What are the features to look for in the best LG projectors? Different types of projectors, such as theater and portable projectors, have different functions, but there are some general criteria in which the top-rated LG projectors stand out. It starts with picture quality; the best LG projectors have plenty of light output to project a bright image even in variable ambient light conditions.
Next, look for flexible connectivity and installation options. LG offers built-in Android TV and Netflix streaming integration options on many of its home projectors. Finally, the best projectors offer a user-friendly setup process and low maintenance.
The best projector for you will depend on your planned uses for the device. If looking to project movies for outdoor movie nights or rooftop parties, for example, you’ll want a model that’s more portable and offers a quicker setup time. Or, if you’re looking to project documents and data for work or education, you’ll want a bright projector with high contrast ratios.
Keep reading to learn more about the best LG Projectors and how they compare to the best Projectors from other leading brands, like Panasonic projectors.
Top LG Projectors
#1 LG PF50KA 600-Lumen Projector
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector has a built-in television platform and a screen share function, enabling families to stream content from a wide variety of sources without connecting to a computer. The projector is self-powered for on-the-go use.
- Exceptionally bright display
- Built-in lithium-ion battery
- Smart share and built-in TV platform
- Picture gets blurry when zoomed
The LG PF50KA 600-lumen projector produces 1080p images, providing sharp, clear text and graphics. This versatile device is compatible with a wide variety of computers, simplifying connectivity. It has an LED lamp and consumes just 65 watts of power, so it’s very efficient. This LG projector has a fairly bright lamp, delivering up to 600 ANSI lumens of brightness. However, using the zoom function on this projector results in a blurry picture towards the edges.
This LG PF50KA 600-lumen projector has a built-in TV platform. It has a screen share function, working with mobile devices to extend the screen. Native Bluetooth enables connecting headphones and speakers without cables to this projector. The bulb of this projector lasts for up to 30,0000 hours before requiring replacement. It has a built-in lithium-ion battery that powers the device for up to 2.5 hours on a single charge.
#2 LG HU70LAB 1500-Lumen Projector
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector works with LG’s television platform to provide access to a number of streaming services. The device has incredible colors and renders sharp ultra-high-definition content.
- Exceptional ultra high definition picture quality
- Smart features
- Bright screen
- Poor dark scenes
The LG HU70LAB 1500-lumen projector uses a powerful lamp to deliver sharp visuals. This device has a native 4K UHD resolution, so it offers very detailed text and graphics. With built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, this device supports convenient voice control. It has smart TV functions, delivering plenty of content from the LG Webos Lite platform. This projector also supports popular streaming apps such as Netflix, Prime, and Vudu. However, it struggles with very dark scenes.
This LG HU70LAB 1500-lumen projector comes with remote control, simplifying operation. It produces a maximum of 1500 ANSI lumen of brightness, delivering decent performance in moderately-lit rooms. The projector supports a maximum screen size of up to 140 inches. Featuring two HDMI ports and two USB ports, this projector connects to a wide variety of devices. It has an Ethernet port for hassle-free connection to the internet and features a 3.5mm port for speakers and headsets.
#3 LG HF65LA 1000-Lumen Projector
Award: BEST FOR SMALL ROOMS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector needs a very small projection distance, so it’s the device of choice for people with very tight spaces. The device connects to a number of streaming services and has a built-in tuner for all-around entertainment.
- Great picture quality
- Ultra short throw
- Built-in Bluetooth and Smart TV
- Some colors are a bit washed out
The HF65LA 1000-lumen projector is the device of choice for people with tight projection spaces. This project has a great ultra-short-throw, so it can deliver a 100-inch image when placed just 15 inches away from the wall or screen. With built-in Bluetooth functionality, this projector supports streaming audio directly from a variety of devices. It also connects speakers, headphones, and soundbars without the need for cables.
This HF65LA 1000-lumen projector delivers up to 1000 lumens of brightness, so it can be used in dimly lit rooms. It has an HDMI port, connecting easily to modern computers. With a USB port, this device offers plug-and-play connectivity to a variety of devices., We love its smart TV features, which enable plugging into a wide variety of streaming services. The projector also has a built-in tuner and has a Full HD resolution, delivering crisp images and shart text.
#4 LG HU80KA 2500-Lumen Projector
Award: BEST PICTURE QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector supports HDR10 and has a native ultra-high-definition resolution, offering astounding picture quality. The device produces very bright pictures and supports both horizontal and vertical placement.
- Excellent ultra-high-definition picture quality
- Very bright display
- HDR10 support
- Lacks lens shift
The LG HU80KA 2500-lumen projector is an ultra-bright device that is ideal for well lit rooms. This projector has a native 4K resolution, producing images of up to 3840 x 2160 pixels. The projector has built-in 7W stereo speakers, eliminating the need for connecting external sound devices in some situations. It supports HDR10 content, delivering gorgeous colors and amazing brightness. This device has a Bluetooth sound out function, enabling wireless connectivity to various devices. However, the projector lacks lens shift functionality.
This LG HU80KA 2500-lumen projector has a versatile throw range, projecting images ranging from 40 inches at 3.6 feet to 150 inches at 14 feet. With a variety of smart functions, this device enables streaming from a number of online services. We love its versatile design that enables both horizontal and vertical placement. The projector has a screen share function for bringing content from a smartphone or tablet to the big screen.
#5 LG PF50KS 600-Lumen Projector
Award: BEST PORTABLE
WHY WE LIKE IT: This device supports Miracast, enabling users to project the screen from mobile devices without using cables. The projector is self-powered, so it can be used easily on trips.
- Excellent screen share function
- Built-in battery
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Lacks proper smart functions
The LG PF50KS 600-lumen projector has an LED lamp, which is quite efficient. It produces up to 600 ANSI lumen of brightness, so it works well in dim-lit rooms. The projector delivers Full HD imagery, so it’s ideal for both text and video projection. With a contrast ratio of 100,000:1, this device provides very sharp imagery and renders very good dark scenes. The device has a consumption of just 65 watts, so it’s quite efficient. However, it lacks comprehensive smart functions.
This LG PF50KS 600-lumen projector has built-in Bluetooth for hassle-free connectivity to audio devices. It has a projection distance ranging from 3.3 feet to 4 feet, delivering an image ranging in size between 10 inches and 100 inches. It supports up to 16.78 million colors, producing natural pictures. This device has an HDMI and USB port for hassle-free connectivity to computers. The projector supports Miracast for effortless screen extension. A built-in battery enables using this device on the go.
#6 LG PH550 550-Lumen Projector
Award: BEST BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector is self-powered and has a number of technologies supporting wireless connectivity to computers, mobile devices, and audio output devices. Compared to other projectors, this device is affordable.
- Excellent rechargeable lithium-ion pack
- HDMI and AV inputs
- Bluetooth sound out function
- Not suitable for brightly lit rooms
The LG PH550 550-Lumen projector has a native HD resolution, providing up to 1280 x 720 pixel images. This device connects to Android and iOS mobile devices, allowing users to extend the screen easily. With a consumption of just 60 watts, this projector is efficient. It has a built-in battery that provides power for up to 2.5 hours on a single charge. However, this projector has a maximum brightness of just 550 lumens, so it’s not ideal for brightly lit rooms.
This LG PH550 550-Lumen projector has a Bluetooth sound out function, allowing users to connect headsets, speakers, and soundbars without cables. Featuring USB and HDMI ports, this device offers plug-and-play connectivity to computers and other devices. It also has an AV in port, connecting analog devices easily. The lamp in this projector has a life of up to 30,000 hours, providing durability. The projector produces vibrant colors suitable for home theaters and classrooms.
Introduction to LG Projectors
Based in Seoul, South Korea, LG is one of the world’s largest electronics companies. The company has its roots in the Lucky Chemical Company, established in 1947. At the time, Lucky Chemical produced cosmetics. But, by 1951, the company began adding electro-chemicals to its line of products after its acquisition of the Chosun Alumite Industrial Company.
In 1958, Goldstar Electronics was established as part of Lucky-Goldstar chaebol (a group of interrelated companies that dominate aspects of the South Korean market). The next year, Goldstar produced the first Korean radio, the A-501, followed by the first automatic telephone in 1961. Both Lucky and Goldstar continued to make innovative advancements in their respective industries until they formally merged in 1995, creating the LG brand.
Today, LG produces a wide variety of appliances, including mobile phones, industrial equipment, and various consumer electronics, including smart TV modules, Amazon LG streaming modules, OLED displays, gaming projectors, and cinema projectors.
LG’s projector line-up includes some of the least expensive UHD laser projector models that display native 4k resolution with excellent picture quality. Designed for conference rooms, classrooms, and larger home theaters, these projectors aim to be relative bargains considering their advanced feature content and 5,000+ lumens brightness levels. However, they’re not cheap models in an absolute sense, costing anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
In their lines of affordable ultra-short-throw projectors and portable projectors, the brand’s products emphasize tech features and connectivity, offering projectors compatible with LG smart TV, streaming stick, and Android TV devices, along with other streaming services.
How LG Projectors Compare to Other Brands
(Pro 1) Bargain UHD Projectors: Great for home theater enthusiasts looking for excellent image quality with lots of detail and rich color, LG’s CineBeam line offers some of the least expensive projectors capable of working with UHD 4k inputs. Top-of-the-line CineBeam projectors provide as much as 6,000 lumens of brightness as well, making them versatile enough to use as a classroom or small theater projectors.
(Con 1) Newer, Less-Proven Technologies: LG video projectors use advanced image processing and various proprietary chip and optics modules, making it more difficult to service these models should the need arise.
(Pro 2) Advanced Smart Device Integration: Compared to other projector brands, even LG’s cheaper projectors do a good job integrating with streaming apps and accepting screen share functions. Especially for Android TV or tablet users, LG’s experience with the Android OS pays dividends in terms of app integration and connectivity.
(Con 2) Few Interchangeable Lens Options: Unlike rivals from more specialized device manufacturers like BenQ’s projectors, most LG projectors come with a fixed lens. To get around this, however, most of LG’s larger projectors and nearly all its short-throw projectors come with a zoom lens that allows for some placement flexibility.
(Pro 3) Low-Maintenance Laser Light Sources: LG offers some of the more affordable, smaller projectors equipped with laser diode-based light sources. Using a blue laser and a set of color filters and an RGB color wheel, this method offers improved brightness and reduced input lag while maintaining accurate colors. LG video projectors also offer up to 20,000 hours of lamp life.
While LG has some great perks, you may want to compare, Optoma projectors do have some great features.
(Con 3) Fewer Calibration Options: Most LG units offer limited picture options such as P3 color gamut and sRGB settings, unlike some professional projectors. However, built-in color filter settings produce very accurate colors if you’re using a blank, white projection screen.
Why Should You Buy a New LG Projector
It might be time to buy a projector if you’re looking to create a more cinematic experience for movie nights at home. You might also want a convenient way to show large-screen content with excellent picture quality, such as slide shows, work presentations, and class notes.
Another great reason to consider a new projector is to get ready for outdoor movie night or multiplayer gaming parties.
A portable smart projector gives you the freedom to display video content in large formats just about anywhere. And, when paired with good-quality speakers, a UHD projector offers a cinematic viewing experience unlike any other for your home theater and studio setup.
Compared to older models, new projectors such as the current line of LG’s brighter laser projectors offer much-improved image quality and better contrast, with higher white brightness, less chromatic aberration, and more accurate picture detail. Plus, these projectors promise lower ownership costs and lower maintenance requirements thanks to longer lamp life, sealed optics assemblies, and cooler operation.
Newer projectors can also be much more adept at showing cinematic content and video games at home, thanks to options such as a game mode and automatic low-latency mode. These are all features that can now be found on many mid-range and budget-smart projector models, which make for the perfect projectors for churches and community meetings.
How Long Will an LG Projector Last?
While many of LG’s projector series is too new to have product-specific reliability ratings in projector reviews, their life cycles should match or exceed those of earlier models. In particular, improvements in cooling and laser diode technology means many of LG’s solid-state illumination projectors have a 20,000-hour lamp life rating. This would equate to roughly ten years of use if you were to run the projector for nearly 40 hours per week.
Schools and businesses generally expect installation projectors to last 3 to 5 years. Home theater projectors may last longer due to less frequent use or wear out sooner due to less frequent maintenance.
Keeping the projector free from dust and avoiding overheating is important for prolonging the device’s lifespan. Make sure your projector is in a space with adequate airflow to maintain cooling. Replace dust filters whenever necessary, as dust build-up can affect all aspects of picture quality.
With newer connected and smart projectors, periodic firmware updates may also help keep the projector in proper working order. Using “eco mode” whenever possible and choosing auto-brightness settings may also boost longevity, compared to leaving the projector in its brightest mode all the time.
LG Projector Warranties
Most LG projectors come with a 2-year limited warranty covering parts and labor, excluding shipping and accidental damage. Unlike some specialty manufacturers, LG doesn’t offer component-specific warranties for the optical assemblies or light sources.
However, most of their smart projectors don’t require a separate streaming stick or WiFi dongle, and all internal wireless and microprocessor modules get covered under the standard 2-year warranty. In addition to the manufacturer’s warranty, LG projectors may be eligible for coverage from distributors and retailers.
