Best laser projector for business in 2023 – Epson or BenQ

In 2023, the latest new laser projectors from brand leaders Epson and BenQ offer brighter images and dramatically lower prices. The most popular models now have twice the pixel density of older projectors and eliminate the hassle of replacement lamps – all at a breakthrough price of $1299. So, what are the differences between the most popular models available today, and which one is best for you. We’ll take a detailed look at the following criteria to help you decide.

• Video and color accuracy 
• Brightness -- related to actual use 
• Maintenance length and coverage
• Mounting Options
  

According to Hubspot, 79% of companies who aren’t using video are now building out their video strategy in 2022. Video – and video conferencing have transformed how we communicate, and projectors are the best way to deliver a big enough image to make an impact. But how will the video look on the screen? There are two things to look for in a business projector when evaluating video and color performance.

HDR can make video look amazing, and HDR metadata is now incorporated in nearly every commercial camera used for business video production today. In addition, HDR is now used in premium video conferencing cameras to effectively address lighting issues when having important meetings. A business projector with HDR support enables you to see the same video quality on your projector as you would on a premium television.

Nearly every display sold today has a Rec. 709 color specification. This ensures that the color in the image looks the same on a phone, monitor, TV, and a projector. But if the projector isn’t designed for color accuracy – you can get a different picture. Rec. 709 is especially important to ensure your logos look correct, and that people and videos look right when you are using the projector in a hybrid videoconferencing mode. While 100% Rec. 709 projectors have been available for many years from premium brands like Barco, this feature is now available for mainstream business projectors.

Here is how these top models compare when it comes to HDR support and specified color accuracy.

Brightness is measured by ANSI lumens, and all three models are rated at 4000 lumens or above. But business projectors are most often used in modes which balance color performance and brightness, such as “presentation mode” for better graphics or “video conferencing” and “cinema” mode that show difficult colors like skin tones more accurately. The website Projector Reviews typically measures the brightness levels in these modes to help you understand how they may look in your meeting room. Here are the brightness measurements from the BenQ LH730 and the Epson EX10000 in different modes from their website reviews. 

Brightness is measured by ANSI lumens, and all three models are rated at 4000 lumens or above. But business projectors are most often used in modes which balance color performance and brightness, such as “presentation mode” for better graphics or “video conferencing” and “cinema” mode that show difficult colors like skin tones more accurately. The website Projector Reviews typically measures the brightness levels in these modes to help you understand how they may look in your meeting room. Here are the brightness measurements from the two models they have already reviewed. You can see that the Epson EX10000 laser projector has a higher lumen rating than the BenQ LH730, but the BenQ is over 15% brighter in the presentation and video conferencing modes than the Epson EX10000.

The other maintenance component to consider is that the Epson uses three LCD panels that need to be perfectly aligned. If they get out of alignment, there is a software menu inside the projector you can use to fix it, as explained in this video. The BenQ LH730 uses a single DLP chip so the image stays sharp without having to align anything. 

To compare projector warranties, we’ll look at how long they are covered by the factory and what is not covered under the different models. The BenQ LH730 has a three year warranty that allows the projector to be run 24 hours a day, seven days a week without any risk to the warranty. Because of its sealed engine, you also don’t have to worry about dust exposure voiding the warranty. By contrast, the Epson models only have a one year warranty and using “excessively” or in a dusty environment may void the warranty.

While most laser projectors are placed on a table or mounted on a ceiling mount, the BenQ LH730 enables you to mount the projector sideways for a portrait image.  In fact, you can mount it in any position you want without worrying about damaging the projector.  This is an easy way to use a projector for creative visual effects and digital signage.

For a laser projector designed for business, there are other considerations you may want to consider. First, only the BenQ LH730 uses imaging technology that is immune from losing color over time. Unlike a TV, some projectors begin losing color fidelity after a few years of use, like this projector in the student center at Rice University which was less than two years old when the picture was taken. The DLP technology used in the BenQ projector is warrantied for over 100,000 hours against color decay.   

For wireless connectivity in a meeting, both models can support wireless screen mirroring with the Epson having the Wi-Fi built in – and the BenQ using an optional wireless adapter. Keep in mind according to Futuresource, more companies are purchasing dedicated wireless presentation systems than wireless projectors.

With breakthrough laser projector pricing now available for just over $1000, more companies than ever are switching out their older projectors with advanced laser projectors with better resolution. Because BenQ and Epson are the top two projector brands in the world, all three models are well suited to business use, but the BenQ LH730 has a more advanced LED light engine that delivers better color performance, has a longer warranty, doesn’t require any maintenance, and allows you to use it as much as you want without worrying about voiding the warranty at the same price as the Epson EX11000.