Best Digital Projectors for Ease Of Use (2024)

1

Hisense L9H

Score: 9/10

Hisense L9H

The Hisense L9H is easy to set up and use, offering a complete solution with an ultra short throw projector and ALR screen. It includes Google TV for streaming, though Netflix support is limited.

Ease Of Use

9/10

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Tom’s Guide

Essentially, it is a complete solution consisting of an ultra-short throw projector paired with an ALR screen.

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Tom’s Guide

We also have features like Google TV, including Netflix.

Image Quality

8/10

The Hisense L9H delivers a bright and vibrant 4K picture with excellent color accuracy and contrast, thanks to its triple laser technology. However, brightness adjustments can be jarring, and the fixed focal length limits flexibility.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Tom’s Guide

This is a true triple laser, so you have an RGB system that is actually creating the colors.

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Tom’s Guide

That gets you 107% of the BT 2020 color space, which means over a billion colors.

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Tom’s Guide

In addition to that, we have Dolby Vision HDR 10 built-in.

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Tom’s Guide

It's a 3000-lumen projector, so when you pair it with this great ALR screen, you get a nice, bright picture.

Connectivity

8/10

The Hisense L9H offers robust connectivity with three HDMI ports, Bluetooth, and Google TV for streaming. However, it lacks support for 3D content.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Tom’s Guide

Technically, it's a laser TV. It works with your aerial to give you access to live TV and all the digital channels.

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Tom’s Guide

We also have features like Google TV, including Netflix.

Build Quality

8/10

The Hisense L9H has a compact and durable design with a high-quality plastic shell and a long-lasting laser light source. However, the lens cover is non-moving, which may expose it to dust.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Tom’s Guide

This ambient light-rejecting screen is designed to counteract that, allowing you to watch at any time of the day in any room.

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Tom’s Guide

Dolby Atmos audio is built-in, so when you're sitting down to watch a film, it feels even more immersive.

Noise Level

9/10

The Hisense L9H operates quietly with minimal fan noise, even at high light levels, enhancing the viewing experience.
2

Epson Pro Cinema LS12000

Score: 8/10

Epson Pro Cinema LS12000

The projector is easy to set up with motorized lens adjustments and a flexible menu system. However, it lacks a smart TV interface and requires manual setup.

Ease Of Use

8/10

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Linus Tech Tips

Motorized lens shift, motorized focus, and lens memory mean you can not only install the projector off-center from the screen, but you also don't have to mount it upside down on the ceiling.

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Linus Tech Tips

The included remote is essentially the same one we've seen for a few years now. Although it is somewhat big and bulky, it is at least backlit and has nearly every button you could ask for on a projector remote.

Image Quality

9/10

The Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 delivers stunning 4K HDR image quality with excellent color accuracy and contrast. It performs well in bright conditions but lacks dynamic tone mapping for HDR10.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Linus Tech Tips

The Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 could be the best pro cinema projector Epson has ever created, utilizing a laser source and a brand new pixel-shifting mechanism.

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Linus Tech Tips

The LS 12000 is capable of higher contrast and slightly more brightness with its 2700 ANSI Lumen rating.

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Linus Tech Tips

The HDR performance of these projectors is great. They produce nice shadow detail with pretty good black levels.

Connectivity

7/10

The projector offers robust connectivity with HDMI 2.1 ports and supports various audio signals. However, it lacks 3D support and built-in speakers.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Linus Tech Tips

It has a full-size USB port, a service port, a 12-volt trigger, an Ethernet jack, another USB port labeled Optical HDMI, which can be used for HDMI cables that need additional power, two HDMI 2.1 ports that support up to 4K at 120 hertz, as well as an RS-232 port.

Build Quality

8/10

The projector boasts a solid build with motorized components and a sleek design. It is well-built but large and hefty, which may not be ideal for frequent movement.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Linus Tech Tips

The LS 12000 also comes with a ceiling mount, as well as anamorphic lens modes, which make it a better fit for dedicated home theaters.

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Linus Tech Tips

The lack of Auto Iris and dynamic tone mapping are not deal breakers for me, as I was perfectly fine with manually adjusting the HDR setting when necessary.

Noise Level

8/10

The projector operates quietly, even at high brightness levels, but fan noise can increase with higher laser brightness settings.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Linus Tech Tips

I found the LS 11000 to actually be quieter than my 5050 UB. Considering it uses less power and produces less heat, this kind of makes sense.

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Linus Tech Tips

When you increase the laser brightness to 100 or use some of the brighter picture modes, you can definitely hear the fan spin up.

3

Epson EF-12

Score: 8/10

Epson EF-12

The projector is easy to set up with automatic keystone correction and autofocus. It features a user-friendly Android TV OS, though the remote control feels plasticky and it lacks an integrated battery.

Ease Of Use

8/10

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All things tech

It has automatic motorized horizontal and vertical keystone correction, as well as motorized autofocus.

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All things tech

The remote control is simple enough, and I'll show you a little bit more about it later.

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All things tech

The Android TV OS is official, smooth, and fast in operation.

Image Quality

8/10

The Epson EF-12 offers impressive image quality with natural colors and vivid details, comparable to some 4K projectors. It supports HDR content and handles motion well, though it requires blackout blinds for the best performance in bright rooms.

Quotes from Reviewers

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All things tech

The picture quality of this is as good as that of some 4K projectors I've reviewed in the past.

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All things tech

I felt that the Epson delivered very natural colors and represented what it was trying to show very well.

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All things tech

The projection quality is clear, bright, and detailed, even with the light on.

Connectivity

7/10

The projector offers good connectivity options with HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, and built-in Chromecast. However, it lacks some popular apps like Netflix, which need to be sideloaded.

Quotes from Reviewers

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All things tech

It has HDMI ARC, which is a nice touch, and there is also a version of Android TV built in.

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All things tech

You have a dedicated button on the remote control that allows you to change the source.

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All things tech

Netflix is not available at the moment, but I'm told that it is coming soon.

Build Quality

8/10

The projector is compact and robust with a retro design, featuring a textured feel and fabric mesh. However, the remote control's plasticky feel might not match the overall build quality.

Quotes from Reviewers

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All things tech

It does appear to be made from plastic, but it has quite a bit of weight to it, and it feels very robust and well-made.

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All things tech

The remote control feels a little plasticky, but it certainly makes up for it with its functions.

Noise Level

9/10

The projector operates very quietly, with noise levels ranging from 22 to 27 decibels, making it suitable for quiet environments.

Quotes from Reviewers

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All things tech

The noise level is very quiet, at just 22 to 27 decibels.

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All things tech

From a one-meter distance, you can expect around 36 decibels of fan noise, which is rather on the quieter side.

4

Epson Home Cinema 2350

Score: 8/10

Epson Home Cinema 2350

The projector is easy to set up with Android TV apps and offers flexible placement. However, manual adjustments are needed for optimal image quality.

Ease Of Use

8/10

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Tips and Trips TV

If you're connected to a receiver, you're likely not even going to use the apps on the actual projector, even though it does offer Android TV.

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Tips and Trips TV

Best Buy came in and set it up for me.

Image Quality

7/10

The Epson Home Cinema 2350 offers good brightness and color accuracy, making it suitable for large screens. However, it struggles with dark scenes and lacks HDR10 and 3D support.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Tips and Trips TV

It has a brightness of 2800 lumens.

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Tips and Trips TV

Personally, I think the black levels somewhat ruin the experience for me when it comes to watching dark scenes.

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Tips and Trips TV

Cinema gives you deeper contrast; however, it does wash out the image a little bit when you get to the darks.

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Tips and Trips TV

Vivid somewhat diminishes the black levels and restores them to a more natural-looking tone.

Connectivity

6/10

The projector supports Android TV and has two HDMI inputs, but one is occupied by the streaming stick, limiting options.

Build Quality

7/10

The projector is compact and lightweight with an attractive design, but it vents hot air and lacks advanced features.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Tips and Trips TV

With that being said, the Epson 2350 is not for everyone, but it is a great starter projector.

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Tips and Trips TV

I am definitely happy with the 110-inch screen size, as it works really well for a space measuring 11.5 by eight and a half feet.

Noise Level

5/10

The projector can be loud in high brightness mode and may shut off due to heat after extended use.
5

JVC DLA-NZ800

Score: 8/10

JVC DLA-NZ800

The projector is user-friendly with features like a home theater optimizer and flexible installation options. However, its large size and weight may require careful setup and support.

Ease Of Use

8/10

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Audio Advice

The home theater Optimizer and DML will come activated out of the box.

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Audio Advice

We currently offer free calibration software for our previous Precision line series.

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Audio Advice

If you're trying to really dial in the FOC Focus as soon as you turn the projector on, you may encounter some conflicting results because of that.

Image Quality

9/10

The JVC DLA-NZ800 delivers outstanding image quality with native 4K resolution, excellent HDR performance, and advanced technologies like e-shift X for enhanced sharpness. It covers the full DCI-P3 color gamut, though brightness may reduce with the color filter.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Audio Advice

The NZ 800 and NZ 900 have both been updated with the new third-generation D-ILA devices, where JBC has improved the alignment control of liquid crystals and enhanced the flatness of image pixels.

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Audio Advice

The new models will both feature the third-generation native 4K D devices and a Gen 2 8K Shift X that can project an 8192 by 4320 image.

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Audio Advice

The 900 is superior in picture quality because it has the deepest contrast ratio we've ever offered.

Connectivity

7/10

The projector offers robust connectivity with HDMI 2.1 support for high bandwidth connections, but is limited to two HDMI ports and a USB port for firmware updates only.

Build Quality

8/10

The projector boasts a solid and durable build, with heavy-duty construction and effective heat management. Its weight may require assistance during installation.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Audio Advice

Just like their previous models, these new units are built like tanks.

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Audio Advice

Every single unit is quite heavy, around 50 lbs, so we highly recommend that you have a friend help you if you're going to hang your new JVC projector.

Noise Level

9/10

The projector operates quietly, thanks to the efficient blue essent laser and unobtrusive fan noise, making it suitable for home theater environments.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Audio Advice

The 800 and 900 models are actually even quieter.

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Audio Advice

The new blue Essent laser is more efficient and generates less heat, so the fan needs to work a little less hard.

6

Xgimi Halo Plus

Score: 8/10

Xgimi Halo Plus

The projector is easy to set up with auto keystone and autofocus features, and the Android TV 10 interface is fast and fluid. However, the setup may require some familiarity with Android TV.

Ease Of Use

8/10

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TechTablets

Setting up the Halo Plus is incredibly easy, thanks to the auto Keystone and autofocus features.

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TechTablets

The projector essentially does all the hard work for you.

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TechTablets

The menu is very fast and fluid.

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TechTablets

The remote here, which is a typical Android TV remote, takes two AAA batteries, but we don't have those included.

Image Quality

7/10

The Xgimi Halo Plus offers bright and vibrant 1080p HD resolution with 900 lumens, suitable for home theaters. However, it struggles with ambient light and requires a dimly lit room for optimal performance.

Quotes from Reviewers

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TechTablets

The Halo Plus features 900 lumens of brightness and full 1080p HD resolution.

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TechTablets

The image quality for 1080p does look good; however, you're not going to get the definition and sharpness of 4K projectors.

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TechTablets

The colors are bright and vibrant straight out of the box.

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TechTablets

In the blacks, I am noticing just a little bit of grain and a little bit of noise.

Connectivity

7/10

The Halo Plus offers HDMI, USB, and headphone jack connectivity, with built-in Android TV 10 for app access. However, it may struggle with high bitrate 4K files and requires calibration for color accuracy.

Quotes from Reviewers

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TechTablets

It has Android TV 10 built in.

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TechTablets

It will accept 4K, but then it downscales it to 1080p.

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TechTablets

You can also use the Halo Plus as a Bluetooth speaker when you're not using it to play games or watch movies.

Build Quality

8/10

The Halo Plus has a sleek, modern design with a full metal enclosure, making it aesthetically pleasing and portable. However, it may not appeal to those seeking a traditional projector look.

Quotes from Reviewers

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TechTablets

This projector is beautiful. It has a full metal enclosure that gives it a sleek, minimal, modern vibe.

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TechTablets

It has a gorgeous, sleek design that will look incredible anywhere you place it.

Noise Level

6/10

The fan noise is constant but not intrusive, maintaining a consistent sound level. However, it might be noticeable in very quiet environments.
7

Epson Pro EX11000 3LCD Full HD 1080p

Score: 8/10

Epson Pro EX11000 3LCD Full HD 1080p

The projector is simple to use, allowing for impactful presentations even in well-lit environments. It is designed for ease of use, making it accessible for various users.

Ease Of Use

8/10

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Epson America

It makes projecting impactful pictures virtually anywhere simple, even with the lights on.

Image Quality

9/10

The Epson Pro EX11000 delivers Full HD 1080p images up to 300 inches, providing vivid and immersive visuals. It offers sharp images with readable text and fine details, although the brightness specification may not be industry-accepted.

Quotes from Reviewers

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Epson America

It offers a full HD 1080p picture up to 300 inches.

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Epson America

The Pro EX11000 uses native 1920 by 1080 pixel LCD chips, eliminating any need to scale 1080p images.

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Epson America

In our test, it delivered much sharper images, resulting in more readable text and fine details in graphics.

Connectivity

9/10

The projector offers dual HDMI ports and wireless projection from smartphones, providing a range of connectivity options. This makes it versatile for different devices and setups.

Build Quality

7/10

The projector has a compact form factor and includes a soft carrying case, making it suitable for business and education use. However, it is more apt for permanent installations.

Noise Level

5/10

No specific information on noise level was provided, indicating that it may not be a significant concern for users.
8

Anker Nebula Mars 3

Score: 8/10

Anker Nebula Mars 3

The Mars 3 is easy to use with Android TV and Google Voice Assistant, though Netflix requires a workaround. Its portability and automatic adjustments enhance user experience.

Ease Of Use

8/10

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ASBYT

It's really easy to use.

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ASBYT

With the Android TV operating system, as long as you have internet access, either through Wi-Fi or tethering from your phone, you can access content.

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ASBYT

You need to download Netflix through the pre-installed Nebula Play app in the form of an APK.

Image Quality

7/10

The Mars 3 provides a bright 1080p display with good color accuracy, suitable for outdoor use. However, it lacks 4K resolution and high refresh rates, which may affect gaming and large screen performance.

Quotes from Reviewers

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ASBYT

It's insanely bright at 1,000 anti-lumens, as mentioned.

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ASBYT

The image is quite excellent, but compared to my 4K OLED TVs for certain content, it's simply not going to be a match.

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ASBYT

The colors are very accurate.

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ASBYT

It's really sharp all the way up until about a 100 to 115-inch display. When you go beyond that, some of the sharp edges might look a little bit softer.

Connectivity

7/10

The Mars 3 offers robust connectivity with Wi-Fi, HDMI, USB ports, and Bluetooth, but lacks digital audio output and requires a phone hotspot for internet.

Quotes from Reviewers

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ASBYT

It does have Google Chromecast built-in, and the Google Voice Assistant is also supported via the remote control.

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ASBYT

You can keep your phone connected to the power supply while using the hotspot on your phone. Problem solved.

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ASBYT

There are more ways to play content on the Mars 3 locally without Wi-Fi dependency, such as using the HDMI port on the back or the USB-A or USB-C port.

Build Quality

8/10

The Mars 3 is durable with water and drop resistance, but its weight may affect portability. It features a sturdy design with a handle and LED lights.

Quotes from Reviewers

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ASBYT

It is the first extremely durable outdoor projector with exceptional battery life, and it has three proof features.

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ASBYT

It can withstand falls of up to 0.5 meters, which is approximately waist height.

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ASBYT

It weighs 4.7 kilograms, so this isn't a lightweight projector, but it is a powerful one.

Noise Level

8/10

The Mars 3 operates quietly with minimal lag and features a powerful built-in speaker, though it struggles with high volume.

Quotes from Reviewers

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ASBYT

The built-in 40-watt surround speaker is super loud for a product of this type.

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ASBYT

The clarity and loudness are really, really good. It's quite eye-opening how loud it can get.

9

LG CineBeam Q

Score: 8/10

LG CineBeam Q

The projector is easy to set up with auto screen adjustment and a portable design. However, the remote lacks a dedicated focus button, and some settings are hard to find.

Ease Of Use

8/10

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The Tech Chap

With auto screen adjustment, plunk it down, point it to the surface, and almost instantly, it'll adjust the image shape.

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The Tech Chap

The first-time setup was nice and simple. Just add your Wi-Fi and location, and then you go straight into the web OS interface.

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The Tech Chap

The remote feels very much like an afterthought; it's a cheap, plastic, white thing.

Image Quality

7/10

The LG CineBeam Q offers 4K resolution with HDR10 support, providing sharp and vibrant images. However, its limited brightness requires a dark room for the best experience.

Quotes from Reviewers

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The Tech Chap

This is a 4K laser projector that can project an image up to 120 inches on your wall.

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The Tech Chap

The brightness is rated at 500 ANC lumens, which isn't a lot, and means you really do need to find a dark room to get the most out of it.

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The Tech Chap

The image looked brighter and sharper.

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The Tech Chap

Projected 4K doesn't look nearly as sharp as an actual 4K TV.

Connectivity

6/10

The projector supports HDMI, USB-C, and Bluetooth, but has limited ports and lacks some popular streaming apps.

Quotes from Reviewers

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The Tech Chap

We get HDR 10, HDMI 2.1 with USB-C, Bluetooth, and speakers, along with LG's webOS 6 software.

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The Tech Chap

There are also sensors at the front and the back for the remote control.

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The Tech Chap

You have your HDMI port, which does support EC, and you have your USB, or rather, that's a USB-C.

Build Quality

8/10

The projector features a stylish and sturdy design with a premium metal finish, though some parts feel like plastic.

Quotes from Reviewers

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The Tech Chap

The build quality is great; the metal finish feels premium, and the handle is stiff enough to stay where you leave it.

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The Tech Chap

This looks like a retro piece, like a design element in your home.

Noise Level

7/10

The projector's fan noise is minimal and usually drowned out by content audio, though it can be audible when no content is playing.

Quotes from Reviewers

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The Tech Chap

There is an audible fan noise, although you'll drown it out immediately with any volume from your movie or TV show.

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The Tech Chap

As soon as you start playing your content at a semi-normal volume, you will no longer hear the fan.

10

Hisense PL1

Score: 8/10

Hisense PL1

The projector is easy to set up with a user-friendly operating system and adjustable projection size. However, automatic calibration may not always work well, and the remote lacks a backlight.

Ease Of Use

8/10

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GLITCHED

Setting up the Hisense PR1 was very easy after it was booted up.

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GLITCHED

The installation was not remotely difficult at all.

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The operating system for smart TVs is fast, secure, and user-friendly.

Image Quality

8/10

The Hisense PL1 offers excellent picture quality with vivid colors and a good contrast ratio, supporting HDR10 and Dolby Vision. However, it requires color calibration and struggles with brightness in ambient light.

Quotes from Reviewers

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GLITCHED

The nice thing about this PL1 model is that you can decide what size display you want to use.

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Hisense recommends using one of its own ambient light-rejecting screens to help increase image quality and reduce glare.

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The PL1 utilizes the X Fusion process, which enables the unit to produce vivid colors and bright images.

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GLITCHED

The color gamut isn't the best, and the image doesn't get very broad, but what you do see looks refined and clear.

Connectivity

7/10

The Hisense PL1 supports HDMI 2.1 with eARC and includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but it has limited HDMI inputs and lacks advanced gaming features.

Quotes from Reviewers

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GLITCHED

At the back, there are two HDMI ports. Hisense calls one port high speed, but it is an HDMI 2.1.

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GLITCHED

The inclusion of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities means that you're wirelessly connected.

Build Quality

7/10

The projector has a compact and stylish design with a fabric front, but lacks physical lens controls and relies on digital correction.

Quotes from Reviewers

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GLITCHED

The PL1 itself looks very similar to the 90 L5H unit and comes in the form of a large black box with rounded edges and a fabric front under which the speakers are hidden.

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GLITCHED

It is quite small, measuring only 53 centimeters in length and 33.5 centimeters in depth.

Noise Level

6/10

The projector's fan noise is noticeable at 36-37.9 decibels, which can be distracting in quiet environments.

Quotes from Reviewers

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GLITCHED

Lastly, I need to discuss the fan noise because it definitely makes some noise when you're using the device.

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While sitting two meters away from the PL1, I measured 36 decibels of sound.