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 75 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, the best home projectors if you're mostly interested in something for the household, or the best home theater projectors if you're shopping for a blacked out room. You can also vote on which ones you want us to purchase and test.
We've independently bought and tested over 75 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 GamutPortabilityInput LagImaging TechnologyLCDLight SourceLEDSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you want the best budget projector, the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus is the one we would go with. What makes it stand out is not that it dominates in one area, but that it's well-rounded in a way most projectors at this price are not. It delivers a sharp pixel-shifted 4k image, okay enough brightness and contrast for evening viewing, solid color performance, and a feature set that feels modern and easy to live with. It's not a true bright-room powerhouse, but it's flexible enough to work in more setups than many cheaper projectors, which often force you into a fully dark room or make bigger compromises elsewhere. For gaming it's alright; it's limited to 60Hz, but its input lag is low enough for some casual gaming.
It also feels like a more complete product than most budget models. The chassis has a 180-degree horizontal swivel, vertical tilt, and a full set of auto-setup tools like autofocus, auto-keystone, obstacle avoidance, and auto-screen fit, so it's easy to move around and set up quickly. Google TV is built in, and the single HDMI 2.0 port supports eARC if you want to add a soundbar later, while the two 5W Bose speakers are good enough for casual use. Overall, the Lifestudio Flex Plus is the best budget pick if you want a projector that does a bit of everything well without any glaring weakness.
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Best Cheap Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutPortabilityInput LagImaging TechnologyLCDLight SourceLEDSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pIf you want to spend as little as possible while still getting a projector that can look good in a dark room, go for the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3). It's much cheaper than the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus, and its native contrast is genuinely excellent for the money. That gives it a surprisingly punchy, cinematic look when the lights are off, even if it clearly gives up brightness, color volume, and overall polish compared with pricier models. It's not bright enough to handle much ambient light, its color gamut is limited, and its out-of-the-box accuracy isn't great, so a few picture tweaks are recommended if you want a more natural image. For gaming, it can accept 4k and 1440p signals downscaled to 1080p, but there's no high-refresh-rate option and input lag is high, so it's best for slower single-player sessions rather than fast or competitive play.
For the money, though, 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 works in a pinch, though most people will still want a streaming dongle for apps. There are also two HDMI ports, one with ARC for a soundbar, along with two USB ports for direct playback. A built-in 20W speaker system is handy if you don't want extra gear. If your goal is maximum big-screen value for dark-room movie nights, the PJ40 (Gen 3) is the standout cheap choice.
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Best Budget Portable Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutPortabilityInput LagImaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLaserSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you want a budget projector that is even easier to carry around than the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus, 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, which is the big trade-off compared with the brighter Epson Lifestyle Flex Plus. Still, its RGB laser light engine delivers a crisp 4k image via pixel shift, along with rich color and excellent contrast, so it looks very good in a dark room for something this small. There is only a single HDMI input, and audio is best handled over Bluetooth if you want more than the built-in speakers can provide. If you want a grab-and-go budget projector and can live with the lower brightness, this is the portable pick to get.
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Best Budget Bright Room Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutPortabilityInput LagImaging TechnologyLCDLight SourceLampSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pIf you want the best budget bright-room projector, the Epson Home Cinema 1080 is the pick. Compared with the LG CineBeam Q, you give up a lot of dark-room appeal, since the LG has much better contrast and a richer overall picture once the lights are down, but the Epson is far brighter, even more so than the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus, which matters more if you plan to watch with some ambient light in the room. It throws a very bright 1080p image that holds up well in moderately lit spaces. Its dark-room performance is still limited by weak contrast, so blacks look gray, but colors are 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 improve 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. A 1.2x optical zoom helps you size the picture without moving the projector. Connectivity is straightforward, with 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.
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Best Budget Gaming Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutPortabilityInput LagImaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLampSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you want the best budget gaming projector, pick the ViewSonic PX701-4K. Compared with the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus, you give up some of that projector’s more polished, lifestyle-friendly feel, but the ViewSonic is clearly the better fit if gaming is your priority. It supports 4k @ 60Hz and 1080p at up to 240Hz, and Game Mode keeps controls feeling very snappy, making it a strong option for competitive PC gaming while still handling 60Hz console play without feeling sluggish. It also accepts 4k signals via pixel shifting for a crisp image, and brightness is solid for the price, so a small bias light will not hurt, though like most affordable DLP models it still looks best in a darker room.
If movies are higher on your list than games, it's still serviceable. Contrast is good, 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 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 mainly care about speed and high refresh on a tight budget, the ViewSonic PX701-4K is the budget gaming pick.
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Best Cheap Portable Projector
MoviesGamingBrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyColor GamutPortabilityInput LagImaging TechnologyDLPLight 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 and HDR, it doesn't have the brightness to make those formats 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 low price.
Notable Mentions
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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 -
Wanbo X5 Pro:
The Wanbo X5 Pro is a great deal, as it performs almost identically to the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3), often at a similar price. They trade blows, but the NexiGo has slightly better image quality, and is far easier to calibrate. Still the Wanbo isn't nearly as noisy under load, and has a full smart OS, so it'll be worth it for some.
See our review -
BenQ TH671ST:
The BenQ TH671ST is a well-rounded budget projector, and it performs better than the Epson Home Cinema 1080 in dark rooms, thanks to its stronger contrast. However, the Epson is still the better value for most people because it's usually a bit cheaper and far brighter, so it works better in rooms with ambient light.
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
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.
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.
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.