During the pandemic, many people have invested in home entertainment setups, whether it’s getting a new graphics card or video game system, adding to their physical media collection, or building a home theater. Movies like Judas and the Black Messiah, Godzilla vs. Kong, In The Heights, Space Jam: A New Legacy, The Suicide Squad, Dune and several other blockbusters hit the small screen on the same day and date (or near) theirs theatrical releases.
Now that we’re out of lockdown and back to some sense of normality, what are we going to do with all the home purchases we’ve made? Supplement of course!
We’re avid fans and collectors, and it would be a shame to see all of our purchases left imperfect without packing the necessary gadgets to bring it all together.
Check out the guide below to see what you need to build your perfect home theater, whether you’re just starting out or have a lot of money to spend. We’ve included both budget items and premium items alongside products that can sit alongside some items you already own, complement others or even replace your current living room TV.
Samsung – The portable freestyle smart projector
It’s the perfect compact projector for on the go. It has a simple setup process that automatically adjusts the image for your perfect picture; Auto Leveling, Auto Focus, and Auto Keystone technology get the job done in seconds. You can stream content as it comes preloaded with Netflix, Prime Video and more, watch shows from its free TV service or play games, all in crystal clear 1080p. But admittedly it has a number of issues, including below-average brightness in brighter areas, slight issues with its automatic features, and a steep price tag despite its first-gen budget kinks. If you want a great smart projector to take with you, get this one on sale. Otherwise, we recommend looking at the KODAK Luma 350 or Anker NEBULA Mars II Pro.
$797.99 – Amazon
XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector
The premium XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K is only intended for people who are serious about starting a home theater setup and offers a high-quality image projection with its solid build and spacious design in addition to its premium presentation. It is easy to use with its simple setup, comfortable interface and helpful utilities like auto-keystone and auto-focus. It’s an excellent investment, especially if you already have a quality sound system or soundbar. Unfortunately, you’ll need it, as its two built-in 8W 45mm full-range speakers don’t detract from the ‘theater quality’ claimed by the manufacturer. Another annoyance is that iPhone wireless setup isn’t as straightforward as an Android device, which is to be expected since it runs an Android TV operating system. Most egregiously, however, the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K doesn’t have a dedicated Netflix app. You’ll have to do a workout to get Netflix, which shouldn’t be too difficult if you decide to cast it or hook up another device via HDMI that has it. And while it doesn’t have Dolby Vision capabilities, it’s still capable of producing colorful images and sharp images, although the blacks can be a little gray at times. It’s excellent value for money (especially when you can find it on sale) and could easily replace a TV as the main display in your home, home theater or not.
Fun fact, it can also double as a Bluetooth speaker.
$2199.00 $1699.00 – Amazon
LG B2 series 55 inch OLED Smart TV
The LG B2 OLED doubles as a great HDMI 2.1, 12oHz gaming display monitor with G-Sync/FreeSync capabilities and a Dolby Vision/Atmos enabled TV. It has built-in access to Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV App, Disney+, HBO Max and instant access to 300+ free LG channels. It supports Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay2 and HomeKit for those who have a smart home or want to cast their content from their phone to their TV instantly. The image is great no matter how you decide to use it and it would be an investment for years to come.
$1096.99 – Amazon
LG 55-inch class OLED evo Gallery Edition G2 series
The LG G2 OLED is higher quality than the LG B2 OLED. If you want the best picture quality, the G2 gets brighter and delivers a better HDR experience. The B2 still delivers the same remarkable darkroom performance, though, and if you want to place your TV on a table it comes with a stand, which the G2 doesn’t have. Again, this offers the same support as the LG B2, but with an updated a9 Gen5 AI processor over the B2’s a7, which is used to strategically adjust and adjust the image/audio for a more immersive viewing experience. Coupled with that is the upgraded OLED evo display, which focuses on brightness and voice-activated controls.
$1648.18 – Amazon
Apple TV 4K Wi‑Fi with 64GB Storage (3rd Generation) (2022)
When it comes to a standalone streaming device, it often comes down to the controller, its memory, its capabilities, and most importantly, its interface. The Apple TV has a streamlined design and controller, packs up to 64GB of storage, is capable of airplay, mirroring, and other nifty iPhone tricks, and has one of the smoothest interfaces for a streaming device we’ve seen.
$124.05 – Amazon
Roku Ultra 2022 4K/HDR/Dolby Vision Streaming Device
If you’re less integrated into the Apple ecosystem and don’t have to pay Apple tax to use some features, the Roku Ultra is still a solid option. It has all the essential features like 4K HDR and Dolby Vision, all at a lower price. The controller is pretty nifty, but the Rolu is admittedly less pretty to look at. Also, the controller is pretty traditional, but it does its job very well.
$99.99 $85.50 – Amazon
Monolith THX-365T
This Dolby Atmos-enabled mini-tower is a cost-effective alternative if you’re just starting to set up your home entertainment space. The 365T features six drivers, including two 6.5″ woofers alongside a 2″ soft dome midrange driver, a 1″ tweeter for the front-facing main array, and a 5.25″ Woofer with a 0.6″ silk dome coaxial tweeter for the Atmos upward-firing array. The THX-certified speaker uses the upward-firing driver to bounce off surfaces that deliver a cinematic experience, thanks in particular to its Atmos capabilities. If you already have a subwoofer, this is an easy purchase to enhance your home theater.
$449-Amazon
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 DTS-X/Atmos
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra soundbar pack features 9.2.4 DTS:X Spatial and Dolby Atmos audio channels, two huge 10-inch high power amplifier subwoofers and four surround sound speakers. It also features Spatial Surround Elevation (SSE) Max drivers, HDMI eARC connectivity, and Bluetooth 5 aptX support. This means it has the best possible sound connection options while delivering 4K HDR and Dolby Vision pass-through to a TV. The soundbar, like the modular quad surround speakers, features extended throw bi-cone drivers, silk dome surround effect tweeters and high power amplifiers that deliver powerful, pristine sound. It’s usually quite an expensive purchase, but if you buy it in March 2023 or during the usual Prime Day/Black Friday/Cyber Monday time of the year, we’ve seen it on sale for just $1,200, what a bargain.
$1499.99 $1199.99 – Amazon
Valencia Verona Home Theater Seating (3 row)
These high-end theater seats have a simple, elegant design, premium Italian 9000 leather, a power adjustable headrest and sophisticated LED ambient lighting. The armrest features a cup holder, a USB charging port for your devices, and a hidden compartment for storing devices and snacks. The headrest can be adjusted to suit your viewing angle, and a wall-fitting tilt mechanism ensures comfort and saves space in the room. It has optional accessories such as a storage table, a tablet holder or a glass caddy. It also has a great customer service experience, taking people step-by-step through the process of what to expect. It comes disassembled and requires adult assembly, but its excellent quality makes it worth buying.
$2699.99 $2399.99 – Amazon
Homall recliner
Crafted from PU leather, the Homall armchair is affordable, comfortable and a real pleasure to sit on. The material is easy to clean, which is always a bonus when handling it with greasy, cheesy hands. The sponge used inside the recliner also makes this model particularly comfortable. This push-back chair has been designed to open up a world of possibilities in terms of your seating position and to bring a real home theater experience into your home. The footrest is adjustable and the armrests are curved to make your arms more comfortable during long hours of viewing. It can support 265 pounds and adult assembly is required. However, according to reviews, the chair can support over 300 pounds when used as a theater chair rather than for everyday use, and assembly is relatively easy.
$199.99 $149.99 – Amazon
