Claria CLR18 Review: 8K Laser Projector (8,000 Lumens)

This Claria CLR18 review looks at the middle child of the Rhayon Series — the one that exists because somebody, somewhere, decided 6,000 lumens wasn't enough and 10,000 was overkill. At 8,000 lumens with a claimed 100,000:1 contrast ratio, the CLR18 is pitched as the "performance" tier: still a short-throw 8K laser projector, but with the brightness headroom to fight ambient light in rooms where the CLR12 would start to look washed out. We rate tech so you don't need to do it, and the CLR18 is one of those products where the spec sheet reads great — the real question is who actually needs this much projector.

Quick verdict

Rating: 4.5/5

• Best for: large rooms, bright spaces, and people who want 8K with brightness to spare.
• Strengths: 8,000-lumen output, full HDMI 2.1 connectivity (three ports), Wi-Fi 6E, quiet operation, and a laser engine rated for 100,000 hours.
• Keep in mind: the $8,900 MSRP is a real commitment, the 100,000:1 contrast is a claimed figure, and the 0.8 throw ratio is "short" rather than "ultra-short" — so it still needs a bit of distance.

Specifications

Spec	Claria CLR18
Brightness	8,000 lumens
Contrast ratio	100,000:1 (claimed)
Resolution	8K UHD
Throw ratio	0.8 short throw
Screen size	80" – 350"
Light source	Laser, ~100,000 hours
Noise level	≤ 25 dB
HDMI	3× HDMI 2.1 (4K120 / 8K60)
USB	2× USB-A 3.0 + 1× USB-C
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Smart platform	Android TV 13
MSRP	$8,900

Specs as rated by Claria.

What to expect

The headline number is 8,000 lumens, and that's the whole personality of this machine. Where an entry-level projector asks you to dim the lights and close the blinds, the CLR18 is built to keep a watchable, saturated image with the lights on. Pair that with native 8K resolution and a screen ceiling of 350 inches, and you have a projector designed for rooms — auditoriums, big open-plan living spaces, conference halls — rather than a cozy dedicated den. On a sensible 100-to-150-inch screen at home, that brightness translates into punch and contrast that hold up even when you can't fully control the room.

Who should buy it

The CLR18 makes sense if your space defeats lesser projectors. Think rooms with windows you can't fully blackout, ceilings high enough for a genuinely big screen, or mixed-use spaces that double as a media room and a daytime work area. It's also a fit for the buyer who wants 8K but plans to feed it demanding sources — multiple consoles, a PC, a 4K/120 gaming rig — and needs the connectivity to match. If you have a small, dark, dedicated theater, the cheaper CLR12 will likely satisfy you and save you nearly two thousand dollars.

In-depth analysis

Brightness

8,000 lumens is the figure that justifies the price step up from the CLR12. Brightness is the single spec most projectors quietly under-deliver on once a room isn't pitch black, so the extra 2,000 lumens over the entry model is meaningful insurance. It's the difference between "we have to wait until sunset" and "just start the movie."

8K resolution

Native 8K on a big screen is less about counting individual pixels and more about smoothness — no visible structure, clean edges, and the freedom to sit closer than you would with 4K. There's little true 8K content yet, so most of the time the CLR18 is upscaling. The upside of 8K hardware is future-proofing and exceptionally clean handling of 4K material.

Throw

The 0.8 short-throw ratio means the CLR18 can sit reasonably close to the screen, but it is not the desk-hugging ultra-short-throw you get on the flagship CLR45. Plan for a shelf or ceiling mount at a modest distance rather than a unit pushed right against the wall.

Connectivity and smarts

Three HDMI 2.1 ports is the standout here — enough for a console, a media box, and a PC without an external switch, all at 4K120 or 8K60. USB-C, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2 round things out, and Android TV 13 means the streaming apps live on the projector itself. For a built-in installation, that port count and wireless spec genuinely matter.

How it compares

Model	CLR12	CLR18	CLR45
Tier	Entry	Performance	Flagship
Brightness	6,000 lm	8,000 lm	10,000 lm
Contrast (claimed)	70,000:1	100,000:1	150,000:1
Throw	0.8 short	0.8 short	0.65 ultra short
Max screen	300"	350"	400"
Auto Focus	No	No	Yes
MSRP	$6,950	$8,900	$11,500

The CLR18 is the sensible middle: brighter and better-connected than the CLR12, without the flagship's auto-focus, ultra-short throw, wide DCI-P3 gamut, and pro AV control that push the CLR45 well past $11,000.

Pros and cons

Pros

• 8,000 lumens handles bright rooms and very large screens
• Three HDMI 2.1 ports — rare and genuinely useful
• Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and Android TV 13 built in
• Quiet (≤25 dB) and maintenance-free laser engine

Cons

• $8,900 is a serious investment
• 100,000:1 contrast is a claimed, not measured, figure
• 0.8 throw is short, not ultra-short — needs some distance
• No auto focus (a flagship-only feature)

FAQ

Is the Claria CLR18 worth it over the CLR12?
If your room is bright or you want a screen approaching 350 inches, yes — the extra 2,000 lumens and third HDMI 2.1 port are the reason this tier exists. In a small, dark room, the CLR12 is the better value.

Is the CLR18 a true 8K projector?
It outputs 8K UHD resolution. Native 8K content is still scarce, so in practice it spends most of its time upscaling 4K and lower — which it has the hardware headroom to do cleanly.

Can the CLR18 be used in a bright room?
That's its core strength. At 8,000 lumens it's specced to stay watchable with ambient light, unlike dimmer projectors that demand a fully darkened room.

Does it need a separate streaming device?
No. Android TV 13 is built in, with Wi-Fi 6E, so the major streaming apps run on the projector itself.

Bottom line

The Claria CLR18 is the Rhayon Series model for people whose rooms are too big or too bright for an entry projector but who don't need the flagship's auto-focus and pro AV plumbing. The 8,000-lumen output is the real draw, the triple HDMI 2.1 layout is a quiet standout, and the smart platform means fewer boxes on the shelf. At $8,900 it isn't casual money, but for the right large or light-filled space it earns a strong 4.5/5.

View the Claria CLR18 official page

Typically listed by distributors on marketplaces — availability varies.