5 Cool Accessories That Can Upgrade Your Home Projector Setup
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If you own a projector, there may be some cool accessories you're missing out on. There can be some pros and cons to replacing your TV with a projector, but making sure you have the proper setup can be one way to tip the scales. While you may have decided to go with one for its potentially larger screens and portability, it's worth knowing that the internet can be home to a variety of gadgets and add-ons that can really benefit your home experience.
When it comes to projector accessories, we took a look at some downright essentials, from an HDMI cable that offers wide compatibility and sizing options to a bi-directional HDMI splitter for providing some additional connection options. It can also be about where you project your image, so we've found a well-reviewed screen alongside a wall mount that promises some versatility. A good set of bookshelf speakers may also help with the audio portion of your setup. Remember to do some additional research to make sure certain items on this list are actually compatible with your chosen projector. Consult your manual, if necessary. Keeping that in mind, whether it's the price, the device's capabilities, or even just the outcome, there's definitely something cool about each of the items below.
Mdbebbron 120-inch Projector Screen
It wasn't just the fact that the $24 Mdbebbron 120-inch Projector Screen is the top-selling projector screen on Amazon, but this item also makes our list for ranking the second-best-selling projector accessory, at the time of writing. It also helps that the item holds a 4.5-star score with over 39,000 ratings from Amazon customers.
Built using polyester, this projector screen includes a 16:9 aspect ratio and offers a total viewing area of 104 inches by 58 inches and can be used both indoors and outdoors. The company also promises that the material is absorbent and will not crease or wrinkle when folded. This may be appealing for those that like portability options, as the screen itself also promises a lightweight design that's easy to carry or store. Users have a number of options when it comes to mounting, including the use of hooks, brackets, double-sided tape, ropes, and more.
Looking at the customer perspective, 87% rate this one 4-stars or higher. Multiple customers rate this one highly for its clear picture quality and easy installation, while several also note that the screen itself can be suitable for outdoor use. Though several compliment the screen's size, some did report issues with securely mounting it. One customer in particular found the screen to be "flimsy." Of course, remember to consider what screen size you need for a home projector before making a purchase, as there's also a larger 150-inch display option that costs $28.
Highwings 6.6-foot 4K HDMI Cable
The Highwings 6.6ft 4K HDMI Cable also makes our list for being a well-reviewed Amazon's Choice model that's also pretty affordable at $6. We're looking at the 6.6-foot version for this list, but be aware Amazon offers a multitude of sizes alongside a few color options as well. This cable may also be worth a second look for its compatibility with other devices, including video game consoles, laptops, and more.
Promising support for resolutions up to 3840 x 2160 (4K Ultra HD) resolution thanks to its compliance with the HDMI 2.0 standard, this cable also features backwards compatibility for previous HDMI generations. The company promises easy pairing, clear images, and the cable has also been tested to handle 15,000 bends without a drop in performance. Additionally, this cable also supports HDR10+ and 3D Max alongside UHD, and there's also DTS Studio Sound audio support.
Backed by a 4.7-star score with over 30,500 ratings from Amazon customers, several note that the cable can be an overall solid value. Giving high marks for both its functionality and picture quality, many also have nice things to say about its overall compatibility with other devices. Be that as it may, some users did lower their ratings due to the quality of the cable, with one user mentioning that it began cutting out randomly when in use. Nonetheless, this one can be worth considering, if your old HDMI cable has already started showing warning signs.
Anker 2-in-1 Out HDMI Bi-directional Switcher
Being one of the top tech accessory brands on Amazon, there are decent odds you've at least seen one of Anker's products, and the Amazon's Choice Anker 2-in-1 Out HDMI Switcher may be appealing for those that need more HDMI options for their projector. Essentially, this $13 device allows users to switch between HDMI input options with the touch of a button, though the company makes sure to note that this device does not support automatic signal detection.
Supporting resolutions up to 4K with a 60Hz refresh rate, Anker does note that users should use HDMI less than 3.3 feet in length with this switcher, and the combined total of the cable lengths should not exceed 6.5 feet. Nonetheless, Anker's switcher does support a variety of formats, including HDR, High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), 3D capabilities, and Dolby. Anker also focused on a small design for this switcher, with the unit itself measuring 2.17 inches tall, 2.17 inches wide, and 0.57 inches thick.
On Amazon, customers give this one an average 4.4-star score with over 4,000 ratings. Complimenting it for its plug and play capabilities, users also give this Anker accessory high marks for its small size and overall picture quality. However, at least one user mentions random audio dropouts, whereas a number of users also complain about connection losses and black screens. Nonetheless, this one can be a consideration for those familiar with the brand name.
Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Edifier is among the best home audio speaker brands and the $130 Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers holding a 4.6-star score with over 19,000 ratings can be a great addition to your projector setup. Featuring two audio channels and a 4-ohm impedance, these speakers also include 13mm tweeters as well as a 4-inch woofer.
Users can also adjust the bass and treble through the included side panel knobs, which are located on the active speaker. A remote control is also included with this set. Moreover, the speakers have a 42 W maximum output power and receive power through an AC cable. Edifier also promises wide compatibility with these speakers, including projectors, tablets, televisions, and more.
For reviews, several customers note that this Amazon's Choice item worked well with their projector, while many also compliment the overall easy setup these speakers provide. Moreover, users compliment these speakers on their build quality and also give points for the included remote control. However, reactions do appear mixed about the overall volume of these speakers. Some find the volume to be acceptable, whereas others find them to be too quiet. However, those who take price into consideration may want to look further into the details.
Wali Universal 3-in-1 Projector Ceiling Wall Mount
Though there are a number of mounting options available on Amazon, we're going with the Wali Universal 3-in-1 Projector Ceiling Wall Mount for its positive reviews and multiple sizing options ranging from mini small all the way up to large. Made from steel and capable of supporting up to 44 pounds, Wali's offerings can support a variety of surfaces, including brick ceilings, concrete, and wooden studs. However, it's worth noting that this mount does not support regular drywall or vaulted ceilings.
Including a low profile design that's fully adjustable, this wall mount also supports tilting the projector plus or minus 15 degrees while also allowing for plus or minus 8 degrees of swivel room. For ceiling installations, the pole length of the medium-sized version can be adjusted between 16.9 inches and 25.6 inches, whereas for wall mounting it can range from 13.8 to 22 inches. A mounting hardware kit is also included with this one.
With 86% of customers rating this one 4-stars or higher, it also holds a 4.4-star rating with over 4,400 reviews. Giving praise for its easy installation and its "simple and effective" design, users also appreciate this mount for its compatibility with multiple projector types (though users may need to determine the right size for their projector). On the other hand, customers do complain about stability issues, and one customer did report that the installation instructions can be too broad. Despite this, this $27 wall mount may still be worth looking at for those looking to turn their TV space into a home cinema.
Methodology
Along with ensuring each item on this list can actually serve a useful purpose for projector owners, we also considered what actual customers had to say about these items. We made sure that each item on this list holds a 4-star rating or better, while also making sure that everything is backed by hundreds, if not thousands of reviews. We also favored items that held any special accolades, such as being an Amazon's Choice item for having good reviews and affordable pricing.