THERE'S NOTHING LIKE watching your favorite films in a dark room on a massive screen. For that authentic movie theater experience at home, you’ll need a projector (and a popcorn maker).
You used to have to shell out more than $10,000 to get an excellent projected experience, but you can now get a massive, beautiful picture for less than the cost of a flagship TV. Projectors are also much more portable and easier to set up than ever. And if you have space, there are excellent pocket-sized and short-throw models that make lawn-side movie nights as easy as finding an extension cord and a level chair to set them on. Below are our favorite models and a couple of screens to pair with them.
Working on a total home-theater overhaul and need some help? We've got an entire guide to How to Set Up a Projector. Also, be sure to check out our buying guides to the Best Soundbars and Best 4K Streaming Devices.
Updated May 2023: We added the LG PF510Q, the Epson Pro Cinema LS12000, and the Optoma UHD38x. We also added the Optoma UHZ50 as an upgrade pick.