How to Choose a Proper Projector?

Before buying a proper projector, you should consider the following points.

Display Technology

In terms of display technology, there are five common display options, LCD, 3LCD, DLP, 3DLP and LCOS.  For home use, you can just select LCD, DLP, or 3LCD because LCOS projector is expensive. Among the three technologies, DLP and 3LCD have better overall performance.

DLP vs 3LCD: DLP projector has a small size and good response while 3LCD performs better in terms of colors and details.

Resolution  

The resolution of the projector determines the clarity of the picture.  Under the same conditions, the higher the resolution the better the image.

Common resolution:

720p: 1280x720

1080p: 1920x1080

4K: 3840 x2160

Light source

The higher the brightness of the projector, the clearer the image.  The brightness of the projector depends largely on the light source in the projector.

LED projectors have low brightness, which is generally under 1500ANSI lumens, which is suitable for night use only. If you want to buy the best projector under $1000, you can choose an LED projector.

A high-pressure mercury bulb has high brightness, usually above 3000ANSI lumens. However, this kind of bulb is very hot, and the life is only 3000-5000 hours. You need to replace bulbs frequently.

A laser light source has the advantages of high brightness and long life.  The average household laser projector can have a brightness above 2000ANSI lumens.  You can watch shows in a brightly lit living room.

Portability

If you want to use the projector for outdoor movies, you need to pay more attention to the size and weight of the projector. In addition, if the projector has a built-in battery, you can use it for projector photography outdoors.

To conclude, a good projector should have a good display, high resolution, proper light source, and portability.