Willie Greer
- June 20, 2021
There are a lot of benefits to having a projector, and to get all the finer features such as a longer lamp life and a more optimal contrast ratio, one would expect to spend somewhere in the four figures.
However, our experts have found the best projectors under 500 that will still meet your standards at a lower cost.
- Stunning, detailed 1080p images and fast data processing
- 3,300 lumens of color and white brightness
- Advanced 3LCD technology to display 100% of the RGB color signal for every frame
Epson VS250 SVGA Projector
- 3,200 lumens of equal color and white brightness: vivid and accurate color
- SVGA resolution for everyday presentations and graphics
- Supports HDMI for digital audio and video
WiMiUS P18 Projector
- 1920*1080 resolution, no output lags when playing 1080P 30Hz videos
- Very bright and sharp images (10000:1 contrast ratio) in dark or semi-dark rooms
- Powerful HiFi speaker for clear and loud audio
Reviews of the Best Projectors Under $500
Epson Home Cinema 880
The incredibly bright rating of 3,300 lumens is what gives this best projector amazing equal color brightness and white brightness level. The full HD projector resolution 1920 1080 resolution best projector delivers stunning clear image standard with advanced 3LCD projector technology.
The dynamic contrast aspect ratio of 16,000:1 will enhance and high quality pictures shot in darker light source.
The Epson Home Cinema 880 is one of the top 10 best projectors that connects to all other devices via dual HDMI USB type, allowing for an user friendly, easy and hassle-free setup. The 880 is one of the top 10 options for the best projector under 500 dollars for its robust design, longevity and low fan noise performance. This is optimal to deliver the best performance it could.
There is even a skew sensor that instantly corrects the keystone when it detects slanted high quality pictures without the need for manual adjustment.
Pros
- 3300 lumens
- Full HD resolution 1920 x 1080 native resolution
- 3LCD technology
- High contrast ratio of 16,000:1
- Low fan noise
- Has via HDMI connectivity
- Keystone correction and skew sensor
- Flexible placement
Cons
- RCA may be faulty at times
- Warm fan
Epson VS250 SVGA
If you are looking for the best budget projector, Epson VS250 is the best projectors under 500 for your media player and blu ray player devices. It is highly compatible with your phones or tablets and supports dual HDMI ports input and HDMI USB type connection options with mini USB ports. SVGA resolution 800×600. But don’t worry, an 800×600 resolution is ideal for business presentations or office related work and the small and lightweight profile is great for those on-the-go because it is easy to carry.
It’s also a great high quality projector for outdoor movie nights and the correction feature will offer more placement flexibility in any environment.
The VS250 Epson high quality projector provides an incredible 3200 lumens color of brightness to enhance wide color and white brightness in any lighting condition. You can enlarge the projection size of the picture with the included zoom ring and ensure high resolution picture quality.
Pros
- One of the best projectors for outdoor viewing
- 3200 lumens
- Auto correction
- Zoom ring
- High compatibility with media devices
- SVGA 800 x 600 picture quality
- Supports Dolby Audio System
- Lightweight
- Easily portable
- 2 HDMI port inputs with HDMI usb ports
Cons
- No built in speaker hookup
- Takes time to set up for watching movies
WiMiUS P18 Projector
It’s difficult to find a resolution 1920×1080 native resolution projector as cost-effective as this one. Even with a lower price tag, the WiMiUS P18 Projector still generates high quality picture, wide color high brightness and color accuracy with superior precision and offers a higher color gamut. Almost like a supercolor technology.
The mini projector has a high quality and high contrast ratio of 15,000:1 made possible by its LED light of the projector comes with a lifespan of 30,000 hours pros, which can deliver color brightness and contrast comparable to real life in any environment. It also has hi-fi built-in speakers and mini USB type.
The throw distance of 1.5-6 meters can classify this mini projector as one with a straight throw. The small and compact size makes it easy to use and to move this projector around to different rooms when watching a movie.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Full HD 1080p projector
- Hi-Fi speakers built-in
- More color gamut
- Short throw distance
- Small size
- High quality LED lamp
- Great for watching movies and playing gaming consoles
- Easy on the eyes with diffuse reflection imaging
- 3-year warranty
- Supports Dolby
- Long lamp life
- Contrast ratio of 15000:1
Cons
- Not 4K resolution or 8K
- Needs a long throw for 100-inch screen size
Vankyo V630W Projector
The Vankyo V630W projector offers wireless connection. Wi-Fi outperforms Bluetooth by a mile in terms of connection reliability. The 5G Wi-Fi connection can ensure minimal to no input lag during games (fast response time) or watching a movie or your favorite tv shows.
The native 1080p resolution projector offers the amazing features 4D keystone correcting to make sure you always get the best images. You can get a large screen size of 300-inches with the proper throw range, but it could be better if equal the need for a larger venue.
The Vankyo V630W high quality projector offers also a highly compatible with multiple media players devices with a variety of connections to expand your viewing input options.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 5G connection enabled
- 4D keystone correcting
- Full 1080p High Definition resolution
- Screen mirroring option
- Wide screen of 300 inches
- Compatible with many devices
- HDMI
Cons
- Angled mounting can blur the edges of the screen
- No Bluetooth
Acer H5382BD 720P 3D DLP Home Theater Projector
Acer is known for computers, but they make sure an impressive media room projector as well. Looking for a projector? The Acer H5382BD is a budget projector that has superior brightness, contrast and resolution of LCD projectors units. It’s not full HD, but only HD, which makes this projector a better option for smaller spaces or presentations.
With a wireless HDMI projector kit, you can transform the Acer projector into a wireless unit and eliminate the need for extra cables. The small projector offers a supports HDMI inputs and HDMI VGA (HDMI USB VGA) for high-definition connections to process content efficiently.
The projector also features a background light sensor, which can detect external lighting and optimize the settings to ensure the high-quality picture is not affected. But has a lamp life of less than 12,000 hours.
(This projector is very versatile, you can even install the projector in your living room with this simple guide)
Pros
- DLP type of projector
- Ambient light sensor
- Acer’s ColorBoost3D technology
- Can become wireless
- 3300 Ansi lumens
- 20,000:1 contrast ratio
- Native 720p HD resolution
- Easy setup and mount
- Supports HDMI input and HDMI VGA / USB VGA
Cons
- Not full HD resolution
- Zoom has to be reset before each session
- 12,000 hours of lamp life
Projectors Under 500 Buyer’s Guide
There are so many items to consider when you are looking for a projector. Many people look for other than one that’s best budget, different products and price range can offer different functions such as eco-mode / normal mode and ANSI 3,300 lumens ratings.
To help you narrow down your perfect choice or best choice and want to check out the buying guide, our experts will dive deeper in features you may want in the best projector under 500 dollars.
Design and Build
The first thing to think about is the size. The size considerations pertain to the projector footprint and the size of the screen. Depending on your setup and the room size, the size of your LED projector or LCD projector will vary, but more on that in a little bit. You can use a home theater room size calculator to help you decide how much space you need for your projector and amusement.
What are you planning to use a projector for? The best home theater optimized best projectors under 500 is best for watching a movie, while a different type and one of lower quality that some call it business projectors will be enough for small offices or business presentations.
The purpose of the projector will also influence the price range and the placement. Our experts recommend ceiling-mountable models for a projector under 500 for home theater. For presentations and graphics, a projector that is placed on a flat surface will suffice.
There are extra features that you can find in the best projector such as eco-mode which reduces energy consumption. The projector comes with a remote control and other have built in battery.
The latter feature gives a projector the ability to correct the angle. For example, vertical keystone correction will right the angle using vertical lens shift when the projector is askew.
The feature of vertical keystone correction could be better factor into the cost of the projector, so if it’s an important characteristic to have, you may be looking at a higher price tag.
Projector Type
There are two leading types of projectors on the market today – an LCD and a DLP projector.
Are you looking for a composite video projector under 500 dollars? A DLP projector is known for higher resolution picture quality compared to its counterpart. They have high brightness and sharper images, which extend to fast-moving objects onscreen. For 3D support realistic imaging, DLP is the way to go to get a projector with good resolution.
However, that’s not to say DLP projectors don’t have their disadvantages. A DLP technology model has issues with dark scenes, especially in a well-lit room / bright room and you might encounter rainbow effect.
An LCD unit is not as bright, which can pose an issue with background light. It’s also because of the higher wide color brightness seen in the DLP that raises the issue of dark color rendering, which is unseen in LCD units which you might face rainbow effect issue.
A major pro of LCD units is their price range to get a projector with good resolution. They are often more affordable but the full 3D pictures and fast-moving objects portrayed onscreen doesn’t match up to DLP models.
Is one really better than the other? Each video projector has its benefits and drawbacks, so depending on your application and purpose, the video quality might be more suited to your needs than the other. For example, DLP is better for movies and Blu Ray player content, while LCD is enough for presentations and slideshows.
Screen Size
A projector screen will have a maximum and minimum screen size it’s able to cast on the screen. The best projector under 500 dollars will need to match the screen or the surface you intend to cast the image onto. Measure the wall or white screen you purchased to decide on the best range.
(For affordable options, you can make a DIY projector screen to save money but still enjoy an amazing viewing experience)
However, the max and min screencasting will also depend on the throw range, which our experts will also cover in a bit. In short, the screen sizes will depend on how far or how close you place the projector to the screen or wall.
The screen size is an important feature to look for in a projector because it could affect the pictures if you go beyond the throw ratio.
For a DIY screen, you can read this guide to walk you through in choosing the ideal projector screen paint for you.
Brightness, Contrast, Resolution
The brightness, contrast and resolution come together to create a quality image for the best home theater projectors. For exceptional wide color accuracy and white brightness, you need to look at these characteristics. Working together, these figures will create the ultimate entertainment in your home theater system.
Let’s start with the brightness. When turned up to the max, the brightness of a portable projector provides give you eye fatigue and a headache. This is why simply turning up the backlight is not the solution in a bright room or well lit rooms. What you can do is determine the amount of ambient lighting that will be present in your viewing space to determine the brightness levels.
The brightness is measured in lumens, or ansi lumens, a more detailed lumens standard with ANSI lumens standardization. Yes, in general a higher lumens rating in a portable projector will equal a brighter picture, but that doesn’t always mean better.
You can use the projector if you intend to watch movies or tv shows in a dark room with no lighting to match a Dolby Cinema or IMAX movie theater experience, then something as low as 1000 lumens will be enough for your home theater. However, in a living room where floor-to-ceiling windows are present, you will need upwards of 3000 lumens even 3600 lumens from your projectors under 500 to combat the daylight.
3000 lumens for a pitch black room is not needed for the best projector under 500. If you go for a projector for home theater this bright, the experience won’t be a pleasant one. Not to mention it might cost you extra cash you could have saved.
The next item to consider is the contrast. The contrast affects the realism of the color accuracy and warmth and coolness they portray. The contrast ratio from the best projector under 500 needs to be optimal and not too extreme. Also consider a good contract ratio between the deep black levels and the shadow details.
The contrast is the difference between the brightest and darkest colors in your content. 10,000:1 is our experts’ recommended standard, but the higher it is, the better.
You need to also factor in the ambient lighting and the location of your home theater projector to determine the contrast ratio.
Lastly, the resolution of a projectors under 500 is the most crucial point for picture quality. The better the resolution, the better quality the picture and images are.
It’s quite simple, the higher the number, the higher the resolution of the quality images. Most of the best projectors under 500 will offer at least 1280 x 800p resolution, 1920 x 1080p resolution. Our experts also do not recommend going below 1280 x 800 as this will affect the quality images.
Remember to look for full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution and not just HD, because 720p projection size is considered the baseline for high definition but still doesn’t compare to 1080p projector.
If you can find a projector under 500 that can bring you Blu Ray, 4K or even 8K quality content to the big dark screens, then definitely pick up that model.
Projector’s Throw Distance
Our team touched upon the throw distance above, but let’s explain it in more detail.
The throw range is the distance the projector is from the screen to cast the best quality picture, or the range the projector needs to be within without compromising visual clarity. It basically means how far you can distance the projector from the screen without going blurry.
To understand if the projector’s throw distance and throw ratio are suitable for your setup, you need to look at the placement and size of your room. To get a big screen size, your projector will need to be pretty far away. You can find options that have a throw range of 5 feet [1] all the way up to 30!
If you have a small room, a shorter throw ratio is recommended. If you plan on a hosting movie night outdoors, you will need to find a home theater projector under 500 with a longer throw ratio.
Lamp Life
The lamp life, sometimes referred to as bulb life, is how long the hours of extended lamp life can operate in your projectors before it needs replacing. Projectors with a long lamp life with 10,000 hours or 20,000 hours will make sure you get the most out of your money.
Projector lamps are costly components, which means a long lamp life will equal lower maintenance fees. Don’t worry, because even a basic bulb can offer you up to 10,000 hours of bulb life, but if you can find one with 15,000 hours lamp life as Epson VS355, then our experts make sure they fully support this option. 15,000 hours can grant months and even years of happy watching movies marathon compared to 10000 hours of bulb life.
The projector under 500 dollar units we suggested on our top list plus the Epson VS355 projector and the Optoma hd143x all have long bulb life up to 10000 hours to 15,000 hours with less power consumption to ensure a long lifespan, using eco mode.
Connections
Connectivity options are something many consumers forget. The right and best choice connections can offer reduced input lag latency, and contribute to a more efficient viewing experience.
There are wired and wireless connectivity options offered by projectors in the form of HDMI Bluetooth, and even Wi-Fi which are what our team strongly suggests.
There is no debating the convenience of Bluetooth as a perfect choice, as it allows for a wireless setup. You can also stream and cast content wirelessly from your mobile devices with Bluetooth. Broadband is another wireless option that is more reliable and stable than Bluetooth as it is not contingent upon the distance.
For Bluetooth to operate at optimal speeds for stability, you need to be within a range of at least 30 feet or less. Wi-Fi projectors connect directly to your home network. This means the projector delivers well and you can enjoy uninterrupted connection anywhere in your house as long as the connectivity is strong and stable.
For 500 dollars or less, you want the best wired connection quality for the big screen, and HDMI input is the connection that can offer that. Look for the HDMI ports on the back of the unit. One of the best things if you like HDMI input is the low latency and HD processing.
You may also find other wired connections on the back of your device, but for the highest quality content, our team always recommends the HDMI route.
If you want a clutter-free setup, this is how to make your projector wireless. It can save you space, too!
FAQ
What is a good inexpensive projector?
The Epson Cinema 880 is a good inexpensive projector. This projector and the Optoma hd143x deliver stunning picture quality, throw and contrast ratio, and HDMI connectivity options to get you set up and enjoying the ultimate home theater projector experience in no time at all. Plus the 10-watt stereo speakers of the Optoma is super amazing.
Our Top Pick For a Projector Under 500: Epson Home Cinema 880
Our team’s top pick for best projector under 500 is the Epson Home Cinema 880. This projector would sense when the angle is tilted and angle it correctly. The throw ratio and high definition picture make the Epson Cinema 880 an excellent choice for movie content enjoyed at home.
It’s easy to set up and has a built-in speaker, saving you the hassle of hooking up external units. This best projector is highly compatible with other devices and the 3300 lumens of brightness paired with the 16,000:1 contrast ratio will improve your overall movie experience.
Want to learn more things about projectors? Then, you can check the following pages, too!
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