Have you ever come across beautiful mural paintings on a busy street wall or highway? These massive paintings do look alluring and charismatic. For budding mural artists, it is difficult to paint such artwork and get the proportions right.
A mural projector saves a lot of time and helps you through several stages of painting large murals.
Most art projectors have a bad reputation for being too expensive and inconvenient.
However, in recent years, these projectors have become advanced, easier to use, and affordable.
It would be an ideal time to invest in an art projector and benefit from all the lucrative holiday season deals.
Best Projectors For Murals Reviews
- Best Overall: XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector
- Runner Up: BenQ MH535FHD 1080P DLP Projector
- Affordable: Artograph EZ Tracer Opaque Art Projector
After filtering through hundreds of options, here are some of the top picks for the best projector for murals.
1. Artograph EZ Tracer Opaque Art Projector
This de facto mural painting projector is designed for indoor usage. It is widely used by artists because of the simplicity of its functions and affordability.
It is within reach for many artists and mural painters as it is just over $40. The sole objective of this projector is to help users out with artwork.
The art projector casts a magnified image on the wall for the artist to trace and paint.
Enlargement – EZ Tracer projector enlarges artwork, designs, and patterns from 2x to 10x its original size.
The enlarged image is cast onto a wall, easel, or any vertical surface. The magnified image is good enough for painting murals indoors.
Application – The 15W LED or 23W CFL bulb lets you create murals, signs, paintings, and banners.
The image quality projected by the projector is sufficient for loose painting styles. Trace and paint in sections as it may not be big enough for some of the pictures.
Portable – The compact projector measures 4.5″ W x 13.25″ D x 7.5″ H, it is easy to use, portable, and lightweight.
Noiseless – The advanced design makes sure that the artist is not distracted by the noise and should paint in peace with the quiet operations.
Pros
- 4 x 4 inch or 10 cm x 10 cm copy size
- UL approved
- Comes with a 1-year limited warranty
- 163 mm optical glass
- Easy to use and setup
- ETL Listed
- 5.5 feet long cord
Cons
- Bulb not included
- Only works in the darkest spaces
2. BenQ MH535FHD 1080P DLP Projector
Most artists will find it slightly overpriced and may question what it has to offer for the hefty price it charges.
BenQ projectors are renowned for their sharp and crisp image quality, so, an artist would find it easy to paint murals, artwork sketches, posters, signs, outlining, quilt patterns, home wall decoration, and decor.
It is unlikely that mural artists would have any complaints regarding this feature-rich projector.
Resolution – For detailed painting, the projector showcases Full-HD content in 1080p. This resolution offers enhanced productivity for professional and amateur level painters.
Detailed Projection – The high native 15000:1 contrast ratio projects detailed, in-depth, and razor-sharp images to catch every little detail.
Easy Installation – The projector does not complicate artists with a difficult installation.
Click on the Quick Install button and you will be presented with installation-friendly functions like Keystone Correction.
Brightness – The projector is perfect for dark or moderately lit studios with 3600 ANSI Lumens. This lumens rating is more than enough for many lighting conditions.
Pros
- Perfect for mural artwork
- Brighter and detailed images
- 15,000 lamp life hours with SmartEco technology
- Outer adjustment feet
- Up to 100″ projection size
- Zoom function
Cons
- Lacks lens cover
- Not so great audio quality
3. XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector
If you want an all-rounder projector to paint murals and watch movies simultaneously, this is it.
If your budget allows you to pay the hefty price, you can get this projector used by many digital artists nowadays.
With impressive features like 4K resolution combined with crisp and vivid visuals, it produces realistic images, easier to paint.
HDR Display – The projector features HDR 10 technology to deliver better images with high contrast in both dark and light environments.
The 3D projection allows you to trace 3D paintings.
The native resolution is 3840 x 2160 (4K) whereas the maximum resolution supported by the projector is 4096*2160.
Projection Size – The projector can project an image on a 30″ to 300″ canvas, easel, or wall from 2.59ft to 25.9ft projection distance. The screen size can also be adjusted easily.
Screen Adjustment – The ergonomic design ensures fast setup and installation with ±40 Degrees Auto Keystone Correction (Horizontal and Vertical), Auto Screen Alignment, Auto Focus, and Obstacle Avoidance.
Less Image Blur – It is equipped with MEMC frame interpolation technology to prevent image flutter and tailing. The sharp, clean image is easier to trace.
Pros
- 2200 ANSI brightness lumens
- Smart screen adaptation technology
- Low latency rate
- Integrated Chromecast
- Powered by Android TV 10.0 OS
- Two 8W built-in Harman Kardon speakers
Cons
- Expensive
- Does not allow Netflix streaming
4. DRJ Upgrade 7500 Lumens Mini Projector
DRJ Professional Projector is fit for outdoor projection on an empty wall. With high lumens brightness, it creates a crisp, defined, and colorful picture on the wall for painting beautiful artwork.
It is 30% brighter than many LED projectors, therefore, perfect to be used in ambient lighting. Paint on the studio or a wall in your backyard with perfect, bright visuals.
Resolution – The upgraded design has a native resolution of 1280×720 together with a 20% improved brightness.
The native 3800:1 color contrast ratio projects authentic colors and differences.
Display Size – Project artwork on a 32″ to 170″ wall or canvas from 1M to 5M. To get the ideal, crisp display, the recommended projection size is 120″.
Lens – The device has five layers of well-grinding LCD lens to offer the clearest resolution and project every detail clearly.
Cooling System – The dual-fan cooling technology makes sure that the projector runs quietly without overheating.
Pros
- Comes with a 100″ projector screen
- AV in/out, TF Cards, USB, HDMI Port, VGA Ports
- Integrated stereo surround speaker
- Auto keystone and focus
- 4:3/16:9 Aspect ratio
- 40000 lamp life hours
Cons
- No WiFi connection
5. Anker Nebula Capsule Max
This projector has a unique design resembling a soda can and is incredibly compact and lightweight.
The digital projector is pocket-friendly in terms of size, making it convenient to take anywhere.
Just because it has a smaller size does not mean it is short on features as well. Powered by Android 8.1, it has many helpful functions to paint murals.
DLP – The projector features cutting-edge DLP technology for vividly-detailed, clear, crisp images. Advanced DLP technology along with 720p, 200-ANSI-lumen for better projection.
Image Clarity – It will give instant clarity, ultra-sharp, and rectangular image. It is fit to be used in a low-light environment.
Size – The projector projects an image from 40″ to 100″ inches on the screen from 3.74ft to 9.42ft.
App – Controlling different projector settings could never be easier than the “Nebula Connect” app. Download it from the official app stores of Android and iPhone and control these projectors using them.
Pros
- Compatible with HDMI and USB devices
- Built-in 8W speaker
- Watch for 4 hours continuously on a single charge
- Auto Focus and Auto Keystone
- Supports Android 8.1 OS
Cons
- Restricted to HD image quality
6. Artograph Tracer Opaque Art Projector
The tracer projector from Artograph has facilitated many decorators, crafters, painters, artists, and hobbyists to draw, trace, enlarge, and transfer artwork easily on walls, canvas, and easels.
It is a long-time favorite option of many digital artists from the popular line of opaque art projectors by Artograph.
Image Enlargement – The art projector enlarges a sketch, design, or pattern onto a wall or canvas from 2 to 14 times the actual size.
The maximum enlargement range does not make it suitable for the large mural, only if you are painting a copy size of up to 5 x 5 inches.
Portable – It is lightweight and portable with a Go-Anywhere design, just pack it in your bag to move it from home to studio easily as it measures 5.75″ W x 12.75″ D x 9″ H.
Brightness – The 23 Watt fluorescent bulb provides 1600 lux brightness which may not be as bright but enough to see the image clearly in a dark room.
Good For Beginners – New digital artists just stepping into the field will find it useful as it is easy to set up and use. It has all the beginner-friendly features without unnecessary complications.
Pros
- 200 mm optical glass
- 8000 hours of lamp life
- Rotate the lens to focus
- Portable, compact, and easy to use
Cons
- Not fit for large projects
7. ViewSonic M1 Mini+ Ultra-Portable LED Projector
ViewSonic is a famous brand for manufacturing computer monitors and projectors. Though this is not primarily an art projector, still, it will come in handy when projecting an image on the wall as well as streaming movies.
Just fit it into your pocket and take it anywhere you go and paint freely. Paint artwork on the go with true portability.
The projector has changeable back panels (gray, yellow, or teal) to style it according to the mood.
Image Quality – The projector has a WVGA 854x480p of native resolution together with 120 lumens of brightness.
This quality will be sufficient for painting, however, not so desirable for watching movies.
Plug and Play – With flexible connectivity of USB and HDMI-enabled devices, just connect laptops, tablets, mobile phones, media players, or dongles and play videos and artistic images.
Battery – The Built-in battery provides up to 1.5 hours of continuous runtime. It is also compatible with a power bank to get extended battery life anywhere you go.
Stand – The ergonomic design with a smart stand acts as a lens cover as well as helps with the placement of the projector. You can adjust the projector at a variety of angles and positions.
Read Complete Review: Viewsonic M1+ Portable LED Projector
Pros
- Built-in JBL speaker
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Swappable projector panels of different colors included
- The compact projector measures 4×4 inches
- Vertical Keystone Adjustment
- 30000 useful lamp life hours
- Aptoide user menu
- Remote controlled
Cons
- Insufficient brightness
8. Epson Home Cinema 880 3-chip 3LCD 1080p Projector
Most projector lists are incomplete without any addition from the Epson brand.
The Home Cinema line of Epson projectors is quite popular among the customers for its image quality and reliability.
Besides turning your home into a theater, it will also help you draw and trace artwork on a canvas or an empty wall.
You will get accurate colors, defined lines to get professional-level outcomes.
Resolution – The projector delivers an impressive performance in terms of picture quality with 1080P resolution. The stunning image quality and high white and color brightness result in detailed and ultra-bright images.
Projection Size – No need to paint in sections as the projector can project a picture up to 320″ on virtually any blank wall or screen from 2.43m to 3.64m away.
Keystone Correction – The integrated picture skew sensor and keystone correction instantly correct the image to make it fit the screen.
3LCD Technology – 3LCD Technology further enhances the picture quality by delivering 100% of the RGB color signal for amazing color accuracy and stunning color brightness without any distortion or rainbow effect.
Pros
- 16,000:1 contrast ratio for rich details
- Color adjustment with Dynamic, Bright Cinema, Cinema, and Natural modes
- Allows HDMI connectivity
- 3,300 lumens of white and color brightness
- Real-time digital picture processing
- Lifetime free technical phone support
Cons
- Audible fan noise
Things to Look For in a Best Projector For Mural Paintings
Before you decide to buy, make a list of things you are looking for in a mural projector.
Though any of the above-mentioned options are perfect for the task, still, if you want to try some other options, here’s what you should keep in mind when buying one besides the budget.
Magnification
Analyze the projection size or magnification capability of a projector to see how big an image can be projected.
Some projectors can cast an image up to 300″ whereas others blow up the image from 100″ to 150″.
It all depends on the personal requirements, however, the bigger the image, the lower the brightness.
Maintain a perfect balance between brightness and the size of the image.
Resolution
The resolution you seek depends on the size. If the image has to be spread over a large area, it will get pixelated.
A 480p or 720p projector would be a reasonable pick for smaller areas, however, invest in a 1080P Full HD or 4K projector to project a clear image on a large area.
The higher resolution projector will offer more pixels per inch and better sharpness to trace and draw finer details.
Contrast Ratio And Brightness
High contrast ratio will be useful for the artists to differentiate the colors easily.
For better color saturation and contrasts, the high native contrast ratio together with DLP technology would be the right combo.
HDR10 support enhances the color and image quality further.
Less bright projector only works in dark rooms or controlled indoor environments.
Artists need some lighting to work comfortably, so, the projector should be able to combat ambient light.
When talking in numbers, any projector beyond 2500 lumens would be better, ideally, 3500 lumens.
Size
You can not get all the fancy features in a portable projector, whereas advanced, feature-rich projectors are available in large sizes.
Though a small-sized projector would be convenient, it would lack certain features required by the artist. Analyze the requirements of the project and decide accordingly.
Throw
Ultra-Short, Short, and Long-throw are three of the projector throw available currently in the market differentiated by the distance between the screen and the projector itself.
Short-Throw projectors usually project a 100″ image from 7-8 feet away. Long-Throw projectors need to be 10 feet away to project a 100″ visual.
The Ultra-short throw projector can cast a 100″ image from a foot or two.
These are average estimates to give you an idea about the working of these projectors. Keeping the studio size in mind, select the projector throw.
Conclusion
Many mural artists are using art projectors as part of their workflow. Budding painters find it useful to trace and draw complex designs. If you believe the projector will help you improve your skill, take the plunge, and choose from any of the above-mentioned projectors to draw beautiful, hand-made art pieces.
