The best gaming projectors can give you a huge and immersive picture without having to invest in a TV or monitor. Unlike home cinema projectors, projectors for gaming need to have a low input lag (we recommend under 30 milliseconds) to keep gameplay smooth and your responses fast with the best PC games.
Getting a projector is an investment in immersive HD, with dynamic color and contrast that brings a whole new dimension to your play, so that you can see every detail with absolute clarity. Some projectors also have the benefit of being portable, and as long as you have a large enough wall to project onto, you can take the big-screen experience with you.
Start with budget – how much have you got to spend? Then look at resolution – 4K projectors like the BenQ X3100i are optimum, while a portable 1080p option like the XGIMI Halo+ lets you game and watch for less. With the contrast ratio, the higher the better for deeper blacks and increased grayscale detail. Then there’s the refresh rate for smooth play, connectivity options, and, depending on the space you have available, the throw ratio.
Most gaming projectors also feature auto keystone correction, autofocus, and obstacle avoidance, so they more or less set themselves up, leaving you free to focus your attention on whatever console or PC game you’re in the massive display mood for.
Why you can trust our advice ✔ At PCGamesN, our experts spend hours testing hardware and reviewing games and VPNs. We share honest, unbiased opinions to help you buy the best. Find out how we test.
BenQ X3100i
Best 4K gaming projector
Today’s best deals
| Display technology | DLP |
| Response rate | 4.2 – 16.7 ms (dependent on resolution) |
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840×2160) |
| Contrast ratio | 600,000:1 |
| Brightness | 3300 lumens |
| Connectivity | 2x HDMI 2.0b (external), 1x HDMI 2.0b (internal), 1x USB Type A 2.0, 1x RS232 in, 1x 3.5mm Jack, Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi 8.02 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4G/5G) |
| Speakers | 2 x 5W |
| Weight | 15lb (6.8kg) |
- Easy to configure and setup
- Support for Android TV
- Impressive color accuracy, even on poor surfaces
- Only 60 Hz at 4K
- Incredibly pricey at full RRP
- Big and bulky design
BenQ’s X3100i gaming projector was released at the end of 2023, and it builds on the success of the flagship X3000i from 2022. During testing, we found the X3100i easy to configure and loved its crisp 4K resolution and overall image quality.
The input lag, even at 4K at 16.7 ms never felt particularly noticeable, and you’ll get a smooth and forgiving experience, particularly if you’re playing less intense RPGs or RTS titles.
Some of the design choices are questionable, though. With a bulky design, the X3100i isn’t a projector you can carry around, and you might find it challenging to mount on your ceiling. But, if you’re after the best 4K gaming projector around it more than makes up for it visually.
Read our BenQ X3100i review.
Acer Predator GD711
Best gaming projector overall
Today’s best deals
| Display technology | LED |
| Response rate | Up to 240 Hz (PC) |
| Resolution | 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 |
| Contrast | 2,000,000:1 |
| Brightness | 4,000 ANSI lumen |
| Throw ratio | 1.22:1 |
| Connectivity | 2x HDMI, 1x USB, 1x aux, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Features | Variable refresh rate, 10W speakers, HDR10-enabled |
- Variable refresh rates
- Wireless connectivity
- Gamer-specific features
- No zoom features
- Poor in-built speakers
Costing a fair bit over a grand, the Acer Predator GD711 is a high-end LED projector created with gaming at its core. With 4K resolution, a whopping contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1, reasonably brilliant brightness at 4,000 ANSI lumens, and ample ports – as well as wireless connectivity – to hook up your devices.
But what I like about the Acer is the fact that it comes packing a Variable Refresh Rate. This means that you can enjoy 4K gaming at 60Hz or 1080p at 240Hz for PC and 1080p at 120Hz for consoles, the latter two being utterly ideal for fast-paced pro gaming.
Offering a screen size up to a staggering 300 inches, auto keystone means the projector automatically compensates for trapezoidal distortion if the projector is not positioned correctly, and flipping to Game Mode will see your image fine-tuned. Our expert reviewer found it easy to set up and they praised the responsiveness but found the color clarity lacking.
The 10W mono speaker gives you an all-round media solution if you don’t have computer speakers, but they lack real punch or volume. The Acer Predator GD711 is on the pricier side, but it’s the best option for serious gaming.
Read our Acer Predator GD711 review.
Nebula Mars 3 Air
Best portable gaming projector
Today’s best deals
| Display technology | DLP |
| Resolution | FHD 1920 x 1080 |
| Contrast | 400:1 |
| Brightness | 400 ANSI lumens |
| Throw ratio | 1.2:1 |
| Connectivity | 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm audio jack, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Speakers | 2x 8W speakers |
| Weight | 3.7lbs (1.68kg) |
- Lightweight, portable design
- Integrated speakers
- Google TV, Google Assistant, Netflix, YouTube
- Resolution only FHD
- Not designed for gaming
- Low brightness
The Nebula Mars 3 AirA is marketed more as a Google TV projector, but if you want a portable, affordable model for gaming, it’s still worth a look. With a built-in 2.5-hour battery and a well-weighted price tag, this 1080p, 60fps affair may not be up to spec scratch when it comes to next-gen gaming, but for casual gaming on the go, you’ll find everything you need under one handy faux-leather carry handle.
Because the brightness is lower than others on this list, you’ll need to play in near-dark to avoid ambient light interfering with the picture. The 400:1 contrast ratio can’t compete with what you’d get from a gaming monitor of the same price – but then that monitor won’t be 150-inches in size and packed with additional features beyond gaming. With 2x 8W built-in speakers and Dolby Audio at hand, the sound is decent too, though you’d probably want to ramp that up with external separates as part of your permanent setup.
And speaking of set-up, Nebula’s Intelligent Environment Adaptation Technology runs through screen fit, auto keystone correction, autofocus, and obstacle avoidance in just three seconds, so point it, turn it on, and let it sort all the fiddly stuff for you. Small and versatile, the Nebula Mars 3 Air is our favorite portable gaming projector.
XGIMI Halo+
Best projector for streaming and occasional gaming
Today’s best deals
| Display technology | DLP |
| Latency | 26.5ms (Game Mode Boost) |
| Resolution | 1080p FHD (1920 × 1080) |
| Throw ratio | 1.2:1 |
| Battery | 59W (2.5 hours playback) |
| Brightness | 700 ISO Lumens |
| Connectivity | 2.4/5G Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, 1x HDMI, 1x USB |
| Speakers | 2 x 5W Harman Kardon |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
- Exceptionally easy setup
- Affordable price point
- Great image quality
- Lag noticeable over HDMI
- Could be considered dim
It’s no exaggeration to say the XGIMI Halo+ is the best mini projector for your money right now. Its compact size and built-in battery make it incredibly versatile, and equally suitable for a camping trip, streaming session, or family game night. Our reviewer got more than 2.5 hours of playback XGIMI that quotes, which is enough to watch most movies without a recharge.
The Halo+ is packed with features to help you get a good picture without experience – Auto Keystone Correction, Auto Focus, and Intelligent Screen Alignment adapt to the projection surface effectively, and setup takes minutes when you move the projector around. It comes with Android TV 10 built-in for streaming over Wi-Fi, but this doesn’t include the Netflix app.
For gamers, the response rate of the XGIMI Halo+ lags behind dedicated rivals like the Acer Predator lineup, but its Game Mode Boost adds low latency down to 26.5ms. This won’t be fast enough for advanced gamers, but it’s enough for casual players and families. If you want a versatile projector with great image and audio quality, easy setup, and a portable design, the versatile Halo+ provides an exceptional experience.
Read our XGIMI Halo+ review.