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Best gaming projectors 2024

The best gaming projectors are sleek, smart, responsive and won’t slow down your gameplay. Here are the top tried and tested models.

Four of the best gaming projectors on a bright gradient background

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 gaming projector overall

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BenQ X3100i specifications:
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)
Reasons to buy
  • Easy to configure and setup
  • Support for Android TV
  • Impressive color accuracy, even on poor surfaces
Reasons to avoid
  • 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 projector for variable refresh rates

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Acer Predator GD711 specifications:
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
Reasons to buy
  • Variable refresh rates
  • Wireless connectivity
  • Gamer-specific features
Reasons to avoid
  • 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.

BenQ X500i

Best 4K gaming projector

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BenQ X500i specifications:
Display technology LED
Latency 4ms (1080p@240Hz)
Resolution 4K HDR 3840 x 2160
Contrast 600,000:1
Brightness 2200 ANSI lumen
Throw ratio 0.69-0.83:1
Connectivity HDMI, HDM2, USB-A, USB-C, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm audio, Bluetooth
Features Variable refresh rate, Android TV Dongle
Reasons to buy
  • Fantastic 4K picture quality and color accuracy
  • Immerse audio quality
  • Smooth latency for gaming
Reasons to avoid
  • Fans are a bit loud
  • Odd Google TV implementation

 

The BenQ X500i offers fantastic clarity and color for a wide range of media, but it’s a projector that offers up particular stellar visuals and features for gamers. With a 4K HDR resolution, it also features a low 4ms input lag in its Game modes, which our reviewer found gave “buttery smooth gameplay.”

The X500i is integrated with Google TV, via an Android TV streaming stick at the back, meaning you can access your favorite apps like Netflix. There are controls on the top of the unit, plus plenty more on the included remote. And while image correction and keystoning aren’t as advanced as the XGIMI Halo+ below, it’s still quick and easy to get a fantastic picture.

During testing, we found the audio well-rounded and bassy, but with a clear treble for vocals too. The BenQ X500i isn’t “cheap” but it offers great value for the visual and audio quality, and is a great pick for ceiling-mounting. Get it if you’re after a 4K gaming projector and value color accuracy, and impressive brightness at multiple resolutions.

Read our BenQ X500i review.

Acer Predator GM712

Best budget gaming projector

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Acer Predator GM712 specifications:
Display technology DLP, LCD
Latency 15.2ms
Resolution 3840 x 2160
Contrast 10,000:1
Brightness 4,000 lumens
Throw ratio 1.2:1
Connectivity 2 x HDMI, 1 x VGA, 1 x USB Type-A (2.0), 1 x RS232 in, 1 x SPDIF Optical Audio Out, 3.5mm Analog Audio Out, 3.5mm Analog Audio In, Wireless Dongle
Features Variable refresh rate, support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync
Reasons to buy
  • Impressive 4k picture quality
  • High color accuracy
  • VRR is great for gaming
Reasons to avoid
  • Low build quality
  • Underwhelming aesthetics
  • Lack of third-party support

This projector is a fair bit cheaper than many of the others, but it still manages to provide absolutely fantastic 4k picture quality, with top-notch color accuracy. In terms of its ability to project your games, or anything from your laptop or PC, there’s very little to critique. As a projector alone, it’s a great all-rounder.

However, the reason this one carries a much smaller price stage it has a generally much smaller selection of features. Yes, it may have a variable refresh rate, which is pretty cool, but what it’s missing is any substantial third-party support. Other projectors, like the XGIMI’s Halo+, give you built-in Google TV and a whole suite of built-in apps. Without these, the GM712 can feel a little bare bones.

But the thing is, not everyone needs the bells and whistles. If you just want to be able to project your games onto the wall and play them on a larger scale than you can with your monitor with decent picture quality, the GM712 has you covered.

Read our full Acer Predator GM712 projector review.

XGIMI Halo+

Best portable projector for gaming

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XGIMI Halo+ specifications:
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
Reasons to buy
  • Exceptionally easy setup
  • Affordable price point
  • Great image quality
Reasons to avoid
  • 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.

Best gaming projector FAQs

Are projectors any good for gaming?

Until the last few years, projectors were typically seen as too sluggish and slow for gaming. However, manufacturers like BenQ and Acer have focused on making models specifically for gamers, with fast response times and strong contrast ratios for deep blacks, even in the daytime.

Can you use a projector instead of a monitor for gaming?

The latest next-gen projectors can deliver a rich gaming experience with twice the display size as a gaming monitor or TV, and give you variable refresh rates of up to 240Hz, 4K resolution, and even smart features like Netflix and Google TV for the moments when you’re not gaming.

Why are 4K projectors still so expensive?

4K projectors are still relatively new to the market, and like anything new that requires premium components, it’ll take a few years for them to become more mainstream and their price to come down.

What is a good input lag for a gaming projector?

Input lag refers to the interval between the transmission of a signal to a display and its actual appearance. This delay, measured in milliseconds (ms), can impact your responses when playing PC games. Input lag and refresh rate should be high, but how high? We’d recommend anything under 20ms to be an acceptable input lag for gaming.