Best Overhead Projectors of 2025

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 9, 2025

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Overhead projectors are a popular tool for presentations and lectures. They are compact and portable, making them easy to transport from one location to another. The device projects images and text onto a screen or wall, making it easy for the audience to follow along. Overhead projectors are especially useful for displaying diagrams, graphs, and charts. They are also widely used in classrooms for teaching purposes. The device is simple to use and requires minimal setup time, making it a convenient choice for busy professionals and educators alike.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Apollo Overhead Projector, Horizon 2 Cover #TOP 1
Apollo Overhead Projector, Horizon 2
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Apollo V3000M Projector Cover #TOP 2
Apollo V3000M Projector
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Brookstone 15 Lumens Projector Cover #TOP 3
Brookstone 15 Lumens Projector
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Overhead Projectors

#TOP 1

Apollo Overhead Projector, Horizon 2

V16000M
Gray
Apollo Overhead Projector, Horizon 2 Cover
Apollo Overhead Projector, Horizon 2, 2000 Lumen Output, 10" x 10", Open Head (V16000M)

The Apollo Overhead Projector, Horizon 2, is a popular, reliable, and easy-to-use tabletop projector with 2000 lumen light output. It features a high-efficiency cooling system and thermal shutoff safety switch. The open head with a double fresnel lens assures sharpness and brightness, and the 10" x 10" stage glass accommodates 8.5" x 11" transparency sheets. Weighing just 12 lbs. and with 2 carry grip handles, this projector can be easily moved from classroom to classroom and is ideal for use in small rooms with up to 20 people. It is also transparent film compatible.

What We Like
Sharp and even image quality
High-efficiency cooling system prevents overheating and extends the projector's lifespan
Lightweight and easy to carry, making it convenient for classroom use
Transparent film compatible for creating dynamic presentations
#TOP 2

Apollo V3000M Projector

V3000M
Gray
11 1/4" x 11 1/4"
Apollo V3000M Projector Cover
Apollo 3000 Lumen Open Head Overhead Projector with Marker, 15 x 14 x 27 Inches (V3000M)

The Apollo Overhead Projector delivers 3,000 lumens of bright light, ensuring clear visibility of your transparency sheets. Its advanced lens system allows for precise focusing on images. Specifically designed for medium-sized rooms, it features an 11.25" x 11.25" stage ideal for dense-color transparencies. The high/low switch controls lamp output, extending lamp life and providing flexibility based on your needs.

What We Like
Bright 3,000 lumens
Precise edge-to-edge focusing
Designed for medium-sized rooms
#TOP 3

Brookstone 15 Lumens Projector

MP25
black
mini
Brookstone 15 Lumens Projector Cover
15 Lumens Overhead Projector

The Brookstone Projector is a lightweight and portable device, weighing only 0.65 pounds, making it perfect for your home cinema, business meetings, or educational settings. With a brightness of 15 lumens, it delivers clear and vibrant images up to 50 inches, ensuring your visuals stand out. You’ll appreciate its versatile connectivity options, including USB and HDMI ports, allowing you to connect easily with laptops, tablets, and media players. Plus, its user-friendly button control simplifies operation and focus adjustments, so you can spend less time setting up and more time enjoying your presentations or movies.

What We Like
Lightweight and portable
Bright, vivid image quality
Multiple connectivity options
Easy to control
#TOP 4

ViewSonic PA700X Projector

PA700X
White
Standard
ViewSonic PA700X Projector Cover
ViewSonic PA700X 4500 Lumens XGA High Brightness Projector with Vertical Keystone for Business and Education

The ViewSonic High Brightness Projector is a versatile solution for business and education needs. With a high brightness of 4500 Lumens, it delivers clear visuals in XGA resolution. Setting up is a breeze with 1.1x optical zoom and a 40-degree vertical keystone. Enjoy extended lamp life of up to 12,000 hours with the SuperEco Mode. Connect easily to various devices like media players, PCs, and mobile devices thanks to dual HDMI, VGA, and USB inputs.

What We Like
Versatile projector
Easy setup
Long lamp life
#TOP 5

Apollo Model 16000 Overhead Projector

81846264SEMQ2
Apollo Model 16000 Overhead Projector Cover
Apollo : Model 16000 Overhead Projector, 2000 Lumens, 14 1/2 x 15 x 27 -:- Sold as 2 Packs of - 1 - / - Total of 2 Each

The Apollo Overhead Projector is designed to enhance your presentations with its impressive 2000 lumens brightness. This powerful feature ensures that your visuals are clear and visible, even in well-lit rooms. Its compact dimensions of 14 1/2 x 15 x 27 inches make it easy to transport and set up wherever you need it. The projector is sold in packs of two, providing excellent value for users who require multiple units for larger venues or classrooms. With Apollo's reputation for quality, you can trust that this projector will deliver reliable performance for all your presentation needs.

What We Like
High brightness level
Compact and portable
Value in multi-pack
Reliable brand reputation
#TOP 6

ViewSonic LS832WU Ultra Short Throw Projector

LS832WU
White
5.2" x 15" x 12.5"
ViewSonic LS832WU Ultra Short Throw Projector Cover
ViewSonic LS832WU 5000 Lumens WUXGA Ultra Short Throw Projector with 1.3 Optical Zoom, H/V Keystone, 4 Corner Adjustment, 360 Degrees Projection for Auditorium, Conference Room and Education

ViewSonic LS832WU Projector is a versatile and high-brightness laser projector suitable for auditoriums, conference rooms, and educational settings. With a long-lasting lamp life of up to 30,000 hours, this projector offers easy setup features like ultra short throw ratio, keystone adjustments, and 360-degree projection. You can remotely control the projector with LAN connectivity using various systems. Its flexible connectivity options make it compatible with most media players, PCs, Macs, and mobile devices, providing convenience and seamless integration for your presentations.

What We Like
Versatile High Brightness
Long Lamp Life
Easy Setup Features
#TOP 7

Vivitek D555WH XGA DLP Projector

Vivitek
D555WH
Vivitek D555WH XGA DLP Projector Cover
ViviTek D555WH XGA DLP Projector

The Vivitek DLP Projector is a powerful and versatile device suitable for both personal and professional use. With a brightness of 3000 ANSI Lumens, it offers clear and vivid images even in well-lit environments. Its high resolution of 1024x768 and contrast of 15000:1 provide sharp details and deep blacks, making it ideal for presentations, movies, and gaming. Its DLP display type and color processing of 10-bit ensure accurate and consistent colors. Additionally, the projector is PC 3D Ready, allowing you to enjoy 3D content without any additional equipment. The Vivitek DLP Projector also features a wide range of connection options and a compact and lightweight design for easy transport and installation.

What We Like
Bright and clear images
High resolution and contrast
Accurate and consistent colors
#TOP 8

ViewSonic LS510WH-2 Laser Projector

LS510WH-2
White
ViewSonic LS510WH-2 Laser Projector Cover
Viewsonic LS510WH-2 3000 Lumens WXGA Laser Projector with Wide Color Gamut and 360-Degree Orientation for Business and Education

The ViewSonic Laser Projector offers an impressive 3000 lumens, ensuring bright and clear visuals, making it ideal for both business presentations and educational settings. With a lifespan of up to 30,000 hours, you can count on it for long-term use without frequent replacements. The easy setup features, including 1.1x optical zoom and 40-degree vertical keystone adjustments, allow you to quickly position the projector for optimal viewing. Additionally, the auto power on/off function provides convenience, letting you save energy and time during your presentations.

#TOP 9

Projector Apollo Legend T200

Projector Apollo Legend T200 Cover
Projector Portable Overhead PROJECTOR Apollo Legend T200 in Box

The Apollo Legend T200 Projector is a reliable overhead projector that comes complete with a protective cover, easy-to-follow instructions, and its original box. This projector is perfect for presentations, allowing you to display images and text clearly for your audience. The included cover helps ensure that your projector stays protected when not in use, enhancing its longevity. With the straightforward instructions, you can set it up quickly and get started without any hassle. This makes it a convenient choice for both professional and educational settings, ensuring a smooth presentation experience.

What We Like
Comes with protective cover
Includes easy-to-follow instructions
Original box for storage
Clear image display
#TOP 10

Casio XJ-V10X Portable Projector

XJ-V10X
3,300 Lumens
Casio XJ-V10X Portable Projector Cover
Casio XJ-V10X DLP Hybrid Light Source Portable Projector with Cloth (3,300 Lumens)

The Casio XJ-V10X Projector is designed to deliver stunning visuals with its bright 3,300 Lumen hybrid LED light source, ensuring clear images even in well-lit environments. You can enjoy long-lasting performance with a lamp life exceeding 20,000 hours, which means less frequent replacements. The projector features a Direct ON/OFF function, eliminating annoying waiting times for startup and shut down. With a vibrant contrast ratio of 20,000:1 and a native resolution of 1024 x 768, it’s perfect for making impactful presentations that capture your audience’s attention.

What We Like
Bright 3,300 Lumen output
Long 20,000+ hour lamp life
Instant ON/OFF functionality
High 20,000:1 contrast ratio
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does anyone still use overhead projectors?

Overhead projectors have declined in use as more high-tech options for classroom visual aids became available. The introduction of data projectors in the 1980s and 3D projectors in 2010 contributed to the decrease in overhead projector usage.

2. What are overhead projectors used for?

Overhead projectors are used to display writing or pictures on a sheet of plastic onto a screen or wall. They have a light inside that illuminates the plastic sheet, making the content visible to the audience.

3. Which is better, a digital projector or an overhead projector?

Digital projectors generally offer better picture quality and contrast ratios compared to overhead projectors. Digital projectors have more pixels, larger screen sizes, and brighter white levels, resulting in improved image quality. Overhead projectors are limited by the quality of the printed transparency sheets they use.

4. What are the disadvantages of overhead projectors?

Some disadvantages of overhead projectors include their bulky and heavy nature, making them difficult to transport. They are also more expensive than traditional chalkboards. Overhead projectors require a power supply and a suitable flat surface to project the image onto.

5. Can a projector do everything a TV can?

While projectors can serve as alternatives to televisions for most functions, they are not entirely interchangeable. Televisions have built-in TV tuners, allowing them to receive over-the-air broadcasts, which projectors lack.

6. What are the types of projectors?

There are several types of projectors, including 4k projectors, LED projectors, LCD projectors, Nebula projectors, laser projectors, DLP projectors, light projectors, and mini ray projectors. Each type has its own features and benefits.

7. What is one advantage of the overhead projector?

One advantage of overhead projectors is their simplicity. They rely on low-tech components and do not require users to learn new technologies or skills, making them easy to use and operate.

Editor's Notes

During our overhead projector research, we found 24 overhead projector products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,157 customer reviews through our big data system to write the overhead projectors list. We found that most customers choose overhead projectors with an average price of $881.60.

The overhead projectors are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of overhead projectors, including Apollo, Brookstone, ViewSonic, Vivitek, projector. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.