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Over the years, TVs have been getting bigger and bigger, and brands have been putting a wide range of modern smart features. These TVs deliver a premium experience, but they also come with pretty premium price tags. If you want to save money, you can opt to purchase a projector instead because these devices allow you to get large screen sizes for a more affordable price. Projectors with the best quality and features can also get high prices, but you can also find budget projectors that are more than enough for you to have an enjoyable viewing experience at home. These lower-priced projectors can deliver screen sizes of more than 100 inches, but you have to remember that you’ll have to sacrifice some features often found on high-end models. Budget projects still offer compatibility with a wide range of devices, but they might not have the best resolution, brightness, contrast, color quality, etc. Most affordable projectors that still guarantee a decent performance won’t have an extremely low price, but you can expect to find one for below $1,000. Here are some of the best budget projectors on the market in 2022.
The Vankyo Leisure 3 will surely not hurt your wallets because you get a Full HD 1080P projector for about $70. This projector features a 5000:1 contrast ratio, and it’s 80% brighter than ordinary projectors. It’s equipped with the MStar Advanced Color Engine that’s based on LCD technology. It has an LED environmentally-friendly source that delivers superb reliability, excellent details, and the most vibrant colors. The source has an estimated lifespan of 65,000 hours, and you can expect it to perform efficiently thanks to its cooling system with heat dispersion. You can also expect minimal fan noise thanks to its noise suppression technology. The projector can transform an ordinary wall into a massive TV with a maximum image size of 200 inches. You might not want to use this projector for office presentations, but it’s still great for watching your favorite movies or TV shows, playing games, sharing photos, and more. The Vankyo Leisure 3 has built-in stereo speakers, but using a soundbar or Bluetooth speaker would still give you a better audio experience. The projector has a total of three projection modes: Ceiling Projection, Rear Projection, and Front Projection. Vankyo offers a 3-year warranty to their customers upon purchase. You will also get a free carrying bag for easy transport.
Maximum image size of 200 inchesExcellent connectivityCooling system with heat dispersionNoise suppression technologyFree carrying bag3-year warranty
Not the best built-in speakersCan't connect devices wirelessly
The BenQ HT2050A is the perfect tool to have when you want to make an ordinary room into an entertainment room. It features a 1080P resolution with a 2,200-Lumen brightness. You can expect top-notch quality from the projector because of its DLP technology many IMAX and regular cinemas use. It comes with 96% Rec. 709 color accuracy calibration and a high native contrast ratio, so your content is detailed with vivid colors. The projector has a maximum screen size of 300 inches, and you can connect devices using its USB port, VGA port, or HDMI port. Users can use the projector for gaming because of its unique game modes, microsecond DMD response time, and low input lag. The BenQ HT2050A comes with a decent 10-watt built-in speaker, and it has different sound modes for films, games, music, and sports. Setting the projector up in your room won’t be too challenging because it comes with a 1.3x zoom and vertical lens shift that adds flexibility in its placement/mounting. You don’t even need to put the projector at the center of your room because its keystone correction eliminates any trapezoid effects.
Excellent picture quality, brightness, and contrast96% Rec. 709 color accuracy calibrationMaximum screen size of 300 inches10-watt built-in speakerKeystone correction
Can produce rainbow effectLimited zoom and lens shift
The Epson Home Cinema 2250 might push your budget to its limits, but there’s no doubt that it’s worth the price. This projector is unique because it’s already like a smart TV because it comes with the Android TV platform built-in. Users will have easy access to their favorite streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, etc. You can also connect different consoles and devices through its HDMI, USB, VGA, and RCA ports. The projector has a native resolution of 1080P, and it features a brightness of 2,700 lumens and a contrast ratio of 70,000:1. It comes with advanced 3LCD technology that promises 100% of the RGB color signal per frame. You will experience superb color accuracy and brightness without any rainbow effect. The projector has a minimum projector distance of 3 feet and a maximum distance of 26.6 feet, and it can project a screen size of up to 320 inches. The projector’s manual zoom, keystone correction, and vertical lens shift help you get the perfect position for your projector. Users can expect a quiet operation from the projector because of its 29-37dBA fan noise. The projector comes with a free remote, but you also have the option to use Google Assistant for convenient voice control. Customers get a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty on parts and labor.
Android TV built-inWide range of input optionsSuperb brightness and contrastMaximum screen size of 320 inchesQuiet operationGoogle Assistant support
Pricier than competitorsOnly one HDMI portNeed to adjust settings for best quality possible
The BenQ HT2150ST is for those who might have a limited amount of space because it’s a tremendous short-throw projector. The projector can project a screen size of 100 inches even if it’s 3 feet away from your wall, but its maximum size is 300 inches. The projector supports 1080P content, and you can expect detailed content and vibrant colors thanks to its 6x RGBRGB color wheel, 15,000:1 contrast ratio, and 2200 ANSI Lumens brightness. Its DLP technology ensures that you get a viewing experience similar to what you can find in IMAX cinemas. Gamers will love this projector because of its low input lag and Game Mode, which give you smooth gameplay all throughout. IGN even named it the Best Projector for Gaming in 2019. The projector supports most consoles, computers, and streaming devices since it comes with two HDMI ports. You won’t have to stress about the projector’s installation since it has a 1.2x zoom and vertical keystone correction. The BenQ HT2150ST comes with a 3-year limited warranty for parts and labor, and you can easily talk to their customer support team whenever you have questions.
Impressive short-throw lensSuperb contrast and color accuracyLow input lag and Game Mode1.2x zoom and vertical keystone correction
Not the most affordableLacks 4K and HDR supportCould use more ports
For those planning to invest in a projector for presentations, your best option would be the Epson EX3280. It has a 15,000:1 contrast ratio, 3,600 lumens of color and white brightness, and 768p XGA resolution, making the projector display documents and videos clearly and detailed whether the room is dark or bright. The projector features 3-Chip 3LCD technology that shows 100% of the RGB color signal in each frame of your content. You get superb color brightness while guaranteeing top-notch accuracy for all colors. Users can rest assured that this projector won’t have the infamous “rainbow effect.” The Epson EX3280 doesn’t have an auto keystone feature or optical zoom, but it has a unique built-in picture skew sensor that can analyze your content and correct any vertical keystone issues. You will get to easily connect your computers, consoles, and streaming devices to the projector since it has an HDMI port. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have any other input options. The projector has physical button controls, but it also comes with a remote control. Its remote allows you to zoom in or out whenever you’d like. Epson offers customers a standard 1-year limited warranty, which will enable you to get a complete unit replacement if ever an issue comes up. You also get free technical phone support forever.
768p XGA resolution perfect for presentations15,000:1 contrast ratio and 3,600 lumens of color and white brightness3-Chip 3LCD technologyFree remote control
Needs more portsNeeds better heat management
Many see the Kodak Luma 150 Pocket Projector as an excellent deal because of its portability and budget-friendly price tag. The projector might come in a smaller size than its rivals, but it has a maximum screen size of 150 inches, which is enough for most rooms. It supports a 1080p resolution and has a 1000:1 contrast ratio and 60 Ansi lumen brightness. Your movies or shows will love as realistic as possible with this projector since it has about 16.7 million display colors. The Luma 150 can stream content from devices via its HDMI, microSD, or USB inputs. If you want to cast content from your smartphones, you can connect your devices through Miracast or AirPlay. It’s easy to carry the projector around, and it even has a built-in speaker if you want to watch something on the go. The only issue is its 2.5-hour battery life, which won’t allow you to binge-watch content for an extended period. The Luma 150 has a designated wheel for manual focusing, and it has illuminated touch controls for easy navigation of its controls. The projector is also tripod mountable for a more stable experience. Customers get a free HDMI cable and USB to micro USB cable with the projector.
AffordableUltra-portable designWired and wireless inputs
Short battery lifeNot the best resolution
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