This guide collects the best budget projectors for home theater use in 2023. All projectors in this post cost no more than $600 but have versatile features.
Best Budget Projector for a Home Theater
Anker Nebula Capsule II
- Price: $579.99
- Resolution: 1280×720
- Brightness: 200 ANSI Lumens
- Light Source: LED
This projector has a unique design and a small body. It looks like a cola and can be carried outside conveniently. In addition, it has a built-in battery, which has a standard battery life of 2.5 hours, which is suitable for use in your backyard or on a camping trip. Anker Nebula Capsule II is powered by Android TV, enabling users to access more than 5,000 apps, including Hulu, YouTube, and more.
As for images, the projector has a max image size of 100 inches, bigger than a common TV set. The downside of the Anker Nebula Capsule II is its brightness and resolution. Anker Nebula Capsule II has 720P resolution and 200 ANSI lumens, which is only suitable for use in dark environments.
Pros
- Unique Design
- Android TV OS
- Built-in Battery
- Auto Focus
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
Cons
- Low Brightness
- Low resolution for the price
Emotn N1
- Price: $399
- Resolution: 1920×1080
- Brightness: 500 ANSI Lumens
- Light Source: LED
Emotn N1 is a projector with Netflix Official certification. In addition to built-in Netflix, it also has versatile streaming platforms, including YouTube, Prime Video, and more.
Different from most portable projectors on the market, Emotn N1 has higher brightness of 500 ANSI Lumens. Coupled with 1080P resolution, the projector produces clear and bright images for users. It supports HDR10 and delivers images with rich dark details. Besides, Emotn N1 supports autofocus and auto keystone, making image adjustment convenient and quick. In view of excellent image performance, the projector is a good choice for home theater use.
Pros
- Built-in Netflix
- 1080P resolution
- HDR10
- Built-in 2 x 5W Speakers
- Long Light Source
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
Cons
- No Google Play Store
YABER K1
- Price: $499
- Resolution: 1920×1080
- Brightness: 650 ANSI Lumens
- Light Source: LED
Compared with the projectors listed above, the YABER K1 projector is relatively bulky, but the projector is slightly brighter. It adopts LED as a light source and produces 650 ANSI Lumens. The brightness is higher than most budget projectors for a similar price tag. In addition, it has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring quick and convenient wireless connectivity.
Regarding optical parameters, YABER K1 has a max image size of 150 inches, but it has a longer throw ratio. That is to say, the projector requires a longer distance to project the same image size as short-throw projectors.
Pros
- 1080P resolution
- 650 ANSI Lumens
- 150” Image
- Wi-Fi 6
- Auto Focus and Auto Keystone
Cons
- No Smart OS
- No Netflix
ViewSonic M2e
- Price: $ 499.99
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Brightness: 1000 LED Lumens
- Light Source: LED
ViewSonic M2e is a budget projector with FHD resolution and 1000 LED lumens. The projector has exquisite workmanship and a holder at the bottom to adjust the projection angle and image height. The design is careful and useful for users who need to adjust the image height to fit the screen.
Regarding audio, the projector has dual Harman/Kardon speakers. As it has Bluetooth, you can also connect it to a Bluetooth speaker to get better and more sonorous speakers.
Pros
- Unique Design
- 1080P Resolution
- Dual Harman/Kardon speaker
- 16GB ROM
Cons
- No Netflix
ETOE E3 Pro
- Price: $399
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Brightness: 350 ANSI lumens
- Light Source: LED
ETOE E3 Pro is also a cost-efficient projector. The projector is powered by Android TV and also has built-in Netflix. If you prefer Netflix to watch movies or shows, then it is a good option for a home theater projector. Equipped with dual 10W speakers, the projector has a powerful and clear sound.
This projector is also a 1080P projector, whose image is crisp. The downside is that the projector has just 350 ANSI lumens and it is not suitable for use in well-lit rooms.
Pros
- 1080P
- Android TV
- Certified Netflix
- Dual 10W speakers
Cons
- Not Bright Enough
Home Theater Projector Buyer Guide
Here are the top considerations for picking a good projector.
Resolution
The resolution of the projector determines the image quality. The higher the resolution, the clearer the picture will be. Most projectors on the market have 720P, 1080P, and even 4K.
Lumens
Another key factor is brightness. Brighter images are less likely to be washed out by other light sources, such as lamps or uncovered windows. Brightness is measured in lumens; the higher the lumen count, the brighter and stronger your projection will be.
Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio indicates the difference between the light and dark of an image, usually measured as the ratio of white to black. Higher contrast means whiter whites, blacker blacks, and a more impactful image.
Autofocus
Some projectors come with a built-in autofocus feature that adjusts the projection image automatically. If the projector has no autofocus, then you need to adjust the focus manually.
Content
If you want to watch movies or shows via the projector directly, then you need to check the content of the projector. For example, the streaming apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Videos, etc. Some projectors have built-in Netflix, then you have no need to connect your projector to a TV stick. However, if the projector has no similar apps, you need to connect it to external devices.
Audio
The audio is also a key factor when choosing a projector. If a projector is equipped with powerful speakers, then you can get a better and clear sound. Some projectors have no built-in speakers and you have to connect it to external devices to get sound.
Conclusion
Most projectors in this list are equipped with 1080P resolution and convenient focus and keystone. The difference is their brightness, content, and audio configuration. Among the projectors in the list, Emotn N1 has good overall performance, including brightness, content, and audio performance.
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