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Looking for a projector that turns your living room into a home cinema or adds a splash of aurora-style ambience to your bedroom? You’re in the right place. In this guide I’ll walk you through what to look for, highlight UK retailers worth checking out (including Menkind and popular outlets that stock everything from big-brand home theatre projectors to novelty devices like the Red5 Northern Lights Projector), and give practical tips to get the best picture without blowing your budget.
Projectors give you a cinema-size image without the wall full of boxes that a huge TV brings. Want an epic movie night with a screen that’s 100 inches across or more? A projector can get you there for a lot less than a giant flat panel. They’re portable, often pack smart features, and can double as mood lighting or gaming displays. Think of a projector like a magic paintbrush — it throws light and transforms whatever surface you point it at.
There are a few common flavours: lamp-based, LED, and laser. Lamp projectors usually give bright images for less up-front cost but need lamp replacements after a few thousand hours. LED and laser tend to last longer and run cooler, often offering sharper colour and less maintenance. For ambient mood projectors, LED units like the Red5 Northern Lights projector are popular because they’re compact and don’t generate tons of heat.
Depending on whether you want the latest 4K home cinema unit, a compact portable projector, or a decorative projector that splashes colour over your ceiling, different UK stores make sense. Below I break down several retailers so you can quickly match what they specialise in with your needs.
Menkind is the kind of place you go when you want gadgets that double as conversation pieces. Their range often includes lifestyle and novelty projectors aimed at mood and ambience rather than full-blown cinema setups. A great example is the Red5 Northern Lights Projector — a compact gadget that projects drifting aurora-style lights to create a relaxing atmosphere in a bedroom or chill-out corner. If you’re after quirky tech gifts or compact LED projectors that are easy to set up, Menkind is worth a look.
Currys (formerly Currys PC World) is convenient for mainstream and mid-range projectors from reliable brands. They stock everything from entry-level home projectors to mid-tier models that work well in living rooms with controlled lighting. Currys is a good first stop if you want a balance of price, warranties, and in-store advice.
John Lewis tends to carry a curated selection of higher-quality home electronics, and you’ll often find models aimed at home cinema enthusiasts. They’re known for solid customer service and extended warranties, so if peace of mind matters — for example, buying a pricier 4K projector — John Lewis is worth considering.
Argos is a go-to for budget-friendly projectors and compact portable models. If you want an affordable mini projector for casual movie nights or to test how a projector fits in your space before upgrading, Argos often has great value options and fast click-and-collect availability.
Richer Sounds is a specialist retailer focused on audio-visual gear. Their staff live and breathe soundbars, receivers and projectors, and can help you choose a projector that suits your room and pair it with a proper sound setup. They’re ideal if you want a more immersive cinema-grade experience and expert advice on fine-tuning the picture and audio.
Amazon UK gives you massive variety — from big-name home theatre projectors to budget mini projectors and niche novelty devices. Specialist shops such as ProjectorPoint and Projectors.co.uk focus exclusively on projection equipment, often carrying high-end models, professional projectors, and specialist screens. Use product reviews, seller ratings, and comparison tools to weigh up options when shopping online.
Picking a projector isn’t rocket science, but there are a few must-know specs and practicalities. Think about where you’ll install it, how big you want the image, how bright the room gets, and whether you need smart features or low latency for gaming. Ask yourself: do I want a full movie-theatre feel, or a flexible, portable unit that can travel between rooms?
Brightness is measured in lumens. For a dark home cinema room, 1,500 to 2,500 lumens can be fine; for rooms with ambient light you’ll want 3,000 lumens or more. Take brightness like choosing a light bulb — more lumens means a clearer image in brighter rooms, but you’ll pay for that extra punch. Mood projectors such as those that generate aurora effects typically work well at lower lumens because they’re not trying to compete with daylight.
Resolution determines image detail. Full HD (1080p) is crisp for most viewers, while 4K offers the finest detail if you sit close or have a huge screen. Speaking of size, projectors can easily produce images from around 40 inches diagonal up to 120 inches or more. If you’re aiming for about 100 inches, make sure your projector supports that projection size at your chosen placement distance.
Throw distance is how far the projector needs to be from the screen to create a particular image size, usually expressed via throw ratio. Short throw and ultra-short throw projectors can be placed a few feet from the screen and still make a large image, which is handy in smaller rooms. Measure your room in feet and check the projector’s throw specs so you don’t end up with an image that’s too small or too huge for the wall.
Look for HDMI, USB, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth and screen-mirroring options. Many modern projectors include smart platforms so you can stream from apps without an external box. If you game a lot, check input lag — lower is better. For portable or novelty projectors, battery life and ease of setup might be more important than raw connectivity depth.
Different projectors shine in different roles. Below I break down some common use cases and which categories they fit.
For a proper movie room, prioritise resolution (1080p or 4K), contrast ratio for deep blacks, and a bright enough lamp for your room size. Pair the projector with a screen and a decent sound setup and you’ll have a real cinema feel. Retailers like John Lewis, Richer Sounds and specialist online stores carry models aimed at this audience.
These are tiny, light, and sometimes battery-powered, great for mobile movie nights or projecting onto a patio wall after dark. Menkind and Argos stock several compact LED models, and Amazon is loaded with budget mini projectors. Keep your expectations about brightness — tiny projectors rarely match a full-sized home cinema unit on picture clarity.
If you want to create a chill atmosphere rather than watch crisp 4K movies, novelty units like the Red5 Northern Lights Projector are perfect. They project flowing colours and patterns, ideal for bedrooms, parties, or as a relaxing night light. Menkind is a great source for these lifestyle gadgets.
Gamers should prioritise low input lag and decent refresh rates. Many projectors aimed at home cinema now offer gaming modes which reduce lag. For competitive play, a high refresh-rate monitor still wins, but for console and immersive single-player gaming, a projector with low lag and a large image can be spectacular.
Want great value without overspending? Start with a mid-range projector and spend a little on a decent screen and soundbar. Use blackout curtains to control ambient light, and set up the projector to match the screen size you actually need rather than maxing out the throw. Small changes — like turning off bright lamp modes and calibrating the colours — can make a world of difference without extra cash outlay.
A painted wall can work, but a proper projection screen boosts contrast, sharpness, and colour accuracy. If you’re serious about movies, a fixed or pull-down screen in the 80 to 120 inch range will dramatically improve the experience. If budget is tight, a high-quality projection paint or a cheap tensioned screen can be a surprisingly good compromise.
Projectors handle the picture; speakers handle immersion. Even a compact 2.1 soundbar adds depth and dialogue clarity compared with the projector’s built-in speaker. If you want full home theatre vibes, pair the projector with a surround setup driven by a small AV receiver, or go for a high-quality soundbar if space or budget is limited.
Projectors can give thousands of hours of enjoyment if you maintain them properly. Clean filters, avoid dusty environments, and follow recommended lamp-replacement intervals if you have a lamp-based unit. LED and laser models need less hands-on care and often outlast lamp units, which is why many people opt for them despite a higher initial price.
Lamp replacements can be a recurring cost and might require a service visit. LED and laser projectors cost more up-front but save worry and maintenance later. If you want a “set and forget” approach, LED or laser is a strong choice.
Keep vents clear and vacuum dust away from the room where you use your projector. When storing a portable unit, place it in a padded bag and avoid extreme temperatures. Think of your projector as a delicate animal — a little respect goes a long way to keeping it healthy.
When you compare offers from Menkind, Currys, John Lewis, Argos, Richer Sounds, Amazon and specialist shops: check the model’s reviews, warranty, whether the retailer offers installation advice, and whether demo or showroom options exist. Specialist stores often give deeper technical guidance, while mainstream retailers are convenient and broad. Don’t forget to use comparison sites to scan prices quickly — they’re like a map pointing you to bargains.
Measure your room in feet first. Decide your preferred screen size in inches. Prioritise brightness if your room has ambient light. If you’re buying a novelty aurora projector, check how it looks in low and moderate light — those devices are about vibe, not resolution. And finally, if you’re unsure, rent or borrow a unit or try a compact model to get a feel for projection before committing to a high-end purchase.
Projectors can transform how you watch films, play games, and set the mood in your home. Whether you’re eyeing a lifestyle projector like the Red5 Northern Lights from Menkind, a solid mid-range home cinema unit from Currys or John Lewis, or a specialist 4K model from a dedicated dealer, the key is to match the device to your room, budget and intended use. With a little planning — measuring in feet, picking the right screen size in inches, and checking brightness and throw specs — you’ll be projecting great moments in no time.
| Projectors - Other | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Red5 Northern Lights Projector | £ 20,- |
