Projectors guide, selection and comparison for the best models of 2025

Many are the users who ask us about which projectors are the best in this 2025 to combine with the Android TV-Box that we recommend.

So today we want to explain in a simple way what minimum selection criteria we can use as a guide. We also offer a small selection of interesting models for his price and performance that we can find on Amazon, so we can always use the guarantee of this store if they do not convince us when using them. Alternatively, you can compare prices with the Chinese stores lie Aliexpress.

General concept about projectors

Within the projectors we find all kinds of formats and qualities, we must bear in mind that these models compete on price and try to adjust their specifications in several aspects to reduce their PVP.

Projector types

• Classic projectors: are the models of a larger box size and have better performance by price.
• Compact projectors: also called Pico Projectors (DLP) are very small and generally have more basic features.
• Laser projectors: these models, such as the Xiaomi Mi Ultra, are distinguished by their short-range focus and good quality.
• Projectors with Android: usually install old Android versions and lower specifications than any TV-Box.
• Projectors with tuner: these models integrate a DVB-T2 receiver that we can control from the remote control.

Projection technology in projectors

The projectors work basically all by the same principle have a light emission system, lens system and color filter that processes the image to get it out by the main focus. Within this criterion we have different technologies that we will explain in a simple way, the concept in all is similar, light emitting, lenses and filters.

Light source

• Traditional lamp: basically a conventional bulb designed for this use, powerful but hot and short life (6K hours).
• LED: the most widespread nowadays due to its long useful life (50K hours) and technical characteristics, although with less luminosity.
• LASER or hybrids: a technology with high performance, excellent in brightness, contrast and 3D.

Types of projection systems

• LCD projector (Liquid Crystal Display)
  

  Technology based on LCD filter, the cheapest has a single LCD screen, the expensive mount three (3LCD) one for each color.
  – Pros: Price / Most efficient brightness / Natural colors.
  – Cons: Bulky / Pixelation of the image / Long-term quality for dust and maintenance (open and clean)
  – Recommended for: Domestic use and low ambient light.

• DLP Projector (Digital Light Processing)
  

  Technology based on color wheel and DMD mirror system chip, you can have up to three chips one per color.
  – Pros: Contrast / Sharpness / Reduced size.
  – Cons: Rainbow effect in high contrast scenes with a single chip / noise by the color wheel.
  – Recommended for: more demanding users or professionals and supports bright environments.

• LCOS projector (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)
  

  It is a new technology that combines LCD and DMD technology getting the advantages of the two systems.
  – Pros: Black defined / High contrast / Cinematic quality.
  – Cons: Expensive and Less luminous.
  – Recommended for: Users with maximum demand or professional.

Main technical specifications

• Lumens: It is the figure that defines the light power and the one that tells us in which ambient we can use it
  – Economic: 2000 lumens for semi dark rooms.
  – Pro: 3500 lumens or higher for rooms with ambient light
• Contrast: It indicates the definition between the different elements of an image.
  – Economical: with a value of 2000:1 we can have enough.
  – Pro: minimum 10000:1 for rooms with lighting.
• Lifespan: Models with LED system must have a minimum life of 30,000 Hours.
• Native resolution: this is the key point for the definition of the image and it should not be confused with the supported resolution
  – Economical: we recommend 720p HD quality (1280 × 720 pixels) but if it is for occasional use we can go 480p (800 × 480 pixels).
  – Pro: it is recommended to go to 1080p FullHD quality (1920 x 1080 pixels).
  – Don
• Supported resolution: Resolution supported by video inputs and normally all support up to 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels).
• Projection distance and size: Classic distance between 5 – 17 ft (1.5 – 5.5 m), screen size between 30 and 200 “
• Connections:
  – Video / Audio: Always with HDMI input. Options with VGA, AV and DVB-T2. Recommended audio jack output for external speakers.
  – Data: There are models with USB to play files, may have limitations so we recommend using a TV-Box.
  – Wifi or Bluetooth: It is only necessary if we are not going to connect it to our network, if we use a TV-Box it is no longer necessary.
• Built-in speakers: Normally they are of low quality and it is recommended to use external speakers in cheap models.
• Noise: The cheap models assemble a few low quality fans and can be quite noisy (50db).
• Assembly: It is necessary to observe if we can mount it in the position that interests us frontal, back or in ceiling.
• Image correction: The economic models are normally all manual, the automatic are expensive.

Check real video resolution

The resolution of the Android system environment can be different from the resolution at which see the video played on our TV. Do not confuse the resolution of the Android UI (AIDA apps info or similar) with the video playback resolution (it may be higher).

FullHD and 4K resolution test

To check the native resolution in the video playback we leave a couple of videos that show us the real resolution at which the content is playback on the screen.

• We have to check that the lines and points of the control grids are perfectly defined.
• Download videos to check 4K or FullHD resolution, DO NOT USE A STATIC PICTURE.