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If you want to create an immersive viewing experience for streaming entertainment content, a projector can get you there at a cost that’s far less than a new LED or OLED TV. A projector can also be a smart small business investment for taking presentations to the next level.
While some of the best projectors cost upwards of $1,000, there are plenty of great projectors for less than $500. Most models in this price range deliver impressive image quality, lots of connectivity options, portability, and flexible controls. But when shopping in the sub-$500 category, it’s particularly important to drill down on specs to make sure the projector you get offers good value.
To help you find the best projectors under $500 for a home, office, or on-the-go setup, we've compiled a list of editor-approved picks, plus we provide expert advice on everything you need to consider before buying.
The Best Projectors Under $500
- Best Overall: DB Power Native 1080P Wi-Fi Projector
- Best Value: WiMiUS 5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector, W7
- Most Portable: Nebula Anker Capsule Max Mini Projector
- Best for Presentations: ViewSonic High Brightness Projector PA503X
- Best for Daytime Viewing: Epson EpiqVision Flex Projector
What to Consider
Bear in mind that projectors as a whole have their limitations when compared with TVs; they simply cannot match the color, brightness, or contrast performance of modern HD or 4K LED TVs. When looking for the best projector under $500, there's a laundry list of features and specs to consider—and a lot of related terms to nail down. Below, we put together a short explainer on the basics.
Type
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) projectors generally deliver sharper, more colorful images, but they're typically—though not always—in the above-$500 range. DLP (Digital Light Processor) models, on the other hand, are simple, often cheaper, and more portable.
Resolution
These days, it isn't uncommon to find a projector under $500 that offers 1080p, though some—particularly small units—max out at 720p. Sure, there's a big difference in image quality, but if portability is a priority, it may be less of an issue.
Screen Size
All projectors have a minimum or maximum screen size, which means you should know the size of the surface you intend to project onto before buying anything. You’ll also want to have an idea of how far the projector will be from the surface—known as the “throw distance.”
Brightness
Brightness, measured in lumens, is extra important for projectors because it affects the quality of the image as well as its size. If you can, look for or convert the lumens rating to ANSI lumens, which is a more accurate reading.
Connectivity
We looked for projectors with HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi capability, though those specs may not be a priority if your projector is staying put.
How We Selected
We leaned on our experience covering projectors across all price ranges when considering the best projectors under $500. Although we didn't test the models we write about below, we heavily vetted specs and features to ensure they measured up to our standards for quality and performance. While comparing models, we looked at criteria including resolution, screen size, brightness, and connectivity, among other attributes.
The list below represents the best models in each category, such as best overall, best value, and most portable. As for other features like lens shift, motorized zoom, and keystone correction—those are all nice perks, but they may or may not be available in this price range, so we didn’t necessarily require them.
For more easy ways to upgrade your viewing experience, check out our picks for the best outdoor movie screens and outdoor speakers.
1
Best Overall
DB Power Native 1080P Wi-Fi Projector
1
Best Overall
DB Power Native 1080P Wi-Fi Projector
Pros
1080p native resolution- USB drive access
Cons
- Middling screen size
An all-around versatile projector with everything you need to watch movies, stream content from a mobile device, or deliver a presentation, this projector is fully capable. It includes built-in stereo speakers, a 100,000-hour lamp life, and a three-year warranty.
For presentations or hard-disk media, you can insert a USB thumb drive directly into the projector and play content off of it. With a maximum screen size of 300 inches, the projector is best suited for a distance of 3.3 meters, which results in a 100-inch screen.
That’s not exactly home theater quality, but for the price point—not to mention the 1080p native resolution—it’s probably more than enough.
Key Specs
| Resolution | 1080p |
|---|---|
| Max Screen Size | 300 in. |
| Connectivity | HDMI, USB, VGA, AV, Screen Mirroring |
2
Best Budget
WiMiUS 5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector, W7
2
Best Budget
WiMiUS 5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector, W7
Pros
- Full HD (1080p)
- Great image quality
- Keystone correction
Cons
The WiMiUS W7 is the best projector under $500 that seems to punch above its weight class. Capable and affordable, it supports 4K and offers 1080p resolution, keystone correction, excellent image quality and high-contrast color.
The max screen size is a solid 300 inches and it also features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, along with two HDMI and USB ports each. Another plus is that it weighs about 4 pounds and comes with a sleek carrying case that's include makes it easy to tote around.
Key Specs
| Resolution | 1080p |
|---|---|
| Max Screen Size | 300 in. |
| Connectivity | HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
3
Most Portable
Nebula Anker Capsule Max Mini Projector
3
Most Portable
Nebula Anker Capsule Max Mini Projector
Pros
- Lots of connections
- Cool design
Cons
- Only 720p
The Anker Nebula Capsule is about the size of a soda can, but don’t let its diminutive size fool you. This little gadget packs a ton of useful features for cinephiles, gamers, and casual viewers alike.
In this tiny contraption you’ll find Android TV, voice control, a built-in speaker, a rechargeable battery, and a bunch of connection options: HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, Chromecast and Wi-Fi.
While it’s a bit pricey for this category, the Nebula Capsule’s 200 ANSI lumens make it bright enough even for some outdoor environments. We’d also like to see Full HD quality for the price, but there’s still a lot to like about this little gadget.
Key Specs
| Resolution | 720p |
|---|---|
| Max Screen Size | 100 in. |
| Connectivity | HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Wi-Fi |
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4
Best for Presentations
ViewSonic High Brightness Projector PA503X
4
Best for Presentations
ViewSonic High Brightness Projector PA503X
Pros
- Very bright
- Impressive specs for the price
Cons
- Many user complaints about fan noise
If you’re looking for a projector for an office, classroom, or any environment meant for presentations, we recommend the ViewSonic PA503X. It’s very bright with decent image quality and adequate connectivity options (HDMI, VGA). With its WXGA resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio, the PA503X may even punch above its weight class.
It also includes automatic keystone correction, solid audio quality, and a three-year warranty. We noticed a steady trickle of user complaints about fan noise, which is something to consider before buying. For the price, though, the PA503X is a highly capable projector suited for most any presentation or work environment. Just don’t expect it to wow audiences in a cinema setting.
Key Specs
| Resolution | XGA+ Wide |
|---|---|
| Max Screen Size | 300 in. |
| Connectivity | HDMI, VGA |
5
Best For Daytime Viewing
Epson EpiqVision Flex Projector
5
Best For Daytime Viewing
Epson EpiqVision Flex Projector
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Pros
- Bright picture
- Automatic color correction
Cons
- Lower resolution
Many inexpensive projectors perform best in dark rooms, but if you want to be able to watch content during the day, the Epson EpiqVision Flex is worth considering. This model offers 3,000 lumens of color and white brightness, and it also has three-chip 3LCD technology, which offers better color accuracy and helps to maintain color brightness.
While you may have to play with the settings a bit to get the picture just right, the projector is generally able to display a clear image, even when there’s a lot of ambient light. You can connect to this projector via a USB or HDMI cable, and it’s compatible with streaming devices such as Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV. However, it does have a lower maximum resolution than other models on this list, so the picture might not be quite as clear.
Key Specs
| Resolution | 800p |
|---|---|
| Max Screen Size | 300 in. |
| Connectivity | USB, HDMI |
Camryn Rabideau
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.
Tyler Lynch
Tyler Wells Lynch is a writer and editor who specializes in home, DIY, music, and computers. As a freelance journalist he covers a variety of environmental and public policy issues, with bylines appearing in The New York Times, USA Today, Vice, HuffPo, Sierra, Yes!, Business Insider, and Reviewed, among others. In between writing ventures, Tyler enjoys running, cooking, playing music, and exploring the New England coast, where he lives with his wife and his dog Billy.
