Suppose you’re thinking about using a projector to watch movies or play games at home, hold presentations at your workplace, or teach at school. In that case, the number of lumens is a very important thing you should consider before purchasing the projector. You can’t just go and buy the first one you’ll find. Everything depends on why you need it and where you’ll be using it.
A projector is an optical device that projects a picture on an adequate surface. You can use a clean, white wall or, even better, a screen specially made for projectors. Because the projectors use light, their brightness is expressed and measured in lumens. So before buying it, you must first ask yourself how many lumens is good for projector to have?
Lumens and Ambient Light
To be able to invest in the most reliable and suitable projector for your needs, you first must have a clear understanding of the two factors essential for picking out the best projector for you. The number of lumens a projector contains and the ambient light in the room in which the projector will be used.
Lumens
Lumen simply means light, and this is a measurement to understand how much brightness a projector will provide you with. The higher the number of lumens that a projector offers, the brighter and higher quality picture you’ll be getting. But, the ideal number of lumens depends strictly on the light in a room and the reason why you need a projector in the first place.
Ambient light
Simply put, ambient light is the natural light that comes into a room. Depending on the room’s light in which you’re planning to use the projector, you can determine the ideal number of lumens. If the room is dark, it’s best to use a projector with a low number of lumens, and if the room is very bright, a projector with a high number of lumens will do the job perfectly.
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How Many Lumens Is Good for Projector
As previously mentioned, a lumen is a measurement for light, and when you’re buying a projector, that’s the most important thing you need to consider. Depending on the screen size and light that the room has, you can determine what number of lumens will be the best choice for you. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the display will be, so if you’re planning to use the projector in a bright room with lots of natural light, consider buying a projector with a higher number of lumens.
Projector with 1,000 to 2,000 lumens
Using a projector with a minimum of 1,000 and up to 2,000 lumens is the best for tiny and dark rooms and for projecting small or medium-sized images. The 1,000-2,000 lumens projectors are ideal for your kids’ room, but other than that, always go for the minimum of 2,000 lumens.
Projector with 2,000 to 3,000 lumens
Consider buying a projector with 2,000 to 3,000 lumens to display more extensive and more detailed images. If you need a projector for your home theatre or for playing games, anything between 2,000 and 3,000 lumens is a perfect choice. If you want to use the projector in a room with a bit of natural light, purchasing a projector with 3,000 lumens will be just enough.
Projector with 3,000 to 5,000 lumens
If you’re planning to use the projector in a bigger room such as a classroom, everything over 3,000 lumens is worth considering. Don’t make a rookie mistake and purchase this projector if you plan to use it in your room. It might be too bright, and you’ll have difficulties using it because the brightness will tire your eyes.
Projector with over 5,000 lumens
For conference rooms, auditoriums, outdoor cinemas, and similar spaces, the ideal projector you should use is the one that has at least 5,000 lumens. Usually, those are the spaces that have lots of windows, so the brightness and light are very high. Anything between 4,000 to 6,000 lumens will do the job perfectly, especially if you plan to use it outdoors. In places with a large amount of direct natural light, it’s hard to get the desired visibility of the displayed content.
Using a projector with a more significant number of lumens will provide the best picture quality and the ultimate brightness needed for the pictures to be clearly seen, even from the people who are sitting in the back.
How to Choose the Best Projector for Your Needs
There are a few more little things to pay attention to that can help you purchase the best projector on the market. So, try to pay attention to the following factors:
- Decide what will be the main purpose of the projector. Determine if you need it for home use, do you need it for smaller or bigger rooms, etc.
- Think about whether the room you’re planning to use the projector in is filled with bright and natural light or if it’s a darker room with not much light getting in.
- Consider buying a projector screen because the content will be better displayed on a screen specially made for this purpose, instead of on the wall.
- Decide on the size of the projector screen. The bigger the screen, the higher amount of lumens in the projector you’ll need.
Conclusion
Simply put, the best amount of lumens depends on your needs. You don’t have to go and buy the projector with the highest lumens number if you’re planning to use it in your small, not so bright room. Just follow this rule: lower lumen amount for small and dark places, higher lumen amount for big spaces, or for outdoor use. It’s as simple as that. And now that you know how many lumens is good for projector, you can easily purchase the most suitable one for you. Just decide what you need the projector for and where you’ll use it, and from there, it shouldn’t be hard to determine the right amount of lumens.