While PS5 and Xbox Series X launched with the promise of 4K 60Hz gaming, and indeed they target this spec and often achieve it, reality is that it’s not always the case. Many games run in upscaled 4K 60Hz (or 1440p/1800p then upscaled to 2160p), and others target 4K 30Hz. If you have the budget for a 4K projector, then by all means go for it, but do know that PS5 on a full HD 1080p projector provides a great combination of value and enjoyment.
It also depends on what kind of gaming you want to do. If you prefer open world, detail rich AAA titles with a focus on story and various environments, then the 8.3 million pixels shown on a big 120” screen by 4K gaming projectors are definitely a sight to behold. But if you’re looking for first person or third person shooter action, racing games, and fighting titles, the highest possible refresh rate is a priority to consider. The best 4K gaming monitors on the market now offer low input lag 16ms performance in 4K 60Hz, but if you want to go higher refresh than that, the resolution drops to 1080p. With a full HD 1080p projector you can have even lower input lag of just 8ms while reaching 120Hz on the same screen size. Many 4K gaming projectors also support 120Hz and 240Hz, but not in 2160p. If you select those refresh rates, the image output is 1080p anyway.
The conclusion here is the PS5 and Xbox Series X are fine on a 1080p gaming projector. Realistically, for projector-sized screens, you’re going to sit further away from the screen than you would with a TV. That means the detail offered by 4K begins to diminish, and 1080p may be enough for lots of people. Distance from screen means resolution matters less, and another point to consider is how much space you have. Big screens need big rooms and are good for 4K, but if you want a smaller screen (under 100”), then perhaps 1080p is better.
When considering the best combination of resolution and refresh rate, do remember that the few games that support 120Hz on PS5 and Xbox Series X don’t do it in 4K, but usually upscale from 1080p. So again, if your emphasis is on shooters and other fast-paced action games, we recommend going with a higher refresh rate, lower input lag projector that’ll give you 1080p 120Hz with just 8ms total input lag. This is an excellent value and a good entry point to big screen current gen console gaming.