Best Projector Under 500

The latest business and home projector can be purchased well behind USD 500 budget. For the complex and highly sophisticated, 3D projectors for gaming and home cinema, it requires extensive research before buying a better-off model. Here’s a quick buying guide for mid- to high-range best projectors under 500$.

Make sure to list a few critical functions before adding multiple considerations to the cart. That includes light beam technology, auto-correction angle, lumens strength, brand, pixel dimensions, color depth, latency, and connectivity modes being a few most important must-have features inside a projector.

List of Best Projectors Under 500 USD

Below is a list of best projectors under $500 range you always need to consider before thinking about to buy it. We have compiled them after seeing their latest reviews and ratings online on Amazon.

	Product	Name	Brand	Rating	Weight	Price
1.		ViewSonic 3600	ViewSonic		4.89 pounds	Check Price
2.		Epson VS250 3200	Epson		5.3 pounds	Check Price
3.		Optoma HD143X	Optoma		5.5 pounds	Check Price
4.		Optoma HD 142X	Optoma		5.5 pounds	Check Price
5.		ViewSonic 3600 Lumens SVGA	ViewSonic		5 pounds	Check Price
6.		ViewSonic 1080p – X4700	ViewSonic		7.92 pounds	Check Price
7.		Epson Home Cinema 1060	Epson		5.6 pounds	Check Price
8.		Epson EX3240 SVGA	Epson		5.29 pounds	Check Price
9.		Epson EX5250 Pro Wireless	Epson		5.29 pounds	Check Price
10.		Epson VS355 WXGA 3300	Epson		5.5 pounds	Check Price
11.		BenQ MW535A 1080p	BenQ		5.24 pounds	Check Price
12.		BenQ MW612 WXGA	BenQ		5.51 pounds	Check Price

1. ViewSonic 3600 Lumens WXGA

ViewSonic 3600 is a versatile and all-round projector that works perfectly if used for education and small businesses because of its advanced visual features. It gives a bright image anywhere because it is packed with 3600 Lumens and a high contrast ratio.

The ViewSonic 3600 Lumens projector has been assigned to 8 different remote control codes in the same place via a single remote control to effortlessly select the projector, configure and operate during presentations or meetings. It can operate various projectors when the coded are fitted both on the projector and on the remote control.

Impressive Performance

The ViewSonic 3600 Lumens projector gives impressive and extraordinarily performance in small and medium-sized meeting rooms and classrooms. It consumes less power because of the energy-efficient smart energy feature. This projector permits users to connect their mobile phones or laptops for an advanced experience because it is equipped with dual HDMI inputs.

You can use various lamp modes to enlarge the lifespan of the lamp. The projector automatically switches to Eco mode and Super Eco mode, when the power-saving feature is on. When the projector is left idle, it automatically switches to Eco mode from normal mode. When the projector does not get an input signal for 20 or more than 20 minutes, the images are dimmed to 30% enlarging the lifespan of the lamp to 15,000 hours.

Sleep Timer

Very often we forget to shut down our projectors or devices especially in public places like classrooms and meeting rooms. The ViewSonic 3600 Lumens projector has an automatic sleep timer that permits you to select a period of inactivity which will determine when the projector enables its sleep mode automatically.

It has various modes ranging from the brightest mode to the movie mode. The brightest mode is suitable for an atmosphere where maximum glare is needed. Other modes include presentation mode, standard mode, photo mode, and movie mode. These modes have their own features providing high brightness and high contrast ratio, enhanced color, and saturated color in order to watch movies with a better experience.

2. Epson VS250 3200 SVGA

The Epson VS250 3200 Lumens projector is a more accurate, vivid color and is working perfectly in well-lit rooms providing 3200 Lumens of color/white brightness. It is an ideal projector for your daily needs. The Epson VS250 3200 Lumens projector has SVGA Resolution (800 x 600) and is a suitable, perfect, and ideal choice in order to project your daily presentations and graphics.

Compatibility

The most important feature of the Epson VS250 3200 Lumens projector is easily compatible with the latest media players and laptops. For digital audio and video experience with just one cable, it supports HDMI; the standard in connectivity.The Epson VS250 3200 Lumens projector is fast, easy setup, and runs in no time with the easy adjustment of the mirror and convenient control.

Lens Shift

The most important feature of the Epson VS250 3200 Lumens projector is that it makes it unique and different is that you can wirelessly project from your iPad, iPhone, iPod, Macbook, or any of your android mobile or tablet. Very often we cannot get the ideal mounting position for screen and projector. Therefore the Epson VS250 3200 Lumens projector features lens shift, horizontal and vertical both kinds of shifts are present. This feature permits you to move the lens up, down, right or left after it is been organized to help you accurately align the image of the projector on the screen.

Low or no Noise

The Epson VS250 3200 Lumens projector is featured with low or no noise at all. This feature is important because the projectors are packed with moving parts i.e. cooling fans, color wheels, motorized iris controls, and many more. Very often these moving parts make noise and when you are giving a presentation or watching a movie that is in a suspenseful moment, you don’t get disturbed by the loud noise of the moving parts.

3. Optoma HD 143X 3000 Lumens

The Optoma HD143X 3000 Lumens Theatre Projector has an enlarged lamp life of almost 12,000 hours and the life of the projector lasts for 10 or more than 10 years even if you enjoy watching a movie of two hours daily. The Optoma HD143X 3000 Lumens Theatre Projector has 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution provides detailed and sharp images without compression and downsizing from high definition content. The reference model and RGB together provide bright and accurate colors.

Cinematic Experience

You can bring in the cinematic experience to your home by enjoying watching movies on a big screen. The bright 3,000 lumens, 23,000:1 contrast ratio, reference display mode, and REC.709 color support offer astonishing and exceptional video quality ideal for watching movies, sports, and gaming, etc. Pair your projector with Blu-ray player, gaming PC of high performance or console and change your living room into a big-screen cinema and enjoy the cinematic experience. The evocative colors, deep black levels, and crisp details form it a must-have for watching blockbusters movies and games.

3D Full

Another quality of the Optoma HD143X 3000 Lumens Theatre Projector is that it shows true 3D content from almost any source of 3D, involving 3D Blu-ray Disc players, 3D broadcasting, and the latest generation game consoles. It also delivers ultra-smooth flicker-free images.  Furthermore, you can transform your projector into a smart display by associating your android or iPhone device or your tablet or iPad with a single cable using MHL connectivity. As a result, you will be able to presentations, documents, movies, stream videos, and even watch photos on the big screen.

Built-in Speakers

Now with the help of powerful built-in speakers, you can enjoy full-on entertainment even at your home. These built-in speakers offer astonishing and extraordinarily sound quality and can easily be setup without needing any costly external speakers.

4. Optoma HD142X 1080p 3000 Lumens

The Optoma HD 142X 1080p 3000 Lumens Home Theatre Projector can show a more brilliant and vibrant color as compared to other theatre projectors. You can now watch movies, seasons, or enjoy sports with vibrant pixel-laden colors in any environment. 3000 Lumens pair with sharp contrast ratio delivers a perfect production of REC.709 color spectrum; the HDTV viewing according to international standards. The Optoma HD 142X 1080p 3000 Lumens Home Theatre Projector has an enlarged lamp life of almost 8,000 hours and the life of the projector lasts for 10 or more than 10 years even if you enjoy watching a movie of two hours daily.

Vigorous Black Technology

Based on the information regarding the brightness of each frame, images are spontaneously adjusted to lamp output, forming one of the home entertainment industries leading one.You can transform your projector into a smart display by associating your android or iPhone device or your tablet or iPad with a single cable using MHL connectivity.

As a result, you will be able to presentations, documents, movies, stream videos, and even watch photos on the big screen. With the help of a powerful built-in 10W speaker, you will be able to enjoy full-on entertainment even at your home. These built-in speakers offer astonishing and extraordinarily sound quality and can easily be setup without needing any costly external speakers.

Full HD Display

The Optoma HD 142 X 1080p 3000 Lumens Home Theatre Projector has 1080p full HD resolution. The projection is sharper and more detailed having 1920 x 1080 pixels and is absolutely perfect for watching Blu-ray movies without compression and downsizing. Optoma HD142 X 3000 Lumens Theatre Projector shows true 3D content from almost any source of 3D, involving 3D Blu-ray Disc players, 3D broadcasting, and the latest generation game consoles. It also delivers ultra-smooth flicker-free images.

5. ViewSonic 3600 Lumens SVGA

ViewSonic 3600 Lumens SVGA high brightness projector is a versatile and all-round projector that works perfectly if used for education and small businesses because of its advanced visual features. It gives a bright image anywhere because it is packed with 3600 Lumens and a high contrast ratio. ViewSonic 3600 Lumens SVGA projector is fast, easy setup, and runs in no time with the easy adjustment of the mirror and convenient control. ViewSonic 3000 Lumens SVGA projector has an enlarged lamp life of almost 15,000 hours and the life of the projector lasts for 10 or more than 10 years even if you enjoy watching a movie of two hours daily.

Projection

The ViewSonic 3600 Lumens SVGA projector projects about twelve inches from fifteen feet and eight inches. The range of noise is 27dB in 3600 Lumens and the size of the image is from 30 to 300 inches.Very often we forget to shut down our projectors or devices especially in public places like classrooms and meeting rooms.

The ViewSonic 3600 Lumens projector has an automatic sleep timer that permits you to select a period of inactivity which will determine when the projector enables its sleep mode automatically. The ViewSonic 3600Lumens projector has been assigned to 8 different remote control codes in the same place via a single remote control to effortlessly select the projector, configure and operate during presentations or meetings. It is able to operate various projectors when the coded are fitted both on the projector and on the remote control.

Bright Light Modes

It has various modes ranging from the brightest mode to the movie mode. The brightest mode is suitable for an environment where maximum brightness is needed. Other modes include presentation mode, standard mode, photo mode, and movie mode. The modes have their own characteristics delivering high brightness as well as high contrast ratio, enhanced color, and saturated color in order to watch movies with a better experience.

6. ViewSonic 1080p – X4700 HD Projector

Experience cinematic views from your home and Enjoy lag-free gaming sports with the fastest and most immersive ViewSonic 1080p -X700HD projector. The projector is more than a common screen enlargement. It is a complete solution to the home theater needs with a highly luminous display, cutting-edge components, and superb graphics. The native resolution details everything happening with a wide and FHD 1920x1080p graphics support. Also, the symmetry and lightweight design allow it to be placed anywhere.

Wide and Bright Pixels

PX700HD projector is a well-matched and reasonably priced home theater display under a $500 range. it features a pure and intuitive display, immersive audio drivers, bright lights, and vast compatibility range for customer satisfaction. 3500 Lumens brightness creates and displays sharp details in live sporting events, high-end gaming, and movies for hours without burning pixels.

Home entertainment is delivered with perfect speed and accuracy. The low input latency of 16ms is gaming friendly and supports uninterrupted live action with stunning details. ViewSonic is 3D compatible with movies and games. Sit back, wear the goggles, and dive into Full HD 3D viewing on a large screen with a PX700HD projector.

Immersive Display & Connectivity

The display is further optimized by high contrast ratios and customized modes of display. Turn on the display and select ready made contrast settings or go with a manual contrast profile. SuperColor technology is another superfluous characteristic installed in PX700HD for color performance maintenance in light and dark modes.

The screen adjusts accordingly to appropriate colors without effecting sharpness and image quality. For connectivity, ViewSonic features dual 3D Blu-ray ready HDMI input ports and USB connectivity. PX700HD projector is friendly to micro-USB A connections. The wireless connectivity could be extended to Google Chromecast, Roku, and Amazon TV sticks without needing additional power sources.

7. Epson Home Cinema 1060 Projector

Epson Home Cinema 1060 projector is a lightweight, portable, and action-packed cinematic solution for gaming and HD movies. The 315-watt wall mount projector is an updated HD device for sharp and latency-free gaming, movies, and live sports with a contrast ratio up to 15000:1. It recreates input images 25x larger than the 60” flat panels with virtually no burns and color malfunctions. Enjoy sharp and luminous display for hours without a pause, thanks to 3100 lumens of color and white brightness.

The lighting is adjusted automatically by the projector itself in dark and bright modes. Epson 1060 is too quick to miss an action inside vibrant gaming sessions with innate controls and powerful components. The display supports Full HD 1080p movies and gaming for hours without lags or overheating.

The indigenous controls include power ON/OFF, instant OFF display, sleep modes, mute and volume controls, and screen resolution, HDMI connectivity. To expand further, a remote-control device features contrast selection, volume, modes, brightness, and everything else functioning inside the projector.

For a clearer output, Epson features 3LCD technology that triples the effects of a normal projector device by emitting RGB lights separately to the screen. 3LCD enabled to expand further with sharp and fluent HD images without manipulating contrast modes or rainbow effects. Dual HDMI ports are for simultaneous display to large screens via Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, and MHL streaming.

The other connectivity options include Blu-ray, DVD, and cable connections. The display can be viewed from a 19ft distance without causing damage to eyes and ears. The operating wattage is 350 Watts with the best usage capacity when wall mounted. Besides, there’s a 2-year warranty by manufacturer if you buy it from Amazon.

8. Epson EX3240 SVGA Projector

Epson EX3240 SVGA projector is best served for college and business presentations and regular usage. It features extra-bright light, longer hours of display, and a portable structure. The functions are adept to fulfill the needs of students and professionals alike. The display ratio is 800 x 600 for basic display along with appropriate graphics quality. The lumens count is more than enough to light up a room in dark or to support additional brightness in a well-lit environment. 3200 lumens provide color and glare separately to both the dark and bright room settings. The colors are sharp and esthetic for all the environments, the wattage capacity is 200W for low- and intermediate- level usage.

The compatibility index is diverse. The powerful connection is supported by USB ports and HDMI for immersive HD video. There are no built-in speakers involved, but there’s a dedicated port to plug in external audio to the projector. EX3240 SVGA supports connectivity to all the HDMI- and USB- enabled laptops, smartphones, and media players.

The SVGA resolution can be ramped up to 4.5x larger display with WUXGA modes. The built-in processor is fast and simplistic. It means there’s no complexity involved in the connection. Plus, the setup and installation are hassle-free and time-saving. The lamp lasts up to 10,000 hours with full brightness modes. For portability, a carrying case is included with the projector for presentations.

9. Epson EX5250 Pro Wireless Projector

Complete your home theater setup with the powerful and long-lasting Epson EX5250 Pro wireless projector. The all-new projector display features true colors and heavy brightness for well-lit rooms. The light intensity is adjustable to the dark and bright environment. All you need is to turn up the remote and change modes when needed. The 3LCD projector clears up the ambiguous color spots by radiating Red, Green, and Blue lights separately so that it never blurs or burn colors.

Wireless Connectivity

EX5250 Pro is completely wireless base. No need for outdated USB plugs or HDMI when connecting to laptops, tablets, Smart TV, or smartphones. Scan the QR code in front of the projector and start streaming right away. The color depth and pixels do not disperse when connected wirelessly.

Also, the display resolution qualifies the standards with an XGA-type display. The 1024 resolution is capable to run Blu-ray DVDs, Full HD displays in wired and cordless modes effectively. The screen brightness is assisted with 3600 lumens display intensity. The brightness is separately maintained by 3600lm of vivid, in-depth colors. For brightness in well-lit rooms, another beam of 3600 lm is dedicated to overcoming screen dullness. Epson is a pioneer in cutting-edge 3LCD projectors for its image contrast ratio up to 1500:1.

Modern Build and Long-lasting

The image brightness, color density, and enlargement scope are better and more sophisticated than SVGA. EX5250 is a highly recommended device for presentations, movies, and pro-level gaming. The latency is kept at a minimum for gaming. Feel free to play action-packed gaming on a laptop or smartphone while connecting wirelessly to your projector.

Epson EitX5250 Pro supports USB and HDMI connectivity with rear ports along with wireless. For rooms and large conferences, it can easily be adjusted by modifying the tilt angle and display zoom. The lamp lasts up to 10,000 hours and there’s a carrying bag included with the Pro version for ease in portability. Want to turn it off hassle-free after a presentation? The instant off button is there on top of the projector for brisk pack-up when done.

10. Epson VS355 WXGA 3300 Lumens

VS355 is slim and ergonomic. It weighs a little more than 5lbs with power-packed features and immaculately designed hardware. VS355 projector is a balanced version by Epson for business and home usage. The graphics quality, brightness, and zoom capacity outshine the rival projectors significantly. The wired version supports 3300 lumens for brightness and color projection. For better image projection and sharpness, it has a newfangled and superfluous 3LCD projection that glorifies objects with separate color emission i.e. red, green, and blue.

Easy Setup and Connectivity

Epson VS355 projector is easier to set up for presentations, home theater, and gaming. It connects with smartphones and laptops in seconds. Plus, the connection is flawless with HDMI port and USB Type-A ports. Connect it and display a magnified screen immediately, with no latency errors or frequent disconnections involved.

The controls are all embedded inside the remote-controlled device. Tilt screen up to 40 degrees or enlarge with a remote when needed, and without reaching out to the projector every time.

Sophisticated Controls

The controls are awesome. With HDMI, sync both the audio and video simultaneously with no additional cables needed for audio whatsoever. The display is assisted with WXGA resolution, better and 2x more than the common SVGA display. The widescreen compatibility readily accepts laptops with greater screen resolution. The optical zoom ratio is 1 – 1.2 with a focal length ranging from 16.9mm to 20.28mm max.

11. BenQ MW535A 1080p WXGA 3600 Lumens

BenQ offers top-notch screen projection in High Definition and clear image processing. The lights, vertical and horizontal adjustment, color depth, and symmetry, everything seems flawless inside the BenQ MW535A projector. The latest BenQ model features extra enlargement with a 120” screen projection. The contrast ratio is kept at 15000:1 with increased clarity and colorful visuals.

For large-screen presentations, BenQ has a projection range of up to 13ft and 2 inches. The longer-range increases productivity and viewing angle from far distances. A bright light runs for 15,000 hours straight along with 3600 lumens color and brightness intensity for multiple room settings. The color brightness is for ambient conditions with enough light. For dark rooms and home theaters, 3600 lumens are dedicated separately for high contrast and cutting-edge graphics.

Instant Connectivity

The dual HDMI and USB connectivity enable swift display. The low latency processor enables high-end gaming and Blu-ray movies without any delays. Besides, the controls are adjustable to multiple screen resolutions. The vertical keystone enhances screen adjustments for picture-perfect display. Plug-in, connect, and fine-tune your display promptly for a quick presentation with MW535.

The HDMI transmission rate is flawless. It connects almost instantly with a higher digital transmission rate compared to wireless and USB connections. To display on multiple screens, BenQ has dual HDMI ports. If a single port does not work when most needed, you can always switch to another mode.

Flexible and Sturdy Design

The design is better off with quick alignment, thanks to the vertical keystone. Also, retractable adjustment foot is convenient and time-saving for installing a projector anywhere. The top lamp is easily removable. It lies on the top and can be replaced with a newer one in a few seconds.

BenQ’s intelligent AI wall color correction detects and corrects wall color by itself to prevent color malfunctions. It prevents color difference and emits the best possible Full HD display to the front wall. The front sensor resists dust accumulation, alarms the user if dust particles accumulated atop the projector beam, hence increasing projector life.

12. BenQ MW612 WXGA 4000 Lumens Projector

BenQ MW612 projector is a glorious model for businesses and home theaters. The color depth and brightness are supreme. MW612 displays unwavering color projection with its 3LCD-type beam strength. Also, 4000 lumens are the brightest of all the previous BenQ and rival models, separately for light intensity and in-depth colors.  The lumens’ strength is meant to extract high contrast from written documents, images in both the dark and well-lit environments. The contrast ratio is kept at 20,000:1 maximum.

The contrast ratio is for high clarity and separated blacks, whites, and colored pixels inside a 1280x 800 pixel depth. It is easy on the eyes and mirrors 120 inches images from 13ft & 2in distance. Imagine a high definition projector with 4000 lumens bright light, Full HD WXGA display with wireless connectivity, and screen mirroring available inside a single projector.

For business presentations, MW612 gives the best image quality, contrast, and pixel fill factor. It features the truest blacks and whites, excellent readability when presented with extensive CSVs and tables, display charts via high fill factor along with crisp color details. The separate color beam emission never blurs tiny characters in a PowerPoint document, imposes high details, and focus with a vibrant color splash on all the details meticulously.

Flawless Connectivity

The connectivity range is assisted with wired and wireless modes. MHL connects to Android smartphones by default to export photos, videos, and documents via wired contacts. Mobile High-Definition Link enables presentations or preparing documents on a smartphone while charging your device simultaneously.

Wireless connectivity is enabled with HDMI and USB ports. Connect Amazon Fire Stick or Google dongles to the port and enable wireless connection from a smartphone or laptop. The display rate remains HD in wireless modes with high color contrasts and better signal processing. Pair up or read the Barcode via Qcast and Qcast Mirror HDMI wireless dongle and stream, game, or present without the clutter. Wireless connection is assisted with Wi-Fi signal strength for dongle devices and smartphones.

Intelligent Design

The design and engineering followed the highest standards. The overall design is slim, lightweight, and portable. The feel is purely esthetic, and the controls are right at the spot for convenience. WM612 never looks odd in a living room or conference hall. It is a home + business model with cutting-edge design features to match the profile.

For alignment, vertical Keystone centers images with its trapezoid effect. No need to adjust the projector physically for a square image. Keystone automatically adjusts the tilt and image symmetry for a presentation. Qcast mirroring smoothes out the normal images and sharpens up the bad pixels without missing critical details. It is meant especially for low-resolution files and to match up with the compatibility of FHD projection when connected with the smartphones.

Conclusion

When buying the best projector under 500 USD range, Lumens intensity is consequential in selecting the color and brightness quality of the display screens. Light intensity and LMS count are adopted by manufacturers owing to the device’s capacity to enlarge an image of multiple qualities without effecting pixel depth.

However, a few manufacturers underrate the light intensity factor by applying low-end light-beam technologies. The best way to find about a projector’s quality is to check customer reviews on Amazon or YouTube reviews by experts.

Faizan Ali

Faizan Ali is a Master in Computer Sciences and has been writing content for computing, gaming and mobile technologies since 2016. He has written content for number of online magazines, websites and blogs and now writes for “the buyers trend”. Feel free to contact him for any sort of writing for your technology related blog, website or magazine.