In the projector vs TV debate, a TV wins on brightness, sharpness and black levels, but a projector wins on size, according to Paul Hibbert, a smart home YouTuber who set a 4K laser projector beside one of the best OLED TVs he could borrow and said that once the TV was off, “I’ve forgotten the TV exists.”
On price, 100 inches is now close either way. On Amazon on October 16, 2026, a Hisense 100-inch TV cost $1,384.97, while a 1080p Epson projector plus a 100-inch pull-down screen came to $921.58.
Projector vs TV: cost of a 100-inch screen
Prices checked on Amazon Oct 16, 2026. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.
| Setup | What you buy | Total (Amazon, Oct 16, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 100” TV | Hisense 100” E6 QLED 4K TV | $1,384.97 |
| 1080p projector + screen | Epson Home Cinema 980 1080p + VIVOHOME 100” pull-down projector screen | $921.58 |
| 4K UST projector + ALR screen | XGIMI AURA 2 UST laser projector + NothingProjector 100” ALR screen for UST projectors | $1,398.99 |
| 4K portable laser, wall only | Hisense M2 Pro portable triple-laser projector | $997.47 |
Projector vs TV: what the math leaves out
- Bigger is free on a projector. Hisense lists the M2 Pro at 65 to 200 inches; going past 100 inches on a TV costs much more.
- Light control. Paul Hibbert says a white screen needs a dark room. An ALR screen for UST projectors lets him watch with curtains open.
- Streaming and sound. The Epson 980 has no built-in smart OS, so add a streaming stick. The AURA 2 and M2 Pro list built-in smart platforms.
- Gaming. Check input lag: Epson lists under 20 ms for the Home Cinema 2350 and XGIMI lists 20 ms for the AURA 2.
Projector vs TV: which should you buy?
Buy a TV for daytime sports, bright rooms and the sharpest picture. Buy a projector for movie nights, if you can darken the room, and if size matters more than perfect blacks. Paul Hibbert’s view is that your eyes adjust and you stop noticing the projector’s weaker blacks, the same way you never compared a cinema screen to an OLED.
Picks for each budget are in Best Projector Under $1,000.
What Paul Hibbert Found Putting a Projector Beside a TV
These points are paraphrased from the video transcripts and credited to each creator. They are the creators’ own findings and opinions, not mine.
- The TV “obliterated” the projector on bright white signage, black levels and shadow detail in dark scenes.
- The projector’s scale made the TV look small as soon as the screen rolled down.
- A UST-specific ALR screen rejects light from above and reflects the projector’s light from below.
- Fresnel ALR screens can show a darker edge and a hot spot where the projector sits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a projector cheaper than a TV?
At 100 inches, a 1080p projector and screen came to $921.58 on Amazon on October 16, 2026, versus $1,384.97 for a 100-inch TV. A 4K UST setup cost about the same as the TV.
Is a projector good for everyday TV watching?
Paul Hibbert watches his every night, but TVs remain better in bright rooms.
Do projectors look good in daylight?
Only with a bright projector and an ALR screen, per Paul Hibbert.
What size screen should I get?
100 inches is a common starting point; projectors like the Hisense M2 Pro list up to 200 inches.
Sources
- Amazon product listings for the products linked above, checked October 16, 2026
- Paul Hibbert: “Projector Destroys TV”
- The Hook Up: “Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors 2026 – Don’t Miss This One”
Related: Best Projector Under $1,000 | XGIMI AURA 2 vs Formovie Theater | Outdoor Movie Projector
Notes and disclosure
Note: Prices come from Amazon listings checked on October 16, 2026. Prices change often, so check the current listing. Specs are the manufacturers’ listed numbers unless a reviewer is credited. Test results and opinions quoted above come from the YouTube reviewers and sites credited in each section; prices those reviewers mention are as of their videos. I have not tested these products myself yet.
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