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Need a bright - but cheap projector? Here are the best ones
- BenQ
- 2024-04-29
Early in 2024, the last of the popular 5000 lumen lamp projectors was discontinued. With the inexpensive Panasonic PT-VZ580 being officially no longer available, what are the best options if you need to fill a large screen? This article will look at which lamp and laser projectors are the best choices for low cost replacement projectors, traditional conference room models, as well as new affordable 5000 lumen models that offer digital cinema level resolution levels.
With dozens of projectors available – what are the best projectors in the following categories?
- 5000 lumen projectors less than $2500
- Conference room 5000 lumen projectors
- Golf simulation 5000 lumen projectors
- 4K UHD 5000 lumen projectors
We’ll look at each projector using key factors buyers look at when choosing a projector such as ease of installation, image quality, and maintenance requirements.
The typical price for a 5000-lumen lamp-based projector in 2023 was around $1600, with bulbs that lasted a few thousand hours before needing replacement, but for a laser model, the average price is over $2500. In 2024, there are three solid alternatives if you are looking for a 5000-lumen projector under $2000.
BenQ LU710 Laser Projector - $1699 (Lamp and Filter Free)
This model uses a laser instead of a lamp, so while its initial brightness is lower than the original Panasonic PT-VZ580, the laser stays brighter longer making it effectively as bright as a 5000-lumen mercury lamp projector once it starts losing brightness after in the first few hundred hours of use. This is because mercury lamps lose the most brightness at the beginning of their life, while lasers don’t lose much brightness until later in their life. Here is a good article on how this happens. The projector can also run continuously 24/7 without overheating or damaging the unit.
Besides a massive 20,000-hour life at full brightness, this model has the same resolution as the Panasonic VT-Z580, and a similar throw ratio – so if you need a direct replacement – this may be a good fit. It also uses a sealed engine, so you don’t have to clean or replace the filters every few months like you did on the low-cost models from typical older LCD projectors.
Epson PowerLite 2250U- $1599, Replacement Lamp $144, Replacement Filter $40
This model was introduced seven years ago, but you can still buy it online and it is the cheapest 5000 lumen projector on the market. It has WUXGA resolution, like the discontinued Panasonic – but uses a traditional mercury lamp that is being phased out of the market in the years ahead due to EU and other regulations. The bulb is rated for 5000 hours of use, so plan on purchasing a few of these over the life of the projector. This model isn’t sealed and requires regular filter cleaning to ensure the lamp doesn’t overheat. This model also has a longer throw ratio than the BenQ or Panasonic PT-VZ580, so it may need to be mounted farther back if you are replacing another projector.
NEC NP-P474W - $1825, Replacement Lamp $225, Replacement Filter, $97
This lamp-based projector is rated at 4700 lumens, but has lower resolution than the other two models, with WXGA resolution (less than 1M total pixels). It also has the shortest lamp life at just 4000 hours under full brightness so over time this projector will not be as bright as the other models. Like the BenQ LU710, the projector has a three-year warranty, but the NEC warranty limits you to only 12 hours per day and 260 days per year of use.
According to Futuresource, conference room projectors were very popular in 2023, especially as more people return to the office. What is the best 5000 lumen conference room projector that won’t break your budget? We found three that will fit the bill that have the right throw ratio and lens shift for a typical conference room in 2024.
BenQ LU930 Laser Projector - $2399
This is the most advanced laser projector at under $2500 available today. With WUXGA resolution, it uses a sealed laser engine that completely eliminates filter cleaning (which is a real hassle if your projector is mounted over a table) and has both vertical and horizontal lens shift to make it easy to install. This model is also the only one it its class that has Rec. 709 color – the same color standard used in televisions – so you can be assured that your logo’s will look correct on the screen.
NEC P554U - $2499, Replacement Lamp $257, Replacement Filter $97
This projector has been in production since 2017, so it’s a popular 5000 lumen model for conference rooms. It also has WUXGA resolution and lens shift like the BenQ LU930 but uses a mercury lamp that is rated to 4000 hours at full brightness. Like the NEC NP-P474W, this model requires regular filter cleaning, and cannot be used over 12 hours a day or 260 days per year.
Panasonic PT-VMZ51BU Laser Projector- $2595, Replacement Filter $59
This is the replacement model of the PT-VZ580 lamp-based projector and uses the same throw ratio and resolution – but with a laser engine. This model also has vertical and horizontal lens shift, but instead of a sealed engine, this laser projector still uses regular filters that need to be regularly cleaned. These filters require you to wash and dry them thoroughly before re-installing them (otherwise it creates an unpleasant odor), so many people may just replace the old filter with a $59 new one.
For golf simulation, you need a 5000-lumen projector that is extremely color accurate, and equipped with a lens that will enable you to mount it close enough to keep shadows off the screen but far enough away from your driver on your backswing. The BenQ LU935ST WUXGA 16:10 projector has a short throw lens with lens shift for easy installation. It is one of the only short throw 5000 lumen projector models that can cover 92% of the Rec. 709 color specification used for televisions. That means that the Augusta azaleas look correct on your screen, and the green grass on your simulator looks like it’s real.
For years, the maximum resolution of a 5000-lumen projector was just 2.4 million pixels – about 25% of a typical TV sold at Walmart today. Fortunately, there are now high brightness projectors that deliver the industry standard 4K UHD resolution with 8.3 million pixels at high brightness for golf simulators, events, and detail-oriented presenters who like small fonts (you know who you are).
Sony VPL-VW5000ES - $60,000, Optional Lens, $4000-$10,000
Sony was the first company to produce a 5000-lumen laser projector with 4K UHD resolution, which quickly became popular among movie stars and others who wanted the largest and most lavishly equipped home theater rooms. The current model supports the higher DCI-P3 color standard and requires the purchase of a separate lens – which allows you to either have a short throw lens (for a golf simulator) or a longer throw lens – for the back of your theater.
BenQ LK935 - $3995
The BenQ LK935 is a 5500-lumen laser projector with UHD resolution that is designed for conference rooms and commercial golf simulators. With 8.3 million pixels, the BenQ LK935 has the highest pixel density of every other 5000 lumen projector (except for the Sony VPL-VW5000ES) and has a 21:9 mode that works well with Microsoft Front Row and the new Zoom Ultrawide modes where you have multiple windows on a large screen.
BenQ LK936ST - $4899
Since its introduction, the BenQ LK936ST has been the dominant projector for multipurpose home theater and golf simulation rooms. With its short throw lens and high color accuracy, it renders a breathtaking view of Pebble Beach #7. But the projector also supports HDR for movie and television watching, allowing you to use the 5100 lumens to create a family entertainment room that doesn’t need to be completely dark to enjoy movie night.
New Features available in 2024 for 5000 Lumen Projectors
Compared to the typical model sold a few years ago, the best 5000 lumen projectors now have these features that don’t add much to the price.
Maintenance Free Sealed Engines
If you do not want to be saddled with cleaning filters over the life of your projector, get one that is sealed. A sealed projector has been tested by a third party lab under harsh conditions where large amounts of dust of different sizes bombard the projector while in use. This test is used for military equipment and smart watches to ensure they can run even in a dusty environment. The “IP5X” rating ensures that it can withstand a dusty garage or auditorium ceiling during its life. All BenQ laser and LED projectors are sealed.
Certified for 24/7 Use
About half of the projectors sold in 2023 have restrictions on how much you can use them without voiding the warranty. Ironically, the percentage of these models is even higher in 5000 lumen projectors. The latest models offer 24/7 use which means you don’t have to worry about the projector turning yellow, overheating, or other failure just because you want to use the projector more than 8 to 12 hours a day (such as digital signage).
Rec. 709 Color Accuracy
Imagine the John Deere rich green logo looking like the lime green Monster Energy logo on your boardroom screen. Rec. 709 is the color standard used in televisions and home theater projectors to ensure the colors are as the directors intended – and ensures that your logo looks right. Now in 2024, you can find 5000 lumen projectors with Rec. 709 color coverage specified on the model just like in a home theater projector.
Comparison
Here is an example of how you might want to compare different 5000 lumen projectors to find which one is right for you.
|
BenQ LU930 |
Epson PowerLite 2250U |
NEC P554U |
Lamp Type | BenQ LU930 Laser | Epson PowerLite 2250U Mercury Lamp | NEC P554U Mercury Lamp |
Lamp Life (full brightness) | BenQ LU930 20,000 Hours | Epson PowerLite 2250U 5000 hours | NEC P554U 4000 Hours |
Replacement Lamp Cost | BenQ LU930 $0 | Epson PowerLite 2250U $144 plus labor | NEC P554U $257 plus labor |
Resolution | BenQ LU930 WUXGA | Epson PowerLite 2250U WUXGA | NEC P554U WUXGA |
Vertical Lens Shift | BenQ LU930 Yes | Epson PowerLite 2250U Yes | NEC P554U Yes |
Horizontal Lens Shift | BenQ LU930 Yes | Epson PowerLite 2250U Yes | NEC P554U Yes |
Rec. 709 Color | BenQ LU930 Yes | Epson PowerLite 2250U No | NEC P554U No |
IP5X Rated Dust Proof | BenQ LU930 Yes | Epson PowerLite 2250U No | NEC P554U No |
Filter Replacement Cost | BenQ LU930 N/A | Epson PowerLite 2250U $54 | NEC P554U $97 |
Warranty Period | BenQ LU930 3 Years | Epson PowerLite 2250U 3 Years | NEC P554U 3 Years |
24/7 Use Allowed | BenQ LU930 Yes | Epson PowerLite 2250U No – voids warranty | NEC P554U No – voids warranty |
Estimated Street Price | BenQ LU930 $2399 | Epson PowerLite 2250U $1599 | NEC P554U $2499 |
Want to Talk to a Projector Expert?
BenQ has trained staff to help you find the perfect projector within your room size and budget. To help you make the best decision, you can reach out to one of our experts to set up anything from a chat to a complete online demo to help you find the right projector for your needs.
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