Private Screening: Towards A New Wave of Brighter, Smarter and Tangle-Free Home Projectors

FOR THE LONGEST TIME, owning a projector meant one of two things: a dedicated, dark home cinema room that cost a fortune, or a clunky office device that required a doctorate in cable management to set up.

But the script has completely flipped now.

The latest crop of projectors has ditched the peripheral status to become standalone entertainment hubs. Gone are the days of frantically searching for a dongle or tethering your laptop just to watch something.

These devices connect directly to Wi-Fi, run your favourite streaming apps natively and often correct their own picture settings before you can even sit down for a viewing.

Choosing the right projector isn’t just about chasing specs. Whether you need a cinemagrade beast for your living room or a capsule-sized companion for your backpack, Esquire India brings you a curation of the best smart projectors in the market right now.

1. XGIMI HORIZON S MAX

Best for: The home cinema purist

The HORIZON S Max is a powerhouse, even boasting IMAX Enhanced certification apart from Dolby Vision support. With a blindingly bright 3100 ISO Lumens, it laughs in the face of ambient light. It also features a built-in gimbal stand that lets you project onto the cieling.

Why we picked it: It bridges the gap between commercial cinema and home viewing. The Intelligent Screen Adaptation

feature means it can detect wall colours and obstacles, adjusting the picture automatically so you don’t have to toggle the settings.

Pros:

• Exceptional brightness (3100 ISO Lumens)
  

• Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced support
  

• Integrated gimbal for easy angle adjustment
  

Cons:

• Bulky form factor; not meant for travel
  

• External power brick is quite large
  

2. LG CINEBEAM Q

Best for: The design aesthete

The LG CineBeam Q looks less like a piece of tech and more like a piece of Bauhaus industrial art. With its rotating 360-degree handle and compact metal body, it is undeniably the most stylish projector on this list. But don’t let the looks fool you; it packs a 4K UHD punch.

While it runs LG’s proprietary WebOS instead of Google TV, it offers the exact same standalone functionality—native access to all major streaming platforms without needing an external source.

Why we picked it: It pairs serious 4K performance with a design you actually want to showcase on your shelf. The auto-screen adjustment is practically magic, aligning the image perfectly in seconds.

Pros:

• Stunning 4K picture quality in a tiny chassis
  

• Beautiful, premium industrial design
  

• Full suite of streaming apps via WebOS
  

Cons:

• No built-in battery; it requires a power outlet
  

• Pricey for its lumen output (500 ANSI Lumens)
  

3. NEBULA CAPSULE 3 LASER

Best for: The frequent flyer

If you have ever wished you could carry a 120-inch screen in your jacket pocket, the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser is your genie in a bottle—or rather, a can.

Roughly the size of a soda can, this projector punches well above its weight class. Unlike its halogen predecessors, the

“Laser” moniker here means it delivers significantly better brightness and contrast, making onthe-go viewing actually enjoyable rather than just a novelty.

It runs on Android TV, meaning Netflix and YouTube are just a click away, no phone required.

Why we picked it:

It’s the ultimate travel flex. The build quality feels premium, and the 2.5-hour battery life is enough to get you through a full movie while camping or at a rooftop after-party.

Pros:

• Easily portable (weighs just 950g)
  

• Laser light source provides sharp 1080p visuals
  

• Great built-in battery life
  

Cons:

• 300 ISO Lumens requires dimly lit conditions
  

• Sound is decent for the size, but thin compared to larger units
  

4. BENQ TK705I

Best for: The gamer Projectors and gaming haven’t always mixed well due to latency. But the BenQ TK705i changes that narrative.

It is a 4K HDR projector specifically tuned for responsiveness, boasting a low input lag of just 5ms at 4K/60Hz. It comes with built-in Google TV, giving you the best of smart streaming and high-performance gaming hardware.

Why we picked it: It’s versatile. By day, its 3000 ANSI Lumens brightness makes it a great living room TV replacement for sports; by night, it’s a massive 150-inch gaming monitor that won’t get you killed in Call of Duty due to lag.

Pros:

• High brightness; works well in brightly lit rooms
  

• Excellent low latency for gaming
  

• Blends seamlessly into your home with premium fabric finish
  

Cons:

• Standard throw ratio requires some distance from the wall
  

• Bigger and less portable; pricier than other options
  

5. LUMIO ARC 7

Best for: The plug and-play minimalist

Homegrown home entertainment brand Lumio delivered a winner right out of the gate—portable enough to carry on a road trip yet packing enough punch to power living room TV experience.

The Arc 7 is a native Full HD projector that’s powered by Google TV, ensuring your streams are high-quality and hassle-free. It features an integrated stand that allows you to flip and position the projector at almost any angle.

Why we picked it: It democratises the big screen experience with impressive audio and visual capabilities. The form factor is distinctively modern, and the auto-keystone correction is snappy.

Pros:

• Unique integrated stand for flexible placement.
  

• Solid speakers for a projector in this range
  

• Excellent value for money in the Indian market
  

Cons:

• 400 ANSI Lumens is limited in bright rooms
  

• Capped at 1080p resolution
  

To read more stories from Esquire India's January 2026 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.