When is it worth buying and which models are available under 500 euros?

If you want to convert your living room into a real home cinema, you may already have seen the Buy a projector instead of a TV thought. But when is it worth buying such a projector? And what is there to consider when buying? We provide you with the answers in our purchase advice.

This article answers the following questions:

Beamer or TV: when is it worth buying a beamer?

It works especially well during the pandemic Projector for your own home cinema particularly attractive as an alternative to television. The times when the largest possible free projection surface was required for the use of a projector are long gone. Projectors can be used flexibly and allow images to be displayed in Sizes between 40 and up to 300 inches – depending on the selected model.

In the meantime, even projectors are included 4K resolution at affordable prices available so that users do not have to do without high-resolution image reproduction. In addition, most modern devices deliver an image that is as large as it is razor-sharp and colorful, so that in particular Film and sports fans get their money’s worth come.

A projector is worthwhile, for example, if you watch the normal TV program on the old TV, but visually stunning films or Sporting events with friends in an excitingly large format. Also because you are partly a large projection surface for less money gets than a television of comparable size would cost. And even for rooms with little space, such a device can be worthwhile.

What do you have to consider with a projector?

Five points should be considered when buying a projector. If you want to use a projector in your home cinema, you need one thing in addition to the device itself, namely one suitable projection surface. This can be a white wall or a real screen.

1. Do you need a screen?

A wall saves money, but has the disadvantage that the picture may change quality and brightness loses. This is because even the smallest imperfections in the wallpaper create small shadows that affect the image quality.

the Canvases are an alternative, which you can buy in different sizes and in different price categories. Simple models are already available from 100 euros. This investment is definitely worth it if you want to enjoy the full image quality of your projector.

2. The accessories for the projector

In addition to the fact that you need a suitable projection surface for a projector, you should be clear about how you want to use the projector before making the purchase decision. Because every device is included several connections for additional hardware fitted. For example, if you want to use a TV stick for playback, you should make sure that the projector has an audio output and an HDMI connection – which is the case with most devices.

3. Lumens and Contrast

Depending on where and how you want to use your projector, the main thing is to play Factors such as luminosity (lumens), resolution and contrast ratio of the projector plays an important role. If you want to set up your projector in the living room or in a room that cannot be completely darkened, the device of your choice should have a brightness of at least 3,000 lumens feature. 1,500 lumens are sufficient in basements or rooms without windows and without outside light.

In addition to the brightness of the projector, the contrast is another important factor that you should consider when making your purchase decision. In order for darker colors and texts to come into their own, you should ensure that the contrast is as high as possible. The nature of the room in which you want to set up the projector also plays a role here. Darker rooms require less contrast than the traditional living room. A rule of thumb: Contrast values ​​from 20,000 : 1 are considered to be well suited for every application.

4. Full HD or 4K or ?

the resolutionthat your projector should have depends on the size of the image. The larger the image should be, the higher the resolution must be. very inexpensive devices with an HD Ready resolution of 720p * are most worthwhile for beginners who are slowly approaching the home cinema experience and want to enjoy their films on a rather small screen.

One Full HD resolution is considered standard and is suitable for the average home theater owner (to Amazon *). If you want to raise your own home cinema experience to the highest level and are not afraid of making a corresponding investment, you can also go to one 4K projector * grab – but then also requires a correspondingly large screen, so that the resolution can fully come into its own. However, if you buy a 4K projector, make sure that the device of your choice can also handle lower resolutions so that you can also watch content in Full HD.

5. The lamp life

Finally, you should remember that the The lamp unit of a projector has a limited service life of about 3,500 hours. With a usage time of three hours per day, this corresponds to about three years. If the lamp has done its job and its luminosity decreases, you can buy a new module. The costs for this are around 150 euros.

What types of projectors are there?

As with televisions, there are also different types of projectors that work with different projection technologies. Among the most common are DLP (Digital Light Processing), 3LCD, LED and Laser. DLP, LCD and LED projectors use a lamp unit that loses its luminosity over time. However, these devices are usually significantly cheaper than laser projectors. The lasers usually have five times the service life of a lighting unit.

DLP projectors are usually particularly small and compact. They also have the best contrast. In contrast, LCD and LED projectors score with a sharper image and brighter colors, which also come into their own with a rather low luminosity. Laser projector * always output exactly the color that is currently required, which means that they output a particularly sharp and true-color image, including very good contrasts. However, you usually have to invest at least 2,000 euros for these devices – a price that is rarely worthwhile for normal home cinema.

In addition to the projection technology, projectors also differ in the Distance required for projecting the image is. Most normal projectors require a minimum distance of almost three meters to produce a two-meter-wide image.

If you have little space available, you can also use so-called Short or ultra short throw projectors To fall back on. These devices require a significantly smaller distance to the screen than conventional projectors, but are also correspondingly more expensive.

How much does a projector cost?

Cheap models are already available for less than 200 euros, but you have to make significant compromises in terms of image quality. Many of these entry-level models own no full HD resolution and because of the rather moderate color and contrast values, they are particularly suitable if you want to use the projector rarely and in a small room.

You can already get good LCD and DLP projectors from a price range of around 500 euros. These devices often come with Full HD resolution and reasonable home cinema equipment. If you want to buy a projector with 4K resolution, you have to reckon with prices around 1,000 euros.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a projector compared to a television?

Projectors have a number of advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional televisions. the advantages are:

However, there are a few Disadvantagesthat you should consider when buying a projector:

Projectors from cheap to elegant: The best models at a glance

Projectors are available in various different price categories. We have selected a number of recommended models for you that are suitable for (almost) every budget.

Entry-level class: projector for 100 euros

If you want to get a feel for the home cinema experience or only have a limited budget, you can already go for cheap projectors for around 100 euros to buy. Recommended models are, for example, the AOpen QH11 with HD Ready resolution, 5,000 lumens and integrated speaker:

Alternatively, you can take a look at the entry-level model NeoPix Easy 2+ from Philips, which also comes with 720p resolution and integrated speakers:

Upscale entry-level models: projectors under 300 euros

If you want to invest some more money, you already get it for less than or around 300 euros recommended projector for home cinema beginners. Various no-name manufacturers offer different models that can be worthwhile for beginners. Check the exact information on contrast and lumen value in each individual case before you decide on a model.

An HD-Ready projector from LG currently costs just over 300 euros, which we have included in this list despite its relatively low lumen values. The projector has the advantage that it is extremely light and compact and also runs on battery power. So you can easily take it with you to friends or when travelling:

Alternatively, you can also take a look at the Yaber Bluetooth projector with Full HD resolution at Amazon * currently costs almost 270 euros.

Middle class: projectors between 500 and 600 euros

You can buy projectors for as little as 500 to 600 euros, which can also display Full HD. The Optoma HD146X is one of the absolute price-performance winners and scores with a sharp picture in Full HD and good contrast values:

In the price range up to 600 euros, we also recommend the HD projector H6542BDK from Acer. This DLP projector has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels and, with 4,000 ANSI lumens, is also suitable for the living room at home. Currently it costs less than 600 euros:

Full HD projector under 1,000 euros

Are you willing to spend up to 1,000 euros for a projector, but then expect a corresponding quality for your money? Then you should take a closer look at the following models, which are convincing in terms of brightness, contrast values ​​and additional features:

High-end and 4K: When the image quality needs to be perfect

Are there no upper limits to your budget when it comes to equipping the home cinema? Then you could be happy with the Epson EH-TW7100. This 4K projector not only impresses with a very high contrast value and UHD resolution, but also with various connections and a plug & play function:

As an alternative, we recommend the BenQ W5700S as an absolute high-end device. The 4K projector from BenQ has outstanding contrast values ​​and processes 4K, Full HD and 3D content. It also supports HDR10 and offers an integrated media player:

We hope that our purchase advice can help you to choose the right projector for your home cinema and wish you a lot of fun with your new toy.

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