Best 3D Projector 2023 • 7 3D Projectors Reviews

What is a 3D projector and how does it work?

A 3D projector puts three-dimensional data to a two-dimensional surface like a wall or a screen. The significant point about a 3D projector is the users’ feeling of depth. In comparison to a 2D projector, this depth leads to a simulation experience that is happening in real-time.

This depth is created by a simultaneous projection of two near-identical images onto the screen. The viewer is now in a need of a special set of glasses that filter polarity so that they can see both pictures with each eye. Only with these glasses can they see the screen properly, so sometimes these glasses are already included in the package of a 3D projector, but they can also be bought separately.

What types of 3D projectors are there?

The specific technology used by 3D projectors largely determines the type of image they project. This is an important aspect that you should be aware of; however, it is not the most important factor for determining the overall quality of the projector. In our opinion, it’s best to know the differences between the technology options.

• DLP (Digital Light Processing): This is the most common 3D projector technology as it is less expensive, and it is high-quality.
• LCD (Liquid-Crystal Display): This 3D projector technology uses liquid crystal display to project the image.

There are also other technologies such as the Sony-developed SXRD and variants of LCD screens such as liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS). Our product test shows that the majority of technologies in the 3D projector market utilize DLP and LCD.

Advantages and Disadvantages of 3D Projectors

With a 3D projector, you enjoy a much more realistic movie experience thanks to its special depth. Also, the test demonstrates that they offer a great gameplay advantage, due to the real-life feeling. Of course, the price stands much higher than 2D projectors. In our opinion, it’s important that they get evaluated separately since the types of 3D projectors are so different.

DLP Projectors

Advantages

Disadvantages

LCD Projectors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Shopping Criteria for 3D Projectors

You now know about some of the most important aspects now, so it is time to make a purchase. But to ensure that you can make the best purchase possible, there are a number of factors to consider to find the most suitable product. Our product test shows that the following aspects are the most important ones in making the best purchase.

• Budget
• Location
• Screen resolution
• 3D glasses
• Maintenance

Budget

This is the first criterion and often the constraint that restricts most people to a certain number of products. As our test shows, there is a huge range of products to meet every different budget. As you may expect, the more you are willing to pay, the better the product you will be able to buy—not just in terms of image quality but also which brands you can buy and what product warranties you will receive.

In our opinion, buying a good projector to use at home will ensure that image quality in videos, photographs, and games stays high for many years. Our test proves that, thanks to the improved technology and reduced manufacturing costs, it is not always necessary to spend more than $500 on a high-quality product.

Location

Where the 3D projector will be used will determine the number of important aspects and the specifications needed for good performance. For home use in a small- to medium-sized room, a projector with a brightness of between 1000 and 1500 lumens will be sufficient.

The natural light and projection conditions must also be considered. Our test indicates that the darker the space, the less need for lumens. If the natural lighting in the room is normal, it is recommended to buy a projector with 2000 lumens. The contrast ratio is another factor to consider. A contract ratio of 5000:1 is a good range for a 3D projector.

Screen Resolution

This is the easiest parameter to determine. If you want it to project HD resolutions, just look for HD (16:9) with 1280 x 720 pixels, or for Full HD (16:9) with 1920 x 1080 pixels. The highest quality projector is 4K (16:9) with 3480 x 2160 pixels, but these are rather expensive.

3D Glasses

There are some 3D projectors that include the right glasses to see 3D images when you buy the projector in comparison to many others that do not include glasses. It is important to check if buying the glasses of the specific projector brand is expensive, or if it is possible to use generic 3D glasses. This is important to consider if you need to buy more glasses for other members of the family.

Maintenance

Almost every technological device in the world requires maintenance. When it comes to projectors, the light source is one of the key aspects to be considered. In 3D projectors, you will find conventional lamps, lasers, LEDs, and even some hybrids. The most commonly used system, the lamp, is the system that requires the highest level of maintenance.

The lamp system requires the most maintenance because they have a useful life that is usually measured in hours. Each manufacturer will provide the average lamp life. The cost of replacing a 3D projector lamp is variable, so it is an important factor to investigate. In addition, you should clean the projector filters regularly.

Related Links and Sources

• http://www.theprojectorexpert.com/everything-3d-projectors/
• https://www.projectorpeople.com/resources/3D-projectors.asp
• https://thehometheaterdiy.com/3d-projectors/
• https://www.barco.com/en/page/3d-projection-explained

FAQs

What light sources does a 3D projector typically use?

In addition to the technology used for projection, there are different types of light sources when it comes to 3D projectors. The most common and affordable projectors use lamps to produce light from a projector. Lamps are the most common light source and were the original light source technology used for these projectors. Our product test shows that there have recently been 3D projectors that use LEDs, lasers, and a combination of both to project 3D images.

Our test presents that the new light source technologies are far more expensive than the standard lamp technology.

Where is the best place to install a 3D projector?

Although we are dealing with easily transportable devices, there are big differences between projectors when it comes to dimensions and weight. The compact projectors can be moved around from one place to another with ease. They are easier to install as you can play around with the distance to the wall until you get it just right.

If you are setting up a 3D projector in your living room, we recommend placing the projector on a solid support that is well balanced and out of the way of foot traffic. This not only means that it is less likely to become damaged or knocked over, but it also means that no one can hinder the projection or walk in front of the light right at the critical moment of a movie. It may be obvious, but if you can project the image in the middle of uninterrupted wall space, you will have a much better viewing experience.

How important are lumens in a 3D projector?

The number of lumens in a projector directly affects the quality and brightness of light that the projector can emit. It is important to determine what you are going to use the projector for, at what distance, and what the natural lighting conditions are, as this will determine how many lumens will be required to ensure that the 3D projection is effective.

A range between 1000 and 1500 lumens is typically sufficient for home use where the room is quite dark. If the room in your home is not very dark, 2000 lumens would be better to ensure you can still produce a quality image. If you are planning on using a 3D projector in an office or classroom, you should look for a projector that is capable of providing 3000 lumens. Our test shows that if the room or space is even larger than a classroom, then a measurement that is higher than 3000 lumens will be necessary.

What is the contrast ratio of a 3D projector?

The higher the contrast ratio of a 3D projector, the sharper the image. This will also depend on the brightness of the projector and the place where you will project videos, photos, and so on. In our opinion, it is also important to have a projector with a high contrast ratio when the brightness of the projector is low, as a higher contrast will lead to much brighter colors.

What resolution and format can a 3D projector have?

The resolution of a projector determines the number of pixels that can be projected to develop images. As you may already know, the higher the number of pixels, the sharper the image will be. With a higher number of pixels, you will also be able to project from a slightly further distance without losing too much quality.

-SVGA (4:3) – 800 x 600 pixels
-XGA (4:3) – 1024 x 768 pixels
-WXGA (16:10) – 1280 x 800 pixels
-HD (16:9) – 1280 x 720 pixels
-Full HD (16:9) – 1920 x 1080 pixels
-WUXGA (16:10) – 1920 x 1200 pixels
-4K (16:9) – 3480 x 2160 pixels

What is the typical sound of a 3D projector?

In our opinion, the sound that 3D projectors produce is not very powerful and is usually very poor quality. You will usually only find a projector with speakers of 10 or 20 W spread between two speakers. When it comes to the sound of a projector, it’s best to utilize an external sound system when watching movies.

What connectivity options do 3D projectors have?

The connectivity options are an important factor when deciding on a 3D projector to purchase. Most projectors will have connectivity options such as HDMI, DVI, RGB, and S-Video, but there are also some models that utilize Wi-Fi connections and Bluetooth technology. Think about what connectivity options suit you the best before purchasing a 3D projector.