If you're looking for the best projectors under $1,000, there are quite a few options, although most of the best projectors in this segment are significantly cheaper than that. The projectors here are certainly good enough for most consumers. These models deliver a decent viewing experience, and many have great smart features, eliminating the need to spend more on an external streaming device. Typically, the more portable a projector is, the worse its image quality, so keep that in mind when shopping for the best projector for your 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 60 projectors, and below, you'll find the best models to buy for under $1,000. You can also look at our best projectors under $500 if you're looking for something even cheaper. For higher-end products, look instead at our best 4k projectors or best projectors. 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.
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Best Projector Under $1,000
Movies7.6Gaming5.7Brightness6.4Contrast8.6Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy8.5Color Gamut7.1Imaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLEDSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pHunting for a near‑$1K projector that punches way above its price tag? The BenQ HT2060 hovers just over a grand at regular pricing, but it frequently slips below $1,000 on sale, which is close enough that it tops our list as the best projector under $1,000. It delivers a razor‑sharp 1080p image with rich contrast that can outshine any other projector on this list in a dark room. Color accuracy is spot‑on straight from the box, but just know its brightness is only average, so keep the lights low or the picture will look washed out. For gaming, it does 1080p @ 120Hz, but input lag is on the high side; okay for slower single-player titles, yet too sluggish for competitive or fast multiplayer. If you're specifically looking for a projector for games, look at the ViewSonic PX701-4K below.
Feature‑wise, it's lean: no built‑in smart OS, Wi‑Fi, or Bluetooth. It's the biggest projector on the list, so it's not necessarily very easy to move around, but it does have auto vertical keystone correction. Keep in mind that BenQ recommends not using that feature for the lowest latency possible. You get a powered USB‑A port for a streaming stick, and both HDMI inputs handle 1080p at 120Hz for gaming, though ARC/eARC isn't on the menu here. Instead, there are 3.5 mm audio in/out jacks and an optical output. Overall, if you're chasing the best "around‑$1,000" projector, especially when sales hit, the HT2060 is a standout pick.
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Best Bright Room Projector Under $1,000
Movies7.0Gaming4.4Brightness8.4Contrast5.3Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy8.3Color Gamut6.6Imaging TechnologyLCDLight SourceLampSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pThe Epson Home Cinema 1080 is the best bright room projector under $1,000 that you can buy, and unlike the BenQ HT2060, this one is truly sold for below that price point. It projects a very bright 1080p image, so it can easily handle moderately lit rooms, which is a good thing, as the projector's performance in dark rooms is disappointing due to its inadequate contrast. Its colors are alright; they're not very vibrant but are accurate out of the box. Additionally, there's no need to improve the unit's color accuracy through calibration, as it already performs exceptionally well right out of the box. If you're a gamer, you might want to shop for something else: it's limited to 1080p @ 60Hz with noticeable input lag, and Game Mode doesn't lower latency, so it's best reserved for slow single-player or turn-based titles.
The Epson is only 5.9 lbs, so you can move it easily if you need to, and it has automatic vertical keystone correction, so it adjusts the image automatically if you change its projection angle. Plus, its optical zoom lets you adjust the projected image's size without moving the unit. The projector has two HDMI 2.0 ports and a USB-B port, allowing you to control the projector through a computer. Unfortunately, the unit doesn't come with a smart OS. Still, it does have Wi-Fi 5 and Miracast for screen mirroring, so all it's missing for full streaming functionality is an external streaming dongle, which you can power through the unit's USB-A port. Overall, the Epson is the brightest projector you can get for under $1,000.
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Best Gaming Projector Under $1,000
Movies6.8Gaming7.7Brightness7.0Contrast7.6Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy4.8Color Gamut6.4Imaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLampSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you're looking for the best gaming projector under $1,000, consider the ViewSonic PX701-4K. Its pixel-shifting DLP engine accepts 4k signals for a very sharp image, and, more importantly for players, both HDMI inputs handle 4k @ 60Hz or 1080p at up to 240Hz on compatible hardware. That high-refresh rate support pairs with a fast Game Mode for responsive control in competitive titles, while 4k @ 60Hz looks clean for story-driven games on current consoles. It's also reasonably bright for this price, so you can keep a bias light on, though, as with most budget DLPs, you'll get the best results with lights off.
If you care more about movies than games, it still holds up in a dark room thanks to decent contrast and a sharp 1080p presentation, but color accuracy is poor out of the box and only marginally correctable, so home-theater purists should look elsewhere. The chassis is lightweight at about 6.2 lbs, and setup is straightforward with an automatic vertical keystone. There's no smart platform or wireless casting, but the USB service port can power a streaming dongle for apps. Bottom line: if low latency and high refresh are your priorities and you can live with imperfect color, the PX701-4K is the standout gaming choice under $1,000, with dark-room movie performance that's perfectly serviceable for the price.
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Best Portable Projector Under $1,000
Movies7.1Gaming5.3Brightness5.5Contrast8.3Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy5.6Color Gamut9.3Imaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLaserSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you're looking for the best portable projector under $1,000, pick the LG CineBeam Q. It's a genuinely tiny 4k (pixel-shifted) RGB-laser model with a 360-degree rotating handle/stand that makes setup dead simple on a table, shelf, or even aimed at the ceiling. webOS is built in for streaming apps, and the single HDMI supports ARC if you want to send audio to a soundbar. There's no internal battery, but at about 3.3 lbs, it's easy to carry, and you can power it with the compact adapter or a capable USB-C PD brick.
Image quality is its hook for the size: contrast is unusually good for an ultra-portable, giving dark-room movies more depth than most competitors. Brightness is still modest, so you'll want lights off to get the best results, and HDR support is limited by that brightness. Colors look clean and detailed at typical portable screen sizes, but this is still a small-room, lights-down projector first and foremost. For gaming, it tops out at 60Hz with latency suited to casual single-player rather than competitive play. Overall, if you value true grab-and-go design with sharper-than-usual 4k detail and better-than-average dark-room contrast for the size, the LG is the standout portable pick under $1,000.
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Best Value Portable Projector Under $1,000
Movies6.3Gaming6.1Brightness6.0Contrast6.8Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy4.0Color Gamut8.4Imaging TechnologyDLPLight SourceLEDSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pIf you're looking for the best value portable projector under $1,000, go for the XGIMI Halo+. It costs less than the LG CineBeam Q and adds something the LG doesn't have: a built-in battery rated for up to about 2.5 hours, so you can watch a full movie without an outlet. The chassis is compact (around 3.5 lbs) and easy to toss in a backpack, and setup stays simple with autofocus, full auto-keystone, intelligent screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance. Android TV with Chromecast and AirScreen is onboard, plus Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, so connecting a hotspot or Bluetooth speaker is straightforward. For gaming, it's fine for casual single-player, but latency is too high for fast or competitive titles.
As a display, it's on the dim side, if still brighter than most ultra-portables, but it looks acceptable in a fully dark room thanks to okay contrast. Out-of-the-box color accuracy isn't great, and its HDR capabilities are limited by its brightness, so think of it as an SDR-first projector for night viewing. Connectivity is basic: one HDMI input (with ARC) and a USB port for direct media playback. If you want a grab-and-go projector that undercuts the LG on price while offering true cordless movie nights, the XGIMI is the value pick under $1,000.
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Best Value Projector Under $1,000
Movies6.3Gaming5.2Brightness5.1Contrast8.8Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy3.9Color Gamut5.4Imaging TechnologyLCDLight SourceLEDSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pIf you're looking for the best possible value, look no further than the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3). Even though it's much cheaper than any other projector on this list, it's no slouch when it comes to image quality, thanks to its truly excellent contrast, delivering punchy images in light-controlled rooms. Its brightness is inadequate for any room with lights on, but it performs well in dark settings. While its colors are muted, the NexiGo still delivers impressive image quality for its price. Calibration is highly recommended to achieve the most accurate visuals, as the default settings are noticeably off. If you're a gamer, it's not the best choice; despite handling 4k/1440p inputs (downscaled to 1080p), it has no high-refresh-rate option, and input lag is high, making it suitable only for slower single-player sessions.
The NexiGo comes with a rich feature set for its price. It includes Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi, and robust casting capabilities with Miracast and Apple AirPlay. Although it features built-in Android TV, its implementation is rather limited, so you'll need a streaming dongle if you plan to use any streaming apps. The projector is equipped with two HDMI ports, one of which supports ARC, making it easy to connect a soundbar directly. Additionally, it has a 20W speaker system, which is a convenient option if you prefer using the projector's built-in audio. Rounding out its feature list is HDR10 support. While it may not have the brightness to stand out in well-lit environments, it offers excellent value for dark-room setups.
Notable Mentions
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BenQ TH671ST:
The BenQ TH671ST is a solid short-throw projector that competes with the BenQ HT2060 and the Epson Home Cinema 1080. It's well-rounded, but its price is too close to the superior HT2060, which is better than the TH671ST in almost every way. The Home Cinema 1080, for its part, is cheaper and far brighter, even if the TH671ST has better contrast.
See our review -
Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01:
The Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 is an incredible value, especially if you're looking for a bright room projector. Unfortunately, its contrast is quite poor, leading to visibly raised blacks. It's also very light on features, as it doesn't have a smart OS or any built-in wireless options. Ultimately, as bright as it is, the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) is the better buy for most people.
See our review -
XGIMI MoGo 2:
The XGIMI MoGo 2 offers good value for its price, though its image quality falls short due to its low peak brightness and 720p resolution. Additionally, it lacks an integrated battery, unlike the XGIMI Halo+. However, it's significantly more affordable than the Halo+, making it a solid choice if you're looking for a simple, portable projector that's easy to carry around.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 29, 2025:
The ViewSonic PX701-4K has been rebranded as the 'Best Gaming Projector Under $1,000,' to emphasize its gaming chops. Plus, the LG CineBeam Q is now the 'Best Portable Projector Under $1,000,' and the XGIMI Halo+ is instead the 'Best Value Portable Projector Under $1,000.'
Apr 18, 2025:
The BenQ HT2060 replaced the BenQ TH671ST as the 'Best Projector Under $1,000,' as the BenQ TH671ST's price has crept up lately, and the HT2060 is far superior in every aspect. The TH671ST is now in the Notable Mentions instead.
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 Value Projector Under $1,000,' as the NexiGo is the better value for most people. Also removed the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 and Epson EX3280 from the Notable Mentions.
Sep 25, 2024: Verified our picks for accuracy and consistency and made sure that they're all still widely available for purchase.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best projectors under $1,000 to buy for most people. 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 projectors that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our reviews of projectors available under $1,000. 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.