Best Projector for Gaming

The very idea of the best gaming projector might sound like an oxymoron but, forget the lag-heavy beamers of yesterday, today's gaming projectors may just surprise you. While a projector isn't likely to beat the immense contrast levels of an OLED panel, like those in our best gaming TVs roundup, you'll find the response times of modern projectors have improved immensely. Many are even able to match the rapid refresh rates some of the best gaming monitors can dish out.

With projectors now surpassing expectations in terms of latency, portability, and definition, it's not so much of a stretch for companies to dub their designs 'gaming projectors.' And there are plenty of benefits to using a projector for big-screen gaming in place of a TV, too. As well as it is a mighty space saver, a projector is also a much smaller target for kids (or adults) who have a tendency to throw controllers. It's also much easier to shift a projector around to suit your space than it is a TV. 

We tested a wide range of projectors to see just how practical they are for gaming and cinema experiences, as well as any other media you might want to have writ large. We've tested the basic gaming experience each projector offers, as well as the effective latency compared with a 144Hz gaming panel. 

Sure the super speedy, bright, and ultra-short throw, 4K Vava Chroma is highly desirable, but the $4,699 price tag may not be to everyone's taste. Thankfully there are some more affordable gaming projector options on offer, each of which shines in its own way, so there's a beamer for everyone.


1. BenQ X1300I

The best long throw projector

SPECIFICATIONS

Native Resolution: 1080pLatency: 8 msRefresh rate: 120 HzThrow ratio: 1.3:1.56Sound: 2 x 5W ChamberBrightness: 3,000 ANSI LumensLamp Life: 30,000 hoursInputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB Type-A, 3.5 mm audio jack, Android TV dongle with dedicated HDMI portWeight: 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg)Size: 10.7 x 7.8 x 10.2 in (27.2 x 20.7 x 25.9 cm)

REASONS TO BUY

+120Hz refresh can match a high FPS

+Nice and bright

+Good lamp life

REASONS TO AVOID

-Long throw may not fit your space

-Best mounted on ceiling

With one of the swiftest refresh rates on the list at 120Hz, the BenQ X1300I comes in at the top. That's thanks in no small part to its impressive 8ms response time, meaning you'll be able to get some competitive big-screen gaming in without fear of compromising your rank. It may not be as fast as the BenQ TK700STi, but there's more to gaming than speed.

The built-in speakers are surprisingly punchy, and the 30,000-hour lamp life means it'll last a while longer than the speedier BenQ model… provided you don't block the exhausts. As long as you can mount it on the ceiling—where it's best situated—that shouldn't be an issue. Just make sure you do have the space for a long throw projector before you commit to buying.

Either way, it's backed by exceptional brightness, so the light of day shouldn't hamper your gaming experience. And coming in with the kind of speeds you'd expect from a tidy gaming monitor, this beamer will see you right.


2. BenQ TK700STi


The fastest beamer of them all

SPECIFICATIONS

Native Resolution: 1080pLatency: 4 msRefresh rate: 240 HzThrow ratio: 1.08:1Sound: 1 x 5W ChamberBrightness: 3,000 ANSI LumensLamp Life: 15,000 hoursInputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1x USB 2.0, 3.5 mm audio jackWeight: 6.8 lbs (3.1 kg)Size: 12.2 x 4.3 x 9.6 inch (31.2 x 11 x 24.6 cm)

REASONS TO BUY

+Incredible 4ms latency at 1080p

+4K upscaling capability

REASONS TO AVOID

-Below average lamp life

-Weak mono speaker

The BenQ TK700STi gaming projector shows off with some exemplary 8ms response times when playing in 1080p at 120Hz, and an exceptional 4ms at 240Hz. Even when you move up to 4K at 60Hz you're looking at 16ms response, which is more than enough for competitive gaming, or when you just want to experience all the high-quality textures in your favorite AAA games in scaled-up UHD.

This is not a native 4K projector, though. It uses Texas Instrument's XPR (expanded pixel resolution) pixel-switching tech to mimic UHD, but it does so rather well. Being a short-throw projector also means there's less faff when looking for a place to put it. It should work from your coffee table so no need to hang it overhead or tuck it somewhere behind the sofa. Though if you can manage 6.5 foot (2m) distance, you'll be rewarded with just over 100 inches (2.5 m) screen space. Coupled with the 3,000 ANSI lumen brightness, the BenQ TK700STi should give up a great cinematic experience even in broad daylight.

While the lamp life leaves something to be desired—rated at only 15,000 hours on the most eco-friendly setting—and external speakers are necessary to get a well-rounded sound, there's a lot of power behind this little projector's beams.


3: Vava Chroma


Brash beams in true 4K

SPECIFICATIONS

Native Resolution: 4KLatency: 16 msRefresh rate: 60 HzThrow ratio: 0.23:1Sound: 2 x 60W Harman KardonBrightness: 2,500 ANSI LumensLamp Life: 25,000 hoursInputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB Type-A 1 x AV 3.5, 1 x USB 2.0, 3.5 mm audio jackWeight: 24.3 lbs (10 kg)Size: 21.3 x 14.2 x 4.3 inch (54 x 38 x 11 c

REASONS TO BUY

+Android TV and Alexa built in

+True 4K

+Good brightness

+8 point keystone correction

+Ultra short throw replaces a TV easier 

REASONS TO AVOID

- Utterly unwieldy

- A real bank-breaker

Coming in at the high end is the true 4K Vava Chroma. Funding through Indiegogo right now, this projector's rich colors and resounding pair of 60W Harman Kardon sound units make it one incredible cinematic experience, with excellent gaming capability to boot. The only real drawback is the price, though the Indiegogo price is 38% cheaper if you get there early.

It may be a hefty 24.3 pounds (10kg) but there's a lot of power behind that bulk, and there's no need for awkward screwing to the ceiling either. Thanks to the ultra-short-throw nature of the Vava Chroma, you can just prop it against the wall on your TV stand, and you get 100 inches of UHD goodness to marvel at—though there are options to rotate the display when needed, even eight keystone points to play with.

When it comes to gaming, the VAVA Chroma caps out at 60Hz with around a 16-20ms response time—more than enough to play some gorgeous AAA games in up to 4K, as long as you have one of the best graphics cards to handle it. Perhaps not the greatest for competitive online gaming, however. Still, should you feel the need to delve into the magical world of retro consoles, there's AV input for your nostalgic convenience. Of course, the wealth of premium features here comes at a premium price, but that's backed by a two-year warranty and 25,000 hours of lamp life. That's around 11 hours a day, every day, for six-year by the way

 4: Xgimi Elfin



SPECIFICATIONS

Native Resolution: 1080pLatency: 26.5 ms refresh rate: 60 HzThrow ratio: 1.2:1Sound: 2 x 3W Harman KardonBrightness: 800 ANSI LumensLamp Life: 30,000 hours input: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1x USB 2.0, 3.5 mm audio jack, Bluetooth 5.0Weight: 2 lbs (900 g)Size: 7.5 x 7.6 x 1.9 inch (19.2 x 19.4 x 4.8 cm)

REASONS TO BUY

+Fantastic auto obstacle avoidance and keystone correction

+Gorgeous, compact design

+Nice and portable

REASONS TO AVOID

-Slight lag in response time 

-Noticeable dithering in large dark areas

It-Not the beefiest sound system

-No Netflix allowed

The xgimi Elfin projector is one of the smallest projectors on the list, and that makes it pretty darn portable. While it doesn't include a battery for untethered theatre experiences, it's still easy enough to slip into a bag and take it to a friend's house. And as long as they have a large enough wall, you can get an image that's 120 inches (3 meters) across from just 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) away. 

Keep in mind this is only a 1080p piece of kit, so 120 inches might be a little overkill, but at least it's cheaper than forking out for a 4K projector. Besides, you don't need as powerful components, and it means you can run games at a higher framerate. And while it's no slouch in gaming mode with a more than acceptable response time for non-competitive gaming, the 60Hz refresh does add a cap to how many frames per second you can appreciate.

When you're taking it out and about, it also doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, and even has Chromecast built-in. Another thing that makes the Elfin highly portable is its incredible ability not only to automatically focus and correct the keystone position but also to avoid obstacles on the projected surface such as photo frames or light switches—it just makes the setup super speedy and straightforward.

That's also backed by an exemplary 30,000 hours of lamp life, or 10 hours a day, every day, for about eight years. Though that'll be dependent on how you use it, of course.


5: Xgimi Halo

Best portable projector 

SPECIFICATIONS

Native Resolution: 1080pLatency: 40 msRefresh rate: 60 HzThrow ratio: 1.2:1Sound: 2 x 5W Harman KardonBrightness: 800 ANSI LumensBattery life: 2-3 hrs (standard mode)Lamp Life: 30,000 hoursInputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB 2.0, 3.5 mm audio jack, Bluetooth 5.0Weight: 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg)Size: 4.4 x 5.7 x 6.7 in (11.2 x 14.5 x 17 cm)

REASONS TO BUY

+ Supremely portable with great battery life

+ Doubles as Bluetooth speaker

+ Immense lamp life

+Punchy audio

REASONS TO AVOID

-No keystone correction in gaming mode

-Sluggish response times 

For a little more money than the Xgimi Elfin, the Halo adds oodles more portability to the list of great features. It comes with a solid battery that'll keep you going for a good three hours, at least in standard mode, and it can even be used as a portable Bluetooth speaker. Oddly the Halo's shape is the only one we've seen that lends itself to ceiling projection. It does block the exhausts when you do this, but it's a fun little feature. 

When it comes to a gaming mode, you're looking at more latency than most on this list, but response time isn't everything. As long as you have it in gaming mode it isn't excessively noticeable—slow-paced or turn-based games don't pose an issue.

It's another smart Android device that boots up fast and doesn't need to be yards from the wall to get a good size screen going. It's worth noting that the Halo should be projecting square-on if you want to utilize gaming mode though as it prevents keystone correction from working.

With regards to a gaming mode, you're taking a gander at more inertness than most on this rundown, however, reaction time isn't all that matters. However long you have it in gaming mode it isn't exorbitantly perceptible—slow-paced or turn-based games don't represent an issue.

It's one more brilliant Android gadget that boots up quick, and shouldn't be yards from the divider to get a decent size screen going. It's actually significant that the Halo ought to be extending square-on to use gaming mode however as it keeps cornerstone amendment from working.