Projectors are helpful tools that can be used anywhere from your home theater to the office conference room. Take a look at the different types of projectors to find one that best fits your screening needs.

Types of Projectors

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A projector is designed to cast content, such as movies, photos, and slideshows, onto a larger screen. This allows for multiple people to view it at the same time. There are several types of projectors that accomplish this in different ways.

Home Theater: These projectors are commonly used in living rooms, bedrooms, or home theaters. They are typically medium to large in size and not overly portable. Most home theater projectors have a moderate to high brightness of up to 3,000+ lumens, with high resolution for a clear projected image. These projectors offer high-contrast quality that mimics the feel of a traditional movie theater atmosphere.

Overhead: These projectors are permanently installed overhead and are typically used in dedicated home theater setups, schools, and conference rooms. They are large and can be fixed onto the ceiling or wall where they will cast a bright (3,000+ lumens) image onto the screen.

Pico: Although they usually only have a brightness of under 1,000 lumens, pico projectors are useful for quick and convenient viewing. Some of these small portable models even come with battery-powered designs for on-the-go settings like camping and traveling.

Tip!

Read Movie Night Ideas for Staying In and 20 Fun Outdoor Movie Night Ideas for some film screening inspiration.

Brightness & Lumens

The brightness of a projector is listed in lumens, with higher lumens creating a brighter and more visible image. This brightness is also determined by both the “white brightness” and the “color brightness.” White brightness refers to the overall brightness of the projected images, while color brightness indicates the vibrancy of the colors being displayed.

However, these measurements are not the same thing. If a color brightness is lower than the white brightness, more saturated images will appear dimmer than that of a projector with equal white and color brightness.

1,500 Lumens or Less: A darker room with minimal ambient light (usually home theaters) requires a projector with a minimum of 1,500 lumens. Projectors with this brightness are suitable for screens of up to 100" when used in small rooms or up to 120" when used in medium rooms.

2,500 Lumens: A brighter space with windows (like conference rooms and classrooms) needs projectors with at least 2,500 lumens. The image will remain bright and clear, particularly on medium-sized screens, even in less-than-ideal light settings.

5,000 Lumens: Bright spaces with a range of lighting conditions (large auditoriums and lecture halls) require at least projectors of 5,000 or more lumens. That higher brightness (and advanced technology) is good for large screens and enhances color accuracy and contrast.

Projector Features

Projectors often offer additional features to make them more versatile.

Portable: Portable projectors are small, lightweight, and easy to transport. They can be used at home for movie viewing, in classrooms to show educational content, or at events like weddings or karaoke nights to display photos or lyrics to songs.

Built-In Speakers: If you don't have a speaker or soundbar for your projector, choose one with a built-in speaker. You'll be able to hear the movie as you screen it through the projector. This is especially ideal if you're using a portable projector as you won't have to worry about setting up an additional sound system.

Mini: Smaller than most portable projectors, these mini versions are often compact enough to fit into your pocket. They are commonly used in dorm rooms, while camping, and in hotels. They typically support USB and screen mirroring, allowing you to cast content straight from your phone. Their small size also typically means that mini projectors have lowered brightness (less than 1,000 lumens) and require dark environments for the projection to be seen clearly.

Included Remote: An included remote offers the convenience of controlling the projector from your seat, something that's especially helpful for ceiling-mounted projectors. You can pause, play, rewind, and fast-forward without getting up.
You can also use streaming apps (if smart-enabled), present slideshows, and access settings if needed.

Included Bulb: Projectors with an included bulb are ready to use right out of the box. You don't need to purchase a separate compatible bulb, meaning installation is that much easier.

Projector Display Technology

Projectors use one of three ways to display and project their images.

DLP: Digital light processing projectors utilize a chip featuring thousands of micromirrors coordinated with a light source to reflect and project the image. These projectors are typically lightweight, portable, and offer high contrast that is ideal for high-quality video. DLP projectors also feature a fast response time that’s great for gaming.

LCD: Liquid crystal display projectors use a white backlight to pass through a layer of liquid crystal display panels and mirrors to create the image. They produce images with good color accuracy and sharpness. With an approachable price point and ample versatility, LCD projectors offer a mix of affordability and high-quality video.

LED: Light emitting diodes are used to create the projected image. These projectors are energy-efficient and produce highly contrasting pictures that are color-accurate. Though LED projectors may cost more upfront, they require little maintenance and are the most durable – making for a savvy investment if you’re a film enthusiast.

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