During the research process for this article, it was apparent that there is a notable difference in the way projectors and Roku interact in comparison to Roku TVs. Often, well-known brands such as RCA or ONN suggest packages that come with a Roku Stick. Yet, traditional advice usually advocates for purchasing a separate Roku Stick to guarantee the best compatibility with various devices.
Roku simply needs a HDMI port and a nearby power outlet to work, so technically any projector with a HDMI port supports Roku! Also, its generally not recommended to use the projectors USB port to power your Roku as it may not have enough juice to keep it going.
The RCA RPJ133 is a portable home theater projector with an integrated Roku stick to stream shows in high resolution.
- This projector supports HD media streaming at 1080p and 1080i resolutions.
- It has multiple input ports – USB, VGA, and HDMI – for connecting several devices.
- Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity is available for pairing with wireless external speakers.
The RCA RPJ133 is a home theater projector built to stream HD content via Roku. For instance, it comes with a Roku stick, making it an absolute bargain at its price point.
Despite its Roku-based support, this projector still offers several connectivity options: 3 HDMI ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 VGA port, 1 AUX out the slot port, and 1 AV port. Additionally, you can also connect external speakers via Bluetooth.
The resolution that comes with this projector produces clear videos in both indoor and outdoor settings. Furthermore, you can use it for screen sizes as large as 150 inches and at a distance of 16.5 feet, while maintaining great picture quality.
- The RCA RPJ133 projector comes with a Roku stick for streaming media in high resolutions.
- You can use it both indoors and outdoors.
- You can upgrade the audio with a Bluetooth speaker without needing extra wiring.
- Some users have reported odd, technical sounds coming from the projector.
Tech Specs
| Dimensions: | 12.5” x 10.8” x 4.6” |
| Weight: | 2.3 kilograms (5.1 pounds) |
| Display Technology: | LCD |
| Native Resolution: | 1280 x 720p |
| Supported Resolutions: | 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576i, 480p, 480i |
| Bluetooth: | Yes |
| Speakers: | 2 (5W each) |
| Wi-Fi: | Yes (via streaming stick) |
| Interfaces: | HDMI (2), USB (2), VGA (1), AUX (1), and AV (1) |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4:3/16:9/Auto |
| Projection Size: | 36” – 150” |
The UVision Native 1080p Projector is a small yet powerful projector capable of delivering HD videos in 1080p resolution.
- This projector is most popular for supporting 1080p HD content.
- It offers a small, compact, and dust-proof design.
- It comes with built-in 3W speakers.
The UVision Native 1080p Projector is the perfect projector for streaming Roku on the go. It is much smaller and mobile than most projectors on the market and provides vivid pictures with its native 1080p resolution. This projector is also built to last with its dust-proof case that keeps out dust and dirt.
The connectivity options on this projector could be improved, though. This is because it only has 1 HDMI port, 2 USB ports, 1 VGA port, and 1 Aux out port. That means if you get tired of the sound quality from the 3W dual speakers, there is no Bluetooth option available for connecting other devices. Instead, you have to use the 3.5 mm Aux out to connect your speakers.
Overall, this projector shows its value when it comes to video quality. Thanks to its resolution, it produces clear, vivid images with accurate colors. In addition, it retains this quality across a wide range of screens ranging from 35 to 200 inches in size.
- Due to its high resolution, this projector is able to provide rich and accurate colors.
- It is compatible with a wide range of devices as it has many various ports.
- The speakers provide decent audio quality considering the price.
- This projector doesn’t support Bluetooth connectivity when syncing with external speakers.
Tech Specs
| Dimensions: | 12.5” x 10.8” x 4.6” |
| Weight: | 2.18 kilograms (4.85 pounds) |
| Display Technology: | LCD |
| Native Resolution: | 1920 x 1080p |
| Supported Resolutions: | 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576i, 480p, 480i |
| Bluetooth: | No |
| Speakers: | 2 (3W each) |
| Wi-Fi: | No |
| Interfaces: | HDMI (1), USB (2), VGA (1), AUX out (1), and AV in (1) |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4:3/16:9/Auto |
| Projection Size: | 36” – 150” |
The EZCast Beam H3 Projector is a versatile HD 1080p projector. Not only does it have multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, it’s compatible with a wide range of devices.
- This projector features a Wi-Fi adapter, allowing wireless projection and screen-mirroring from your smartphone.
- This projector’s resolution can support screen sizes of up to 150 inches.
- It features a built-in wireless Bluetooth speaker.
The EZCast Beam H3 Projector is the most versatile projector on this list. Thanks to the sheer number of connectivity options it offers, you can stream from just about any device.
This projector offers all the standard options you'd expect in a modern projector – it has 1 HDMI port, 1 USB A port, and 1 AUX Out port. It further supplements these options with mobile-friendly options including a microSD slot and a USB C slot.
However, the show's real star is the Wi-Fi adapter that plugs into a USB A slot. With this, you can connect your phone, laptop, and other smart devices to the projector over your Wi-Fi network.
The picture quality of the EZCast Beam H3 Projector is also fairly decent. That’s because you can watch movies, games, and other content in full HD.
However, it does come with a bit of a caveat. This projector doesn't perform well in bright settings. Further, if you want to get the best experience, you'll have to turn the lights down.
- It is great for mirroring content from your phone’s screen thanks to its wireless capabilities.
- You can use it as a Bluetooth speaker when paired with your phone.
- It is compatible with a variety of software including Roku TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, and more.
- Its low contrast ratio decreases picture quality.
Tech Specs
| Dimensions: | 9.06” x 6.63” x 3.54” |
| Weight: | 1.20 kilograms (2.65 pounds) |
| Display Technology: | LCD |
| Native Resolution: | 1920 x 1080p |
| Supported Resolutions: | 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576i, 480p, 480i |
| Bluetooth: | Yes |
| Speakers: | 5 Watt Mono speaker |
| Wi-Fi: | Dual-Band (2.4ghz/5ghz) Wi-Fi Adapter |
| Interfaces: | HDMI (1), USB A (1), USB C (1), AUX out (1), and MicroSD (1) |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4:3/16:9/Auto |
| Projection Size: | 35” – 155” |
The RCA Smart Android Wi-Fi Home Projector is quite different from the others on this list. It breaks the mold of traditional projectors by operating with the Android OS.
- The RCA Smart Android Wi-Fi Home Projector comes preloaded with the Android OS so you can view apps like Netflix and HBO without connecting any external devices.
- It features a crisp HD 1920 x 1080 resolution supported by an MStar color engine.
- This projector boasts a noise suppression system with quiet cooling fans and heat dispersion technology.
This means that you can download your favorite streaming apps directly onto the projector. This way, you might not even need a Roku stick to view your favorite shows on apps like Netflix and Hulu with this device.
In addition, the projector delivers clear, crisp images in native HD 1080p resolution. It also comes with noise-suppressing technology that keeps the projector quiet during use.
The ONN Portable Projector is a budget-friendly projector that comes with a Roku stick for HD media streaming.
- The ONN Portable Projector features a compact portable design, perfect for watching movies when you are on the go.
- It comes with an integrated Roku stick.
- It boasts native 720p resolution when streaming HD media.
It's a bit basic compared to some of the projectors on this list.
However, for its low price tag, it still gets the job done.
This projector provides clear visuals, thanks to its high resolution. However, it can have contrast issues especially if you aren't using it in a dark room.
It also has several standard connectivity options to choose from, including HDMI, USB, VGA, and more. There is an AIX out port that you can make use of if you're not particularly fond of its 3W dual speakers.
Roku Projector Decision-Making Factors
Choosing a new Roku projector can be tough due to the various models available on the market. Additionally, the technical jargon on their product sheets can be hard to understand.
So, to help make your purchase easier, here is a breakdown of the top features to look out for in a projector.
Display Resolution
The projector's display resolution or pixel count is one of its key features.
You should go for a projector with at least a 1280 x 720p resolution if you want to be able to stream HD content. Further, you can spring for a 1920 x 1080p 4K projector for higher-quality images.
Brightness
The projector's brightness, measured in lumens, determines how bright the image will be. This means if you're going to use the Roku projector in an area with a lot of ambient light or outdoors, you should get one with a high brightness, generally above 4000 lumens.
On the other hand, the contrast ratio is the ratio between the intensity of the black and white colors in the image. Therefore, a contrast ratio like 2000:1 will deliver clean, deep, and crisp picture quality. Remember, when it comes to the contrast ratio – the higher the better.
Connectivity
Even though you're getting a projector to stream Roku, you can still use it for other devices. So, it's always a good idea to go for one with a nice selection of connectivity options. Apart from the standard USB-A, VGA, and HDMI ports, other good connectivity options to look out for include USB-C, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
Common Questions Relating to Roku Projectors
Do I need to buy external speakers with my Roku projector?
No, you do not need to buy external speakers as most of them have built-in speakers. However, the speaker’s audio quality is average most of the time, so you might want to spring for something better.
How long does a projector last?
The lifespan of a projector is usually represented with a value called the lamp life. The average lamp life is around 15,000 hours or 10 years of normal viewing.
Best Roku Projectors: The Verdict
Choosing a Roku-compatible projector can really help turn movie night into an immersive experience. Just remember to choose the right one that is best suited for your needs.
That’s why we recommend the RCA RPJ133 to people looking for a projector. Not only is it affordable, but it also provides excellent picture quality, and it comes with a Roku stick.
Also, its connectivity options make it very versatile. So, even if you aren’t streaming with your Roku, you can connect other devices like your PS5 to it. This makes it the best Roku projector on the market today.
The RCA RPJ133 is a portable home theater projector with an integrated Roku stick to stream shows in high resolution.
- This projector supports HD media streaming at 1080p and 1080i resolutions.
- It has multiple input ports – USB, VGA, and HDMI – for connecting several devices.
- Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity is available for pairing with wireless external speakers.