Are you looking for best projector under $1500? If yes, you’ve landed on the right page.
$1500 is a sweet price point for a projector that’s ideal for home theater, gaming and casual use. You also get chance to choose between DLP, LED, and Laser projection technology.
To clear your confusion, we listed the 9 best 4K projectors under $1500. These projectors are a complete bang for your buck and without any compromise.
Top 3 Picks for Best Projectors Under $1500
9 Best Projector under $1500
1. BenQ TK800M
The BenQ TK800M is the best living room projector under $1500, and I say this for many reasons.
Due to its high brightness and color accuracy, the image output is affected very little by the room’s ambient light.
You will see an orange tint on the projection if you leave the curtains open, but that’s it. Colors remain mostly accurate, and your viewing experience doesn’t change much if you have a well-lit living room. This is impressive because the projector is rated at 3000 lumens.
Also Read: The Best Strategies to Use a Projector during Daytime
The Benq TK800M has a compact size and weighs 9.2 pounds, which means you can move it to another room without much trouble.
The embedded controls are tactile and easy to use. The smooth-functioning adjustable leg allows you to change the angle of your projector quickly. The two legs on the back are also adjustable, giving you precise control over the projection’s angle.
The overall build is excellent, and the projector has all the ports you would need to consume your multimedia content.
The projector casts 4K content at 60FPS without any trouble. Since it is relatively bright, you get a nice mix of HDR content with a proper balance between brightness and contrast.
Also Read: BenQ TK800M vs BenQ HT2550
There is no color shifting when you move around the projector, which is an excellent quality indicator. Connecting your PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch to play games is easy. The color output at the default mode can be a little too dark for video games. Switching to the Vivid mode will fix the issue.
BenQ TK800M has an excellent throw ratio. While the projector has a keystone correction feature, the uneven frame cast around the viewing area can be an eyesore.
A fantastic and dedicated Football mode makes the BenQ TK800M the best projector for sports under 1500.
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2. Epson Home Cinema 3200
The Epson Home Cinema 3200 is not too large, but it is super heavy, weighing 14.6lbs. However, this projector’s inner working allows it to project movie-theater-like image, making it the best home theater projector under $1500.
Its lens shift dials are placed right above the lens, and turning the knobs allows you to adjust the projection quickly. The projector features both vertical and horizontal keystone correction. Also, it has a zoom dial that you can use to project a larger picture.
The projector uses a multi-element precision glass structure, termed the Epson Precision Lens, to display an outstanding image with edge-to-edge focus uniformity.
Epson Home Cinema 3200 boasts full 18Gbps HDMI 2.0 support, enabling it to work with all color formats and display 4K content at 60Hz. It is important to note that while the projector uses pixel-shifting technology to mimic the 4K resolution, there is a minimal difference in quality.
Also Read: Epson Home Cinema 2100 vs 2150
While the color, brightness, and 4K capabilities are impressive, you must note that the projector does not have a built-in speaker.
But it makes up for the drawback by supplying APTX Bluetooth features, which enables you to connect your headphones and sound systems seamlessly. APTX audio technology offers the highest and lag-free audio quality through Bluetooth.
Since it also boasts active 3D support, it is the best projector for bedrooms. You could enjoy a 3D movie with your significant other by connecting it to your sound system. Or enjoy a movie alone by connecting your headphones to the projector and not disturb your partner’s sleep.
The 2900-lumen brightness and the 40000:1 contrast ratio makes it the best 3D projector under $1500.
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3. Hisense PX1
Hisense is a popular television manufacturing brand that offers value for money TVs. It has recently forayed into manufacturing ultra short throw laser projectors, popularly referred to as Laser TVs.
The Hisense PX1 is an entry level product from Hisense’s line of ultra short throw laser projectors. However, don’t let the entry level tag make you think less of this projector.
For starters, it’s one of the cheapest ultra short throw projector with 4K native resolution. As a result, you don’t need to empty your pockets to get 4K capabilities.
Unlike other inexpensive laser projectors, the Hisense PX1 comes with Triple Laser UST technology. It means, the projector includes individual lasers to produce red, blue and green light. This display technology covers 107% of the BT.2020 color space, which results in extremely vibrant color output that most projectors and TVs cannot match.
You’ll find Triple Laser technology in costlier projectors that are priced upwards of $3000. Thus, with the Hisense PX1 you get a massive steal.
Projectors have a bad rep for requiring a larger space to projector an image. It’s completely opposite with ultra short throw projectors. The Hisense PX1 can produce a 90-130 inch screen size from a distance of just few inches from the projection surface.
Also Read: How Far Should You Sit From a 120-inch Screen (Answered)
Being a smart projector, the Hisense PX1 comes with built-in Android TV, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. In addition, it also has mouthwatering wired connectivity options.
It comes with 2x HDMI 2.1 ports including eARC support on one of the HDMI ports. That’s not all, both HDMI ports supports 4K content at 120Hz refresh rate. It means, you can watch play games on PS5 and Xbox Series X at super smooth speed. Other ports include 1x headphone jack, 1x optical port, 2x USB ports, and an Ethernet port.
In addition, the Hisense PX1 has 30W stereo speakers on the front. These speakers offer excellent audio quality and loud enough to fill a large room.
The only downside with this projector is its weight. With the laser projection technology, multiple lenses, wider body and bigger speakers, the Hisense PX1 weighs over 20 pounds.
Also Read: 7 Best Projectors under $2000
Currently, the Hisense PX1 is slightly above the $1500 price mark. However, for the features and functions the Hisense PX1 offers, the additional premium is completely worth it.
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4. BenQ TK700STi
If you have limited space or a small home theater room, then the BenQ TK700STi is the right pick for you.
It’s a short throw projector and requires lesser space to project a bigger screen size. Therefore, it can offer 120-inch projection from a distance where other projectors only offer up to 100-inch. The shorter distance also makes it one of the best projector for golf simulation under $1500.
For the price, the BenQ TK700STi comes with native 4K resolution. Along with higher resolution, the projector offers vibrant image quality thanks to its 96% coverage of the Rec.709 color space.
The BenQ TK700STi can deliver 4K images with a low latency of 16.67ms, which makes it one of the best projector for gaming under $1500.
What’s more special is that if you drop the resolution to 1080p, it offers a whopping 240Hz refresh rate and extremely low latency of 4.16ms.
To further enhance your gaming experience, the BenQ TK700STi also comes with several game mode presets for FPS, RPG and SPG games.
The BenQ TK700STi comes with Android TV built-in. It means, you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows without having to connect any external devices. The built-in Google Assistant makes it easier to navigate across the menu system and takes away the headache of manually finding the content.
It also includes Airplay and Chromecast support, which allows to easy screen mirroring without your iOS and Android smartphone and tablets.
The BenQ TK700STi has limited but power-packed wired connectivity options. It has 2x HDMI 2.0b ports. It allows for enhanced 4K support and other technology like HDCP 2.2, HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), WCG (Wide Color Gamut), and more.
Therefore, you can connect it to modern and powerful gaming consoles like PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X, and enjoy 4K gaming at its full potential.
Suppose you want a home theater projectors that offers insane gaming performance, high brightness, modern tech support, and Smart TV functionality. In that case, there’s no better projector than the BenQ TK700STi.
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5. Optoma UHD38x
If you want a projector that casts a true 4K Ultra HD picture, the Optoma UHD38x is the projector you should consider.
Not only is it the most affordable option on the list, but also one of the most impressive gaming projectors in the market.
Other than being 4K capable, the UHD38x boasts an ultra-fast 240Hz refresh rate. If you have a beefed-up PC, this projector is your ultimate pick.
Optoma claims that the UHD38x projector supplies the lowest input lag on a 4K projector. The response time is 4.2ms if you play the game at 1080p and 16ms with 4K UHD mode.
There’s a lot more the projector has going for it. It is both HDR10 and HLG compatible, which enhances your viewing experience. UltraDetail technology makes for enhanced image sharpness, ensuring that you see every detail without any flaws.
The Dynamic Black technology smoothens the projector’s output to create a super high contrast ratio of 500,000:1, which is rare.
The robust keystone correction features have got you covered if you can’t find the right spot to place the projector. The output can be adjusted ±40 degrees, meaning you can get the picture just right regardless of how the projector is set up.
The projector casts some of the brightest pictures on this list with its 4000-lumen lamp, and since it can create a screen size as large as 300″, it is one of the best home theatre projector under $1500.
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6. Xgimi Horizon Pro
The Xgimi Horizon Pro is one of my favorite projector under $1500. Want to know hat makes it special?
It is an all-in-one projector with Smart TV-like features and Harman Kardon speakers. Thus, you don’t need to connect any external device to use this projector.
It has built-in Android 10.0 operating system with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Therefore, once you connect it to your home router, you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows, right from the projector.
There are several cheaper projectors that offer similar functionality like the Xgimi Horizon Pro. However, this projector goes beyond that and offers numerous features and functions that are a steal for this price.
Firstly, you get automatic focusing and keystone correction, which is a massive time saver. Secondly, it has intelligent obstacle avoidance feature. It means, whenever there’s any obstacle within the projection surface, the projector automatically adjusts the projection screen size to remove the obstacle.
Projectors are always known to have terrible speakers, but not with the Xgimi Horizon Pro. It comes with 8W built-in Harman Kardon speakers, which supports high resolution audio technology like DTS-HD, DTS Studio and Dolby Digital. Therefore, you can enjoy high quality audio without breaking the bank.
In terms of picture quality, the Xgimi Horizon Pro comes with a native 4K resolution (3840 x 2160p). Couple it with DLP technology and 2200 lumens brightness, the projection looks bright and crisp any time of the day. There’s also a cheaper version of this projector that offers 1080p native resolution and costs under $1000.
Along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the projector includes several wired connectivity options like 2x HDMI (ARC support), 2x USB, Ethernet port, headphone jack and optical port. It has built-in Chromecast to suffice your screen mirroring requirements.
Under $1500, the Xgimi Horizon Pro is a feature-rich projector. It’s ideal for a casual setup without compromising on image quality, audio performance, and connectivity options.
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7. BenQ TK850
The BenQ TK850 is a souped-up version of the popular BenQ HT3550. The TK850 even has the same design as the HT3550, the only physical difference being in the front panel’s color.
The projector comes with a backlit remote, a nice touch, especially considering that most projectors are used in dark rooms.
The unit weighs a little less than 10 pounds. Thus, moving it around is easy. It boasts an excellent assortment of ports and also includes a USB 3.0 port. The USB 3.0 allows faster content streaming through your external hard drive.
The built-in 10-watt chambered speaker is not the loudest. Still, the sound quality is good enough to serve your audience in an impromptu backyard movie party.
One of the best things about the Benq TK850 is that it enables you to cast a 100″ screen from just a little over eight feet away.
Also Read: Viewsonic PX706HD vs Benq HT2150ST
The projector is capable of casting a 200″ screen without losing picture quality. It is 4K certified and produces an extremely sharp image. The picture quality rivals that of a projector twice its price.
The Benq TK850 is designed to work in a room with moderate ambient light, like a living room or game room. The 3000 lumens brightness ensures that the picture remains visible in a moderately lit room.
The several picture modes, HDR-PRO technology, and enhanced tone mapping makes it the best 4K projector under $1500
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8. LG HF85LA
LG is well-known for its great TVs, and its projectors boast the same quality.
The LG HF85LA is an ultra-short throw projector that needs to be just 8-inches away from the wall to cast a 100-inch 1080p screen. You can cast a screen of a maximum of 120-inches with the HF85LA.
Being a laser projector, it turns on instantly, and the first-time setup takes minutes. It’s different from other projectors on the list because it comes with LG WebOS built-in, which is the same OS integrated into LG smart TVs.
The OS is basic, but it enables you to stream Netflix and Amazon Prime Video by connecting to your Wi-Fi network directly. You do not need to set up a wired internet connection to stream to the projector directly.
However, one downside with the projector is the limited number of available apps. Certain streaming services are not available on it. But it can be fixed if you connect a device like a Chromecast or a FireStick to it. A PC or a console will function properly with it.
Since the projector has a USB port, you can watch movies and shows from an external hard disk or pen drive.
The Bluetooth audio support enables you to connect to a wireless audio device and enjoy the content. The manual four corner keystone allows you to make precise adjustments to your screen.
If you don’t want to place it on a table, you can purchase a universal mount separately and mount it on the ceiling near your screen. It’s undeniably the best short throw projector under $1500.
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9. LG HF65LA
You can think of the LG HF65LA is a toned-down version of the HF85LA. It needs only a 4.3-inches projection distance to cast a 60-inch large screen, which is super impressive.
It’s perfect for a smaller room. Since it comes with Wi-Fi capabilities and works on the LG WebOS, you can directly stream Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
The colors are vibrant, and it has the same 150000:1 contrast ratio as its beefed-up counterpart. It is still more affordable and more efficient, making it the best 1080p projector under $1500.
It also has a Bluetooth module built-in, enabling you to connect it to a compatible sound system. You can also cast your phone, tablet, or Windows PCs screen to the projector directly without needing to buy or install any other devices.
These features make the projector super convenient to use. While the projector cannot create a 120-inch screen like the HF85LA, it can project a slightly smaller 100-inch screen without any issues.
It’s perfect for a smaller bedroom or dorm room. The features it packs in a small and affordable package make it the best HD projector under $1500.
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Things to Consider Before Buying a $1500 Projector
Lumen Value
The lumen value indicates the picture’s brightness a projector can cast. The higher the lumen value, the better.
You will find projectors with a lumen value of between 3000 and 4000 within the $1500 price point.
You don’t always need to get the projector with the highest lumen value since the image’s brightness is also affected by projector distance and screen/casting size.
1500+ lumens projects work well in dim and dark rooms, but the colors will be washed out in a bright room. You will likely need to pull the curtains in the afternoon for better visibility, even if you get a 3000-lumen projector.
Resolution
The 4K resolution has become the standard in recent years, and you can find some of the best 4K projectors under $1500.
But bright and vivid 1080p resolution projectors are also available at this price point. These tend to make up for the reduced resolution with features like 3D modes, advanced connectivity options, and excellent contrast ratios.
If you have a lower bandwidth internet connection, you’re better off getting a 1080p projector.
Display Technology
There are four leading display technologies used in modern projectors: DLP, LCD, LCoS, and Laser.
You don’t need to know how they work, but you must remember their characteristics.
LCoS and Laser projectors cast a super-high contrast picture that is very bright.
LCD and DLP projectors tend to be inexpensive to maintain and boast excellent color accuracy. DLP projectors have minimal motion blur, which makes them the right option for watching sports.
Other Features
Lens shifting feature can free you from the hassle of getting up to adjust your projector position, and most projectors at this price come with these features.
While some $1500 projectors have built-in speakers, they’re not as powerful as a dedicated soundbar/sound system.
Some projectors also come with Bluetooth connectivity options. Something you should look for if you want to enjoy sports night using headphones and not wake anybody.
Before you spend any money on a projector, remember to check if it has the ports you need to display content.
Conclusion
There’s no such thing as the “perfect” projector – it all comes down to preferences.
If you want the best LCD projector under $1500, you can get the Epson Home Cinema 3200. It has an excellent 3D model, boasts 4K and HDR support, and the seamless Bluetooth connectivity is a nice touch.
The BenQ TK850 delivers the most impressive picture quality and is often considered underpriced by industry professionals.
If you want something more portable, you cannot go wrong with the LG HF65LA.
There’s a product for every customer on this list – having your preferences set will help you find your perfect projector in minutes.