Best Gaming Projector for 2024

After a truly cinematic gaming experience? The BenQ X3100i is a 4K HDR gaming projector ready to make the most of console and PC gaming. Heck, it’s a solid option for movies too.

With it comes four gaming modes that cater to the different types of games you play and keep input lag to a minimum – an issue that plagues many projectors. At only 4.2ms of lag gaming in 1080p/240Hz, it’s a viable option for fast-paced competitive gamers who want to enjoy smooth action on a massive screen. Bumping up to 4K/60Hz introduces 16.7ms of input lag, but it’s still very playable. However, what makes the X3100i a real standout is support for the ever-popular 1440p/120Hz with only 8ms of input lag — a rarity in gaming projectors.

Thanks to 3,300 ANSI lumens, the BenQ X3100i is bright enough for some daytime viewing, though a darker space ensures BenQ’s 100% DCI-P3 CinematicColor system can be enjoyed to the fullest. Color reproduction is accurate with rich hues that place you in the center of the apocalypse with Ellie in Joel in The Last of Us. Shadow details even hold up in darker scenes. Just prepare for potential rainbow artifacts, as it’s a DLP projector.

Admittedly, this gaming projector doesn’t come cheap, but you’ll never find a 4K TV with up to a 300-inch screen size. A powerful five-watt 3D surround sound system is also baked-in and ready to hit high volumes, adding to the X3100i’s value. Of course, it’s possible to connect a soundbar or speakers, as the projector offers robust I/O and Bluetooth support for connecting gaming systems and more. Android TV is even included to make streaming a breeze, but unfortunately, the only network support is via a Wi-Fi connection.

2. Optoma UHD38x

Best 4K Gaming Projector

The Optoma UHD38x is a solid 4K gaming projector, offering an eye-watering blend of performance and quality that caters to both gamers and home entertainment enthusiasts. With True 4K Ultra HD resolution and 8.3 million addressable pixels, the UHD38x delivers an exceptionally detailed image. This high level of detail ensures a sharp, immersive visual experience whether you're diving into a game or enjoying a movie.

Gamers will particularly appreciate the UHD38x's ultra-fast 240Hz refresh rate and Enhanced Gaming Mode, which together offer blur-free visuals and an impressively low input lag of just 4.2ms at 1080p and 16ms at 4K UHD. This responsiveness is crucial for smooth gameplay and a competitive edge, making the projector ideal for those who demand high performance.

The projector also supports HDR10 and HLG technologies, which enhance the viewing experience with brighter whites and deeper blacks. This compatibility ensures that HDR content is rendered with vivid colors and dynamic contrasts, contributing to a more immersive and engaging experience. With a brightness of 4,000 lumens, the UHD38x performs exceptionally well in various lighting conditions, from dim home theaters to brightly lit rooms and even outdoor settings.

If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, the UHD38x also offers extensive connectivity options, including dual HDMI ports, making it easy to connect the latest gaming consoles, media players, and streaming devices.

3. BenQ TH685P

Best Budget Gaming Projector

If you don’t need the blustery 4K resolution or the flashy 240Hz refresh rate, you can lower the price tag you’re facing considerably with the BenQ TH685. This projector still gives you the qualities you should seek, most notably its 8.3ms input lag when running at 1080p and 120Hz.

The BenQ TH685 offers some solid flexibility. You can set it up to provide a 30-inch image or go as large as 300 inches, and its brightness level of 3,500 ANSI lumens will paint a picture that’s easy to see without needing a pitch-black room. The projector has a 1.3x manual zoom as well, which can help you get your image perfectly framed where you want it while letting you position the projector somewhere convenient.

4. Optoma HD146X

Best Ultra Cheap Gaming Projector

​​You don’t need to spend a fortune to blow up your game’s image, as Optoma’s HD146X projector lets you play on a picture stretched up to 300 inches for under $600. The grand size is aided by its dazzling 3,600-lumen brightness, so you’re good to play in most spaces. And though it doesn’t have HDR support, the projector still delivers stunning detail and vivid colors in Full HD.

The Optoma HD146X is ready for gaming and even offers a game mode that optimizes color and contrast. Given the price point, it doesn’t have the speediest response times, but the 16ms input lag and 144Hz refresh rate when running at 1080p provide plenty of speed for fast-paced, stutter-free gameplay. However, connectivity is limited with this projector, as it only offers an HDMI, a USB, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

5. Optoma UHZ50

Best High-End Gaming Projector

With the Optoma UHZ50, you’re stepping into the big leagues for gaming projectors. This thing is a beast. It offers 3,000 lumens of brightness from a laser light source, letting you enjoy all that brightness without having to worry as much about prematurely burning out a bulb. The projector is ready to cast a 4K UHD picture on your walls, projector screen, or even the side of a building at up to 300 inches or as small as 34 inches, giving you a lot of options for setup.

Really hitting home this projector’s gaming capabilities is its 4ms input lag when running at 1080p/240Hz – got to love a display that lets you choose between high resolution and high speed. Optoma even lets you go cinematic with support for a 21:9 and even 32:9 aspect ratios, perfect for watching movies or playing games in super ultrawide mode.

6. ViewSonic PX748-4K

Best Gaming Projector for Consoles

Your gaming consoles offer a well-rounded experience, and they deserve a well-rounded projector. The ViewSonic PX748-4K is just that. This gaming projector comes in at a more modest price than the Optoma UHD35, but you’ll find it’s offering some comparable capabilities.

You can enjoy your console games in 4K HDR and monstrous size thanks to the bright, 4000 ANSI Lumen light source. While 4K is capped at 60Hz on this projector, you can opt for a 1080p picture to enjoy 120Hz on your consoles and even 240Hz if you’re connecting a PC. At its fastest speed, the ViewSonic PX748-4K is also offering a 4.2ms input lag for responsive gaming. Not only does this projector offer a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports for your consoles, but it also has a USB-C port that can handle a Nintendo Switch video signal directly.

7. Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500

Best Ultra-Short Throw Gaming Projector

While projectors make it easy to get a huge picture, some of that simplicity may be offset by the fact you now need to have all of your gaming setup behind you (or in the middle of the room) or run long cables across the room. That’s solved with an ultra-short-throw (UST) projector, and the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 is a champ UST projector for gaming.

This projector can sit right next to your wall or projector screen and cast a 70- to 130-inch image. With 4,000 ANSI lumens of brightness coming from a laser light source and 3LCD display technology, you’re going to get an uncompromising picture with no rainbow effect. The laser will also let you enjoy maximum brightness without the same, shorter lifespan of bulb-based projectors. The EpiqVision Ultra LS500 supports 4K gaming and HDR while boasting a 16.7ms input lag. Adding to its convenience, this projector includes built-in 10W stereo speakers and its own streaming stick (though you can always swap it out for your own preferred stick).

8. Xgimi Horizon Ultra

Best Long-Throw Gaming Projector

At under $1,700, you can now get a 4K long-throw projector that’s stylish, suitable for gaming, and produces exceptional picture quality. While not strictly a gaming projector, the Xgimi Horizon Ultra offers 60Hz refresh rate and 18ms latency. It’s not the best, but it’s also not the worst, and if you want to double up and use your projector for movie nights, this is a good all-rounder.

The onboard image adaption technology is incredibly intuitive. It makes it so simple to adjust the image to fit your screen, and once set, the result is bright, vibrant, and accurate. The projector itself is stylish and portable, and it comes with Dolby Vision support, which will pair nicely with your Xbox Series X.

How to Pick the Best Gaming Projector

The difference between a gaming projector and any other projector mostly falls on the device’s input lag. Input lag relates to gaming speed performance - the time it takes between the game console sending out a signal, and the projector receiving it. This is measured in milliseconds, and ideally, you want to look for something that is capable of achieving 20ms or lower for the best gaming projector. With too high of an input lag, every action you input on your controller will be delayed on screen, and your games will feel sluggish at best and be impossible at worst (good luck beating Elden Ring with 100ms of input lag).

Resolution is another important factor to consider when choosing the best gaming projector. If you plan on hooking your projector up to your Xbox Series X or PS5, you’ll want to aim for 4K@120Hz if possible, or at least 4K@60Hz and 1080p@240HZ. This allows you to make the most out of your console while enjoying it on the big screen.

You’re also going to have to find a projector that can work with your space. Just because a projector says it can produce a 300-inch image doesn’t guarantee it can do so in any old room. The image you get is a result of the projector’s throw ratio and the distance you place the projector from the screen/wall it’s projecting onto. The further away you set it up from your screen, the bigger the image you’ll get. Many high-quality projectors will feature an optical zoom, which can allow you to position the projector where you want it while still getting the picture size you need. Beyond this, features like keystone adjustment and vertical lens shift can further improve the flexibility of your setup, as you’ll need to find a place to put your project and a space to serve as your display — as opposed to just needing space for the display as you would with a TV.

Other aspects and features of gaming projectors mostly come down to your own personal preference. Do you plan on connecting your own external speakers to your projector, or would you prefer to have one with decent audio performance? Do you want to be able to stream TV shows and movies from your projector as well as play games?

Gaming Projector FAQs

How Many Lumens Is a Good Projector for Gaming?

1,500 lumens should be plenty to consider a projector good for gaming. Of course, if the projector can achieve higher, this is always a bonus, making it easier to see the picture in a wider range of environments.

Do Projectors Have Input Lag for Gaming?

Yes, projectors do have input lag. The lower the input lag, the better the projector is for gaming. It’s best to aim for 20ms or lower if you want to leverage the best out of your game console.

Is a DLP or LCD Projector Better for Gaming?

DLP projectors tend to be a better choice for gamers since they offer smooth motion handling and fast response times.

Are Projectors Even Good for Gaming?

Projectors are a great option when it comes to gaming, especially for those with a big space looking to play on the largest screen possible for an immersive experience. They’re also ideal for multiplayer games, letting all the action remain visible to everyone. As you can see from our picks, there are many projectors offering everything you’d find in the best gaming TVs, whether that be a 4K resolution, a fast refresh rate, or low input lag. Low input lag is essential for a great gaming experience when using a projector—35ms or below should work for most.

Similar to TVs, not all projectors are built the same, so the ones offering better gaming specs will often be pricier. Projectors also run into the issue of brightness, as even the best may still struggle to show the vibrant details of your games in a brighter room. But if you’ve got a great location for the setup and the budget for a quality projector, they can be great to pair your PS5, Xbox Series X, or even PC.

Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark