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Best Projector Under 500 of 2024 - Top Recommended

Carwyn Robert
  Oct 24, 2022 6:55 AM

There are numerous reasons to have a projector in your home, including the desire to avoid watching television or to entertain friends and family in your backyard. Whatever the reason, there are numerous features to consider when selecting the best projector under 500 for you. Projectors on the market vary greatly in terms of lumens, built-in speakers, and resolution.

5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector, 4K-Supported Tkisko Native 1080P Projector, 450 ANSI LM 13000lm Outdoor Movie Projector, ±50° 4D/4P Keystone Correction, 50% Zoom, Compatible with Phones, Laptop, Switch


Overview

While you can get a reliable projector for under $300, if you're serious about picture quality, the right projector for you will most likely cost more than $500. Rather than scouring the internet for hours, I've compiled a list of the best projectors for the money.

5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector, 4K-Supported Tkisko Native 1080P Projector, 450 ANSI LM 13000lm Outdoor Movie Projector, ±50° 4D/4P Keystone Correction, 50% Zoom, Compatible with Phones, Laptop, Switch


In-Depth Reviews

1. XGIMI MoGo Pro Portable Projector

Important Specifications 

  • Hardware Interface: Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI, USB 3.0, Headphone

  • Mounting Type: Tabletop Mount

  • Brand: XGIMI

  • Wattage: 36.0

  • Brightness: 300 Lumen

  • Controller Type: Remote Control, Voice Control

Product's highlights

This tiny projector houses a full Android TV with OK Google, Google Play, and Chromecast. From here, you can access Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max, and a variety of other services. Except for Netflix, which is a major letdown. The built-in battery lasts two to three hours, depending on device usage, so it will play a lot of movies. You can even use it while it is charging. When it comes to audio, Harman Kardon does not cut corners. You can easily connect it to a Bluetooth speaker or soundbar for even more immersive sound. The rest is self-explanatory. The XGMI MoGo autofocuses regardless of where you point it, ensuring the best possible image regardless of where you are in the room. The latency is low enough that some light gaming is possible. You can also play your own media by connecting it via USB, but the remote will not control it. Aside from that, it's one of the best projectors under $500.

Pros

  • Portable and potent

  • All-in-one Android TV backend

  • Harman Kardon audio

Cons

  • When playing files from a USB, the remote becomes unresponsive.

2. BenQ WXGA Business Projector 

Important Specifications 

  • Model Name: MW560

  • Hardware Interface: VGA

  • Mounting Type: Tabletop Mount

  • Brand: BenQ

  • Item Weight: 7.7 Pounds

  • Minimum Throw Distance: 1 Feet

Product's highlights

Everything from pie charts to photos will pop with 4,000 lumens and three different modes designed for data review, infographics, and full-fledged presentations. Whatever way you choose to project, the BenQ Business Projector conserves up to 70% of its power for a long-lasting projector lamp. If you forget to turn it off, it will shut down after 20 minutes. Aside from being environmentally friendly, it is also extremely durable and dust-resistant even after years of use. While it isn't ideal for home theaters, it is designed for home and professional office use, with both HDMI and VGA ports. There are even USB Type-A and USB Type-B ports, as well as the old-school standard video input found on a 1990s TV. The input versatility simply cannot be matched. This projector is fast and has excellent picture quality regardless of which input you use. It, like many other projectors, has subpar audio capabilities, which is not surprising given that it is designed for professional use.

Pros

  • Dust-resistant and long-lasting

  • Eco-mode saves energy and extends the life of the lamp.

  • Inputs both new and old

Cons

  • Audio is distorted.

3. Epson Home Cinema 880 

Important Specifications 

  • Model Name: Home Cinema 880

  • Hardware Interface: HDMI

  • Mounting Type: Wall Mount

  • Brand: Epson

  • Brightness: 3300 Lumen

  • Item Weight: 5.95 Pounds

Product's highlights

All images projected are not only in full 1080p HD, but they are also fast, making this a great device for both gaming on an Xbox Series X, PS5, or PC, as well as live sports. The image is not only stunning, with some of the best color clarity available, but it also projects up to 200 inches diagonally, providing a truly cinematic experience. With an in-built picture skew corrector, you won't have to spend time focusing the image on movie night; simply point to a wall or screen and press play with the included remote. Surprisingly, and tragically, this powerful device lacks built-in streaming on the back end, so you'll have to provide your own. What's more, it's compatible with any HDMI-enabled device, such as a Roku Stick, an Android TV device, a Nintendo Switch, or even a laptop. Furthermore, it's a stunning device that you wouldn't mind permanently mounting and flaunting to the company. If Shaq thinks it's good enough, it's certainly good enough for the rest of us.

Pros

  • Image of cinematic quality

  • Color and brightness are exceptional.

  • HDMI 2.0 devices are supported.

Cons

  • There is no streaming backend included.

4. Anker NEBULA Capsule Max

Important Specifications 

  • Model Name: D2423

  • Hardware Interface: USB

  • Mounting Type: Tripod Mount,Table Mount

  • Brand: NEBULA

  • Wattage: 45 watts

  • Brightness: 200 Lumen

Product's highlights

Not only is the immersive sound superior to that of traditional home theaters, but Anker's picture quality is also superior. NEBULA Capsule Max promises an authentic cinematic experience.

Nebula has integrated advanced DLP technology, HD Viewing, and 200 ANSI Lumen brightness into this device. This device also supports a projection screen up to 100" in size, which is ideal for a variety of activities ranging from entertainment to education.

Capsule Max, in particular, has an innovative mechanism of action that reduces the amount of light that directly enters your eyes. As a result, spending hours watching movies or television shows will reduce the familiar sensation of eye strain.

Anker NEBULA Capsule Max will impress you with its unique design, powerful speakers, and numerous intelligent features.

Pros

  • 8W speaker with all-around sound.

  • DLP technology that is cutting-edge.

  • Reduce the amount of light that enters the user's eyes directly.

  • Small and portable.

  • Come with a cutting-edge operating system.

Cons

  • The user interface on the Max is difficult to master.

5. LG PF50KA Portable Full HD LED Smart Home Theater Projector 

Important Specifications 

  • Model Name: PF50KA

  • Hardware Interface: USB

  • Mounting Type: Tabletop

  • Brand: LG

  • Brightness Rating: 600 Lumen

  • Controller Type: Button Control

  • Item Weight: 3.97 Pounds

  • Control Method: Remote

Product's highlights

The build quality is as good as you'd expect from an LG product, and it's glossy and eye-catching enough to hang permanently in a living room or home theater. With the LG Smart TV backend, accessing all of your favorite content from a variety of streaming destinations with a remote is a breeze. LG Portable Full HD LED Smart Home Theater Projector is fantastic on its own, but it also works well with other Bluetooth devices such as soundbars and smart devices aside from iPhones and iPads, and any other Mac device for that matter. If you want to connect wirelessly, only Android and Windows devices are supported. With a USB-C connection that allows for super-fast file transfer and displays from streaming and gaming devices alike, the possibilities for plug and play are limitless.

Pros

  • LG Smart TV is extremely user-friendly.

  • Bluetooth compatibility is excellent.

  • Capabilities for Plug and Play

Cons

  • Wireless connectivity is only available for Windows and Android.


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Last update on Oct 24, 2022 6:55 AM / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the brightness specifications for a home projector?

If you have decided to use the projector at home, you must consider how frequently you will use it.

For instance, if you want to use the projector in-room during the day, a brightness of 10000 - 2000 Lumen is ideal.

On the contrary, if you only use the projector at night, you may want to consider some devices with lower brightness.

5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector, TOPTRO TR23 Outdoor Projector 1080P Supported 9200 Lumen, Mini Projector with 360 Degree Surround Sound, Dust-Proof, Projector Compatible with TV Stick, iOS, Android, PS5

2. Is there anything I should avoid doing when installing the projector?

The priority is always to install according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then you must ensure that you do not make mistakes such as installing the projector next to a heat pipe, in hazardous areas, or where there is no minimum space between the screen and the projector.

3. Is it necessary for me to be concerned about the rights to display videos from streaming platforms?

Yes, the answer is yes. Because an adapter is required if you want to watch videos on this platform on a device that does not support display permissions. Accessing it will be much easier if your projector supports app downloads.


Final Words

Choosing a device with as many different features as a projector is never an easy task, especially when your budget is limited.

However, you have the most excellent suggestions with the list of the best projector under 500. You can find the product that works best for you based on your specific needs.


5
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Carwyn Robert
Carwyn Robert
Carwyn Robert is a PC Gaming enthusiast, he has reviewed gaming chairs (and office chairs) since 2018. Furthermore, he worked with some of the biggest brands in the industry to test new products and provide feedback.