There are dozens of best projectors under $2500 used for a variety of purposes. It is easy to find a 4K projector with a 30000:1 contrast ratio, high ANSI lumens of about 2500, and wide connectivity within this budget.
Upgrade your home theater or office projector to take your viewing experience to the next level. These higher-end versions from top companies combine many advanced features for optimized picture quality.
We have brought a list of today’s top projectors under $2500 after multiple hours of research. Check and compare each projector to find the right fit for you.
1. LG CineBeam HU710PW 4K Cinema Projector
LG is renowned for manufacturing high-end projectors with advanced functions for displaying rich, bright content.
Be it a dark or bright room, it offers a vivid cinematic and larger-than-life viewing experience.
High resolution and original color reproduction display a realistic image without losing any details.
Resolution – This real 4K projector supports 3840 x 2160 resolution, multiple times better than FHD.
It displays a brighter image with 2000 ANSI lumens, select the right brightness level with IRIS mode. The 94% DCI-P3 color gamut produces richer and deeper colors.
WebOS – LG’s webOS 6.0 has several in-built popular streaming apps that can be easily accessed using a remote controller or voice commands.
Compatibility – Apple AirPlay 2 & HomeKit support allows seamless connection with iOS devices, content can be projected from Android devices through integrated Screenshare.
Lens Shift – Adjust the size of the image with lens shift and zoom function without moving the projector to another place.
Pros
- Adaptive contrast for crisp and vivid images
- Hybrid light source
- HDR dynamic tone mapping
- TruMotion technology
Cons
- Low sound
2. Optoma CinemaX P2 4K UHD Laser Projector
This sleek and stylish-looking projector is one of the best offerings from Optoma. The 4K UHD projector has the highest resolution and contrast as well as cinematic color to reproduce the image as intended by the filmmaker.
Ultra short-throw design project a larger image from just a few inches away from the screen.
Resolution – The 4K resolution with HDR10 support and 3000 lumens laser light source produces a bright, vivid image. A high 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio promises impeccable precision and details.
Color – Six-segment RGB color wheel reproduces accurate cinematic colors. It also supports CinemaX P2 extensive DCI-P3 color space for outstanding color accuracy.
Optoma Smart+ – The advanced Optoma Smart+ technology lets you control the projector with Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. It also facilitates seamless connection with other smart devices.
Sound – It has an integrated premium 40W soundbar for superior sound quality, the two additional full-range drivers and two woofers eliminate the need for external audio devices.
Pros
- Gaming mode for lag-free, responsive gameplay
- The hassle-free image correction system
- Supports up to 120″ image size
- 30000 hours of the light source
- IFTTT compatibility
Cons
- The rainbow effect might appear in high contrast scenes
3. Epson Home Cinema 4010 4K UHD Projector
Epson, being a reliable projector brand, is trusted by thousands of homeowners for the best home theater experience.
This 4K projector adopts advanced projection technologies to display content with optimal clarity.
High resolution, HDR performance, Digital Cinema Mode, and DCI-P3 color space for a vivid visual experience.
Resolution – It offers an exceptional 4K experience with 4K Pro UHD, 2400 white lumens, 2400 color lumens, and a 200,000:1 contrast ratio. True 3-chip design projects authentic color with no rainbowing or discoloration.
Color – Full 10-bit HDR color processing and DCI-P3 color has an incredible visual performance by reproducing authentic colors.
Precision Lens – The projector lens has a 15-element precision glass structure and can be shifted left and right as well as up and down for image correction.
Connectivity – It has dual HDMI ports, 1x USB Type A, and 1x USB for seamless connection with different devices.
Pros
- Supports the entire DCI-P3 color space
- Zoom and focus function for image alignment
- Smooth analog to digital video processing
Cons
- Low audio quality
4. LG HU70LA 4K UHD Home Theater Projector
Another gem from LG is this advanced CineBeam HU70LA 4K UHD Smart Projector that maximizes your experience with sharp 4K visuals.
Not only does it deliver optimized picture quality with ultimate color accuracy but it also lets the user access his favorite content from popular streaming apps with LG webOS.
Resolution – It has a native 4K UHD resolution (3840 x 2160) and up to 1500 ANSI Lumens brightness for better performance. Wheel-less technology projects rich color and eliminates the rainbow effect.
HDR10 – HDR10 with Dynamic Tone Mapping and TruMotion projects high-resolution pictures and makes animation look fluid. Leveraging XPR technology displays clear images with sharp details.
Image Alignment – It allows flexible installation and can be ceiling-mounted with Remote Focus and 1.25 zoom. Align images using a remote control or zoom function without displacing the projector.
WebOS – LG’s webOS gives you access to your popular and widely used streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, VUDU, and more.
Pros
- Allows full IP control
- Wheel-less tech for vivid pictures and no discoloration
- HDR10 with TruMotion technology
- Supports Alexa and Google Assistant
- Wireless mirroring
Cons
- Not fit for lights-on viewing
5. Optoma ZH406ST Short Throw Laser Projector
This Optoma projector has become a go-to home theater choice for delivering high-quality pictures and video quality.
Another essential aspect is high brightness for an incredible lights-on viewing experience. It supports 360° single-axis installation to project up, down, or at any desired angle.
Resolution – The native 1080p resolution, 300,000:1 contrast ratio, and 4200 lumens of brightness for producing crystal-clear and brighter images even in moderately-lit rooms. HDR10 & HLG technologies enhance black and white levels for better projection.
Light Source – Made with a reliable, durable, and long-lasting DuraCore laser light source that offers 30,000 hours of maintenance-free services.
Image Adjustment – The 0.8 – 2.0x digital zoom and 4-corner correction allows easier setup and placement by adjusting each corner of the image and eliminating any distortion.
Connectivity – It has a wide input interface to support several multimedia devices such as dual HDMI, VGA, composite, 2x audio-in, RJ45, RS232, USB-A, micro USB, and more.
Pros
- Dual 10-watt built-in speakers
- Portrait mode
- Displays a 120″ image from a distance of 4″-4”
- IP6X-certification
- 4K HDR input
Cons
- No lens cover
Things to Consider When Buying a Projector
Since there are several types of projectors available in the market, it is important now more than ever to know what features to look for when opting for a projector.
Resolution
Resolution is an important feature to consider when buying a projector, a 1080p and 4K resolution is sufficient for the best cinematic experience.
It is easy to squeeze in a 4K projector with many advanced functions under 2500 dollars. The contrast ratio should be higher than 5000:1 to display sharp, vivid visuals.
Brightness
Projector brightness should also depend on the lighting of the viewing area. For a completely dark room, any projector with as low as 1000-1500 lumens would suffice.
The projector brightness should be within the range of 2500-4500 lumens for areas with natural lighting.
Budget
Projectors can be quite expensive, however, $2500 is a sufficient amount to buy a high-end projector.
The projector price has to be within the range and should offer value for money and better performance.
Flexible Installation
Projector installation can be quite a task, however, installation flexibility is an important yet overlooked aspect.
Whether the projector is to be mounted on the ceiling or placed on a tabletop, keystone correction, zoom, and focus controls allow easier installation at several positions without the loss of picture quality.
Throw Distance
If you have a restricted viewing area, opt for a short-throw or ultra-short-throw projector.
Throw distance is the space between the projector lens and the screen to get the desired size.
The shorter the throw distance, the easier it is to get large image sizes in small to medium-sized rooms.
Connectivity
The projector should support wired and wireless connections to effortlessly project content from different devices. The most important ports a projector must have are RCA, VGA, HDMI, and USB ports.
WiFi and Bluetooth connection seamlessly connect devices to the projector without the need for cords and adapters.
Light Source
$2500 projectors usually have reliable light sources such as laser or hybrid. Check before buying the lamp and the service lifespan to know how long it will last.
A lamp with 30000-50000 hours is important for cost-effective and maintenance-free operations for many years.
Read also: What Kind of Projectors Do Movie Theaters Use?
Application
There are several types of projectors made for different purposes, some projectors are used for home theaters specifically whereas others are bought for offices, schools, auditoriums, churches, and other venues.
Consider your requirement and choose the projector with the right specifications according to the purpose and venue.
Read also: RCA Home Theater Projector
Conclusion
Now that you have a list of projectors, compare, and buy a perfect projector for a massive cinematic experience.
Read also: Cinemark Vs AMC
