Projectors are a necessary part of any classroom (like the dreaded printer). They allow teachers to share information with their students, and keep the class engaged. They can be a great way to help engage students and promote interactive learning.
When it comes to projectors for the classroom, there are a lot of factors to consider. What is the right size for your needs? What type of projector is best for your budget and teaching goals? In this guide, we’ll help you find the best classroom projector for your needs and provide our top recommendations.
You actually have a lot of different options depending on your budget for your school, and the size of the classroom. From small, 30 person rooms, to full lecture halls with 100+ students, here are our top choices overall.
What to look for in a projector for a classroom
Projectors come in a wide range of sizes and price points. When looking to make a purchase you first have to know how big the classroom you’ll be using the projector is. Larger classrooms with 100 students need a 4k resolution for good picture quality.
You’ll also want to pay attention to things like brightness, the fan noise level, throw distance and zoom which becomes important for particularly large or particularly small classrooms. Finally, like we mention you’ll want to know the resolution of the projector. 1080P is adequate for most classrooms, but 4k does make a different.
Best classroom projectors for schools and universities
We’ve broken down our list of what projectors we found to be the most useful for different prices points and use cases. From budget friendly for a small classroom, to top of the line projectors that you could use in a home cinema. Let’s get started.
LG CineBeam – Expensive, but best overall
With an expansive 140-inch screen boasting a 4K UHD resolution (3840 x 2160), the HU70LAB delivers unparalleled precision and detail, rendering a lifelike picture quality.
LG CineBeam
Lifelike picture quality, expensive but this provides the highest quality picture. Ideal for a large classroom.
The innovative wheel-less LED technology effectively overcomes the limitations commonly associated with traditional projectors, such as LCD discoloration and the rainbow effect inherent in DLP, ensuring a display of rich and deep colors.
For optimal placement and convenience, the projector can be seamlessly mounted on the ceiling. Thanks to Remote Focus and an enhanced zoom capability of up to 1.25x, adjusting the screen size is effortlessly accomplished with the included LG Magic Remote, eliminating the need for relocating the projector.
HDR Dynamic Tone Mapping fine-tunes picture quality on a frame-by-frame basis, and TruMotion introduces interpolated animation frames, resulting in a smoother and more fluid visual experience. The integration of voice control via Google Assistant and Alexa adds a layer of user-friendly functionality.
GooDee Projector – Best budget option
A good, entry level projector ideal for a classroom. Experience enhanced brightness, with 80% more luminance compared to ordinary projectors. The 3000:1 contrast ratio delivers a brighter image and wider viewing, even in low-light settings or outdoor environments like backyards, garages, and camping sites.
GooDee Projector
Best price and performance from a projector.
Native 1080p support allows for accurate and vivid video quality. This projector incorporates the latest cooling system, featuring an improved fan design and innovative materials that reduce noise and extend the bulb’s lifespan.
The only real issue we’ve delt with is that the bulb life could be better and the video quality is good, but it’s not 4k so this projector is ideal for showing your laptop screen more so than showing a movie.
Epson PowerLite – Designed for the professional in mind
The projector is of excellent quality, boasting remarkable clarity, brightness, and effortless setup. The auto screen sizing and auto keystone functionalities work seamlessly. The remote control is intuitive to operate, and there are also setup buttons on the projector itself.
Epson PowerLite
Educational professionals projector.
While there is some noticeable fan noise, it is not significant unless you are in a very small room. Cooling is necessary for the bright bulb. So far, we were able to successfully connected the projector to my laptop (note that the USB connection may experience some lag, so HDMI is preferable if possible) and wirelessly to an iPad.
The direct wireless connection to the iPad was remarkably easy, taking only about a minute to download the app, display the projector’s QR code, and establish a connection by simply pointing my iPad at it. This allowed me to project my iPad pictures in a manner reminiscent of a traditional slide projector.
The projector itself is compact and lightweight, making it highly portable. Although it may be a bit pricey, the quality is certainly worth the investment. The included soft-sided carry case offers some padding, but considering frequent transportation, a hard-sided case would be a wise addition to ensure protection. It is important to handle the projector with care and avoid dropping it, even when using the soft-sided case.
BenQ GV31 – Portable ceiling projector
BenQ GV31 is a versatile and powerful portable projector designed for personal and professional use. With its 1080p LED display, you can enjoy high-quality visuals in any environment.
BeQ GV31
Excellent portable projector with a multi-purpose use.
This projector also has a rotating angle projection feature that lets you easily adjust the screen to your desired viewing angle. But that’s not all; the BenQ GV31 also features a built-in 16W 270˚ bass wireless speaker, providing an immersive audio experience.
In addition, the BenQ GV31 is equipped with Chromecast and AirPlay, making it easy to stream content from your mobile devices onto the big screen. You can effortlessly mirror your phone, tablet, or laptop and enjoy your media on a larger display.
With multiple connectivity options, including HDMI and USB-C, you can easily connect your devices to the BenQ GV31 and access all your media files. An overall, solid and reliable ceiling projector.
Optoma GT2000HDR – Great for small or big spaces
IThe UHD35STx delivers impressive bright 4K UHD high-quality images, lightning-fast input lag as low as 4.2ms, and a high refresh rate of 240Hz. Featuring a short throw lens, it can be placed just a few feet away from the projection area while creating a supersized 100″ image.
Optoma GT2000 HDR
A 4k UHD projector for high quality images that can fit into small and big classrooms alike.
Allowing you to project a 100″ image from just a few feet away makes this projector perfect for smaller spaces without compromising your projected image’s size. So whether you have a small or big classroom, this projector can handle your needs as a teacher.
In addition to its impressive performance, the UHD35STx also offers a range of connectivity options, including HDMI and USB ports, making it easy to connect all your devices.
ViewSonic PA503X – Good budget option
The ViewSonic PA503X is a high-quality XGA DLP projector, boasting an impressive brightness of 3,800 lumens. With its advanced audio-visual features, flexible connectivity options, and affordability, this projector is an excellent choice for both educational and small business environments.
ViewSonic PA503X
An excellent mid-range projector for high school and small business.
It has good color accuracy, up to 15,000 lamp hours, reduced input latency, and a 3D Blu-Ray ready HDMI input. Additionally, the PA503X features a quick power off function and a 2W internal speaker for acceptable audio.
One of the standout features of the PA503X we liked is its flexible connectivity options. With multiple input ports, including HDMI, VGA, and USB, you can easily connect your laptop, tablet or other devices to the projector for a seamless viewing experience and with up to 15,000 hours of lamp life, you can be sure that this projector will last you for years to come.
NEC NP-MC453X – Made specifically for the classroom
MC Series projectors utilize LCD technology and feature a groundbreaking lamp design, delivering all the essential capabilities needed to effortlessly and reliably engage with your audience at an exceptionally affordable price.
NEC NP-MC453X
Perfect for a mid-sized classroom of 30-50 students.
The bright 4500-lumen, XGA (1024 x 768) native resolution NEC MC453X is perfect for classrooms seeking a crisp image visible from every corner of the room. With an impressive lamp life of up to 20,000 hours, the MC Series significantly reduces maintenance needs and overall ownership costs.
Environmentally-friendly features like ECO Mode technology, a carbon savings meter, and energy-saving functionalities such as quick startup and auto power off are incorporated. The built-in MultiPresenter functionality enables screen sharing of up to 16 devices simultaneously via wired or wireless connection (wireless option requires NP05LM1). MultiPresenter is compatible with Windows, MAC, Android, and iOS platforms.
The only annoyance is this projector does not come with a manual, instead you need to access PDF documents on your tablet, the fan’s are also a bit noisy.
BIGASUO HD Projector -Built-in DVD Player
The BIGASUO DVD Projector Pro302 is not just a home theater projector that’s perfect for the home or classroom but also an old-school (no pun intended) DVD player. This unique design allows you to enjoy movies, documentaries, and so forth directly from your favorite discs without an internet connection.
Bigasuo HD Projector
1080P projector that comes with a built in DVD player, perfect for when you want to show a movie to your class or an older piece of content from a DVD.
This projector also has enhanced brightness and HD movie quality. With 9000 Lux Brightness and a high-quality coated lens, it delivers superior picture reproduction and richer colors. Coupled with its super decoding ability and high-definition display screen, it provides a quality viewing experience.
Finally, it comes with a complimentary bag and tripod, making it convenient for storage, portability, and indoor and outdoor use. The only issue with this projector is the audio could be better; you’ll need your speakers so the class can hear the audio.
Sony VPL-XW5000ES – The best projector on the market
The Sony Laser Home Theater Projector is a cutting-edge device featuring a remarkable native 4K SXRD panel. It delivers an unparalleled viewing experience in the comfort of your own home. This by far overkill for a classroom, a university however it does make sense.
Sony VPL
Very expensive, feature rich projector that can project a 4k SXRD panel for a large audience.
As a flagship product from Sony, this black projector is powered by laser technology, ensuring exceptional brightness and high dynamic range (HDR) content, resulting in striking contrasts and vibrant colors.
With its cinema-like experience, incredible level of detail, and refined texture, this projector is the perfect choice for a home movie theater of a large lecture hall where image quality is of utmost importance.
With brightness and lifelike visuals of a DCI-P3 wide color gamut and an impressive 2,000-lumen high brightness, prepare to be captivated by the stunning realism on display from this expensive, best in class projector.
While there’s a myriad of projectors available in the market, the Sony VPL-XW5000ES 4K HDR Laser Home Theater Projector stands out as a top choice, particularly for university faculty. Despite being a home theater projector, its exceptional clarity, vivid colors, and high dynamic range make it a versatile choice that can easily adapt to classroom settings too.
Best projectors for teachers – conclusion
That’s it for our comprehensive guide on the best projectors for teachers to use in a classroom. From budget friendly options, to projectors that work well in a small classroom to top of the line projectors that can be used in a home theater setting, we hope you have a good idea as to your different options.
