Projectors versus big-screen TVs. It's a debate as old as time. Projectors offer that 'wow' factor in cinematic performance, making your home entertainment setup feel like a movie theater with screens measuring as large as 200 inches.
Still, projectors can often be a bit more of pain to set up than TVs, and ambient light is more likely to cause them to look washed out. Therein lies the problem.
Can the best projectors stand up against some of the best 85-inch TVs? As a big fan of what projectors bring to the table, I set out to determine which type of display is the superior pick for big-screen sports and entertainment experiences.
Projector vs 85-inch TV: Cost
Cost is one of the main roadblocks to getting a projector. While there are some cheaper models you can buy, they don't offer the best performance for home entertainment. The Epson LifeStudio Flex Plus is a good example, offering great picture performance and features for $999, but it's designed to be a portable projector.
For the most impressive projector performance, you'll want an ultra-short-throw model. These types of projectors are often the easiest to set up and have incredible picture quality, however they're usually around $2,000 to $3,000.
One of the most exciting models to launch this year is the Hisense L9Q, which offers 5,000 ANSI lumens and a screen size up to 200 inches. As exciting as it might sound, the L9Q is $6,000 — a hefty investment for that big-screen experience.
TVs, on the other hand, are getting cheaper and larger every year. TV makers, especially TCL and Hisense, are designing bigger screens at value prices. Although you won't find an 85-inch OLED TV for under $3,000, Mini-LED sets make for the best options when looking for a big-screen TV at a reasonable price.
One model I recommend is the 85-inch TCL QM6K Mini-LED TV, which is currently available for $1,089 at Best Buy. It's a solid performer for the price, and offers some great gaming features for those who want them.
Even cheaper is the 85-inch Hisense U6N Mini-LED TV that's just $799 at Best Buy. It's another fantastic TV despite being a year old. If you're looking for a big-screen OLED TV, models like the LG C4 and B4 are your best bet for the price, but you'd be hard-pressed to find them in stock online.
Projector vs 85-inch TV: Setup
Projectors, especially ultra-short-throw models, are definitely the easiest to set up due to their smaller size. They don't require multiple people to lift out of a box and screw on a set of stands, like you would with an 85-inch screen. Still, the setup process for a projector isn't without a few headaches.
Projectors require extensive TLC to get the best possible image quality given their finicky nature. Some models are equipped with auto keystone and correction protocols, but they're not always the most accurate or helpful. You'll probably want an ALR screen for the best results, which are remarkably frustrating to put on a wall.
While ultra-short-throw models are easier to set up, given how close you can place them to the wall and how light they are, far-throw models are much more time-consuming. Not only do you need the best spot to place them at a particular distance, but you'll also have to adjust focus and color, which takes up a whole lot of time.
Meanwhile, 85-inch TVs are particularly simple to set up. Yes, they do require multiple hands, but the process probably won't take longer than thirty minutes or so, including connecting to Wi-Fi and getting the TV interface set up with your favorite apps.
If you're looking to wall mount an 85-inch screen, things will get a little more complicated. You'll need to know what to buy when you want to wall-mount a TV, but also get one of the best TV wall mounts for an 85-inch display. You'll also need more than one extra person on hand to get the job done.
Calibrating a TV can also be a lot less stressful and time-consuming than calibrating a projector. TVs look pretty darn good right out of the box, but if you want the best picture quality and don't want to waste time messing with any of the settings, Filmmaker mode (or Cinema on some TVs) is the way to go.
Since you're aiming for big-screen value, chances are you'll be buying a Hisense model. Here are 5 settings to change right away on your brand-new Hisense TV, which should improve the experience and picture quality.
Projector vs 85-inch TV: Performance
Projectors and TVs vary quite drastically in terms of performance, especially when it comes to daytime viewing. Projectors struggle to handle darker scenes and more detailed shadows. Depending on the model, colors can also be very off.
Once again, ultra-short-throw projectors offer serious performance but at a premium price. Where TVs measure brightness in nits, projectors are measured in ANSI lumens, which is a combination of both white and color brightness metrics.
The best-looking projectors tend to have great brightness control, but that doesn't mean they'll look great in every scenario. Even projectors with incredibly high lumens will still struggle to eke out excellent picture quality, especially against the best TVs, in rooms with lots of ambient light.
You also have to contend with other factors I've already mentioned, like focus and keystone correction, adequate screen size to throw ratios, and screen alignment. All of these permutations can impact picture quality on a projector, and if you're not using an ALR screen, they won't look nearly as good as even some budget models.
Projectors also come with their fair share of middling gaming features and performance. They can't match TVs when it comes to input latency or offer the same amount of gaming specs. Some projectors aren't even equipped with a single HDMI 2.1 port, let alone a set of four.
Audio is also another major downside on both sides of the spectrum. Projectors are sometimes designed with impressive speaker quality, but are too loud in operation for it to matter. The Epson LS800 is a perfect example, which has a noticeable hum when it's turned on.
TVs aren't without some headaches in the performance realm, especially poor audio quality. However, TVs have largely improved over the years, and many budget Mini-LED models boast excellent picture quality for the price.
Projector vs 85-inch TV: Verdict
I'm a huge fan of projectors. I've tested tons of different models over the years, and I find they offer incredible performance for a big-screen experience. But they're also not exactly practical.
Short of turning your living room into a movie theater, projectors aren't the better option over an 85-inch TV when it comes to value and performance. Projectors definitely offer that wow factor and might seem easy to set up, but the headaches involved with keystone correction and their exorbitant prices make them hard to recommend.
If you want the best cinematic experiences, big-screen TVs are still your best option. The price-to-performance ratio offered by Mini-LED models these days is what really stands out. You'll get far better color coverage, accuracy and daytime viewing with an 85-inch TV than with a projector.
More from Tom's Guide
- LG C5 OLED vs Samsung S90F: Which Mid-Range OLED TV is Right for You?
- I test TVs for a living — here are my 5 favorite OLED TVs for PS5 gaming
- This new TV breakthrough looks like a game-changer for OLED TVs
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