Cheap and budget projectors can give you a much larger image than most TVs at the same price, but they usually come with bigger tradeoffs than more expensive projectors. You often have to choose between brightness, contrast, portability, gaming performance, and smart features rather than getting everything in one package. Some models are bright enough for casual living-room or outdoor use but have weak contrast, while others look better in a dark room but need more careful placement or an external streaming device. Still, there's enough variety that most should be able to find something for your particular needs. If you're unsure about the size of screen you can accommodate at your distance, you can also use our projector throw calculator to determine how each model fits your room.
We've bought and tested more than 85 models, and below, you'll find the lowest-priced projectors to buy. If you're shopping at a price point, look at our best projectors under $500 and under $1,000. For a more exhaustive list of projectors at all price points, look at the best projectors instead, or the best home theater projectors if you're shopping for a blacked-out room. If you don't specifically need a projector-sized image, our budget TV recommendations are also worth considering for a simpler living-room setup. You can also vote on which ones you want us to purchase and test.
We've independently bought and tested over 80 projectors and published detailed results for each, so you can decide which one to buy. These have all been tested under the same standardized methodology, allowing you to compare them side by side. We still have all these projects in our lab, so we can continually go back and compare them to ensure our reviews are still accurate. All our test methodologies are also public on our website, so you can validate the results yourself.
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Best Budget Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutSizeInput LagImaging TechnologyLight SourceLampSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pIf you want the best budget projector, the BenQ TH575 is the one to get. Its biggest strength is contrast, which gives movies and games better depth than you usually get from budget projectors, especially in mixed and brighter scenes. It's also bright enough for casual viewing, so you don't need a completely blacked-out room to get a watchable image, although it does look its best in dark room conditions. It's limited to 1080p, so it won't look as sharp as a 4k or pixel-shifted 4k projector, but it still delivers a solid big-screen image for movies and sports. And if you're a gamer, it has low input lag at 60Hz, making it a solid gaming pick if you don't care about 4k or high-resolution gaming.
The main tradeoff is that it's very basic. There's no smart OS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or built-in casting, so you'll need to connect a streaming stick, console, Blu-ray player, or PC. Its color performance is also limited, as it's inaccurate out of the box and has a narrow color gamut, so it's definitely not the product that will make colors pop out of the screen. It can accept HDR signals, which are used by many 4k movies, shows, and games to deliver brighter highlights and richer colors, but HDR looks especially washed out on this projector. You'll get a better picture by setting your streaming device or console to output regular SDR video instead. Still, even with its faults, the BenQ is the best budget pick if you care about strong contrast, decent brightness, and responsive gaming.
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Best Cheap Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutSizeInput LagImaging TechnologyLight SourceLEDSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pIf you want to spend less than the BenQ TH575, go for the NexiGo PJ40 Pro. It trades brightness and gaming responsiveness for a lower price, better built-in smart features, and slightly better overall image accuracy. Its contrast is even stronger than BenQ’s, so it can look surprisingly punchy in a dark room, but the gap isn't huge, and BenQ gets much brighter. That makes the NexiGo best for lights-off viewing at modest screen sizes, while the BenQ is the better choice if you want a brighter image. The BenQ is also the better option if you want a more responsive projector for gaming, as the NexiGo's input lag is on the higher side, making games feel a bit sluggish.
Still, the NexiGo feels more complete for everyday use. It has full Google TV implementation with official app support, including Netflix, so you don't need to add a streaming dongle. You also get Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi, casting, two HDMI ports, including one with ARC for a soundbar, two USB ports for direct playback, and a built-in 20W speaker system. Overall, the NexiGo is the standout cheap pick if you want a dark-room projector with built-in streaming and strong contrast for the money.
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Best Budget Bright Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutSizeInput LagImaging TechnologyLight SourceLampSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pIf you want a budget projector for a brighter room, the Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-FH02 is the one to get. Compared with the BenQ TH575, it gets much brighter, so it's the better choice for living rooms with some lights on, casual daytime viewing, or an occasional backyard setup after sunset. It's also far more accurate out of the box, so movies, shows, sports, and presentations look more natural without needing much tweaking. Its colors still aren't especially vibrant, but they're a bit better than the BenQ's, and its 1080p image looks clear enough for casual big-screen viewing.
The tradeoff is contrast and gaming performance. The BenQ has much better contrast, so movies and games have more depth in a dark room, while blacks look gray on the Epson, and dark scenes can look flat. The Epson's input lag is also much higher, so it's not a great choice for gaming beyond slow, casual play. Still, it's a very practical budget projector if you care more about brightness, accuracy, and a lower price than deep blacks or responsive gaming. It also includes an Android TV dongle for streaming, so you don't need to buy a separate device just to watch apps. Overall, the Epson is the better budget pick if you want a bright, simple projector for casual viewing and don't need the BenQ's contrast or gaming performance.
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Best Budget Portable Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutSizeInput LagImaging TechnologyLight SourceLaserSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you want a budget projector that's easier to carry around than the BenQ TH575, the LG CineBeam Q is the one to get. It's much smaller than the BenQ, has a built-in carrying handle, has a full suite of wireless features, and is easy to move from room to room or pack away when you're done. The tradeoff is brightness, as the LG is much dimmer, so it's a better fit for dark rooms and modest screen sizes. It's also not a good gaming pick, as its input lag is much higher than the BenQ's and controls feel sluggish even in slower games. Still, its contrast is similarly strong, so movies and shows have good depth when the lights are off.
The LG's real appeal is that it packs a lot into a tiny chassis. Its RGB laser light engine delivers a crisp pixel-shifted 4k image with rich color, and its quick auto-setup tools, like autofocus and auto-keystone, make it easy to place and adjust. It doesn't have a built-in battery, but it can run from USB-C Power Delivery with a compatible power bank or charger, which helps for patios, picnics, or rooms without a convenient outlet. It also has webOS built in, with app support that includes Netflix, along with AirPlay, Screen Share, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. There's only one HDMI input, and audio is best handled over Bluetooth if you want more than the built-in speakers can provide, but if you want a grab-and-go budget projector that looks good in a dark room, the LG is the portable pick to get.
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Best Cheap Portable Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutSizeInput LagImaging TechnologyLight SourceLEDSee all our test resultsNative Resolution720pIf you want an inexpensive projector that is easy to take with you, and don't mind losing the LG CineBeam Q's excellent contrast and vibrant color, the XGIMI MoGo 2 is a far cheaper option. It's extremely compact at only 2.4 pounds, so it fits in a backpack without effort. Like the LG, it doesn't include an internal battery, but it can be powered from a USB-C power bank, which is handy for travel. Setup is also largely hands-free thanks to autofocus, full auto keystone, intelligent screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance. It runs Android TV 11 with Chromecast and AirScreen, plus Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, so streaming and wireless audio are covered.
The downside is picture performance, which is to be expected at this price point. It's very dim, so you will need a fully dark room, and even then, the image is more serviceable than impressive. Contrast is only average, and while it supports a wide color gamut, it doesn't have the brightness to make its colors look impactful. Overall, the MoGo 2 is the right choice if portability is the priority and you're willing to trade image quality for a small, travel-friendly projector at a lower price.
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Best Budget Gaming Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutSizeInput LagImaging TechnologyLight SourceLampSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you want the best budget gaming projector, pick the ViewSonic PX701-4K. It's similar to the BenQ TH575 in a lot of ways: both are lamp-based DLP projectors, both are fairly basic, and neither has built-in smart features. The big difference is that the ViewSonic is much more gaming-friendly if you want sharper or smoother gameplay. Its pixel-shifted 4k image looks crisper than the BenQ's 1080p image, and it can run at 1080p with much higher refresh rates, which makes motion look smoother and controls feel more immediate in fast games. The BenQ is technically a bit faster at 1080p @ 60Hz, but the ViewSonic gives you 120Hz and 240Hz options that the BenQ simply doesn't have.
The tradeoff is picture depth. The ViewSonic is bright enough for casual viewing and holds up well for the price, but the BenQ has much better contrast, so movies and games have more depth on the BenQ in a dark room. Neither projector is a great choice if you care about rich, accurate colors, though the ViewSonic is a bit more colorful than the BenQ. It's still a fairly barebones projector overall, with no smart OS or wireless casting. Still, if gaming is your priority, the ViewSonic is the stronger pick.
Notable Mentions
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Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus:
The Epson Lifestudio Pop Plus is worth considering if you want a more portable projector with built-in Google TV and much better out-of-the-box accuracy than the BenQ TH575. However, the BenQ is the better pick for most people, as it gets brighter, has much better contrast, and is more responsive for gaming.
See our review -
Hisense M2 Pro:
When the Hisense M2 Pro is on sale, it's the best budget model money can buy due to its best-in-class image quality and top-notch gaming features; it outperforms the BenQ TH575 in almost every way. When it's not on sale, it's too expensive to recommend as a budget model, but keep your eyes peeled, as it sometimes drops under $1000.
See our review -
Wanbo X5 Pro:
The Wanbo X5 Pro performs almost identically to the NexiGo PJ40 Pro, often at a similar price. They trade blows on some aspects, but the NexiGo has slightly better image quality, is more accurate out-of-the-box, and is far easier to calibrate, making it the better option for most people. Still the Wanbo isn't nearly as noisy under load, which matters in quiet environments.
See our review -
NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3):
The NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) is a solid alternative to the NexiGo PJ40 Pro if you don't need a smart OS. If you do, the PJ40 Pro is a better option, especially as it's also more accurate. Otherwise they perform very similarly.
See our review -
XGIMI Halo+:
The XGIMI Halo+ is the best budget battery-powered portable: it's lighter than most, has two to 2.5 hours of runtime, has quick auto-setup, and is perfect to grab and go for parks or camping. Still, when not on sale, it's significantly more expensive than the XGIMI MoGo 2, making the latter the better deal in most cases.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jun 19, 2026:
The BenQ TH575 replaces the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus as the 'Best Budget Projector' due to its mix of solid image quality and decent gaming performance; the Epson is now in the Notable Mentions. The Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-FH02 is also now the 'Best Budget Bright Projector,' as a bright-room alternative to the BenQ TH575.
May 06, 2026:
The Epson Home Cinema 1080 has been removed due to availability issues. We've also updated the Notable Mentions and swapped the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) for the NexiGo PJ40 Pro due to the latter's smart OS implementation.
Mar 11, 2026:
Price creep has pushed the Hisense M2 Pro off the list; it has been replaced by the versatile Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus. The picks were slightly rewritten, and the XGIMI MoGo 2 was added as the 'Best Cheap Portable' option.
Dec 17, 2025:
The newly reviewed Hisense M2 Pro replaces the venerable BenQ HT2060 as the Best Budget Projector due to being better all-around. The BenQ HT2060 is now in the Notable Mentions.
Nov 17, 2025:
The BenQ HT2060 is now the top pick, as rising prices for the other picks are putting them close enough to the superior HT2060 to make it the more interesting option. Otherwise, the text has been updated throughout, and the LG CineBeam Q has been added to our Notable Mentions.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best budget-friendly projectors for most people to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper projector wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no models that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you'd like to do the work of choosing yourself, here's the list of all our projector reviews, with a price limit of $900. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no projector is perfect, many are good enough for most uses; however, avoid the worst models to ensure adequate quality.