Top 10 Best Projector Under 500 [2022] – Buyer’s Guide

Sometimes a normal-sized display simply doesn’t fill you with all the joy and entertainment that you will gain from a large display. Bet it office presentations, watching your favorite shows, or business meetings, everything becomes less interactive without a quality projector. 

Projectors come in a variety of ranges. They have several types too. But the reason we’re focusing on projectors under 500 is that not everyone looks to spend thousands on projectors. And it’s not like you wouldn’t get amazing projectors under 500 either. Projectors in this range have multiple qualities: portability options, flexible controls, excellent image resolution, decent compatibility, and throw distance. 

However, choosing the best one becomes troublesome since many manufacturers offer the same products at different prices. Don’t worry, though. We’ve compiled a list of Best Projector Under 500 after extensive research. The products chosen are bound to deliver maximum value for money. Make sure to buy one in the end!

Comparison List of Top 10 Best Projectors Under 500 in 2022

Product	Wattage	Hardware Interface	What’s Special
ViewSonic PX701HD 1080p Projector	300 watts	VGA, USB, HDMI	SuperEco that allows the lamp to shine up to 20000 hours
BenQ WXGA Business Projector	200 watts	VGA	SmartEco mode to save the lamp power up to 70%
Optoma H190X Projector	50 watts	VGA	Supports 3D display
XGIMI MoGo Pro Portable Projector	144 watts	USB, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI, 3.5mm Audio	Wireless connection is available
CWEUG Home Cinema Projector	160 watts	VGA, USB	4D keystone
Optoma H184X Home Theater Projector	10 watts	HDMI	3,600 lumens of brightness
Epson EX3280 Projector	12 watts	HDMI	True 3-Chip 3LCD technology
Nebula by Anker Mars II Pro Projector	57 watts	USB	Dual 10W audio drivers
Epson VS260 Projector	12 watts	USB, HDMI	Built-in picture skew sensor
Brookstone Wireless Mobile Projector	55 watts	USB	Rechargeable 3800mAh battery

1. ViewSonic PX701HD 1080p Projector

Key Specifications

Brand	View Sonic
Image Resolution	1920x1080p
Item Weight	5.7 pounds
Color	White

Key Features

• It comes with 3500 lumens brightness for both dark and bright environment projection.
• It allows 16MS input that is ideal for displaying smooth images without delay.
• A SuperEco mode allows its lamp to shine for up to 20000 hours brightly.
• It is compatible with most devices due to its several input options.

If you want to have a theater view at home and looking for the best-budget projector, you must buy this ViewSonic Projector. It comes with some valuable features that allow a full HD view on a screen of 300-inch. It features a SuperColor technology that provides a comprehensive, colorful image production for you to enjoy.

It accepts about 16MS input, ideal for action-packed movies and games, and provides a smooth display. Moreover, it has a powerful versatility that means it can integrate with Fire TV stick, Chromecast, and Roku enjoy TV in a theatre mode.

ViewSonic PX701HD projector comes with 3500 lumens brightness for projection. It allows the projector to produce the image in both a dark and bright environment. Furthermore, you can control the projector through the remote control that comes with the box. The projector has an easy and flexible setup.

This projector comes with a SuperEco mode that enables the lamp to shine bright for 20000 hours. It means the light can shine for ten years with average viewing hours of 5 daily. Also, It supports multiple devices such as gaming consoles, mobile devices, Macs, PCs, and many more with the help of its several input options.

2. BenQ WXGA Business Projector

Key Specifications

Brand	BenQ
Image Resolution	1280x800p
Item Weight	7.7 pounds
Color	White

Key Features

• It comes with a data review mode to show each digit and letter clearly for business purposes.
• It has a fast transmission and Dual HDMI connectivity to allow a complete HD view at home.
• A SmartEco mode increases the durability of the lamp by saving its power up to 70%.
• It has 4000 ANSI lumen brightness to display the image in both light and dark environments.

BenQ WXGA Business Projector is one of the top-rated projectors that comes under 500 dollars. It features a stunning contrast display presentation to deliver a high-quality view at home. It has an easy setup with a retractable foot and auto keystone for quick image alignment.

A SmartEco mode is there to save the power of the lamp up to 70%. This, in terms, increases the durability and life of the projector’s light. This projector is mainly used for the business purpose review the business reports with emphasized contrast and clarity.

It comes with a DUAL HDMI input that makes the projector compatible with different devices. So, you can easily connect your device with this projector. Moreover, it has an Anti-dust sensor that protects the lamp from getting dusty and the image from getting distorted due to dust.

BenQ WXGA projector features a data review mode by which you can see every digit/letter of your data. This feature is helpful for business and education purposes. Also, it has 4000 lumens brightness and 20000 hours display to provide the HD view in bright and dark environments.

3. Optoma H190X Projector

Key Specifications

Brand	Optoma
Image Resolution	720p+1080p
Item Weight	6.7 pounds
Color	Black

Key Features

• It has a ±40 degrees keystone and a 1.1X zooming to place and aligns the image in any environment.
• It comes with an excellent throw up to 14 feet to provide a theatrical view at home.
• It supports 3D Blu-ray Discs, 3D broadcasting, and 3D content from almost any source.
• The lamp of this projector can shine brightly for up to 15000 hours.

If you want to make your home a theatre in less than 500 dollars, then Optoma Projector is the best projector under $500. It features 3900 lumens brightness to display the image in a dark and light environment. It demonstrates true cinematic colors to provide a theatrical environment within your home. 

It comes with a ±40 degrees keystone and 1.1X zooming to place and aligns the image according to the requirement. Also, it has a versatile image projection that makes this projector ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.  So, now you don’t need to wait for sunsets to watch a movie by using this projector.

Optoma Projector has an excellent throw projection so that you can watch a 120-inch screen from 14 feet away. Moreover, it supports 3D Blu-ray Discs and 3D broadcasting from any source. It also supports a 120Hz rapid rate provides smooth, flicker-free images.

The projector lamp can shine brightly for 15000 hours for ten years at an average of 4 hours daily. Furthermore, this projector has a 10W speaker to make the movie experience more intense. It has composite connectivity options to support multiple devices.

4. XGIMI MoGo Pro Portable Projector

Key Specifications

Brand	XGIMI
Image Resolution	1920x1080p
Item Weight	0.45 pounds
Color	Grey

Key Features

• It has a wireless Bluetooth connection for streaming online movies, videos, channels, etc.
• It comes with a rechargeable battery for the movie’s length, so charge and watch a movie.
• It has a compact design and clear audio from the Harmon Kardon Speaker.
• A focus function and a 40-degree keystone are there to adjust and align the display.

XGIMI MoGo Pro Portable Projector comes with some valuable features due to which it is among the best projector for under 500 dollars. A compact design that makes it perfectly portable. It features a Harmon Kardon Speaker that provides clear audio.

You can enjoy the perfectly vivid cinematic colors on a 100-inch screen with the help of this projector. It has a DLP lamp with 300 ANSI lumens brightness to display a Full HD view. You can connect the device via Bluetooth also to this projector.

It features a built-in Android TV through which you can download Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and many more online movie streaming apps. So, you can enjoy a theatrical environment at home. It comes with a 40-degree adjustable keystone and a focus function to achieve a perfect ratio and alignment of the screen.

This projector has a rechargeable battery, so you don’t have to worry about the lamp life. Just charge it before starting a movie, and you are all set. Moreover, it provides a better HD (1080p) view as compared to other competitors.

5. CWEUG Home Cinema Projector

Key Specifications

Brand	CWEUG
Image Resolution	1920x1080p
Item Weight	9.98 pounds
Color	Black

Key Features

• It has 2GB RAM and 16GB ROM for the built-in Android TV.
• It comes with a 4D keystone to zoom in, flip, and manually position the display.
• It has a 250-inch large projection, and an excellent throw distance ranges from 6.23-20 feet.
• A 7000 lumens brightness and 30000 hours lamp life are there to provide a Full HD view.

CWEUG projector is the best projector that comes in low-budget with this many features. This project helps you to get a home cinema experience on a relatively low budget. It has a Full HD (1920*1080) view with a EUG 9000 LCD resolution to display a high-quality image.

It features an Android TV 6.0 with many built-in apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Google Chrome, and many more. Also, the built-in Android TV has 2GB RAM and a 16 GB ROM to download the apps of your need from the Google play store. This way, you can stream online music, movies, and games.

You can also zoom in, zoom out, flip, and manually set the image with the help of its 4D keystone. Moreover, it has a 250-inch large screen to give a theatrical feel at home. It also features a perfect throw distance ranges from 6.23-20 feet.

This projector comes with 30000 hours of lamp life at normal mode and 7000 ANSI lumens brightness to support the picture in every condition. Furthermore, it has several connectivity options to support multiple devices such as PCs, Laptops, Gaming Consoles, Smartphones, and many more.

6. Optoma H184X Home Theatre Projector

Key Specifications

Brand	Optoma
Image Resolution	1280x720p
Item Weight	6.7 pounds
Color	Silver

Key Features

• It features a full 3D content display, supporting 3D Blu-ray display and broadcaster
• The 720p resolution with 1080p input provides an accurate display of cinematic colors
• The 3600 lumens of brightness make it suitable for both indoor and outdoor projections
• The ±40° vertical keystone correction and a 1.1x zoom allows adaptable positioning
• The lamp has 15000 hours of lamp life and an average of 4 hours per day for 10+ years

The Optoma HD146x is a home projector that features full HD technology. It boasts a superb 720p resolution with 1080p input for added sharpness, as well as on-screen graphics for a standard screen TV.

The projector features a brightness of 3600 Lumens. Another essential feature of this finest outdoor projector is its versatility, which you will undoubtedly like. It also has a 300″ output size, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. Because it is a conventional throw projector, it is necessary to obtain a larger image, which can be up to 45 feet for a nearly 120″ screen.

The Optoma H184X has known to be a user-friendly projector, along with being budget-friendly. It also features an image modification setting based on ±40° vertical keystone correction and a 1.1x zoom for additional image size fine-tuning. 

At an average of 4 hours each day, the projector bulb can shine brilliantly for 15000 hours, for a good ten years. This is the ideal selection for you if you want a beautiful view projector.

7. Epson EX3280 Projector

Key Specifications

Brand	Epson
Image Resolution	XGA 1024x768p
Item Weight	7.72 pounds
Color	White

Key Features

• The XGA Resolution and 3600 lumens brightness provides you with crisp image quality
• The accurate 3-Chip 3LCD technology helps to display RGB colors with 100% accuracy
• The projector features built-in speakers for easy setup of video and audio
• The built-in picture skew sensor automatically corrects the vertical keystone
• The projector has a contrast ratio of up to 15,000:1, providing rich graphic details

The Epson EX3280 is a full-size projector for home theatre setups. It features a 3LCD display that produces a crisper, 100% accurate display of RGB colorful images on a projected screen of 150-inches. If you want to put your projector in a bright, sunny, or well-lit room, this is the type to go with.

It features a color brightness of 3600 lumens, HDMI compatibility, a simple design, and 10,000-hour light life. The XGA resolution produces sharp text and images, making it ideal for showing presentations, video, and other media.

The projector features a built-in picture skew sensor option that analyses the image and corrects the vertical keystone in real-time to align the image. The projector has a high contrast level of up to 15,000:1, ensuring that whatever is projected on the device will have clear and rich details.

It has a compact and lightweight design that allows for quick and easy setup and easy image adjustment and control. The projector features in-built speakers to avoid the hassle of connecting speakers. The 2W speakers provide you with a more profound and crispy bass. 

8. Nebula by Anker Mars II Pro Projector

Key Specifications

Brand	Nebula
Image Resolution	1280x720p (HD)
Item Weight	4 pounds
Color	Black

Key Features

• The DLP IntelliBright technology features a radiant 500-ANSI-lumen image at 720p
• The projector features dual 10W in-built speakers for resonating sound
• It has both HDMI and USB 2.0 ports for easy connectivity of devices
• The autofocus technology provides you with a razor-sharp high-quality result 

The Nebula Projector is the best projector under $500. The lens of this projector is hidden beneath a protective cover, which makes it unique. The projector turns on when the lid is removed. The projector also features a DLP-based light technology that pumps out up to 500 ANSI lumen images at 720p resolution utilizing an LED light source that guarantees a lifetime of 30,000 hours.

The Mars II Pro features autofocus technology to provide a razor-sharp, HD image; simply turn it on using a simple guide and sit back and relax. With the projector, you can also project a squared, steady image at practically any angle using horizontal and vertical key stoning correction.

The projector also functions as a Bluetooth speaker system, and in this scenario, as a solid audio system with two 10W speakers. The speaker may also be connected to a phone or tablet, and music can be streamed.

Now you can connect and watch the video via HDMI and USB devices. The projector features multiple jacks, one HDMI port for linking with a computer, one USB port for attaching to a USB drive, and one audio jack connecting to headphones or external speakers.

9. Epson VS260 Projector

Key Specifications

Brand	Epson
Image Resolution	XGA 1024x768p
Item Weight	7.21 pounds
Color	White

Key Features

• The projector features 3,300 lumens of color and white brightness for presentations
• The XGA resolution delivers crisp text and images, making it ideal for office work
• The accurate 3-chip 3LCD technology helps to see RGB color signals
• Built-in speakers and skew sensors to improve video and audio quality
• The projector features easy to zoom in and zoom out for convenience

The Epson VS230 3LCD projector has proven to be the most reliable projector on our list, and it costs less than $500. Epson is a well-known brand for producing high-quality projectors at a budgeted price with excellent performance.

The projector features XGA resolution and 3300-lumen brightness, which can enhance intelligence in dim or low light environments, which are the key reasons for its appeal. The accurate and vivid color presents make you enjoy the graphic content at all times

It has a 3LCD display that offers a more precise, 100 percent accurate presentation of RGB colorful images. The projector features a zoom-in and zoom-out option to assist you during office presentations or classroom lectures for additional improvement in image quality.

The projector has a built-in visual distortion detector that scans the picture and adjusts the vertical keystone in perfect sync to improve the image quality. The projector also has built-in speakers, which eliminates the need to attach additional speakers. The 2W speakers deliver a richer, more precise sound.

The quick and straightforward setup gets you up and running in a matter of minutes, making it ideal for anyone. The projector is compatible with the most recent gadgets, such as laptops and media players. The projector has been built to work with HDMI, which combines digital audio and video into a single wire. IT comes with a few additional features such as a power cable, the projector remote control, extra batteries, and a simple guide on functioning the projector.

10. Brookstone Wireless Mobile Projector

Key Specifications

Brand	Brookstone
Image Resolution	854x480p
Item Weight	1.2 pounds
Color	Black

Key Features

• The projector features a 3LCD chip that enhances the color quality of the image
• The mega bright 100-lumen bulbs display high-resolution photos
• The projector features TRP sharp pixel technology for a more sensitive, smoother image
• The auto keystone correction automatically adjusts distorted images
• It comes with dual built-in speakers and focuses control on improving your watching experience

The Brookstone projector is the ideal choice for multiple tasks. It performs admirably in terms of delivering outstanding HD picture quality with natural contrast and brightness levels. It uses a 3LCD chip to produce bright-colored results with no latency or rainbow effect. The projector features a built-in focus wheel that helps you adjust the display for HD resolution display.

Another feature of this projector is its photo best, available at a resolution of 854 x 480p, and produces a razor-sharp image thanks to the mega bright 100-lumen bulb. It features a TRP Sharp Pixel Technology that displays the image on an 80-inch screen.  And due to its portability and compactness, you can easily set it up at any location.

The projector features built-in dual speakers with a volume system that will accompany your film with audio and add independent speakers using the 3.5mm audio jack. Another important feature added to the projector is the auto keystone corrector that automatically adjusts any distorted or skewed images in the video, improving your overall audio and video experience.

This Wireless Mobile Projector’s mega-bright bulb can project up to 100 lumens for up to 1.5 hours, and the battery life is reduced while using wireless mode. It has a robust 3800mAh battery that charges by USB and, when fully charged, can also serve as a backup battery for your gadgets.

Conclusion

In this article, we have listed for you the ten Best Projector Under 500 since it is challenging to choose one best product out of so many. But after going through our buying guide you may have a better understanding of the various projectors available and their outstanding features, you are sure to find the correct one. 

Make sure to look for a projector that provides correct brightness, contrast, image quality, audio quality, and many other factors Look for projectors that can connect to other devices for your convenience since this will allow you to work efficiently whenever convenient.

Because everyone has different needs and wants when it comes to projectors, everyone will receive what they need with the features they want and love it.

Why Do You Need a Projector?

Since they do give out such indications, projectors do a lot more often than merely tick boxes to show you’re a contemporary, inventive, and tech-savvy company. Its true worth lies in the capacity to boost professional cooperation, creativity, and effectiveness.

Projectors, clearly put, make things easier for everybody to get on with their work. And here’s how you can do it. 

Major Advantages for Small Business 

Consider how much simpler it would be if your office had a vast sharing projection screen that you could all rotate around and watch from your workstations, rather than simply a conference room!

You’ll also have a high chance of impressing your prospects. The newest projector technology is getting cheaper, so using cutting-edge tech to present your goods and ideas is now a viable and reasonable choice. 

Unite Remote Teams On a Bigger Display

You’ll have to interact with individuals in remote places when you interact with them on a consistent schedule, whether they’re remote workers or subcontractors, other divisions of the same company, or even customers. 

Thanks to the Projector, everybody can see each other, which brings individuals together as if they were in the same room. As cooperation advances, distant conferences, video conferences, and long-distance initiatives become more cohesive and practical.

Projectors Save Time!

Money is squandered every minute you waste dealing with inefficient, outdated technologies. Projectors aid productivity improvement in various ways, but at their core, they enable people to exchange information more quickly, improve communication, and cooperate more easily. 

In effect, this innovation assists in the lubrication of your whole organization by displaying tasks on a large, clean display that everybody can easily view and work from.

Buyer’s Guide – What to Look for in Projectors under 500

Before making a purchase, please take these critical factors below into consideration to make an informed decision.

Bulb Life

When it comes to purchasing projectors, the first thought that comes to mind is the bulb life. Because it is the priciest element of a projector, it is essential to consider. So, in terms of bulb life, we recommend that your projector have a bulb life of at least 10,000 hours.

Contrast 

The contrast operates identically as the intensity of a projector does. It’s essentially a contrast between bright and dark, implying that a picture on display might have more excellent contrast or be darker. As a result, you must ensure that the projectors you purchase have a robust and broad contrast spectrum.

Compatibility 

While purchasing the projectors, you will have the choice of using both HDMI and Bluetooth. You’ll receive a higher visual quality when you link it via an HDMI connection. As a result, double-check that your projector offers these connectivity choices.

Resolution

The entire amount of screen pixels accessible on the image chip is referred to as resolution. It is both horizontally and vertically assessed. Full HD 1080p projectors are available for use in home theatres. However, as the resolution increases, the pixel density decreases. Some companies even provide 1080p projectors that can operate seamlessly with 4K source footage.

Throw Distance

Throw distance indicates that you can receive a clean image even though your projector’s distance metric is exceeded. In other words, it constantly reminds you how much you can move your projector before the picture blurs. The frequency may differ depending on the projector. The range of most projectors may be extended from a few feet to 15 feet. However, when you purchase a high-end projector, this range may be extended to 30 feet.