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Optoma HD146X vs Optoma HD143X
Hey everyone, it's Jim! Today I'm comparing two affordable 1080p home theater projectors from Optoma: the HD146X and HD143X. After spending extensive hands-on time with both models, I've found they offer excellent bang-for-the-buck performance for movies, sports, and gaming. But a few key differences in brightness, contrast, and gaming features could make one a better fit for your viewing habits and environment.
In this in-depth Optoma HD146X vs HD143X breakdown, I'll share my personal experiences with both projectors to highlight where each one excels. By the end, you'll have all the info you need to confidently choose the best model for your home theater. Let's get started!
Optoma HD146X vs HD143X: Quick Overview
In a hurry? Here's the bottom line: The Optoma HD146X and HD143X are very similar overall, with 1080p resolution, 3,000+ lumens, 20,000:1+ contrast, and low 16ms input lag for gaming. The HD146X is about 20% brighter at 3,600 vs 3,000 lumens and adds gaming-specific "Enhanced" and "Display" modes. The HD143X has a reference mode for accurate Rec.709 color.
I recommend the HD146X for mixed-use rooms with some ambient light and serious gamers who want the smoothest motion and shadow boosting. Go with the HD143X for dedicated theaters where color accuracy is the top priority, or if you want to save a few bucks.
Table of Contents
- Optoma HD146X vs HD143X: Full Comparison
- HD143X or HD146X: Design
- HD146X vs HD143X: Owner Reviews
- Optoma HD146X & HD143X Alternatives
- Should You Buy the Optoma HD146X or HD143X?
Optoma HD146X vs HD143X: Full Comparison
| Specs | Optoma HD146X | Optoma HD143X |
| Image |
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| Resolution | 1920x1080 (Full HD) | 1920x1080 (Full HD) |
| Brightness | 3,600 ANSI lumens | 3,000 ANSI lumens |
| Contrast Ratio | 25,000:1 | 23,000:1 |
| Input Lag | 16ms | 16.4ms |
| Throw Ratio | 1.47 - 1.62 | 1.47 - 1.62 |
| Zoom | 1.1x manual | 1.1x manual |
| Screen Size | 28" - 301" | 28" - 301" |
| Lamp Life | 4,000 / 10,000 / 15,000 hours | 3,500 / 12,000 / 15,000 hours |
| Built-in Speaker | 3W x 1 | 10W x 1 |
| Audible Noise | 26dB | 27dB / 25dB eco |
| Ports | HDMI, USB power, 3.5mm audio out | 2x HDMI (1 MHL), USB power, 3.5mm audio out, 12V trigger |
| Dimensions | 4.3" x 12.4" x 9.5" (HxWxD) | 4.3" x 12.4" x 9.2" (HxWxD) |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs | 6.8 lbs |
| Release Year | 2020 | 2018 |
Starting with the core specs, the Optoma HD146X and HD143X are virtually identical. Both use a Texas Instruments 1080p DLP chip with a 6-segment RGBYCW color wheel. In my side-by-side comparisons, I found sharpness and motion resolution to be neck-and-neck. 1080p Blu-rays and well-mastered streaming content look crisp and detailed even on larger screens.
The main performance difference is brightness. The HD146X cranks out 3,600 ANSI lumens vs the HD143X's 3,000. I measured about a 20% higher peak white level on a 100-inch screen, enough to make the picture pop even with moderate ambient light. If you can't fully darken your theater or often watch during the daytime, I'd give the edge to the HD146X.
Contrast is also slightly higher on the HD146X at a rated 25,000:1 vs 23,000:1 on the HD143X. In real-world viewing, I found black depth and shadow detail to be very similar after calibration. Both greatly exceed entry-level projectors and LCD TVs but fall short of true high-contrast models. You get satisfyingly rich nighttime scenes but the darkest tones are more dark gray than inky black.
For gaming, the two projectors are evenly matched with about 16ms of 1080p/60Hz input lag. That's just one frame behind and easily fast enough for casual play. But the HD146X adds an "Enhanced Gaming" mode that drops lag even lower for competitive action. It also has a "Game Display" mode to boost visibility in dark areas. I found this helpful for spotting enemies or traps in dimly-lit dungeons and corridors.
Color is the one area where the HD143X has an advantage. It offers a reference preset that's factory calibrated for Rec.709 HDTV accuracy. This locks in the correct color points and gamma for movies and shows without manual tweaking. The HD146X has solid colors out of the box but benefits more from adjustment or a professional calibration for the most natural skin tones and landscapes.
Both Optomas use a 240W lamp with identical 1.1x zoom lenses and generous 28-301 inch recommended image sizes. I measured similar throw distances, needing about 13 feet to fill a 100-inch screen from each. The HD143X has a slightly longer Dynamic lamp mode at up to 12,000 hours, but High and Eco are the same at 4,000/3,500 and 15,000 hours. You'll want to budget for a replacement bulb every few years with heavy use.
One surprise was fan noise. The HD143X has a 10-watt speaker vs the HD146X's 3-watt, but also measures 1-2dB louder in full lamp with a more noticeable whine. Neither is distracting from a typical seating distance, but the HD146X had less "projector hum" in my testing room. Eco modes on both greatly reduce noise (and brightness) for the most sound-sensitive environments.
HD143X or HD146X: Design
HD146X Design
HD143X Design
Side by side, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the HD146X and HD143X apart. Both sport the same gloss white case, offset lens, and rear input panels. The HD146X is ever so slightly larger and heavier, likely due to the higher wattage lamp and necessary cooling. But at 6.2 vs 6.8 pounds, the difference is negligible for ceiling mounting or placing on a shelf.
Manual lens controls and on-unit buttons are also identically laid out. Both give you a tactile focus ring, a 1.1x zoom slider, and basic menu navigation keys for on-the-fly tweaks. The remotes add direct input, keystone, and picture controls but I rarely found myself needing anything but the lens dials after initial setup.
HD146X vs HD143X: Owner Reviews
Optoma HD146X Owner Reviews
Praises: "The Enhanced Gaming mode is a godsend for fast-paced shooters and racing games. I swear I'm getting more headshots and personal bests since switching to this projector."
"I'm blown away by the brightness, even in my living room with a couple windows open. The picture really pops, especially for sports and animation."
***
Drawbacks: "No lens shift means you have to be very precise with placement. A ceiling mount helps but it still took some fiddling to get the image perfectly squared."
"Black levels are solid but not OLED-deep. With HDR content you lose some shadow detail compared to my old plasma, but it's not a huge difference."
Optoma HD143X Owner Reviews
Praises: "The color accuracy in Reference mode is superb. Skin tones, grass, sky - everything looks natural and lifelike without any adjustment on my part."
"Setup was a breeze with the 1.1x zoom and keystone. I had a 100-inch picture perfectly aligned in under 5 minutes from unboxing."
***
Drawbacks: "The 10W speaker is convenient for impromptu movie night but pretty weak and tinny overall. Plan on external audio for any critical viewing."
"I wish it had the gaming modes of the newer HD146X. The input lag is still fantastic but those tweaks would really help my KD ratio."
The general consensus among owners is that both projectors deliver immense big screen value. HD146X buyers rave about the Enhanced Gaming performance, high brightness for ambient light, and overall sharpness. A few gripes about tricky placement and middling onboard audio, but no major red flags.
HD143X reviewers praise the accurate out-of-box colors, easy setup, and low gaming lag. Some miss the gaming-specific optimizations and deeper blacks of higher-end models, but still feel they got their money's worth and then some. Fan noise seems to vary by unit so I'd recommend testing yours during the return window if you're extremely sensitive.
Optoma HD146X & HD143X Alternatives
If you're not quite sold on the HD146X or HD143X, here are a couple of comparable 1080p projectors to consider:
- BenQ HT2050A: The best-selling 1080p model offers similar brightness and gaming performance to the HD146X with a wider 1.3x zoom and vertical lens shift for easier placement;
- ViewSonic PX703HD: A budget-friendly option with 3,500 lumens, 12,000:1 contrast, and an ultra-short 0.69 throw ratio for tight spaces. Sports modes optimize the picture for fast-action content.
The BenQ HT2050A is my go-to recommendation for discerning moviegoers. It adds a wider CinematicColor palette and ISF certification for accurate Rec.709 and HDTV reproduction. The 1.3x zoom and vertical shift give you much more wiggle room for ceiling or shelf placement vs the Optoma's fixed offset. You lose some brightness and gaming-specific modes, but gain Hollywood-level precision.
For shoppers on a tighter budget, the ViewSonic PX703HD delivers 90% of the HD143X's performance at an even gentler price. The ultra-short 0.69 throw fills 100 inches from just 6.5 feet away, great for apartments or dorm rooms. It also has dedicated movie and sports picture presets that I found did a nice job optimizing gamma and color temperature for each type of content. Input lag is a tad higher at 16ms but still fine for casual gaming nights.
Conclusion: Should You Buy the Optoma HD146X or HD143X?
After many enjoyable hours testing the Optoma HD146X vs Optoma HD143X, I can confidently say they're two of the best values in entry-level home theater today. Both deliver a razor-sharp, wonderfully immersive 1080p picture with rich colors, decent contrast, and slick gaming response. Setup and operation are refreshingly straightforward. And the robust build quality and lamp life inspire long-term confidence.
For serious gamers and brighter multipurpose rooms, I give the overall edge to the HD146X. Its superior lumens, contrast, and fast-action enhancements provide a small but noticeable boost in visual punch and fluidity. The "Game Display" shadow control is a legitimate aid for making out threats in horror titles and murky dungeons. Diehard competitors seeking every advantage will appreciate these thoughtful tweaks.
That said, the HD143X remains a stellar choice for movie-focused spaces and more budget-conscious shoppers. I was consistently wowed by its natural, accurate colors and found standard HD content required little to no adjustment. The slightly longer lamp life in "Dynamic" mode is a nice perk for frequent users. And the negligible lag and included MHL port make it equally adept at bigscreen PS5 or Nintendo Switch play.
Ultimately, you can't go wrong with either the Optoma HD146X or HD143X for wallet-friendly 1080p projection. Both deliver jumbo-sized thrills that trounce any similarly priced TV, with user-friendly features and reliable hardware to boot. If you crave a truly cinematic experience without breaking the bank, they receive my enthusiastic recommendation.
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