If you don’t want a TV in your bedroom, the next thing you will do is look for the best projector for the bedroom.
I’ve reviewed some of the best projectors for dorm rooms. Just like I’ve mentioned in that article, I’ll also tell you here: throw ratio is a very important spec to pay attention to if you’re looking for projectors for smaller spaces, like bedrooms tend to be.
If you have a big bedroom, you really don’t need to care about throw ratio because you’ll be able to place the projector wherever it needs to go in order to form an image as big as you want.
Also, check out my article on how long projectors last to see what kind of lifespan you can expect from various projectors, lamp-based, LED, and laser.
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Best Projector For Bedroom
One of the first few things you should think of before buying a projector for your bedroom is how much money you’re willing to spend on one.
We can find projectors under $150 or projectors under $300 or costing less than $1,000. But we can also find awesome models that will cost $2,000-$3,000 and so much more than that.
For really cheap models, check out my reviews for the best projectors under 100 dollars.
As you can see, prices vary a whole lot. Searching for the best projector for the bedroom can be a bit easier if you already have a ballpark budget in mind.
Another thing you need to consider is that you absolutely need to include a budget for a projector screen, as well. Check out my reviews for the best 4K projector screens for some inspiration.
1. Epson Home Cinema 880: Overall the Best Projector for Bedroom
One of my favorite projectors is actually a model that costs well under $1,000. By any standard, this is an affordable device.
I’m aware that we can buy TVs for the same price that offer beautiful image quality but this Epson 880 offers us the possibility to project an image of 80-100 inches at top quality right in our bedroom.
Given the affordable price and the overall quality we get, I seriously believe that the Epson Home Cinema 880 is one of the best projectors for the bedroom.
I would say that this model is not going to be the perfect option for those who can easily spend $2,000-$3,000 on a device. In that case, stick around because there are a few expensive models to check out.
Lifespan
This is a lamp-based projector. That means that after a few good years, depending on how much you use this device, you’ll have to change the lamp.
You’ll notice a serious decline in brightness and that’s when you’ll know that it’s time to buy a new one.
The lamp is estimated to last 6,000 hours on normal. That’s really high so it’s a good lifespan. On Eco mode we get 12,000 hours but this mode decreases brightness so I don’t know how many people are actually going to use it. I don’t.
Resolution
We get a Full HD native resolution. This is one of the most important specs that interests us and Epson truly delivers.
If you want to see exactly what image quality you can expect from this Epson, check out this short video. You will be impressed, that’s for sure.
One tiny con that I have to mention about this Epson 880 is that it doesn’t support 4K content. So Full HD is the resolution we can play which means that there’s no point in getting a 4K streaming device, you can buy a cheaper streaming device for 1080p content.
It also doesn’t support 3D content. There are projectors who play 3D movies, all you have to do is buy the glasses and you’re all set up for 3D watching. I’m not a big fan of 3D so I don’t see it as a con.
The 16,000:1 contrast ratio might seem small but it does have a nice contrast, in dark rooms is more than enough. I would say that it offers more than its price tag might suggest. We’ll be able to enjoy life-like images and that’s what matters.
We also get 4 modes: Dynamic, Bright Cinema, Cinema, Natural.
And there’s +/- 30 degrees both vertical and horizontal keystone correction. Many projectors only have vertical keystone correction but Epson always pays attention to details like that, even for their cheaper models.
But there’s no lens shift so that’s a con, although not a very big one.
Throw ratio
The throw ratio range is 1.21-1.63. That’s really good. It will fit even in smaller bedrooms.
You can buy a projector stand for it or place it on some furniture or ceiling mount.
It’s not a very big or heavy projector, it weighs 5.95 pounds, so you can move it around however you want.
Brightness
Another impressive spec about the Epson 880 is the 3,300 ANSI lumens brightness.
Even if you don’t have a completely dark bedroom, you’d still be totally able to enjoy bright colors.
It works as one of the best projectors for watching sports or movies or for playing games even in ambient light.
Connections
We pretty much get the usual: HDMI, LAN, USB Plug ‘n Play, USB Type A, Audio.
It also supports Mira casting for smartphones, laptops, tablets. That’s a wireless connection that is easily made for all OS.
There’s also a very tiny 2W built-in speaker.
There’s a remote control included.
You’ll have to provide the HDMI cable if you want to connect your cable box or gaming console or any other device via HDMI. Establishing a HDMI connection is the easiest way to connect a multitude of devices.
It doesn’t include Bluetooth support, in case you want to connect some Bluetooth speakers. You’ll have to use the Audio jack.
2. LG PF50KA: Best LED Projector for Bedroom
The LG PF50KA is in the same price range as the Epson 880 that I reviewed above. They’re also two of my favorites so it’s hard to pick the best projector for the bedroom from these two.
While the LG and the Epson have a full HD native resolution in common and they find themselves in a similar price range, there are also a lot of specs that set them apart.
LED projector
Just as the name suggests, instead of using a lamp as a light source, LED projectors use light emitting-diodes as light source. The lamp types is LED RGB.
The major difference is that the LG PF50KA estimates a lifespan of 30,000 hours.
There is also no lamp to change so basically there’s no maintenance for LED or laser models.
Plus, the power consumption is 65W, which is very low.
It also has a built-in battery that is estimated to last 2/2.5 hours for 1080p content.
Resolution
What I absolutely love about this tiny LG is that it has a Full HD native resolution. There are other LED projectors in this price range that only have a HD native resolution.
It can project an up to 100 inches screen. An 80 inch screen would be just perfect.
Throw ratio
The throw ratio is 1.4, which is pretty good.
It projects a 40 inch image from 4.1 feet.
The good news is that it only weighs 2.1 pounds. That’s because this is what we call a portable projector, as you might have figured out when I mentioned that it has a built-in battery.
You can take it camping or you can use it in the bedroom or outdoors, etc.
You don’t necessarily need to do a ceiling mount, if you get a projector tripod stand or you’re able to place it on some furniture, then it’s great.
Brightness
It has 600 ANSI lumens. In the world of LED projectors that’s about as high as it gets.
You’ll be able to get nice colors even in ambient light but the contrast is amazing if you watch in darkness.
Connections
This is another area where the LG PF50KA manages to impress.
It comes with Smart TV with an app store and browser. You won’t need a streaming device because the apps are already included in their store.
It’s also a WiFi projector. You can connect it to your network and then connect whatever other device you have on your network (speaker, phones, laptops, tablets) to this projector.
The ports featured are: 2 HDMI, USB, Audio, LAN.
And it has Bluetooth support.
We get a remote control. And a built-in speaker that won’t impress many people.
3. LG HU810PW: Best 4K Projector for Bedroom
I’m going to make a pretty big jump right now. After reviewing two projectors that cost around $500-$600, we’re moving up to a model that sits in the $2,000-$3,000 price range. That’s quite the difference.
However, for those who want to spend big when it comes to buying the best projector for bedroom, I think the LG HU810PW might be something they’re interested in.
Check out my reviews for the best 4K projector screens if you want to find amazing screens for your projector, whether you’re using a device with HD, Full HD or 4K resolution.
Laser projector
In this price range, we can expect to come across some amazing laser projectors, like the LG HU810PW.
We get a lifespan of up to 20,000 hours, which you can expect from all laser devices. And there’s no lamp to change so everything is easier.
Plus, laser projectors don’t decrease in brightness noticeably. You get to use the same projector for 10+ years without a noticeable decrease in overall image quality.
Resolution
The native resolution is 4K UHD, which means 3840 x 2160 pixels.
This resolution amounts to 8.3 million pixels, while true 4K amounts to about 8.8 million pixels.
Thus, 4K UHD is not true 4K but they’re close.
The contrast is equally outstanding with a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1.
Both vertical and horizontal shifts are included. It could also be regarded as one of the best projectors with horizontal lens shift.
Throw ratio
The throw ratio is 1.3-2.08. It’s definitely not a short throw, it’s a standard throw projector.
It can project an image up to 300 inches.
However, keep in mind that this is a really heavy projector. The LG HU810PW weighs 24.3 pounds so a ceiling mount is the best option for it.
Brightness
The 2,700 ANSI lumens brightness is another indication that this LG projector is all about high specs. We can enjoy it in ambient light.
Connections
Since this is an LG projector, you should expect the Smart TV feature, which includes a browser and an app store so we don’t need a streaming device for the HU810PW.
It also includes wireless connectivity and Bluetooth support.
There’s also screen share and Airplay.
Another thing that totally impresses me is that this model is Dolby Atmos compatible. That’s certainly not usual for most projectors.
We also get a lot of ports: 3 HDMI ports, LAN, 2 USB A ports, Audio, HID.
4. BenQ HT2150ST: Best Gaming Projector for Bedroom
With a price around $1,000, the BenQ HT2150ST is a decently priced gaming projector that will deliver on all fronts.
Lifespan
It’s a lamp-based DLP projector. It means that we’ll have to change the lamp at some point in the future.
The lifespan for the BenQ HT2150ST is nothing impressive: 3,500 hrs for Normal, 5,000 hrs for Eco and 7,000 hrs for SmartEco.
Pretty much everyone will use it on normal so that lifespan of 3,500 hours is nothing to write home about.
Being a DLP, it means that some people might be susceptible to the rainbow effect. Not everyone is going to see it. I don’t, while my boyfriend notices a rainbow effect quite often. It’s why we’re not using our Optoma all that often and mostly rely on our Epson.
If you’ve never owned a DLP, you won’t know for sure until you watch some content. DLP LED projectors are the only ones that don’t have the potential of creating the rainbow effect for some users.
3D and gaming projector
For the gaming side of things, it has a 16ms input lag.
It is designed for video gaming with outstanding colors, low input lag, customizing game modes and built-in speakers.
For watching 3D content you’ll need to buy glasses (DGD5), which are sold separately but are not all that expensive.
Resolution
It comes with Full HD native resolution but that’s to be totally expected in this price range.
The contrast ratio of 15,000:1 is certainly not its most impressive spec but it’s decent.
There are a bunch of picture modes: 3D, Cinema, Game, Game Bright, ISF Day, ISF Night, User, Vivid.
There’s only vertical keystone correction, no horizontal one. And no lens shift.
Short throw
A truly interesting spec about the BenQ HT2150ST is that it’s a short throw.
It has a 0.69-0.83 throw ratio.
That means that we can project an image of 100 inches from 5 feet 6 inches. If you project an 80 inch image the projecting distance is even shorter.
I really like that it’s a short throw.
Brightness
The 2,200 ANSI lumens brightness indicates that this BenQ HT2150ST will perform brilliantly in dark rooms but it’s not that well equipped for ambient light.
Connections
The featured ports are: 2 HDMI ports, PC, DC, USB, mini USV, RS232, Audio out/in.
One of the HDMIs is needed for watching 3D content.
There are also 2 built-in speakers 10W. And a remote control.
5. Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
I believe that there are plenty of people who regard the Epson 5050UB as being the best home theater projector at the moment. Instead, I chose to recommend the Epson 880 first for the best projector for bedroom.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m totally in awe when it comes to the 5050UB from Epson. But this is a device that costs around $3,000.
So I chose to start my reviews with a few more affordable models that still perform strikingly well. Because I don’t know what budget each person has at their disposal. And I really want a lot of people to enjoy the marvel of watching content or gaming on a projector.
Lifespan
If you thought that such a high price range is going to mean that we get a laser projector, then you’d be wrong.
The LG HU810PW is a laser projector. This Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is a lamp-based projector. That is one major spec that sets them apart even though they find themselves in similar price ranges.
I have to admit that the lamp life is not the most impressive.
It has up to 3,500 hours on High Mode, up to 4,000 hours on Medium Model, and up to 5,000 hours on Eco Mode.
Even so, the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is overall an extraordinary model with an unbelievably stunning image quality. That’s why I wanted to include it in my reviews for the best projector for bedroom. It’s fantastic, although it’s also very expensive.
Resolution
The native resolution is 4K PRO-UHD 3840 x 2160 pixels. It’s very close to true 4K but that’s as close as we can get to true 4K in this price range.
4096 x 2160 pixels is also the max supported resolution.
Of course, we get vertical and horizontal lens shift.
The lens shift is impressive: +/- 96% V and +/- 47% H and 10 memory presets.
3D projector
Besides being a 4K projector, the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is also a 3D projector. You’ll have to buy separate 3D glasses to watch 3D content.
The color modes for 3D are: Dynamic, Cinema.
The color modes for 2D are: Dynamic, Bright Cinema, Natural, Cinema, Digital Cinema, Black & White Cinema.
Last but not least, the 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio wraps up the whole package of impressive specs.
Throw ratio
It’s a normal throw ratio 1.35-2.84.
Brightness
The 2,600 ANSI lumens brightness is very good. It can do decently in ambient light but you’ll need a dark environment if you want to be totally stunned.
Connections
The ports are: 2 HDMI, 2 USB, mini USB, LAN, RS-232c. One HDMI port is needed for 3D content.
However, you’ll notice that there are no Audio ports. I simply don’t get that.
While I totally agree that the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is totally outstanding when it comes to overall image quality, it has some tiny things that disappoint.
There is no Bluetooth support.
6. Epson Home Cinema 2040
The 2040 is only a bit more expensive than the 880, by a few hundred dollars. And they have a few things in common but let’s see what sets them apart to justify the slightly more expensive price tag.
3D projector
The main thing that sets them apart is that the Epson 2040 is a 3D projector, while the 880 doesn’t offer 3D support.
Otherwise, we get the same Full HD native resolution but the Epson 2040 has a higher contrast ratio of 35,000:1.
The brightness is 2,200 ANSI lumens so it’s a projector that is best used in dark rooms. The Epson 880 has a 3,300 lumens brightness, which is really high so that one works a lot better in ambient light. The Epson Home Cinema 2040 is made for dark rooms.
The throw ratio is 1.22-1.47
We can project an image of 90 inches from 8 feet. That’s good enough for a decently sized bedroom.
The ports featured are: 2 HDMI, 1 RCA (composite), 2 RCA (1 Audio), and 1 USB. We get pretty much the basics and everything we need.
7. ViewSonic PS600X: Cheap 3D Projector for Bedroom
This one is a good option for those passionate about watching 3D content but who don’t want to spend more than $500-$600 on a device. The above Epson 2040 gets closer to the $1,000 price range so it’s a bit pricier than this ViewSonic.
However, I should say that, when it comes to affordable projectors pretty much in the same price range as the ViewSonic PS600X, my favorites remain the Epson Home Cinema 880 and the LG PF50KA.
Resolution
This is the first spec that disappoints me quite a bit. This ViewSonic has a 1024 x 768 pixels native resolution. It’s a XGA native resolution.
But we should also keep in mind that the ViewSonic PS600X is also designed to be used as a data projector (business, education).
Thus, no Full HD native resolution in this case, which is also the only model in this article that doesn’t have at least a 1080p native resolution.
Still, it plays up to Full HD content so that’s good.
The 22,000:1 contrast ratio is decent.
Short throw ratio
While we get a XGA native resolution, which is not the best, we actually get an impressive throw ratio.
This ViewSonic is a short throw with a 0.61 throw ratio.
And we get vertical and horizontal keystone correction along with 4 corner adjustment features to eliminate crooked or distorted images.
Brightness
Another outstanding spec is the 3,800 ANSI lumens projector.
Since it is designed as an education or business projector, the high lumens volume is not surprising at all.
If you’re looking for a cheap 3D projector that can be used in a bedroom, even maybe in daylight, the ViewSonic PS600X is among the best options.
Connections
The ports featured are: 2 HDMI, LAN, USB, mini USB, Audio.
You can connect a 3D Blu-ray player via HDMI. If you buy 3D glasses you’re ready to enjoy some 3D content.
We also get a 10W built-in speaker and a remote control.
There’s no Bluetooth support.
Moreover, this ViewSonic only weighs 5.7 pounds so you can get a projector stand for it if you don’t want to do a ceiling mount.
Best Projector For Bedroom Buying Guide
Let’s go over a few specs that you need to keep in mind when you’re looking for the best projector for bedroom.
Throw ratio
One of the few things I talked about in my introduction is that you should pay attention to the various throw ratios that projectors have.
It’s important to check out this spec in order to see where you’d have to install the device and if you have enough space in your bedroom to project an image as big as you want.
If you check out the throw ratio before buying the device, you’ll also know if it’s better to do a ceiling mount or if you can prop the projector on some piece of furniture.
A regular projector is going to have a 1.5 or higher throw ratio. We need at least 7.5 feet distance from the screen for a 60 inch image, which can be accommodated by most bedrooms. The bigger the image, the bigger the distance from the screen.
Short throw projectors have a throw ratio between 0.38 and 1.4. They can project an image of 60 inches from 3 feet.
Last but not least, we have the stars, the ultra short throw projectors that have a throw ratio of 0.37 or less. They can project an image of 60 inches from 1.4 feet. There are models that can be placed close to the screen.
I’m sure that some of you are going to be excited about ultra short throw models but these are not cheap at all.
Resolution
When we’re checking out the resolution of a projector, what truly matters is the native resolution, the resolution at which the image is projected.
Max supported resolution is always going to be higher than native resolution. For example, if we have a 1080p native resolution, we might get a 4K max supported resolution but that doesn’t happen all the time.
That means that the device can play 4K content but the resolution is still Full HD.
Still, the max supported resolution is an important spec, too. Especially if we want to buy a streaming device. If we have a 4K max supported resolution we can buy a 4K streaming device.
If you’re buying a device with Full HD native resolution, you can display an 80-100 inches image while maintaining top-notch image quality.
If you’re getting a HD native resolution device, you can project up to an 80 inch image.
For resolutions lower than 720p I don’t recommend projecting an image larger than 60 inches.
Brightness
This spec is measured in ANSI lumens. More lumens indicate a higher brightness.
Do we need a very high brightness if we’re watching content in complete darkness? Not really.
However, most projectors have a pretty high brightness indicated by a high volume of lumens.
Those with a very high brightness can display vivid colors even in ambient light.
Still, projectors are best enjoyed in complete darkness for outstanding image quality.
Do you need a projector screen?
My advice is to buy one. Projector screens are the essential accessories that show the full capabilities of a projector.
However, if you don’t have the budget for one, you can project directly on the wall, especially if you’re enjoying your content in total darkness.
You can also check out my article on projector screen materials in case you want to discover some alternatives to projection screens.
All in all, I hope that my reviews for the best projector for bedroom have been able to show you some amazing devices and that you’ll be able to find the perfect projector for you.
Best projector for bedroom FAQs
Let’s answer a few questions related to our search for the best projector for bedroom.
1. Is a projector better than a TV for bedroom?
If you have a relatively small bedroom, then I recommend buying a smaller screen, like a 60 inch or 80 inch projector screen. Of course, if your bedroom is tiny, a 42 or 43 inch TV might work better than a projector. But if your bedroom is quite big then even pairing a good projector with a 100 inch screen would be amazing. A projector is a great way to turn your bedroom into a home theater but it also depends on how big your bedroom is to decide whether a TV or a projector would be better suited for your space.
2. What projector should I get for my bedroom?
It really depends on how much you’re willing to spend. If you would like to keep your cost well under $1,000 then I would recommend the Epson Home Cinema 880. The price of this affordable and wonderful Full HD projector should maybe leave you enough money to buy the Silver Ticket STR Series projector screen and make the perfect package for the best entertainment. The BenQ HT2150ST is another pretty affordable model that is also great for gamers or if you want to enjoy 3D movies. If you are ready to spend thousands of dollars, we can move to choosing 4K laser projectors, like the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB. There are plenty of options to choose from when we’re looking for the best projector for bedroom and they’re all fantastic.
