Optoma UHD38x
The long-running value pick for console gaming: a 4K (XPR) DLP lamp projector rated at 4,000 ANSI lumens, the brightest in this list, with 16.7 ms input lag at 4K/60Hz and an Enhanced Gaming Mode that reaches 4.2 ms at 1080p/240Hz. Retail and review sources consistently cite it as a strong PS5 match because it handles both the console's 4K/60 and 1080p/120 output. At about $999 it delivers the same 4K/60 lag as the BenQ X3100i for roughly $800 less; the trade-offs are a lamp that needs replacing, no built-in streaming apps and a long throw distance.
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Our Verdict
The best price for real 4K PS5 gaming: about $999 buys the same 16.7 ms 4K/60Hz lag as the X3100i, a 4.2 ms 1080p/240Hz mode, and 4,000 ANSI lumens, the brightest rating in this list. It ranks below the X3100i because it uses a lamp, has no lens shift or smart platform, and needs about 13 ft for a 120-inch image, and above the X500i because it is 1,800 lumens brighter for about $500 less.
Score Breakdown
Pros & Cons
Pros
- •4,000 ANSI lumens, the highest brightness rating here, so it copes best with some room light
- •16.7 ms at 4K/60Hz and 4.2 ms at 1080p/240Hz in Enhanced Gaming Mode, matching projectors that cost far more
- •About $999 on Amazon, the lowest price for a 4K projector with 120Hz-capable game modes in this list
- •HDR10 and HLG support for PS5 HDR games
Cons
- •Lamp light source, rated 4,000 hours in bright mode (up to 15,000 in Dynamic/Eco), so a replacement lamp is a running cost
- •No smart platform: streaming needs a separate stick or the PS5's own apps
- •Long throw (about 13 ft for a 120-inch image) and no lens shift, so it needs a deep room
Specifications
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160, DLP XPR) |
| Rated Brightness | 4,000 ANSI lumens |
| Light Source | Lamp (240W) |
| Light Source Life | 4,000 hours bright mode; up to 15,000 hours Dynamic |
| Input Lag at 4K/60Hz | About 16.7 ms |
| Fastest Game Mode | 1080p/240Hz at about 4.2 ms (Enhanced Gaming Mode) |
| Throw / Placement | Standard throw, 1.1x zoom; about 13.1 ft for a 120-inch image |
| HDR Formats | HDR10, HLG |
| Smart Platform | None (use a streaming stick or the PS5 apps) |
Quick Answers
What is the resolution of the Optoma UHD38x?
Optoma UHD38x resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160, DLP XPR).
What is the rated brightness of the Optoma UHD38x?
Optoma UHD38x rated brightness: 4,000 ANSI lumens.
What is the light source of the Optoma UHD38x?
Optoma UHD38x light source: Lamp (240W).
What is the light source life of the Optoma UHD38x?
Optoma UHD38x light source life: 4,000 hours bright mode; up to 15,000 hours Dynamic.
What is the input lag at 4k/60hz of the Optoma UHD38x?
Optoma UHD38x input lag at 4k/60hz: About 16.7 ms.
What is the fastest game mode of the Optoma UHD38x?
Optoma UHD38x fastest game mode: 1080p/240Hz at about 4.2 ms (Enhanced Gaming Mode).
What is the throw / placement of the Optoma UHD38x?
Optoma UHD38x throw / placement: Standard throw, 1.1x zoom; about 13.1 ft for a 120-inch image.
What is the hdr formats of the Optoma UHD38x?
Optoma UHD38x hdr formats: HDR10, HLG.
Who is the Optoma UHD38x for?
It suits pS5 owners who want 4K/60 gaming for about $1,000, rooms with some ambient light, players who already stream through the console. It is not the right pick for small rooms under about 12 ft deep, buyers who want built-in Netflix and YouTube, anyone who does not want lamp replacements.
Is the Optoma UHD38x worth buying?
The long-running value pick for console gaming: a 4K (XPR) DLP lamp projector rated at 4,000 ANSI lumens, the brightest in this list, with 16.7 ms input lag at 4K/60Hz and an Enhanced Gaming Mode that reaches 4.2 ms at 1080p/240Hz. Retail and review sources consistently cite it as a strong PS5 match because it handles both the console's 4K/60 and 1080p/120 output. At about $999 it delivers the same 4K/60 lag as the BenQ X3100i for roughly $800 less; the trade-offs are a lamp that needs replacing, no built-in streaming apps and a long throw distance. It ranks #2 in our Top 5 Projectors for PS5. The best price for real 4K PS5 gaming: about $999 buys the same 16.7 ms 4K/60Hz lag as the X3100i, a 4.2 ms 1080p/240Hz mode, and 4,000 ANSI lumens, the brightest rating in this list. It ranks below the X3100i because it uses a lamp, has no lens shift or smart platform, and needs about 13 ft for a 120-inch image, and above the X500i because it is 1,800 lumens brighter for about $500 less.
Who Is This For?
Best For
- PS5 owners who want 4K/60 gaming for about $1,000
- Rooms with some ambient light
- Players who already stream through the console
Not For
- Small rooms under about 12 ft deep
- Buyers who want built-in Netflix and YouTube
- Anyone who does not want lamp replacements
Where to Buy
Appears In
Compare Head-to-Head
Customer Reviews
Alternatives to Consider
BenQ X3100i
BenQ
BenQ's flagship 4K gaming projector: a 4LED, 0.65-inch DLP (XPR 4K) unit rated at 3,300 ANSI lumens, with a 1.3x zoom and vertical lens shift for flexible placement. For a PS5 it runs 4K/60Hz at about 16.7 ms and drops to roughly 8 ms at 1080p/120Hz, and RTINGS scored it 8.1 for gaming, calling it a great gaming projector if you value both speed and image quality. Android TV is included and the TreVolo speakers support eARC passthrough. Its weak spot is contrast in near-dark scenes, and it is the most expensive pick here.
BenQ X500i
BenQ
The short-throw version of BenQ's gaming formula: a 4K (XPR) 4LED DLP projector rated at 2,200 ANSI lumens whose 0.69–0.83 throw ratio fills a 100-inch screen from about 5 to 6.5 feet, so it fits bedrooms and apartments where a long-throw projector cannot. BenQ quotes about 16 ms at 4K/60Hz and 8 ms at 1440p/120Hz, RTINGS scored it 7.7 for gaming, and Expert Reviews reported no noticeable lag playing 4K/60 PS5 games. It includes Android TV and the same TreVolo speakers as the X3100i, but it is 1,100 lumens dimmer.
Nebula Cosmos 4K SE
Nebula (Anker)
The movie-first, set-and-forget option for a PS5: a 4K projector with Anker's HybridBeam LED-plus-laser light rated at 1,800 ANSI lumens, Dolby Vision, Google TV with licensed Netflix built in, and automatic focus, keystone, screen-fit and obstacle avoidance. A carry handle makes it easy to move between rooms. For gaming it is merely adequate: TechRadar measured 18.5 ms in Game Mode Extreme but 35 ms in the standard game mode, and it is the dimmest projector in this list.
BenQ TH575
BenQ
The budget way to put a PS5 on a 100-inch screen: a 1080p DLP lamp projector rated at 3,800 ANSI lumens, with 16.7 ms input lag at 1080p/60Hz in its Enhanced Game Mode and a 15,000:1 contrast rating. RTINGS called it decent for casual 1080p gaming and noted its contrast gives games decent depth in a dark room. The compromises are real: it cannot accept 4K or 120Hz signals, HDR looks washed out, colors are muted out of the box, and there is no smart platform.