Epson - PowerLite Home Cinema 5030UB

with cheap 100" 4k LED's available (walmart has a 98" Samsung for 1997 right now, costco has 98" TCL for 1599), maybe look at those before spending over $2k for a projector. Unless your screen is bigger than that, then a projector still the way to go since budget TV's max out at 100" right now (another couple years and you'll probably see 120" for $2k). Redoing my basement this is my dilemma - will stick with my 1080p Epson until the price comes down for 120"

Yes it is. Got mine open box in 500$. For anime it's a no brainer.

For $800 you’re looking at 1080p not even pixel shift. You’ll have to do the math on throw distance but an Epson 1080 or Benq 585 are decent machines

Lots of decent options. The Benq 2150 will look best but an Epson 1080 or 90 will have more pop but less refinement. Could be good for your use. It’s less bright and not requested 4k but the xgimi horizon pro would fit some people’s setups in that budget.

No. Use projector central website as a reference but also read reviews. The no name brands are either lying about specs or they’re using product so cheap it will quickly fail. Many use lcd projection without a filter, you’ll have dust on it in no time and it’ll be a paperweight. If you want to save money, get a used model. There are a lot of Epson 5030UB on eBay for $500 or less. Even if you need a new bulb, that’s an incredible 1080P projector. It’ll look better than cheap 4K and it’s a known good unit. You can also find used Sony, BenQ, and Optoma. There are less of the Panasonic and Mitsubishi models, but that could change.

I think you have the right instincts here A 4k projector will do the trick. Heck I have a 1080p Epson I picked up open box and a denon avr that can do 7.1. No atmos. And it sounds and looks amazing So nowadays an atmos capable receiver and 4k projector ( even just led ). Will look and sound amazing Just need a few small extra back speakers if and when you decide to use all the extra channels

I don’t have a 4k tv even. I will probably get one soon But I am really impressed with how good even an 1080p Epson can project at 110” image that is totally cinematic So I think any 4 k Epson will be totally good I feed it an Apple TV I have a marantz cinema 70 which is their lowest powered one and use an extra 2 channel amp I have to power fronts. That room looks pretty big so I would go with something cinema 50 and still have the option to add extra power later.

I have owned and used both. At the end of the day the specs mean absolutely nothing to me. What matters is the image I am looking at and again, I owned the 5030,5040,5050 (and the LS11000 for a couple of days) and yes, the JMGO outperforms them without question. If you can get a chance to see both I suggest you try cause you will be blown away. https://preview.redd.it/7rlbdueas6ze1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a4eb60122f39d00e2208c72bbf7148ceee195fe8

If that's the case, see if you can look at an Epson 1080, maybe refurbished or open-box. It will be a good starting point and its retail price is around $500 US. The Epson 8350 (my first ever projector) is also a good option. They have been out of production for awhile but they can be had for $250 or less. Only down side is they are larger than that Optoma or the 1080.

I have the Epson 880 and 1080.  They're both fantastic projector and some of the best values you can possibly get, especially in the 200 - $250 range, which is phenomenal value.  1060 is, as I understand it, similar to between the 880 and 1080 so I would absolutely recommend it.

For $1000 or less you’re either getting the cheapest lamp based 4K unit or a pretty nice 1080p model and solid state (laser or LED) is probably on the table. My no. 1 recommendation for a $1000 model USED to be the BenQ HT2060. I say used to because the price has gone up since this tariff insanity. Assuming you can catch a sale or deal on a refurb the HT2060 would still be my top pick. The reason: image quality. It produces a bright, crisp, colorful image with one of the highest native contrast ratios of any projector under $5,000 (my $3000 4K projector produces around half the native contrast). It’s 4LED so no bulbs to replace. 1080p/120Hz with 8-16ms of input latency and instantaneous pixel response which makes it perfect for even competitive gaming. The only negatives if you can call them negatives is it’s not a portable or ‘lifestyle’ projector so it doesn’t have built in streaming or a gimmicky gimbal mount. It’s an honest-to-goodness home theater projector with optical zoom and lens shift. Though it does have pretty good built in sound if you’re into that. I would recommend the H2060 for screen sizes of 90-120”. Any larger and you might want a brighter projector which at this price probably means going bulb. The BenQ TH575 or Epson 1080 are good alternatives. Neither will have the contrast nor will either be as colorful as the 2060 but you’ll get more output to push a larger screen or compete with more ambient light. The Epson in particular lacks the sharpness of the DLPs but is a certified light canon cable of driving enormous screens. https://www.avsforum.com/threads/benq-ht2060-4led-hdr-home-theater-gaming-projector-review-and-owners-thread.3270380/

I love my 1080 Epson projector. Quality seems plenty good for me, and I strongly prefer the experience of watching it over my 4k TV. Not sure of the purpose of OP's post, but my enjoyment factor is in no way influenced by your opinions.