Optoma GT2100HDR vs GT3500HDR vs UHD38x vs UHZ66 vs UHD35STx Gaming Projector: How to choose

Introduce​

Parameter
Optoma GT2100HDR Projector​
Optoma GT3500HDR Projector​
Optoma UHD38x Projector​
Optoma UHZ66 Projector​
Optoma UHD35STx Projector​
Picture​
OptomaGT2100HDRProjector.jpg
OptomaGT3500HDRProjector.jpg
OptomaUHD38xProjector.jpg
OptomaUHZ66Projector.jpg
OptomaUHD35STxProjector.jpg
Price​
$1149
$1499
$1199
$1999
$1049
Recommended Uses​
Education, Home Cinema, Gaming, Business​
Home Entertainment, Home Cinema, Gaming, Business​
Gaming​
Theater, Education, Gaming, Business​
Gaming​
Highlight​
  • Laser Light Source: DuraCore technology, 30,000 hours, no lamp/filter replacements
  • Dust Resistance: IPX6 rating, durable optical engine
  • Throw Lens: Short throw, 120" image at 4' 4"
  • Resolution: 1080p (1920x1080), no downscaling/compression
  • Game Mode: Low input lag, 4K60Hz @ 1080p60Hz 17ms, 8ms @ 1080p120Hz
  • 4K HDR & Contrast: HDR10, HLG, 300,000:1 contrast ratio
  • Enhanced Gaming Mode: 8ms input lag @ 1080p 120Hz, responsive performance for fast-paced gaming
  • Ultra Short Throw: 100" screen from less than a foot away, ideal for small spaces
  • 4K HDR Input Compatible: 3800 lumens, Full HD 1080p, 500,000:1 contrast ratio, bright whites, deep blacks
  • Duracore Laser Technology: 30,000 hours lamp life, consistent brightness
  • Versatile Connectivity: 2x HDMI 2.0, USB-A (power), 3.5mm audio out, RS232, RJ45 ports
  • Built-in 15W Speaker: Rich sound for gaming, movies, presentations without external speakers
  • True 4K Ultra HD: 8.3 million addressable pixels for high-quality home cinema
  • Mounting Type: Ceiling mount
  • Lag-Free Gaming: 240Hz, 4.2ms response time at 1080p, 16ms at 4K UHD
  • HDR & HLG Compatible: HDR10 & HLG for brighter whites, deeper blacks
  • Ultra-Bright: 4,000 lumens for bright viewing in various settings
  • Crisp, Colorful Picture: UltraDetail technology for sharp images, RGBWRGBW color wheel for vivid colors
  • True 4K Ultra HD & Home Theater Audio Support: 8.3 million pixels, ARC/eARC for multi-channel audio
  • Long Throw Lens: Projects up to 120" image from 12.2' away, up to 30.8' distance
  • Enhanced Game Mode: 4ms at 1080p240Hz, 8ms at 1080p120Hz, 16ms at 4K60Hz
  • Ultra Bright: 4,000 lumens for bright viewing in various settings
  • HDR & HLG Compatible: HDR10 & HLG for brighter whites, deeper blacks
  • True 4K Ultra HD: 8.3 million addressable pixels for high-quality home cinema
  • Fast Gaming Response: 240Hz, 4ms response time at 1080p for blur-free visuals
  • Short Throw for Flexible Setup: 100" image from just over 3 feet away
  • Ultra High Contrast Ratio: 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio for clear, detailed bright and dark scenes

Side-by-Side Comparison​

Display​

Parameter
Optoma GT2100HDR Projector​
Optoma GT3500HDR Projector​
Optoma UHD38x Projector​
Optoma UHZ66 Projector​
Optoma UHD35STx Projector​
Screen Size​
N/A - 120 Inches​
90 Inches - 120 Inches​
33 Inches - 300 Inches​
26 Inches - 303 Inches​
N/A - 300 Inches​
Throw Distance​
0.4 Meters - 3.2 Meters​
0.66 Feet - 1.31 Feet​
4 Feet - 32 Feet​
1.3 Meters - 9.4 Meters​
0.4 Meters - 3.3 Meters​
Contrast Ratio​
300000:1​
500000:1​
1000000:1​
500000:1​
1000000:1​
Display Resolution​
1920 x 1080 Pixels​
1920 x 1080 Pixels​
3840 x 2160 Pixels​
3840 x 2160 Pixels​
3840 x 2160 Pixels​
Native Resolution​
1920 x 1080​
1920 x 1080​
3840 x 2160​
3840 x 2160​
3840 x 2160​
Brightness​
4200 Lumen​
3800 Lumen​
4000 lumen​
4000 Lumen​
3600 lumen​
Display Type​
LED​
Laser​
DLP​
Laser​
DLP​
Picture Quality Enhancement​
-​
-​
UltraDetail technology​
-​
-​

Features​

Parameter
Optoma GT2100HDR Projector​
Optoma GT3500HDR Projector​
Optoma UHD38x Projector​
Optoma UHZ66 Projector​
Optoma UHD35STx Projector​
Video Encoding​
H.265 (HEVC)​
HEVC Main 10​
H.264 or H.265 (HEVC)​
HEVC (H.265)​
HEVC​
Lamp Wattage​
-​
54 Watts​
240 Watts​
58 Watts​
240 Watts​
Light Source Life​
30000 Hours​
30000 Hours​
10000 Hours​
30000 Hours​
10000 Hours​
Controller Type​
Remote Control​
Remote Control​
Button Control​
Remote Control​
Remote Control​
Control Method​
Remote​
Remote​
Remote​
Remote​
Remote​
Mount Type​
Tabletop Mount​
Tabletop Mount​
Ceiling Mount​
Tabletop Mount​
Tabletop Mount​
Noteworthy Features​
Energy-Efficiency, DuraCore Laser Technology, Ultra Compact Design, Full 3D​
4K HDR Input, DuraCore Laser Technology, Ultra Short Throw, Place and Play, Full HD 1080p​
Supports 1080p 240Hz for smooth gaming and an ultra-low input lag of 4.2ms.​
Low Input Lag, Dual HDMI 2.0, 4K UHD DuraCore Laser Technology, Compact Size, ARC/eARC​
4K UHD, Short Throw Projection​

Connectivity​

Parameter
Optoma GT2100HDR Projector​
Optoma GT3500HDR Projector​
Optoma UHD38x Projector​
Optoma UHZ66 Projector​
Optoma UHD35STx Projector​
Connectivity Technology​
USB, HDMI​
USB, HDMI, 3.5mm Audio​
USB, HDMI​
USB, HDMI, 3.5mm Audio​
USB, HDMI​
Hardware Connectivity​
USB, HDMI, 3.5mm Audio​
USB, HDMI, 3.5mm Audio​
USB​
USB, HDMI, 3.5mm Audio​
USB, HDMI​
Compatible Devices​
Gaming Console, Television, Shield TV, Roku Stick, Apple TV​
PC, Gaming Console, Television, Tablet, Smartphone​
Gaming Console​
Shield TV 4K, Roku 4K, Fire TV 4K, Apple TV 4K, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, 4K UHD Blu-ray Players, PS5, Steam Deck​
Gaming Console, Television​

Measurements​

Parameter
Optoma GT2100HDR Projector​
Optoma GT3500HDR Projector​
Optoma UHD38x Projector​
Optoma UHZ66 Projector​
Optoma UHD35STx Projector​
Dimensions L x W x H​
10.79"L x 8.5"W x 4.49"H​
12.87 x 12.87 x 4.29 inches​
10.6"L x 12.4"W x 4.6"H​
8.5 x 10.79 x 4.49 inches​
12.4"L x 10.63"W x 4.53"H​
Item Weight​
6.61 Pounds​
8.6 Pounds​
8.8 Pounds​
6.6 Pounds​
8.8 Pounds​

Conclusion​

Product
PROS AND CONS​
Optoma GT2100HDR Projector​
To get a 90” screen, you’ll need to position this projector about 4 feet from the wall—but trust me, the image quality is worth the setup. In person, the visuals are stunning, though no photo truly captures the clarity and vibrance this little device delivers. Gaming on it is a blast, with a refresh rate that holds up well, and the best part? It still works like a charm with the lights on. Just don’t expect miracles when the sunlight’s streaming in—it struggles there.

As temperatures drop outside, you might notice the projector hums a bit louder than usual, but it settles down quickly. The keystone adjustment is solid, and the zoom feature offers a little flexibility, though it’s a bit one-dimensional—literally. It only zooms in one direction, and fine adjustments are out of the question. Still, for the price, it’s hard to beat.

One small gripe: Optoma could’ve used sturdier threads for the ceiling mounting holes. It’s not a huge concern, but the screws provided feel a bit too small for comfort. That said, it’s not likely to fall anytime soon. If you’re someone who needs a lot of image fine-tuning, you might want to consider BenQ projectors, which are known for offering a wider range of adjustments. But overall, this one delivers great value for what you’re paying.
Optoma GT3500HDR Projector​
The Optoma GT3500HDR Projector truly lives up to its "short throw" claim. This powerhouse sits less than a foot away from my 100” screen and still manages to project a stunning, crisp image. Move it just an inch further, and the image size grows significantly; shift it 6 inches, and you’re looking at a 150–200 inch display. It’s impressive how much real estate this projector can cover in such a small space.

When it comes to brightness, this projector is a standout. It’s incredibly bright, with a contrast that makes every scene pop. In a room with all the lights on? No problem—at least in my setup. The colors are vibrant and rich, the whites are clean and bright, and the blacks hold their own. However, keep in mind that the performance can vary depending on your screen or wall background.

That said, the projector isn’t without its quirks. When I watched live news, for example, I noticed that the people on screen looked a bit “clumpy”—the image became pixelated and lacked the crispness you’d expect. And then there's the fan. It’s loud, and it gets hot. The impressive size and technology required for that short throw don’t come without a tradeoff, and heat is definitely one of the costs. But for the price and the capabilities, it’s a small price to pay.
Optoma UHD38x Projector​
If you're after a massive screen experience, this projector is a game-changer. Sitting just 7 feet away from my wall, it projects a jaw-dropping 190" image that covers the entire space—a truly immersive viewing experience. The contrast on HDR is impressive too, outperforming other DLP projectors I've tried, and coming surprisingly close to my 4K HDR DisplayHDR 600 certified 32" screen. Whether you're gaming or watching movies, everything looks stunning. Even fast-paced games like Returnal handle beautifully, with minimal lag or distortion.

But, no product is perfect. The menu is a bit sluggish, though it's not a dealbreaker. Out of the box, the contrast is subpar, and the picture tends to be a little darker than its advertised 3,600 Lumens. There’s also the absence of smart features and some loss of detail on the edges of the screen, which can be noticeable. But these are relatively small issues compared to the value you get, especially when you consider the cost. Despite a few drawbacks, this projector delivers a truly spectacular viewing experience for the price.
Optoma UHZ66 Projector​
The 4K UHD resolution on this projector delivers images that are nothing short of spectacular—crisp, vibrant, and full of clarity. It’s like bringing the cinema into your living room, transforming every movie night into an immersive experience. But the real magic happens in gaming mode. The lightning-fast 16.7ms response time in 4K at 60Hz, and a jaw-dropping 4ms in 1080p at 240Hz, take your gaming to new heights. Gamers, this is your playground.

Color accuracy is impressive after tweaking the RED settings via the CMS tune. While you can certainly make the colors pop with a more vivid look, personally, I’d prefer a bit more naturalism to the image. But if you’re after vibrant visuals, it’s easy to achieve. Another nice touch is the auto HDR switch, which seamlessly adjusts the settings based on the source—no need to manually fiddle with modes.
Optoma UHD35STx Projector​
The Optoma UHD35STx Projector impresses with a bright image and solid picture quality. The UI is snappy, and resolution switching is quick, making it a smooth user experience. For gamers, the real standout is the ultra-low input lag in enhanced gaming mode—240Hz at 1080p is buttery smooth, with a lightning-fast 4ms input lag. This projector can hold its own in online competitive games, a rarity among projectors.

However, there’s a tradeoff. While enhanced gaming mode offers stellar performance, it disables all image enhancement features, including the keystone adjustment. This can be a bit restrictive if you’re trying to install the projector at an angle or want more flexibility in setup, as you’ll need to project it directly onto a wall to avoid distortions.

Another downside is the onboard speakers—they’re not great. You’ll almost certainly need a dedicated sound system to fully enjoy the audio. Despite these drawbacks, the UHD35STx excels in its core areas, particularly for gaming, making it a great option for those looking for performance on a budget.
 
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