Grab a slice of kaya toast, sip that kopi peng, and let’s settle a big living-room dilemma: Should you splash cash on a giant TV or pivot to a projector? Both promise blockbuster visuals, but they behave very differently once they meet Singapore’s unique mix of tiny flats, 11.11 flash deals, and near-tropical humidity. Here’s the low-down—zero marketing fluff, just practical pros, cons, and kopi-shop wisdom.
Editor
Lloyd Kelly Miralles chevron_right
Table of Contents
Screen Size & Immersion
|
TV |
Projector |
|
|
Typical size (SG) |
55–75 in for HDB, up to 98 in for landed |
80–150 in from 2.5 m throw |
|
Wow factor |
Crystal-sharp 4K in daylight |
Cinema-level scale—football feels life-size |
|
Reality check |
Anything above 85 in still costs S$4–9 k |
Needs near-dark room or ≥ 500 ANSI-lumen model |
Real-life feels: If you’re hosting Premier League nights in a Bishan 4-room, a 120-inch projected image dwarfs even the fanciest 75-inch OLED—at half the price.
Space & Aesthetics
- TV: A 65-inch panel is basically an immovable glossy slab. Wall-mounting saves floor space, but you’re still staring at a big black rectangle during WFH Zoom calls.
- Projector: The “screen” disappears when you roll up a blind or switch off. Portable models (sub-1 kg) slip into a tote—handy if you spend weekends at the in-laws.
Tip: IKEA’s Tupplur blackout roller (≈ S$49) doubles as a projector screen and keeps afternoon glare out of your study.
Image Quality & Brightness
|
Factor |
TV (mid-range 4K LED) |
Projector (500–800 ANSI lm) |
|
Daylight performance |
Excellent—even by a sunny window |
Washed out unless curtains closed |
|
Contrast / black level |
Great on OLED, decent on QLED |
Middling; blacks look grey |
|
Sharpness |
Native 4K pixels |
True 1080p is common; 4K projectors = $$$ |
Unless you can dim the room, TVs still win the lunchtime-Netflix battle. Night owls? A projector feels more “cinematic”—especially with Dolby Atmos lights off.
Cost Breakdown
|
Budget |
TV (Shopee/Lazada after vouchers) |
Projector (Shopee/Lazada after vouchers) |
|
Entry (< S$400) |
43-in Xiaomi A Pro, 1080p |
150 ANSI-lumen portables (Airbot PJ168) |
|
Sweet spot (S$800–1 200) |
65-in Samsung Crystal UHD or LG QNED |
1080p LUMOS AURO V2 (claimed 6 000 lm), BenQ GV50 battery projector |
|
Premium (S$2 k+) |
77-in LG C3 OLED, 120 Hz |
4K laser UST projectors (XGIMI Aura 2) |
Sale hacks:
- Stack platform vouchers + bank cards + ShopBack during 9.9 or 11.11—real-life combo slashes 10–18 %.
- Amazon.sg matches US lightning deals on LG OLEDs; just watch out for 110 V models (you’ll need a step-down transformer).
Audio & Connectivity
- TVs ship with built-in Netflix, Disney+, and HDMI eARC—just plug a soundbar.
- Projectors often need a streaming stick (Fire TV, Apple TV) and a Bluetooth speaker for meatier bass. Fan noise can intrude if you’re watching ASMR mukbang at midnight.
Work-around: Point the projector’s exhaust toward a corner and run audio through a S$149 Creative Stage V2—problem solved.
Maintenance & Durability
Humidity & Fungus: Singapore’s 80 % RH loves to colonise projector lenses. Store in a dry-cab or toss silica packs into the carry case. TVs? Wipe the panel, done.
Lamp life: LED/laser projectors promise up to 30 000 h, but cheap bulbs dim faster. Replacement at S$100–300 after five years isn’t unusual.
Moving house: A 75-inch TV barely fits the HDB lift; a 1 kg projector slips into your backpack.
Gaming & Input Lag
Current-gen consoles output 4K @ 120 Hz.
- Mid-tier TVs now hit 120 Hz with < 10 ms lag—smooth for FIFA or Valorant.
- Affordable projectors hover at 60 Hz and 30–50 ms. Competitive gamers will notice.
Electric Bill Reality
|
Device |
Power draw |
3-hour movie, 5 nights/week (approx) |
|
65-in LED TV |
120 W |
~ S$5/month |
|
800-ANSI projector + soundbar |
160 W |
~ S$6.50/month |
So yes, projectors sip slightly more juice—but not enough to scare your SP Services bill.
Verdict Cheat Sheet
|
Scenario |
Winner |
Why |
|
Daytime binge-watching |
TV |
Bright enough for open curtains |
|
Epic movie nights |
Projector |
120-inch screen feels like GV Max |
|
Tiny studio, 1 wall only |
Projector |
Disappears when switched off |
|
Competitive PS5 gaming |
TV |
Low input lag, 120 Hz |
|
Frequent movers / renters |
Projector |
Lightweight, no wall mounts |
|
Zero blackout curtains, loves K-drama lunch breaks |
TV |
No glare stress |
Takeaways
- Measure your wall first. Most HDB living rooms max out at 3 m throw—good for ~100-inch projection.
- If you can’t darken the room, buy a TV. Even an entry-level QLED beats a budget projector in daylight.
- Cinema vibes on a budget? Pair a 1080p projector (≥ 500 ANSI lm) with blackout blinds and a Bluetooth speaker; total damage ≈ S$600.
- Remember humidity. Store projectors with silica gel, especially during monsoon season.
- Stack vouchers. Whether you choose TV or projector, timing your cart for 8.8 or 11.11 saves at least a fancy mala hotpot’s worth of cash.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, both screens and beams can turn your BTO into a mini-cineplex. Decide what bothers you more: glare in the afternoon (go TV) or a hulking black rectangle hogging precious wall space (projector please). Either way, may your next movie night be shiok—and your cashback sky-high.