(Last Updated On: January 1, 2019)
If you are a true gamer and you are looking to experience the next level of detailed graphics then you probably have made up your mind about 4K upgrade from 1080p resolution. Now if you are looking for a gaming experience on a large screen as in massive screen over 150” then chances are you are not going to find a 4K TV that big so the next option will be a 4K projector.
We have compiled this publication to help you choose the best 4k projector for gaming and we have listed some of the best options available in the market when it comes to 4K gaming projectors. But before you go on choosing a 4K projector for gaming you should know few things that you should keep in mind during that time to choose a better 4K projector.
4K Types
Before anything else you should know what kind of resolution does a projector has. Now you will be wondering that 4K projectors have by default 4096 x 2160 resolution but that is not the case. There are two types of 4K projectors available for purchase.
- DCi 4K
- Ultra HD (UHD) 4K
The DCi 4K projectors have a resolution of 4096 x 2160 with aspect ratio of 17:9 and the UHD 4K projectors have minimum of 3840 x 2160 resolution with aspect ratio of 16:9. Now if you already heard of DCi 4K and UHD 4K terms then chances are you may have confused both of the technologies as a single 4K technology.
Now which one should you go for? The DCi 4K or Digital Camera Initiative 4K is the standard set for movie projection industry and is not very much relevant when it comes to home entertainment projection. So if you go for a UHD 4K projector for your gaming experience then you will be fine with it.
Brightness
The next thing that you should look for in a 4K projector is the brightness. Now brightness is a very important factor when it comes to the overall performance of the projector. If you have a projector that generates low light it will not be able function properly in a moderate to brightly lit environment. Now the obvious step to cater this issue is to simply choose a projector with the highest brightness count but that is not the case.
You have to factor in throw ratio of the projector as well. There are three types of throw ratio presently used in the projectors. Long Throw, Short Throw and Ultra Short Throw. The long throw projector will require higher brightness count and that is simple math. But with short throw and ultra short throw projectors you don’t necessarily need a higher brightness count because the short and ultra short throw projectors are positioned close to the projection screen and even lower brightness count work excellently for them.
Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to brightness is that there are two types of brightness that you should check. White light brightness determines end result of the black and white color and the Color Brightness determines the end result of the RGB colors in a picture or a video. So if you are looking for a gaming 4K projector you should look for a higher color brightness count in a long throw projector.
Now let’s get into the best 4k projectors we have compiled for you.
Best 4K Projectors For Gaming (Comparison)
| Projector | Weight | Brightness | Resolution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony VPL-VW600ES 4K Projector (Editor’s Choice) | 10 lbs | 1700 Lumens | 4096 x 2160 | Check Price |
| Sony VPL-VW350ES 4K Projector | 31 lbs | 1500 Lumens | 4096 x 2160 | Check Price |
| Optoma UHD60 4K Projector | 17.19 lbs | 3000 Lumens | 3840 x 2160 | Check Price |
Sony VPL-VW600ES 4K Projector – (Editor’s Choice)
The first 4K projector we have on here for gaming is the model VPL-VW600ES manufactured by Sony. Sony as we all know is a reliable brand when it comes to producing quality electronic products. This particular model is a high end 4K projector produced by Sony and is reasonably priced considering the current price tags of 4K projectors. How it fared in our review? Let’s find out.
Let’s start with the design of the VW600ES 4K projector. The build quality of the projector is solid and of high quality making it very reliable when it comes to that. The VW600ES 4K projector is very lightweight considering it is a 4K projector and it is portable as well.
When it comes to features the VW600ES 4K projector is loaded with them. To start things off this projector is based on DCi 4K technology and produces full 4K resolution (4096 x 2160). The brightness this projector produces is 1700 Lumens. The contrast ratio of the VW600ES 4K projector is 200,000:1 for a deeper and detailed black on the projection. The screen size this projector can produce is up to 300”. The optimum screen sizes of 85”and 126”are produced by the VW600ES 4K projector at 8 feet and 12 feet respectively. The frame rate of the VW600ES projector is 60 fps making it ideal for gaming. The lamp life of the VW600ES 4K projector is 4000 hours.
The 4K projector in question here features auto RGB color calibration for the times when over the time use can cause a dent on the ability of projecting true real color. This 4 K projector also features full 3D capabilities as well and it has 3 year warranty. For the connectivity part VW600ES features 2 x HDMI connectors.
When it comes to performance the VW600ES 4K projector by Sony produces a vivid and crisp picture quality whether it is a dark room or a bright one. When it comes to gaming on this projector the refresh rate and the resolution work together to produce a surreal gaming experience. The fan on the VW600ES 4K projector is really quiet. There have been no reported electrical issues for this projector.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 60 fps Playback | None That We Could Find |
| Quiet | |
| RGB Color Auto Calibration |
Conclusion
If you are looking for a 4K projector which is reasonably priced and performs as well as a $20k projector then VW600ES 4K projector by Sony is your best option.
Sony VPL-VW350ES 4K Projector
The next 4K projector we have on here is the model VPL-VW350ES manufactured by Sony. The model in question here boasts 4K resolution and is one of the best options out there today for gaming using 4K projectors. How it fared in our review? Let’s find out.
First we start off with the design of this 4K projector. It has a pretty basic design and very similar to the VW600ES 4K projector. The build quality is equally good as the 600ES and it is reliable on that part. The installation of this 4K projector is very easy and it is heavier compared to other 4K projectors in the market.
When it comes to features of this 4K projector we start off with the resolution. The VW350ES 4K projector boasts full 4K resolution of 4096 x 2160 and the brightness output is 1500 Lumens. The VW350ES projects a maximum screen size of 150”. At 8 feet and 12 feet distance the VW350ES projects 85”and 126”screens. The throw ratio of the VW350ES 4K projector is between 1.38 and 2.83 and it has 2.1x motorized zoom as well. The lamp life of the VW350ES projector is 4000 hours while it has frame rate of 60fps. When it comes to 3D the VW350ES 4K projector has full 3D capability and the ability to convert 2D video to 3D using unique Sony conversion algorithm.
When it comes to connectivity the VW350ES projector has 2 x HDMI connectors and the fan is super quiet while operational. The projector comes with a 3 year warranty.
When it comes to performance the VW350ES 4K projector produces crisp and clear picture quality with a vivid output. There have been no reported electrical or performance related issue for this 4K projector.
The only thing that bothered us about the projector is the weight, it is pretty heavy.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 2D to 3D Conversion Capability | None That We Could Find |
| 60 fps Playback | |
| Easy to Install |
Conclusion
It is almost the same as the VW600ES when it comes to performance and design. So if you’re looking for a 4K projector that is well suited for gaming then VW350ES 4K projector is your go to option.
Optoma UHD60 4K Projector
The last 4K projector we have on here for gaming is the model UHD60 manufactured by Optoma. Optoma is a very reliable name when it comes to projectors and this particular model is one of the best options for 4K gaming available today. The UHD60 4K projector also has high ratings as well. How it fared in our review? Let’s find out.
Let’s start with the design of the UHD60 4K projector. The UHD60 projector has a solid build quality and has a reasonable weight for a 4K projector but not what you call lightweight but still makes it somewhat portable.
When it comes to features UHD60 4K projector is a UHD projector which means it produces screen resolution of 3840 x 2160. The brightness on this projector is measured at 3000 Lumens and the contrast ratio at 1,000,000:1.The UHD60 4K projector produces a maximum screen size of 302.2”and at 2.19 feet it can project 26.45”screen size. The UHD60 projector provides 1.6x manual optical zoom and the lamp life of the UHD60 4K projector is 15000 hours making it very reliable. It also has a low noise level measured at 25db. The UHD60 4K projector also has 2 x 4W built-in speakers.
Overall performance of the projector is excellent and it produces clear vivid picture quality. Because the UHD60 4K projector is based on DLP technology so you can expect minimal rainbow wheel effect almost non existent.
The thing that bothered us is the lack of 3D capapbility and there is no auto keystone adjustment.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lamp Life 15,000 Hours | No Auto Keystone |
| Low Noise Level | No 3D |
| 1.6x Optical Zoom |
Conclusion
If you are looking for a 4K projector for gaming on a budget then UHD60 4K Projector by Optoma is your best option without compromising on performance.
Conclusion
The 4K projectors listed in this publication have been thoroughly reviewed and if there are any faults in their build quality or performance we have shared them as well. We hope you find this publication useful. Let us know what you think about these projectors in the comments.