6 Best Projectors Under $500 in 2023(Review)

Are you looking for the best projectors under $500?

You’re in the right place.

Choosing the best projectors under $500 can be a fairly confusing task, especially if you aren’t aware of the technical specs you should look at before buying the best projector for your needs.

That’s why we are here to make your life easier.

To help you decide how to choose the best projector, we’ve put together this guide that details all the factors and considerations you need to keep in mind.

Let’s dive right in.

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If you are in a hurry, please check our quick list, or continue to scroll through our complete in-depth review list.

How to Choose the Best Projector Under $500?

When looking for a projector under $500, there are several factors to consider. The most important factors are Brightness and contrast, resolutions, and connectors, which should be the main considerations when choosing these devices. Where you’ll have to make a judgment call is weighing up the price with the features you want and the ease of use.

Brightness and contrast

These two important parameters determine the quality and color of the display image. Generally speaking, the higher the brightness, the lower the contrast, but this is not always the case. These factors are all described by manufacturers, and deserve attention. 

Resolutions

Just like TVs, mobile phones, and other devices that transmit images, the resolution is also very important. It will determine the image quality by the number of dots or pixels used for displaying the image.

Technically, the resolution is represented by a combination of numbers. You may have seen it in the settings of some devices, such as your computer monitor with a resolution of 800 x 600. This means that you see 480.00 total dots that make up the image you see on the screen, 800 horizontal dots per 600 dotted lines vertically.

In short, the higher the resolution, the clearer the projected image. 

Connectors

Depending on what devices we intend to use to connect the projector, it should be technically feasible. It is worth checking which connectors the projector is equipped with because older and cheaper ones

Learn more in our How to Choose a Projector: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide 

The Best Projectors Under $500

1. Epson Home Cinema 880

 
 
FEATURES:-
  • Brightness: 3300 lumens 
  • Resolution: 1080p 
  • Contrast : Up to 16,000:1
  • Screen size: 25″ – 386″

The Epson Home Cinema 880 is the overall best home theater projector.

It delivers the best picture quality with nice color accuracy, and the best part is that you can use this projector in daylight and it comes with convenient color mode adjustments which help you to adjust the color to optimize your overall watching experience.

Also, it comes with  3LCD without the color wheel of DLP which helps to eliminate the rainbow effect problem that occurs in DLP.

In summary, the Epson Home Cinema 880 is one of the most reliable projectors you can get for under $500.

PROS
  • Excellent image quality
  • Easy setup
CONS
  • Lacking optical zoom

2. Xiaomi Mi Smart Compact Projector  

 
 

 

FEATURES:-
  • Brightness: 500 ANSI lumens 
  • Resolution: 1080P
  • Screen size: 60–120 inch

If you’re on the hunt for a high-quality smart projector that doesn’t require a lot of space, then the Mi Smart Compact Projector is the best pick for you.

The Mi Smart Compact Projector comes with a minimalist design that fits well with modern interiors. The device comes with a smart remote that helps you to navigate easily and with Android OS pre-installed, which helps you to get access to YouTube, Netflix, and various other Android apps without the help of an external smartphone, which makes the overall experience better for you.

The image quality is very nice, and it also comes with HDR10, which helps you get sharper colors in the image. The sound quality is also good.

Overall, the projector is the best choice for you if you want a small, smart projector that doesn’t take up a lot of space.

PROS
  • Small and compact
  • Android TV
  • Excellent picture quality
CONS
  • Slow CPU

3. XGIMI MoGo Pro Projector  

 
 
FEATURES:-
  • Brightness: 300 ANSI Lumens 
  • Resolution: 1080P
  • Screen size: 60–120 inch

The XGIMI Mogo Pro is a top-notch portable projector that looks great.

The projector delivers excellent image quality with nice clarity, and the battery life of the projector lasts up to 1 hour and 35 minutes, which is quite decent when it comes to a portable projector.

On top of that, it comes with Android, which means we can use a wide range of apps such as YouTube, HBO, Apple TV plus, and many other apps that are available on the Google Play Store.

The LED light source has a long set life of 30,000 hours and can be used for a long time.

In addition, it comes with two Harman Kardon speakers, which provide you with a decent sound.

Plus, it also comes with manual keystone correction and autofocus, which helps you set up the projector easily without any hassle.

PROS
  • Portable projector
  • Comes with Android
  • Harman Kardon Sound
  • Great picture quality
CONS
  • Netflix not officially supported
  • It’s better to use it in a space with a lot of darkness.

Related:10 Best Projectors Under $300 In 2022

4. YABER Pro V7  

 
 
FEATURES:-
  • Brightness: 9500 lumens 
  • Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels
  • Contrast : 12000:1
  • Screen size: 50 – 350 inches

The YABER Pro V7 is one of the cheapest projectors that you can get without worrying about compromising on quality. Actually, it’s the most affordable option on our list.

With its low price point, the YABER Pro V7 delivers excellent video quality and impressive sound. This model comes with a 6D Auto Keystone Correction, which helps you avoid the trouble of manual adjustment and put it at any angle. The projector will automatically restore its image at the same time.

Moreover, it also retains a 4-point keystone correction function that allows you to adjust the size of the projection screen according to your own choice.

The projector also comes with a 3-year warranty and a free carrying bag. If you want a top-notch projector without breaking the bank, you can’t go wrong with the YABER pro v7.

PROS
  • 6D keystone correction
  • 3 years warranty
  • High-quality picture
CONS
  • Not found

5. Epson VS260  

 
 
FEATURES:-
  • Brightness: 3,300 Lumens 
  • Resolution: 1024×768
  • Contrast: 15,000:1

 

Epson is a manufacturer that makes a high-quality projector with a lot of different features built-in.

The Epson VS260 is an excellent projector under $500 that projects nice, bright images with accurate color and good contrast. The projector can be used in bright rooms for presentations and for watching movies easily, and the built-in speakers are decent.

Overall, it’s a pretty basic and nice projector that offers impressive image quality.

PROS
  • Great ease of use
  • Decent picture quality
CONS
  • Not Found

6. YABER V10 

 
 
FEATURES:-
  • Brightness: 9500 lumens 
  • Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels
  • Contrast : 10000:1
  • Screen size: 45 – 350 inches

The YABER V10 is a budget-friendly projector that offers some amazing features.

The projector comes with a simple, minimalist design with an antioxidant metal bracket, which not only enhances the look but also helps raise the height of the projector and makes sure the proper heat dissipation takes place.

It delivers sharp video quality and impressive sound, ensuring that watching movies, series, or live sports tournaments is a stunning experience.

Moreover, it comes with a 4-point keystone correction, which helps you adjust the corners of the projection screen separately.

On top of that, it comes with a unique cooling system to display an ultra-high resolution screen while utilizing less power, and it comes with all the major ports.

Overall, the YABER V10 is a great option for anyone who is looking for a budget-friendly projector that delivers good image quality.

PROS
  • 4-Point keystone correction
  • Large emerald lens
  • 3 years warranty
CONS
  • Not Found

Conclusion

That completes my list of the top 6 projectors under 500 dollars available on Amazon today.

I hope this article is helpful. Now you can make the best choice according to your needs. Good luck with whatever you decide!

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