If you’re in the market for a new smart TV, it can be overwhelming. There are numerous types of TVs, each with distinct features, operating systems, and specifications that make them different. But there may be a simple and better solution: buying a projector.
Smart projectors offer many of the same features as smart TVs, as well as unique ones that make them a solid purchase. When trying to figure out what to do for my own home, I was surprised by how versatile projectors are. Although I have yet to remove the TVs from the wall, I have been using the smart projector more. The results have been just what I was hoping for.
Projectors Offer Portability for On-the-Go Entertainment
Projectors aren’t as bulky as the ones you may remember from your school days. They don’t need to be wheeled in on a large cart for starters. Nowadays, many of them are sleek and far more portable.
My projector can easily fit in a carrying case or a bag, making it perfect for travel. Having a smart projector that I can bring on vacation or even outside during a summer campout night in the backyard boosts its ease of use over a smart TV.
The projector only requires an outlet to operate. Being able to pick up and move your projector from one room to another can be less expensive than having TVs in multiple rooms. While this may not work for those who live or work with others, it can reduce the number of TVs you need.
Projectors Can Show Larger Images Than TVs
When buying a TV, anything you view will be limited by the size of the screen you bought. The larger the screen is, the more expensive it tends to be.
With a projector, you can project the image on anything. You can adjust the projector’s image to fit a bedsheet or expand it to display on the side of a house. Some are better for others depending on the setting. I’ve been using my white wall indoors and a sheet outdoors, and both have worked well. While daytime viewing is a bit harder, my family room is mainly hit with sunlight early in the morning, making it a reasonable place to have a projector.
For optimal projector use, I recommend using a projection screen; projectors can fit many sizes of screens, so you aren’t confined to a set limit. At a minimum, projector screens typically measure 100 inches. Small-to-medium budget projectors can expand without issue, providing a simple way tocreate a cinematic projector experience, often for much less than a TV that size would cost.
When it comes to purchasing a projector screen, you can choose the type that best suits your home’s needs. Whether you opt for a screen that can be folded up and stored (like theSkerell SKLI-100), a mountable one (such as theSilver Ticket STR Series),or install an automated one that comes down from the ceiling is up to you. There are those that you can manually pull down when needed, such as theElite Screens Manual Series.
Projectors Have the Same Streaming Apps as TVs
The biggest difference between asmart TV and a dumb oneis that the smart TV can connect to the internet and stream media from services like Netflix, and they can also connect to other smart home devices.
Smart projectors have similar operating systems that let you download streaming apps. This eliminates the need for an external device, such as a Roku Streaming Stick or an Amazon Fire TV Stick. Whether you’re opting for something like the high-endAnker Nebula X1or the budget-friendlyMagcubic HY300Pro+, you can download the apps you need and bring your favorite shows and movies with you wherever you bring your projector.
Anker Nebula Mars 3
From a rugged body to a built-in battery, the Anker Nebula Mars 3 has everything most people want in their outdoor projector. It also offers good picture quality and decent audio performance.
A Projector Can Be a More Cost-Efficient Purchase
While smart TVs in general have never been more affordable than they are right now, you may find smart projectors for around the same price. Projectors are available in a wide range of prices, allowing you to select the features and level of clarity that best suit your needs. High-end projectors, such as theEpson Home Cinema 2350 4K PRO, can retail for $1,400, but you can get aVankyo 1080p projectorfor only $240. Projectors can range from $3,000 to under $100. It all depends on what features you’re looking for.
If you spend more on the projector, you’ll want to ensure you get a projection screen that is up to the task as well. But they typically range from $30 to $200, so they’re not a big expense.
Comparatively, some of the most affordable smart TVs are priced between $300 and $400, such as the 55-inch Roku 4K Smart Series TV, though the more budget choices may compromise on features.
If you’re looking for a high-end OLED 4K TV with all the bells and whistles, know that someprojectors are capable of 4K resolutionand HDR content, providing an incredibly vivid picture for around the same price or less.
You Can Save Space When Not Using the Projector
As noted, projectors are relatively small. This frees up not only the space that a larger projector might occupy in your room or on the floor, but also the space on the wall. You don’t have to leave a projector screen up all the time if you don’t want to.
If you choose the right kind of projection screen, it will be easy to store out of the way, allowing you to decorate the space differently. In most rooms, the TV is a focal point of the room. It’s why options like theSamsung’s Frame TVbecame popular, as they can make it look like there is artwork in a frame on your wall.
But with a projector, you’re able to leave the space open or use it to fit your needs. This includes having actual artwork or pictures on the wall and putting up the projector screen in front of them. With a TV, you’re unable to get the best of both worlds in terms of an actual frame or decorative piece on the wall.
While some people may never want to give up having a TV, I’m coming around to the idea that it might not be as necessary in my home as I once thought. I could see supplementing having a TV in a smaller room and a projector for a larger room as something in my future. The portability and a similar operating system to a smart TV have made the projector a good option for my family. I doubt I’ll be buying a big, expensive smart TV again.
