10 Best Projectors for Sports

Updated: Jan 23, 2024 1:26 AM
best projector sports featured image that shows the top three best projector models

To help you find the best projector for sports, we first spent several hours identifying the top-rated products. Next, we defined the top features and considerations you should make when buying a new sports projector so you could make a decision backed by research and metrics. According to our research, the best sports projectors should feature excellent motion handling and high refresh rates, with tech, included specifically to smooth out fast-moving scenes. These projectors should also offer at least 1080p resolution, but excel the most with 4K UHD resolution. Finally, these devices should give you a bright light output and plenty of color accuracy, so you get the best, most immersive experience possible. If you are looking for highly-rated projectors, even for sports, then these are the things to keep in mind.

After all of this research, which included analyzing customer reviews and reviewing product specifications, we selected the ViewSonic PX747-4K as our top pick in the best projector for sports category. Keep reading about this, and our other top picks to learn more about the best projectors on the market today.

Top 10 Best Projectors for Sports

 #1  ViewSonic PX747-4K Projector for Sports

Award: TOP PICK

WHY WE LIKE IT: The hallmark features of this sports projector include 4K ultra HD resolution, support for HDR10 content, and a super-bright lamp at 3,500 lumens. With these features, plus a long lamp life and plenty of connectivity options, you’ll be able to watch sports all day long with ease.

Pros
  • Picture quality is extra sharp with DLP chip
  • HDR support for more vivid colors
  • SuperEco mode extends lamp life
Cons
  • Disappointing 12,000:1 contrast ratio
  • Fan blows loudly after extended use

The ViewSonic PX747-4K is our top pick for the best projector for sports because it is designed to create incredibly immersive sports-viewing experiences down to the last detail. For starters, you’ll get stunning picture quality with the projector’s native 4K resolution and HDR support. On top of that, the colors will pop even more with ViewSonic’s proprietary Super Color technology. And while the ViewSonic doesn’t offer any additional motion handling functionality, sports and action scenes are smooth and judder-free. Plus, with 3,500 lumens of brightness, you’ll be able to use the PX747-4K in bright or dark rooms without the picture getting washed out.

When it comes to the projector’s overall design and build quality, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something better. The projector’s bulb can last anywhere as long as 15,000 hours with the low-power SuperEco mode, meaning you won’t need to replace the bulb as often as with other projectors. The ViewSonic projector even includes dual 10W speakers that sound surprisingly good. This is helpful if you’re on the go and don’t have a portable external audio system. The projector is also incredibly easy to use, with large buttons on the unit itself and an included remote control. Plus, you can get the picture just right with both horizontal and vertical keystone correction, along with focus and optical zoom options, too. These features will even work with the best projector screen.

 #2  Optoma EH415ST Projector for Sports

Award: BEST BRIGHTNESS

WHY WE LIKE IT: This option offers a high number of lumens in brightness, flexible short-throw installation, and a beautiful picture with a high dynamic contrast ratio. All of these things make it one of the best projectors for sports bars.

Pros
  • Projects colorful pictures with deep black levels
  • Versatile short-throw configuration
  • 3D capable
Cons
  • No UHD resolution
  • Bulkier than other projectors

The Optoma EH415ST is one of the best short throw projectors on our list and performs well in sports bar environments where brightness and image quality are of the utmost importance. Having short throw distances to create large sizes is also a plus in this environment. This isn’t a 4K short-throw projector, but that’s perfect for use in a crowded, loud environment where most patrons won’t notice the difference between 1080p and 4K. The picture it produces is still of excellent quality, however. It creates crisp details and rich, vivid colors with its 15,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and LED display technology.

The Optoma projector really shines when it comes to its light output. With 3,500 ANSI lumens of lamp brightness, this is one of the brightest projectors your money can buy. This also makes it one of the best outdoor projectors you can get today, especially if you want to watch sports in your backyard. You’ll also be pleased to find out that the Optoma is 3D capable, so if you have 3D sports channels or 3D movies, you’ll be able to enjoy those in high quality, as well. And for an outdoor viewing experience, consider the best outdoor projector with 10 individual elements that increase color, brightness, and sharpness.

 #3  BenQ HT2050A Projector for Sports

Award: BEST FULL HD

WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector offers a lot of versatility backed up by a lot of image quality, so you can project the big game in big screen sizes as large as 300 inches. It also gives you smooth motion handling and a fast response time that even works well for gaming.

Pros
  • Can screen in sizes up to 300 inches
  • Produces high-quality sound
  • Great for gaming with 16ms input lag
Cons
  • Lower brightness is only good for dark rooms
  • Lamp replacements can get pricey

The BenQ HT2050A is the best 1080p sports projector out there right now, and it’s because it offers so much versatility in such an affordable package. Yes, you aren’t getting UHD resolution here, but that’s okay because it does so well with full HD. It can create sharp, detailed images with excellent color accuracy due to its 96% accuracy to the Rec. 709 color gamut. Plus, it can project display sizes up to 300 total inches, with enough room between it and the projector screen. The BenQ also features high-quality CinemaMaster Audio+ 2 speakers built directly into the unit, so you won’t really need a full-blown audio system out of the box.

You can also easily play your favorite sports video games on this projector. Featuring one of the lowest input lag ratings for projectors on the market at just 16ms, you’ll be able to play both casual and competitive games here without a problem. And with the 120Hz refresh rate, everything from sports gaming to action movies will look smooth and judder-free. Installation is also easy with the BenQ HT2050A. It features vertical lens shift, 2D keystone correction, and 1.3x optical zoom, so you can place the projector where you need it and still get a great picture without distortion. iPhone users will also love the best iPhone projector that also includes a sturdy tripod, which you can use to set the projector up virtually anywhere with ease.

 #4  BenQ HT2550 Projector for Sports

Award: BEST ULTRA DEFINITION

WHY WE LIKE IT: Affordable 4K that looks really great is the defining feature of this sports projector. But on top of that, you get an extra-portable design, 3D compatibility, and excellent color reproduction through auto HDR color rendition technology.

Pros
  • Compact, lightweight design is portable
  • Auto HDR color rendition for more color accuracy
  • Automatic vertical keystone
Cons
  • 3D sources aren’t automatically detected
  • Disappointing brightness levels

The BenQ HT2550 offers the best when it comes to ultra-high definition resolution. It provides a true 4K definition with 8.3 million pixels using the 0.47” DMD DLP technology. This cutting-edge technology creates an amazingly detailed picture. Plus, with the RGBRGB color wheel, auto HDR color rendition, and Cinematic Color technology, the BenQ will blow you away with how vivid and accurate its colors are.

The BenQ is also designed well. It’s lightweight and compact, making it incredibly easy to carry around with you to different people’s houses or simply move to different areas in your own home. It’s also really easy to install. It features automatic vertical keystone correction and 1.2x optical zoom. These features allow you to get the most precise position you can. The BenQ HT2550 also features 3D compatibility, but it won’t detect those sources automatically. Instead, when you want to watch a 3D movie, you’ll need to turn 3D on within the projector’s internal settings before it will work. And if you’re looking for a good model for use at your workplace, consider the best business projector that offers a long-lasting performance that you can rely on in any business scenario.

 #5  Epson Home Cinema 5050UB Projector for Sports

Award: BEST FOR DARK ROOMS

WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector for sports performs extremely well in dark rooms, so if you like to watch your game without ambient light, this is the choice for you. Plus, it creates an amazingly detailed picture with excellent contrast and no rainbow effects.

Pros
  • Excellent 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio
  • 3LCD design eliminates rainbow effects
  • Unique design looks attractive
Cons
  • No built-in speakers

The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB projector is the best option for watching sports in the dark. Its 2,600 lumens of light output means it won’t work well with ambient light in the room, but when you get it fired up in a dark room, you’ll see just how great of a picture it can create. The Epson projector creates 4K Pro UHD resolution through pixel-shifting technology and resolution enhancement technology. The level of detail is high and the colors created are vivid and accurate. We were impressed with the Epson projector’s 3LCD design, which eliminates the rainbow effects you commonly see with color-wheel projectors.

The 5050UB is also designed incredibly well. It looks expensive and attractive, no matter where you place it in the room. When it comes to adjustability and installation, you’ll find an easy process here. The Epson projector features a completely motorized lens with horizontal and vertical adjustments that allow you to create an accurate picture on your projector screen. You also get lens position memory so you can pre-program the Epson projector to work in multiple locations without having to calibrate every time you move the device. And if you need an easily movable device, consider purchasing the best mini projector on the market today.

 #6  Sony VPL-HW45ES Projector for Sports

Award: BEST QUALITY

WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector for sports is designed with quality in mind, and everything about it is designed with intention. With its 3D capability, dynamic lamp control, Motionflow technology, and whisper-quiet cooling fan, you’ll for sure get a premium experience here, no matter what you’re watching.

Pros
  • Unique lamp design increases light output
  • 3D compatibility
  • Super quiet, 22db fan operation
Cons
  • HDMI ports don’t support MHL
  • Remote control’s backlight isn’t very bright

The Sony VPL-HW45ES earns our Best Quality award for a wide variety of reasons. Sony has always taken the approach of attention to detail in all of its high-end projectors, and that level of quality is apparent here. For example, take a look at the fan design, which features a front-facing configuration around the lens so you can install the projector nearly flush against the wall without worrying about blocking the fan exhaust. You’ll also get things like dynamic lamp control, which automatically adjusts the lamp, so it outputs the brightest picture for each individual moment.

The Sony projector doesn’t skimp on image quality, either. It’s not a 4K projector, but it pushes the limits of 1080p and even includes 3D compatibility if that’s something you’re interested in. We were most impressed by Sony’s included Reality Creation engine, which focuses on enhancing details and creating an ultra-smooth picture that does well for sports and action movies. When it comes to installation, you get a wide optical zoom at 1.6x and a horizontal/vertical lens shift. This way, you get the easiest process for setting up the VPL-HW45ES wherever you need it to be. And if you’re on a tight budget, check out the best cheap projector on the market today that can still be used in a business setting.

 #7  Epson Home Cinema 4010 Projector for Sports

Award: BEST COLOR ACCURACY

WHY WE LIKE IT: With advanced DCI-P3 compatibility, HDR support, and 3LCD technology, this projector for sports creates the most accurate and vivid colors in projectors today. It also eliminates rainbow effects and offers the most adjustability with its fully motorized lens.

Pros
  • Precision lens eliminates light leakage
  • No rainbow effects
  • Fully motorized lens for ultimate adjustability
Cons
  • Frame interpolation on 1080p sources only
  • Large design takes up a lot of space

The Epson Home Cinema 4010 is the best projector for you if you want extreme color accuracy and reproduction. It achieves this award through its DCI-P3 compatibility and HDR support. Together, these features create nearly flawless colors on 1080p video sources. Plus, the unique 3LCD lighting technology completely eliminates the rainbow effects that you sometimes see on other projectors. You’ll also get 4K resolution processing that creates a crisp and ultra-detailed image quality that’s hard to beat.

The Epson projector also shines when it comes to installation and adjustability. It features a completely motorized lens that allows you to make both horizontal and vertical adjustments at the push of a button. Plus, you’ll get optical zoom and focus controls for even more adjustability. The only downside to the Epson’s overall design is its bulk. There are no two ways about it, this HD projector is big and bulky. This can limit you somewhat in where you can install it, but once you find the space, it won’t be too big of a problem. You could always go for the best ceiling-mounted projector that allows you to easily invert the screen for ceiling orientation directly from the menu.

 #8  Acer H7850 Projector for Sports

Award: HONORABLE MENTION

WHY WE LIKE IT: This 4K sports projector offers HDR and a wider color gamut with Rec. 2020 compatibility, making it an excellent choice for people who love bright, vivid displays. It also offers Frame Interpolation functionality so you get the absolute smoothest picture during the most important parts of the game.

Pros
  • Extra-smooth picture with Frame Interpolation
  • Affordable lamp replacements
  • Rec. 2020 compatible for better colors
Cons
  • No option for keystone correction
  • Not great for video games

With 3,000 ANSI lumens of brightness, ultra HD resolution, and both HDR10 and Rec. 2020 compatibility, the Acer H7850 provides one of the brightest and most colorful viewing experiences your money can buy. Besides the Acer VL7860 projector, the Acer H7850 is one of the best 4K projectors for watching sports that you can get. Plus, with a 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, you’ll get deeper blacks and more contrast in general than you’ll find with other projectors.

You’ll also get quite a few features that improve the overall sports experience on the Acer H7850 projector. It features Frame Interpolation functionality through Acer’s AcuMotion technology. This smooths out the picture and enhances overall clarity, so you won’t miss a single play. The Acer is also really easy to install due to its 1.6x optical zoom and vertical lens shift capabilities. With these adjustment settings, you’ll be able to adjust the image without distortion. Unfortunately, the Acer doesn’t include keystone correction, so you will still need to install it directly in front of your great projector screen for the optimal viewing experience. And if you’re a gamer, you will be interested in the best 3D projector that has both Sports and Game modes that create smooth, judder-free images for a more immersive experience.

 #9  LG HU80KA Projector for Sports

Award: BEST PORTABILITY

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you like bouncing between your’s and different friends’ houses to watch your games, then this is the projector for you. It features an incredibly portable design with 4K resolution, integrated streaming services, and good onboard audio for an all-in-one solution.

Pros
  • Integrated content streaming functionality
  • Fewer rainbow effects with eight segment color wheel
  • High-quality built-in speakers
Cons
  • Not good for bright rooms
  • No lens shift

The LG HU80KA wins against all other competitors when it comes to providing the best combination of portability and image quality. The unit itself is only 18 inches tall and 6.5 inches deep and wide, with a weight of just 14 pounds. There’s no doubt about it, the LG is the best when it comes to bringing the game with you anywhere you go. Plus, it also features LG’s Smart TV interface, so you can stream content directly from the projector with a reliable Wi-Fi connection. You’ll even get a carrying handle built directly into the projector for even easier transportation.

When it comes to picture quality and overall performance, you won’t be disappointed by LG’s offering. As mentioned previously, the HU80KA displays images in ultra HD 4K resolution, but it also supports HDR10 content and has an eight-segment color wheel, which nearly eliminates all rainbow effects. This portable projector for sports also features innovative laser lighting technology for a brighter picture, although with only 2,500 ANSI lumens of light output, we’d recommend keeping this to darker rooms for the best results. For better differentiation between lights and darks, consider the best projector for gaming that offers a stunning 500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.

 #10  Poyank TP-01 Projector for Sports

Award: BEST ON A BUDGET

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re on a budget, but you still want a bright projector that gives you versatility through Wi-Fi connectivity and decent picture quality, then this is the unit for you. It also features minimal maintenance with a bulb life of around 50,000 total hours.

Pros
  • Wireless connectivity to mobile devices
  • Long, 50,000-hour lamp life
  • Impressive 3,800 lumens of light output
Cons
  • 720p resolution
  • Bulkier than other mini projectors

The Poyank TP-01 fits nicely into the unique mini projector category, measuring in at just 9.5 x 9.2 x 3.9 inches and weighing only 3.34 pounds. This is one of the reasons it’s so affordable. However, there are some tradeoffs to this budget approach. The first thing you’ll notice is the native 720p resolution. This is still technically high definition, but it definitely doesn’t look as good as 1080p or 4K. However, Poyank’s image quality is surprisingly good in 720p, with clear details and bright colors. You’ll also get 3,800 lumens of light output, which is surprising for such a compact projector.

We were most impressed with the Wi-Fi connectivity options included with the Poyank. You can connect to your smartphones and laptops wirelessly and screencast content from there, without ever needing to connect to an external media player. This mini projector for sports is also low on maintenance requirements. The bulb should last you upwards of 50,000 hours, so you won’t need to find replacement bulbs earlier than necessary. In terms of low-maintenance models, this is one of the best projectors on the market today.

How We Decided

When it came time to rank all of the different sports projectors we researched, we focused on scoring efforts on a few different features and functionalities. To start, we only included options on our list that could handle fast videos without too much blurring or stuttering. We gave bonus points to home theater projectors with additional motion handling technology like frame interpolation or higher refresh rates.

Next, we looked at each projector’s overall resolution and color accuracy. With the exception of one of our picks, we only included options on our list with 1080p or 4K resolution. The ultra HD projectors were awarded more points because they look and perform better overall. We also focused on ranking projectors that reproduced colors in the most accurate manner. Again, as with motion handling, we preferred options that included technology specifically to increase color accuracy and vividness.

Finally, we looked at additional features like brightness and adjustability. Brightness comes into play when you want to watch the big game in well-lit rooms or outside. However, we included projectors with a wide range of brightness ratings, so you could find the right fit for your particular needs. We also only included home cinema projectors above if they were easy to install and position correctly in your home. We rated projectors higher if they included adjustability features like keystone correct, lens shift, and optical zoom.

Best Projector for Sports Buyer’s Guide

The Most Important Features to Consider

  1. Motion Handling
    When shopping for a great outdoor projector for sports watching, you’ll want a device that can keep up with all the excitement. For the most part, sports are fast-moving and packed full of action from nearly start to finish.
    • If you don’t want an overly blurry experience while watching your favorite teams face off, you’ll need to get a quality projector for football games. Consider the kind of motion handling your projector offers.
    • This is also known as the refresh rate and is measured in Hz. This feature is often listed first on many of the best home projectors in 2024. Knowing this, movie theater projectors have high Hz to display a clear picture.
    • We recommend purchasing an outdoor TV projector with at least a 120Hz refresh rate for the optimal viewing experience. To have a larger projected image, look for a projector with high lumens.
    • Models with 2,000+ lumens can project a viewable outdoor picture even in low light. That’s why you’ll want an outdoor projector with high lumens. The contrast ratio is also important for producing accurate colors and deep blacks despite ambient light. But remember that a projector can be overheated at any time.
    • With the right specs like high refresh rate, brightness, and contrast ratio, you can get an immersive outdoor viewing experience at an affordable price.
    • Also, look for projectors that offer software that enhances motion handling, like frame interpolation. These additional features digitally process the images coming out of your projector so you can get the smoothest picture possible.
    • But, if you want to watch sports indoors on a sweet big screen, then you’ll want to check out our Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 1440 Projector review.
  1. Resolution
    Resolution and overall image quality always matter for projectors, but even more so for watching sports. This is why you’ll want to find the best outdoor projector for sports to capture every detail during the game, ideally on a big screen.
    • We recommend getting a projector with at least 1080p resolution. 4K Ultra HD resolution is even better since it provides even more sharpness and attention to detail.
    • Higher resolutions translate to an HD image with improved clarity and visibility from a distance. For a projected, larger image size, look for a model with high lumens brightness in the 2,000-3,000 range to project a bright picture. This is a solid choice for an amazing cinematic experience. 
    • There is one exception to this rule, which only applies if you buy a mini or portable projector.
    • Because of their small size, they often don’t provide higher resolution. In short, this means they aren’t the greatest projectors for football games.
    • In this case, we still recommend finding an option with at least 720p resolution, which is technically HD.
  2. Adjustability
    It’s more likely than not that you’re watching the big game with your friends or family members, so you’ll want to be able to accommodate many people without your projector getting in the way. This is why the adjustability settings you get on your model are important to consider. One of the best ways to do this is to get a top-tier outdoor projector of 2024. We recommend finding a projector that allows you to be flexible in where you place the unit with adjustability settings like keystone correction, lens shift, and optical zoom. If you’re thinking the opposite though and you want a reliable projector that you don’t need to move around as much, like if you’re throwing a Super Bowl party, consider something more close range like the best short throw projector of 2024.
  3. Color Accuracy
    There’s nothing worse than watching sports without seeing the teams’ colors displayed just as they look in real life. Color accuracy on projectors adds to the overall viewing experience and comes in a variety of different forms. Most projectors try to achieve a high level of color accuracy that matches the standards put forth by the International Telecommunication Unit (ITU), called Rec. 709. Anything above 90% accuracy to this standard is good, but the best projectors achieve 95%+ accuracy to Rec. 709.
  4. Brightness
    The amount of light output your projector creates is measured in ANSI lumens and gives you a clear indication of how well the unit will perform in different lighting scenarios. For sports, we recommend purchasing a projector with at least 2,500 ANSI lumens of light output. However, if you’re planning on using the projector outside, you’ll need to find something with at least 3,500 ANSI lumens of brightness. In general, it’s likely you’ll be watching the game in a well-lit room or somewhere with at least some ambient light. As such, you should always try to go brighter for the best experience.

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