BenQ GP20(01 of09)
Open Image ModalThis tiny projector probably isn’t one for would-be hardcore home cinema buffs, as the idea is that you can pick it up and carry it around the house, turning any room into a mini cinema. Along with a bargain price tag, it’s got impressive short-throw projection so that you can get a big 60in image with the device just 1.5m away from the wall. It’s not full HD, but it will give you 720p high definition and because it’s so small, it’s easily transported so you could easily take it over to a friend’s house. (£423) (credit:BenQ )
BenQ W1070+(02 of09)
Open Image ModalThere’s no getting around the fact that a projector is a pricey piece of kit, but the good news is that not all projector prices are likely to cause panic, like this sub-£600 gem from BenQ. It’s a great price if you’re making your home cinema system debut, though be warned if you want to watch 3D you’ll need to splash out extra for the glasses (around £50 each). Unlike many projectors, particularly the cheaper ones, audio performance is especially strong. (£599.99) (credit:BenQ)
Epson EH-TW9200(03 of09)
Open Image ModalThis Epson sports a slightly more affordable price, and while there’s no 4K here, it does an admirable job on 3D and is probably one of the best 3D products around at this price. A good choice for home cinema newbies as it’s easy to set up, this LCD projector comes with two pairs of 3D specs so you’re all ready to go and a wireless feature means that you can place it wherever you want in the room and that you won’t have pesky cables everywhere. The white chassis is good news if you don’t want your living room taken over by unsightly black boxes. (£2,599) (credit:Epson)
JVC DLA-X500(04 of09)
Open Image ModalThis clever projector from JVC sports the maker’s e-Shift 3 technology which means that it can handle 4K feeds although it doesn’t quite output it at a true 4K resolution. It might not be full-fat 4K, but at least that means that price tag isn’t quite as distressing as those of its higher priced rivals and it still delivers stunning high-def images. Like many projectors these days, the X500 can also handle 3D. What’s more, the motorised lens means you can adjust the settings from the comfort of your sofa via remote control. (£3,999) (credit:JVC)
Optoma HD50(05 of09)
Open Image ModalA slightly more wallet-friendly route into home cinema, this reasonably priced DLP projector from Optoma isn’t the prettiest product around but it does have a small footprint so it won’t take up too much room. It may be small but it has a relatively large throw ratio so you’ve got plenty of flexibility on where to place it, which also makes it a good choice if you want to move it between different rooms. If you want to watch in 3D you’ll need to shell out extra for the 3D emitter system and specs. (£1,000) (credit:Optoma)
Philips Screeneo HDP1590TV(06 of09)
Open Image ModalThis nifty little portable projector from Philips is one of the cheaper options around and has the ability to create huge, cinema-like pictures on the wall, even in a small room thanks to its super short throw ratio.You can get a 50in picture with the projector sitting just 10cm from the wall. The image resolution is limited to 720p high-def, rather than full 1080p HD and while die hard home cinema aficionados would probably scoff at the idea, it’s a great workaround for those who don’t have a lot of room to play with. (£999) (credit:Philips)
Sim2 Fuoriserie(07 of09)
Open Image ModalIf you’ve chanced upon an unexpected windfall, or you’ve simply lost your mind, then you might want to consider throwing caution to the wind and investing in a top-of-the-range luxury projector. This beauty from Sim2 will set you back a mere £79,000. And it’s not even 4K. It does, however, sport a stunning design and delivers eye-popping picture quality and it also has auto picture calibration so it constantly updates the settings to keep the picture looking good at all times. It’s made in limited numbers, but then we can’t see a great deal of people being able to afford such an extravagant home cinema toy. (£79,000) (credit:Sim2)
Sony VPL-VW500ES(08 of09)
Open Image ModalIf you’re keen to dive right in at the deep end of high-end home cinema, then you might want to go for a ‘futureproof’ 4K projector. This £8,000+ price tag on this lightbox may be jaw dropping at first glance, but it’s actually an excellent price for such a highly-specced device and you won’t find many brands offering better picture quality. Everyone knows there isn’t much 4K stuff to watch just yet, but with Netflix already joining the 4K party, others look set to follow. This hunk of gadgetry will also support 3D playback, if that’s your thing.(£8,400) (credit:Sony)
Sony VPL-VW1100ES(09 of09)
Open Image ModalSony’s 4K flagship projector is for serious home cinema buffs only and is basically about as good as you can get, outside of an actual 4K-toting cinema. With such a lofty position, it’s no surprise that it comes at an eye-watering price of £19,000, but then you really do get what you pay for. Image quality is spectacular, as is 3D performance and you can feel the quality right down to the smallest details, like the handily backlit remote control. It’ll be hard to going back to your TV after this. (£19,000) (credit:Sony)