In addition to being of obvious interest as a 4K projector you can carry from room to room, the GP500 should also be on your short list as a family room projector. In addition to its high-quality image and audio, it offers suitable brightness, at a rated 1,500 ANSI lumens, and features that include support for full HD 3D and both HDR10 and HLG HDR. And for those concerned about the rainbow artifacts that single-chip DLP projectors can show, note that we saw very few. If you need a projector and an eminently usable sound system in a single, compact unit, the GP500 is a compelling choice. Most such models use four sets of 1,920 by 1,080 to put a full 3,840 by 2,160 matrix on screen. The majority of Epson's pixel-shifting models use two sets, which puts only half as many pixels on screen. But largely thanks to the limits of human visual acuity, the image using Epson's approach is impossible to distinguish from a full 3,840-by-2,160-pixel image, unless you're far closer to the screen than normal seating distances. Native resolution for the Halo+ is 1080p (1,920 by 1,080 pixels), but it can accept 4K (3,840-by-2160-pixel) HDR input, downconverting the resolution. Color accuracy and shadow detail weren't as good for HDR as for SDR in our tests, but the HDR images were more watchable than for many 1080p models that claim HDR support, so the HDR support still counts a plus overall. Another plus: Should you find yourself too far from a power outlet to plug in, you can turn to the onboard rechargeable battery. Using it will drop the brightness—and usable image size along with it—but the 2.5-hour life will last through the full length of most movies. Who It's For

The W1800 sits squarely in BenQ’s CineHome section, where its focus on serving up a cinematic experience on a budget serves it extremely well. We’d describe an “all-in-one projector” as any model that can work without needing any extra bits connected to it. This includes ones that have built-in speaker systems (like several on our list) and an operating system that includes access to streaming apps, so you can use them without having to connect a streaming device or Blu-ray player. Portable ProjectorsIt comes with a really handy remote control that allows you to adjust settings from anywhere in the room, saving you having to get up out of your relaxation position. The models that tend to be more affordable are those that give you an immersive experience, to give the feel of being somewhere other-worldly, and the colors and patterns are loosely 'inspired' by space — nebulas, auroras and galaxies. You've likely seen them at parties, in games rooms, in spas and so on.

There are three kinds of light source. Bulbs, LEDs and lasers. Bulbs are the oldest and cheapest technology, but they can generate a lot of heat and bulbs will need to be replaced fairly often. To the untrained eye, one projector usually looks much like another. However, there’s a whole world of technology inside these often plain-looking boxes. LEDs tend to be a little brighter and a lot more accurate, and they don't generate the same amount of heat so they last much longer – typically 20,000 hours of viewing. LED projectors can be made much smaller than lamp-powered ones. If you do move away from the sofa to head outdoors, you’ll need a model that is small and light enough to carry with you on your travels. There are some monstrous ones on this list that come in at over 11 kilos, and we’ve also featured little ones that weigh as little as half a kilo. These home planetariums work by shining a light through a slide and using a lens to focus it on the walls of your home.Its body resembles a well-known sci-fi character (R2D2); we're sure this wasn't an accident. A pill-shaped device pivots vertically on a stand to expose either the planetarium end, which is ultimately a light with a plastic cover over the top allowing small 'stars' to be outwardly projected or a slide projector with a focusing ring. Using another of the supplied light covers), the star projector can also be used as a simple blue-colored night light.

At the forefront of this UST revolution is Hisense, which has been developing ultra short-throw models for over six years now. The PL1 that we have before us today is the latest model in Hisense’s line of Ultra Short-Throw Laser Cinema Projectors, not to be confused with its separate line of Laser TVs, which act in a similar fashion but specifically come with a dedicated screen. For anyone who sees rainbow artifacts easily and considers them annoying, the EF12 is a prime candidate for a 1080p room-to-room portable projector, and even preferable to any current portable 4K model, none of which is guaranteed to be rainbow-free. In our tests, the EF12 delivered good image quality, and although it didn't deliver as high a maximum brightness as some competitors did, it had a brighter image for the picture modes that you'll actually want to use. The controls on the device are intuitive even for younger children. Our kids had no trouble using the focus wheel to make the images sharp (Image credit: Lorna Jordan) One of the major benefits of this model is the ability to help calm your mind and drift away to a deep sleep. The soothing and relaxing galaxy light calms the senses, and helps to properly wind down from a hard day at work or school.

Within the mix are also some ultra short throw projectors. These can project a big, clear image onto a wall from a very short distance away, making them ideal for space saving set ups or for those wanting to avoid wall- or ceiling-mounting their projector.

Throw Ratio X Desired screen size (Inches or Centimeters) = Distance from screen (Inches or Centimeters) In close second is the Aurora Borealis star projector from Encalife. This star projector has so many features its unreal! It not only projects stars and nebula, but also the Moon and the mystical Northern Lights! DLP projectors do have a downside, though. As most display colours sequentially use a spinning, segmented colour wheel (there’s the odd exception to this rule), they suffer from what’s called the “rainbow effect”, where small areas of the image appear to splinter into small rainbows when you shift your gaze from one side of the screen to the other. Some people are less sensitive to this than others, though, so if you haven’t experienced a DLP projector, make sure you get a demo before spending your money.Here's one for space fans and paleontology enthusiasts alike. The second novelty-shaped projector in this guide and it's surprisingly capable in terms of functionality, and during our Dinosaur Egg Galaxy Star Projector review our children loved it! As a 4K all-rounder, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra is pretty hard to fault. Buy this and you’ll have an unassuming but comprehensive box offering Ultra HD quality, cinematic Dolby Vision for better image depth and vibrancy, 2300 lumens of brightness, built-in streaming with Android TV, a fantastic Harman/Kardon speaker system, as well as intelligent zooming, automatic keystone correction, autofocusing, obstacle avoidance and correction to the colour of your walls.