Optoma UHD38x
#20 in 4KFull review
A cheap, very bright 4K lamp projector for gamers and sports fans who can add a streaming stick and place it carefully.
Amazon $999$999
The Optoma UHD38x rates 3.9 among 4K projectors; the Epson Home Cinema 980 rates 3.8 among 1080p and under ones. The Epson Home Cinema 980 costs $199.01 less ($799.99 vs $999).
Epson Home Cinema 980
A bright 1080p projector for living rooms and backyard movie nights where room light is hard to control. Add a streaming stick, since it has no apps of its own.
Amazon $799.99$799.99
Prices were last checked October 29, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Scores side by side
These two sit in different type classes (4K and 1080p and under), and each is scored against the reference points for its own class, so a rating says how well each does among its own type peers. How we rank explains each factor.
| Factor weight | Optoma UHD38x | Epson Home Cinema 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.9/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Brightness 25% | 100 4,000 ANSI lumens | 100 4,000 ISO 21118 lumens |
| Value 15% | 100 $0.25 per lumen | 94 $0.20 per lumen |
| Resolution 10% | 100 4K (pixel shift) | 100 1920 x 1080 native |
| Streaming 15% | 0 no built-in apps; needs a streaming stick | 0 no built-in apps; needs a streaming stick |
| Setup 10% | 20 1.1x zoom | 50 Auto keystone, 1.2x zoom |
| Light life 10% | 69 15,000 hour lamp | 50 12,000 hour lamp |
| Gaming 10% | 100 4.2 ms input lag | 50 input lag not published (neutral score used) |
| Warranty 5% | 0 1-year warranty | 50 2-year warranty |
Specifications
| Optoma UHD38x | Epson Home Cinema 980 | |
|---|---|---|
| Picture | ||
| Brightness | 4,000 ANSI | 4,000 ISO 21118 |
| Native resolution | 1920 x 1080 (1080p) | 1920 x 1080 (1080p) |
| Picture resolution | 4K (pixel shift from 1920x1080) | 1080p |
| Display | DLP | 3LCD |
| Light source | lamp | lamp |
| Light source life | 15,000 hours | 12,000 hours |
| HDR | HDR10, HLG | - |
| Dynamic contrast | 1,000,000:1 | 16,000:1 |
| Placement | ||
| Throw | Standard throw (1.5:1) | Standard throw (1.2:1) |
| Largest image | 300 in | 300 in |
| Autofocus | No | No |
| Auto keystone | No | Yes |
| Obstacle avoidance | No | No |
| Auto screen fit | No | No |
| Optical zoom | 1.1x | 1.2x |
| Streaming and gaming | ||
| Built-in apps | None | None |
| Input lag | 4.2 ms | - |
| Top refresh rate | 240 Hz | - |
| HDMI ports | 2 | 2 |
| Speakers | 10 W | 2 W |
| Build | ||
| Battery | None | None |
| Fan noise | 28 dB | 37 dB |
| Power | 305 W | 349 W |
| Dimensions | 12.4 x 10.63 x 4.65 in (W x D x H) | 12.2 x 11.1 x 4.2 in |
| Weight | 8.8 lb | 6.8 lb |
| Warranty | 1 years | 2 years |
| Released | 2022-12 | 2025-08 |