Projectors have come a long way since their inception, and they are now a staple in many households. They are perfect for movie nights, gaming, or even presentations. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to find the right one. That’s why we’ve done the research and testing to find the best projectors under $500.
When looking for a projector in this price range, it’s essential to keep in mind the features that matter most. One of the most critical factors is brightness, as it can affect the image quality in a well-lit room. Resolution is also important, as it determines the clarity of the image. Other features to consider are the projector’s throw distance and aspect ratio.
After researching and testing several projectors, we’ve found the best options that strike a balance between affordability and quality. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at each of our top picks, highlighting their features, pros, and cons. Whether you’re looking for a projector for your home theater or a portable option for on-the-go, we’ve got you covered.
Top 3 Best Projectors Under $500
We understand that finding the perfect projector can be a daunting task, especially when you’re on a budget. That’s why we’ve done the research and put together a list of the best projectors under $500. Whether you’re looking for a projector for movie nights, gaming, or presentations, we’ve got you covered. Our team of experts has tested and reviewed each product to ensure that they meet our standards for quality and affordability. So sit back, relax, and let us help you find the perfect projector for your needs.
ELEPHAS Mini Projector
If you are on a tight budget and looking for a portable projector, the ELEPHAS Mini Projector is a decent choice.
Pros
- Connects with your smartphone, laptop, or tablet
- Portable and easy to carry
- Built-in speaker for small rooms or spaces
Cons
- Does not support Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu
- The screen can be dim in semi-lit rooms
- Audio settings may need to be adjusted when using an Amazon Fire Stick
We recently tested the ELEPHAS Mini Projector and were impressed by its connectivity options. It supports HDMI, USB, audio, Micro SD, TF, and AV interfaces, making it easy to connect to multiple media devices such as TV boxes, laptops, and digital cameras.
The mini projector is small and portable, making it perfect for travel, camping, or watching movies in the outdoor courtyard. It can project a maximum of 60 inches, and the built-in speaker is suitable for small rooms or spaces.
However, it’s worth noting that the ELEPHAS Mini Projector does not support Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu due to HDCP copyright. But you can use Amazon Fire Stick or Roku Stick instead. Also, the screen can be dim in semi-lit rooms, so it’s best to use it in a dark environment.
Overall, we recommend the ELEPHAS Mini Projector for those who are looking for a budget-friendly and portable projector. It’s perfect for watching movies, playing games, or giving presentations.
ClokoWe Mini Projector
If you’re looking for a portable projector that’s easy to carry and delivers great performance, the ClokoWe Mini Projector is an excellent choice.
Pros
- The projector is incredibly bright, with 9000 Lux brightness and Full HD 1080P support, delivering a real, dynamic, and color-vibrant image that’s perfect for home theaters, video games, parties, and outdoor activities.
- The mini projector is small and portable, with an elegant design and a size of 6.74×5.28×2.96 inches and a weight of 0.72 kg. It’s easy to carry around, and there’s even a handle on the product box for added convenience.
- The projector is compatible with a wide range of devices, including iPhone/Android Phone, Tablet/iPad, Laptop, Macbook, Blu-ray Player, TV boxes, DVD players, PS4, USB flash disks, and more. It’s incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of settings.
Cons
- The projector doesn’t support Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu due to HDCP copyright, but you can use Amazon Fire Stick or Roku Stick for streaming.
- The projector isn’t the best for watching during the day, as the brightness may not be sufficient in well-lit environments.
- You’ll need an HDMI adapter to use the projector with your laptop, tablet, or other devices.
The ClokoWe Mini Projector is a great choice for anyone looking for a portable projector that delivers excellent performance and is easy to carry around. The projector’s high brightness, Full HD support, and compatibility with a wide range of devices make it a versatile and reliable option for home theaters, gaming, and more. With a three-year product replacement warranty and lifetime after-sales service, you can rest assured that you’re getting a high-quality product that’s backed by excellent customer support.
If you’re in the market for a portable projector that delivers great performance and is easy to use, the ClokoWe Mini Projector is definitely worth considering.
8500Lumens Portable Projector for Home Theater Entertainment
We highly recommend the 8500Lumens Portable Projector for Home Theater Entertainment for anyone looking for an affordable projector with great features.
Pros
- The native resolution is the highest in its class, making it perfect for home entertainment games, indoor and outdoor movies, and even for education and business purposes.
- The projector lamp life is up to 60,000 hours, which is longer than most projectors in this price range. Additionally, the LED light source is gentle on your eyes, making it perfect for extended use.
- The projector has flexible connectivity options, including AV/USB/SD/HDMI/VGA/Headphone plug, allowing you to play most media players on it like PCs, Macs, Video Games like PS4, Blue-ray DVD player, TV Stick, and mobile devices.
Cons
- The audio is not very loud, so you may need to hook up external speakers for a better audio experience.
- The picture quality is not as good as some of the more expensive projectors on the market.
- The remote control may not work properly, but this can be remedied by contacting customer service.
We were impressed with the 8500Lumens Portable Projector for Home Theater Entertainment. The picture quality was decent, and the projector was easy to set up and use. We loved the flexibility of the connectivity options, which allowed us to play media from a wide range of devices. Additionally, the long lamp life and gentle LED light source made it perfect for extended use. Overall, we highly recommend this projector for anyone looking for an affordable and versatile option for home entertainment.
PURSHE Mini Projector
We highly recommend the PURSHE Mini Projector for anyone looking for a lightweight and portable projector that delivers a clear and bright picture.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable design makes it easy to move around and set up.
- Supports Full HD 1080P and is compatible with a wide range of devices, including TV sticks and phones.
- Offers a bright and clear picture with 7500 lumens of brightness.
Cons
- Some users have reported occasional issues with the HDMI connection.
- The built-in speaker may not be loud enough for larger rooms.
- Does not come with a projector screen or other accessories.
We were impressed with the overall performance of the PURSHE Mini Projector. Despite its compact size, it offers a bright and clear picture that is perfect for home cinema and gaming. The lightweight design makes it easy to move around and set up, and we appreciated the wide range of compatibility with different devices.
One potential downside is that some users have reported occasional issues with the HDMI connection, which can result in a green line appearing on the screen. Additionally, while the built-in speaker is sufficient for smaller rooms, it may not be loud enough for larger spaces. Finally, it’s worth noting that the projector does not come with a screen or other accessories, which may be an additional expense for some users.
Overall, we think that the PURSHE Mini Projector is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality projector under $500. It delivers a bright and clear picture, is easy to use, and offers a great value for the price.
KEEPWISE Mini Projector
If you’re looking for an affordable projector that’s portable and easy to use, the KEEPWISE Mini Projector is a great option.
Pros
- The projector is lightweight and easy to carry around, making it perfect for traveling or outdoor movie nights.
- With 9500 Lux, 1080p support, and 720P native resolution, the picture quality is excellent.
- The 5G WiFi connection is convenient and allows for smoother and more stable mirroring of iOS and Android devices.
Cons
- The manual keystone makes it hard to adjust the screen when it’s at an angle.
- The built-in stereo surround speaker is good enough, but hooking up external speakers greatly enhances the sound quality.
- The projector’s small size means that the projection size is limited.
We’ve been using the KEEPWISE Mini Projector for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance. The projector is small, lightweight, and easy to set up, making it a great option for movie nights in the backyard or for taking on the go. The picture quality is excellent, and the 5G WiFi connection makes it easy to mirror our devices and stream content.
One thing we don’t love about the projector is the manual keystone, which can make it difficult to adjust the screen when it’s at an angle. However, we’ve found that this is a minor inconvenience and doesn’t detract from the overall experience.
Another drawback of the projector is its small size, which means that the projection size is limited. However, this is to be expected with a projector of this size, and it’s still possible to get a decent-sized image.
Overall, we think the KEEPWISE Mini Projector is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable, portable projector with good picture quality. It’s perfect for movie nights at home or on the go, and the 5G WiFi connection makes it easy to stream content from our devices.
YOWHICK Native 1080P 5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector
If you’re looking for a high-quality projector under $500, the YOWHICK Native 1080P 5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector is a great option. With its native 1080P resolution and 4K support, this projector delivers clear and vibrant images that are easy on the eyes.
Pros
- The 350 ANSI lumens brightness makes the images much brighter and clearer than other 1080P projectors.
- The 17 million color range provides a wide range of colors and can display 100% RGB color signals for each image.
- The fast stable WiFi and Bluetooth connection allows for a smoother and lag-free online video streaming and gaming experience.
Cons
- The built-in subwoofer speaker may not be sufficient for those who want a more immersive sound experience.
- The remote has to be pointed at the projector in order to work.
- Some users have reported experiencing dark spots in the middle of their images after using the projector for a year.
Overall, we highly recommend the YOWHICK Native 1080P 5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector. It offers a display size of up to 300 inches, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor entertainment. The projector is also compatible with multiple devices, including TV sticks, USB disks, PCs, laptops, MacBooks, iOS and Android phones, DVD players, PS5, game consoles, and external speakers. Plus, with a 2-year warranty, lifetime technical support, and 24/7 professional customer service, you can be sure you’re making a smart investment.
TMY Native 1080P Projector with 5G WiFi and Bluetooth 5.1
If you’re looking for a projector that can deliver high-quality images and support 4K videos, the TMY Native 1080P Projector with 5G WiFi and Bluetooth 5.1 is worth considering.
Pros
- The native 1080P Full HD LCD screen enhances the image quality to 1920*1080 resolution.
- The 5G WiFi technology ensures smoother and more stable mirroring of iOS and Android devices.
- The built-in Bluetooth 5.1 technology makes the audio synchronization faster and more stable.
Cons
- The keystone correction is manual, which may cause some inconvenience.
- The fan noise is noticeable, but it is expected for a projector of this size.
- The bezel drifts when adjusting the keystone correction.
We were impressed with the TMY Native 1080P Projector’s performance when we tested it. The projector’s 320 ANSI LED light source provides a clear and bright display, and the 4:3/16:9 aspect ratio and ±15° keystone correction make it easy to adjust the image to fit your screen.
The projector also offers wider compatibility with multiple ports, including HDMI, USB, SD, and AV interfaces. It’s the perfect solution for a wide variety of inputs, including but not limited to TV Stick/Box, Chrome-cast, Roku-Stick, Game Console, PCs, Smartphone & Laptops, DVD player, SD card, and USB Sticks, External Speaker, etc.
The TMY Native 1080P Projector’s built-in upgraded speaker delivers a cinematic audio-visual experience without connecting external speakers. Moreover, you can connect your ideal Bluetooth speakers or headphones wirelessly at any time to get more wonderful sound, and you can truly create your own home theater.
In conclusion, we highly recommend the TMY Native 1080P Projector with 5G WiFi and Bluetooth 5.1 for anyone looking for a high-quality projector that can deliver an excellent viewing experience.
ELEPHAS Mini Projector
If you’re looking for a high-quality, portable projector that won’t break the bank, the ELEPHAS Mini Projector is an excellent choice. With its compact size and impressive features, this projector is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
Pros
- The ELEPHAS Mini Projector is incredibly small and lightweight, making it easy to take with you wherever you go.
- With its 1080P HD support and German emerald glass lens, this projector provides incredibly detailed images that are perfect for movies, TV shows, and even video games.
- The ELEPHAS Mini Projector is incredibly versatile, with multiple ports that make it easy to connect to a wide range of devices, including laptops, smartphones, and more.
Cons
- Due to HDCP copyright restrictions, the ELEPHAS Mini Projector doesn’t support Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu. However, you can use an Amazon Fire Stick or Roku Stick to stream content from these services.
- While the built-in HIFI speaker provides excellent sound quality, you may need to use external speakers for larger rooms or outdoor use.
- The portable power station is not included, so you’ll need to purchase one separately if you plan to use the projector outdoors.
Overall, we highly recommend the ELEPHAS Mini Projector for anyone who wants a high-quality, portable projector that won’t break the bank. With its impressive features and versatile design, this projector is perfect for everything from movie nights to business presentations.
Dxyiitoo Native 1080P Projector
If you’re looking for an affordable projector that delivers great image quality and a variety of connectivity options, the Dxyiitoo Native 1080P Projector is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- The WiFi and Airplay functions make it easy to stream content from your phone or other devices.
- The native 1080P resolution and high brightness of 12000 lumens provide clear, bright, and colorful images.
- The built-in speaker and Bluetooth 5.0 allow you to enjoy great sound quality without the need for external speakers.
Cons
- No zoom function to adjust the picture size – distance from the screen determines the size.
- The keystone correction is limited to vertical adjustment only.
- The remote control is small and can be difficult to use in the dark.
We’ve been using the Dxyiitoo Native 1080P Projector for a few weeks now and we’re impressed with its performance. The image quality is great and the colors are vibrant, making it perfect for movie nights or gaming sessions.
One of the standout features of this projector is its WiFi and Airplay functions. We were able to easily stream content from our phone and the image quality was excellent. The built-in speaker is also surprisingly good and we didn’t feel the need to use external speakers.
However, the lack of a zoom function can be a bit of a downside, especially if you’re trying to adjust the picture size. The keystone correction is also limited to vertical adjustment only, which can be a bit frustrating if your projector isn’t perfectly aligned with the screen.
Overall, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly projector that delivers great image quality and a variety of connectivity options, the Dxyiitoo Native 1080P Projector is definitely worth considering.
Weochi Native 1080P WiFi Projector
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly projector that offers a large, immersive screen, the Weochi Native 1080P WiFi Projector is worth considering.
Pros
- With a 1080P native resolution and support for 4K video, this projector delivers sharp and detailed images without downscaling or compression.
- The max 220″ big screen offers an immersive home theater viewing experience.
- The Keystone correction can reduce the image size to 75% without moving, can be horizontal, vertical and rotate adjustment.
Cons
- The projector does not support 4K video.
- Some users have reported difficulty in connecting the projector to their phones.
- The quality of the image, sound and brightness are very good but not the best.
We were pleasantly surprised by the Weochi Native 1080P WiFi Projector’s performance. The projector is easy to set up and use, and the image quality is impressive for the price. We appreciated the Keystone correction feature, which allowed us to adjust the image size without moving the projector.
The projector’s 2.4G/5G WIFI & 5.1 Dual Bluetooth connection allows for wireless connectivity to phones and laptops, freeing up space and eliminating wire limitations. The built-in dual 5W Hi-Fi SRS speaker enhances the immersive fun.
The Weochi Native 1080P WiFi Projector is compatible with TV sticks, PCs, laptops, Android/iOS mobile phones, PS4, Switch and other devices. Weochi provides a 3-Year repair and lifetime professional technical support, ensuring that you’ll be able to enjoy your projector for years to come.
Overall, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly projector that delivers impressive image quality and a large, immersive screen, the Weochi Native 1080P WiFi Projector is a solid choice.
Buying Guide
When looking for the best projector under $500, there are a few important factors to consider. We’ve compiled a list of features to help you make an informed decision.
Resolution
The resolution of a projector is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a projector. The higher the resolution, the clearer and sharper the image will be. We recommend looking for a projector with at least a 1080p resolution for the best viewing experience.
Brightness
The brightness of a projector is measured in lumens and determines how well the image will be visible in a well-lit room. We suggest choosing a projector with a brightness of at least 2,000 lumens for a decent viewing experience.
Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio of a projector determines the difference between the darkest and brightest parts of an image. A higher contrast ratio will result in a more vivid and lifelike image. We suggest looking for a projector with a contrast ratio of at least 2,000:1 for a good viewing experience.
Throw Distance
The throw distance of a projector is the distance between the projector and the screen. It is important to choose a projector with a throw distance that fits your room size. We suggest measuring the distance between where the projector will be placed and where the screen will be mounted to determine the appropriate throw distance.
Connectivity
The connectivity of a projector is important for connecting to various devices such as laptops, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. We suggest looking for a projector with multiple connectivity options such as HDMI, USB, and VGA ports.
In conclusion, when choosing the best projector under $500, it is important to consider the resolution, brightness, contrast ratio, throw distance, and connectivity options. By keeping these factors in mind, you can make an informed decision and choose a projector that best fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the best projectors available under $500?
There are several projectors available in the market under $500 that offer great value for money. Some of the best projectors include the Vankyo Leisure 3, DR. J Professional HI-04, and the Apeman LC350.
What features should I look for in a budget projector?
When looking for a budget projector, it is important to consider factors such as image quality, brightness, connectivity options, and lamp life. Look for projectors that offer at least 720p resolution, 2000 lumens of brightness, multiple HDMI ports, and a lamp life of at least 20,000 hours.
Is it possible to get a good projector for under $500?
Yes, it is definitely possible to get a good projector for under $500. There are several budget projectors available in the market that offer great value for money and perform well in terms of image quality, brightness, and connectivity options.
What is the difference between 1080p and 4K projectors?
1080p projectors offer a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, while 4K projectors offer a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels. This means that 4K projectors offer four times the resolution of 1080p projectors, resulting in sharper and more detailed images. However, 4K projectors are generally more expensive than 1080p projectors.
Can budget projectors be used for outdoor movie nights?
Yes, budget projectors can be used for outdoor movie nights. However, it is important to consider factors such as brightness and image quality when selecting a projector for outdoor use. Look for projectors that offer at least 2000 lumens of brightness and have good contrast ratios for better image quality.
What is the best value projector for the money?
The best value projector for the money depends on your specific needs and preferences. However, some of the best value projectors under $500 include the Vankyo Leisure 3, DR. J Professional HI-04, and the Apeman LC350. These projectors offer great image quality, brightness, and connectivity options at an affordable price.
