10 Best Smart Projectors 2026 in the United States

The Optoma GT1080HDRx Short Throw Gaming Projector is a great choice for gamers and home cinema enthusiasts. With a full HD 1080p resolution and HDR10 support, it delivers bright and sharp images, thanks to its 3,800 lumens brightness and a high contrast ratio of 50,000:1. This makes it suitable for both day and night gaming. Its short throw lens allows you to project a large 120" image from just four feet away, which is perfect for small spaces. The enhanced gaming mode ensures a fast response time of 8.4ms with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth and immersive gaming experience.

Connectivity is flexible with dual HDMI ports that support a range of devices like gaming consoles, media players, and streaming sticks. The projector's lamp life is impressive, offering up to 15,000 hours of use, which translates to over 10 years of daily viewing. However, it does lack built-in smart features, so you'll need external devices like Chromecast or Fire Stick for streaming. Additionally, the audio quality may not be as robust as dedicated speakers.

At 7.7 pounds, it’s relatively portable, but keep in mind the need for external audio solutions for better sound quality. This projector is particularly suited for gamers and those looking for a solid home cinema experience, especially in smaller rooms where a short throw distance is beneficial.

The Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus 4K PRO-UHD projector is a solid choice for anyone wanting a high-resolution, portable smart projector. It offers sharp, clear 4K resolution (3840 x 2160), which means images and videos look detailed and vibrant. Its brightness is rated at 1,000 lumens for both color and white light, which is decent for indoor use in dimmer rooms but might struggle a bit in bright daylight settings. The projector also includes Epson’s 3-chip 3LCD technology, which helps deliver better color accuracy and contrast, though darker scenes might not be as deep as some higher-end models.

Connectivity is versatile, featuring HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and even a 3.5mm audio jack, making it easy to connect to different devices. Smart features shine with built-in Google TV and access to popular streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+, plus the Epson Projection Studio app helps with content creation and sharing. Auto-focus and auto screen alignment make setup quick and less frustrating, which is great for users who want fast, hassle-free use. Sound quality stands out thanks to built-in Bose speakers, delivering clear and enjoyable audio without needing extra equipment.

The 1,000-lumen brightness is on the lower side compared to some competitors, limiting use in very bright environments. Weighing 8.8 pounds, it’s fairly portable but may not be the lightest option if you plan frequent travel. This projector fits well for home cinema enthusiasts, gamers, or casual users who want a smart, easy-to-use device with great image quality and sound, mainly for indoor or controlled lighting conditions.

The BenQ GP520 is a 4K smart projector designed for home entertainment, offering sharp and vivid images with its 3840 x 2160 resolution and HDR10+ support. Its brightness of 2600 lumens makes it suitable for typical living room lighting, but it might struggle a bit in very bright spaces. The projector features BenQ's CinematicColor technology and Rec.709 color accuracy, which helps produce vibrant and natural colors, enhancing movie and TV show viewing.

Auto Cinema Mode is a handy smart feature that adjusts the image based on the room’s lighting, so you don’t have to tweak settings manually. It also supports flexible placement with multi-angle installation and smart image alignment, making it easier to set up in various rooms without much hassle. For gamers, the ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) ensures smoother gameplay with minimal lag.

Connectivity is strong with HDMI 2.1, USB-A, USB-C, WiFi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2, allowing you to easily connect multiple devices and stream content through the built-in Google TV platform. This means you can access popular streaming services without needing an external device. Audio comes from dual 12W speakers and supports Dolby and 7.1 channel audio, delivering clear and immersive sound, though for a full cinematic experience, connecting external speakers via Bluetooth or eARC will be better. The projector also includes useful features like auto focus, digital keystone correction, and auto obstacle avoidance, which help maintain a clear and properly aligned picture with minimal effort. The LED light source generally offers a longer lifespan than traditional lamps, reducing maintenance. The BenQ GP520 is a versatile and user-friendly smart projector that suits home cinema lovers and casual gamers well. It excels with its 4K image quality, smart streaming options, and flexible setup, but those needing very high brightness or professional-grade audio might want to consider additional equipment.