To help you find the best ceiling-mounted projector, we analyzed technical specifications and customer reviews for 40 different options. In order to create our ranking process for this category, we first identified the most important features and functionalities you should look for in a ceiling-mounted projector. These include things like 4K or 1080p native resolution, at least 3,000 lumens of light output, and accurate color reproduction. Of course, you should also consider how easy it is to install the projector on your ceiling and whether or not your projector is compatible with universal ceiling mounts. Finally, we recommend searching for projectors with versatile connectivity options, so you can easily connect all of your media devices.
With these features in mind, we chose the ViewSonic PX748-4K as the best ceiling-mounted projector. Keep reading below to learn more about why we selected the ViewSonic for our top pick spot and to learn more about the best projectors on the market today.
Top 10 Ceiling Mounted Projectors
#1 ViewSonic PX748-4K Ceiling Mounted Projector
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This best-of-class projector features stunning 4K picture resolution, HDR content support, and an impressive level of brightness. Plus, with added lamp life and plenty of connectivity options, you’ll be able to watch movies and play games for as long as you’d like.
- Crisp, detailed ultra HD picture
- Bright colors with solid HDR performance
- Impressive 4,000 lumens of brightness
- Disappointing 12,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
- Fan gets noisy on brightest settings
The ViewSonic PX748-4K ceiling-mounted projector provides everything you need for an immersive home theater experience. For starters, the ViewSonic features true 4K picture resolution, with 3840 x 2160 pixels of crisp detail. Plus, with high-quality HDR support and ViewSonic’s proprietary Super Color technology, this unit produces some of the most vivid and accurate colors you can find from a projector. The ViewSonic also provides an impressive level of brightness output, measuring in at 4,000 ANSI lumens, which is more than enough for reliable room performance.
This projector also offers a long-lasting design with a bulb that can keep running for upwards of 20,000 hours in total, when using the SuperEco mode. You can expect a shorter bulb life when using the brightest modes. The ViewSonic is also easy to mount to your ceiling with all of the proper mounting hardware and a compatible projector ceiling mount. The projector allows you to easily invert the screen for ceiling orientation directly from the menu. You’ll also get an integrated 10W speaker with the projector, which performs well enough on its own, but if you’re looking for a true home theater setup, you’ll want to consider some external speakers.
#2 Optoma UHD50X Ceiling Mounted Projector
Award: BEST MOTION HANDLING
WHY WE LIKE IT: This ceiling-mounted projector features stunning 4K UHD resolution, 16ms of input lag, and a 240Hz refresh rate, making it one of the best options you can get for high-action scenes and games. Plus, with a 3,400 ANSI lumens lamp and Dynamic Black contrast technology, you’ll get rich contrast and colors for an even better picture overall.
- Dynamic Black contrast for rich colors
- Smooth 240Hz refresh rate
- Low input lag for fast gaming
- Internal speakers aren’t very loud
- Cooling fan gets noisy after long periods of use
Whether you watch a lot of sports or play a lot of video games, the Optoma UHD50X is an excellent choice for you. To start, you’ll get native 4K resolution with this projector, which really elevates your entertainment experience to the next level, every time. Plus, it features support for both HDR10 and HLG content so you get vivid colors with deep black levels. The Optoma also provides proprietary Dynamic Black contrast technology and a 500,000:1 contrast ratio for more detailed images. These features are all well and good for creating a stunning image quality, but the real performance comes into play with input lag and refresh rate.
With a 16ms input lag, the Optoma UHD50X is one of the best projectors for gaming. And with an impressive 240Hz refresh rate, it’s also an excellent choice for watching sports. The motion handling here is hard to beat and creates an extra-smooth display, even during high-action scenes. The UHD50X has 3,400 ANSI lumens of light output, so you can even play or watch your games in well-lit rooms without a problem. Installation is easy with the Optoma projector and compatible projector mounts. It offers plenty of adjustabilities so you can get the most precise picture, including 40-degree keystone correction, 1.3x optical zoom, and 5-15% vertical tilt. We also recommend the best 4k projector that features an awesome 1000,000:1 contrast ratio which keeps bright screens clear and dark screens detailed.
#3 BenQ TK800M Ceiling Mounted Projector
Award: BEST FOR 3D MOVIES
WHY WE LIKE IT: With 3D compatibility, high-quality onboard speakers, and excellent color accuracy, this ceiling-mounted projector is perfect for movie enthusiasts. It also features a bright bulb and 4K resolution for an incredibly sharp and detailed viewing experience.
- High-quality internal speakers
- Good bright room performance
- Automatically corrects keystone for precise display
- Creates a black frame around display
- Limited HDR support
The BenQ TK800M is an excellent all-around choice for your next ceiling-mounted projector. It features a light output of 3,000 ANSI lumens, making it good for use in well-lit and dark rooms alike. You’ll also get ultra high definition resolution so you can play all of the latest content and play all of the latest video games in the way they were meant to be experienced. On top of these features, the TK800M also features amazingly accurate color reproduction. It uses the Rec.709 color gamut with 92% color accuracy, as well as a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for deeper blacks.
Installing the BenQ TK800M is made incredibly easy with its automatic vertical keystone correction. This is especially helpful for home projector ceiling mount installations since you won’t have to take too much time adjusting the projector to get a good picture. Of course, as you can tell by this projector’s award, the TK800M can play 3D content from both Blu-Ray players and video game consoles. This is an active 3D system, so you’ll need compatible active 3D glasses in order for everything to work properly. Be aware that you can only watch 3D content in 1080p resolution. All in all, though, the 3D looks and performs really well, giving you an extra immersive experience. And if you’re a gamer you will also 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.
#4 Optoma GT1080HDRx Ceiling Mounted Projector
Award: BEST BRIGHTNESS
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re planning on mounting your projector on the ceiling of a bright room, you can’t go wrong with this option. It’s got 3,800 ANSI lumens of brightness output, plus tons of adjustability settings and a short-throw configuration for easier installation.
- Wide keystone correction options
- Short-throw configuration for more versatile installation
- Fast response time for gaming
- Integrated speakers could be better
- Display blurs a little on the corners
The Optoma GT1080HDRx is the best ceiling-mounted projector for bright rooms due to its high light output and overall solid picture quality. It features a whopping 3,800 ANSI lumens of light output, which is plenty for using this projector in a bright room, including daylight. Plus, the bulb can last you upwards of 15,000 hours for maximum performance and life. The design quality is good here, as well. The GT1080HDRx features a fairly compact body for a projector, and it’s designed in a way to keep your eyes on the display and not on the device itself. This Optoma projector is also a short-throw option so you can mount it closer to your projector screen for the ultimate versatility. Although, for leading long-throw projectors, you’ll want to mount them at a distance either on the ceiling or on a sturdy projector stand.
Installation is also made much easier with a maximum of 40 degrees of vertical keystone correction and 1.3x optical zoom. These allow you to get the most precise picture possible, which is very important for ceiling installation. When it comes to picture quality, there’s a lot to praise with the Optoma GT1080HDRx. The projector creates a 1080p resolution, which is crisp enough for most applications. It also features a six-segment RYGCWB color wheel that produces amazing colors on the Rec.709 color gamut. We were also really impressed with the projector’s 120Hz refresh rate for smoothing out high-octane scenes in action movies and video games. Plus, it features a low input lag for gaming purposes. Gamers will also be interested in the best projector for gaming that offers a stunning 500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for better differentiation between lights and darks.
#5 Epson Home Cinema 3700 Ceiling Mounted Projector
Award: BEST FULL HD
WHY WE LIKE IT: This ceiling-mounted projector offers good all-around performance with full HD resolution, 3,000 lumens lamp, and low input lag. You’ll also get 3D compatibility and high-quality integrated speakers for a comprehensive projector solution.
- Image Enhancement tech for great clarity
- Compatible with 3D content
- Dual 10W speakers for better audio
- Black levels could be improved
- Fan gets noisy on full power
The Epson Home Cinema 3700 projector creates stunning colors, a bright picture, and a reliable home theater experience for most situations and content types. This is a 3LCD projector that creates a super-bright display without using a ton of power to do so. This three-chip design also helps to match white brightness and color brightness for a balanced picture quality that’s hard to beat. Plus, you’ll get 1080p native resolution for a crisp, detailed display that looks good with movies and video games. And to top it all off, you get frame interpolation for a smooth picture, even in action-packed scenes. It could certainly hold a candle to the high-end Sony projectors.
This Epson projector also includes a proprietary technology called Epson Image Enhancement, which digitally creates crisper, more detailed images. While this isn’t UHD resolution, it improves upon the 1080p native resolution the projector already provides. The overall design quality is to be applauded on the 3700 as well. It’s built to last and even includes dual 10W speakers that can output a lot of volume in case you don’t have an external sound system connected. Plus, the Epson Home Cinema 3700 includes a lamp that outputs 3,000 ANSI lumens of brightness and 3D compatibility. But if you’d like something a bit more budget-friendly, then check out our best cheap projector guide.
#6 ViewSonic PX703HDH Ceiling Mounted Projector
Award: BEST COLORS
WHY WE LIKE IT: With full HD resolution, excellent color reproduction, and solid contrast ratio, you can expect the most colorful picture when you use this projector. On top of that, it can create displays up to 300 inches in size for party viewing.
- Creates displays up to 300 inches
- Incredible color reproduction with SuperColor tech
- Solid black performance with 12,000:1 contrast ratio
- Confusing buttons on remote control
- User interface is a little awkward
If you’re a fan of bright, detailed, and accurate colors on your ceiling-mounted projector, then the ViewSonic PX703HDH is the choice for you. This projector uses proprietary Supercolor technology to create cinema-quality accuracy across a wide color gamut for incredible picture quality. This color accuracy pairs well with the projector’s full HD native resolution to improve the picture quality even further. Plus, with a decent 12,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, you’ll get a better balance between dark and light colors for excellent performance in dark scenes.
The ViewSonic PX703HDH also offers a lot of usability features that increase user-friendliness and ease of installation. For starters, it can project displays up to 300 inches in size, which makes this an excellent option for large viewing parties. It can also connect to all of your media devices, including Blu-Ray players and video game consoles, via HDMI, USB, VGA, and audio ports. You’ll also get a bright bulb with the ViewSonic PX703HDH, measuring in at 3,500 ANSI lumens, which is more than enough to work in bright rooms. The included remote control and user interface can be a little confusing at times, but the overall user experience is mostly streamlined with the PX703HDH. And if you’re mostly on the go, check out this portable model which is the best mini projector on the market today.
#7 BenQ HT2550 Ceiling Mounted Projector
Award: BEST ULTRA HIGH DEFINITION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This ultra-high definition projector is affordable and high quality, offering a picture quality full of details and color. Plus, it features a compact design for more portability and 3D compatibility for added variety in your entertainment.
- Vertical keystone adjustment is automatic
- Auto HDR creates the best color reproduction
- Designed to be lightweight and compact
- Need to manually turn on 3D
- Brightness levels could be improved
The BenQ HT2550 is the best 4K ceiling-mounted overhead projector because of its UHD native resolution, of course, but also because of its DMD DLP technology. This enhances each of the 8.3 million pixels to produce an even more detailed picture. On top of this high native resolution, the BenQ projector features a six-segment RGBRGB color wheel that produces exceptionally accurate colors in movies and video games. Color reproduction is improved even further with Cinematic Color technology and auto HDR functionality, which automatically adjusts color levels depending on the video source.
This BenQ projector also features a high-quality design, with a lightweight and compact body that’s easy to take with you. This is important if you’re taking the projector to a different room or a friend’s house for a viewing party. We were impressed with the ease of installation on the HT2550. With automatic vertical keystone and easy picture inverting, you can mount this projector on the ceiling with ease. Plus, it has a 1.2x optical zoom for even more picture adjustability. You’ll also get 3D compatibility here, but be aware that you’ll need to manually turn on this feature anytime you pop in a 3D movie. And this model will even work better with the best projector screen that has the vinyl screen material that makes your colors shine in ways you never thought possible.
#8 Acer H7850 Ceiling Mounted Projector
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re in the market for extremely accurate and vivid color reproduction, you can’t go wrong with this projector and its HDR10 and Rec.2020 support. Plus, it offers 4K resolution, excellent frame interpolation, and 3,000 lumens of ANSI brightness for the ultimate movie-watching experience.
- Smooth action with frame interpolation
- Supports HDR10 and Rec.2020 color
- Wide 1.6x optical zoom
- No keystone correction options
- Not a great choice for gaming
The Acer H7850 produces bright, vivid, and extremely accurate colors no matter what content you’re watching. With HDR10 compatibility and Rec.2020 support, you’ll get the best when it comes to color accuracy. Plus, with the option to have an ISF technician come and calibrate the projector for day and night modes, you’ll get even more high-end performance. The Acer also produces true 4K native resolution for a sharp display that’s hard to beat. Add all of that on top of a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and you’ve got a picture that performs well in any scene.
You’ll also get 3,000 ANSI lumens of light output with the Acer projector, which is more than enough to work well in both bright and dark rooms. More importantly, you’ll get frame interpolation (FI) with this projector, which means it includes extra software that creates smoother pictures in action scenes. You can adjust the FI across four different levels based on your personal preference. The Acer H7850 is fairly easy to get installed on your ceiling, but it doesn’t include any kind of keystone correction, so you’ll need to be sure you’re mounting it dead center for the best viewing experience. And just in case you own an iPhone, you’ll definitely love the best iPhone projector that also includes a sturdy tripod, you can use to set the projector up virtually anywhere with ease.
#9 Vava 4K Ceiling Mounted Projector
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This laser projector offers the best in quality with a versatile short-throw configuration, premium native contrast ratio, and 4K UHD picture quality for the ultimate home theater experience. Its laser light source also works well in any lighting situation for more versatility.
- Native contrast ratio is better than cinemas
- Premium Harman Kardon speakers
- Laser light source is super long-lasting
- Slow response time for gaming
- Fan can get a little noisy at times
The Vava 4K rides the edge of innovative projector technology. This is one of the highest-quality projectors your money can buy across all categories, not just for ceiling-mounted projectors. It earns this distinction with a low-profile, ultra-short-throw design. Simply put, this projector looks good and is built from premium materials. It even includes built-in Harman Kardon speakers that output crisp, rich sound without requiring an external sound system. It’s also easy to install on your ceiling with built-in mounting holes and a compatible mount. Inverting the image for ceiling use is easy due to the user-friendly menu interface.
You’ll also get amazing picture quality performance with the Vava 4K ceiling-mounted projector. For starters, it offers display sizes up to 120 inches at 4K ultra high definition resolution. 4K creates amazingly detailed and sharp images, but with the additional HDR10 support, you’ll also get bright vivid color accuracy. To make things even better, the Vava projector features a 3,000:1 native contrast ratio, which is even better than most projectors you’ll find in movie theaters. This is a top laser projector as well, so you’ll get a long-lasting performance that outperforms traditional bulb technologies. If you need a long-lasting projector for the office, then check out our best business projector.
#10 Vankyo Performance V600 Ceiling Mounted Projector
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: This ceiling-mounted projector is the best option for anyone on a budget. It offers a high level of brightness output, a large display size, and tons of user-friendly features like an included carrying case and plenty of connectivity options.
- 15-degree keystone correction
- Can create displays up to 300 inches
- Includes a protective carrying case
- Doesn’t offer many audio connections
- A bit bulkier than other projectors
The Vankyo Performance V600 is the best budget ceiling-mounted projector. It offers tons of performance that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, which is better than many other projectors can do. Of course, there are some trade-offs to achieving such a low price point, but they are fairly minimal overall. For starters, the Vankyo Performance V600 states that it offers 4,000 ANSI lumens of light output, an impressive number for a budget projector, but in reality, it is a little less bright than that. The Vankyo features 1080p full HD resolution and decent color accuracy. Plus, with a 5,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, you’ll get good black performance in dark scenes.
When it comes to user-friendliness and usability, the Vankyo Performance V600 does well. It offers a variety of connection ports, including HDMI, USB, SD Card, and VGA inputs. It struggles a little with audio connectivity, which is limited to stereo out only. However, the Vankyo does include an onboard speaker that works well in a pinch. Installation is easy, too. With 15-degree keystone correction, you’ll be able to adjust the picture in a way that creates a precise display. To top everything off, the Vankyo even includes a carrying case for increased portability and protection. You may also want to consider the best outdoor projector that’s good enough to use on its own so you won’t need to connect an external audio solution to enjoy your outdoor viewing party.
How We Decided
Finding the best projector for ceiling viewing was a matter of several different factors in our research and ranking. For starters, we only included the projectors above if they were easy to install on your ceiling. Things that factored into this ranking included universal mount compatibility, clear instructions, and adjustability options. We preferred projectors that give you keystone correction, optical zoom, and lens shift. Being installed on the ceiling can also help with cable management. Of course, this may change if you add extra components like a streaming device or gaming console.
Next, we considered each projector’s picture quality in our rankings. The best projectors offer 4K resolution, but there are still plenty of excellent options with 1080p resolution. As a bare minimum, the projectors we picked for this buying guide offered a 1080p resolution. You won’t find anything lower than that here. Next, we ranked the projectors based on their color accuracy and color reproduction. We awarded bonus points to products with additional color-boosting technology, including HDR10 support.
Finally, we preferred ceiling projectors with higher levels of brightness. The best options above feature at least 3,000 ANSI lumens brightness. However, we did give more points to options with higher light outputs since they perform better in a wider variety of circumstances. This high lumen rating is important for a high-quality image, especially in bright rooms. Another feature that is usually overlooked is the sound quality. The built-in speakers on a home theater projector will not give you the most cinematic experience, so you may wont to consider external speakers.
Best Ceiling Mounted Projector Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Ease of Installation
Mounting a traditional projector on your ceiling is a little more complicated than just setting the best short throw projector of 2024 on a tabletop and turning it on.- Instead, you’ll need to purchase a ceiling mount, install it, and then install the projector on the mounting bracket. Plus, you’ll need to determine the ratio and distance before you mount your projector on the ceiling for the appropriate image size.
- When installing a projector for your home theater, take the screen size and image brightness into consideration. The goal is to achieve the perfect picture for viewing. Heavy projectors with high-lumen output project a bright image capable of large screen sizes.
- Before mounting the projector, determine the ideal distance from the screen to achieve your desired size based on the projector’s throw ratio. Use a sturdy ceiling mount that can support the projector’s weight and allows for swivel adjustments to fine-tune the image position.
- This is why it’s important to find a ceiling-mounted projector that makes installation as easy as possible. Look for things like comprehensive instructions, predetermined throw distances, universal extended projector ceiling mount compatibility, and recommendations for how many inches from the ceiling you should install the projector.
- When looking for ceiling projector mounts, consider the type of projector you have, the ceiling surface of your home, and whether or not you’ll need flush mounting.
- You’ll also want to consider the best way to hide the cables for your ceiling projector, as they can look messy. If you’re purchasing a universal projector ceiling mount, first determine how many mounting points are on your projector and purchase an option that works.
- As an additional note, many ceiling projectors mounts also double as projector wall mounts for added versatility.
- We don’t call this feature out in our buying guide, so if it’s something you need, take a careful look at your ceiling mount’s product description for more details.
- Consequently, if you don’t mount your projector correctly to the ceiling, then you won’t know how to set up a projector screen to work with it appropriately.
- Picture Quality
Like most other display technology, the picture quality of the ceiling-mounted projector is an important consideration to make. Depending on your needs and the room in which you install the projector, the exact specifications you need may vary, but there are three main facets to consider:- Resolution: This spec refers to how clear and crisp the projected image will appear on your projector screen. 4K or ultra HD resolution is the best you can get on projectors these days, but there are also many excellent projectors that offer full HD, 1080p resolution.
- And, when you’re looking for the best Epson projector, be sure to check out their wide range of products with resolutions ranging from 720p to 4K.
- Color Accuracy: This spec refers to how well projectors can reproduce colors as they are supposed to look. A projector with better color accuracy will look better in both light and dark rooms.
- Contrast Ratio: This spec refers to how well your projector performs with whites and blacks. The higher the contrast ratio, the better your picture will appear in dark and bright scenes.
- Brightness
Unlike TVs, the projector’s brightness is incredibly important, especially if you want to use it in a bright room with ambient light. For projectors, this spec is measured in ANSI lumens. If you’re planning on installing your projector in a bright room, we recommend purchasing an option with at least 3,000 ANSI lumens so you can watch your favorite movie with a clear picture. Anything lower than this is only really good for darker rooms.
