Expert Guide to the Best 4000-Lumen Projectors

With traditional projector lamps being phased out of existence in a few years, IT managers are looking for their next generation of 4000 lumen projectors to replace outdated lamp projectors.   With the introduction of affordable LED and laser projectors from top brands – what should you look for in a conference room or classroom projector in 2024? This article explores the differences between the four popular projector models you may want to consider for a projector that costs under $1500.

• Best technology for 4000 lumen projectors – LED, Laser, or Lamp
• Color Accuracy and HDR Support
• Lamp Life & Power usage
• Usage, Warranty and Maintenance 

Like televisions, projector technology has changed dramatically over the last few years. According to Futuresource, nearly half of the 4000 lumen 1080p projectors sold to businesses in 2023 used solid state lighting.  What are the three types of projector lighting technology for a 4000-lumen projector?

LED represents the newest and most promising projector technology due to its lower power use, excellent color performance and long life.  The latest projectors use up to four different colored LED banks to create a razor-sharp image that delivers unparalleled color accuracy and image quality. Today, 4000 lumen 4LED projectors are now available from top projector brands, and last up to 30,000 hours.

Laser projectors are now the standard for higher brightness projectors. These use a blue laser and phosphor wheel to create very bright images that are more color accurate than most lamp-based models. They also last 20,000 hours, making them an ideal platform for digital signage applications. 

These projectors use special mercury lamps that are being phased out of many countries – and California. It makes the initial cost of the projector less expensive, but these lamps have a shorter life span and lose brightness faster than LED or laser technology. Because the lamp contains mercury, it may require special disposal of the old lamp.

Want a projector that can properly replicate Amazon Orange, UPS Brown, or Coca Cola Red? If you are using a projector for business – getting your logo right involves a key specification that is missing from most 4000 lumens – color accuracy.

A 4000-lumen projector without accurate color can make Starbucks green look like a can of Monster Energy. The industry color accuracy standard for TV’s is Rec. 709 – so a simple check of the projectors specs can tell you if it has color accuracy – or not. Note that “color brightness” isn’t the same as color accuracy.

If you need a projector to show video content, the best 4000 lumen projectors now have support for HDR and HLG as well.  These technologies make darker scenes more visible and increase the dynamic color on any video you show in the classroom or conference room. And yes – it works great with Blu-Ray movies and streaming. 

While each model has about the same brightness and resolution, they have different imaging and lamp technology. This means there’s a big difference in how long each one lasts – and how much power they use.  The new BenQ models also have special SmartEco technology that enables the projector to use less power when showing diverse types of content – without losing brightness. These are key components in determining the cost of ownership on each of these popular models. 

Both BenQ 4000 lumen models come with a three-year warranty. The laser-powered Epson EX11000 comes with a one-year warranty, and the mercury lamp powered Epson PowerLite 992F comes with a two-year warranty on the projector and a 90-day warranty on the lamp. 

BenQ projectors do not have any usage limitations attached to the warranty, and both projectors are rated for 24/7 use. This is a key factor if you are using a projector for digital signage, hotel lobby, or sports bar where the projector is a key part of daily operations.

Both Epson 4000 lumen projectors can have the warranty voided due “excessive” or “continual” use – even though both are considered commercial projectors. Epson does not document how much you can use the projector without violating the warranty terms, and any dispute must be handled by a third part arbitration service. 

The two BenQ are designed to be completely maintenance free and use a sealed light engine to make them immune from dust contamination. The LH650 has been certified as dustproof by the extreme IP5X torture test, which subjects the projector to a massive amount of dust – and then examined by third party engineers for certification.

The two Epson projectors use filters that require regular maintenance to keep the projector from overheating. Failure to properly maintain and clean the filter will void the warranty. 

Because the BenQ models use DLP technology, you don’t have to worry about the projector starting to turn yellow over time.   This technology is the only one used in commercial cinema projectors in 2024, where the projector must deliver a perfect picture 365 days per year.

In 2024, the best 4000 lumen projectors are significantly more advanced than those available only a few years ago and are much less expensive.  With the latest LED and laser technology that can deliver both high brightness and precise color accuracy and 30,000 hours of life – there’s no reason not to consider upgrading your old mercury lamp projector.  Plus, with new SmartEco technology, you can save up to 50% of your electricity cost – and eliminate the need to clean messy filters. These are the most advanced 4000 lumen projectors in 2024 in many ways– and promise to transform thousands of meeting rooms and classrooms in the years ahead.