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In the not-so-distant past, the very thought of using a projector while gaming seemed like absolute madness. Earlier iterations of even top-selling projectors tended to lack the definition and power that’s required for most games, and on the off chance you were able to find a projector that ticked all of these essential boxes, its price was doubtlessly through the roof. Thankfully, those days are over, and there are a large number of less expensive projectors that can be used for gaming. For those of us who aren’t satisfied with the limited power, size, and aspect ratios of standard computer screens or even large televisions, a projector can allow us to game in a hundred inches of projected clarity from the comfort of our sofa. A projector that would be excellent for gaming should have a high resolution, low input lag, and fast refresh rates. You should also check if it has a decent contrast ratio and color gamut, making your content look as realistic and detailed as possible. If you’re the type who wants the best of the best when it comes to quality and performance, you should be ready to make an investment because high-quality projectors are far from cheap. Here are some of the best projectors for gaming in 2022.
There’s no doubt that the Optoma UHD38 is a projector fit for gaming because it has top-notch specs. It has a maximum viewable screen size of 301 inches, and it will feel like you turned your room into a cinema because the projector supports 4K Ultra HD resolution. The projector has a long-throw lens, so it won’t be your best option if you have a small room. You get more than 8 million on-screen pixels, and its HDR10 and HLG support ensure you will have deeper blacks and brighter whites. The selling point of this projector is its jaw-dropping 240Hz refresh rate for 1080p gaming, but you’ll have to settle for a 60Hz refresh rate when on 4K UHD. It even comes with an Enhanced Gaming Mode that drops its response time to 16ms for 4k UHD and 4.2ms for 1080p. The projector features 4,000 lumens of brightness, so you can use it in any room indoors or for backyard film nights. Users can expect sharp images with richer colors because of the projector’s UltraDetail technology. Its Dynamic Black technology adds depth to your content, creating an outstanding contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. Setting up the projector is easy since it has a ±40° keystone correction and 1.1x zoom. You can connect all your consoles or computers using its HDMI ports. The projector will remain functional for a long time because it has a lamp life of 15,000 hours.
For those who have no restraints on their budgets and need a high-quality projector for a smaller space, the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 would be a fantastic premium option for you. The projector features Ultra-Short Throw Laser-Array Technology, so you can expect it to deliver stunning picture quality even if it were just inches away from the wall. Users will get a maximum screen size of 130″, and its 4K PRO-UHD Projection Technology ensures you get top-notch color, image processing, and advanced resolution enhancement. The details of your content will even go a step further, thanks to the projector’s 10-bit HDR processing. You will get to enjoy crystal-clear 4K HDR content from the project at any time of the day because of its 4,000 lumens of brightness. The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 promises superb color accuracy since it features 3-chip 3LCD technology that allows it to display the Rec.709 color space. Users will be impressed by how the projector handles dark and bright areas of your content since it has a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The projector also comes with digital picture processing, so you get smoother tonal transitions and eliminate banding, compression artifacts, and blocking. When using the projector with 4K content, you get a refresh rate of 60Hz, but that number jumps up to 240Hz when on 1080p. Users won’t have trouble with connectivity since the projector features 18 Gbps HDMI 2.0 with ARC support. This projector is like having a smart TV because it comes with an Android TV dongle. You can quickly download all your favorite streaming apps, and you get access to Google Assistant.
The BenQ TK700STi is another valuable projector for gaming in small rooms because you can get a 100-inch screen even if it is only 6.6 ft away from the wall. The projector supports 4K resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate and 16ms response time. You can also enjoy a 240Hz refresh rate and 4.16ms response time if you settle for a 1080p resolution. Gamers can pick between different preset game modes like SPG, RPG, and FPS. Users will find it easy to find the perfect position and angle for the projector because of its Picture Rotation Adjustment, 2D Auto Vertical Keystone, and 1.2x zoom. The BenQ TK700STi comes with an Android TV platform built-in, so you can conveniently download all your favorite streaming services from the Google Play Store. If you want to cast something from your mobile devices, you can easily do it through Google Chromecast or Apple AirPlay. The remote control included can control both the projector and Android TV system. The projector has two HDMI ports for connecting gaming consoles, computers, etc., and a USB Type-A port with power delivery. Customers will have access to BenQ’s customer support, and you’ll have a 3-year limited warranty on parts and labor.
If you like the specs of the Optoma UHD38 but need a more affordable alternative, the ViewSonic PX748-4K would be the ideal choice for you. It supports 4K UHD content, and you can get a screen as big as 300 inches. Its 4,000 lumens of brightness ensures that you can enjoy a bright and vibrant screen at any time of day. This projector is ready for gaming because you can get a 4.2ms response time and 240Hz refresh rate. Users can expect detailed and dynamic content no matter how bright or dark the scene is because the projector supports HDR and HLG. The colors of your content will always look accurate and realistic because of ViewSonic’s proprietary SuperColor technology. When you want to stream content from your other devices, you can connect them using the HDMI or USB Type-C ports. You can even plug streaming sticks using its USB Type-A port. The projector’s auto keystone and four corner adjustment, warping tool, and 1.3x optical zoom will help you find the perfect spot and angle for the projector with added flexibility. Its maximum lamp life of 20,000 hours means that it will take more than a decade before you will need to think of replacing the projector. The projector comes with a USB-C cable and remote control.
The Optoma GT1080HDR is a versatile projector you can place in different rooms in your home because of its short-throw or long-throw projection support. Placing the projector only 4.4 feet away from your wall will give you a massive 120-inch screen. The projector has an enhanced gaming mode that speeds up your response time to 8.4ms and delivers a refresh rate of 120Hz. It also supports 4K UHD content, and its HDR10 technology and 6-segment color wheel promise superb detail and accurate colors. The projector has a contrast ratio of 50,000:1 and 3,800 lumens of brightness. It even supports True 3D content, but you will need to invest in 3D glasses. You can expect the project to stay with you for over a decade because of its 15,000-hour lamp life. Users can connect devices through its HDMI and VGA ports, and it also comes with a USB-A port with power delivery. The projector has a 10-watt speaker built-in, but you still might be better off using a soundbar. You can expect some flexibility when setting up the projector because of its ±40° keystone correction and 0.8-2.0x digital zoom.
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