG Electronics PF1000U Ultra Short Throw Smart Home Theater Projector
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A very close runner-up
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Epson Home Cinema 3100 1080p 3LCD Home Theater Projector
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Another great unit from Epsom
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When trying to maintain a budget of under $2,000, you’ll find that there are ample options to meet the needs of most users.
A few of the top projectors on the market this year are discussed below. But when trying to compare each model, you’ll want to keep the following in mind:
- Throw: The throw is an important metric because it represents the distance from the viewing area required to project the image at a certain size. As an example, the PF1000 discussed below can project a 100″ picture at just 15″ from the viewing area, so it’s a great option for even a small apartment or conference room.
- Lumens: The higher the lumen count, the better. A lumen in its basic definition is a term for the measurement of brightness. When contrast and colors matter most, a high lumen count will do a picture the most justice.
- Ports: The number and type of ports allow for added versatility of a projector. If you plan to attach a gaming console or cable box to the projector, you’ll want a projector with at least a few HDMI ports, which allow for high-definition pictures.
We’ve taken it upon ourselves to review a few of the best projectors in 2020. Each of these projectors are among the best in the industry, and they’re affordable with high-end features.
Reviews of the Best High End Projectors
Epson Home Cinema 1440 Review – The Epson 1440 is a high-end projector that brings the realism of movies to life right in the comfort of your own home. Offering sizes of 50 inches to 300 inches in screen size, this projector offers a robust movie-watching experience.
Color and white brightness levels are both 4,400 lumens, while the contrast ratio is 10,000:1.
Keystone correction is provided, and the lamp life is 3,000 – 4,000, depending on Eco or Normal mode usage. Two HDMI ports allow for you to connect gaming consoles, cable and a variety of other devices to the projector. The projector offers 3LCD technology for crisp, clear images.
LG Electronics PF1000 Review – LG offers an ultra short throw with a projection of 100″ at just 15 inches. Full 1920 x 1080 HD is offered with 1000 lumens. The projector has wireless connection and a Bluetooth sound out helps amplify the sound production.
The lamp life is a staggering 30,000 hours.
Smart TV enabled, you can stream movies to the projector to allow you to watch Netflix, Amazon or Hulu Plus among any other streaming service. If the projector is 4.3″ away from the wall, it can produce a 60″ screen.
There are two HDMI inputs as well as a digital TV tuner. Small and compact, this is an ideal projector when short throw is required.
Epson Home Cinema 3100 Review – The Epson Home Cinema 3100 offers 3LCD technology with a focus on optimizing lighting to work in a variety of lighting conditions. Color and white brightness levels are 2,600 lumens with full 1080p high-definition.
Widescreen, 3D performance is available at 300,” with black level contrasts of 60:000:1 for a dynamic contrast ratio.
Super-resolution is provided through Epson’s Image Enhancement Technology. Users can project 110″ images at just 10.5″ away. Horizontal and vertical lens shift technology is offered with MHL connectivity. No “rainbow effect” technology is offered, too.
A 1.6x zoom is offered to make positioning easier and more efficient. When ambient light viewing is required, this projector excels best.
Sony VPLHW45ES SXRD Review – Sony’s high-end 2016 model offers 40″ – 300″ projection sizes with full high-definition of 1920 x 1080. White and color brightness lumens are 1,800, with calibrated brightness on cinema 1 mode at 1,315 lumens.
Lens shift technology allows for +71% vertical with 25% horizontal.
Two HDMI ports allow users to connect numerous devices to their projector. The lamp life is a staggering 6,000 hours. A three-year warranty is provided, too. Motionflow technology allows for optimal viewing with minimal blur.
Whisper-quiet, this unit has a RF 3D compatible technology with USB updates offered. There’s a front-facing fan and powerful image calibration features. Sony’s Reality Creation technology enhances images and colors even further for crisp, unbelievable imagery.
Optoma X600 Review – Optoma’s X600 projector is a 3D DLP network projector that offers HDMI ports and 6000 lumen brightness. Ideal for large screens, this model has full digital capability and full 3D function. The over network management allows for a throw of 1.8 – 2.1:1 ratios.
This model comes with a case, cap and remote control.
A contrast ratio of 10,000:1 provides vibrant colors, with this model excelling on enterprise scales. Up to 250 projectors can be monitored and controlled through the network controls. 3D, DLP technology is provided with 120Hz rates.
Lamp life is 2,500 – 3,500 hours, depending on the brightness level required.
Buyer’s Guide – How To Choose The Best Home Theater Projector Under 2000 Dollars
Home theater projectors can be expensive, but the technology and size of the screen allow for an unmatched viewing experience. When it comes time to purchase a projector, there’s a lot to consider to ensure that you make a smart investment.
And even with the reviews above, it can still be difficult to choose one projector over another.
A few tidbits that may make your decision easier are:
- Price: When spending a lot of money on a projector, make sure that you have defined a budget that works best for you. There are great projectors under the $2,000 mark that will produce near-movie theater quality and offer stunning pictures.
- Bulb Life: The bulb life is very important when using a projector daily. The longer the life, the less replacement costs you’ll need to spend. But you can replace bulbs, which is something to consider, too.
- Technology; HD projection is standard in most modern projectors, but 3D technology is the wave of the future. Always consider the technology advancements of a projector to find one that matches your needs now and potentially in the future.
- Contrast: Never underestimate the importance of contrast levels. The better the contrast levels, the deeper the colors will be. These contrasts can mean the difference between being fully immersed in a scene or being distracted because the colors don’t mesh together properly on the screen.
If you keep these points in mind, we’re confident that you’ll be able to purchase a projector that will last for years without worry of the technology being obsolete.