Buying guide
How to choose a projector
Six things to check, in order of importance. Five minutes to read — and if you're still unsure, ask us on WhatsApp.
1. Brightness (lumens) — the most important number
Lumens tell you how bright the picture is. The more light in your room, the more lumens you need.
- Dark room, curtains closed
- 1,500 – 2,500 lumens
- Living room with some light
- 3,000 – 3,500 lumens
- Office or classroom, lights on
- 3,500 – 5,000 lumens
- Hall, auditorium, outdoors at dusk
- 5,000+ lumens
Look for ANSI lumens. Very cheap projectors often advertise much higher “lumens” that aren't measured the same way.
2. Resolution — how sharp the picture is
- 720p / XGA
- Fine for slides and small screens. Budget choice for classrooms.
- 1080p (Full HD) / WUXGA
- Sharp for films, cricket and presentations up to about 120″.
- 4K UHD
- Best for big home-cinema screens over 100″ and for sitting close.
3. Throw distance — how far from the wall
Every projector needs a certain distance to make a given screen size. In a small room, choose a short-throw or ultra-short-throw model — it sits close to the wall and still fills a big screen.
- Standard throw
- Needs roughly 1.5× the picture width in distance. Ceiling or back-of-room.
- Short throw
- About half the distance. Good for small rooms and classrooms.
- Ultra short throw
- Sits right under the screen, a few inches away. No shadows, no ceiling mount.
4. Lamp, LED or laser
- Lamp
- Lowest price. The lamp needs replacing after a few thousand hours.
- LED
- Small and quiet, long life, great for portable projectors. Usually less bright.
- Laser
- Bright, instant on/off and lasts 20,000+ hours with no lamp changes. Costs more up front.
5. Connections and smart features
- HDMI for laptops, set-top boxes and gaming consoles — check how many ports you need.
- Smart / Android TV models stream apps directly, with no extra box.
- Wireless mirroring is handy in meeting rooms and classrooms.
- Built-in speaker is fine for meetings; for films, connect a soundbar.
6. A few things people forget
- A proper screen looks noticeably better than a painted wall, especially in rooms with some light.
- Use a surge protector or UPS — power cuts and voltage spikes are hard on projectors.
- For ceiling mounting, plan the HDMI cable run and a power point near the projector before you buy.
- Buying for a business? Ask for a GST invoice in your company's name so you can claim input credit.
More buying guides
- Best home projectors under ₹1 lakh in IndiaWhat to look for in a home projector under ₹1,00,000: brightness for your room, 1080p vs 4K, screen size and throw distance — plus models in this budget.
- Choosing a projector for classroomsHow to choose a classroom projector: brightness with the lights on, short throw to avoid shadows, resolution for text, and running costs — for schools and colleges.
- Short-throw projectors for small roomsHow short-throw and ultra-short-throw projectors give a big picture from a short distance — throw ratios explained, how much space you need, and models available.
- Choosing a projector for meeting rooms and boardroomsHow to choose an office projector: brightness with the lights on, WUXGA for sharp spreadsheets, screen size for the room, laser vs lamp, and connections.
Still not sure?
Tell us your room and budget — we'll suggest a model.