Looking for the best projector under 500 dollars? You’ve come to the right place. In this article, I will cover top projectors under $500 to help you choose the right one. Choosing the best projector is a challenging task when there are a plethora of options to pick from.
Many people get frustrated with so many options in front of them. Keeping this thing in mind, I have done the hard work for you and crafted this list of 10 best projectors under 500 to help you make an informed decision.
Also Read: Top 12 Best Projector Under 200 That You Should Consider
Each review selected for this product is explained with pros, cons, and features to help you figure out the right device for your needs.
Without further ado, let’s get started…
Contents
- 1 Top 10 Projectors Under $500 in 2022
- 2 1. EUG Projector – Best Projector Under 500
- 3 2.Optoma HD143X Projector
- 4 3.XGIMI MoGo Pro Portable Projector
- 5 4. Epson Home Cinema 880
- 6 5. CAIWEI Native 1080P 5G WiFi Projector
- 7 6.Epson EX5280 3-Chip 3LCD XGA Projector
- 8 7.CAIWEI 5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector
- 9 8. EUG Full HD Projector
- 10 9. ZCGIOBN 1080P Native Video Projector
- 11 10. Anker Nebula Solar Portable 1080p Projector
- 12 Conclusion:
Top 10 Projectors Under $500 in 2022
Best Projectors Under 500 | Price | Resolution | Brightness (Lumens) | More Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
#1. EUG Projector  Editor's Choice | ||||
#2. Optoma HD146X | ||||
#3. XGIMI MoGo Pro | ||||
#4. Epson Home Cinema 880 | ||||
#5. CAIWEI Native | ||||
#6. Epson EX5280 3-Chip | ||||
#7. CAIWEI 5G WiFi | ||||
#8. EUG Full HD | ||||
#9. ZCGIOBN Native | ||||
#10. Anker Nebula Solar Portable |
1. EUG Projector – Best Projector Under 500
Our editor’s favorite on this list – a fantastic balance of price and overall performance.
This EUG projector gets practically everything right. It strikes a fantastic balance between price and overall performance. For less than $500, you get an 8000:1 contrast ratio, a max screen size of 200 inches, and a 1080P resolution at 7200 lumens.
This thing is a cut above a big chunk of the competition. The LED lamp is rated for up to 50,000 hours of continuous usage and uses a softer, diffused lighting system that can be much kinder to the human eye.
The connectivity features on offer here are worth considering too – both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth come as standard. We think this is the perfect family or home cinema projector.
- Strong price to performance ratio
- Eye-healthy lighting
- Great contrast ratio
- 200-inch max screen size
- The UI is just ok
2.Optoma HD143X Projector
Optoma HD143X has a track record of serving budget users by offering the best quality output image along with the best in class color’s accuracy and contrast capability. If you are on the budget, then this comprehensive review might help you to make the final decision.
Bear in mind before moving forward, don’t expect the same from this model that you usually expect from other similarly priced models because it has a lot to offer you without burdening your wallet too much.
3000 lumens is the thing that was advertised by the manufacturer, but we had noticed a slight difference. However, it throws the best brightness and accurate color on the screen without making you feel the lumens deficiency. The output quality is fairly similar to other expensive units and far better than the competition.
Unlike peers, adjustment is something that you would not have to do frequently because the projector holds the credibility of throwing out the natural colors on the screen without any adjustment. Along with the natural colors, the contrast for which it got fame is also the feature that has to be acclaimed.
Either you are using it for watching movies, or for satisfying the appetite of the hardcore gamer, the persistent delivery of quality images will leave you amazed. Even though the quality of the image in the cinema mode is not 3 dimensional but the quality is up to mark as compared to the price.
The add-on of this projector is the Mono Speaker, which is eager to serve you with the best quality sound along with a better viewing experience. It could fail to show its presence, in the larger rooms. Therefore, relying on its sound only in the smaller room would be a prudent decision.
Some of the limitations that belong to this unit include the delayed sync signal ability and the heavyweight. But these limitations have nothing to do with the performance directly, you can keep enjoying the home theater all the time without any distortion.
- Satisfying contrast.
- Color’s accuracy.
- Full HD resolution.
- Affordability.
- Heavier in weight.
- Syncing could be better.
Recap:
Overall, the projector has the ability to score well when it comes to performance. But the main reason behind the popularity and widespread fame is the value that this projector is eager to serve you with. Settling down with the heavier weight and adequate signal syncing power is your decision, then there would be no better option that you could avail at such a price.
3.XGIMI MoGo Pro Portable Projector
The folks at Xgimi have outdone themselves here. Wherever you take this sub-$500 projector, you’ll have a sensational, 100-inch screen at full 1080P resolution. When you consider the size of this thing– not to mention the surprisingly capable built-in speakers – this is really quite impressive.
Expect a respectable lamp life of 30,000 hours and a battery life of up to 6 hours. Worried about getting a crisp image? Don’t be – the auto focus feature and 40° keystone function make it effortless to tweak your setup.
We think this will make an excellent holiday or night-time garden companion for projections on-the-go.
- Super portable.
- Surprisingly capable speakers.
- Less than $500!
- Auto focus features.
- The included remote isn’t great.
- Not great in bright light.
4. Epson Home Cinema 880
Epson 880 projector is a compactly designed projector that is lighter in weight and easy to carry out. The portability of this unit is not only because of the lightweight construction, but a variety of connectivity ports also contribute evenly to make it the best ever portable projector.
Communication of data between devices would never be an issue for you with Epson 880 projector. Moreover, for streaming purposes, there would be no restriction of any device, you can attach it with any of the devices that is spare at the time of use.
The brightness of around 3,300 lumens produces the brightest images on the portable screen. Hence, the darker room is not the best placement for these projectors. The room with ambient lighting is the best place that you can opt for this projector. Even the use of this projector in the daylight will never cause you any issue.
Along with the brightness, the contrast ratio of 16,000:1 also ensures you the quality and best color combination on the screen all the time. Apart from that, the resolution of the projector is 1080P, which is pretty decent. However, it does not produce the same quality that the Full HD produces, but still, the output of the projector is satisfying.
The speaker is also included in the projector to serve you with the sound along with the quality image. The speakers are powerful enough to produce an adequate level of sound in the smaller room, but using them in the larger rooms or outside is not a good idea.
- HD resolution.
- Portable.
- Lightweight.
- Best contrast ratio.
- Brightness.
- Few unit’s HDMI Port lose signals.
5. CAIWEI Native 1080P 5G WiFi Projector
EUG/ Caiwei make some fantastic projectors under $500 and this one is no exception. For a budget-friendly asking price, you get an 8000-lumens bulb; a 1080P, 60-200” screen that’s 4K capable; and built-in Hi-Fi speakers that are impressively rich and crisp.
This is an excellent projector for those who are interested in screen mirroring. The included 5G connectivity features work great and make it effortless to cast your favorite content to the big screen.
The screen size can also be tweaked by up to 40% without repositioning the projector at all!
- Great for screen mirroring.
- Strong built-in speakers.
- 4K capable.
- Blur free at 200 inches!
- Runs quite hot.
- Also runs fairly loud.
6.Epson EX5280 3-Chip 3LCD XGA Projector
The 3800 lumens brightness and 16000:1 contrast ratio on this Epson projector puts it a cut above the rest of the competition. Expect fantastic performance, even in brighter environments.
This product’s ‘true 3-Chip 3LCD technology’ means that your projection will always have the most accurate, crisp colors possible. Keep in mind that while the built-in speaker is decent, it’s not the best we’ve ever seen.
We think this projector is perfect for displaying your office documents in all their glory.
- Often less than $500!
- Excellent contrast ratio.
- Powerful brightness.
- Ideal for office presentations.
- Wireless features are just ok.
- Built-in UI isn’t great.
7.CAIWEI 5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector
So, what does Caiwei offer for less than $500 with this projector? For your hard-earned money you’ll get 4K support, 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity, an 8000-lumens bulb that lasts up to 50,000 hours, and a decent set of built-in speakers.
We think this is the perfect ‘cheap but not rubbish’ option for those looking to start their home cinema journey. The Bluetooth features work great, and the screen is easy to adjust with 4D keystone corrections and digital zooming.
- Very affordable.
- 4K capable.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as standard.
- Decent Hi-Fi speakers.
- Screen presets a little odd.
- Could be quieter.
8. EUG Full HD Projector
For less than $350, this EUG projector packs a real punch. The 6000 lumens lamp is plenty bright enough to use outdoors and it should last for up to 50,000 hours of continuous use. You’ll be able to achieve a screen size between 50 and 200 inches at 1080P – not bad!
Adding to your garden cinema experience are the built-in Hi-Fi speakers that come as standard. While they could be a touch louder, they should be more than enough for most use cases. Overall, this is a fantastic projector under $500.
- Phenomenal brightness.
- Decent Hi-Fi speakers.
- Crisp, clear screen.
- Built-in smart features are slow.
- Struggles with Blu-ray content.
9. ZCGIOBN 1080P Native Video Projector
This Zcgiobn projector costs comfortably less than $500 and delivers on both durability and performance. The 6000 lumens bulb is plenty bright and should last for up to 50,000 hours of continuous use.
The innovative fan system used here deserves a fair bit of praise. It’s quiet, efficient, and keeps everything running optimally. The projector offers a resolution of 1080P at a max screen size of 150 inches. This makes it an ideal home cinema experience for families and more casual scenarios.
The dual stereo speakers are great on their own. Use this product’s Bluetooth feature, though, and you can hook up any speaker you desire!
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and wired connectivity.
- Bright, long-lasting lamp.
- Great cooling system.
- Affordable home cinema experience.
- Screen size could be bigger.
- Display (resolution, tech, brightness, etc, keystone).
- Screen size and distance.
10. Anker Nebula Solar Portable 1080p Projector
The first thing to mention here is that the speakers on this Nebula projector are amazing. The “Dolby Digital Plus” system uses a dual 3W setup for remarkably crisp highs and vivid details. As for the screen, there’s loads to love here too.
You’ll be able to view with a screen size of up to 100 inches in dazzling 1080p. HDR10 allows for fantastic contrast and color vibrancy too. The wireless setup of this projector makes it a great option for movies on-the-go. The onboard battery should last for up to 3 hours.
With Android TV functionality, a stunning screen, and some of the best speakers we’ve seen on a projector, this option from Nebula is tough to beat.
- Killer speakers.
- Great HDR quality.
- Android TV built in.
- Portable design.
- Battery life could be better.
- A touch expensive.
Related Buyer’s Guide:
Conclusion:
Now that you have all the information regarding the best projectors under 500, it’s time to make a decision according to your preferences. We have done our job of providing authentic information to help you make an informed decision, it’s up to you to take action now. If you like this article, don’t forget to share it with others.