There’s a growing trend towards gamers looking for that big-screen experience usually reserved only for tournaments. With the option to play on a screen as big as 100 inches (or even bigger!), portability with portable models to take the display with you, and 4K performance, it’s no surprise projectors are gaining steam among gamers.
Not all projectors, however, are ideal for gaming. There are specific features and specs gamers need to consider that will impact their experience, like input lag, refresh rate, resolution, and brightness. In this guide, we’ll help you find the best gaming projector for your setup, budget, and preferred platform, whether that’s PlayStation 5, Xbox, or even PC games. We’ll also provide top picks worth considering.
Top picks snapshot
- Best overall projector for gaming: Epson Home Cinema 2350 smart gaming projector
- Best 4K gaming projector: BenQ TK700 4K UHD gaming home theatre projector
- Best budget gaming projector: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 smart laser gaming projector
- Best laser gaming projector: Hisense C2 Ultra 4K ultra laser smart mini projector
- Best mini/portable gaming projector: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 smart laser gaming projector
What makes a good projector for gaming?
Here are particular features gamers should seek out:
Low input lag
Input lag, also called latency, is the delay between your device sending a signal—like from a gaming console—and the projector showing the image. If the video doesn’t show up on screen immediately, it could mean the difference between life and death for your on-screen character. Input lag is measured in milliseconds. A projector with an input lag from 0ms–20ms is ideal for serious gamers, while casual gamers might be able to make do with 20ms–50ms. But don’t get anything higher than that.
High refresh rate
Refresh rate, just like with TVs, determines how smoothly images appear on screen. Naturally, it’s most relevant for fast-moving scenes in movies, sports, and, of course, gaming. Measured in hertz, a higher refresh rate means the on-screen action keeps up with rapid movements without any noticeable motion blur. The standard is 120Hz, with the screen displaying 120 frames every second. Serious gamers will want a projector with 240Hz for the cleanest, smoothest image.
4K resolution impact
4K resolution can be a game-changer (pun intended). Compared to 1080p HD, you get a crisper, clearer picture with more details, better contrast and more accurate colours. That’s important whether you’re building in Minecraft or trying to dominate in Call of Duty. The latest premium video games look like movies, so you want to give them the same treatment you’d give an actual movie.
Brightness for flexible lighting
You want a projector with high brightness options for playing in a brighter room or even outdoors. If you opt for a portable projector you can bring to other locations, you’ll want the image to still look good, even with ambient light leaking in. Projector brightness is best measured in ANSI lumens and you can learn everything you need to know about it in our projector brightness guide.
Generally, for gamers, 1,500-2,500 ANSI lumens is fine for darkened rooms and basements. For an average living room with some light coming through, 2,500-3,500 ANSI lumens is recommended.
Game-specific modes
Like TVs, some projectors have game-specific modes designed specifically to enhance the experience for gamers. Typically, this mode will reduce input lag or response time by limiting other video processing features while you play. For some, it will reduce resolution and scale up refresh rate, a worthwhile trade-off for gamers.
Portability vs performance
You’ll always get the best performance from a permanently set up, high-end projector. But if portability is the priority, you can find fantastic portable projectors that make gaming on the go simple. Many of these have built-in smart operating systems, so you can download favourite gaming apps directly to them. Or they have HDMI ports for connecting a portable gaming system like the Nintendo Switch 2. These are ideal for casual gamers, maybe even to bring up to the cottage or enjoy with a small screen on the side of the RV.
Top gaming projector picks
Which projector should you pick? Here are some great suggestions to fit differing needs and priorities.
Best overall projector for gaming: Epson Home Cinema 2350
This 4K ultra HD LED smart projector is tailor-made for gaming though its specs make it great for movie and TV watching, too. It can project an image on a screen up to 500 inches in size and offers 120fps for blur-free images in fast-moving games, like first-person shooters. The 10W speaker provides booming audio on its own. It has built-in HDMI to connect directly to your console or other device and includes both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as well. The 2,800-lumen brightness is enough for an average room. It’s a long throw projector so you will need to place it further away from the screen. Ideally, this model is best for permanent set-ups, ceiling mounted with the optional bracket.
Pros: Designed specifically for gaming, can project a large image, very bright, lots of connectivity options
Cons: Long throw so you can’t position it close to the screen, not great for smaller rooms, no built-in smart TV OS
Best 4K gaming projector: BenQ TK700
The 3,200-lumen brightness in this projector makes it a versatile option you can use in virtually any settings, including outdoors with some ambient light. The 4K resolution will make every detail in your games shine while accurate colour reproduction will add to the sense of realism. A dedicated Game Mode enhances black details and decreases latency so the picture keeps up with the action. You can use this short throw projector in tighter spaces, too, displaying an image up to 100 inches in size (max. screen size is 300 inches). Listen via the integrated 5W speaker with the option to add more speakers thanks to 7.1-channel and Dolby Atmos audio pass-through support with eARC.
Pros: Convenient for use on the go, comes with an anti-theft lock, short throw design, dedicated game mode, high brightness.
Cons: Integrated speakers aren’t too powerful, no built-in smart TV OS, expensive.
Best budget gaming projector: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21
This gaming projector offers impressive colours thanks to three-chip 3LCD technology. With 1,000 lumens brightness, it might not be the best option for outdoor use or use in bright rooms without blackout curtains, but for a basement or living room at night, it will do. Project an up to 150-inch image and let EpiqSense technology take care of automatic resizing, focus, and alignment. It’s a long throw projector, so you’ll need a bigger room. It has an HDMI and USB port plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and built-in Google TV. Listen from the built-in stereo speakers with Dolby audio. It’s a good option for casual gamers.
Pros: Automatic picture alignment, built-in Google TV, stereo speakers, long lamp life.
Cons: Long throw requires a larger space, not as bright as others, image size limited to 150 inches.
Best laser gaming projector: Hisense C2
What’s especially neat about this laser gaming projector is that it’s mounted on a gimbal so you get 360° horizontal and 135° vertical adjustment. It sits flat on a surface like a table or can be ceiling mounted upside down. With 4K video quality and 3,000 ANSI lumens, it’s suitable for any room at home, even backyard movie nights. It’s designed especially for use with Xbox (suitable for other gaming consoles, too) with a dedicated PC/Game mode, high refresh rate (up to 240Hz with 1080P content), dynamic contrast ratio, and even 4K AI upscaling if you’re playing 1080P games. Project an image up to 300 inches in size. The 40W speaker adds booming audio during gaming battles.
Pros: High refresh rate at lower resolutions, convenient gimbal design, high brightness, large screen size options, VIDAA smart TV OS, long lamp life.
Cons: Users report some rainbow effects, stand adds bulk
Best mini/portable gaming projector: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22
If you’re looking for something small but mighty, this projector fits the bill. It packs 3LCD technology inside a small package with a built-in swivel stand that can rotate a full 360° and even tilt for the perfect view. You’ll get crisp HD viewing with impressive HDR colour reproduction. Project an image up to 150 inches and leverage EpiqSense for real-time picture resizing, focus and alignment adjustments. A long throw projector, it comes with HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. There’s also built-in Google TV and internal stereo speakers with Dolby audio. Bring this projector up to the cottage, to a friend’s house, or from the basement to the backyard for movie night under the stars.
Pros: Affordable, compact in design, ideal for use on the go, automatic picture adjustment, built-in Google TV, swivel stand.
Cons: No 4K support, long throw requires bigger space, limited brightness, limited screen size.
Other gaming projectors to consider
Looking for some other options? There are a few more recommendations to consider.
Samsung The Premiere 5 4K Ultra HD laser home theatre projector
Perfect for casual gaming, this projector only has 560 lumens so you’re limited in brightness. But it does offer 4K resolution with HDR for enhanced colour and contrast. Plus, it’s an ultra-short throw projector, making it ideal for tight spaces. It also adds touch interaction, perfect for fun family gaming with the kids.
BenQ TK710 4K Ultra HD laser gaming projector
Step-up from the TK700 with the TK710. The BenQ TK710 will better suit the needs of serious gamers with discerning tastes. It has a longer-lasting laser light source and can produce better blacks with better latency, wider throw distance, quieter operation, and adds Bluetooth, Chromecast built-in, and AirPlay and Wi-Fi support.
FAQs about gaming projectors
Looking for some more details about gaming projectors? We’ve got you covered.
Can a projector match a TV for esports or competitive gaming?
That really depends on the specific projector and your set-up. For a premium model with high-end specs that’s mounted properly and the right room conditions, it absolutely can. Seek out the top-line specs, including refresh rate, lumens, resolution, and input lag.
Is 4K necessary or is 1080p 240Hz enough?
There’s a trade-off one way or another. With 4K, you’re getting a better, clearer, crisper picture. But if it taps out at 120Hz, you aren’t getting as quick a reaction time and as smooth motion as you’d get with a 240Hz projector. For serious gamers playing competitively or for specific types of games like first-person shooters, racing games, and fighting games, it’s worth it to sacrifice resolution for refresh rate. Some 4K projectors, it should be noted, allow you to dial back to 1080p with 240Hz refresh in a dedicated game mode, then switch back for watching movies and TV shows.
Do portable or mini projectors work well for gaming?
Yes! They’re great for gaming on the go or a compact set-up at home. You might not get the best specs, but they are versatile options that will suit casual gamers.
Do I need a short-throw projector for console play?
No. A short throw projector makes set-up simple, especially in smaller rooms. If you have the space and you can mount it on the ceiling or wall, a long throw projector is suitable, too. Learn more about the differences between short throw vs long throw projectors in our handy guide.
Game away on the big screen
Using a projector you can enjoy an epic gaming experience at home. The key features you need to consider along with resolution are brightness and lag/latency, as well as refresh rate. These are especially crucial for gamers. If you can find a projector with a dedicated gaming mode that adjusts settings for game play, that’s ideal. Otherwise, seek out the necessary specs outlined in this guide before choosing a model for gaming.
Check out a wide range of gaming projecters at Best Buy Canada.
