Reviewing 4K projectors that will add to your home theater experience
Anna Tingley,
Variety
Posted:
Updated:
Pixel-Shot – stock.adobe.com
Modern video projector on dark background
Many of the buzziest new movies are arriving to streaming services quicker than ever before, making it easier than ever to watch blockbusters from home.
To give you the cinematic experience you deserve, outfit your viewing room with the best technology — not just for movie-watching, but also show-bingeing and gaming. A 4K projector can offer that.
Here are four of the best 4K projectors available.
Optoma UHD35
$1,300
4K projectors usually demand prices upwards of $1,500, so Optoma’s UHD35 projector — that delivers crisp, bright and sharp content — is a total steal. The console features a 240-watt lamp, which holds up well in daytime ambient light. A 0.47-inch DLP 4K chip and XPR technology work together to create super-fast pixel shifting for ultra-clear resolution. Plus, the Optoma UHD35 touts an Enhanced Gaming mode that allows for an impressive 240Hz-refresh rate and an incredibly low input lag of 4.2 ms, to give gamers a competitive edge.
Epson Home Cinema 3200 4K
$1,500
You can’t go wrong with Epson for an at-home 4K theater experience. A three-chip projector design displays 100% of the RGB color signal for every frame with no “rainbowing” issues, while pixel-shifting technology precisely controls each chip for high-resolution images. Best of all, the real-time analog-to-digital video processing allows for little gaming lag.
Samsung The Premiere 4K Smart Laser Projector
$3,500
Samsung’s luxury projector features an ultra-short throw design, 2800 lumens of laser-driven brightness, a powerful built-in audio system and support for the latest 4K and HDR picture quality. In addition to impressive technical functionality, the Premiere also boasts a sleek design with a gloss white finish, subtle connecting ports hiding on the wall-facing side and button-light smart controls.
Sony VW325ES
$5,500
Most reviewers note that you get what you pay for with this projector’s hefty price tag. In addition to 1500 ANSI lumen brightness and a high-end ARC-F lens, this console features Sony’s new “X1 for projector” processing. The exclusive technology allows for dynamic HDR enhancing (a frame-by-frame improvement upon Sony’s tonal mapping) and Super Resolution Reality Creation (object and pattern recognition that sharpens objects and eliminates digital noise).
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This is a high-quality Bluetooth boombox option if you have a big enough budget. Extremely loud with crisp highs and booming lows, this waterproof speaker has a 24-hour battery life, so it’s ideal for outdoor use. $500
This Bluetooth speaker has high-quality drivers for excellent sound clarity and intense bass. With a 24-hour battery life, it’s great for outdoor use — lightweight and waterproof. $110
With the look of a classic ’90s boombox, this machine also features a CD player, FM radio and Bluetooth compatibility. You can plug it into a power outlet, or fit it with six D batteries for on the go. $130
With two tweeters, two subwoofers and two passive bass radiators, this waterproof boombox is capable of decent volumes and has rich, punchy sound. It has an impressive 24-hour battery life, and you can even charge your devices from it. $100
In addition to its classic looks, this compact Bluetooth boombox features an AM/FM radio and a cassette player, so it really is a blast from the past. Though affordably priced, it isn’t especially loud. $50
This barrel-shaped Bluetooth boombox is simple to use. It features an FM radio and slots for an SD card and USB stick, from which you can play music. The speaker runs on a wall plug or a rechargeable battery with three hours of playtime. $84
This retro-looking Bluetooth boombox is available with either a rechargeable battery, or four D batteries slots. It has a CD player, radio, carrying handle and remote control. $130
This Bluetooth boombox has the quality you’d expect from a Sony product, with rich, deep bass. In addition to Bluetooth capability, it has a built-in CD player and an AM/FM radio. It’s great for use outdoors and on the go as its battery plays for up to 26 hours. $120
If you’re in the market for a Bluetooth boombox with that classic boxy ’80s vibe, look no further. This model features a built-in cassette player and a four-band radio. The analog buttons complete the look. It runs on D batteries or plugs into a power outlet. $50
While the main purpose of this boombox is to be used as a Bluetooth speaker, it also has an aux input, so you can use it as a portable amp for a mic or guitar. It’s loud and powerful with quality speakers that give clear sound with deep bass. The detachable strap makes it easy to carry sound with you. The battery life lasts up to 5 hours, but it can be plugged into an outlet. $110
This stylish retro-look Bluetooth boombox is ideal for anyone who wants an ’80s throwback. This model also has an AM/FM radio and a cassette player, though some users have reported minor issues with the latter. It runs on an AC adapter wall plug into an outlet or four D batteries. $89
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*All prices as listed on amazon.com.
Lauren Corona is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
