Adding some flair to a living room or bedroom on a budget is possible with an inexpensive projector. In a tiny place without enough room for a giant 4K TV, a projector can be an ingenious solution to create a big-screen home theater experience. They are frequently far less expensive than purchasing a new TV.
The room you’re using the projector in and how you want to use it—whether you opt to set it up as a home theater for the family or for outdoor camping vacations and corporate presentations—determine a lot of the projector you choose. You’ll also want to be aware of the projector resolution and brightness requirements for your specific uses.
Based on compatibility needs (for wireless networking and computer ports) and varied usage, we investigated and evaluated models. Check out the top affordable projectors listed below.
List of The Best Cheap Projector You can Buy on Amazon.com in 2023
#1 EX3280 XGA Projector from Epson
Things We Like
- looks fantastic even in poorly lit spaces.
- automatically fixes distorted images
- The best resolution for projecting documents is 768p XGA.
Things We Dislike
- no SD card reader
- No wireless capabilities
Although the Epson EX3280 costs a little more than some other inexpensive projectors, it’s a decent choice if you’re searching for a portable projector for conferences and other meetings.
Because of the 15,000:1 contrast ratio and 768p XGA resolution, papers with a lot of text and fine details will project effectively. Most contemporary corporate requirements should be met by the compatibility for HDMI, USB, and VGA interfaces. Although it is annoying because there isn’t an SD card slot, you can always copy the data to a USB stick or a device connected via cable.
Like other projectors in this price bracket, the 3,600 lumens of this one are a decent figure for such a reasonably priced projector because they also give a clean image and don’t limit your presentations to entirely dark rooms. Another outstanding feature is the built-in sensor that automatically corrects the image to prevent distortion.
#2 HT2150ST projector by BenQ
Things We Like
- 2,200 ANSI lumens and a contrast ratio of 15,000:1
- For tight situations, the 1:1.69 foot throw ratio is excellent.
- Gaming benefits from low latency.
- numerous ports
Things We Dislike
- a little more pricey than other projectors on a budget
- Wireless connectivity is absent
- No option for 4K projection
However, if you want a good projector for playing video games, the BenQ HT2150ST is still worth considering even though it is on the more expensive end of the inexpensive projector spectrum. This model has a mere 16ms input lag, which translates to an extremely short delay between pressing a button on a gaming controller and the action occurring on-screen.
With a throw ratio of 1:1.69 feet, this affordable projector provides an additional 2 feet of image for every foot it is placed away from a wall or screen. This ratio is advantageous since it enables you to project a huge image when utilized in a tiny space, such a child’s bedroom or a tent.
The BenQ HT2150ST can display images with vivid colors and fine details in low-light environments because to its 2,200 ANSI lumens and support for 1080p resolution. It also has a 15,000:1 contrast ratio.
The variety of ports on this projector is where it really shines. Very few devices won’t be able to connect to the BenQ HT2150ST because it has two HDMI connections, a USB-A port, a USB Mini-B port, 3.5mm input and output audio jacks, an RS-232 control port, and a PC VGA port.
#3 T21 TopVision
Things We Like
- connectors for HDMI, USB, VGA, and AV
- speakers for surround sound built-in
- contrast ratio of 2000:1
Things We Dislike
- no option for wireless casting
- Physical design is somewhat awkward.
The Topvision T21 is a budget-friendly projector made for use with laptops, tablets, and smartphones. It can reflect devices’ displays at 1080p on a wall or screen by connecting to them by HDMI, USB, VGA, and AV.
The 3,600 lumens and 2000:1 contrast ratio produce a rather sharp and bright projection. The built-in speakers provide rudimentary surround sound that can’t compare to a real speaker system but is more than adequate for watching casual movies. That’s not bad for a projector with such a low price tag.
#4 Pocket projector, Kodak Luma 150
Things We Like
- incredibly transportable and simple to carry
- Touchscreens have a contemporary, quality feel.
- the ability to wirelessly cast from smart devices
Things We Dislike
- Really low resolution is 480p.
- low contrast ratio of 1,000:1
- ANSI lumens of 60 are not particularly bright.
Kodak’s Luma 150 projector’s dismal 480p resolution disqualifies it from being a major home theater projector, but its compact size and fashionable design make it the perfect choice as a projector for traveling, attending events, or the odd client presentation on-site.
The Luma 150 offers wireless casting from Apple, Android, and Windows devices in addition to the standard HDMI and USB connections. While projections are limited to smaller, darker places by the 60 ANSI lumen hardware and low 1,000:1 contrast ratio, its practical size and compatibility for tripods also give added usefulness, which some people may feel to be worth the trade-off. The Luma 150 is a portable projector that is affordable and is worth considering.
#5 Nebula Capsule Max by Anker
Things We Like
- able to execute Android apps directly
- 720p resolution for projection
Things We Dislike
- Will require a dim environment with only 200 ANSI lumens.
- 400:1 low contrast ratio
- A four-hour battery life maximum
The Anker Nebula Capsule Max projector has the customary HDMI and USB ports for attaching media, but its big selling point is that it has native Android app support thanks to built-in support for the Android operating system. The Nebula Capsule Max does not require a second device to stream media, and you do not have to be concerned about copyright restrictions while casting Netflix or Disney Plus. As if it were a tablet or smart TV, the projector itself may be used to run your favorite apps. The Nebula Capsule Max smartphone app is required to use the projector’s apps for control.
The size of the Nebula Capsule Max project is another advantage. This inexpensive projector, which is the size of a soda can, is incredibly simple to take on a trip and store at home when not in use. But the Anker isn’t flawless. With a battery life of only four hours, it will require frequent plugging in to a power source. Its low lumen count may also make it harder to see in bright areas.
#6 NeoPix Easy Projector by Philips
Things We Like
- support for USB, microSD, HDMI, and VGA inputs
- 3.5 mm audio output for speakers and headphones
- ,000:1 solid contrast ratio
Things We Dislike
- Really disappointing is the 480p resolution.
- VGA connections are not supported
- No wireless capabilities
Although it’s undoubtedly not for everyone, the Philips NeoPix Easy is a cheap projector worth considering. The output resolution is 480p, although it does support HDMI, VG, USB, and MicroUSB sources. It is far from a proper 1080p HD resolution and much farther from the highest-end 4K projector resolution. If you want to watch movies and TV series in excellent quality, this low resolution will probably be a deal-breaker, but it shouldn’t disturb kids or casual viewers who don’t have a trained eye for image quality.
The Philips NeoPix Easy doesn’t have an AV connector, but it does come with an AV converter, so you may still utilize an AV source if you wish.
The 40 ANSI lumens may potentially be a problem for media fans because of how little light they produce in rooms that aren’t absolutely dark. Despite this, the 3,000:1 contrast ratio is good, and the 3.5mm audio output does let you to utilize your own speakers for music.
The Qualities of Cheap Projectors
Brightness
When it comes to projectors and brightness, a projector’s ability to project in settings with more ambient light or at a greater distance will improve with increased brightness. Brightness may not be as significant if you plan to project far from the screen or wall and in dimly lit spaces, but it will be crucial for those who want an even modestly adaptable projector.
Lumens are how projectors gauge brightness. The brightness of the projector increases with the amount of lumens. What does that imply then? You might be able to get by with as few as 1,000 lumens for a home projector utilized in dimly light areas. However, brighter projectors will be considerably better suited to settings with some ambient lighting. You’ll need something closer to the 2,000-lumen range in a bigger room or one with more ambient light, and in exceptionally big or bright settings you might need even more. We advise something around the 1,500-lumen level for general use.
Comparison Ratio
The brightness between black and white is primarily measured by the contrast ratio. The darker the shadows and the brighter the whites, the higher the contrast ratio. That’s advantageous for TVs and projectors since it implies that a picture has more detail, resulting in a more engaging watching experience.
For home projectors, the contrast ratio is extremely critical. The contrast will be more pronounced in dimly lit spaces as opposed to brightly lit spaces, which frequently mute contrast.
It’s crucial to remember that contrast ratio isn’t the only factor determining how good an image is. A projector with a contrast ratio of 5,000:1 isn’t always twice as good as one with a contrast ratio of 2,500:1. After all, the contrast ratio only takes into consideration the extremes; it says little about the hues and shades of gray that lie between the whitest of whites and the blackest of blacks.
What is a decent contrast ratio, then? Although many projectors will advertise a greater figure, we advise a contrast ratio of at least 1,000:1. Usually, the higher price corresponds to that higher figure.
Resolution
Projectors display images in pixels, much like TVs, cellphones, and computer monitors do, and more pixels are almost always better. Although you’ll encounter several with a lesser resolution and a lot with 4K (4096×2160 pixels) resolutions, the majority of projectors today have an HD resolution, which is equivalent to 1920×1080 pixels. A projector with a 4K resolution is excellent in an era where 4K content is widely available, but they are frequently very expensive. We advise locating one with the greatest resolution available within your budget as a result.
FAQ
What should the price of a projector be?
The cost of a projector can range widely, from less than $100 to well over $2,000. Projectors that cost $500 or less are nevertheless regarded as being inexpensive, or at the very least more accessible, than others because of this wide price range.
The cost of a projector can be influenced by the maker or brand attached to it, but the resolution and image quality it gives have a bigger impact on the price. For instance, a 480p resolution projector that can only be used in the dark might cost roughly $80, while a 4K projector that creates a picture that is crystal clear throughout the day from all angles might cost about $1,500.
How many lumens should a projector have?
The term “lumen” is used to describe the amount of light that projectors and other similar devices produce. 1,000 lumens is the bare minimum needed to produce a good projection in a home theater environment. Generally speaking, the image quality improves with increasing brightness. It’s crucial to remember, too, that if portability and cost are more important to you than quality, inexpensive projectors with lower lumen counts can frequently be perfectly adequate. After all, you probably won’t need a portable projector made to keep youngsters entertained while camping in a tent to provide a 4K home theater experience.
What is a projector’s throw ratio?
The distance between a projector and a screen necessary to generate a clear or high-quality image is known as the throw ratio. The throw ratio, which is often referred to as the throw distance, is a statistic that is unrelated to the resolution and lumen count of a projector. The throw ratios of two 4K projectors with the same lumen count, for instance, could be considerably different. Short-throw projectors may create an image of 100 inches at a distance of only 4 or 5 feet, but standard, or long-throw projectors typically require a minimum of 6 feet between the projector and the screen to project an image of 80 inches or more. Throw ratios are typically listed in a projector’s manual and on the product description page.
