LG UHD Projector vs. LG 4K: Which One Wins?

LG has been a leading electronics manufacturer catering to the needs of people with varying preferences. While some like to watch movies on above 100” screens, others feel that 80” is enough to have an immersive experience. That’s when the debate “LG UHD projector vs. LG 4K TV” emerged.

The LG UHD laser short-throw projectors are ideal for enjoying bright, crisp movies on a large screen. In fact, the company’s LG HU85LA is the best projector till now, as it comes with triple lasers and super short-throw. It is also quite flexible, suiting different environments smoothly. 

On the other hand, we have LG 4K TVs. They are ideal for movie nights, especially the LG 4K UQ7590 series LED UHD, as it offers a range of size options. You can pick any size from 43” to 86” and enjoy multiple smart features, gaming, and movies. 

The LG UHD projector and LG 4K TV offer an immersive viewing and listening experience with optimal brightness and contrast. However, which is better? The answer depends on each person’s preferred screen size, contrast, picture, sound quality, and features. Let’s have a brief comparison of both products to decide our winner!

LG UHD Laser (Short-Throw) vs. LG 4K: Side-by-Side Comparison

	LG UHD Laser (Short-Throw) (HU85LA 4K)	LG 4K TV (Class UQ7590 series LED UHD)
Best for	Casual gaming and home theater, especially in dark rooms	Cloud gaming and home cinema in all types of lighting
Size	26.8″ x 5.0″ x 13.7″	75.9″ x 45.9″ x 14.3″ (with stand)
Resolution	4K UHD (3840 x 2160)	4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160)
Screen Size	90″ ~ 120″	86″
Smart TV	Yes	Yes
Voice Assistants	Google Assistant, Alexa Built-in, and ThinQ AI	Google Assistant and Alexa Ready (Mandatory to purchase the Magic Remote)
Connectivity	Bluetooth and USB	Bluetooth, WiFi, USB, and Ethernet
Power Consumption	350 W	167.3 W
Price	$4999.99 retail	$1,199.99 retail (for 86″ model)

LG UHD Laser (Short-Throw) vs. LG 4K: What’s the Difference?

As you see from the above comparison table, both LG products are exceptional on their own. The HU85LA 4K UHD projector offers almost the same screen size as the LG Class UQ7590 series LED UHD 4K TV with similar voice assistants. 

However, they differ in product size, connectivity, and power consumption. Not to forget the massive price difference between both products. Let’s get into more details to decide the best one from this LG UHD projector vs LG 4K TV comparison. 

Picture Quality

The LG HU85LA has three laser lights to offer high-resolution picture quality that focuses on the tiniest detail and color accuracy. The projector also leverages TruMotion Technology, which supports every fast-moving scene in action movies. The frames appear correctly filled to offer you a smooth on-screen experience, no matter what you stream.

This LG UHD short-throw projector also has full HDR 10 support, which optimizes the color and tones frame by frame. With Dynamic Tone Mapping, the projector displays the colors just how they are supposed to be seen.

Meanwhile, the LG UQ7590 TV features the α5 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K, bringing the best picture and sound quality to your favorite TV shows. This 4K TV changes the regular content into 4K, visible from its sharp and precise display. It also uses Active HDR that automatically adjusts the quality of your movie scene by scene.

The LG UQ7590 4K TV also has a Filmmaker Mode that ensures the original colors, frame rates, and settings of a movie as the director envisioned them. This feature makes this LG product one of the best at-home theater TV.

Both LG projectors and TVs offer exceptional 4K ultra HD picture quality. However, we will give the UQ7590 4K TV extra points due to its sharp, crisp, and precise pixelated display.

Sound Quality

The other most common thing to consider when buying either of the LG products is the sound quality. While some products deliver exact sound, others offer distorted or limited audio that doesn’t fill the entire space. 

The LG HU85LA has efficient built-in speakers, but they are less powerful to fill in a larger room. Many users also complain that the sound of the projector sometimes seems unoriginal. Moreover, the projector lacks the output that fills the entire viewing area.

On the other hand, the LG 4K TV’s α5 Gen 5 AI Processor ensures that the viewer gets the exact sound bass no matter what they see. 

The TV’s processor automatically transforms 2-channel audio into impeccable virtual 5.1-channel sound. As a result, you feel the action is taking place in your surroundings instead of the screen. That’s what an immersive sound experience is all about!

Brightness

The LG HU85LA projector produces enough brightness with its 2,700 ANSI lumens for any indoor environment. Even if you have an ambient lighting system in your room, you can easily see clear images without blackout curtains. 

It also has a short throw distance, allowing you to install a 120” large screen at a distance of 2 feet maximum. This means you don’t have to worry about your room size when buying this projector. It can efficiently work in living rooms!

The LG 4K TV comes with an AI-directed brightness feature that first evaluates the light intensity in your room and then adjusts the screen accordingly. Yes, you don’t have to adjust the TV’s illumination manually. Instead, it will do it on its own!

With the LG UQ7590 4K TV, you don’t have to squint to view the movie in your room, whether it’s bright or dark. Amazing, right? Therefore, we can call the 4K TV a winner regarding brightness.

Gaming

You can use the LG HU85LA short-throw projector for multiple areas apart from the home theater. However, if you are a gamer, you must wonder whether the projector is ideal for gaming. 

Unfortunately, it is not actually a “gamer projector” since its input lag ranges between 50-55ms. Of course, these are not the ideal figures, but it’s still reasonable enough for casual gaming. This means you can replace your old TV with this projector and place it in any room of your home.

So, is the LG UQ7590 4K better for gaming? Yes, it is. It has high-speed HDR and improved audio that gives you immersive gaming action. Its modern gaming features include HGiG, ALLM, and eARC, all of which offer an enhanced sound system during gaming.

You can also benefit from a Game Optimizer and Dashboard that allows you to change your play settings without hassle. The dashboard has all the settings in one place, so you don’t have to navigate here and there whenever you try to change the settings. Seasoned gamers know how helpful this is.

Smart Features

When listing smart features, you’ll find many similarities between the LG UHD projector and the LG 4K TV. You can control both devices via Google Home and Amazon Alexa. They also offer both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. 

However, you can stream through MiraCast and connect wireless speakers with an LG projector. You can also create unlimited profiles on your projector, but remember, the home screen will display only 10 profiles.

The LG HU85LA projector and UQ7590 TV also feature webOS smart TV interface. It allows you to download multiple streaming apps on your device, so you won’t have to stream sticks and other content sources. 

The LG HU85LA projector and UQ7590 TV also come with an AI ThinQ system coupled with a Magic Remote. This allows users to navigate all the smart features, including Apple AirPlay. On the other hand, the LG UQ7590 4K TV gives you real-time sports alerts. 

Price Value

There is a significant difference between the LG UHD projector vs LG 4K TV. Being a high-quality projector, the LG HU85LA is priced at $4,999.99. 

On the other hand, the LG UQ7590 4K TV is less than half of the projector’s price. The 86” TV is priced at $1,199.99, but you can also find this model at a lower price if you opt for a smaller screen. The price for this 4K TV starts from $269.99 for the 43” screen. 

So, it depends on your choice. If you can afford the high price, you can stream your favorite TV shows on a big screen with a projector. Meanwhile, the 4K TV is ideal for gaming at this price. 

Space

TVs typically take less space than projectors since they have flat screens. Comparatively, a projector hangs up from the ceiling. But you need to make a separate space for the projector to obtain the ideal screen view. 

For instance, if you place your LG HU85LA projector too close to a screen, it will feel like you’re present in the movie, not in a positive way. In reality, you won’t be able to enjoy your favorite show with every detail. 

This is why TVs are an ideal option for people who have a limited area. They occupy less space and can be placed anywhere for an optimal viewing experience. However, the short-throw projectors also occupy less space behind the screen. 

LG UHD Laser (Short-Throw) vs. LG 4K: 5 Must-Know Facts

Now that you have become familiar with both LG products, let’s answer the real question: “Which one wins?” If that’s difficult for you, here are 5 must-know facts related to LG UHD projector vs LG 4K TV to help you decide.

• The LG 4K projector and LG 4K TV offer sharp ultra HD displays with exceptional sound quality. 
• The LG HU85LA projector offers decent lamp brightness suitable for most indoor spaces. Unlike other projectors, you won’t need black curtains. 
• Both products have a ThinQ interface that requires a separate Magic Remote. This operating system includes streaming app support, a web browser, and voice control, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
• The LG UHD Laser (Short-Throw) is pretty easy to install, making them convenient for people to install as home theaters.
• The LG 4K UQ7590 TV has many advanced gaming features, such as ALLM, eARC, and HGiG. It also offers Game Dashboard and Optimizer that lets users change their settings from one place. All these features offer an enhanced audio system. 

LG UHD Laser (Short-Throw) vs. LG 4K: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?

There is quite a tough competition between LG UHD projectors vs LG 4K TVs. A projector may not be the right choice if you live in an apartment with lots of brightness but limited space. Although you don’t need black curtains for the LG HU85LA projector, it is still not a good option. In that case, the LG 4K UQ7590 TV would be a better option since the device can adjust its brightness according to its surroundings. 

On the other hand, if you live in an apartment with few windows and a space for a sofa, you can easily set up a projector and screen. Also, remember that the projector is more costly than the TV. So, evaluate your budget and preferences and make the right choice.