Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
Granted, our 4K discs were already crystal clear, but the projector seems to squeeze the contrast out and enhance the image just that extra bit more. It runs Android TV to get you access to streaming apps (Netflix requires weird workarounds, once again) and has enough battery life to get you through most movies. There is one rotation speed which is slow and soothing — there's a little bit of noise from the motor but nothing that would be distracting, and better than many models we've tested. The disks also fit the Pococo Home Planetarium and vice versa, making the library of images to extend your collection even greater.
This includes checking every item in the settings menu, and individually tweaking picture features to ensure the projector is giving us the best visual performance it can. There's premium ‘CinePro’, mid-range ‘CinePrime’ and entry level ‘CineHome’ home cinema models, as well as more general purpose (usually brighter and more affordable) home entertainment models, laser TV models, and dedicated gaming projectors. It’s no slouch as a cinema projector too, especially with the built-in Android TV interface and apps (although it’s sadly lacking Netflix).It looks different because it is 'wheel-shaped' rather than spherical, but it slots nicely onto a bookshelf without taking up much space. It can cover not just the whole DCI-P3 colour gamut, but the advanced BT2020 colour space, too, and it’s as great for games and sports as it is for movies.
We also test any built-in speakers at low, medium, and high volume levels, and run the projector on battery power, where available, to see how long the battery lasts. Pricier models also deliver better gaming modes, with higher refresh rates and contrast-boosting features.We've rounded up our favourite projectors, including Full HD and native 4K models, which also support HDR, and some short throw projectors too for those with smaller spaces. It’s very bright at a claimed 9,000 lumens and outputs a decent 1080p image that you can adjust via the menu. Bluetooth allows for direct connection with a wireless speaker or soundbar, and the high luminance means that it's usable in moderately lit rooms. Approachability is key for mainstream acceptance of any new product, and Samsung has nailed this aspect with The Freestyle. All of the projectors in this guide are capable of beaming a larger image than any regular TVs, with 100 inches being a standard image size when a 4K projector is paired with a projection screen.
You also need a good-sized room to make the most of this projector, as the throw ratio means you need to position it 3. Brightness is measured in lumens, and the rule of thumb is to get as many lumens as possible - around 2,500 is the sweet spot. Three disks are supplied — one has spacecraft images, one has astronauts, and the other features eight images of nebulae and planets taken by the NASA Hubble Telescope. You’ll have all the connections you need for external speakers whether that’s via the HDMI ARC, optical port, Bluetooth or 3. Even Dolby Vision HDR content looks fantastic, which isn’t a given on other more affordable 4K models.
The VPL-XW5000ES is a watershed moment for not just Sony’s projection business but the home cinema world in general. The most basic on this list has a 720p image (1280x720 pixels), which is the lowest acceptable for a decent picture. As you'll notice, almost all of our top picks are either native 4K projectors, or achieve a 4K-like image through clever trickery for a higher picture quality. This projector is packed with top-of-the-line projector features in an ultra short throw design, including a tri-color laser light engine, HDMI 2.
Great Deal 
New Comment