If you're looking for the best budget projector you can find, we're here to lend you a hand with your search!
Projectors are fantastic for providing that home cinema feel, and we're here to show you that you don't need to spend a fortune to get a high-quality immersive experience.
As always, we've done the research for you and compiled our list based on specs, reviews and any other additional features.
So, whether you're looking for a capable all-round choice such as the APEMAN LC650 or you want plenty of brightness with the YABER Y21, we've got you covered.
Best Budget Projector
- Projector, APEMAN LC650
- YABER Y21 Projector
- FANGOR F-506 230" Portable Movie Projector
- ELEPHAS Projector, GC333
- MOOKA RD-823 WiFi Projector
Best Budget Projector All-Rounder - APEMAN LC650
click to enlarge
+ 5Brand: Apeman | Product Dimensions: 10.43 x 8.66 x 3.43 inches | Weight: 4.85 Pounds | Resolution: 1920 x1080 pixels | Maximum Display Size: 300-inches | Brightness: 6,000 Lumens
If you're looking for the best budget projector, the Apeman LC650 is a great place to start.
In terms of display, this projector will produce an image up to 300-inches in size with a maximum 1920 x 1080 resolution and combined with 6,000 lumens of brightness, should look very sharp.
You're also getting an impressive 50,000 hours of lamplife, which, by the way, would last over 5 years if left on continually, which we think makes this a worthy investment.
When it comes to sound, there are built-in dual speakers which boast loud clear audio, however, there is also a 3.5mm jack if you wish to connect your own speakers instead.
The Apeman LC650 also features screen mirroring, which allows you to project your phone display, making it a solid all-rounder in our eyes.
Best Budget Projector for Max Brightness - YABER Y21 Projector
click to enlarge + 5Brand: Yaber | Product Dimensions: 30 x 28 x 11.5 cm | Weight: 2.95 Kilograms | Resolution: 1920 x1080 pixels | Maximum Display Size: 350-inches | Brightness: 7,800 Lumens
If you're looking for a projector that offers significant brightness, the Yaber Y21 could be the best choice for you.
7,800 Lumens of brightness should mean this projector will display an image that is easily visible even in environments with moderate lighting, which can be useful when watching outdoors.
This projector also offers a display size from 45-350 inches, making it adjustable to suit your needs and with an 8,000:1 contrast ratio, the display should appear both clear and bold.
The Yaber Y21 also comes with two HiFi speakers which boast powerful audio that adds to the immersive cinema experience.
Best Budget Projector With Bluetooth - FANGOR F-506
click to enlarge + 5Brand: FANGOR | Product Dimensions: 9.25 x 6.51 x 3.26 inches | Weight: 2.8 pounds | Resolution: 1920 x1080 pixels | Maximum Display Size: 230-inches | Brightness: 6,500 Lumens
The Fangor F-506 is another solid choice and includes Bluetooth which can be an extremely useful tool to have with a projector.
Thanks to Bluetooth technology, you'll be able to connect to many of the best wireless speakers, giving you the freedom to match the visuals with your favourite speaker.
When it comes to visuals, you're getting a maximum display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, with up to a 230-inch display and 6,500 Lumens which should work together to produce high-quality images.
Another standout feature of this is the screen mirroring, which can be done wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet via a WiFi connection.
If wireless connectivity is a must-have, the Fangor F-506 could be a strong contender for you.
Best Budget Projector Under 100 - ELEPHAS Projector GC333
click to enlarge + 5Brand: ELEPHAS | Product Dimensions: 22 x 17 x 8.9 cm | Weight: 1.2 Kilograms | Resolution: 1920 x1080 pixels | Maximum Display Size: 180-inches | Brightness: 4,500 Lumens
If you're after a great projector for even less, the ELEPHAS GC333 is a solid choice for under 100 pounds or dollars.
This projector boasts widespread compatibility, as it is able to connect to phones, tablets, laptops/PCs, game consoles, USB drives, Fire TV and more, which should cover all your needs.
In terms of the display, you're getting full HD on an area of up to 180-inches with 4,500 Lumens of brightness, which means this projector should be excellent for indoor use.
The ELEPHAS GC333 also comes with 170-degree viewing angles, 50,000 hours of lamp life giving you some serious bang for your buck.
Best Budget Projector Under 200 WiFi - MOOKA RD-823 WiFi Projector
click to enlarge + 5Brand: MOOKA | Product Dimensions: 8.58 x 6.85 x 3.77 inches | Weight: 2.20 pounds | Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels | Maximum Display Size: 200-inches | Brightness: 7,500 Lumens
The MOOKA RD-823 is another standout choice for us and it can use WiFi to connect seamlessly to your IOS, Android and Windows devices.
Wireless connectivity makes this a solid choice if you're setting up a home theatre and don't want wires everywhere, especially if the projector is mounted on the ceiling.
In terms of display, you're getting a 5000:1 contrast ratio and 95% colour gamut producing over 17 million hues, combined with 7,500 Lumens the projection should look bold and vibrant.
The MOOKA RD-823 also produces up to 200" display, which we'd say makes it a standout choice for home theatres.
How To Pick The Best Budget Projector
Before choosing the best budget projector, there are a number of questions worth looking into to help you find the best choice for you.
Is 5000 Lumens good for a projector?
Lumens is the standard measurement used to indicate the brightness produced from a projector, how much you need largely depends on use.
If you're going to be using your projector for a home theatre or gaming in a smaller dimly lit room, then we'd say 3,000 Lumens is more than enough.
If you're wanting to use the projector outside during the day or in well-lit indoor environments, then we'd recommend upwards of 7,000 Lumens.
What is the best projector screen size?
The best display size to suit your needs is largely dependent on the size of the room and the viewing space you'll have available.
It is recommended that you sit a minimum of double the screen width away and a maximum of five times the screen width for an optimal viewing experience.
We'd say around 100-inches is the minimum to look for to get the home cinema feel with upwards of 150" being preferable depending on the size of your room.
Is 50,000 hours of lamp life good?
The short answer is yes, 50,000 hours is more than enough.
50,000 hours will last over 5 years on continuous use, over 11 years if used 12 hours a day and over 17 years if used 8 hours a day.
READ MORE: Best Mini Projector 2021: Top Picks For All Budgets