The Best Projector Under $500

Are you searching for the perfect projector for under $500 that fits your specific needs? Do you need to replace an existing projector?

We understand it can be overwhelming to find the perfect projector, but we can help.

The best home theater projector under $500 offers an amazing package of features to help you enjoy your streaming and binging experience.

Even in this price range, you can still get a high-quality, vibrant picture, easy portability, in-built speakers, and integrated Wi-Fi so that you can enjoy the best viewing experience possible. Plus, you can easily stream and binge from Netflix, YouTube, and more!

We’ve researched features, performance, compatibility, and other essential features to bring you the best projectors to fit your needs. Let’s explore each projector to get more information and help you find the perfect one for you!

It may be worth considering increasing your budget if you’re looking for a better quality projector with 4K resolution. We suggest the 4K resolution projectors, which offer much smoother picture quality. However, if your budget is limited to $500, there are still good-quality projectors available.

No matter what you need a projector for, it’s a great idea. And now the question is, can you find the best projector under $500? The answer is yes! There are many great options available at that price point, which can make it hard to choose. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. With our helpful advice, you can be sure to find the perfect projector for your needs under $500.

No matter your budget, it’s important to ensure that the projector you purchase has all the features you need. Researching and focusing on the important features can help you save money in the long run. We’re here to help you find the perfect projector for your needs.

ViewSonic M1+ Portable LED Projector

The ViewSonic M1+ Portable LED Projector is a great option for those on the move. With a compact design, it weighs only 2 pounds and has a battery life of 3 hours.

It also offers up to 1080p resolution, so your presentations will look as good as possible. This device comes with HDMI input or an SD card if needed. Plus, it’s really easy to set up.

The ViewSonic M1+ Portable LED Projector is a great option for those looking to upgrade from their current projector. It has a new and improved design, as well as new features that have been added. You can find this product on Amazon.com or at your local retailer! 

The vivid colors, deep black levels, and crisp details make it a must-have for watching Hollywood blockbusters. The chassis and most of the features are the same, apart from the missing internal speakers on this model, which is a bit of a waste of money anyway.

ViewSonic M1+ offers remarkable color accuracy and tremendous razor-sharp images that would make you want to watch your movies every day. Delivering a brightness of 3600 lumens of both color and white brightness, the projector images are bold and vibrant even in rooms that are well-lit.

WiMiUS New W1 5G Wifi Bluetooth Projector

WiMiUS is a company that specializes in wireless connectivity products. They are looking to create the next generation of projectors with their new W1 5G Wi-Fi and Bluetooth projectors. Their idea is to make an all-in-one device for presentations, movies, and gaming by adding this newest technology into the mix. 

WiMiUS has been in business for over ten years and has won awards from CES 2019 for its innovations in wireless devices. They are also collaborating with Intel to integrate their chipset into WiMiUS’s latest product release.

The goal of this collaboration is to provide content creators with more ways to share what they’ve created on any screen wirelessly, using WiMiUS’s projectors or other devices like it. In addition, you can use it outside to enjoy outdoor movie nights with your loved ones. 

YABER V10 5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector

The YABER V10 is a high-end, all-in-one 5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector designed with the needs of modern home and office environments in mind.

It can project anything from movies and presentations to photos and slideshows on any surface – including ceilings, walls, floors or even outside. The projector also incorporates a speaker for sound projection, which can be controlled wirelessly through an app.

With its powerful 4500-lumen LED light source, it can project up to 300 inches on a screen. This makes it perfect for large gatherings such as weddings or conferences where you may need to use your television but don’t want the hassle.

The brightness does not let you down as well since it has 4500 lumens, enough to work well in a room full of ambient light. It’s also an accomplished home cinema projector, with support for HDR10 and HLG and a bright image of 4,000 lumens, which means it’s watchable during the day, although the black-level response isn’t the best. 

The YABER V10 comes with a wireless remote that can be used to send presentations or control the multimedia projector.

It also incorporates a built-in touch-sensitive trackpad, allowing you to navigate menus and increase/decrease the sound volume when connected to an external speaker system. It is an upgraded model supporting 1080p Full HD resolution.

ONOAYO 5G WiFi Projector 9500L

ONOAYO 5G WiFi Projector 9500L is an incredible new invention that you can use for entertainment or work. This small light projector has a lot of benefits and is easy to carry around. It’s perfect for staying connected with friends and family when you’re on the road. 

ONOAYO 5G WiFi Projector 9500L ensures your videos are crystal clear in any environment, so it’s great if you want to show off your favorite movie clips at home or share slideshows with clients during presentations. You’ll be able to connect multiple devices wirelessly without needing a router, which makes this device very convenient!

GROVIEW Projector

GROVIEW Projector is a native 1080P 5G WiFi projector perfect for presentations and entertainment. It uses an Android operating system to give users complete control over all of its features from anywhere they can access the internet.

This projector’s design also includes one HDMI port and one USB port, so you can connect any type of input you would like without needing adapters or converters. You can order your own GROVIEW Projector today.

BenQ WXGA Business Projector (MW560)

The BenQ WXGA Business Projector (MW560) is a reliable, cost-effective solution for office presentations. It offers a 1440×900 resolution and an ultra-short throw ratio of 0.25:1 with no keystone correction required.

It is ideal for small to medium-sized conference rooms where the projector must be near the screen or mounted on the ceiling. The MW560 can project up to 10 meters in distance at 1024 x 768 resolution and has a 3000 ANSI lumens brightness, perfect for larger room applications such as auditoriums and lecture halls. 

It also features two HDMI ports that support 3D input through active shutter glasses and MHL capability, allowing users to connect their mobile device or laptop for high-quality multimedia presentations.

For added convenience, the MW560 is equipped with a built-in 10W speaker and automated image adjustments to ensure quick setup so your presentation goes off without a hitch.

Our pick is BenQ WXGA Movie Projector, the best budget projector under $500. BenQ WXGAA has the best contrast ratio in its price class, as well as realistic color, great detail, and a robust connection panel.

$750 from Best Buy $750 from Amazon BenQ HT2050A offers the best image contrast of any sub-$1,000 projector we’ve tested, and it produces richer, more vibrant colors than many budget DLP projectors .

It is also perfect for video watching, TV serials, and photo browsing, best budget projector for 2021. 

With a broad range of connectivity and compatibility options, the projector utilizes DLP display technology and offers 4000 ANSI lumens of brightness and high contrast.

FANGOR 8500L Native 1080P Projector

FANGOR 8500L Native 1080P Projector is a professional projector manufactured by FANGOR. It features an astonishing native resolution of 1920×1080, and the brightness level is 2500 ANSI Lumens with a contrast ratio of 30 000:1. The lamp life is 10 000 hours in ECO mode, which saves energy and money for your business or home cinema setup! You can control the device wirelessly from up to 100 feet away without interrupting what you are viewing on screen. 

The FANGOR 8500L Native 1080P Projector has built-in speakers that make it perfect for small classrooms or conference rooms where sound projection may be difficult to achieve. This projector also offers easy installation as well as remote management options via the USB/VGA ports. The FANGOR 8500L Native 1080P Projector is used by businesses, schools, churches and government institutions in boardrooms, conference rooms and classrooms.

This common workplace projector has a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 to display every detail in high clarity. If you are trying to find the FANGOR 8500L Native 1080P Projector, this projector is for you!

NexiGo Native 1080P Projector

NexiGo Native 1080P Projector is a high-end projector that offers an unbeatable picture quality. The projection size can be adjusted from 40” to 160”, and the contrast ratio is as high as 200,000:1. It also has a built-in speaker system with 2 W of power. This ensures you will not have to worry about any external speakers or cables if planning on watching movies or playing games with friends at home. With its low weight and compact size, this projector makes it easy for anyone to move around as they please without having to worry about lugging around a heavy device that could potentially damage their back or neck muscles. It comes with a big projector screen, which can project up to 120 inches.

NexiGo Native 1080P Projector includes on-eboard media player capabilities that allow it to play a variety of different video formats. It uses a state-of-the-art LED lamp with a lifespan of 20,000 hours and provides up to 2,500 ANSI lumens of brightness. The image resolution can be set as high as 1920×1080 pixels and allows for a viewing angle of up to 120°. It weighs only 508 grams and has dimensions of 185x142x45mm, which makes it very light and compact, allowing for easy transportation.

This projector is compatible with Windows 8/7 operating systems as well as iOS 5 or higher versions on any of your Apple devices such as iPhone/iPad/iPod touch. Connecting it to your computer is easy with the HDMI cable, which you simply place into the corresponding slots on both ends of the projector and your computer.   It also serves as a gaming projector if you account for the low input latency.

What to Look for When buying Best Projector under $500

Looking for a projector under $500? You have two choices: DLP and LCD. Each type has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to consider what’s important to you before making a decision.

DLP projector

A DLP projector is a great choice for gaming, class/lecture rooms, and business environments thanks to its low latency and no maintenance needs. With its vertical keystone correction, this DLP projector delivers smooth, perfectly proportioned images without delay. You can feel confident in your choice of a DLP projector, knowing it will helpfully eliminate crooked and distorted images.

LCD projectors

LCD projectors are a great choice for hobbyists and DIY fanatics looking to display bright and rich colors. However, they do require regular maintenance, such as filter cleaning, to keep them in good working order. If you’re looking for a projector that offers vibrant colors and is easy to maintain, then LCD is a great option. With a bit of extra care, LCD projectors can provide years of reliable service.

Compatibility

Not all projectors are compatible with every device, so it’s important to check compatibility first. Some manufacturers use exclusive technologies that can only work optimally with certain computer formats. To make sure your projector is compatible, double-check before you buy. We want to make sure you get the perfect projector for your PC or laptop.

Connectivity

If you’re looking for a projector, connectivity is an important factor to consider. If you prefer the convenience of wireless connections, a projector with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi will be the perfect choice. However, if you don’t mind using cables, HDMI is an excellent option that provides high-quality image quality. Alternatively, if your setup is older, you can use a VGA cable.

Brightness

When shopping for a projector, brightness is an important factor to consider. Measured in lumens, the brightness of a projector tells you how powerful the lamp is. Anything below 1,500 lumens may struggle to compete with the ambient light in the room, and will only be suitable for use in dark environments. Projectors between 1,500 and 3,000 lumens will work well in moderately-lit rooms, but they may still lose some of their color and image quality if there’s a lot of natural light. Our helpful advice is to always choose a projector with the highest lumens you can afford for the best results.

Picture Quality

A projector’s screen resolution is a key factor in determining the sharpness and clarity of your picture. With a Full HD resolution of 1,920 pixels by 1,080 pixels, you can expect a picture that’s twice as sharp and realistic as a lower SVA resolution. Our helpful tip is to always look for a higher resolution to get the best picture possible.

When it comes to color, there are two factors to consider for a truly cinematic experience: the range of hues the projector can display and its method of creating them. Projectors with a 6-segment color wheel will offer more subtle variation between hues, providing a more lifelike image than those with a smaller color gamut. For a truly cinematic experience, look for a projector that can recreate the entire Rec. 709 spectrum. With this, you’ll be guaranteed the rich, vibrant colors you’re looking for.

Throw Distance

Having the right amount of space for your projector is essential for getting the best image quality. Unlike TVs, projectors have a variable image size. The more distance there is between the projector and the screen, the larger the image will be. It’s helpful to know that all projectors need space to operate, and the amount of distance you need to get a given screen size is known as the throw distance. This will vary from one model to the next, so be sure to check the specifications before you make a purchase.

If you have a large room, then you don’t need to worry much about the throw distance. But in smaller spaces, having a shorter throw distance is key for maximizing the size of the image you can produce. Plus, a shorter throw distance can help avoid washout from less powerful lamps since the light doesn’t have to travel as far to reach the screen. All in all, a shorter throw distance is a helpful way to make the most of your space.

What are the Benefits of Video Projectors?

1. They offer better image quality and size compared to a smart TV. Besides, most of them have impressive viewing angles, at affordable pricing.
2. They make 3D images crispy clearer than standard flat-screen TVs.
3. Most modern projectors are easily portable, and with excellent resolution to use wherever you want. 
4. They allow you to create a cinematic experience right at the comfort of your home.
5. For gaming hobbyists, a good projector enhances the thrill of the game. Makes it easy to have fun with family and friends, especially if you love playing in groups.

Choosing the Best Projector Under $500

The consumer projector market is incredibly rich with fantastic options – from the best budget projectors to the best projector under 500. With so many home theater projectors offering excellent image quality, color accuracy, long lamp life and multiple ultra-modern connectivity facilities, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Rest assured that all of the top 8 best projectors under 500 overviewed in this article have amazing features to promise superior performance. Whatever projector you choose to match your need and expectation, you can be sure that you will make the best choice.

When choosing a projector, it’s important to find one that meets all your needs and fits within your budget. We hope our projector review list has been helpful in guiding you to the best projector under $500 for your needs.