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Optoma ZU860 Review | 84 Data compared

Avg. price:~£9,960Native panel resolution:1920x1200ANSI lumens:8500Throw ratio:0.36-5.5:1Lamp life:20000 hours

Optoma ZU860 Review: Compare 84 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

Optoma ZU860
6.9/10

Overall score

Score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the projector's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best projectors on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 62% of models
Score components

90%

6.9

Technical score

10%

?

User score

â–²Better than 62% of projectors
5.1

Value for money

Value for money
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

1.0

Price

â–¼Worse than 92%
6.9

Technical score

Technical score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Projectors category across these key areas: Image Quality, Projection & Lens, HDMI & Gaming, Connectivity, Audio & Features, Design & Power.
When it matters
When you want to compare projectors based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 65% of models
Score components

42%

7.7

Image Quality

22%

6.5

Projection & Lens

12%

6.5

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.5

Audio & Features

8%

5.6

Connectivity

6%

7.4

Design & Power

â–²Better than 65%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the projector.
When it matters
When you want to know how a projector performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • optoma-zu860
optoma-zu860
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of projector Optoma ZU860

Technical score
Technical score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Projectors category across these key areas: Image Quality, Projection & Lens, HDMI & Gaming, Connectivity, Audio & Features, Design & Power.
When it matters
When you want to compare projectors based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 65% of models
Score components:

42%

7.7

Image Quality

22%

6.5

Projection & Lens

12%

6.5

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.5

Audio & Features

8%

5.6

Connectivity

6%

7.4

Design & Power

6.9
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the projector.
When it matters
When you want to know how a projector performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the projector.
When it matters
When you prefer to buy a product chosen and reviewed by many other consumers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Optoma ZU860 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than 64.5% of projectors.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components:

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

1.0

Price

5.1
ANSI lumens
8,500
Market range: <250 – >4k
This projector reaches 8,500 ANSI lumens, brighter than 99.4% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
2000:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 2000:1, lower than 71.1% of projectors and equal to 7.6% of projectors.
Native contrast ratio.
Native panel resolution
1920x1200
This projector uses a native resolution of 1920x1200, higher than 85.9% of projectors and equal to 3% of projectors.
Output Resolution
1920x1200
This projector supports output resolution up to 1920x1200, higher than 66% of projectors and equal to 3% of projectors.
Projection technology
DLP
Show more
Throw ratio
0.36-5.5:1
Min throw distance
?
Max projection size
?
Zoom ratio
N/A
Motorized zoom
yes
This projector has motorized zoom. 83.8% of projectors have motorized zoom.
Show more
Input lag
?
Auto low latency mode (ALLM)
no
This projector does not support ALLM. 17.2% of projectors support ALLM.
Variable refresh rate (VRR)
no
This projector does not support VRR. 1.6% of projectors support VRR.
HDMI version
2
This projector supports HDMI 2, more modern than 45.3% of projectors and equal to 36.8% of projectors.
Max HDMI bandwidth
18 Gbps
Market range: <10 Gbps – >50 Gbps
This projector supports HDMI bandwidth up to 18 Gbps, higher than 47.7% of projectors and equal to 40.1% of projectors.
Show more
N. of HDMI ports
2
Market range: <1 – >6
This projector has 2 HDMI port/s, more than 45% of projectors and equal to 47.7% of projectors.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This projector does not support Wi-Fi. 52.9% of projectors support Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
no
This projector does not support Bluetooth. 50.5% of projectors support Bluetooth.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Show more
Smart TV features
no
This projector does not have smart TV features. 43.8% of projectors have smart TV features.
Operating system
none
Android OS
no
This projector does not run Android OS. 18.8% of projectors run Android OS.
Dedicated smartphone app
no
This projector does not come with a dedicated smartphone app. 35.2% of projectors come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Remote control
yes
This projector includes a remote control. 1.6% of projectors include a remote control.
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Light source type
laser
This projector uses laser light source technology, more advanced than 74% of projectors and equal to 26% of projectors.
Laser phosphor.
Laser Light Source
yes
This projector uses a laser light source. 72% of projectors use a laser light source.
Lamp life
20,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 20,000 hours, shorter than 34.4% of projectors and equal to 27.6% of projectors.
Lamp life (eco mode)
30,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers eco-mode lamp life of 30,000 hours, shorter than 62.5% of projectors and equal to 33.2% of projectors.
Operating power consumption
655 W
Market range: <50 W – >400 W
This projector uses 655 W of power, more than 99.3% of projectors.
Show more

Optoma ZU860 vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • 3.86x brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (8,500 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    8,500 vs 2,200
  • Supports lens memory
    This projector supports lens memory, while the average projector does not. 9% of projectors support lens memory.
  • High native resolution
    This projector has a higher native panel resolution than the average projector (1920x1200 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1920x1200 vs 1920x1080
  • Higher output resolution
    This projector supports a higher output resolution than the average projector (1920x1200 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1920x1200 vs 1920x1080
  • 0.2 inch larger DMD chip
    This projector has a higher DMD chip size than the average projector (0.7 inch vs 0.47 inch). The average projector has 0.47 inch of DMD chip size.
    0.67 inch vs 0.47 inch
  • Has motorized zoom
    This projector has motorized zoom, while the average projector does not. 16.3% of projectors have motorized zoom.
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This projector supports Dolby Atmos, while the average projector does not. 14.9% of projectors support Dolby Atmos.
  • Advanced focus control
    This projector offers Advanced focus control than the average projector (motorized vs manual). The average projector uses manual focus control.
    motorized vs manual
  • 3.86x brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (8,500 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    8,500 vs 2,200
  • High native resolution
    This projector has a higher native panel resolution than the average projector (1920x1200 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1920x1200 vs 1920x1080
  • Higher output resolution
    This projector supports a higher output resolution than the average projector (1920x1200 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1920x1200 vs 1920x1080
  • 0.2 inch larger DMD chip
    This projector has a higher DMD chip size than the average projector (0.7 inch vs 0.47 inch). The average projector has 0.47 inch of DMD chip size.
    0.67 inch vs 0.47 inch
  • Supports lens memory
    This projector supports lens memory, while the average projector does not. 9% of projectors support lens memory.
  • Has motorized zoom
    This projector has motorized zoom, while the average projector does not. 16.3% of projectors have motorized zoom.
  • Advanced focus control
    This projector offers Advanced focus control than the average projector (motorized vs manual). The average projector uses manual focus control.
    motorized vs manual
  • Motorized focus
    This projector supports motorized focus, while the average projector does not. 47.2% of projectors support motorized focus.
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    This projector has more RJ45 ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 RJ45 ports.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB ports
    This projector has more USB ports than the average projector (2 vs 1). The average projector has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • Includes DVI
    This projector includes DVI input, while the average projector does not. 6% of projectors include DVI input.
  • Includes VGA
    This projector includes VGA input, while the average projector does not. 45.3% of projectors include VGA input.
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This projector supports Dolby Atmos, while the average projector does not. 14.9% of projectors support Dolby Atmos.
  • Uses laser light source
    This projector uses a laser light source, while the average projector does not. 28.1% of projectors use a laser light source.
  • 10,000 hours longer eco lamp life
    This projector has a higher lamp life in eco mode than the average projector (30,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life in eco mode.
    30,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (4K/30Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    4K/30Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (2000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    Native contrast ratio.
    2,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 15 % less horizontal lens shift
    This projector has fewer horizontal lens shift than the average projector (15 % vs 30 %). The average projector has 30 % horizontal lens shift.
    15 % vs 30 %
  • No Wi-Fi support
    This projector does not support Wi-Fi, while the average projector does. 52.9% of projectors support Wi-Fi.
  • No Bluetooth support
    This projector does not support Bluetooth, while the average projector does. 50.5% of projectors support Bluetooth.
  • No built-in speaker
    This projector drawback: no built-in speaker. 85.3% of projectors have a built-in speaker.
  • 5.68x heavier weight
    This projector is heavier than the average projector (17.6 kg vs 3.1 kg). The average projector weighs 3.1 kg.
    Without lens.
    17.6 kg vs 3.1 kg
  • 10 degrees less vertical keystone correction
    This projector offers less vertical keystone correction than the average projector (20 degrees degrees vs 30 degrees degrees). The average projector offers 30 degrees degrees of vertical keystone correction.
    20 degrees vs 30 degrees
  • 12.94x more expensive
    Optoma ZU860 is more expensive than the average projector (£9,960 vs £770).
    £9,960 vs £770
  • 27.2% worse value for money
    Optoma ZU860 has a lower value-for-money score than the average projector (5.12 vs 6.5).
    5.12 vs 6.51
  • 4.87x less popular
    Optoma ZU860 has a lower popularity than the average projector (1 vs 4.9).
    1 vs 4.87
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (2000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    Native contrast ratio.
    2,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 15 % less horizontal lens shift
    This projector has fewer horizontal lens shift than the average projector (15 % vs 30 %). The average projector has 30 % horizontal lens shift.
    15 % vs 30 %
  • 10 degrees less vertical keystone correction
    This projector offers less vertical keystone correction than the average projector (20 degrees degrees vs 30 degrees degrees). The average projector offers 30 degrees degrees of vertical keystone correction.
    20 degrees vs 30 degrees
  • 10 degrees less horizontal keystone correction
    This projector offers less horizontal keystone correction than the average projector (20 degrees degrees vs 30 degrees degrees). The average projector offers 30 degrees degrees of horizontal keystone correction.
    20 degrees vs 30 degrees
  • 10 % less vertical lens shift
    This projector has fewer vertical lens shift than the average projector (50 % vs 60 %). The average projector has 60 % vertical lens shift.
    50 % vs 60 %
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (4K/30Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    4K/30Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • No Wi-Fi support
    This projector does not support Wi-Fi, while the average projector does. 52.9% of projectors support Wi-Fi.
  • No Bluetooth support
    This projector does not support Bluetooth, while the average projector does. 50.5% of projectors support Bluetooth.
  • No 3.5 mm jack
    This projector does not include a 3.5 mm audio jack, while the average projector does. 82.9% of projectors include a 3.5 mm audio jack.
  • No built-in speaker
    This projector drawback: no built-in speaker. 85.3% of projectors have a built-in speaker.
  • 5.68x heavier weight
    This projector is heavier than the average projector (17.6 kg vs 3.1 kg). The average projector weighs 3.1 kg.
    Without lens.
    17.6 kg vs 3.1 kg
  • 420 W higher power use
    This projector uses more power than the average projector (655 W vs 235 W). The average projector uses 235 W of power.
    655 W vs 235 W
  • 2 dB louder operation
    This projector has a higher audible noise than the average projector (32 dB vs 30 dB). The average projector has 30 dB of audible noise.
    32 dB vs 30 dB
  • 184 mm wider body
    This projector is wider than the average projector (484 mm vs 300 mm). The average projector has a width of 300 mm.
    484 mm vs 300 mm
  • 68 mm taller body
    This projector is taller than the average projector (195 mm vs 127 mm). The average projector has a height of 127 mm.
    195 mm vs 127 mm

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Optoma ZU860

  • High brightness of 8,500 lumens, making it effective in rooms with significant ambient light
  • Maintenance-free laser light source with a long lifespan of up to 30,000 hours in Eco mode
  • Excellent installation flexibility with interchangeable lenses and 360-degree/portrait operation
  • Motorised focus, zoom, and lens shift for precise remote adjustments
  • Integrated image warping and edge blending for complex multi-projector setups
  • Robust connectivity options including HDBaseT and 3G-SDI

What customers don't like about Optoma ZU860

  • High power consumption during operation (approximately 625W)
  • Audible fan noise (35 dB) can be noticeable in smaller, quiet environments
  • Large and heavy form factor (approx. 17.6 kg), making it less suitable for portable use
  • General brand reliability concerns mentioned by some users regarding thermal management and cooling
  • Resolution limited to WUXGA (1920 x 1200), which may lack the sharpness of native 4K models

Verdict

The Optoma ZU860 is a high-performance WUXGA (1920 x 1200) professional installation projector featuring a bright 8,500 ANSI lumen DuraCore laser light source and a 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. Its main characteristics include 4K UHD HDR input compatibility, an IP5X-certified dust-resistant optical engine, and integrated tools for edge blending and image warping. Key pros include exceptional installation flexibility through seven interchangeable motorized lens options, support for 360-degree and portrait orientation, and a long, maintenance-free lifespan of up to 30,000 hours in Eco mode. Notable cons include its substantial weight of approximately 17.6 kg (without a lens) and high power consumption of up to 655W in bright mode.

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