Finding a reliable 3D projector is a daunting task. With many manufacturers claiming their projectors to be 3D compatible, not every projector gives you the desired results. Hence, after thorough research of over 50 projectors, I have brought you the list of the 9 best 3D projectors that give you actual value for your money.
I prefer a 3D projector with a minimum of 3000 lumens and 1080p resolution to make it an effective 3D-compatible projector. 4K resolution adjustability options and low input lag are other considerable features that you should target to get high-quality images.
I have selected the 3 best 3D -projectors for you for a quick sneak pick:
Table of Contents
BenQ TK850i – Best Overall
Incredible features such as Enhanced Tone Mapping and HDR-Pro technology makes it one of the best 3D projector on our list.
Epson Home Cinema 2250 – Best Budget
If you are looking for an affordable projector with valuable features, Epson 2250 is the best pick.
BenQ TH685i – Best Gaming Projector
with input lag as low as 8.3 ms and full HD resolution for gaming, it is one of the best gaming projectors on our list
9 Best 3D Projectors: Buying Guide and Review (2023):
Let’s dive into the detailed review of 9 best 3D projectors and explore what unique features about them have persuaded me to add them to my list:
1. BenQ TK850i – Best Overall
If you are looking for a 4K HDR-capable with comprehensive 3D compatibility, BenQ TK850i is the best deal. With its ability to support Frame Packing 3D formats, Side by Side formats, and Top/bottom formats at full HD, you can conveniently enjoy the content from BluRay and another device.
If you are looking for a cinema-quality home theatre, BenQ TK850i is excellent. It comes with HDR-PRO technology to present a more realistic image with its Enhanced Tone Mapping. This projector is perfect for watching live sports as it comes with Frame interpolation that keeps the fast paces images smooth.
You can expect a more intense and saturated 4K image with a 10-element all-glass lens array that enhances the light penetration to present a more intense image. It also comes with built-in support for Google Assistant to perform Voice searches. Being a relatively long throw projector, you can conveniently use for large rooms. Overall, it is a straightforward projector that can be set up quickly.
2. Epson Home Cinema 2250 – Best Budget
If you are looking for the best 3D projector for medium-sized rooms, Epson Home Cinema is excellent. It comes with a standard throw ratio and great adjustment features. Hence, you don’t need to look for its perfect placement. It is a portable projector that weighs less than 10 pounds. It can project up to 300″ images to deliver an exceptional home theatre experience.
The 3LCD chip system keeps it free from any rainbow effect. You get a full HD resolution, and it comes with Dynamic Iris technology. If you are looking for a budgeted projector under $1000, this is your best deal. A standard throw projector allows you to stream your favorite apps such as Hulu, HBO, and others.
Brightness at 2700 lumens is satisfactory to give you bright images. It comes with a Google Assistant voice control and Android TV system.
3. Optoma Cinemax P2
An ultra-short-throw projector capable of producing 120″ images at a distance of 2 feet from the projector screen. This 4K resolution projector comes with high contrast ratio to deliver realistic, sharp, and detailed images elevating your home theatre experience. You can easily download the streaming apps on its built-in Android interface, making it the best 3D projector for app streaming.
A smart home theatre projector works with IFTTT and other voice controls. You can connect your projector to doorbells and intelligent lights to operate on commands. The Optoma SmartFIT app refrains the squaring off image by correcting the image geometry.
It is a laser light source projector with PureMotion Technology that removes any judder while playing the fast-paced content. The wide color gamut exceeding Rec. 709 spectra gives an intense colors projection. The presence of a 40-watt soundbar eliminates the requirements for any external speaker.
The high contrast ratio coupled with 4K resolution presents realistic and detailed pictures to take your home theatre experience to the next level.
4. Optoma UHD30
It is a responsive projector on our list with as low as 16ms input lag and fast processing at 240Hz. A 4K Ultra HD projector is loaded with UltraDetail technology to present crisp and detailed images. The 8-segment color wheel gives rich colors and compatibility with HDR10 and HGL color sets.
Considerably a long throw projector, you need to place it at a distance of 11 feet from the screen for an image projection of 100″. The 1.1Xzoom and vertical keystone correction give you placement flexibility for proper alignment. The brightness of 3400 lumens makes it ideal for semi-lit environments to produce brighter images.
Overall, it is a Full HD 3D compatible projector that gives high 4K image clarity in various formats. Dynamic Black Technology enhances the image’s contrast and depth with great details. It is a portable projector that is lightweight as well.
5. Sony VW325ES
With its Reality Creation engine and SXRD imager, this projector from Sony delivers a cinema-quality viewing experience. IT produces sharper and crisp pictures than most of the 4k projectors in the market. The input lag is relatively low at 27ms to make it suitable for playing fast-paced games. Features such as 2.06:1 zoom lens and vertical lens shift give you placement flexibility.
To optimize the contrast, it comes with a dynamic HDR enhancer. It is a long throw projector meant for the large rooms to deliver perfect projection. Overall, the combination of SXRD light source and X1 processor delivers you the sharpest images close to realism.
It is a high-performing projector that genuinely justifies its price. However, the brightness is considerably low at 1500 lumens. However, using it under a controlled environment can give you pleasing results better than most projectors listed here.
6. Epson Home Cinema 5040UB
The best-looking projector that gives you 4K quality at a fractional price. This 3D capable projector comes with 3-chip LCD technology to free it from rainbow effects. The high contrast ratio of 1000000:1 gives you detailed images that are crisp and clear.
It uses a ‘pixel shift’ technology that most companies refer to as ‘4K enhancement’. The 1080p 3LCD chip shifts the pixels to 4K resolution for enhanced picture quality. The refresh rate of 60Hz is average. Coming to connectivity, it comes with 2 HDMI ports, 2 USB slots, and 1 mini USB slot along with 1 LAN jack.
Its four corner keystoning is one of the remarkable features. Overall, whether it is gaming or a movie, Epson 5040UB can produce excellent luxuriously deep colors.
7. BenQ TH685i – Best for Gaming
It is an incredible 3D gaming projector with an input lag of 8.3ms. If you are looking for an affordable projector under $1000 that comes with a responsive screen for visual content and games, BenQ TH685i is the right deal. It is also compatible with most of the latest gaming systems. With brightness at 3500 ANSI lumens, you can use it under ambient light conditions.
Weighing under 10 pounds, it is relatively a portable projector that can be used for backyard movie nights. The contrast ratio of 15000:1 is coupled with 1080p Native resolution to provide impression 3D content quality.
6-segment color wheel and 10-bit color processing can support 95% of the Rec. 709 spectra, producing vibrant and intense colors. The multi-use settings give you full HD resolution for gaming and 3D content. It also gives more than 5000 apps access to stream the content without using external sources.
8. Epson Cinema 2040 1080p 3D Projector
The 3-Chip LCD design, HD full Native 1920X1080 resolution, High Definition 3D, Compatibility with mobile High Definition link, and balanced images makes it one of the premium 3D projector on our list. It comes with a high-end 2D to 3D conversion feature with image enhancement and frame interpolation.
The contrast output of 35000:1 and the brightness of 2200 lumens give you bright pictures with superior quality even in well-lit conditions. It comes with various pre-set modes to give a lasting 7500 hours of lamp life. The 1.2x zoom feature gives a flexible throw ratio of 1.22:1 to 1.47: 1. In-built 5 Watt Mono speakers are good to go for small rooms. It also comes with an audio port to connect with external speakers.
For gamers, frame interpolation is a boon as it reduces the lag time by 25 milliseconds. However, the input lag time and frame interpolation feature cannot be used simultaneously. It has a straightforward setup to display content from set-top boxes, gaming consoles, and Blu-ray players.
9. BenQ TK800M
It is a 3D DLP projector that offers excellent performance, incredible brightness, and impressive color accuracy to make it a preferred choice for both 2D and 3D content formats. With 4K Ultra HD resolution and 1080p resolution, it offers detailed images when running on 3D mode. The rainbow effects due to the 4K color wheel at this resolution are minimal.
At 3000 lumens, it is a bright projector that can be reasonably used in ambient light conditions. You get 92% Rec. 709 color space leading to accurate and vivid colors. Featuring an input lag at 44ms, this projector can be used for gaming. It comes with a dedicated Game and Sports mode to create judder-free images. Plenty of connectivity options, including USB and HDMI ports, make it compatible with various devices.
A user-friendly interface and automatic keystone correction allow quick installation. This projector takes the lead when it comes to high-action games and motion handling. You can expect excellent performance for high-action scenes, making it a great home theatre.
Buying Guide for 3D Projectors
Here are the essential factors which one should take into consideration before buying a 3D projector:
Brightness
When you are buying any projector, brightness is an important consideration. It is measured in ANSI lumens and generally depends on the environment in which you will use your projector. For a bright room, you should consider a 3D projector with a minimum of 3000 lumens. And if you are planning to use it outdoors during daylight, consider buying a projector with 5000+ lumens.
Active Vs. Passive 3D Technology
Active 3D is the first generation three-dimensional display using 3D Active shutter glasses to create an LCD shutter effect. Passive 3D is the newer technology that uses polarization in active shutter glasses and displays for projecting 3 D effect. While 3D Passive projectors are still hard to find, you can find plenty of active 3D projectors.
Accessories
To watch 3D content, you also need 3D glasses, which is a considerable cost if not included with your projector. Finding the best 3D Active shutter glasses for your 3D projector is daunting.
Resolution
Most 3D projectors display content in full HD resolution. If you are not playing 3D content, you can expect to get the 4K UHD resolution which is impressive for any projector with 3D capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions on the best 3D projectors
Are 3D Projectors Any Good?
Yes, 3D projectors are indeed an outstanding choice for 3D movies. Besides playing 3D content, they are capable of playing 2D, full HD, and 4K resolution content as well. However, you need to check the kind of projector you will buy and the features it has.
Does a 3D Projector Need a Unique Screen?
If you use a typical 3D projector, you don’t need any special screen. Using a dual 3D projector system, you may require a polarized screen.
Is There any Passive 3D Projector?
Yes, there are active and passive 3D projectors. However, it depends on the type of 3D glasses that your 3D projector is using. Active 3D projectors use active shutter glasses to match the frame rate of frame-sequential 3D. Passive 3D glasses use the lenses to filter out and isolate images from one eye to another.
Do You Need Glasses for a 3D projector?
3D enabled TV requires passive glasses, while some may require shutter glasses. Some need passive shutter glasses. All consumer-based video projectors require the use of active shutter glasses.
What is the Difference Between 3D and 3D Ready Projectors?
Full 3D projectors have built-in shutter control, while 3D-ready projectors need an additional box for shutter control on the glasses.
Conclusion
Not just for watching 3D content, most of the 3D compatible projectors can deliver a superior 2D experience. With incredible 3D projectors available in the market, it is essential to know how to find the best one suiting your price and feature preferences. All the projectors listed above are some of the most delicate 3D projectors available.
So, what are you waiting for? Place your order now!
Hi Guys! My name is Mark and I am editor for Projectorpick.com. My extensive experience of over 30 years in Home theatre has paved my way as a senior editor for Projectorpick.com. My vision is to empower people with the right set of knowledge in home theatres that helps with right purchases.
