The $1500 price point is a sweet and value-for-money spot when looking for a feature-packed projector.
You can expect the projectors under $1500 to project vivid 4K UHD picture, boast HDR support, and have a high refresh-rate for lag-free gaming.
Thus, you don’t need to scout for a gaming, home theater, or work-based projector. It’s because you get all these requirements into one projector.
Now, without wasting any time, let’s get straight into the list, and we’ll gloss over which projector to get for your varying needs.
Top 3 Picks for Best Projectors Under $1500
7 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 lumen value 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 4.2kgs, 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 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: Optoma UHD30
If you want a projector that casts a true 4K Ultra HD picture, the Optoma UHD30 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.
In addition to being capable of casting 4K, the UHD30 boasts an ultra-fast 240Hz gaming mode. If you have a beefed-up PC, this projector is your ultimate pick.
Optoma claims that the UHD30 projector supplies the lowest input lag on a 4K projector. The response time is 16ms if you play the game at 1080p and 26ms if you use the 4K UHD mode.
There’s a lot more the projector has going for it. It is both HDR 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 3400-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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#4: 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 BenqTK850 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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#5: 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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#6: Optoma GT5500+
The GT5500+ produces the brightest image of all projectors on this list, owing to its 3500-lumen lamp and ultra-short throw projection. It can cast a large 100″ image from less than 13 inches away from the wall.
The only downside here is, this projector offers native 1080p Full HD resolution instead of 4K, as seen in the projectors mentioned above. Having said that, Optoma GT5500+ can be placed on a TV unit. It saves you the hassle of ceiling mounting and having to spend extra on longer connectivity cables.
The fan isn’t too loud, and the projector has a 3D sync port that allows you to use active RF 3D glasses for increased depth. The technology also makes for minimal eye strain, ensuring that you can binge-watch without tiring your eyes.
It comes with a VGA cable and not an HDMI cable, making the project feel a little dated. But it does have HDMI ports and has a 144Hz mode that enables you to enjoy video games at a higher frame rate.
There are no zoom or keystone correction features since it is a short-distance projector. Having the options handy to make some adjustments would have saved users from needing to get up after the movie started.
The 25000:1 contrast ratio is fantastic, and the company claims that the projector’s lamp has a 6500-hour life, which means it will last you years before starting to dim. With 3500 lumens, projector placed right next to the wall; you get an extensively bright image. This feature makes it the best high lumen projector under $1500
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#7: LG HF65LA
You can think of the LG HF65LA as 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 there are several 4K projectors available 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 features 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.