Are you looking for the best home theater projector for under $500? A projector under 500 bucks not only means affordability but also fulfillment. A projector will give you a pleasant environment to enjoy your favorite movie with the family in the comfort of your home.
Projectors are vast becoming popular with companies, schools, and now at homes. Buying a projector is a priceless substitute for expensive, big-screen TV from a renowned manufacturer. Both movie and game enthusiasts are turning to projectors because they help enhance the size of the image up to 300 times without breaking a bank.
Currently, the home theatre projector market is flooded with a wide variety of projectors. This makes the choice of the best home theatre projector very hard to find. But do not be worried about that because we have done the hard part for you. We have searched through the hundreds of home theater projectors to bring you the best of the best in the market.
The home theatre projectors under 500 that we have included in this post were selected based on picture quality, inbuilt speakers, easy portability, and inbuilt Wi-Fi which will allow you to stream your favorite movie from Netflix or YouTube.
We have carefully selected these projectors with salient features to ensure that you get satisfying performance. We have narrowed down the list to help you quickly select the one that best suits your needs.
This write-up gives you a complete guide to find the best home theatre projector according to you. Without much ado, let’s start with the buying guide for the best home theater projector.
Buying Guide
When you want to purchase the best home theater projector for under $500, there are several things that you should take into consideration. In this section, we will cover some of the salient features that a projector should have. These features are paramount irrespective of the projector’s use:
– Type of projector
Projectors are available in two main types i.e. DLP and LCD. Each of these projector types comes with its merits and demerits. The one that you will settle for will be determined by how you are going to use it.
As we continue with the rest of the features below, you will be able to know the difference between the two and which one is ideal for what.
– Brightness
As opposed to common sense, the bright screen is not always the best. If you buy a projector that is too bright, it might serious eye problems. After staring at a bright screen for a long, you might end up with a headache.
To know the level of brightness that you need in a projector, consider where you are going to project the image. If the area you are going to project is dark, then you should buy a projector with dim brightness. On the other hand, if the room where you are going to project has plenty of light, then you should buy a projector with more brightness so that you can be able to see the images correctly.
– Throw distance
Another critical factor to consider is the distance between the projector and the screen. The throw distance will determine the clarity of the images formed. For projectors under the price range we are talking about here, they have a throw distance of up to 15 feet.
But, bigger and more expensive projectors have a longer throw distance of up to 30 feet. Therefore, before you buy any projector, ensure that you know the distance between your screen and the projector.
– Screen size
When we are talking about the size of the screen, we are not talking about the screen size of the projector. Rather, we are talking about the minimum or maximum sizes that the projector can be used to give an optimal viewing experience.
Therefore, before you buy a projector, you need to know the size of the surface where you are going to project upon. Equally important, you should know the distance between the projector and the screen.
When the measurements align with the projector, you will have the best viewing experience.
– Resolution
Resolution is a key factor to consider when buying a home theater projector. The higher the resolution, the better the image quality produced. If you want to enjoy high-quality images, go for a projector with a higher resolution.
Most projectors come with a fixed resolution, which limits the quality of the image produced no matter what is fed into it.
It is advisable to go for a projector with a wide array of resolutions so that it will allow you to adjust the resolution to the one that best suits your viewing needs. However, projectors with higher resolution power are costlier than the $500 mark.
– Connectivity
There is a wide variety of connection types. Ensure that the projector you can has a connectivity that is compatible with your device. There are projectors with wireless connections while others connect via HDMI cable. If you are looking for a projector with the best picture quality, then go for a wired type.
On the other hand, old school projectors use the RCA connectors. Therefore, ensure that you are aware of the type of connectivity that you can be able to handle easily.
– Contrast
Contrast is the difference between light and darkness. The bigger the difference between the two, the higher the contrast. The best home theater projector is one that has an adjustable contrast. An adjustable contrast allows you to adjust the image until you get the look that you prefer.
– Bulb Life
Among all the parts of the projector, the bulb is the most expensive. Besides that, a projector’s bulb is the hardest to switch out. Therefore, ensure that the projector you buy has a long-lasting bulb.
Getting a projector with a long-lasting bulb will save you the cost of acquiring a new bulb any time soon. We recommend that you look for a projector with a life span of at least 10,000 hours.
– Compatibility
Due to the advancement in technology, there are formats that are not compatible with modern computers. For this reason, ensure that the projector you purchase is compatible with your computer. Also, if you have other devices like a Mac book, the projector should be compatible with it as well.
Best Home Theater Projectors under 500 in 2021
1. ViewSonic PA503S
In our list today, ViewSonic PA503S is the editor’s choice as the best home theater projector under 500 bucks. It comes with some of the latest features which makes it stand out from the rest.
ViewSonic PA503S is user-friendly and very easy to maneuver. It comes with a DLP projection type which ensures that whether your projector is near or far away from the source, it will give you the best images.
It has a throw distance range of between 3.9 and 43 feet. Therefore, ViewSonic PA503S is versatile in its application. You can use it for home theater projection, office presentation, and outdoor projection.
In terms of image quality, ViewSonic PA503S has a bright contrast of 3600 lumens. This brightness is ideal for use in any location.
The bulb life of ViewSonic PA503S is 15,000 hours before you can replace it. For this price range, this bulb life is amazing.
There is a wide array of connectivity options to choose from. It supports the HDMI hookup, RCA, and VGA. The various connection options allow you to use different devices with the projector.
What’s more, ViewSonic PA503S comes with a warranty of 3 years from the date of purchase. Also, it can be used on a screen size ranging from 30 to 300 inches. The maximum supported resolution is 1080p and contrast of 22,000:1.
Pros
- Crisp images thanks to the DLP format
- Various connection options
- Throw distance is large
- Bulb life of up to 15,000 hours
- 3600 lumens of brightness
- Comes with a 3 years warranty
Cons
- None to note
2. Epson VS240 SVGA 3LCD Projector
Does your computer support the SVGA connection? Then you can use the Epson VS240 Projector. Also, if you are working on a budget you can buy this amazing projector.
It stands out for its high-quality video brightness and solid images. The Epson VS240 Projector is ideal for use in small rooms. The brightness is adjustable with a wide array of color accuracy.
In terms of brightness, the Epson VS240 Projector has a brightness if 3000 lumens which are sufficient to give high-quality images in a small room.
It can be used on a screen size of 600 x 800 inches. This size is ideal for projection of basic presentations that include images.
One thing that stands out about Epson VS240 Projector is its very easy to connect and use. There are no complicated connections and it is very easy to adjust.
It has a standard HDMI connection which is compatible with most media players and computers. Besides that, the bulb life of the Epson VS240 Projector is 10,000 hours. Also, it uses 3-chip technology which gives the nearly natural image quality and brilliant color display.
When you buy the Epson VS240 Projector, you will find a user’s manual which you can refer in case you encounter any difficulty when connecting.
In terms of design, the Epson VS240 Projector is compact and lightweight which makes it easy to carry from one place to another. Besides that, it comes with a sleeping mode when not in use.
Pros
- Compatible with the latest media devices
- Near natural image quality
- Lightweight and compact
- Uses 3-chip technology
- Ideal for use in small rooms
Cons
- The bulb life is wanting
3. Optoma HD 143X
Are you looking for the best home theater projector at a pocket-friendly price? Look no further than the Optoma HD 143X. Optoma is a renowned brand for its high-quality products including projectors.
The Optoma HD 143X is ideal for use in big screen size. It is ideal for use for entertainment purposes such as movies and sports.
It is lightweight and portable so you can carry it from one place to another without any inconvenience. Also, it has a sleek design which makes it appealing to look upon.
In terms of color and brightness, the Optoma HD 143X has a brightness of 3000 lumens which gives high-quality images.
The life span of the bulb of the Optoma HD 143X is 12,000 hours. For its price range, that is an impressive bulb life. Also, it has a resolution of 1080p. With this bulb life span, this projector can serve you for a long period.
What’s more, the Optoma HD 143X comes with a zoom feature that allows you to adjust the size of the screen that you want to use.
Also, it comes with an inbuilt speaker although the quality of the sound produced is wanting.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to use
- Multiple connection options
- Bulb life is amazing
- Crisp image quality
- Supports 3D
- Has a zoom function
Cons
- Generates heat
- The speaker quality is wanting
4. BenQ MW526AE
Although the BenQ MW526AE has a small throw distance of only 6.5 feet, it is an amazing projector for small rooms. The BenQ MW526AE makes up for the small throw distance with its ability to use on a large screen size of up to 300 inches.
It s easy to use this projector since it does not have any complicated connections. It is compatible with all manner of connections and formats.
The bulb life of BenQ MW526AE is 10,000 hours which is not very impressive. It supports 3D resolution and blu-array. Its brightness is 3300 lumens which give crisp images.
The BenQ MW526AE uses the DLP display technology leading to high-quality picture presentation.
Pros
- Ideal for small rooms
- Has a full 3D resolution
- The brightness of 3300 lumens
- Can be used on large screen size
- Has multiple resolutions
- Compatible with a wide array of connections
- Easy to use
Cons
- Short throw distance
- Bulb life is wanting
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5. Epson Home Cinema 760HD
One of the most renowned brands in the market is Epson due to their high-quality items. One of the best projectors for home theater use is the Epson Home Cinema 760HD. It connects via the VGA and has one of the best picture resolutions.
The Epson Home Cinema 760HD comes with a brightness of 3100 lumens with adjustable brightness and color.
It can connect via the HDMI cable with works for both audio and visual presentations. Besides that, the Epson Home Cinema 760HD comes with a bulb life span of 10,000 hours. That’s not all, the projector supports 3 LCD projection which is familiar for accurate color display with no rainbow artifact.
The throw distance of Epson Home Cinema 760HD ranges from 1.48 to 1.77 tele zoom. The resolution is HD 720p so you can be sure of high-quality images. You can enjoy a dynamic contrast of up to 15000:1.
Apart from that, the Epson Home Cinema 760HD comes with an inbuilt speaker. What’s more, it is lightweight and portable. So, you can carry it from one place to another without any inconvenience.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Does not have rainbow artifacts
- Ideal brightness for home theater
- 3 LCD technology
- Value for money
- Ideal for home theater use
- Connects via the HDMI
Cons
- Wanting speaker quality
Conclusion
The home theater projector market is laden with a wide variety of projectors, which is an advantage to the consumer because you can find a good projector at a pocket-friendly price. The home theater projectors that we have highlighted in this post offers superb image quality, a variety of connection options, near-natural color quality without crossing the 500 buck boundary.
Of the 5 best home theater projectors that we have included in this list, we would like to recommend the ViewSonic PA503S because of its high brightness making it ideal for use in any location, larger throw distance, crisp image quality, and a warranty of 3 years from the purchase date.
You can rest assured that any projector that you will choose from our list will meet your home theater needs. Happy shopping!!