5 Best Budget Projectors, Tested and Reviewed
Top-notch movie nights on the big screen, but for less.
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Though nothing compares to a premium TV or a theater-like home projector when it comes to quality, a budget projector is an excellent solution if you’re looking for a big screen for less. Budget projectors have not only improved in brightness over the years, but they typically offer solid image quality on top of easy-to-navigate media interfaces so you can quickly access your favorite streaming apps with a few clicks. Other bonuses include built-in batteries that make them super portable (think outdoor movie nights) as well as built-in speakers so you don’t have to connect a Bluetooth speaker for your entire crew to hear.
The test engineers and tech pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute test all types of home entertainment equipment, from the best outdoor projectors to soundbars, TV brands and much more. When selecting the best budget projectors, we reviewed at least 10 projectors in the past year alone for key factors like ease of setup and operation, portability, image quality and extra features like battery life and media interface. Below you’ll find the best budget projectors of 2024 to bring movies to life without the hassle of a heavy, expensive TV.
Pros
- HD resolution
- Easy to use media interface
- Seamless set up
- Rechargeable battery (4 hours)
- Sleek, compact design
Cons
- Doesn't support USB-C charging
- A bit heavy for the size
Our pros were blown away by the clear HD picture quality this small, sleek projector was able to produce in low-light settings.
Unlike more expensive models, it's so compact that it fits into most backpacks or travel accessories so you can bring it with you on your next adventure to project movies and shows on the go. We love that it features four hours of rechargeable battery life, making it a top choice for outdoor movie nights, camping trips or streaming anywhere in your home.
Our pros were impressed by the loud and crisp audio quality of the Capusle Max’s built-in speakers, which are so powerful that the device can double as a standalone Bluetooth speaker. In our tests, we found the set up and operation of the projector to be seamless, and the media interface powered by Android extremely intuitive to navigate.
With the Nebula Connect app streaming is made even easier; all you have to do is use your phone as a remote and decide which Netflix series to binge next. Though we do wish USB-C charging was supported, we appreciate that the included charger is compact and portable.
| Item dimensions (LxWxH) | 3.1 x 3.1 x 5.9" |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs |
| Resolution | 1280 x 720 pixels |
| Brightness | 200 ANSI lumens |
| Screen size | Up to 100" |
| Connectivity | HDMI, USB-A, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Screen Mirroring |
| Built-in speaker | Yes |
Pros
- Great value
- Multiple ports
- Built-in speakers
Cons
- Resolution could be improved
- Doesn't support Wi-Fi
This small, compact projector from Vankyo is a great option for streaming videos, watching shows or gaming. It’s not only affordable, but it's easy to connect your phone to stream or you can use a streaming stick like a Roku via one of the multiple ports. While we haven’t tested it in the Lab, we like that the screen size can be projected up to 176 inches, though our pros warn that resolution won't be as high-quality as other projectors.
| Item dimensions (LxWxH) | 7.9 x 5.9 x 3.1" |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs |
| Resolution | 800 x 480 pixels |
| Brightness | 60 lumens |
| Screen size | Up to 176” |
| Connectivity | HDMI, VGA, USB, Micro or SD/AV |
| Built-in speaker | Yes |
Pros
- Great image quality
- Brighter than other projectors featured
- Large maximum screen size
Cons
- Not as portable as other projectors
- Sound quality could be improved
Generally, we like Epson projectors for their great value and solid performance. Though you won’t get a 4K cinema experience, we were impressed by this projector’s picture quality as well as the screen’s brightness, meaning you should be able to get a clear picture even with some ambient light (though if you want even more brightness, consider this Epson projector with 3,600 lumens). Our pros also appreciate that the screen can project up to 300 inches, making it one of the largest potential screen sizes on this list.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth aren’t supported so you won’t be greeted by a media interface featuring streaming apps, but it’s perfect for projecting presentations at the office, Zoom calls and streaming TV shows via your laptop or devices like Roku, Apple TV and more, which you can connect through the projector’s HDMI port. We also like that it comes equipped with a built-in speaker for when you need audio, though our pros found that the sound quality could be more robust.
| Item dimensions (LxWxH) | 11.6 x 8.3 x 3.4" |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs |
| Resolution | 1280 x 800 pixels |
| Brightness | 3000 lumens |
| Screen size | Up to 300” |
| Connectivity | HDMI or USB |
Pros
- Fantastic picture and sound quality
- Easy to navigate media interface
- Responsive auto keystone correction
- Supports USB-C charging
Cons
- No rechargeable battery
If you’re looking for superior picture quality and optimal brightness for the price, look no further than the latest XGIMI MoGo 2.
In testing, we found videos streamed via the XGIMI to be some of the most detailed and sharp on this list. The sound quality was just as impressive with built-in speakers that filled the room, and set up was a breeze. Because the projector runs on Android TV, you can expect an easy-to-navigate interface when you’re ready to start streaming. "It's a fantastic device — compact, stylish, great image quality and great sound," said one tester.
Another feature we were fond of was the projector’s auto keystone correction, which did an excellent job at readjusting the image to avoid any obstacles and appear rectangular on the screen no matter how many times we moved it.
Though slightly larger than some of the mini projectors on this list, the XGIMI is an excellent choice for smaller rooms like your bedroom as it’s compact enough to fit comfortably on a nightstand but does unfortunately require a power source. If you do, however, want to use the projector in your backyard or outside your camping tent but there’s no outlet in sight, you can still power it up via USB-C as long as you have a power station or portable battery pack handy.
| Item dimensions (LxWxH) | 6.33 × 4.68 × 4.25" |
| Weight | 2.42 lbs |
| Resolution | 1280 x 720 pixels |
| Brightness | 400 ISO lumens |
| Screen size | Up to 200” |
| Connectivity | USB-C, USB-A, HDMI 2.0, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi |
| Built-in speaker | Yes |
Pros
- Small, portable size
- Includes rechargeable battery
- Miracast and Airplay screen sharing
- Includes audio jack
Cons
- Low resolution
- Sound quality could be improved
We love this budget projector, a Family Travel Awards winner, for its compact size and ability to run off a rechargeable battery, making it extremely convenient and easy to throw in a purse to share slideshows, presentations and more from anywhere you go.
Unlike other budget projectors of this size, you can connect certain iOS, Android or Windows 10 devices wirelessly to project content via DLNA or Miracast. Best of all, it's powered by Android so the media interface makes it easy to stream straight from your favorite apps.
We found the Kodak app extremely intuitive to use and navigate, and we like that it enables you to use your phone instead of a remote. Though you’ll have to make some sacrifices when it comes to picture quality, this projector’s bells and whistles like built-in speakers and exceptional portability make it worthwhile.
| Item dimensions (LxWxH) | 3.1 x 3.1 x 0.87" |
| Weight | 1.81 lbs |
| Resolution | 854 x 480 pixels |
| Brightness | 200 ANSI lumens |
| Screen size | Up to 150" |
| Connecivity | USB, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Built-in speaker | Yes |
How we chose the best budget projectors
For this story, the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Media & Tech Lab evaluated a variety of budget projectors for key criteria such as ease of set up, use and streaming, as well as portability, size, image quality, sound quality, brightness, contrast and connectivity. We also considered key features such as battery life and whether projectors support auto keystone correction.
We reviewed each projector's overall value and omitted any projectors over $500. Our Lab pros were able to test the majority of the models that ended up on our list, and we based any additional recommendations on our years of experience testing consumer electronics, previous categorical tests of home and outdoor projectors and similar models or brands that have performed well in previous Lab tests.
What to look for when shopping for a budget projector
When shopping for a budget projector, it’s important to set expectations and understand that you won’t be able to achieve the same results as with a more expensive 4K projector or even most mid-range flat-screen TVs.
However, there are important factors to keep an eye out for when selecting the best cheap projector for your home:
✔️ Portability: One of the key features to consider when it comes to cheap projectors is how portable they are. Do you want a projector that's small enough to throw in a backpack or one that's super lightweight so you can move it around from room to room or easily bring outdoors for a movie night? If opting for a portable projector, you should consider one with a rechargeable battery so you can use it without an outlet. A built-in projector stand is also a nice bonus to help adjust the angle of projection and eliminate the need for a tripod.
✔️ Brightness: A projector’s brightness or the amount of light it can produce is measured in lumens, which is important since there will likely always be some ambient light in the space you're in. While some brands list a projector’s brightness in lumens, others reference ANSI lumens. When possible, we recommend finding a budget projector with at least 1,500 lumens or 500 ANSI lumens to ensure you'll get a clear picture, though our pros warn that you might have to make sacrifices for size and portability. Higher lumens mean higher brightness, which is considered better for picture quality.
ANSI lumens are proportionally brighter than standard lumens. A key difference between lumens and ANSI lumens is that ANSI lumens are based on an industry-standard whereas others may use different approaches to measure and market lumens. We prefer when lumens are systematically measured, and ANSI lumen measurements provide that standardized approach to compare brightness.
✔️ Resolution: While 4K resolution is always preferred, our experts recommend full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) for budget projectors if you plan on streaming TV shows, movies or videos. If the resolution is lower, your screen's image won't be quite as sharp and defined though this may not be an issue if you're projecting office presentations or don't need as high of image quality.
✔️ Screen size: Our pros recommend looking for a max screen size that is at least 100 inches to ensure you can comfortably watch a movie. While some brands claim you can achieve an even larger screen size, keep in mind that the picture will decrease in quality.
✔️ Connectivity and ports: Check how many ports your cheap projector comes with and ensure that there's one for HDMI, which is one of the easiest ways to connect your laptop or a streaming stick like Roku. Some projectors may even be able to connect to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to stream from your phone or directly access your favorite apps like Netflix, Hulu and more internally.
✔️ Audio: Most cheap projectors come with a built-in speaker, which is a nice feature to have when on-the-go. Nevertheless, keep in mind that you may need to connect another audio source for better sound quality, such as an outdoor speaker. If you want to be able to connect headphones to your projector, look for ones that offer an audio jack.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Institute Writer and Product Analyst Olivia Lipski covers everything from tech to travel, fitness, home and more. Not only does she bring years of product review experience to GH, but she frequently tests home entertainment and audio equipment like the Samsung The Frame TV, outdoor speakers, outdoor TVs and more. Since joining in 2021, she’s reviewed at least 10 of the latest budget projectors to hit the market and works closely with GH test engineers to find the best recommendations.
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