How much should a projector cost?

Projector pricing ranges from under $100 to well over $2,000, which is why projectors that cost around $500 are still considered relatively affordable. The quality of the projection and the resolution affect pricing the most. For example, a projector that needs to be used in the dark and only displays a 480p resolution might cost $80. In contrast, a 4K projector that produces a clear picture during the daytime from all angles could cost around $1,500.

How many lumens do you need in a projector?

Lumen is a term that describes the level of light output from projectors and other similar devices. The minimum requirement to create a quality projection in a home theater setting is 1,000 lumens. Generally speaking, the higher the lumens, the better the image quality. It’s important to note that cheaper projectors with lower lumen counts can often be fine if you prioritize portability and price over quality.

What is the throw ratio on a projector?

The throw ratio is the distance between a projector and a screen required to produce a clear or high-quality image. The throw ratio or throw distance is independent of a projector’s lumen count and resolution. For example, two 4K projectors with the exact lumen count could have different throw ratios. Standard or long-throw projectors usually require a minimum of 6 feet between the projector and the screen to project an image of 80 inches or more, while short-throw projectors can create a 100-inch image at a distance of only 4 or 5 feet. You can usually locate throw ratios on a projector’s product description page and within its manual.

The Best Cheap Projectors

The MoGo 3 Pro on display. — Photo:
Lifewire / Jerri Ledford

Buying a modestly priced projector can be a great way to get a big display for less than a TV and get impressive quality, resolution, brightness, and contrast.

We researched and tested top models, and these are the best cheap projectors we recommend that go above and beyond their modest price points.

Note: Prices are subject to change.

Our Top Picks

Just Buy This (All Around Best):

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro at Amazon $450

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Also Great:

BenQ TH575 at Amazon $649

Jump to Review

Easiest on the Budget (And on sale for 62% off right now!):

SALE

VIZONY RD830 at Amazon ~~$260~~ $85

Jump to Review

Just Buy This (All Around Best)

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro

PHOTO: Lifewire / Jerri Ledford

$450 at Amazon View on Xgimi.com

TL;DR: The Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro is affordable, compact, and delivers excellent picture and sound quality.

Why We Recommend It

We spent time with the Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro and were struck by the super-simple setup and impressive picture quality for the price tag.

Although it lacks the brightness and contrast of high-end projectors, it has excellent color support with 90% of the DCI-P3 gamut. And with 450 lumens of brightness, it can even get a little punchy in darker rooms.

The sound quality from the Harman Kardon speakers isn't too shabby either, and there are additional accessories that expand its capabilities.

Pros

Compact and lightweight design is highly portable
Built-in streaming services for movies, TV, and games
Optional battery pack gives it 2.5 hours of streaming
Easy setup

Cons

Lacks brightness and contrast of expensive projectors
Portable accessories are optional extras

Another bonus is the portable build. It's barely bigger than a soda can and so lightweight that it even comes with a carry strap.

Plus, the travel stand makes moving and positioning easy, and the battery pack lets you use it without a main connection for up to 2.5 hours at a time.

The Mogo 3 Pro also has all the popular streaming apps built in, so connect it to Wi-Fi, and you’ll be off and running. Alternatively, plug it in using a micro-HDMI cable, and you can stream whatever you like locally.

Overall, for a go-anywhere projector that delivers without breaking the bank, it's hard to beat the MoGo 3 Pro.

Who else recommends it? AndroidAuthority and TechRadar also praise it highly, citing its impressive picture quality, sound, and ease of setup.
What do buyers say? Amazon buyers give the Mogo 3 Pro an overall positive 4.5-star rating. Customers love its usability, portability, and the flexibility the battery pack adds.

Mogo 3 Pro Review

Also Great

BenQ TH575

PHOTO: Amazon

$649 at Amazon

TL;DR: The BenQ TH575 is the cheapest super bright projector you can buy. It also offers perks like keystone adjustments and game-mode enhancement.

Why We Recommend It

The BenQ TH575's price tag puts it at the very edge of the budget-friendly category, but we think it's worth a look for its first-rate brightness and responsiveness for gaming.

With up to 3,800 lumens of brightness, this LED projector can get plenty bright, delivering high contrast and vibrant colors in movies, TV shows, and games.

Pros

Bright picture with up to 3,800 lumens
Low latency for gaming
Automated keystone adjustment
See up to 100-inch screen from 11 feet
Impressive contrast and color

Cons

More expensive than other cheap projectors
No built-in operating system
Some reviewers say it can be noisy

Though not as speedy as gaming TVs, this projector is impressively fast, with its game mode dropping the input lag to just over 16 milliseconds.

This short-throw projector offers 100 inches of screen visibility from an 11-foot distance, which surpasses what you'll get from most traditional projectors.

On the other hand, you need a streaming stick or phone to stream from, as this projector doesn't have an operating system or built-in streaming apps.

But the picture quality should be strong whether you're gaming or watching a movie.

Who else recommends it? LifeIsXbox and PCMag praise the BenQ TH575's picture quality and brightness, which are tough to beat at this price.
What do buyers say? Amazon customers give The BenQ TH575 an average 4.6-star rating. Shoppers think the price is fair given the features and brightness.

Easiest on the Budget (And on sale for 62% off right now!)

VIZONY RD830

PHOTO: Amazon

$260 $85 at Amazon

TL;DR: This ultra-affordable projector is durable enough for outdoor use and comes with a long feature list.

Why We Recommend It

While it can't match a higher-end projector's brightness or build quality, the VIZONY RD830 offers serious picture quality and desirable features for an affordable price.

It can reach up to 800 lumens of brightness, making its 1080p image look bright and clear—even outside, which its game for, thanks to its P5X dustproof rating and a sealed cleaning unit.

Pros

Impressive brightness
Incredibly low price
Wi-Fi 6 support
Sealed unit is dustproof
Low fan noise

Cons

Lacks water resistance
Lacks built-in streaming apps

Digital focus and keystone adjustment options allow you to use the remote to adjust the picture's orientation for the best look.

The VIZONY RD830 also has Wi-Fi 6 on dual bands and Bluetooth 5.2, which are excellent for connecting wireless headphones.

The standard speakers are pretty good, too, with 15 watts of power to give them plenty of volume when needed.

One downside is that it lacks an operating system, so you'll need to provide a streaming source. Still, for the price and the first-rate feature list, this projector's an exciting steal.

Who else recommends it? GaGadget, DragonBlogger, and CandidTechTV give this model high marks for picture quality at an affordable price.
What do buyers say? More than 80% of Amazon buyers give the Vizony 5 out of 5 stars, giving it props for connectivity options and picture quality.

How We Chose

To find the best cheap projectors, we looked at those with strong reviews from third-party publications and users, focusing mainly on brightness and picture quality.

We avoided some of the cheapest projectors, as they have a reputation for being deeply unimpressive and having a limited lifespan.

We considered contrast, color support, connectivity, and portability.

The most significant factor was the price, though. We targeted under $500, with a bit of leeway given to the BenQ model because it is so bright for its price.

What to Look For

When looking for a cheap projector, understand what you will likely get for your money.

For under $200: You will get low-resolution, dull picture quality with limited connectivity. At that level, you’re better off buying a small TV.
Over $400: Your options expand dramatically, with better brightness, connections, and extra features.

As for other specs, consider:

Lumens: Look for a brightness of at least 400 lumens, or the picture quality will be poor even in darker rooms.
Connectivity: Ideally, you also want an HDMI connection or built-in streaming apps. Wireless connectivity is nice too.
Portability and build: Low weights and carrying straps up the convenience of transporting a projector. If you’re going to use it outdoors, though, make sure it has dustproofing at a minimum and, ideally, some waterproofing, too.
Keystone adjustments: This flexibility is vital if you don’t want to physically move the projector to align the picture with your wall or screen.

Also, consider sound. At least 10 watts of speaker power will give you plenty of volume, but Bluetooth connectivity can be nice if you have a decent pair of earbuds.

Learn more from our video projector buying guide.

Brands We Considered

We considered projectors from the following manufacturers, among others:

Anker
Samsung
Epson
NEC
Xgimi
BenQ
Vizony

FAQ

How much should a projector cost?

Projector pricing ranges from under $100 to well over $2,000, which is why projectors that cost around $500 are still considered relatively affordable. The quality of the projection and the resolution affect pricing the most. For example, a projector that needs to be used in the dark and only displays a 480p resolution might cost $80. In contrast, a 4K projector that produces a clear picture during the daytime from all angles could cost around $1,500.
How many lumens do you need in a projector?

Lumen is a term that describes the level of light output from projectors and other similar devices. The minimum requirement to create a quality projection in a home theater setting is 1,000 lumens. Generally speaking, the higher the lumens, the better the image quality. It’s important to note that cheaper projectors with lower lumen counts can often be fine if you prioritize portability and price over quality.
What is the throw ratio on a projector?

The throw ratio is the distance between a projector and a screen required to produce a clear or high-quality image. The throw ratio or throw distance is independent of a projector’s lumen count and resolution. For example, two 4K projectors with the exact lumen count could have different throw ratios. Standard or long-throw projectors usually require a minimum of 6 feet between the projector and the screen to project an image of 80 inches or more, while short-throw projectors can create a 100-inch image at a distance of only 4 or 5 feet. You can usually locate throw ratios on a projector’s product description page and within its manual.