Looking to pair your modern gaming system with a worthy display? Projectors might be your best bet.
Projectors can produce much richer and sharper images than classic displays. They’re particularly gorgeous when gaming in 4K!
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In this article, we’ll cover some of the projectors you can get for gaming in 4K these days.
Top 5 Best 4K Projectors for Gaming
Before we dive in, let’s break down the basics of what we want from a gaming projector. Knowledge is power!
First, we obviously want one that can support 4K resolutions, just like the title states.
Second, you want to keep the Lumen count in mind. This is how bright the image will appear, with more Lumens meaning a brighter image. You should get a brighter projector if your room is bright.
Third, the response time. This is how quickly an image will display after inputting something, such as when pressing a button in a game. Lower response times are more desirable!
As a basis, we want to aim for a response time of 16ms if you’re playing at 4K @ 60hz or 8.4ms at 4K @ 120hz. That’s the best it gets at those refresh rates!
Now, technobabble aside, here’s a chart of the basics for all 5 projectors we’ll be covering.
| Best Gaming Projectors | Max Display Resolution | Lumen Count | 4K Response Time | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ X3000i | 3840 x 2160 @ 60hz | 3000 | 16ms | |
| BenQ TK700 | 3840 x 2160 @ 60hz | 3200 | 16ms | |
| Optoma UHD38x | 3840 x 2160 @ 60hz | 4000 | 16ms | |
| Epson Home Cinema LS11000 | 3840 x 2160 @ 120hz | 2500 | Under 20ms | |
| Optoma HD28HDR | 1920 x 1080 @ 120hz (4K input) | 3600 | 8.4ms |
| Best Gaming Projectors | Max Display Resolution | Lumen Count | 4K Response Time | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ X3000i | 3840 x 2160 @ 60hz | 3000 | 16ms | |
| BenQ TK700 | 3840 x 2160 @ 60hz | 3200 | 16ms | |
| Optoma UHD38x | 3840 x 2160 @ 60hz | 4000 | 16ms | |
| Epson Home Cinema LS11000 | 3840 x 2160 @ 120hz | 2500 | Under 20ms | |
| Optoma HD28HDR | 1920 x 1080 @ 120hz (4K input) | 3600 | 8.4ms |
Best All-Rounder: BenQ X3000i
We’re starting strong with the BenQ X3000i. This beast of a projector has native support for 4K resolutions up to a refresh rate of 60hz. Additionally, it supports 1080p up to 240hz.
The response time in 4K at 60hz is 16ms, which is the golden number for that refresh rate. It’s perfectly fitting for twitchy action games like shooters and fighters!
Additionally, there are a variety of gaming modes. These adjust the audio, visuals, and response time based on what you’re playing. Quite convenient, just don’t forget to pick the right mode for your game.
This LED projector has good HDR support, which can produce some fantastic visuals. It also has a Lumen rating of 3000, which is decently bright.
Of course, there’s always a negative. Nothing’s perfect, right? This projector is quite expensive and it’s also bulky. It’s not very budget-friendly, and it’s not as portable as other projectors.
Pros
- Supports native 4K resolutions at 60hz
- HDR support
- Decent Lumen rating of 3000
- Very low response time
- Multiple preset gaming modes
- Optimized for gaming
Cons
- Bulkier than most projectors
- Somewhat high-end pricing
Cheaper Alternative: BenQ TK700
Did you find the previous projector a tad too pricey for your liking? The BenQ TK700 is a nice cheaper alternative that also supports native 4K at 60hz.
This projector is also aimed at gaming, so it features a low response time of 16ms when playing in 4K at 60hz. Even its audio system is optimized for gaming, apparently! That said, there’s only one all-encompassing “Game Mode” preset available.
As you might come to expect, it also supports HDR and has some really vibrant colors. However, its images aren’t quite as good as some pricier options, but it’s great for the competitive pricing.
It’s also worth mentioning that it boasts a Lumen count of 3200. It’s pretty good and should work well in well-lit rooms.
Oh yeah, before we forget, know that it has a small form factor that’s good for portability!
Pros
- Supports native 4K resolutions at 60hz
- HDR support
- Good Lumen rating of 3200
- Very low response time
- Optimized for gaming
- Competitive pricing
- Small form factor
Cons
- Color output isn’t as good as pricier projectors
Brightest Projector: Optoma UHD38x
If your gaming setup is in a particularly bright room, you’ll need a bright projector too. Otherwise, the image will be drowned out by your own room’s light!
Thankfully, the Optoma UHD38x is here for you if that’s your situation. It boasts a surprisingly high Lumen count of 4000, and the specs don’t lie! It’s exceptionally bright.
It’s not just bright, though. On top of that, it is also a full-featured gaming projector: it supports native 4K at 60hz, has HDR support, and has very low response times of 16ms when gaming at its highest resolution.
The cherry on top? It has a very competitive price. It’s not just the brightest projector on this list; it’s also the cheapest one that’s capable of a true native 4K display!
However, it’s not all perfect. Its HDR performance is less than stellar, compared even to other projectors. The contrast ratio is also just about average. But we’ll be fair; those are small downsides when it’s all said and done.
Pros
- Exceptional Lumen count of 4000
- Perfect for use in bright rooms
- Support for native 4K resolutions at a 60hz refresh rate
- Low response time
Cons
- Subpar HDR performance
- Contrast ratio isn’t great
Premium Choice: Epson Home Cinema LS11000
This is the choice for those of you who want to go all out and have the cash to burn!
The LS11000 is unique in our list because it’s the only one with a laser array as its light source. This fancy technology gives it more longevity than the standard lamp-based projector.
Another unique feature is that it supports 4K resolutions at a refresh rate of 120hz. This makes it best for PC gamers in particular, though you will need a very beefy PC!
Epson boasts that this projector is optimized for gaming and has very low response times under 20ms. However, the spec sheet doesn’t list the actual response times, which is less than ideal.
Despite that, it produces some gorgeous and smooth visuals at its max resolution of 4K@120hz. It has full support for HDR and very good contrast fitting its price.
You should note that it’s not too bright though, with a Lumen rating of just 2500. It’s not bad, mind you, but you expect a bit more at this price range.
Pros
- Laser array light source with a long lifespan
- Better HDR support than most projectors
- Support for 4K resolutions at 120hz
- Lightweight and portable
- Fantastic image quality
Cons
- Response times aren’t detailed in the spec sheet
- Might not be bright enough for use in bright rooms
Budget Choice: Optoma HD28HDR
Technically, including this projector on this list is a bit of a cheat. It doesn’t actually display 4K images, it only outputs 1080p images.
However, it does support 4K input! That means that it downscales images in real-time to 1080p, which results in sharper images than native 1080p projectors.
It’s not the same as a native 4K projector either, of course, but it’s a decent middle-of-the-road option!
It makes up for that limitation by having a very affordable price. It also has a very low response time of 8.4ms when using inputs of 4K at refresh rates of 120hz.
Among other features, we should mention that it supports HDR, has standard throw-projection, and has a high Lumen count of 3600. This thing is quite fantastic as long as you don’t mind the lack of native 4K output!
Pros
- High Lumen count of 3600
- Standard Throw Projection
- HDR Support
- Optimized for gaming
- Very low response time
- Affordable price
Cons
- No native 4K input
To Sum Up
In the end, we recommend the BenQ X3000i first and foremost. It’s a solid all-rounder with no big flaws, other than its price being a tad on the higher end.
Thankfully, the BenQ TK700 and Optoma UHD38x are there for you if you want something more affordable. They also have their unique benefits, too, like the Optoma UHD38x’s exceptional brightness!
However, you can save further by getting the Optoma HD28HDR. You should take into account that it’s not a true 4K projector, though, which is why it’s so much cheaper.
But if money is not a problem, you can’t go wrong at all with the Epson Home Cinema LS11000!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a projector good for gaming?
Yes, they are. Most projectors produce blurry images, which is why you need to choose the right projector for gaming offering 120Hz 4K and more.
2. Can projectors do 120 Hz?
Absolutely. Current-Gen gaming projectors can offer 4K gaming with 60Hz and 1090p 240Hz/120Hz.
3. Do projectors have lag for gaming?
The latest projectors have a small lag but it is in milliseconds and unnoticeable. They are just as good as gaming monitors.
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