Picking a projector is tough, as so much depends on the room you’re putting it in and how you use it, whether you decide you want to set it up as a home theater for the family or for outdoor camping trips and business presentations. You’ll also want to know what you need to look for in terms of projector resolution and brightness for your intended purposes. We’ve researched and tested models based on compatibility requirements (for wireless connectivity and computer ports) and various uses. Here are the best cheap projectors that you need to check out. Using the built-in operating system to navigate the settings and options with the included remote is pretty intuitive. However, the stand is quite small, which means you may need to prop it up on a table or desk with something to get the angle you want. The 2,000:1 contrast ratio provides solid picture quality, but the brightness level is surprisingly dimmer than what one would expect from a projector boasting 2,400 lumens. The built-in speaker is unlikely to impress those used to high-quality speaker systems or even a good built-in laptop speaker. Fortunately, the Vankyo Leisure 3 has a 3.5mm cable port which allows for a connection to an external speaker. You can also bypass the built-in speaker by exporting your audio directly from the source device, such as your computer or streaming stick. Resolution: 1920x1080 | Brightness: 2400 lumens | Contrast ratio: 2000:1 | Projection size: 170 inches The 768p XGA resolution and 15,000:1 contrast ratio mean that documents with a lot of text and fine details will clearly display when projected. The support for HDMI, USB, and VGA inputs should suit most modern business needs. While the lack of an SD card slot is inconvenient, you can always transfer the data to a USB stick or a device connected via cable. Three thousand six hundred lumens, a good number for such a relatively cheap projector, also provide a clear picture and doesn’t restrict your presentations to a completely dark room like other projectors in this price range. The built-in sensor that automatically corrects the image to ensure it’s not distorted is also impressive. Resolution: 1024x768 | Brightness: 3,600 lumens | Contrast Ratio: 15000:1 | Projection Size: 300 inches This budget projector also boasts a 1:1.69 foot throw ratio that gives you an extra 2 feet of image for every foot away from the wall or screen that the projector sits. This ratio is good as it will allow you to make a sizable projection when used in a small place such as a child’s bedroom or tent. The 2,200 ANSI lumens allow the BenQ HT2150ST to put on a generally solid show in dimly-lit rooms while the support for 1080p resolution and 15,000:1 contrast ratio produces a projection with solid colors and fine details. Where this projector really impresses is with its range of ports. With two HDMI ports, 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, very few devices won’t be able to connect to the BenQ HT2150ST. Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Brightness: 2,200 ANSI Lumens | Contrast ratio: 15,000:1 | Projection size:up to 300 inches
The 3,600 lumens and 2000:1 contrast ratio create a rather good quality projection that’s sharp and bright. The built-in speakers offer basic surround sound that won’t compete with a proper speaker system but are more than enough for casual movie viewings. That’s not bad for such a budget-friendly projector. Resolution: 1920x1080 | Brightness: 3600 lumens | Contrast ratio: 2000:1 | Projection size: 176 inches In addition to the usual HDMI and USB connections, the Luma 150 also supports wireless casting from Apple, Android, and Windows devices. The 60 ANSI lumen hardware and low 1,000:1 contrast ratio do limit projections to smaller and darker spaces, but its convenient size and support for tripods also add extra functionality that many may find are worth the trade-off. If you’re after an inexpensive portable projector, the Luma 150 is worth a look. Resolution: 854x480 | Brightness: 60 ANSI lumens | Contrast ratio: 1000:1 | Projection size: 150 inches Another benefit of the Nebula Capsule Max project is its size. The size of a soda can, this cheap projector is very easy to pack for a trip and store at home when not in use. The Anker isn’t perfect, though. Offering just four hours of battery life, it’ll need to be plugged into a power source very regularly. Its low lumen count can also affect its visibility in bright environments. Resolution: 1280x720 | Brightness: 200 ANSI lumens | Contrast ratio: 400:1 | Projection size: 100 inches There is no AV port on the Philips NeoPix Easy but the projector does come with an AV adaptor so you will still be able to use an AV source if that’s what you prefer. The 40 ANSI lumens may also be an issue for media enthusiasts as this rather low ANSI lumen count does decrease the projection brightness in rooms that aren’t completely dark. The 3,000:1 contrast ratio is solid, however, and the 3.5mm audio output does let you use your own speakers for audio. Resolution: 800x480 | Brightness: 40 ANSI lumens | Contrast ratio: 3000:1 | Projection size: 80 inches Projectors measure brightness in lumens. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the projector is. So what does that mean? Well, for a home projector used in dark environments, you might be able to get away with as little as 1,000 lumens. Brighter projectors, however, will be much more suited to environments with some ambient light. With a larger room or one with more ambient light, you’ll want something closer to the 2,000-lumen range, while really large or bright rooms might need even more than that. For basic use, we recommend something close to the 1,500-lumen range.
Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio is essentially a measurement of the brightness between black and white. The higher the contrast ratio, the deeper the darks and the brighter the whites. That’s good for TVs and projectors; it means that there’s more detail in a picture, creating a more immersive viewing experience. The contrast ratio is especially important for home projectors. In darkened rooms, the contrast will be more noticeable than in rooms with a lot of light, which often mutes contrast. It’s important to note that contrast ratio isn’t the be-all and end-all of image quality. A projector with a 5,000:1 contrast ratio isn’t necessarily twice as good as one with a 2,500:1 contrast ratio. After all, the contrast ratio only accounts for extremes—it doesn’t say much about the colors and grays in between the brightest whites and blackest blacks. So what’s a good contrast ratio? We recommend a contrast ratio of at least 1,000:1, though many projectors will boast a higher figure. That higher figure normally comes with a higher price.
Resolution
Just like TVs, smartphones, and computer monitors, projectors also display images in pixels—and more pixels is pretty much always better. These days many projectors have an HD resolution, which equates to 1920x1080 pixels, although you’ll see many with a lower resolution and a bunch with 4K (4096x2160 pixels) resolutions. In an era of common 4K content, a projector with a 4K resolution is ideal—but often comes with a hefty price. Because of that, we recommend finding one with the highest resolution possible in your price range.
About Our Trusted Experts
Katie Dundas is a freelance journalist and contributing writer to Lifewire. She has been covering tech for over two years and loves the look of the Anker Nebula Capsule Max for traveling and camping. The manufacturer or brand associated with a projector can impact the price but the cost is mostly affected by the quality of the projection and the resolution it offers. For example, a projector that needs to be used in the dark and only displays a 480p resolution image might cost $80 or so while a 4K projector that produces an image that’s completely clear during the daytime from all angles could cost around $1,500. Benjamin Zeman has a background in film, photography, and graphic design. He is an expert in film and video technology, and has reviewed several of the projectors on this list. Jonno Hill is a writer who covers tech such as computers, gaming equipment, and cameras for Lifewire and publications including PCMag.com.
