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The short answer
Brightness claims on inexpensive projectors are largely fictional, so treat any number not stated in ANSI lumens with suspicion. Measure your room before buying, because throw distance determines what image size you can actually get. And accept that a projector needs a dark room, which is the single biggest difference from a television.
A projector gives you a hundred-inch picture for a fraction of the price of a television that size. What it does not give you is a picture that works with the curtains open. Understanding that trade-off, and the specification games in this category, is most of what you need to choose well.
The specifications that mislead
Brightness
ANSI lumens is the measured standard. Many budget projectors quote LED lumens, light source lumens or simply lumens, which are not comparable and are usually two to three times the ANSI figure. A projector claiming 15000 lumens for a modest price is likely producing 200 to 400 ANSI lumens in reality.
As a guide: 200 to 500 ANSI lumens needs a fully dark room. 1000 to 2000 works in a dim room. Above 2500 copes with some ambient light. Nothing in this category competes with a television in daylight.
Resolution
Supports 4K means it accepts a 4K signal and displays it at whatever the panel actually is, often 1080p or lower. Look for the native resolution, which is the number that matters.
Contrast
Quoted contrast ratios are meaningless in this category. What matters in practice is black level in a dark room, and no projector produces true black because it cannot project darkness. A dark room with dark walls does more for perceived contrast than any specification.
Throw ratio determines image size at a given distance. A 1.2 throw ratio means 1.2 metres of distance per metre of image width. Measure the distance from where the projector will sit to the wall, and check the projector can produce the size you want from there. This catches more people out than any other factor.
Projectors worth considering
Magcubic HY300 PRO mini projector with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
This class of projector is genuinely fun and should be judged accordingly: a large picture in a dark room for very little money, with built-in streaming so no other box is needed. It will not work with lights on, and the brightness figure on the listing is not ANSI. As a garden or bedroom projector, it does the job.
Magcubic mini projector with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4
Since portable projectors run their apps internally, the quality of the Wi-Fi determines whether streaming is watchable. Wi-Fi 6 support is a meaningful improvement over older models in a busy household. Same caveats on brightness apply: this is a dark-room device.
Portable smart projector with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth and built-in apps
Automatic focus and keystone correction make the difference between a projector you use and one that stays in the cupboard, because manual alignment every time is what puts people off. Treat built-in app stores as a bonus rather than a reason to buy, since a streaming stick can always be added.
120 inch portable projector screen with stand
Projecting onto a wall works and costs you contrast, colour accuracy and brightness, especially on a textured or off-white wall. A screen with a proper gain surface is the cheapest meaningful upgrade to any projector, and a stand version can be put away between uses.
150 inch projector screen with stand for outdoor use
Outdoors after dark is where a modest projector performs best, because there is nothing to reflect stray light and the room is as dark as it gets. A large freestanding screen makes that practical. Check the stand’s stability in wind before relying on it for an event.
What we liked
- A very large image for a fraction of a TV's cost
- Portable models set up in minutes
- Excellent for occasional film nights and gardens
- Screens are cheap and improve the picture significantly
What we didn't
- Brightness claims are routinely inflated
- Needs a dark room to look good
- Native resolution is often lower than advertised support
- Throw distance limits what size fits your room
Getting a good result
Measure the throw distance first
From the projector position to the wall, then check the projector’s throw ratio produces the image size you want. This decides whether it works in your room at all.
Make the room as dark as you can
Blackout curtains, and dark walls and ceiling if you are decorating anyway. This does more than any specification.
Use a screen rather than a wall
Even a cheap one. Walls scatter light and tint the image.
Avoid digital keystone correction where possible
It fixes a skewed image by discarding pixels, which reduces sharpness. Position the projector properly instead and use lens shift if it has it.
Plan the audio separately
Built-in projector speakers are poor and the projector is usually behind you, which is the wrong place for sound.
Think about the fan noise
All projectors have one, and a projector directly behind your head on a shelf is audible during quiet scenes.
How many lumens do I need?
In a fully dark room, 500 ANSI lumens is watchable and 1000 is comfortable. For any ambient light, 2000 ANSI or more. Ignore any figure not stated in ANSI lumens.
Can I use a projector in a bright room?
Not well. Even bright projectors are washed out by daylight. If you need a picture during the day, a television is the right device and a projector is not.
Do I need a screen?
Not strictly, and it makes a bigger difference than most upgrades. A plain white wall works; a textured or coloured wall visibly degrades the picture.
What is throw ratio?
The distance needed per unit of image width. It determines what size image you can get in your room, and it is the specification most likely to make a projector unsuitable for your space.
Are cheap projectors any good?
For a dark room, a garden film night or a bedroom, genuinely yes. For replacing a television, no. Judge them against the price rather than against a TV.
How to choose
Measure your room and check the throw ratio before looking at anything else. Insist on ANSI lumens and treat other brightness numbers as marketing. Buy a screen. Make the room dark. And set expectations honestly: a projector is a wonderful evening device and not a replacement for a television in a bright living room.
