Quick Answer: Almost every home theater projector — Epson, BenQ, Optoma, ViewSonic, Sony, LG, NEC and more — uses the same IEC-60320 C13-to-NEMA 5-15P three-prong power cord, so a single universal replacement fits nearly any brand. The Lenmu Mica Projector Power Cord is the best overall pick for its wide compatibility list, the Amazon Basics 15-Foot IEC C13 Cord is best for a projector mounted far from the nearest outlet, and Cable Matters’ Low-Profile Right Angle Power Cord — which sticks out only about half an inch from the wall — is the cleanest option for a ceiling mount.
Losing or frying a projector’s power cord is a smaller problem than it feels like, because unlike a remote or a lamp module, the cord itself isn’t proprietary. This guide covers the connector standard every major brand shares, the specs that actually matter when buying a replacement, and five real picks for different situations — standard replacement, long runs, tight budgets, and ceiling-mounted installs.
By the numbers: Product listings across major projector brands confirm the same connector standard — cords sold as compatible with Epson, Optoma, BenQ, LG, ViewSonic, Hitachi, Sony, NEC, Dell, Canon and InFocus all specify an IEC-60320 C13 female inlet to NEMA 5-15P plug, the identical pairing used on desktop monitors. Standard replacement cords run 18 AWG wire and carry a UL listing rated for 250V/10A — about 2,500 watts of headroom, far beyond the roughly 200-400 watts a typical home theater projector draws. Cable Matters’ low-profile right-angle design extends about half an inch from the outlet, versus several inches for a straight-plug cord, which matters directly for a ceiling mount where the cord runs along a flush surface.
Our top picks at a glance
| Cable | Best for | Connector | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenmu Mica Projector Power Cord | Best overall | IEC C13 to NEMA 5-15P | 3-6 ft | ~$8-12 |
| Amazon Basics 15-Foot IEC C13 Cord | Best long run | IEC C13 to NEMA 5-15P | 15 ft | ~$9-14 |
| UL-Listed 3 Prong Power Cord (6ft) | Best budget | IEC C13 to NEMA 5-15P | 6 ft | ~$6-9 |
| Cable Matters Low-Profile Right Angle Cord | Best for ceiling mount | IEC C13 (angled) to NEMA 5-15P | 6 ft | ~$10-15 |
| C2G 24907 Projector Power Cable | Best known brand | IEC C13 to NEMA 5-15P | 10 ft | ~$10-16 |
1. Lenmu Mica Projector Power Cord — Best Overall
Lenmu Mica Projector Power Cord
- Standard IEC-60320 C13 to NEMA 5-15P three-prong connector.
- Listed compatible with Epson, Optoma, LG, Hitachi, BenQ, Sony, Dell and InFocus projectors.
- Sold in 3ft and 6ft lengths for typical shelf and stand placements.
- Simple, no-frills replacement for the cord that ships in the box.
For most people who just need a working replacement, this is the safe default. It’s the same C13-to-NEMA-5-15P connector every major brand’s projector expects, and the seller’s own compatibility list spans most of the projector brands covered on this site, from Epson to BenQ to Optoma. Buy the length closest to your actual outlet distance — 3 feet for a nearby power strip, 6 feet for a shelf a bit further from the wall.
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2. Amazon Basics 15-Foot IEC C13 Cord — Best Long Run
Amazon Basics 15-Foot IEC C13 Power Cord
- 15-foot length covers a projector far from the nearest outlet.
- Same universal IEC C13 to NEMA 5-15P connector as shorter cords.
- Basic, unbranded design keeps the price close to a standard 6ft cord.
- Useful for a projector stand or cart positioned away from the wall.
A ceiling-mounted or stand-mounted projector, like the setups covered in our best projector stand guide, often sits well away from the nearest wall outlet or power strip. Rather than daisy-chaining extension cords, a single 15-foot cord reaches most rooms outright — the extra length has no meaningful downside at these distances, since voltage drop only matters over far longer industrial runs.
3. UL-Listed 3 Prong Power Cord — Best Budget
UL-Listed 3 Prong Power Cord (6ft)
- UL-listed 18 AWG cord rated for 250V/10A.
- Standard IEC C13 to NEMA 5-15P connector, 6-foot length.
- Priced lowest of the picks here while still meeting the same safety rating.
- No brand-specific features — a plain, functional replacement.
Because the power cord isn’t a proprietary or electronically complex part, there’s little reason to overspend once a cord carries a real UL listing and the correct 250V/10A rating. This is the pick for anyone who just needs the cheapest cord that still meets the safety bar — worth checking the listing specifically confirms UL certification before buying, since not every rock-bottom listing does.
4. Cable Matters Low-Profile Right Angle Power Cord — Best for Ceiling Mount
Cable Matters Low-Profile Right Angle Power Cord
- 16 AWG right-angle IEC C13 connector extends only about half an inch from the outlet.
- NEMA 5-15P to angled C13, 6-foot length.
- Sits flush against a ceiling or wall plate instead of protruding straight out.
- Sold in a 2-pack, useful if you're also powering a receiver or streaming box nearby.
A straight-plug cord sticking several inches out of a ceiling-mounted outlet is both visually messy and can catch on a mount bracket or drop-pole. This right-angle design routes the cord flat against the surface instead, extending roughly half an inch rather than several — the cleaner finish for anyone who’s already worked out the throw distance and drop-pole length using our projector ceiling mount picks and throw distance calculator.
5. C2G 24907 Projector Power Cable — Best Known Brand
C2G 24907 Projector Power Cable
- 10-foot IEC C13 to NEMA 5-15P power cord.
- Made by Cables To Go (C2G), an established AV-cable brand.
- Mid-length option between a short shelf cord and a full 15-foot run.
- Sold specifically listed and marketed as a projector power cable.
For buyers who’d rather stick with a recognizable AV brand than a generic listing, C2G has built cables and connectivity accessories for decades, and this cord is sold specifically as a projector replacement rather than a repurposed generic PC cord. At 10 feet, it splits the difference between the short 3-6ft options and the 15-foot long-run pick above.
How to choose a replacement projector power cable
- Check the connector on your projector first. Nearly every home theater projector uses a female IEC C13 inlet, but confirm before buying — it’s a quick visual check against the old cord or the port itself.
- Match the length to your actual setup. Measure the distance from the projector to the outlet rather than guessing; a cord that’s too short defeats the purpose, and one that’s excessively long just means more cable to manage.
- Confirm the UL listing and rating. Look for 18 AWG or heavier wire and a 250V/10A (or better) rating — that’s roughly 2,500 watts of headroom against a projector that typically draws 200-400 watts, so any properly rated cord has ample margin.
- Go right-angle for ceiling mounts. A low-profile angled plug sits flush against the mounting surface instead of protruding, which matters more for appearance and mount clearance than for anything electrical.
- Skip anything without a listed safety certification. Since the cord carries mains voltage, a UL (or equivalent) listing is the one spec not worth skipping to save a couple of dollars.
The bottom line
A projector’s power cord is one of the least proprietary parts on the whole unit — nearly every major brand uses the same IEC C13-to-NEMA 5-15P connector, so a universal replacement almost always works. The Lenmu Mica Projector Power Cord is the best all-around pick for typical setups, the Amazon Basics 15-Foot Cord covers projectors far from an outlet, the UL-Listed 3 Prong Cord is the budget option, Cable Matters’ Low-Profile Right Angle Cord is the cleanest fit for a ceiling mount, and the C2G 24907 is the pick for buyers who want a recognized AV brand. Sorting out the rest of the setup? Our best HDMI cable for projector guide covers the video side, and our projector bulb replacement guide has the other consumable most projectors eventually need.
Prices and specs verified August 2026 and subject to change; check the current listing before buying.