You won't have many good options if you're looking for the most affordable projectors. The TV market has many great budget options that are good enough for most consumers, but the cheapest projectors tend to be small, portable models, which are typically extremely dim. Still, some cheap and budget-friendly projectors can deliver a decent viewing experience, and many of them have great smart features, eliminating the need to spend more on an external streaming device. You can find many models excelling in different facets: movies, gaming, or portability. 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 60 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 at the best home projectors if you're mostly interested in something for the household. You can also vote on which ones you want us to purchase and test.
Quick Look
We've independently bought and tested over 60 projectors, and we've published all the 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 methodology is also public on our website, so you can validate the results yourself.
-
Best Budget Projector
Movies7.6Gaming5.7Brightness6.4Contrast8.6Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy8.5Color Gamut7.1Portability5.0Input Lag3.5Imaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLEDSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pIf you're shopping for the best budget projector, the BenQ HT2060 is our pick. It usually sits a little over a grand but often drops under $1,000 on sale, and at that price, it delivers image quality that's tough to match: a razor-sharp 1080p picture with rich, inky contrast that outclasses the rest of our budget picks in a dark room. Its 4-LED light source also helps maintain consistent brightness and color over time compared to traditional lamps. Color accuracy is excellent right out of the box. Just keep your lights low, as its overall brightness is only middling, so the image can look washed out with ambient light. For gaming, it supports 1080p @ 120Hz, but input lag is on the high side, which is fine for slower single-player titles but too sluggish for competitive play. If gaming speed is a priority, the ViewSonic PX701-4K below is a better fit.
Feature-wise, it's lean: there's no built-in smart OS, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. It's also the largest chassis in this group, so it's not the easiest to move around, though it does include an auto vertical keystone (BenQ advises turning it off to minimize latency). You get a powered USB-A port for a streaming stick, and both HDMI inputs accept 1080p at 120Hz, but there's no ARC/eARC. Instead, use the 3.5 mm audio in/out or the optical output. If you want the best picture quality in the budget class, especially when sales hit, the BenQ HT2060 is the standout.
-
Best Budget Bright Room Projector
Movies7.0Gaming4.4Brightness8.4Contrast5.3Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy8.3Color Gamut6.6Portability5.0Input Lag3.3Imaging TechnologyLCDLight SourceLampSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pIf you're after the best budget bright room projector, the Epson Home Cinema 1080 is the pick. It's priced under $1,000 and throws a very bright 1080p image that holds up in moderately lit rooms. It's a 3LCD projector, so you don't get the rainbow artifacts some people see on DLP models, but its dark room performance is limited by its inadequate contrast. Colors aren't especially vivid, but they're impressively accurate out of the box and don't need calibration. For gaming, it's limited to 1080p @ 60Hz with noticeable input lag, and Game Mode doesn't reduce it, so it's best for slow single-player or turn-based titles rather than fast action games.
At 5.9 pounds, it's easy to move, and the automatic vertical keystone can tidy the image when you change the projection angle. An optical zoom helps you size the picture without moving the projector. The connectivity is straightforward: two HDMI 2.0 ports, a USB-B port for control, and Wi-Fi 5 with Miracast for screen mirroring. There's no built-in smart platform, but you can power a streaming stick from the USB-A port for full app support. If you need a bright, hassle-free projector on a budget and plan to watch with some lights on, this is the strongest option.
-
Best Budget Gaming Projector
Movies6.8Gaming7.7Brightness7.0Contrast7.6Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy4.8Color Gamut6.4Portability5.5Input Lag7.6Imaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLampSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you want the best budget gaming projector, pick the ViewSonic PX701-4K. It projects 4k signals via pixel shifting for a crisp-looking image, but its real appeal is speed: both HDMI inputs support 4k @ 60Hz or 1080p at up to 240Hz, and Game Mode drops input lag to very responsive levels. That makes it a strong match for competitive shooters on PC while still delivering clean 60Hz at 4k for story-driven console games. Brightness is solid for the price, so a small bias light won't hurt, but like most affordable DLP models, it looks its best in a dark room.
If movies are higher on your list than games, it's still serviceable. Contrast is decent, and 1080p looks sharp, but color accuracy is poor out of the box and doesn't improve much with calibration, so cinephiles should consider alternatives. The chassis is light at around 6.2 pounds, and setup is simple with an automatic vertical keystone. There's no built-in smart platform or wireless casting, but the USB service port can power a streaming stick for apps. In short, if you care about low latency and high refresh at a budget price and can live with imperfect color, the ViewSonic PX701-4K is the gaming pick to beat, with dark room movie performance that's good enough for casual viewing.
-
Best Budget Portable Projector
Movies7.1Gaming5.3Brightness5.5Contrast8.3Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy5.6Color Gamut9.3Portability8.0Input Lag3.2Imaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLaserSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you're looking for the best budget portable projector, the LG CineBeam Q is the one to go for. It's genuinely tiny and easy to toss in a backpack, and the built-in carry handle makes quick moves from living room to balcony painless. There's no integrated battery, but it can run from USB-C Power Delivery (65W or higher), so a compatible power bank covers picnics or patios without an outlet. Portability is helped by quick auto-setup tools, like fast autofocus and keystone, so you can set it down and get a tidy image quickly. Rounding out the package, it runs webOS with full app support (including Netflix) and offers AirPlay/Screen Share, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, making it simple to cast from your phone, use a hotspot, or pair a Bluetooth speaker. For gamers, its input lag is sadly too high for any serious gaming, as it's only adequate for slow turn-based titles, and even those feel sluggish.
As a projector, it's on the dim side (typical for this class), but the RGB-laser light engine delivers crisp 4k (via pixel-shift) with rich color and excellent contrast, making it excel in dark rooms. HDR10 support helps preserve highlight detail in modern shows and movies. There's a single HDMI input and USB-C for power, but you can add a Bluetooth speaker for bigger sound. If you want a grab-and-go budget projector, this is the one to get.
-
Best Cheap Projector
Movies6.3Gaming5.2Brightness5.1Contrast8.8Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy3.9Color Gamut5.4Portability6.0Input Lag4.7Imaging TechnologyLCDLight SourceLEDSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pIf you’re after the best cheap projector, the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) is the value pick to beat. Despite its low price, it puts up legitimately strong dark room performance thanks to excellent native contrast that makes movies look punchy when the lights are off. It isn't bright enough to handle ambient light, and its color gamut is limited, so hues look a bit muted. Out-of-the-box accuracy is also off, so a quick calibration (or at least some basic tweaks) is recommended to get the most natural picture. For gaming, it can accept 4k/1440p inputs downscaled to 1080p, but there's no high-refresh-rate option, and input lag is high, making it best for slower single-player sessions rather than fast or competitive play.
For the money, the feature set is generous. You get Bluetooth 5.1 and Wi-Fi with casting via Miracast and Apple AirPlay, plus a basic Android TV implementation that is usable in a pinch, but most people will prefer a streaming dongle for apps. There are two HDMI ports, one with ARC for easy soundbar hookup, along with two USB ports for direct playback. A built-in 20W speaker system is handy if you don't want extra gear, and there's a dedicated Game Mode and HDR10 support (though this remains an SDR-first projector). If you want maximum big-screen bang per buck for dark rooms, the PJ40 (Gen 3) is the standout cheap choice.
Notable Mentions
-
BenQ TH671ST:
The BenQ TH671ST is a well-rounded projector; it's better than the Epson Home Cinema 1080 in dark rooms due to its better contrast. Unfortunately, it's currently too expensive to truly qualify as a budget product, making the Epson projector a far better value for most people.
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. It doesn't take the "Budget Portable" crown only because the LG CineBeam Q looks sharper and has better apps when you have USB-C PD or AC power, although the LG is more expensive.
See our review -
XGIMI MoGo 2:
The XGIMI MoGo 2 is a bargain at its price point, but unfortunately, its image quality is underwhelming due to its low peak brightness and 720p resolution. It also looks way worse than the LG CineBeam Q in any room context. Still, it's vastly cheaper than the LG. It competes more with the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) on price, but that one also looks better, albeit it isn't as portable as the XGIMI.
See our review -
Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01:
The Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 is a great deal, especially if you need a projector that works well in bright rooms. Its contrast isn't the best, so blacks can look a bit washed out. It's also pretty barebones, with no built-in smart OS or wireless features. The NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) is a better all-around pick for most people.
See our review
Recent Updates
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.
Apr 17, 2025:
The Epson Home Cinema 1080 is now the 'Best Budget Projector' as the BenQ TH671ST is now too expensive to be a budget pick. It has been moved to the Notable Mentions.
Feb 26, 2025:
Modified the order of our picks to better serve our users, and made sure that our picks are still readily available for purchase.
Dec 04, 2024:
Replaced the Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 with the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) as our 'Best Cheap Projector,' as the NexiGo is the better value for most people. Also removed the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 and Epson EX3280 from the Notable Mentions.
Oct 09, 2024: Improved the clarity of our picks and made sure that they're all still widely available.
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.