Best projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X in 2024

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BenQ X3000i gaming projector

(Image credit: Future/Will Donovan)

1. The quick list
2.
Best overall
3. Best budget
4. Best 4K
5. Best 1080p
6. Best premium
7. Best motion handling

With 4K picture and speedy refresh rates, there are plenty of models vying for the top spot when it comes to the best projectors for PS5 and Xbox Series X. Two things have happened in the last couple of years that make a projector setup more than viable for your new generation console; prices have dropped and speeds have increased. That means you can enjoy 4K HDR picture with smooth framerates on the big screen, and we're showing you the best way to do it. 

The new console finally arriving is always an exciting moment, but sometimes it makes you realise the limitations of your current setup. Maybe your TV doesn’t cut it anymore and you want to play in a massive 100-inch picture. Perhaps what you thought was the best projectors for gaming for you and has done a job for an older console but is now showing its limitations. Or this could be the moment you decide to take the plunge from HD into 4K. Wherever you fit in this, one of the best projectors for PS5 and Xbox Series X will suit you.

This list is set to grow as we test more and more projectors for Xbox Series X and PS5 so expect more HD entries, budget entries, and underrated, curveball entries alongside 4K beasts in the months to come, too. Last note: you'll also need to make sure you have a plain, clean, white (ish) wall to project on. Though if you can't arrange that there are some neat solutions in the best projector screen and best outdoor projector screen markets.

The quick list

The best projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X overall

The best projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X overall

Specifications

Resolution: 4K UHD (3840x2160)
Brightness: 3000 ANSI Lumen
Contrast: 500,000:1
Light Source Wattage: N/A (4LED source)
Clear Image Size (diagonal): 60"~2000"
Throw ratio: 1.15~1.50
Features: Cinematic Colour,16.7ms input lag (1080p@60Hz), 8.3ms input lag (1080p@120Hz), Game/Cinema/Bright/3D modes, HDR10, HLG, 2x5W speakers

Reasons to buy

+
Astonishing colour reproduction
+
4K gaming with minimal input lag
+
Fantastic sound

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulky and tall design

BenQ has offered a first in 2022: 4K gameplay with 16ms input lag at 60Hz (with the ability to go as low as 4ms input lag with some sacrifices to other image settings). They’ve also thought in depth about not just the needs of gamers all round but different types of gamers. The X3000i is one of the best projectors in all categories, but particularly for gamers, and particularly for role-playing gamers – players who want to be truly immersed in the amazing worlds that triple-A titles are focussing on so much now. The key to this is BenQ’s CinematicColour system which offers incredible colour reproduction. The depth of colour is astonishing, with incredibly rich reds, blues and greens on the landscapes of next-gen games.

The BenQ X3000i offers 4K gaming with minimal input lag and astonishing colour; it's as close to the perfect gaming projector package as it gets.

BenQ X3000i review

But the unit offers something for everyone – the low input lag means that playing first-person shooters is a smooth experience even when running through a map or moving fast to take out a horde of foes. And bright party games like Fall Guys or Mario Kart look astonishing, even in ambient light which can so often wash the colour out of other projectors. While it’s designed for gamers, watching films or TV shows is also a joy, whether a bright Pixar film or a gritty drama – the detail in the dark colours works well for picking out an enemy lurking in the shadows in a shooter or keeping track of a fight scene in a DC movie.

There’s built-in streaming through an integrated Android dongle, but as usual there are key apps missing. The height of the unit makes it bulky, but really this is quite a minor complaint and there’s a lot of technology to cram in. These points are really to nitpick – BenQ has raised the bar for projectors with this range and the X3000i has produced some of the best images a projector for PS5 that I have ever seen.

Read more: BenQ X3000i review

The best budget projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X

BenQ HT2050A

(Image credit: BenQ)

2. BenQ HT2050A

The best budget projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X

Specifications

Resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
Brightness: 2,200 lumen
Contrast: 15,000:1
Light Source Wattage: 240W
Clear Image Size (diagonal): 60"~180"
Throw ratio: 1.15 to 1.5:1 (short to standard)
Features: 3D Compatibility, short throw, vertical lens shift

Reasons to buy

+
Short input lag
+
Vertical lens shift
+
Great bang for your buck

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly limited range of vertical lens shift 
-
'Only' HD

The mid-range projector market is crowded. It can be hard to work out what’s a standout unit, but the BenQ HT2050A has proven itself to be a favourite among gamers over the past few years and for that reason its definitely one of the best projectors for PS5 and Xbox Series X right now. It may not quite be cutting edge anymore, but it’s stood the test of time and you can now often find great deals on a tried and tested great projector.

The key stat is the input lag: an astonishingly low 16ms in the dedicated Game Mode. This alone will make serious gamers sit up and take notice. It’s rated well for brightness and is regularly found to outshine others in the price bracket. Anything priced here will struggle with direct midday sunlight from large patio doors or projecting outside in the day, but it deals well with ambient light.

The vertical lens shift is a lovely luxury, rare for a mid-range projector, which can make placement easier – as does the vertical and horizontal keystone correction. However, the minimum angle of the vertical lens shift means you’ll need to check it will be suited to your location if you have a very specific spot in mind. The great depth of colour in the image will make the bright lights of New York in Spider-Man: Miles Morales really pop. You’re getting HD than 4K, but if you need a great projector for around the same price you’ve just dropped on your new console, this is the way to go.

The best 4K projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X

3. Epson Pro Cinema LS12000

The best 4K projector for PS5 / Xbox Series X

Specifications

Resolution: 3840x2160 3LCD
Brightness: 2,700 lumens
Contrast: 1,200,000:1
Features: HDMI 2.1, HDR 10, HDR 10+, HLG, digital optical audio
Throw: Standard

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent 4K picture
+
4K 120Hz via HDMI 2.1
+
Impressive brightness

Reasons to avoid

-
No speakers or streaming services

The HDMI 2.1 connection (and the 4K 120Hz picture it offers up) makes the Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 our top UHD pick for PS5 and Xbox Series X. 

The sleek curved black design is a little larger on the table, but it still manages to remain subtle in its aesthetic. That means it can sit happily on a shelf or table until it's time to switch the consoles on. Plus, with a standard throw you're not limited in your positioning either. 

HDR10, 10+ and HLG tech work in tandem with that HDMI 2.1 connection to ensure all gameplay is super crisp and expertly balanced. It's easy to see why - the Pro Cinema LS12000 is built around its picture quality, though that does mean you drop a few other features. For one, there's no smart TV operating system on board but - perhaps more importantly - you'll be supplying your own audio here. That's not too much of a problem if you already have a speaker system or a gaming headset to hand. 

If you are going big on picture quality, though, your investment is well placed here. You're getting a super clear 4K image with no artifacts and plenty of detailing across both lighter and darker scenes. The 2,700 lumens aren't industry leading, but the brightness levels work well in both high and low light environments. 

The best 1080p projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X

BenQ X1300i

(Image credit: BenQ)

4. BenQ X1300i

The best 1080p projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X

Specifications

Resolution: Full HD, 1080p
Brightness: 3000 ANSI Lumen
Contrast: 500,000:1
Light Source Wattage: 3W (LED)
Clear Image Size (diagonal): 60"~150"
Throw ratio: 1.3~1.56; 100" @ 2.87m (100" @ 9.4ft)
Features: Game mode with very low input lag, color background settings, short throw

Reasons to buy

+
8ms input lag, 120Hz refresh rate 
+
Three gaming modes for different genres 
+
Excellent image quality

Reasons to avoid

-
1080p picture at a 4K price 
-
Need to self install included Android dongle

A projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X if ever we've seen one, the X1300i is only a 1080p projector but boy does it have the gaming chops to make up for that. With input lag of a mere 8ms and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, this is in line with the best gaming monitors and far ahead of the vast majority of standard projectors. The immediate compromise is that the price tag is high: admittedly it's more in line with 4K projectors rather than 1080p screen-givers, but if your focus is getting a projector for PS5 that has the gaming speed and chops to ensure the best, smooth pictures for gaming, then this a serious contender. 

On top of the sheer speed specs, the X1300i has three game modes: RPG, FPS, and sports. As a result, it doesn't matter whether you're playing on the football pitch (British or American version), horseriding across lush landscapes, or navigating dark corridors teeming with enemies as you'll have a picture mode perfect for you – and custom audio profiles to bring out the sounds you want to focus on for each. These modes are also great for watching video – for instance, sport mode is great for the greens of a pitch and the contrasting kits. 

The X1300i is a much taller unit than most but this means its footprint on a shelf is small. There’s also an odd practical annoyance: rather than being integrated, the Android interface is included on a dongle that needs to be installed. You’ll only need to do it once but it is annoying. And there is the usual issue of Netflix and other apps not being approved for use on this and requiring another media source. 

If you’re looking for a home projector and plan to mostly use it for gaming, especially quite seriously gaming, this just became the standard to beat. 

The best premium projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X

Samsung Premiere LSP7T

(Image credit: Samsung)

5. Samsung Premiere LSP7T

The best premium projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X

Specifications

Resolution: 4K UHD 3840 x 2160
Brightness: 2,200 ANSI lumen
Contrast: 1,000:1
Light Source Wattage: N/A - laser
Clear Image Size (diagonal): 120-inches
Throw ratio: 0.25 (Ultra short)
Features: Ultra short throw, single laser picture, Bixby operating system and app library, HDR10+

Reasons to buy

+
Exquisite picture quality at 4K
+
Incredibly short throw
+
Inbuilt apps
+
Samsung pedigree

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly slow operating system
-
The price

The is the best projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X, no doubt. While Cyberpunk 2077 taught us not to always believe the hype, sometimes, a truly exceptional product can not only live up to but actually exceed the pre-release expectations. Last year, Samsung surprisingly announced its first projectors in a decade, instantly becoming the most anticipated projectors for years, and they have been receiving rave reviews ever since. The LSP7T is the cheaper of the two, though is still a premium product.

The LSP7T is a fantastic unit the Premiere series is going to be the gold standard of projectors for some time to come. They run the same operating system as Samsung Smart TVs – so you don’t have to fire up the console every time you want to watch Netflix. The input lag has been measured at a decent (if not exceptional) 53ms. Any of the huge open-world games of the latest consoles will look astonishing with this laser-sharp image.

For reference, the chief difference between the LSP7T and the LSP9T is in the light source. The bigger brother - the LSP9T, see below - has an HDR image that comes from a triple laser system (one laser for each primary colour) while LSP7T has just one laser for the whole image and produces a slightly smaller picture. A 120-inch picture of this quality is incredible, especially when it can be generated at an astonishingly close distance of a foot and a half to the projection surface. There’s also a slight downgrade on the internal speaker to the more expensive model, but it’s still loud and beautifully clear, and if you’re spending this kind of money you’ve almost certainly already got an excellent gaming sound system.

The best projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X with motion handling

The best PS5 and Xbox Series X projector for motion handling

Specifications

Resolution: 4K UHD 3840 x 2160
Brightness: 4,000 ANSI lumen
Contrast: 2,000,000:1
Light Source Wattage: N/A - LED
Clear Image Size (diagonal): 300-inches
Throw ratio: 1.22:1
Features: Variable refresh rate, 10W speakers, remote control, 2 x HDMI, 2 x USB, 1 x aux, Wifi/Bluetooth

Reasons to buy

+
Variable refresh rate and minimal input lag
+
Plenty of features aimed at gamers
+
Auto keystoning

Reasons to avoid

-
Lack of zoom features
-
Difficult to switch inputs
-
Poor speakers

This is a projector aimed squarely at gamers. There's an ultra-fast refresh rate of up to 240Hz in 1080p for PC (120Hz at 1080p for consoles) and minimal input lag which we found makes this ideal for huge screen PS5 gaming. Finally, a competitor to the BenQ X1300i for dedicated gaming projectors! In our testing, games were silky smooth, without noticeable lag and even the quickest FPS stays sharp as you wildly move the camera around (if you play shooters as chaotically as I do…).

A quality, gaming-focused projector with variable refresh rate - but with a few creases that could be ironed out.

Acer Predator GD711 review

We did find the 10W speakers to be tinny and weak, but if you’re dropping this kind of money on a projector for PS5, you're likely to both want and will buy, or already have, a good audio setup. What was more annoying to us, however, was the lack of zoom control, which feels utterly baffling, meaning you have to set projector size by placement. Unless your room fits the throw ratio you may need a ceiling mount to get it in the right distance. While there’s a wide range of colour pallets to chose from to enhance your viewing, some manual tweaks were needed to stop the picture looking a bit washed out.

These issues are annoying quibbles, but once you get to play games on this all of that is forgotten. Landscapes look lush, the bright game mode makes colours pop and the dark game mode keeps detail up in the shadows by using the DynamicBlack technology. Video looks amazing too and makes the most of the 4K resolution the GD711 can pump out, with a wide range of modes giving you ideal setups quickly for the perfect colour pallet. Once this is properly set up, it’s an outstanding gaming projector.

Read more: Acer Predator GD711 review

What to consider when buying a projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X

Just before we get to the listings, there's a couple of things to keep in mind when looking for one of the best projectors for PS5 and Xbox Series X. The key thing to look for in gaming projectors specifically is input lag - similar to a gaming monitor. As a rule: 50ms is acceptable, under 40ms is ideal, 20ms is the grail. How much you need to go towards the lower lag will be down to personal preference: some people will barely notice the difference whereas others will curse anything less than perfect. 

One of the reasons we’ve concentrated on Optoma and BenQ here is that they know gamers are a big part of their userbase and reliably make sure their units include a game mode which improves this stat. However, the new top-of-the-line laser projectors do seem to be at the slower end of this (without being terribly slow) – but they more than make up for being (very slightly) laggy with astonishing pictures and amazing short throw.


These projectors are the best in the business but if you prefer your gaming screens as TVs then check out our guides to the best TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X, best OLED TV, and best 120Hz 4K TV.

Tabitha Baker
Managing Editor - Hardware

Managing Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I've written for Tom’s Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That Video Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i'm focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards and mice that come with them), and tracking everything that suggests VR is about to take over our lives.

With contributions from