The quality of home cinema projectors just gets better and better, while prices level off as incredible innovation becomes mainstream. So what is the best projector to buy for 2021? With the cinema looking out of bounds, or at least not much fun with a mask on, we’re looking at the best home cinema projectors for 2021 so you can enjoy films and sporting content at home instead.
Think of all the hours of unmissable TV and film content you could be watching on one of the best home cinema projectors money can buy. Imagine being able to watch your team scoring a goal in 4K resolution, with detail so sharp that you can see every blade of grass on that football pitch. For images like this, you’ll need one of the finest home cinema projectors on the market.
Fortunately, the projector market hasn’t let COVID-19 stop it from really pulling off some breath-taking innovations with new devices hitting the shelves throughout 2020.
As the year draws closer to its end, we’re looking back at some of the trends in technology and highlighting our selection of the best home cinema projectors for 2021.
Resolution beyond compare
Projectors continue to push the boundaries for what is now possible from a home cinema experience, so much so that it’s now possible for you to reach 4K resolution on the big screen in the comfort of your own home. If you’ve been missing the allure of the silver screen over lockdown, help is at hand, with projectors that have Native 4K capabilities.
That being said, Native 4K resolution comes at a price, but with recent advancements in technology, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes more accessible to all. One thing that has already happened throughout 2020 is that 4K UHD devices are now firmly within a realistic price bracket – the best of which we’ve included on our list here.
If you’re looking for budget home cinema projectors, we can assure you that
You might find it’s a trade-off based on what matters to you; resolution, colour, light source, flexibility or price. But increasingly we’re seeing more for less.
There have been major improvements in both the quality and the accessibility of projector technology lately. But how do you choose from the plethora of devices on the market?
Without further ado, here’s our roundup!
Cheap and bright – Optoma UHD35
A projector for those looking for a high-quality upscaled 4K home cinema experiences without a hefty price tag.
This Optoma device embraces the power of upscaling to deliver incredible 4K on the screen images at under £1,000. An ideal choice for anyone looking for an entry point 4K projector to give them a taste of just how good home entertainment can be.
Price: £999.60 (Incl. VAT)
- DLP display technology
- 3,600 ANSI Lumens brightness
- 3840 x 2160 (UHD) resolution
- 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio
The best entry-level bang for your buck – Epson EH-TW7000
Jam-packed with features, upscaled 4K resolution images and high contrast – the Epson EH-TW7000 is one of our favourite projectors on the market. It offers so much at such an affordable price we really can’t understate how impressed we are with this piece of kit!
This is true cinematic quality. Just like the Optoma, this Epson gives you 4K images on the screen. For us, the in-built lens adjustment capabilities (which help with installation flexibility and seamless adjustments for different content ratios) give this projector the edge if you’re looking to get the most for your money.
Price: £1,197.60 (Incl. VAT)
- LCD display technology
- 3,000 ANSI Lumens brightness
- 3,500 hours’ lamp life
- 40,000:1 contrast ratio
Top choice for 4K UHD range – Epson EH-TW9400
Teetering on the edge in image quality and price between the entry 4K UHD and the much pricier Native 4K, is the Epson EH-TW9400. This model is our recommended step up for those looking to upgrade their home cinema projector in 2021.
You’ll get a much better contrast ratio to showcase your favourite thrillers and dark moody content, while the support for HDR10, HLG HDR formats and 18GBPs 4K signals takes things even further.
What Hifi named this the best projector in its £1,500 – £3,000 price category and we couldn’t agree more – definitely one to consider investing in, in 2021.
Price: £2,548.80 (Incl. VAT)
- 3840 x 2160 pixels (UHD) – upscaled 4K resolution
- 2,600 ANSI Lumens brightness
- 1,200,000:1 contrast ratio – great depth to images
- 3LCD technology – advanced processing power
Exclusive Offer
As an added bonus, the EH-TW9400 is offered through ProjectorPoint with an exclusive offer – purchase this model and we’ll throw an Epson CoverPlus five-year return-to-base projector warranty upgrade (worth £240). This offer isn’t to be found elsewhere, so make sure to perform end-user registration with Epson to activate. The deal also applies to the wireless version of this model, the EH-TW9400W.
The pinnacle of Native 4K – Sony VPL-VW270ES
The ultimate in resolution: this is one of the best Native 4K models on the market, with a wide range of features and incredible connectivity.
When it came to choosing the best home cinema projector with Native 4K resolution, we faced something of a dilemma. There is such innovation going on, despite the disruption caused by COVID-19.
We struggled to whittle it down to just one, so instead, we have three exceptionally impressive Native 4K models for 2021. They excel in picture quality, lens capabilities and especially in processing power.
Price: £4,999.20 (Incl. VAT)
- Native 4K resolution
- 4090 x 2160 (4K) resolution
- SXRD Display Technology
- Motorised zoom with a wide lens-shift range
- Compatible with HDR10/HLG formats
- Supports 4K HDR content at 60fps
Special Offer
This model comes with a free two-year Sony projector warranty extension for a limited time only, while stocks last. By purchasing the black model, you can unlock this offer. It would take the total warranty to five years. Snap it up before it goes!
Sony VPL-VW590ES
With their heritage as technology leaders and substantial investment in the movie business and digital cinema, Sony dominates in the Native 4K space, so it’s no surprise that all three of our choices are from Sony! The VPL-VW590ES is part of their new home cinema line up. It offers 300 Lumens more brightness than the VW270ES and includes a state-of-the-art Sony X1 processor for projectors, giving you images with breath-taking clarity.
A quick note on what the X1 can do for you … essentially this is the projector version of the BRAVIA TV video processor. The chip optimises the display based on the content through clever use of signal analysis.
It knows what’s on your screen and will adjust the display accordingly, making the dark areas darker and the bright images even more vibrant in accordance with the specific scene.
Price: £6,999 (Incl. VAT)
- SXRD display technology
- 1,800 ANSI Lumens
- 4096 x 2160 (4K) resolution
- 350,000:1 contrast ratio
Special Offer
This model comes with three years’ Prime Support Warranty. By registering your VPL-VW590 within 60 days of purchase (direct through Sony), you can have your warranty free of charge as part of Sony’s Elite service. This allows you to have repairs and any maintenance covered, plus a loan unit available for the length of repairs at no extra cost.
Sony VP-VW790ES
Last but not least, the Sony VPL-VW790ES. The top of the Sony home cinema range, this device is for the true home cinema aficionados and it’s probably not a ‘first projector’ purchase! We predict that this impressive device will hold the crown as the best home cinema projector for some time to come.
The VW790ES is a laser-light source projector to start with, maximising image quality while reducing maintenance requirements. Again, the device makes the most of the X1 chip, ensuring high clarity of images and of course, you’ve got the ultimate in resolution here with Native 4K images.
But it’s the combination of innovations and a commitment to the highest quality tech that makes this projector stand out. All-glass optics, incredible resolution and striking image quality. If you’re ready to go all out with your home cinema upgrade for 2021, this is the one.
Price: Call us for price
- Laser light source/SXRD display technology
- 2,000 ANSI Lumens
- 4096 x 2160 (4K) resolution
- Uses X1 video processor for projectors
Special offer
As with other Sony models, the VP-VW790ES comes with three years’ Prime Support Warranty. By directly registering your VW790 with Sony, they can upgrade you to their Elite service free of charge. This guarantees that repair logistics are covered, including a free loan unit during repairs with no extra costs.
Whichever model you ultimately go for, it pays to have some expert insight from the professionals. If you would like to discuss any of the exciting models listed above or run through your plans for making a home cinema projector purchase soon, get in touch with ProjectorPoint today.
Call us on 0800 073 0833 or fill in this online contact form, and you will be put in touch with a member of the team. From there, we hope to satisfy your requirements in any way we can.