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For those passionate about movies, TV shows, live sports, and gaming, the allure of a big screen is undeniable. However, supersized TVs come with a hefty price tag and lack portability. Moreover, there's a limit to how big they can get. For a truly captivating media experience, consider another option: a video projector.
Available in various designs, these devices can revolutionize your viewing and gaming sessions. Most are portable, straightforward to install, and adaptable to diverse settings. While they might be an investment, their durability ensures years of enhanced entertainment.
Factors like cost, mobility, resolution, sound quality, lamp lifespan, screen dimensions, and projection distance play crucial roles in determining a projector's quality and how well it aligns with your needs.
This detailed guide will explore the best video projectors available in Canada right now, helping you make the right decision for your home.
Short Throw Pick: BenQ HT2150ST Home Theatre Projector
Portable Pick: Xgimi MoGo 2 Projector
High Performance Pick: Epson Home Cinema 4010 Projector
Budget Pick: XuanPad M8 Mini Projector
The BenQ HT2060 video projector will give you next-level quality. It stands out with its chambered speakers, which produce robust, clear audio; eliminating the need for additional speakers or a soundbar.
Long-term durability and reliability are ensured through its solid 3-year warranty coverage. You can feel confident about enjoying many years of use with this projector.
Ease of use is another benefit. The HT2060 automatically focuses the image and makes any necessary adjustments for optimal video display. This hands-free operation delivers a crisp, vivid picture without fiddling with settings.
It also outperforms many competitors in colour reproduction — even accurately displaying hard-to-capture details in dark, shadowy scenes. You'll be immersed in your movies, shows, and games thanks to its colour clarity.
The main downsides to weigh are its limited screen size range compared to other models, and its sole HDMI connectivity option. Make sure to assess your space to ensure it fits the size parameters. And keep in mind cords are needed to hook up devices.
But for most home entertainment purposes, the BenQ HT2060 is a reliable, long-lasting performer. It nails the key factors of strong video, audio, and ease of use.
Reviewers are incredibly happy with the quality of the BenQ home theatre projector. The video quality is great in all types of lighting conditions, and people have said that they see more detail in dark scenes than they do with previous projectors they’ve used. Users are also really enjoying the audio quality (some say it’s even better than their TVs!).
Dimensions: 19” x 15.5” x 8.8”
Weight: 11.5 lbs
Resolution: 1080p
Throw Range: 8.35-16.3 ft
Screen Size Range: 100-150”
Brightness: 2300 lumens
Lamp Life: 7000 hours
Warranty: 3 years
Pros:
Chambered speakers produce excellent sound quality
Built to last
Colour quality is superior to most other models; better detail in dark scenes
Offers autofocus and screen adjustments
Cons:
Screen size range isn’t as high as other models
Only supports HDMI connectivity
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the BenQ HT2060 is a no-brainer as our top pick. It doesn’t quite offer the same level of versatility as other projectors, but its user-friendliness combined with its stellar audio and video quality make it one of the best projectors on the market.
$1,099 (originally $1,200) on Amazon Canada
It's no surprise another top pick comes from BenQ. The HT2150ST stands out for its short throw distance — it can project a sizable 92" image from only 4.9 feet away (ideal for compact spaces!). Integrated speakers provide robust audio to complete the home theatre experience.
When it comes to visuals, this projector shines. The short throw versatility is just the beginning. It's designed specifically to satisfy gamers with tailored gaming modes and low lag for smooth, uninterrupted play. DLP technology also prevents image degradation over time, maintaining value and performance.
The main drawback is its fairly bulky build at nearly 8 pounds. However, if you're looking for big screen entertainment in a small space, the HT2150ST delivers on all fronts. Short throw, vivid images, and immersive audio create an exceptional home theatre experience.
Reviewers are really enjoying their BenQ video projectors. Even in smaller rooms, people are able to enjoy massive screen sizes that bring the home theatre dream to life. This seems to be an ideal projector for gamers, since the low lag input and gaming modes can help the projector keep up with action-packed games. Everyone agrees that the value they get for the price is spot on.
Dimensions: 11.7” x 4.6” x 9.5”
Weight: 7.9 lbs
Resolution: 1080p
Throw Range: 4.9-9 ft
Screen Size Range: 92-150”
Brightness: 2200 lumens
Lamp Life: 7000 hours
Warranty: 3 years
Pros:
Exceptional audio performance from two speakers with BenQ CinemaMaster Audio+ tech
Low input lag and gaming modes make it perfect for gamers
Don’t need much space to get a large screen size
DLP technology prevents image quality from deteriorating over time
Cons:
Not as portable as other projectors
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, BenQ’s HT2150ST video projector is the ideal choice for achieving a large screen size in a smaller space. And, you can be sure that the sound and image quality will last for years.
For its compact size and budget-friendly price, Xgimi's MoGo 2 packs an impressive punch. Connectivity is a major plus, with options for HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. It even has built-in Android TV 11.0 and Google Play for seamless usability. Compatibility with Dolby means no restrictions on streaming platforms or content sources.
Our favourite feature is its automation. Autofocus, screen size adaptation to avoid obstructions, and alignment correction ensure straightforward, optimized projection every time.
However, there are some limitations to note. The 720p resolution, while decent, falls short of the 1080p industry standard. Mounting options are restricted to tabletop only, and Netflix setup requires a call to customer service.
But for a conveniently compact model, the MoGo 2 delivers solid performance and intuitive use. The automated features make home theatre setup a breeze. Just keep the resolution, mounting, and Netflix limitations in mind depending on your needs.
Reviewers are only experiencing one common issue with this Xgimi projector; there is quite a process involved in getting Netflix set up. Otherwise, the feedback is all positive. The low brightness makes it perfect for watching in low-light conditions. It also doesn’t cause any eye strain with brighter scenes. The connectivity and audio quality are two of the standout features for most users.
Dimensions: 6.3” x 4.7” x 4.25”
Weight: 2.4 lbs
Resolution: 720p HD
Throw Range: 1-16.4 ft
Screen Size Range: 40-200”
Brightness: 400 lumens
Lamp Life: 25,000 hours
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Equipped with autofocus, object avoidance, and screen adaptation (auto-screen alignment)
2 Dolby-compatible speakers produce excellent sound
Can connect via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, and HDMI
Has Android TV 11.0 and Google Play built-in
Cons:
Only suitable as a table mount
Requires some effort to get Netflix set up
Lower resolution than average
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
All in all, the versatile Xgimi MoGo 2 projector is the perfect choice for people who want to enjoy larger-than-life media in various locations. It doesn’t offer the same video quality or mount flexibility as other projectors, but it excels in connectivity and portability.
As our high-performance pick, the Epson Home Cinema 4010 takes the home theatre experience to new heights. With 10 preset positions, achieving the perfect projection angle for your unique space is simple. And the expansive 300" maximum screen size easily transforms even the largest walls into a private cinema.
The visuals themselves are a true sight to behold thanks to 3LCD technology for unparalleled colour accuracy. Scenes are brought to life in stunning 4K UHD resolution as well.
Compatibility covers every media source too - no restrictions on your devices or streaming services. Convenient features like the included remote and HDMI cable clamps add to the user-friendly design.
Now for the limitations. The premium performance comes at a premium price point, so this is a major investment. Portability is also not a strength given the substantial weight. And first-time setup may prove tricky without prior projector experience.
But for one-location, cinema-style projection that leaves no detail behind, the Epson Home Cinema 4010 is in a class of its own. The image quality and massive screen potential create a truly movie theatre-worthy experience at home.
Reviewers are satisfied with their Epson Home Cinema projectors. People have been using them at both the lower and upper limits of throw range and screen size, and the video quality is impeccable with every setup. Some people had some trouble getting it set up, but the preset positions did help them get the positioning and angles right for their space.
Dimensions: 20.5” x 17.7” x 7.6”
Weight: 24.7 lbs
Resolution: 4k UHD
Throw Range: 3.9-45 ft
Screen Size Range: 50-300”
Brightness: 2400 lumens
Lamp Life: 5,000 hours
Warranty: 2 years on projector, 90 days on lamp
Pros:
10 preset positions to make setup easy
Compatible with every device type
Comes with a remote and 2 HDMI cable clamps
3LCD technology produces amazing colour in every frame
Cons:
Extremely expensive
Quite large
Can be complicated to set up without previous experience
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 2/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, this Epson video projector is worth its price tag. An impressive throw range, unbeatable resolution, and user-friendly accessories are only a handful of its highlights. You’ll have to test it out for yourself to appreciate the true value of this projector.
The XuadPad M8 is a more affordable find. But don't let the low price tag fool you — it packs impressive performance. With 1080p HD visuals, integrated stereo speakers, and versatile throw range and screen sizes, this mini model belies its diminutive stature.
But the real value comes from the exceptional 55,000-hour lamp life. That's nearly eight times longer than more expensive models. This unmatched longevity provides way more bang for your buck.
The M8 is also highly portable, with flexible tabletop, ceiling or tripod mounting to accommodate any space. Convenience and adaptability for an unbeatable price.
There are some limitations, as expected. You'll need to manually focus and adjust the image, Dolby sound formats aren't supported, and some background noise is audible during projection.
But for an affordable introductory projector that covers the basics well, the Xgimi MoGo 2 is a solid choice. The longevity and portability offset the need for manual adjustments and audio limitations. This model is a great entry point into the world of projectors.
Reviewers are quite pleased with the quality of XuanPad’s M8 mini projector considering the price. Some users have mentioned it produces background noise, and others aren’t very happy about the manual focus. In general, though, people are enjoying the HD video quality, the portable design, and the options for mounting. Most are looking forward to having their projector for years and years.
Dimensions: 7.7” x 6” x 2.7”
Weight: 3.2 lbs
Resolution: 1080p HD
Throw Range: 3.3-16.4 ft
Screen Size Range: 32-200”
Brightness: 6000 lumens
Lamp Life: 55,000 hours
Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
Highly portable
Heat dissipation system extends lamp life
Dual audio speakers provide excellent sound quality
Compatible with table, ceiling, and tripod mounts
Cons:
Have to focus the screen manually
Not compatible with Dolby sound formats
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
Overall, XuanPad’s mini projector is a standout product simply for its affordable price tag. While you will have to adjust your expectations for usability and build quality, the projector’s performance for video and audio more than meets our expectations.
When selecting a video projector for your home theatre needs, there are several key factors to consider:
Projector pricing ranges widely, from budget models under $100 to premium options over $2,500. Set a budget upfront to narrow your search to models that fit. Generally, more expensive projectors offer higher resolution, smarter features and impressive longevity.
If you plan to use your projector in different spaces, prioritize lightweight and compact models that are easy to transport. Tabletop and tripod mounting add flexibility. Bulkier stationary projectors work best for permanent home theatre setups.
The throw range dictates how far back you must place the projector from the screen or wall to achieve a clear image. Screen size potentials also vary. Evaluate your space to ensure the projector's parameters fit your needs. Larger ranges provide more flexibility.
1080p is the standard for most projectors today, but you can find HD, 4K and even 8K models too. Consider what resolution your media uses and choose a projector that matches or exceeds it for optimal clarity.
Projector speakers range from non-existent to decent quality. If audio is a priority, factor in costs for external speakers. Or ensure the built-in sound meets your standards.
Brighter projectors starting at 2300+ lumens work best in well-lit rooms, while lower luminosity models under 1000 lumens suit dark theatre spaces. Choose lumens based on your planned environments.
Bulb longevity affects value over time. Aim for 20,000+ hours for extended use. This doesn't always correlate directly with price, so shop this feature wisely.
Ensure the projector has a variety of ports such as HDMI, USB, VGA, and audio out. This will allow you to connect various devices like laptops, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and more.
A higher refresh rate (measured in Hertz) ensures smoother motion, especially important for action movies and gaming.
Some projectors can be quite loud when in operation. If you're setting up a quiet viewing environment, consider the noise level of the projector's fan.
Some modern projectors come with built-in streaming apps, voice control, and other smart features. If these are important to you, look for projectors that offer them.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.