When everything works well, classroom projectors are the epicenter of the best digital learning spaces. A shared portal to engaging media where every student can be focused and actively involved.
When they don’t work well, classroom projectors are the source of endless frustration, muffled curse words and a hindrance and distraction to learning.
Given that even the cheapest projectors still cost hundreds of dollars we want to share with you the most popular and best projectors to help your school avoid the frustrations of a cheap and nasty setup. If you are looking for the quick answer, our top pick is the Optoma HD146X but regardless of the choices below, do take the time to look through all the tech specs to be sure it will fit your classroom needs.
A Word About Supply Chains..
It’s likely you are as sick of hearing about this as I am, but projector supply has been hit hard by supply chain disruptions. What is in stock one week will often be out the next. It’s gotten better in 2023 than in previous years, but sometimes projector mdoels are hard to find.
That’s why it’s important to know what features are important for you and your classroom – if one model isn’t available you’ll be able to pick a comparable projector with the same features.
Table of Contents
 | Optoma HD146X | Check price at |
 | Epson Pro EX9240 | Check price at |
 | ViewSonic PA503W Lowest Price | Check price at |
 | Optoma EH512 | Check price at |
 | BenQ DLP | Check price at |
 | Optoma HD143X | Check price at |
 | ViewSonic PRO7827HD | Check price at |
 | Optoma ML750ST | Check price at |
 | Optoma GT1080 | Check price at |
 | ViewSonic PG705HD Full 1080p | Check price at |
What To Look For In A School Projector
A school projector is going to be used nearly every day in your classroom. You’ll be sharing valuable information – either from your document cameras or your laptop. You want to make sure you are happy with your purchase, and that your projector has all the necessary features to make your teaching life easier.
Here are some features to check out when shopping for a new projector.
Best School Projectors Compared
Best Classroom Projector For 2023 Reviews
Best Overall Projector: Optoma HD146X
The Optoma HD146X is the best projector on our list for delivering 1080p images in a “portable” format. I put portable in quotes because it isn’t battery-powered – but it is light enough at around 6 pounds and in a simple enough chassis that you can move it from classroom to classroom with ease.
While not as cheap as the gazillions of $100 off-brand projectors you’ll find on the market, it’s much better suited to the classroom environment. The DLP projection technology allows this projector to achieve brightness levels you’d find in projectors 3x the price. This means it CAN work in rooms with ambient light, but it doesn’t mean you SHOULD (with any projector). I would dim the lights in my classroom to help avoid washout. You should also expect the bulb to last over 15,000 hours – that’s in the upper-end for any projector.
There is a built-in speaker, but as with most projectors that even have one it doesn’t get very loud. It’s fine for presentations and in-class movies, but don’t expect a cinematic experience from any built-in projector speaker. It comes with a three-year warranty which compares well with other manufacturers.
Resolution: HD 1080p – 1920 x 1080
Image Contrast Ratio: 25,000:1
Brightness: 3,600 lumen
Connections: HDMI,USB, Audio Out
Best for: Portability, Value for brightness
Best 1080P Output Projector: Epson Pro EX9240
If budget isn’t a huge issue – but having a high-quality projector from a trusted brand that will get the job done is – the Epson Pro EX9240 is an excellent choice.
This classroom projector will serve you well for years to come. First, it’s a full HD (1080p) projector. While HD isn’t necessary for all classrooms, if you show videos you’ll be happy you went with the higher resolution. It’s also quite bright, with a 4000 lumen rating you won’t have your screen washed out with some ambient light.
There are plenty of ways to get your content to this classroom projector. Besides the 2x HDMI, component, composite and USB ports, it has wireless screen mirroring capabilities as well.
It comes with a built in speaker that’s quite powerful (16W). The only downside is no audio out – if the speaker really isn’t loud enough for you you can buy a HDMI audio extractor to run sound to a different speaker system.
Resolution: 1080p – 1920 x 1080
Image Contrast Ratio: 16000:1
Brightness: 4000 lumen
Connections: HDMI (x2), component, composite and USB ports. Wireless connectivity.
Best for: A teacher that wants a high-quality, future-proofed projector that works well.
ViewSonic PA503W
Not everyone feels comfortable spending a few hundred dollars on an electronic product from an unknown brand. If this is you and you need to input 1080 resolution, the ViewSonic PA503W is a great choice. This projector can take HD content and natively downscale it to WXGA without distortion – you’ll still get the longer, rectangle-effect for your presentation. It can be used to project images anywhere from just over 3 feet to over 35 feet away. If you need HD output – either buy the Optoma GT1080 or try one of the more expensive choices above.
It only weighs in at approximately 5 pounds, so you can move it from room to room. The vertical keystone function is helpful here – you can adjust the picture easily if you move it regularly. With some models, this can be a chore.
The Eco-mode is an added bonus. If you forget to turn off the projector it can be told to go to sleep after a period of inactivity. Both the three-year warranty and the reputation that ViewSonic has built over the years provide comfort this projector will be working well into the future.
Resolution: WXGA – 1280X800
Image Contrast Ratio: 22,000:1
Brightness: 3600 lumen
Connections: HDMI, VGA (x2), USB, VGA out.
Best for: A value-priced product from a Brand you know and trust
Optoma EH512
The ultimate of all the projectors, not just classroom projectors, the Optoma EH512 is for some serious high-def projecting. With crystal clear picture and unrivaled brightness, you can expect (and will) pay a premium for the quality and features you’ll find on this model.
But oh does it have some features! Cast Pro enables wireless screen mirroring with Android, Windows and Apple devices. You won’t have to plug-in cables to share your screen – it’ll happen magically over wifi. If you want, you can use the LAN display to connect up to 4 separate computers and display their screens simultaneously.
One of the most adaptable for any environment and device, this projector takes just about every input available, making it an excellent option if you have the budget.
Resolution: Full HD 1080p – 1920 x 1080
Image Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1
Brightness: 5,000 lumen
Connections: HDMI (x2), DisplayPort, VGA, USB (x2), S-video, Ethernet, VGA-out, Audio-out
Best for: Teachers looking for out-of-the-box screen sharing
BenQ DLP
The only BenQ model on the list, the BenQ DLP has one of the strongest specs of the non-HD projectors. With a higher brightness than the rest in this category and HDMI input it is an all round strong performer. While the BenQ does not support full HD (1080p), once again this is only an issue if you plan on showing hi-res material.
This projector also has the ability to add wireless dongles so you can present to your class without having to be plugged in. Definitely a classroom projector to consider if you don’t have a pile of money to spend, the concession of HD will mean you can still have great picture quality at a reasonable price.
Resolution: WXGA – 1280×800
Image Contrast Ratio: 20,000:1
Brightness: 4000 lumen
Connections: HDMI, VGA, USB,RS232, Audio out
Best for: Non-HD picture quality
Epson is another leading name in classroom projectors and the Epson EX Series is among their most popular. This model was introduced in 2021 and has everything you’ll need for your classroom.
Resolution: Full 1080p
Image Contrast Ratio: 16,000:1
Brightness: 3,600 lumen
Connections: HDMI x2, VGA
Best for: Higher resolution budget option
Optoma HD143X
The first Hi-Spec High Definition (HD) entry in our list of classroom projectors, the Optoma HD143X is amazingly good value for what it delivers. With top-end resolution and crystal clear contrast this is great option if you are looking for a more modern future-proof piece of equipment. One of the best selling projectors, the HD143X offer the perfect balance for schools with high end features at a very reasonable price. A real all-rounder!
Resolution: Full HD 1080p – 1920 x 1080
Image Contrast Ratio: 23,000:1
Brightness: 3,000 lumen
Connections: HDMI, USB
Best for: Overall value for money
ViewSonic PRO7827HD
The ViewSonic PRO7827HD is another HD projector that has a good balance of features and price. While it’s a strong choice for the classroom and ViewSonic is a very reputable name, there are a few other models and brands offering higher specs for a very slight increase in price. If you are willing to spend a small bit more you find you are able to get a little more to get a bit more bang for your buck.
Resolution: Full HD 1080p – 1920 x 1080
Image Contrast Ratio: 22,000:1
Brightness: 2,200 lumen
Connections: HDMI, USB, VGA
Best for: All-rounder
Optoma ML750ST
The Optoma ML750ST is one of the few higher-end portable classroom projectors. While the technical specs may not quite match up to some of its equally-priced competitors, the ML750ST makes up for that in its impressively small footprint. Tiny enough to fit in the palm of your hand and weighing in at under one pound, it’s quite remarkable how so much power has been squeezed into such a small device.
This projector is a short-throw model. It’s designed to work in areas where there’s not a lot of room between the projector and the screen. You can position this projector just 6 feet away from the screen and have an image of 100 inches appear.
This isn’t for everyone. Once again, this not the projector for a permanent classroom fixture (your money can go further with another model) but if you are looking for something to fit on your desk and project to a closeby screen, it’s great choice. If you need something light and easy to carry you can’t go past this little pocket rocket!
Resolution: WXGA – 1280 x 800
Image Contrast Ratio: 20,000:1
Brightness: 700 ANSI lumen
Connections: HDMI, MHL
Best for: High quality portable
Optoma GT1080
We’re now getting into the more high-end equipment and bigger price tags with the Optoma GT1080. With incredible brightness and contrast the GT1080 has been created as a gaming projector. This means, depending on your classroom projector needs, it will better suited to fast moving video and action. If you are just looking to present slides then maybe look elsewhere, but if you want a top quality projector for a computer lab or school cinema club then the GT1080 is an excellent hi-spec option.
Resolution: Full HD 1080p – 1920 x 1080
Image Contrast Ratio: 25,000:1
Brightness: 2,800 lumen
Connections: HDMI, MHL, USB
Best for: Gaming and video
ViewSonic PG705HD Full 1080p
A real all-round hi-spec HD projector, the ViewSonic PG705HD is at the top end of the ViewSonic range. This projector comes with network connectivity – this allows IT staff to monitor and manage the projector remotely on campus. With exceptional brightness, sharpness, resolution and power, the PG705HD is well worth the price if it planned for high use and heavy requirements. With a variety of inputs and ViewSonic’s exclusive HDMI-streaming PortAll dongle, the projector can be used with just about any device found in a school or classroom.
Resolution: Full HD 1080p – 1920 x 1080
Image Contrast Ratio: 22,000:1
Brightness: 4,000 lumen
Connections: HDMI, VGA, MHL, USB, Ethernet
Best for: Overall top-spec and connectivity.
ViewSonic PJD5155
ViewSonic is one of the leading brands in the classroom projectors and produces so many different models you can nearly customize your own. The ViewSonic PJD5132 is at the cheaper end of the ViewSonic spectrum but has all the specs you would expect for a solid performing projector. It is worth noting that this model does not support full HD (1080p) display. This concession is well worth it for the price drop if you do not need this level of picture detail. The ViewSonic PJD5132 still boast great contrast and brightness, so if you are happy with the lower resolution this is a great way to save some money.
Resolution: SVGA – 800 x 600
Image Contrast Ratio: 20,000:1
Brightness: 4,700 lumen
Connections: HDMI, VGA, S-Video, Mini-USB
Best for: Value for money
Best Sub-$100 Projector: WiMiUS K2
I’m not really recommending you go this cheap on the classroom projector spectrum. In this realm of “no-brand” brands, you’ll find quite a bit of deceptive listings. Very few projectors list the ANSI-brightness – they will go with something called “light source lumens” which aren’t comparable to the higher-priced projectors. (If you multiply the listed brightness by 0.04 you will get close.) Most won’t be able to handle all but the darkest classrooms.
You’ll also need to check on resolution – often something listed as “HD” will have a native resolution of something lower.
However, sometimes you have to make do. Luckily, an ex-teacher over at The Hookup did a video comparing these cheap projectors. He’s a great guy, and very thorough. I highly recommend following his YouTube channel. His highest ranked pick that is currently still available is the WiMiUs 720p Native. For the money, it’s a good portable projector – and would be an excellent choice for a kids room. I’m just not comfortable recommending anything this dim for a classroom.
Resolution: 1280 x 800
Brightness: 240 AMSI lumen
Connections: HDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth. 5 Watt speaker.
Best for: Extremely tight budgets
Do you have a favorite projector or a recommendation? Let us know your tips in the comments below.