Decades ago, projectors were so bulky and expensive that only businesses and organisations had them. As a projector is able to project images onto a large screen or surface, it is usually used for presentations to large groups of people. But these days, they are a lot more affordable and portable, so it's not uncommon for families to have one at home.
Projectors used to be associated with classrooms and business meetings, but these days they’re beginning to show up in home theatres and living rooms as well.
Gone are the pixelated images and bulky units — in their place are sleek marvels of technology that boast capabilities like Ultra HD, Bluetooth connectivity, and even built-in Android TV. They have plenty of advantages over the traditional TV screen, too.
How do home projectors work?
Images are magnified onto a large surface or screen using a bright light bulb and lens. How big the projected image is depends on the resolution, brightness of the bulb and the distance of the projector to the screen.
Usually mounted from the ceiling, at home, it may be used to watch movies or live sports when a big group of friends are around. Some home users are even doing away with the TV, in favour of one.
How to choose a home projector?
Throw
This is the distance between the home projector and screen. If you don’t have much room, opt for a short-throw projector that can be conveniently placed on a table right in front of the wall or screen you’re projecting on.
Bluetooth connectivity
If you’re going for the full cinematic experience, check if your projector has Bluetooth support that enables it to link up with your speakers seamlessly.
Size
Are you planning to move it around a lot, or double it up as a work projector in your home office? There are plenty of miniature versions out there, like Canon’s MP250 Mini Projector, which weigh very little but can still project 4K images.
Brightness
This is measured in lumens. If you’re planning to watch movies mostly at night, a brightness of about 1,500 lumens is fine. However, if you’re also using the projector in the day or in a room with plenty of ambient light, you’ll need something brighter, with a minimum of 2,500 lumens.
What is an Ultra Short Throw projector?
An Ultra Short Throw (UST) projector is ideal for movie nights in a limited space. These devices generally have a very wide-angle lens with a throw ratio of less than 0.4m, letting you place the projector just under or just above the screen, which means it’s easy to install and saves the cost and hassle of a ceiling-mounted one.
Here we’ve rounded up some reasons why you should consider a projector vs tv, and some of the best mini projectors (for all budgets) that will make entertaining in small living rooms easier and so memorable your guests will be bugging you for their next invite.
Almost no installation required
If you want a fuss-free setup, a projector is the way to go.
All you need for a basic installation is a table or console to place the projector on and a blank white wall — no hacking or drilling required.
You can also opt to mount your projector overhead and install a screen instead as a more permanent fixture.
These days, short-throw projectors are a popular option as they can be placed directly on a TV console.
You can move it practically anywhere
If your projector is free-standing, you can move it anywhere: the dining table for a Netflix session during dinner or to the bedroom for a late-night movie, without having to invest in a TV screen for each space.
Our advice? Put the projector on a table with wheels, or a chic bar cart, so you can easily move it around.
You get a much larger screen
For those who want as large a screen as possible, a projector’s a great option since you’re limited only by the size of your wall.
While it can’t compare to the stunning clarity of a QLED TV screen, the images are still sharp and vivid, especially if the projector comes outfitted with full 1080p HD functionality like Epson’s EH-TW5820.
You don’t need a blank wall
A blank TV taking up a wall can be an eyesore when it’s not in use, but you won’t have that problem if you’re using a projector screen. Most screens can be tucked out of sight when not in use, leaving the wall behind it free for other things such as a picture gallery or bookshelves. Mounting the projector screen in front of the window also works in small spaces where you don’t have much room.
It’s more affordable than you think
With most TVs, the price increases relative to the size of the screen — but that doesn’t happen with projectors.
Projector costs vary from a few hundred to the thousands, but even the highest-end ones rarely exceed TV screens in price.
When purchasing, though, be sure to check the cost of replacement for the bulb. Most bulbs have a lifespan of 2,000 hours.
Functions same as a TV
Whatever your laptop can do, so can your projector — whether it’s showing Netflix movies, streaming a soccer game, or even showing a photo gallery during a family gathering.
Linking up to the projector is a cinch, thanks to HDMI cables and wireless connections like Chromecast. Some projectors also come with smart functions like Android TV.
Samsung The Freestyle Projector
Samsung’s The Freestyle is a multi-functional projector that ticks all the boxes. A portable entertainment device with a projector, smart speaker, and ambient lighting,
The Freestyle weighs only 830 grammes, making it easy to convert any space into a screen.
In addition, its adjustable cradle rotates up to 180 degrees, enabling users to display high-quality video anywhere without needing a separate screen, which is excellent for small spaces.
9 Best Home Projectors in Singapore
The luxury of space is one not many have in Singapore. Yet, we are a house-proud people and love having family and friends over. Here are nine of the best mini home projectors that will work in HDBs, condos, and even your bedroom.
Canon MP250 Mini
Small yet mighty, the Canon MP250 Mini weighs only 407g but packs 4k video capabilities. It's lightweight enough to be moved from room to room easily, or even popped into your bag and taken to a client meeting for a presentation.
The Canon MP250 Mini retails for $699.
Viewsonic M2
Audiophiles will appreciate the Viewsonic M2, which comes with dual theatre-level Harman Kardon speakers built in. It's designed for mobile use, so you can mirror directly from your smartphone, or even power it via a powerbank.
The Viewsonic M2 retails for $1,199.
Epson Epiqvision Mini EF-100B
With a sleek body of metallic bronze and black leather, this projector is just as stylish as it is functional. With 2,000 lumens of colour and white brightness, it allows you to project a display of up to a whopping 150 inches.
The Epiqvision Mini EF-100B retails from $1,299.
Mi Smart Compact Projector
Don't be fooled by its size – the Mi Smart Compact Projector packs a punch with 1080p resolution, four-channel LED that increases brightness by 20 per cent, and HDR10 enhanced image quality.
When it starts up, its built-in camera auto-focuses to ensure maximum clarity. Plus, it can connect to music over Wifi or Bluetooth, pulling double duty as a speaker.
The Mi Smart Compact Projector retails for $799.
Epson EH-TW5820
This projector was created specifically for home entertainment. 2,700 lumens of colour and white brightness ensure that the video output is crystal clear, and a built-in 10W speaker enhances the home cinema experience.
The EH-TW5820 retails for $1,599.
Read Also: Epson Projector EH-TW700 Review
Mi Smart Projector 2 Pro
This smart projector lives up to its name by being Google Home and Google Assistant compatible. With 1,300 ANSI lumens and 1920x1080 FHD resolution, you'll get incredibly clear and detailed images even in the daytime.
The Mi Smart Projector 2 Pro retails for $1,299.
Lumos Projector
Singapore-grown startup Lumos Projector short throw and portable Auro Projector is another excellent pick.
It features a 1080p native resolution Full HD, a 150-inch display with 6,000 lumens of rich colours, and built-in speakers.
It also has a short throw projector distance of 1.3:1, ensuring an excellent up-to-100-inch projection display with only a 3-metre distance needed. The cherry on top is its $299 price tag.
BenQ GV11 Projector
Portable and powerful, BenQ’s GV11 gives you the flexibility of setting up anywhere, not just in the living room.
Equipped with the award-winning visual features from its predecessor, the GV30, but in a more compact package, the GV11 features a rotating lens and 135-degree projection angle.
With automatic vertical keystone correction, the GV11 has the flexibility and power to create immersive cinematic 80-inch experiences in just 2.3-metre of space, whether on a ceiling, wall or screen.