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10 Best Budget Projectors 2025 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Optoma GT1080HDR Short Throw Gaming Projector | Enhanced Gaming Mode for 1080P 120Hz Gaming at 8.4ms | 4K UHD Support | Play HDR for 4K and 1080P | High 3800 lumens for Day & Night Gaming, White

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,194
Resolution
Brightness
Throw Distance

Most important from
969 reviews

Resolution
The image quality is comparable to a high-definition television, making it suitable for both gaming and movie watching.
Brightness
The projector delivers a bright and clear picture, even in rooms with a lot of ambient light.
Throw Distance
The short throw is perfect for compact spaces, projecting a large image from just a short distance.

The Optoma GT1080HDR projector is specifically designed for gaming enthusiasts, offering a great experience on a budget. One of its standout features is the enhanced gaming mode, providing a fast response time of 8.4ms and 120Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for smooth and fluid gameplay. Additionally, it supports 4K HDR, offering bright whites and deep black levels, along with accurate colors thanks to its 6-segment color wheel. This ensures an immersive visual experience whether you're playing games or watching movies.

The resolution of 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) is decent, providing sharp and clear images for most users. Moreover, its brightness level of 3800 lumens allows for effective usage in both day and night settings, so you won't have to worry about dim visuals in well-lit rooms. The contrast ratio of 50,000:1 further enhances the image quality, delivering detailed visuals with good depth. The short throw lens is another advantage, allowing you to project a large 120-inch image from just 4 feet away, making it perfect for smaller spaces and easy installation.

While the projector is versatile and can be used in various environments, its weight of 6.61 pounds and dimensions may limit portability for some users. Connectivity options are flexible, with dual HDMI inputs supporting various devices like gaming consoles and media players. The long lamp life of up to 15,000 hours is impressive, promising durability and reduced maintenance costs over time. Some users might find the built-in 10-watt speaker less powerful compared to external sound systems. The Optoma GT1080HDR is a solid choice for gaming and entertainment, combining impressive visual performance with a reasonable price tag, though it might not be the most portable option for frequent travelers.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,194
Resolution
Brightness
Throw Distance

Most important from
969 reviews

Resolution
The image quality is comparable to a high-definition television, making it suitable for both gaming and movie watching.
Brightness
The projector delivers a bright and clear picture, even in rooms with a lot of ambient light.
Throw Distance
The short throw is perfect for compact spaces, projecting a large image from just a short distance.
#2

Epson Pro EX9240 3-Chip 3LCD Full HD 1080p Wireless Projector, 4,000 Lumens Color Brightness, 4,000 Lumens White Brightness, Miracast, 2 HDMI Ports, Built-in Speaker, 16,000:1 Contrast Ratio

Rating
9.8
Resolution
Brightness
Connectivity

Most important from
183 reviews

Resolution
Full HD resolution makes the projection sharp and detailed.
Brightness
This projector exceeded my expectations. Very bright and clear even in high ambient light.
Connectivity
The built-in WiFi allows for easy connectivity with devices.
Portability
The projector is quieter and lighter with less heat compared to older models.

The Epson Pro EX9240 is a solid choice for those looking for a budget-friendly projector, especially for business presentations or home cinema use. One of its standout features is its impressive brightness, with 4,000 lumens of both color and white brightness, making it effective even in well-lit environments. The Full HD 1080p resolution ensures that images and text are sharp, which is a big plus for professional-quality displays.

The True 3-Chip 3LCD technology contributes to its strong color accuracy, eliminating common issues like 'rainbowing' that some projectors experience. Additionally, its wireless connectivity, including Miracast and two HDMI ports, makes it versatile for connecting various streaming devices and video conferencing tools.

Portability is another strength, as it allows for easy transport between different locations. The built-in 16W speaker provides decent sound quality, which is great for an all-in-one experience without needing external speakers. The projector excels in many areas, but it does have some limitations. The built-in speaker, while good, might not satisfy everyone, especially in larger settings where better audio solutions are preferred. Also, although it offers a dynamic contrast ratio of up to 16,000:1, some users may find that in darker viewing conditions, it doesn't quite match the performance of higher-end models. The Epson Pro EX9240 is an excellent option for users needing a reliable, bright projector for presentations and casual movie watching, balancing quality and affordability well. However, those seeking high-end audio or advanced features might want to explore other options.

Rating
9.8
Resolution
Brightness
Connectivity

Most important from
183 reviews

Resolution
Full HD resolution makes the projection sharp and detailed.
Brightness
This projector exceeded my expectations. Very bright and clear even in high ambient light.
Connectivity
The built-in WiFi allows for easy connectivity with devices.
Portability
The projector is quieter and lighter with less heat compared to older models.
#3

[Sound by JBL & Built-in Battery] Yaber T2 Plus GTV Outdoor Projector - Smart Projector with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth, Native 1080P Movie Portable Projector for Indoor and Outdoor (Google TV System)

Rating
9.5
Resolution
Brightness
Connectivity

Most important from
19 reviews

Resolution
True 1080p resolution combined with 600 ANSI lumens produces vibrant, sharp images suitable for screens from 50 to 300 inches.
Brightness
True 1080p resolution combined with 600 ANSI lumens produces vibrant, sharp images suitable for screens from 50 to 300 inches.
Connectivity
WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 ensure smooth connectivity and versatile device pairing.
Portability
The projector’s portability shines with its lightweight design and built-in battery allowing about 2 hours of use on the go.

The Yaber T2 Plus GTV is a strong choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly projector that works well both indoors and outdoors. It offers true 1080P resolution, which means you’ll get clear, sharp images suitable for movies and TV shows on screens up to 120 inches. Its built-in battery provides about 2.5 hours of video playback, making it very portable and handy for camping or parties without needing a power outlet. The projector’s sound is another highlight, thanks to JBL speakers and Dolby Audio support, delivering richer and louder audio than most projectors in this price range without needing extra speakers.

Its connectivity options are broad, including the latest WiFi 6, Bluetooth, HDMI, USB, and Ethernet, so you can easily stream content or connect other devices. Plus, features like auto focus, keystone correction, and intelligent screen alignment make setup easy, even if you’re not experienced with projectors. The throw ratio is short, allowing for a large image even in smaller spaces.

If you want a projector that combines good image quality, smart streaming with Google TV built-in, and great sound, all in a portable design, the Yaber T2 Plus GTV is worth considering.

Rating
9.5
Resolution
Brightness
Connectivity

Most important from
19 reviews

Resolution
True 1080p resolution combined with 600 ANSI lumens produces vibrant, sharp images suitable for screens from 50 to 300 inches.
Brightness
True 1080p resolution combined with 600 ANSI lumens produces vibrant, sharp images suitable for screens from 50 to 300 inches.
Connectivity
WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 ensure smooth connectivity and versatile device pairing.
Portability
The projector’s portability shines with its lightweight design and built-in battery allowing about 2 hours of use on the go.

Buying Guide for the Best Budget Projectors

Choosing the best budget projector can make a huge difference in your home entertainment or work experience without breaking the bank. The key is to match a projector’s features to your intended use. Are you planning to watch movies, play games, present slides in a small room, or take it on the go? Understanding your main uses will help you decide which features truly matter, ensuring you get the most value and the right level of performance for your needs.
Brightness (Lumens)Brightness, measured in lumens, tells you how much light the projector can produce. This is important because a brighter projector will display clearer and more visible images in rooms that aren't completely dark. Lower brightness, around 1000-1500 lumens, is suitable for dark rooms with controlled lighting—great for movie nights in a home theater. Medium brightness, about 2000-3000 lumens, is better for spaces with some ambient light, like living rooms with shaded windows. High brightness, over 3000 lumens, is best for daylight viewing or larger rooms. To decide what’s right for you, consider the lighting in your typical viewing area; if you can darken your space, lower lumens are fine, but for flexible and daytime use, aim higher.
ResolutionResolution refers to how many pixels your projector displays, which affects image clarity and sharpness. This is important because higher resolution means more detailed pictures, making it ideal for videos, presentations with small text, or gaming. Common options are SVGA (800x600), XGA (1024x768), and HD (1280x720 or 1920x1080). Lower resolutions are cheaper and can work for basic presentations or casual viewing, but might look blurry for movies or detailed visuals. If you care about watching films or seeing fine details, try to choose a projector with at least HD resolution.
Throw DistanceThrow distance is how far the projector needs to be from the screen to create an image of a certain size. This matters a lot depending on your room layout. Short throw projectors can be placed close to the screen (about 3-6 feet) and are ideal for small rooms or limited space. Standard throw projectors need to be several feet back (8 feet or more) and work well if you have a larger room. To pick the right one, measure your space and check if the projector’s throw distance fits your setup. If you’re not sure where you’ll use it, a more flexible throw distance might be best.
ConnectivityConnectivity describes what types of devices you can plug into your projector, such as HDMI, USB, VGA, or wireless options. This is important because it affects how easily you can connect your laptop, game console, speaker, or streaming device. Some basic projectors have only simple inputs like VGA or USB, suitable for older laptops or basic media. More versatile models support HDMI or Wi-Fi, making them more compatible with recent electronics. Think about what devices you plan to use most with your projector, and make sure it has the right ports for those without needing extra adapters.
Lamp LifeLamp life is how long the projector’s light source will last before needing replacement. This matters for cost and convenience, as longer lamp life means fewer bulb changes and less maintenance. Shorter lamp life (under 5,000 hours) works if you’ll use the projector only occasionally, like movie nights or special events. Longer lamp life (over 10,000 hours) is better for frequent use or if you want to avoid the hassle of replacements. Estimate how many hours per week you’ll use the projector to help decide how important this is for you.
Built-in SpeakersMany budget projectors include built-in speakers for convenience, but their sound quality can vary and often doesn’t match external speakers. This feature is important if you want a quick, all-in-one setup or need portability, like for outdoor movie nights or classrooms. If you’re an audiophile or plan to use the projector for movie marathons, you might prefer a projector that allows you to connect to better external speakers. Consider how you’ll use the projector and what sound quality you expect when weighing this feature.
Portability and SizePortability is about how easy it is to move and set up the projector. Smaller and lighter models are easier to carry to different rooms or even outside, making them good for travel or multi-purpose use. Bulkier projectors might offer more features but are better suited to a permanent setup. If you want flexibility or plan to use the projector in different places, choose a compact, lightweight option. If it will stay in one spot, portability matters less.

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