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Buyer’s Guide to Finding a Premium Smart Projector
If you enjoy watching movies with friends and family, then it’s about time you get your hands on a smart projector. Unlike regular projectors, smart projectors are more advanced, more portable, and easier to set up than their traditional counterparts, and they can be conveniently connected to your phone or laptop for seamless movie streaming on the big screen.Finding the right smart projector is not as easy as it sounds, though. With so many different models available, choosing one can get quite confusing. If you’re unsure about which model to choose, check out these top-rated smart projectors of 2023.
Anker Nebula Smart Projector
Best Overall
XGIMI Halo Smart Projector
Easy Setup
Wemax Nova 4K UHD Smart Projector
Best Design
Anker Nebula Smart Projector
Most Portable
FANGOR Smart Projector
Most Versatile
LG Smart Projector
Impressive Image Quality
What Is a Smart Projector?
A smart projector is a portable device that combines integrated smart functionality with the latest display technologies. You can connect the projector to your home network, content services, or mobile device for a seamless viewing experience on the big screen. Since smart projectors integrate all of a home theater’s features into one handy device, they can be a great option for your home theater.Picking the Right Smart Projector for Your Home
To pick the ideal smart projector, pay attention to the following factors:Screen size
Smart projector screen sizes usually range anywhere from 50 inches to 300 inches. If you’re more about the home theater look, then it’s better to opt for a long-throw projector — these projectors need to be placed a few feet away from the screen and are recommended for large-sized rooms. Short-throw projectors, on the other hand, are suitable for a limited space, as they can be set up within centimeters of the screening wall and still display a full picture. Some models also come with a vertical and horizontal lens shift feature that allows you to move and adjust the display without physically moving the projector.Image
Image quality is one of the most important features to consider when buying a smart projector. The brightness level of a projector is measured in “lumens,” and the higher the number of lumens, the brighter the image produced. For bright rooms, it’s recommended to choose a smart projector with a lumen count of at least 2,500 to project a clear picture. For darker rooms, a lumen count between 1,000 and 2,000 should be enough.Noise
Watching a movie on a loud projector can be annoying, and any noise produced is usually the result of cooling fans that activate when the projector starts to heat up. Some projectors come with fans that don’t produce much noise, and some of the newest models don’t feature fans at all. If you want to watch movies without any distractions, this is an important feature to keep in mind.Temperature
Smart projectors heating up can lead to fire hazards. Before going all in with your purchase, you should check the listed operating temperatures. The usual range falls between -41 to 104°F (5 to 40°C), with a max humidity of around 85%. Some projectors also come with safety features that can be very useful in the long run.Resolution
The resolution of the smart projector determines the quality of the image displayed, and high-quality projectors feature HD displays, including 4K Ultra HD and 1080p full HD. The prices of different projectors can vary according to their resolution, but keep in mind that the higher the resolution, the better the movie experience.Modes
Smart projectors usually offer different modes based on what you’re using the projector for. A “natural mode,” for instance, provides accurate flesh tones and vivid colors, making this mode suitable for modern movies. As for classic films, a “black and white” mode can help images appear sharper and more focused.Ports
Ports are necessary for connecting your devices to your smart projector. Even if you’re not going to be connecting any devices now, you might want this feature in the future. It’s recommended to choose a smart projector that comes with at least a 3.5mm audio-out jack and USB, AV, and HDMI ports for you to connect various devices or media sources.Remote capability
Getting up from your chair to change the projector settings can be frustrating, especially if there’s a whole crowd of people watching. Though voice command can handle several tasks, the rest of the functionalities rely on a remote. Some smart projectors also have mobile remote apps that let you operate the projector with your phone.Speaker quality
Unlike most regular projectors, smart projectors feature integrated speakers, but the quality of these speakers can vary. Some projectors have weak speakers that can’t be heard from across a large room, whereas others may be enough to fill a medium to large room solely with their built-in speakers. The right volume usually depends on the size of the room you’re going to place your smart projector in, and if it doesn’t have adequate speakers, you can always attach external speakers to increase its volume.Anker Nebula Smart Projector
Best Overall
If you’re looking for a smart projector that works well in dim, theater-like environments, then look no further than this Nebula option from Anker. Featuring advanced intelliBright digital light procession (DLP) algorithms, this smart projector delivers impressive clarity and contrast with a bright 100 ANSI-lumen picture.To help you enjoy your favorite movies, TV shows, and more, this smart projector comes with a heavy-duty 360° omnidirectional speaker that’s powerful enough to tackle even the most high-octane scenes. With Android 7.1 compatibility, you can easily stream apps on this smart projector, and it’s available in black and red color options. This smart projector is our top choice thanks to its excellent performance that represents a great bang for your buck.
Pros
- Attractive, compact capsule design
- Features powerful speakers
- Easy to use
Cons
- Difficult to focus the image
XGIMI Halo Smart Projector
Easy Setup
The XGIMI Halo Smart Projector combines 1080p Full HD resolution with 800 ANSI lumen projection to let you enjoy movies unlike ever before. This model can offer better, crisper image quality than similar projectors, and with it comes Android TV, offering you access to thousands of apps on the Google Play store.Thanks to the high-capacity battery integrated into its design, this smart projector can offer you up to two hours of entertainment enjoyment on screens as large as 150 inches. Its dual 5-watt speakers make sure that audio quality matches the excellent image quality of this smart projector, and you can also hook it up to a pair of Bluetooth headphones or a soundbar for the viewing experience you desire.
Pros
- Reliable battery life
- Straightforward setup process
- Intelligent autofocus and keystone correction
Cons
- Does not stream the Netflix app
Wemax Nova 4K UHD Smart Projector
Best Design
The Wemax Nova Smart Laser Projector might have some of the most jaw-dropping features we’ve ever seen in a projector, and we’d like to list them for you. The projector features two additional powerful 30W built-in Dolby Audio DTS HD speakers that provide full surround sound.Next, we would like to direct your attention to the thousands of entertainment apps preloaded into the projector, including Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. It also features an adjustable screen size as users can initially set their preferred screen size while choosing from an 80-inch, 100-inch, and 120-inch screen.
Pros
- Provides 4x resolution of full HD or 1080p
- Built with ALPD 3.0 and detailed Ti DLP technology
- 8-point keystone correction improves image quality
Cons
- Might experience some signal loss at the beginning
- Has to be manually lifted to fit some screens
Anker Nebula Smart Projector
Most Portable
Last but not least, the Anker Nebula Smart Projector offers an experience straight out of the theater, letting you enjoy your favorite shows and movies on screens up to 120 inches in glorious 1080p. Boasting 400 ANSI lumens and HDR10 technology, you’ll get impressive images every time you boot it up, and its dual 3-watt speakers and Dolby Digital Plus produce high-quality, clear sound for all types of entertainment.This smart projector comes with a rechargeable battery built in that offers three hours of use before it will need to be charged. Along with getting access to more than 5,000 apps thanks to Android TV 9, this smart projector also lets you mirror content from your smartphone and various other devices.
Pros
- Easy to adjust
- Sturdy, durable build
- Compact, portable design
Cons
- No carrying case included
FANGOR Smart Projector
Most Versatile
Next up is the Fangor Smart Projector, another great choice that features a native 1920×1080 resolution and a solid contrast ratio for providing you with an impressive HD picture. Six lens layers of high-refraction glass offer stunning onscreen results, and its built-in stereo sound speaker lets you enjoy crisp audio no matter what you’re watching.Compared to many of the smart projectors available on the market, this model is very versatile — it’s compatible with USB flash drives, laptops, Chrome Books, Micro SD cards, and more, so no matter what you want to watch from, this smart projector has got you convered. For a little extra peace of mind while purchasing, this smart projector also comes with a six-month replacement guarantee.
Pros
- Produces vibrant colors
- Excellent audio quality
- Compatible with a wide variety of devices
Cons
- Brightness could be better
LG Smart Projector
Impressive Image Quality
Boasting 4K UHD resolution, this LG Smart Projector is a must-have if you love to watch movies with friends and family on the big screen. Its HDR10 design comes with dynamic tone mapping that ensures a high-quality picture in each and every frame, and its TruMotion technology offers smooth uninterrupted onscreen results.For the utmost accuracy when it comes to colors, this smart projector uses wheel-less LED technology that outperforms conventional projectors and results in a better picture. Sleek and slim, this smart projector is lightweight and easy to carry from one place to another, and it comes with built-in Alexa support.
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Features 4K UHD resolution
- Has a stylish design
Cons
- Some lag with certain picture settings
People Also Asked
Are smart projectors portable?
Yes, the majority of smart projectors are portable and can easily be carried from one place to another. This makes them a great choice for outdoor movie nights with friends and family.
Are smart projectors worth the money?
Unlike traditional projectors, smart projectors come with advanced features and reliably offer high-quality images and audio. Since these make your movie-watching experience much better, they are definitely worth investing in.
How do smart projectors work?
Smart projectors work by connecting to a smart gadget, such as a laptop or a mobile phone, via Bluetooth. Since these devices connect to the internet, you can stream all your favorite movies and TV shows on the big screen through apps such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and more.
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