The top 10 coolest projectors

InFocus Play Big IN78

Like the Toshiba ET20, the Play Big IN78 is a home theatre projector that looks awesome. It supports 720p resolution and has 1000 lumens of brightness — well suited to watching high-definition content.
Optoma Pico

DLP Pico technology allows the Pico to create a 60-inch picture with a 1000:1 contrast ratio while only weighing 114 grams. Is this the future of projection? We hope so.
Dell M209x

It’s small and bright — what more could you ask for in a presentation projector. This solid little unit is great for businesses that want good image quality on the move.
Epson EH-TW5000

The newest projector in our line-up, the EH-TW5000 has the groundbreaking feature of an integrated 100Hz mode to smooth fast motion video. It isn’t perfect, but as an indication of the future we think it is promising.
Honourable Mention: DIY Projectors

What do you get when you rip apart a high-resolution LCD monitor, slot it into a home-made box and hook up an ultra-bright horticulture lamp? A DIY projector. There’s a whole online community dedicated to these large, ungainly boxes — understandable since they offer the possibility for superb image quality at a low price.
More iPhone Projector

It’s just a proof-of-concept but we love it nonetheless. Plug your iPhone into the top, hit a few buttons and watch video with a maximum screen size of 27in. Two 2W speakers mean you can also get some half-decent audio.
Panasonic PT-AE3000E

It’s blocky and architectural, has the lens smack bang in the middle and is matte black. Some people might find the PT-AE3000E boring but we think it adds an element of style and class to an otherwise too-slick-and-shiny projector market. Plus it has great image specifications, too.
Mitsubishi Electric HC7000

The HC7000 isn’t particularly new, nor does it have overly impressive specifications. It looks great, though — a mix of the curved styling of the InFocus IN78 and the edges of the Panasonic PT-AE3000E. DLP Pico technology allows the Pico to create a 60-inch picture with a 1000:1 contrast ratio while only weighing 114 grams. Is this the future of projection? We hope so.
Toshiba ET20

The Toshiba ET20 has an integrated DVD player, 5.1 speaker system on-board and a design that looks like HAL9000’s younger brother. It takes out top honours in our projector coolness showdown.
Epson EH-DM2

This budget unit may be a little blocky and boring but it includes a built-in DVD player and a simple interface. For someone who just wants to watch their DVDs without masses of cables it’s a good option.