Last Updated: August 18, 2020
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 HD143X 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.
- Top Overall Pick: Optoma HD143X
- Best Value Pick: Vankyo Performance V600
- Highest Performance Projector Pick: Optoma EH512
What to Look For
 | ViewSonic PA503W Lowest Price | Check price at |
 | Optoma EH512 | Check price at |
 | BenQ DLP | Check price at |
 | Epson VS345 | 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 |
Resolution: This is the level of detail a projector can display on a projector screen. Much like the resolution of a laptop or TV, projector resolution is measured in pixels (pixels across by pixels down – 1920 x 1080) and often given an acronym such as HD (High Definition). Essentially the higher the resolution, the more detail a projected image will have.
Image Contrast Ratio: This is the difference between the brightest part of the image and the darkest part of the image. So, for a projector with a contrast ratio of 20,000:1, the brightest part of the projection will be 20,000 times brighter than the darkest part. Essentially the higher the contrast ratio, the sharper a projected image will appear.
Brightness: This is measured in Lumens and is an international standard to measure brightness. The more Lumens a projector has the brighter the image will be. Brightness is very important to consider for two main reasons: If you need to project in a bright environment, you will need a very bright projector to compensate for ambient light. Or if you plan to project on large screen you will need a brighter projector to cover the larger projection surface.
Best School Projector for The Classroom
1. Vankyo Performance V600
The Vankyo Performance V600 is the best cheap 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 and in a simple enough chassis that you can move it from classroom to classroom with ease.
When I say cheap projector – it’s only in the relative price. Maybe it’s more fair to call it the best budget projector. That said, it comes with many of the features you’d find in projectors 3x as more in price. For example, this year the company upped the LED brightness by 20% over past models which makes it fine for rooms with some natural lighting. 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.
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: 5,000:1
Brightness: 3,000 lumen
Connections: HDMI (x2), VGA, USB, AV, SD, Audio Out
Best for: Portability, Overall Value
2. 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 Vankyo Performance V600 or try one of the more expensive choices below.
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
3.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
4. 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 project 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
Best for: Non-HD picture quality
5. Epson VS345
Epson is another leading name in classroom projectors and the Epson VS Series is among their most popular. With a comparable spec sheet to some of the high-end models for a decently reduced price, it’s definitely worth considering if you are a fan of the Epson brand. While still not full HD (1080p) the VS345 has increased resolution to some of the cheaper models with a WXGA display (1280 x 800). This combined with solid brightness and contrast make the Epson another excellent budget school projector.
Resolution: WXGA – 1280 x 800
Image Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1
Brightness: 3,000 lumen
Connections: HDMI, VGA
Best for: Higher resolution budget option
6. Optoma HD143X (Our Pick)
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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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.
11.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
12. Laser Beam Pro C200
Very different to the other classroom projectors, the Laser Beam Pro C200 is a neat (and cute) portable projector. Useful for teachers who move around or for educators who may need to present off-site, this neat little gadget is a cheap and effective way to take your screen anywhere. It is focus free because it has an internal laser to judge the distance to the screen – meaning less hassle for you as you are setting up on the go. Running on Android you can store your presentations and lessons right on the device. No laptop is needed.
Resolution: 1366 x 768p – not full 1080p HD
Brightness: 200 lumen
Connections: HDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth, Flash Drive
Best for: On the go
Do you have a favorite projector or a recommendation? Let us know your tips in the comments below.
Feature image adapted from image courtesy of Flickr, Aurelian Săndulescu (:.