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10 Best Smart Projector 2025 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

LG CineBeam UHD 4K Projector HU710PW - DLP Home Theater Smart Projector, White

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,188
Resolution
Brightness
Throw Distance

Most important from
38 reviews

Resolution
The LG CineBeam offers a true UHD experience with crystal clear visuals, outperforming more expensive options like the Samsung Laser and the Optoma projectors.
Brightness
Replacing an older Sony model with the LG brought a significant improvement in color depth and brightness, with almost instant on and a quiet operation.
Throw Distance
The projector's form factor is long and narrow, and its zoom feature allows for flexible setup, fitting a 120" screen from 18 feet away.

The LG CineBeam UHD 4K Projector HU710PW offers an impressive home theater experience with its high resolution of 3840 x 2160, delivering clear and detailed visuals. The projector produces vibrant and accurate colors, thanks to its hybrid light source system, which combines one laser and two LEDs, and a high contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1. The brightness of 2,000 ANSI Lumens ensures that images are vivid even in moderately lit rooms, although it may struggle in very bright environments.

The projector's smart features, such as Bluetooth connectivity, LG ThinQ Voice Recognition, and screen sharing with Miracast, provide versatility and ease of use. Its adaptive contrast and HDR10 technology enhance picture quality by optimizing each frame, making the viewing experience more enjoyable. The LG CineBeam also supports TruMotion technology, making animations smoother, and the Filmmaker Mode preserves the authenticity of films by reducing unnecessary processing.

The lens shift and zoom features allow flexible installation and adjustment, while the 4/9/15 Point Warping helps to correct image distortion from different angles. However, the product's size and weight (14.3 pounds, dimensions 19.8 x 16.5 x 9.9 inches) may make it less portable. It is most suitable for home cinema enthusiasts looking for high-quality visuals and smart features in a projector.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,188
Resolution
Brightness
Throw Distance

Most important from
38 reviews

Resolution
The LG CineBeam offers a true UHD experience with crystal clear visuals, outperforming more expensive options like the Samsung Laser and the Optoma projectors.
Brightness
Replacing an older Sony model with the LG brought a significant improvement in color depth and brightness, with almost instant on and a quiet operation.
Throw Distance
The projector's form factor is long and narrow, and its zoom feature allows for flexible setup, fitting a 120" screen from 18 feet away.
#2

Optoma GT1080HDRx Short Throw Gaming Projector | Enhanced Gaming Mode for 1080p 120Hz Gameplay at 8.4ms | 1080p and HDR support with 4K UHD input | Bright 3,800 Lumens for Day and Night Gaming | White

Rating
10.0
Resolution
Brightness
Throw Distance

Most important from
861 reviews

Resolution
The 1080p resolution with 4K HDR input provides incredibly crisp visuals, creating an immersive and realistic experience.
Brightness
The Optoma GT1080HDRx delivers a bright and clear picture, even in rooms with a lot of ambient light.
Throw Distance
Perfect for golf simulators and home theaters, offering a large, clear image even in smaller spaces.
Audio Quality
While the built-in speakers are lacking, the projector's performance in terms of image quality and adjustability makes up for it.

The Optoma GT1080HDRx Short Throw Gaming Projector is a solid choice for gamers and home cinema enthusiasts. It offers a full HD 1080p resolution, ensuring sharp and detailed images. One of its standout features is the enhanced gaming mode, which provides a fast response time of 8.4ms and a 120Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for smooth and responsive gameplay. The projector also supports HDR10 technology, allowing for brighter whites and deeper blacks, and it can handle 4K UHD input for improved picture quality.

Its brightness level of 3,800 lumens ensures clear visibility in both day and night settings, while the 50,000:1 contrast ratio enhances image depth and detail. The short throw lens is a significant benefit, allowing you to project a large 120" image from just four feet away, making it suitable for smaller spaces. Connectivity options are versatile, with dual HDMI ports supporting various devices like gaming consoles, streaming sticks, and more.

The lamp life is impressive, offering up to 15,000 hours of usage, which translates to years of regular use without needing a replacement. The projector lacks built-in smart features, meaning you will need external devices for streaming and other smart functionalities. Additionally, some users might find the audio quality from the built-in speakers lacking, necessitating external audio solutions for an enhanced experience. If you're looking for a gaming or home cinema projector with robust performance and flexibility, the Optoma GT1080HDRx is worth considering, especially if you can accommodate for its few limitations.

Rating
10.0
Resolution
Brightness
Throw Distance

Most important from
861 reviews

Resolution
The 1080p resolution with 4K HDR input provides incredibly crisp visuals, creating an immersive and realistic experience.
Brightness
The Optoma GT1080HDRx delivers a bright and clear picture, even in rooms with a lot of ambient light.
Throw Distance
Perfect for golf simulators and home theaters, offering a large, clear image even in smaller spaces.
Audio Quality
While the built-in speakers are lacking, the projector's performance in terms of image quality and adjustability makes up for it.
#3

Sony Pro VPL-PHZ51 3LCD Laser Projector; 4K 60P Input Support; 5800 Lumen; Converts 4K Input Signals to WUXGA Resolution; Auto Power On; Manual Focus; 16W Speaker; 1.6x Manual Zoom

Rating
9.1
Brightness
Resolution
Connectivity

Most important from
4 reviews

Brightness
Delivers exceptional brightness that performs well even in well-lit environments, making it ideal for schools, business, and home cinema use.
Resolution
Supports 4K input with a high-quality scaler that ensures sharp and detailed images on large screens from 40" up to 300" diagonally.
Connectivity
Offers versatile connectivity options like USB and HDMI, simplifying integration with various devices.
Smart Features
Auto Input Select feature streamlines setup, making it user-friendly for quick transitions between sources.
Throw Distance
Manual focus and 1.6x zoom provide flexible placement, though manual focus requires a bit more attention during setup.
Audio Quality
Built-in 16W speaker is adequate but external audio is recommended for a richer sound experience, especially in larger rooms.
Portability
Despite being larger than expected, its performance justifies its portability for events like school assemblies.

The Sony Pro VPL-PHZ51 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a versatile smart projector, especially in educational, business, and home cinema environments. One of its standout features is the impressive brightness of 5800 lumens, which means you can use it in various lighting conditions without compromising image quality. The projector supports 4K input signals and has a high-performance image scaler that converts these to WUXGA resolution, ensuring detailed visuals. This makes it suitable for users who want clear images, especially when projecting large screen sizes, from 40" to 300" diagonally.

Connectivity is another strong point, with options for USB and HDMI, allowing easy integration with laptops, media players, and other devices. The projector's Auto Input Select feature simplifies the setup process, making it user-friendly. Additionally, the manual focus and 1.6x zoom provide flexibility in placement and setup, catering to different room sizes.

On the downside, the VPL-PHZ51's built-in 16W speaker may not deliver the best audio quality, especially for larger spaces or cinematic experiences, so users may want to consider external audio solutions. The manual focus may also pose a challenge for those who prefer a more automated approach. Furthermore, with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, some users might find it lacking compared to true 4K projectors, particularly if they are looking for the highest possible image fidelity.

Rating
9.1
Brightness
Resolution
Connectivity

Most important from
4 reviews

Brightness
Delivers exceptional brightness that performs well even in well-lit environments, making it ideal for schools, business, and home cinema use.
Resolution
Supports 4K input with a high-quality scaler that ensures sharp and detailed images on large screens from 40" up to 300" diagonally.
Connectivity
Offers versatile connectivity options like USB and HDMI, simplifying integration with various devices.
Smart Features
Auto Input Select feature streamlines setup, making it user-friendly for quick transitions between sources.
Throw Distance
Manual focus and 1.6x zoom provide flexible placement, though manual focus requires a bit more attention during setup.
Audio Quality
Built-in 16W speaker is adequate but external audio is recommended for a richer sound experience, especially in larger rooms.
Portability
Despite being larger than expected, its performance justifies its portability for events like school assemblies.

Buying Guide for the Best Smart Projector

When choosing a smart projector, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your needs. A smart projector can be a great addition to your home entertainment system, office, or classroom, providing a versatile way to display content. Understanding the key specs will help you make an informed decision and get the most out of your purchase.
ResolutionResolution refers to the number of pixels that make up the image projected by the smart projector. Higher resolution means a clearer and more detailed picture. Common resolutions include 720p (HD), 1080p (Full HD), and 4K (Ultra HD). If you plan to use the projector for watching movies or playing video games, a higher resolution like 1080p or 4K is recommended for the best visual experience. For basic presentations or casual viewing, 720p may suffice.
BrightnessBrightness is measured in lumens and indicates how bright the projected image will be. This is important because it affects how well the image can be seen in different lighting conditions. For dark rooms, a projector with 1,000 to 2,000 lumens may be sufficient. For rooms with some ambient light, look for a projector with 2,000 to 3,000 lumens. For well-lit rooms or outdoor use, you may need a projector with 3,000 lumens or more. Consider where you will be using the projector most often to determine the appropriate brightness level.
Contrast RatioThe contrast ratio measures the difference between the darkest and brightest parts of the image. A higher contrast ratio means more detail in the shadows and highlights, resulting in a more vibrant and dynamic picture. For home theater use, a higher contrast ratio (e.g., 10,000:1 or higher) is ideal. For presentations or general use, a lower contrast ratio (e.g., 2,000:1 to 5,000:1) may be acceptable. Think about the type of content you will be displaying and choose a contrast ratio that enhances your viewing experience.
Throw DistanceThrow distance is the distance between the projector and the screen. It determines how large the image will be at a given distance. Projectors are categorized into short throw, ultra-short throw, and standard throw. Short throw projectors can create a large image from a short distance, making them ideal for small rooms. Ultra-short throw projectors can be placed very close to the screen, which is great for tight spaces. Standard throw projectors require more distance to create a large image. Consider the size of your room and how far you can place the projector from the screen when choosing the throw distance.
ConnectivityConnectivity options determine how you can connect your devices to the projector. Common connections include HDMI, USB, VGA, and wireless options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. HDMI is the most versatile and widely used for high-definition video and audio. USB ports can be useful for playing media directly from a flash drive. Wireless connectivity allows for easy streaming from smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Consider the devices you will be using with the projector and ensure it has the necessary ports and wireless capabilities to meet your needs.
Smart FeaturesSmart features refer to the built-in capabilities of the projector, such as operating systems, apps, and voice control. Some smart projectors come with Android TV, Roku, or other platforms that allow you to stream content directly from services like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu without needing an external device. Voice control features can add convenience by allowing you to control the projector with voice commands. Think about how you plan to use the projector and whether these smart features will enhance your experience.
Audio QualityAudio quality is important if you plan to use the projector's built-in speakers. While many projectors have basic speakers, some offer better sound quality with higher wattage and enhanced audio technologies. If audio quality is a priority, look for projectors with good built-in speakers or consider connecting external speakers for a better sound experience. For presentations or casual viewing, basic audio may be sufficient, but for movies and gaming, higher-quality audio can significantly enhance the experience.
PortabilityPortability refers to the size and weight of the projector, which affects how easy it is to move and set up. Portable projectors are smaller and lighter, making them ideal for on-the-go use, such as business presentations or outdoor movie nights. Larger projectors may offer better performance but can be more cumbersome to transport. Consider how often you will need to move the projector and choose a size and weight that fits your lifestyle.

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