Best Projector for Gaming

Best Projector for Gaming in 2022 – All You Need to Know!

Fancy playing your favorite shooter game on a large screen? Want to fully immerse yourself while you are driving your car over virtual racing tracks? You should get the best projector for gaming and have an extraordinary gaming experience!

For your convenience, we have put together this comprehensive article on the best projectors for gaming that will help you make your choice!

Excited? Let’s get started!

Top Pick

Optoma HD146X

  • Cinematic Picture Quality – 1920×1080
  • DLP DMD Single-Chip Design
  • 3,600 Lumens of Brightness
  • High Contrast Ratio – 25,000:1
  • Quiet Operation – 26 dB Noise Level

Best Projector for Gaming for 2022 Review: Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Whether it is the ultimate solo gaming experience you are looking for or you want to have an exciting gaming night with your friends, the projectors that we gave listed below will make your experience memorable and fun!

IMAGENAME & DetailsDETAILS
Optoma HD146X
  • Response time: 16ms
  • Brightness: 3,600 lm
  • Resolution: 1080p
  • Contrast ratio: 25,000:1
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Optoma UHD 50X
  • Response time: 16 to 26ms
  • Brightness: 3,400lm
  • Resolution: 4K
  • Contrast ratio: 500,000:1
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Optoma UHD 30
  • Response time: 16ms/26ms
  • Brightness: 3,400lm
  • Resolution: 4K
  • Contrast ratio: 500,000:1
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BenQ TH685
  • Response time: 8.3ms
  • Brightness: 3,500lm
  • Resolution: 1080p
  • Contrast ratio: 10,000:1
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BenQ X1300i
  • Response time: 8.3ms
  • Brightness: 3,000lm
  • Resolution: 1080p
  • Contrast ratio: 5,000,000:1
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BenQ TH671ST
  • Response time: 16.67ms
  • Brightness: 3,000lm
  • Resolution: 1080p
  • Contrast ratio: 10,000:1
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BenQ HT2150ST
  • Response time: 16.67ms
  • Brightness: 2,200lm
  • Resolution: 1080p
  • Contrast ratio: 15,000:1
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1. Optoma HD146X

Highlighted features

  • Cinematic Picture Quality – 1920×1080 resolution
  • DLP DMD Single-Chip Design
  • 3,600 Lumens of Brightness
  • HDMI-CEC for easy ON/OFF
  • High Contrast Ratio – 25,000:1
  • Quiet Operation – 26 dB Noise Level

With affordable prices and excellent quality, Optoma HD 146X is very popular amongst avid gamers. It offers 1080p visuals that are very sharp. With this amazing projector for gaming, you get huge screen space and full HD visuals in a small form factor.

Since Optoma HD146X is not a short-throw projector, you will need around 8 ft. of space to get this bad boy up and running. Even if you are standing 8 ft. away, the picture will be clear and bright!

With this projector, you will enjoy high-definition, crisp images at a high resolution. It comes with an RYGCWB 6 color wheel as well for color calibration. The projector incorporates the latest technology and comes with a DLP DMD single-chip design.

This ensures you get perfect image alignment with high-brightness. With an amazing lamp life of 15,000 hours, you can use this top projector for gaming for a long time!

Pros

  • You can keep the lights on or dim them as per your preference.
  • It has an enhanced gaming mode that enables quick response time.
  • The projector comes with HDMI-CEC technology which allows the user to control the projector & the connected devices with a single remote.

Cons

  • The projector doesn’t have any audio settings except Mute/Volume.
  • The placement and adjustment of the ceiling mount take time.
  • You cannot adjust the keystone in particular picture modes.

2. Optoma UHD 50X 4K Gaming Projector

Highlighted features

  • Picture Quality – 4K Ultra HD
  • 3,400 Lumens of Brightness
  • Response Time – 16ms to 26ms
  • High Contrast Ratio – 500,000:1

Want to experience excellent quality, home-cinema feel? With this 4K Ultra UHD Optoma projector, you can do so! It has 8.3 million distinct on-screen pixels that enhance the picture quality.

Enjoy unparalleled smoothness and blur-free visuals with this ultra-fast gaming projector with a refresh rate of 240Hz. This is combined with the enhanced gaming mode which produces a quick response time of 16ms to 26ms for the lowest input lag!

With the amazing HDR10 and HLG technologies, you can now enjoy deeper blacks and brighter whites and enhance your viewing experience. Due to the dynamic black technology and high contrast ratio, the picture quality is second-to-none!

The brightness of this projector is 3,400 lumens and it comes with both a table & ceiling mount. This allows for easy and flexible installation. The hardware interface is compatible with a large variety of inputs such as HDMI, USB, and VGA.

You can project a 100” image from an approximate distance of 9 to 11 ft. away. A 120” image can be easily projected from 11 to 13 ft. away.

Pros

  • The UltraDetail technology makes sure that you get sharper images.
  • The projector has an RGBWRGBW color wheel that increases the color ratio and gives vivid, rich, cinematic images.
  • With the 3,4000 lumens of brightness, you can enjoy gaming both indoors and outdoors.
  • The long lamp life of 15,000 hours ensures that you enjoy playing games on these projectors for years to come.
  • This 4K gaming projector can project images up to 302”.

Cons

  • It comes with a high price-tag.
  • This projector takes a while to boot.
  • If you use enhanced gaming mode, the image quality will downscale to 1080p.

3. Optoma UHD30 4K Gaming Projector

Highlighted features

  • Cinematic Picture Quality – 4K Ultra HD
  • 3,400 Lumens of Brightness
  • Response Time – 16ms to 26ms
  • High Contrast Ratio – 500,000:1

This is another amazing 4K gaming projector from Optoma. Experience high-quality, lag-free gaming with this projector that has an amazing refresh rate of 240Hz. If you use the enhanced gaming mode, you will get a response rate of 16ms and without the mode, you will get a response rate as high as 26ms!

The Optoma UHD30 is an affordable version of the UHD50X with a few key differences. The UHD50X has a better zoom feature and sharper picture. Moreover, it has less input lag as well when you are gaming in 4K.

It comes with flexible mounting options such as front, rear, tabletop, and ceiling mount. With 3,400 lumens of brightness, this 4K gaming projector is second-to-none! The hardware interface options of this projector are HDMI, USB, and VGA.

The projector is HLG and HDR compatible and comes with UltraDetail technology to get sharp images with high frame rates. With a high contrast ratio of 500,000:1, you are in for a high-quality cinematic experience!

Pros

  • It comes with different mounting options.
  • The projector is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
  • With keystone correction and 1.1x zoom, you can get the picture just right!
  • The projector comes with a variety of inputs and connects with most gaming consoles, PCs, media players, etc.
  • With 15,000 hours of lamp life, you will be using this projector for years to come.

Cons

  • You experience a slight lag when you are gaming in 4K.
  • In the Dynamic Black mode, the fan is slightly loud.
  • This projector needs some time and effort for installation.

4. BenQ TH685 1080p Gaming Projector

Highlighted features

  • Picture Quality – 1080p HDR enabled
  • 3,500 Lumens of Brightness
  • Response Time – 8.3ms
  • Contrast Ratio – 10,000:1
  • Comes with an integrated 5 W speaker

For excellent audio, you get a 5 W amazing speaker by treVolo in this projector. This projector is HDR enabled and can project 100” images from a distance of 8.2 ft. the HDR10 technology ensures that you get deeper blacks and brighter whites.

With a low input lag and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, this projector is geared for gaming. There is a built-in game mode that fine-tunes the images as well as the audio for the best possible experiences. With this 1080p projector, you get 3,500 lumens of brightness. Moreover, it is remote-controlled.

The LumiExpert features keep your eyes strain-free during extended gaming sessions. Usually, you get a warranty of one year when you are buying projectors. However, with BenQ TH685, you get an extended warranty of 3-years that allows you to game in peace!

Pros

  • You can easily connect the projector with various gaming consoles and media players for big-screen gaming.
  • The response time of 8.3ms and a refresh rate of 120Hz making it perfect for gaming.
  • The projector works with a wide range – 30” to 300”- of screen sizes.
  • The TH685 uses the CinimaticColor feature to ensure the best image quality.
  • The projector comes at an affordable price point.

Cons

  • This projector has only 1080p resolution.
  • There is no travel bag or screen cap included with the projector.
  • If you use the projector at full brightness, the blacks will look slightly washed out.

5. BenQ X1300i 1080p Gaming Projector

Highlighted features

  • Picture Quality – 1080p HDR enabled
  • 3,000 Lumens of Brightness
  • Response Time – 8.3ms
  • Contrast Ratio – 5,000,000:1

This is another amazing gaming projector by BenQ with a resolution of 1080p/ It is HDR enabled and has 4K compatibility. You project a 100” image from a distance of over 9.4 ft. away. It comes with an amazing gaming mode that allows you to fine-tune the images and the audio at the same time.

With a response rate of 8.3ms and a refresh rate of 120Hz, you are in for a great experience with this one! The projector comes with a ceiling mount. It is compatible with major gaming consoles such as PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia, etc.

With equalized audio and bright, sharp images, BenQ X1300i gives excellent, pro performance. The auto-calibration features give consistent and vibrant colors with superior contrast, brightness, and saturation.

Pros

  • This projector has a USB hardware interface.
  • You get a 3-year warranty on limited parts as well as labor coverage.
  • It features a native 1080p resolution and a bright 3,000-lumen output.
  • The 2D keystone allows flexible placements and prevents the trapezoid effect.
  • You get excellent out-of-the-box accuracy.         
  • The lamp can function perfectly for over 20,000 hours.

Cons

  • It doesn’t have a 4K resolution.
  • Netflix is not natively available on this projector.
  • You don’t get built-in Android TV OS but rather a streaming dongle with the projector

6. BenQ TH671ST 1080p Gaming Projector

Highlighted features

  • Picture Quality – 1080p HDR enabled
  • 3,000 Lumens of Brightness
  • Response Time – 16.67ms
  • Contrast Ratio – 10,000:1

With full HD 1080p resolution and a brightness of 3,000 Lumen, you are in for an immersive gaming experience with the BenQ TH671ST gaming projector. It comes with a great refresh rate and an ultra-fast, low input lag to ensure a smooth gaming experience to keep you at the top of your game!

This pick for best gaming projector can project up to 300”. You can take the gaming action to the big screen and project on a 100” from a distance of merely 5 ft. away. This award-winning projector comes with a 3-year warranty for limited parts as well as labor coverage.

With flexible connectivity options such as HDMI, USB, and more, the projector supports most gaming consoles, media players, PCs, mobile devices, etc. If you face any issues, the customer service representatives are there to take care of your needs!

Pros

  • The projector has a low lag input with a response rate of 16.67ms.
  • You get a 5W built-in speaker for an enhanced audio experience.
  • It is a short-throw 1080p gaming projector.
  • The LumiExpert sensory system automatically adjusts brightness & contrast by detecting ambient light.
  • Since this projector is a short-throw projector, it is perfect for small apartments, bedrooms, and dorm rooms.

Cons

  • You can face slight difficulty while adjusting the keystone.
  • The lamp life is only 4,000 hours.
  • The remote control has a flimsy build.

7. BenQ HT2150ST Gaming Projector

Highlighted features

  • Picture Quality – 1080p HDR enabled
  • 2,200 Lumen of Brightness
  • Response Time – 8.3ms
  • Contrast Ratio – 15,000:1

Last but not the least, we have BenQ HT2150ST with a brightness of 2,200 lumens and a full HD 1080p resolution. You get an amazing contrast ratio of 15,000:1 and an RGBRGB 6 color wheel to get a rich, crisp, clear image.

This short-throw projector allows you to project a 100” image from a distance of 3 ft. only. You can project up to 300” easily. With the unique gaming modes and low input lag, you will get a comprehensive and ultra-smooth gaming experience.

With BenQ HT2150ST, you will get a 3-year warranty for limited parts so that you can game in peace. This award-winning projector has an easy and flexible installation with 1.2x zoom and vertical keystone correction.

Pros

  • With the DLP technology, you get a crisp and sharp image .
  • The projector has a uniform focus that means clearer images.
  • The projector has adequate black color levels.
  • Even if the walls are textured or uneven, you will get good images.

Cons

  • The lamp life is only 3,500 hours, which is very low.
  • In ambient lighting, the brightness starts to waver slightly.
  • It is not a 4K gaming projector.

Top Gaming Projector Buying Guide

Thinking of buying a gaming projector but don’t know what features to look for? Don’t worry, we are here to help. Let’s take a look at the factors and features you need to keep your eye open for when you are buying the best projector for gaming.

Resolution

When you are buying a projector for gaming, you shouldn’t settle for less than 1080p at least. 1080p is ideal for vivid and dynamic pictures. However, you can go for a 4K resolution for a more immersive, cinematic experience.

However, you need to know some gaming projects start to lag when you run them on 4K resolution. Moreover, 4K gaming projectors are expensive as well. Choose one of the projectors that we have reviewed above to play it safe!

Brightness Levels

The brightness level you need depends on the space in which you will use the projector. For instance, if you are looking for an indoor projector, then you can get a projector with a low lumens count and it would not matter a lot.

However, in case you are going to use the projector outdoors, the higher the lumens count, the better your experience will be. Get a projector with at least a 2,000-lumen rating. Such a projector will work fine for both indoor settings and outdoor settings.

Contrast Ratio

We have used the term contrast ratio throughout the article. But do you know what it means? Every image comes in the form of frames that are originally white & black. The light that gets reflected off the white color determines the color of the image.

The contrast ratio gives you the level of this reflected light from an entirely black or entirely white image sequence. For instance, if a projector has a contrast ratio of 15,000:1, this means that the white image will be 15,000 times brighter than the black – thereby making the image more vivid and crisp.

Response Rate

The input lag or response time is the time the projector will take to display an image. Since every second in the game is precious, the faster the response rate, the better will your gaming experience will be.

Moreover, you will not have to face the issue of out-of-order images. Look for low input rates. Input lag doesn’t matter much for movies or TV shows but plays a huge role in gaming.

Therefore, we recommend that you should get a gaming projector with an input lag rate of below 20ms. All the quality products that we have reviewed above have a response rate of less than 20ms.

Refresh Rate

We have discussed the term refresh rate several times in the product reviews. Now let’s see what it actually is. Refresh rate simply tells the number of frames that you will be able to see per second.

It is measured in Hz. If a projector has a refresh rate of 30 Hz, you will start noticing visual artifacts, tears, and stuttering. High-quality games usually run at 144Hz. Look for the best gaming projectors with either a 144Hz refresh rate or more.

However, you should know that the human eye cannot distinguish between anything that is over 60Hz. Still, some individuals are slightly more sensitive than others. When you are spending money, why not buy the best product out there, right?

Bulb Life

Nothing is more exasperating than arranging a whole gaming night only to find out that the projector’s bulb has burnt out. Every projector that you buy has a bulb life rating which indicates how long the lamp will last.

We recommend that you buy a projector with a lamp life of at least 6000 hours so that you won’t have to keep on changing the lamps every year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is a projector better than a TV for gaming?

Both TVs and projectors can provide you with a great gaming experience. However, whether you choose a TV or projector depends on your gaming needs and requirements. If you are looking for 60-inch or larger displays, then you should definitely go for a projector instead of a TV.

Q: What should I look for in a gaming projector?

While choosing a gaming projector, you need to take a look at a few features such as response rate, brightness, contrast ratio, resolution, etc. We have discussed these factors above in detail in the buying guide for the best projector for gaming.

Final Word

For the ultimate gaming experience, you should get the best projector for gaming. With so many options available out there, it can get a bit difficult to choose one that is perfect for you in every respect.

To help you out, we have put together a comprehensive list of projectors for gaming that you can choose from and have a great time gaming alone or with friends!

Happy Gaming, Folks!