What are the features that make the best Optoma Projectors? Optoma specializes in cinema projectors, classroom projectors, and various smart projector models for home theater use. Choosing the best projector for your needs starts with brightness, and you’ll need to decide how many lumens of brightness you’ll need based on the ambient light conditions.
On the lower end of its projector line, Optoma is known for providing excellent quality without cutting corners in areas where it counts. However, these models may not provide as many connectivity options as higher-end models. If this is important to you, you’ll want to pick a projector that offers flexible installation options and compatibility with all your smart devices and other media sources. Although, you might want to compare this brand to the best Panasonic projectors before you buy anything.
Depending on the size of the space, you might want an ultra-short-throw home theater projector or a unit with a zoom lens or keystone correction feature. Finally, look for a model with excellent image quality for your desired screen size. If you’re looking for a 150-inch image on your projector screen, you may need an HD projector with at least 1080p native resolution, which you can find in our lists of the top LG projectors and the leading Epson projectors.
Keep reading to learn more about the top-rated Optoma projectors and how they compare with the best projectors from other brands, such as Samsung’s projectors.
Top Optoma Projectors
#1 Optoma GT1080HDR 3800-Lumen Projector
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector delivers high dynamic range content, so it’s ideal for movies and games. It has a lens with a small projection distance that is ideal for installation in tight spaces.
- Exceptional high dynamic range content
- Incredibly bright screen
- Short throw lens is ideal for small rooms
- Lacks zoom ring
The Optoma GT1080HDR 3800-lumen projector boasts VGA and HDMI connectors for plugging into a variety of computers and other input devices. This projector supports Full HD videos, delivering very detailed imagery. It also supports HDR10 tech, bringing out the best in movies and gaming content. With a 120Hz refresh rate and 8.4 ms response time, this device offers excellent gaming playback. However, this device doesn’t have a zoom ring.
This Optoma GT1080HDR 3800-lumen projector has a short throw lens, which delivers a 10-foot diagonal image just 4 feet away, so it’s a good choice for small spaces. With 3800 lumens of light and a 50,000:1 contrast ratio, this device delivers sharp images. The lamp lasts up to 15,000 hours. This projector operates quietly, emitting just 26dB of sound. Featuring vertical keystone correction of +/- 40 degrees, this unit is easy to set up.
A great, quiet projector is always good, and you have many other options.
#2 Optoma HD146X 3600-Lumen Projector
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This Full HD projector has a color wheel that allows users to calibrate colors as needed. It has a very high contrast ratio that delivers very deep black scenes in games and films.
- Excellent contrast and dynamic black tech
- The projector gets very bright
- HDMI-Link feature simplifies remotely controlling the projector
- Limited ports
The Optoma HD146X 3600-lumen projector is a Full HD model with modern connectors. This projector has an RYGCWB color wheel for precise calibration in home theaters. Equipped with a DLP DMD single chip, this model allows precise and fast alignment. The projector offers a peak brightness of 3,600 lumens, so it offers a decent picture even when the lights are turned on. This projector has a fast response time that will appeal to gaming enthusiasts. However, it has limited input connectors.
This Optoma HD146X 3600-lumen projector has HDMI-CEC tech that enables managing multiple devices with a single remote control. It has dynamic black tech with contrast ratios as high as 500,000:1, offering deep, detailed black pictures. With a lamp life of about 15,000 hours, this projector is durable. This device has a noise rating of just 26 dB, so it operates without causing unnecessary distraction. It has an input lag of just 16ms that will appeal to gamers.
#3 Optoma HD142X 3000-Lumen Projector
Award: BEST FOR 3-DIMENSIONAL CONTENT
WHY WE LIKE IT: This device has a 10W built-in speaker, which eliminates the need for connecting external audio devices. It has 3D-enabled HDMI ports and supports MHL for connecting mobile devices easily.
- Excellent built-in speaker
- Incredible collection of input ports
- Vibrant colors
- Relatively short bulb life
- Lacks zoom ring
The Optoma HD142X 3000-lumen projector has a wide throw range, delivering images of 5.5 feet at 8 feet away and 10-foot images at a distance of 12 feet. This device produces up to 3,000 lumens, so it’s fairly bright. It has a 23,000:1 contrast ratio, so it accurately depicts black scenes in movies and games. With keystone correction, this device supports a simple setup. However, this device doesn’t have a zoom ring.
This Optoma HD142X 3000-lumen projector features two HDMI 1.4a ports with 3D support for easy connectivity. It has a 3.5mm port for audio. The lamp on this model works for up to 8,000 hours, offering durability. This device uses the REC.709 color space to deliver rich, vibrant colors. It has a built-in 10W speaker that produces high-quality sounds and supports MHL for connecting mobile devices.
#4 Optoma HD26 3200-Lumen Projector
Award: BEST SPEAKER-EQUIPPED
WHY WE LIKE IT: This has an integrated 10W speaker that delivers high-quality sound and eliminates the need to connect external sound systems. It has HDMI, USB, and MHL interfaces for connecting to a variety of devices.
- Great integrated 10W speakers
- Supports 3D content
- High contrast
- Relatively short lamp life
- Loud fan
The Optoma HD26 3200-lumen projector has a screen size range of 71 inches from 8 feet through 107 inches from 12 feet. This projector is vibrant, producing up to 3200 ANSI lumens of brightness. With a 25,000:1 contrast ratio, this device offers great blacks. It has keystone correction to simplify the setup. This device is equipped with two HDMI 1.4a ports that support 3D. However, the 6500-hour lamp life is relatively short.
This Optoma HD26 3200-lumen projector supports MHL and has a 3.5mm port for audio output. It supports Full HD output, delivering crisp videos. With a dynamic black function, this device delivers deep shadows, and textures in movies and games. It has an integrated 10W speaker that delivers powerful sounds and can be mounted easily on the wall or ceiling. The projector comes with a remote control for easy operation. With a very rich palette, this projector delivers rich, natural colors.
#5 Optoma HD28HDR 3600-Lumen Projector
Award: BEST FOR GAMERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This projector is very bright, so it can be used in rooms with lights turned on. It supports high dynamic range content, delivering superb films. A number of advanced features make it a good choice for gamers.
- Exceptional high dynamic range playback
- Gaming mode
- Durable lamp
- Limited lens customization options
The Optoma HD28HDR 3600-lumen projector is a Full HD model that downscales 4K content beautifully. This projector supports HDR10, offering dynamic brightness and deep black colors. The device has a 50,000:1 contrast ratio, producing sharp images. It produces 3600 lumens, delivering clear pictures even when lights are on. It has a standard throw lens that’s ideal for classrooms and living rooms. However, this device lacks lens adjustment functions.
This Optoma HD28HDR 3600-lumen projector has a long lamp life of up to 15,000 hours, offering durability. Equipped with an enhanced gaming mode, this projector is ideal for games. It offers refresh rates of up to 120Hz and an 8.4 ms input lag for great performance. This projector supports true 3D content from a wide variety of sources, including disc players and gaming consoles. It also provides very bright, natural colors and the built-in 6-segment color wheel enables easy calibration.
#6 Optoma UHD60 3000-Lumen Projector
Award: BEST FOR ULTRA HIGH DEFINITION CONTENT
WHY WE LIKE IT: This ultra-high-definition HDR projector delivers vivid, vibrant visuals suitable for home theaters, classrooms, and conference rooms. The device is highly customizable, featuring keystone correction, adjustable zoom, and vertical lens shift.
- Incredible ultra high definition picture quality
- Adjustable zoom, keystone, and vertical lens shift
- Long lamp life
- Faulty HDMI 2 port
The Optoma UHD60 3000-lumen projector has a very detailed 4K screen with 8.3 million addressable on-screen pixels. A Texas Instruments DLP chipset delivers incredibly detailed and vibrant content. This device has dynamic black technology with an incredible 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio that brings out the best in movies and gaming content. It supports HDR10 and uses the DCI-P3 color gamut to produce colorful content. However, the HDMI 2 port on this unit loses signal intermittently.
This Optoma UHD60 3000-lumen projector supports ceiling and table placement. It has a 1.6x zoom and has a 1.39 to 2.22:1 throw ratio, offering flexibility. This device also supports vertical lens shift and keystone correction, simplifying the setup. It features PureMotion technology that eliminates picture noise, motion blur, and judder, delivering fluid, vibrant pictures. The projector produces up to 3,000 lumens of brightness, so it’s suitable for dimly lit and well-lit rooms.
Introduction to Optoma Projectors
Optoma is a multinational company specializing in display technology. Based in New Taipei City, Taiwan, Optoma stands out among major projector brands for its greater specialization. It began marketing projectors and LCD screens in 1992 and established the Optoma brand globally in 2002.
The company won acclaim for producing the first household 1080p HD projector back in 2006 and continues to offer innovative display devices, including some of the highest-rated gaming projectors on the market. In addition, Optoma produces business projectors using laser-phosphor lighting, offering a long lamp life and improved lamp output.
Optoma isn’t known for cheap projectors, but they offer various models in the mid-range to budget categories. In particular, their gaming and portable projector models offer great performance for their price point, with exceptional colors and generally good picture quality, even when put to the test with content such as online games and dark scenes with deep blacks.
In addition, Optoma makes professional, and classroom projectors designed for high endurance 24/7 operation. Models using an LED or laser light source offers up to 30,000-hour lamp life.
Optoma Projectors vs. Other Brands
(Pro 1) High-Output Home Entertainment Models: With a wide range of models offering 2,000 lumens of brightness or more, Optoma’s home projectors do better than most in coping with variable ambient light. Add in low-maintenance laser light and 4K UHD compatibility, and you get some very compelling options for cinephiles and home theater enthusiasts.
(Con 1) Few Portable Projector Options: Compared to some more budget-focused brands like Acer, Optoma offers relatively little in the way of pocket-sized pico projectors and mini projectors. However, their range does include at least a few short-throw compact projector models that work well for office meetings and presentations, even if they lack a built-in battery and thus don’t qualify as truly “portable.”
(Pro 2) Lifelike Colors: With advanced LCD and color wheel technology, Optoma projectors tend to do well at color accuracy, offering P3 color gamut coverage and generating rich, accurate color across the spectrum. HDR10+ high dynamic range options help home theater models like the Optoma CinemaX P2 deliver brilliant, cinematic movie watching. However, if you experience any blurriness with an Optoma, you’ll want to learn why is the projector blurry.
(Con 2) Little Stylistic Differentiation: Optoma projectors tend to have a relatively simple, no-frills design. While tasteful and aesthetically pleasing in their own way, these projectors may not stand out enough for some users who might prefer a more extroverted-looking home theater unit.
(Pro 3) Excellent Gaming Projector Options: If you’re looking for a projector that displays your favorite fast-paced video games, models featuring Optoma’s dynamic mode are worth a look. Specialized for low input lag and smooth motion graphics, the brand’s gaming projectors offer the industry’s highest refresh rate, as much as 240Hz, and the lowest lag time.
(Con 3) Limited Budget Projector Options: While Optoma does offer some outstanding conference room projectors and laser projector options at affordable prices for a small auditorium, classroom, and business use, their lineup is less comprehensive when it comes to budget projectors for home use or even to use as a projector for church purposes.
Why You Should Buy a New Optoma Projector
If you’re in the market for a home cinema or entertainment center upgrade or want more advanced display capability for presentations, lectures, and content sharing at work, a new projector might be worth buying.
TVs may be larger and flatter than ever before, but even a big-screen TV doesn’t provide the same kind of immersive, cinematic picture quality you get from watching your favorite films on a projector screen. Plus, many of today’s latest home theater projectors help complete the experience with audio output options like Dolby digital 5.1-channel surround sound.
A modern projector may also be a good purchase for those working in the film industry or editing and reviewing video content for other media platforms. Today’s projectors can provide outstanding image quality, HDR and 3D compatibility, accurate color, and plenty of light output for living rooms and conference rooms. Projectors have also become far more adept at displaying fast-moving scenes, which is great for movies & gaming alike. Newer Optoma models, for example, may have up to a 240Hz refresh rate, higher than many gaming monitors offer.
Native 4k resolution and DCI-P3 color space are also beginning to filter down to home theater projectors at an affordable price point, letting these models deliver crisp, high-definition images with a superb range of color detail.
Even if you have limited space in which to set up a projector, you might find that a short-throw projector allows for impressively large screen size from just about anywhere. Designed for versatility, ultra-short-throw projectors also come with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, making for easy pairing with Android TV, Apple TV, smart home devices, and mobile devices.
How Long Will an Optoma Projector Last?
Most offices and schools figure on a 3 to 5-year life for traditional projectors. Theaters and other large venues may invest significantly more in a projector and expect a longer service life. For home theater and portable projectors, longevity and maintenance requirements may vary greatly depending on the type of light source, the frequency of use, and the environment.
In traditional projectors, the lamp life may range from 1,500 to around 6,000 hours. If available, options like eco mode may help maximize lamp life. You can see the lamp life on most projectors’ product descriptions.
Laser-driven projectors offer much longer maintenance intervals and up to 30,000 hours of lamp life in the Optoma CinemaX line of laser projectors, for example. Other wear items may include air filters and built-in speakers.
Therefore, if you want a long-lasting projector, you may want to also consider some of the best LG projectors.
To keep your projector working longer, make sure to install it in an area with adequate airflow and avoid blocking the fan ports. Good ventilation helps keep the device cool and avoid overheating. Check the lens now and then, and keep a lens cleaning kit handy to help keep the optical module dust-free and maintain a crisp image. When possible, using a lower-brightness setting such as eco mode may also help provide more hours of viewing time.
Optoma Projector Warranties
Optoma offers a range of warranties on its projectors, and terms differ based on lamp type and typical use case. For laser-driven home projectors such as the Optoma CinemaX, the company provides 2-year parts and labor warranty on the projector itself and a 12,000-hour or 5-year warranty on the laser light source. Lamp-driven models like Optoma HD146X come with 1-year parts and labor warranty and a 90-day lamp guarantee.
Optoma’s warranty extends up to three years for auditorium laser models, with the same 12,000-hour lamp warranty.
