Find The Right Home Theater Projectors

BenQ MP512 ST

Priced less than a midsized flat-screen LCD TV, BenQ's MP512 ST DLP projector is a solid, affordable option for people who want a big screen for casual use or gaming.

Specs: DLP projector, 800 x 600, 2200 ANSI lumens, 2500:1, 4.9 lbs, 10 in x 8.4 in x 3.5 in

Samsung SP-A800B

The Samsung SP-A800B outperforms every projector in its class hands-down, and competes favorably with the three-chip DLP units that cost three times as much.

Specs: DLP projector, 1920 x 1080, 1000 ANSI lumens, 10000:1, 22 lbs, 15.4 in x 18.9 in x 8.3 in

Mitsubishi HC6000

One of the better performers in the entry-level 1080p projector race, the Mitsubishi HC6000 also benefits from a comprehensive feature set.

Specs: LCD projector, 1920 x 1080, 1000 ANSI lumens, 15000:1, 12.3 lbs, 13.1 in x 13.9 in x 4.9 in

JVC DLA-HD100

Although a top performer in some respects, the JVC DLA-HD100 projector's relatively high price makes it a questionable value considering its color accuracy issues.

Specs: D-ILA projector, 1920 x 1080, 600 ANSI lumens, 30000:1, 25.6 lbs, 17.9 in x 6.8 in x 16.5 in

Sony VPL-VW60

While its color fidelity is not nearly as good as other late-model Sony SXRD products, the otherwise good-performing VPL-VW60 home theater projector remains a solid value.

Specs: SXRD projector, 1920 x 1080, 1000 ANSI lumens, 35000:1, 24.3 lbs, 18.5 in x 15.6 in x 6.9 in

Panasonic PT-AE2000U

The Panasonic PT-AE2000U 1080p projector is a credible performer, especially when you consider its relatively low price.

Specs: LCD projector, 1920 x 1080, 1500 ANSI lumens, 16000:1, HDTV, 15.9 lbs, 18.1 in x 11.8 in x 5.1 in

Sony VPL-VW200

Although it certainly costs more than most of the 1080p competition, the SXRD-based Sony VPL-VW200 delivers one of the best pictures of any projector we've tested.

Specs: SXRD projector, 1920 x 1080, 800 ANSI lumens, 35000:1, 44.1 lbs, 19.5 in x 22.6 in x 6.9 in

Sanyo PLV-Z2000

While Sanyo's PLV-Z2000 1080p projector does have some performance shortcomings, it's nonetheless a very good value.

Specs: LCD projector, 1920 x 1080, 1200 ANSI lumens, 15000:1, 16.1 lbs, 15.7 in x 13.6 in x 5.7 in

Optoma HD81-LV

Although a good performer if you use it with a relatively small screen, the Optoma HD81-LV 1080p DLP projector is overly complex and difficult to set up and install.

Specs: DLP projector, 1920 x 1080, 2500 ANSI lumens, 10000:1, 9.9 lbs, 16.2 in x 12.2 in x 4.6 in

JVC DLA-HD1

The JVC DLA-HD1 projector does a lot of things very well at a reasonable price for a 1080p projector. If JVC were to improve color accuracy, it would be a world-class product.

Specs: D-ILA projector, 1920 x 1080, 700 ANSI lumens, 15000:1, 25.6 lbs, 17.9 in x 6.8 in x 16.5 in

JVC DLA-RS1U

The JVC DLA-RS1U projector does a lot of things very well at a reasonable price for a 1080p projector. If JVC were to improve color accuracy, it would be a world-class product.

Specs: 1920 x 1080, 700 ANSI lumens, 15000:1, HDTV, 25.6 lbs, 18.0 in x 17.6 in x 7.3 in

Mitsubishi HC5000 (white)

Although stylish and affordable for a 1080p projector, the Mitsubishi HC5000's black level failings prevent it from earning our recommendation.

Specs: LCD projector, 1920 x 1080, 1000 ANSI lumens, 10000:1, HDTV, 12.3 lbs, 13.1 in x 13.9 in x 4.9 in

Mitsubishi HC5000 (black)

Although stylish and affordable for a 1080p projector, the Mitsubishi HC5000's black level failings prevent it from earning our recommendation.

BenQ W10000

BenQ's W10000 delivers excellent performance for a 1080p 1-chip DLP projector, especially considering its relatively low price.

Specs: DLP projector, 1920 x 1080, 1200 ANSI lumens, 10000:1, 20.1 lbs, 19.4 in x 15.5 in x 7.7 in

Sharp XV-Z20000

Sharp's XV-Z20000 is a top performer among 1080p projectors, and delivers a solid feature package and sleek design to boot.

Specs: DLP projector, 1920 x 1080, 1000 ANSI lumens, 12000:1, 20.7 lbs, 18.7 in x 19.5 in x 7 in

Sony VPL-VW50

Although the Sony VPL-VW50's picture quality falls short in a number of areas, it's easily one of the best values in 1080p front projection.

Specs: SXRD projector, 1920 x 1080, 900 ANSI lumens, 15000:1, 24.3 lbs, 15.6 in x 18.5 in x 6.9 in

Marantz VP11S1 (white)

The Marantz VP11S1 is currently the best 1080p one-chip DLP projector on the market, but it does come at a premium price point.

Specs: DLP projector, 1920 x 1080, 700 ANSI lumens, 6500:1, 28.7 lbs, 15.9 in x 18.5 in x 5.2 in

Marantz VP11S1 (black)

The Marantz VP11S1 is currently the best 1080p one-chip DLP projector on the market, but it does come at a premium price point.

Specs: DLP projector, 1920 x 1080, 700 ANSI lumens, 6500:1, 28.7 lbs, 15.9 in x 18.5 in x 5.2 in

Dell 1200MP DLP projector

Packed with intense brightness, an abundant feature set, and a minuscule price tag, the Dell 1200MP is ideal for business presentations on a tight budget, but it could face competition from higher-resolution XGA projectors.

Specs: DLP projector, 800 x 600, 2000 ANSI lumens, 2100:1, 4.9 lbs, 9.9 in x 8.4 in x 4 in

Sony VPL-VW100

The Sony VPL-VW100 produces big, beautiful 1080p images at a price-to-performance ratio that no current projector can match.

Specs: SXRD projector, 1920 x 1080, 800 ANSI lumens, 15000:1, HDTV, 41.9 lbs, 19.5 in x 22.6 in x 6.9 in