Projectors comparison
Compare projectors — resolution, brightness, contrast, light source (laser/LED/lamp), and short-throw.
Pick two projectors probes
We’ll plot them side by side. Only projectors are suggested for a fair fight.
Select one product from each list to compare.
Best projectors right now
What matters when comparing projectors
This projectors page covers 23 products and compares the measurable fields that most often separate one model from another: brightness, resolution, light source, short-throw. Use the filters to narrow the field, open a product page for the complete readout, and use a head-to-head page when two models are close enough that a category-wide rank is not enough.
How to read the ranking
Mars Score is a normalized category score, not a laboratory replacement and not a claim that the highest-ranked product is right for every buyer. A high score indicates broad strength across the weighted fields; a lower score can still be the better choice when one specific requirement matters more than the average.
Read the scoring methodology →Popular projectors comparisons
Build your own →Show 32 more comparisons▾
Brands in projectors
How to choose a projector in 2026
Home projectors finally caught up to TVs for casual viewing, but still trail meaningfully for HDR and contrast. The Mars Score weights brightness, resolution, contrast ratio, light source type, throw geometry, and HDMI 2.1 support.
Light source: laser vs lamp vs LED
Laser (Epson EpiqVision LS800, JMGO N1S Ultra 4K) lasts 20,000+ hours, hits high brightness instantly, and avoids the lamp-replacement cost cycle. Traditional UHP lamps (BenQ TK860i) are cheaper up front but require $200–$300 lamp swaps every ~3,000–5,000 hours. LED is rare in the high-brightness segment but excels in compact portable projectors.
Brightness: ANSI lumens vs marketing lumens
ANSI lumens is a measured, standardized figure. "Light source lumens" and similar phrases are unstandardized and frequently inflated 2–3×. Reasonable home projector ANSI ranges: 1,500–2,500 for a darkened room, 3,000–4,000 for a living room with ambient light, 5,000+ for daytime / bright environments.
Ultra short throw vs long throw
UST projectors (Epson LS800) sit 4–8 inches from the wall and project 100–150" — they replace TVs without a ceiling mount. Long-throw projectors need 8–15 feet of distance for the same image but cost less and often deliver better contrast.
Contrast and HDR
Native contrast ratio matters far more than the "dynamic" or "full on/off" numbers in marketing. 2,000:1 native is typical for DLP; 10,000:1+ is JVC laser territory. Most HDR-claiming projectors do not have the contrast to render HDR convincingly.
Smart OS and HDMI 2.1
Built-in Google TV / Android TV reduces dongle clutter but updates slowly. HDMI 2.1 with 4K 120 Hz support matters for console gaming (PS5, Xbox Series X); check the spec, not just the "HDMI 2.1" badge.
Speakers: usually skip the built-ins
Even premium projector speakers are mediocre. Pair with a soundbar or external audio.
How vsMars scores projectors
Each score combines brightness, resolution, contrast, light source life, throw geometry, and HDMI 2.1 features per the methodology. Compare against TVs before committing to a projector-first setup.
Frequently asked
How many projectors are catalogued on vsMars?+
23 projectors from 11 brands are catalogued in this category, each with a complete spec sheet and a transparent Mars Score.
How are projectors ranked?+
Each projector is scored by the category-specific Mars Score formula — a weighted average of normalized specs with the weights published on the methodology page. No editorial hand-tuning.
Which projector has the highest Mars Score right now?+
EpiqVision Ultra LS800 leads the projectors category with a Mars Score of 82.0.
Can I compare two projectors side by side?+
Yes — pick any two projectors from the category list and the comparison page renders side-by-side specs, advantages on each side, and a Mars Score verdict.