Products at a Glance
How We Picked
There are so many things to consider when choosing a new projector. If you’re not entirely sure what to look for in terms of specs, it can be an overwhelming experience. How can you know that your chosen projector is worth the investment? What kind of features are considered essential when it comes to projectors? How compatible is it with your games console, computer, or smartphone?
With so many different styles of projector available it can be difficult knowing which ones are worth taking a look at, and which ones should be discounted immediately. There’s no need to worry though. We’ve taken a look at hundreds of products to determine the best cheap projector for you. We’ve taken a look at factors such as display resolution, versatility, and of course, price, among many others to determine the best of the best.
So let’s get stuck in with the best cheap projector!
Things to consider
Compatibility
One of the most important things to consider when choosing the best cheap projector for your needs is how compatible it will be. You may have different uses in mind, such as streaming videos from your phone, using it as a screen for your games console, or watching your favorite shows and movies via Netflix. Whatever uses you have in mind, you need to choose a projector that will work with your devices.
What connector lead does it require to hook up to your laptop or games console? Most devices will be compatible with an HDMI cable, however, it’s worth bearing in mind that this might not be included as an extra with the projector. Does your chosen projector allow you to hook it up to your phone? If this is the case, you may need to buy an additional cable converter that will allow you to convert the USB cable of your phone to the HDMI connector on the projector.
Utility power vs battery operated
Another thing to consider is how you’re going to power your chosen cheap projector. If you want to use it around the home, it shouldn’t matter too much whether it uses utility power or if it’s battery powered. However, if you plan on taking your new projector with you on camping trips, things get a little more complicated.
There’s no guarantee that there’ll be a power supply within easy reach when you’re out camping. So in this case it will be better to opt for a battery powered projector. However, this may also influence the price of your projector, depending on models available. You will also need to bear in mind how many hours’ worth of playtime you’ll get from a single charge. There’ll be nothing worse than getting halfway through a movie only for the projector to cut out halfway through when it runs out of battery!
Display
You should consider what type of display you want your new projector to achieve. Bear in mind that as you’re opting for a cheap projector, you won’t be able to get the high quality 4K display that other more expensive projectors are able to offer. Instead, you should look for a good quality display that will allow you to watch your favorite shows or play through your favorite games without too much blurring or distortion.
The best cheap projectors will be able to offer you a display of 720p and support 1080p display input. This will mean that you get the best detail you can for your budget. The brightness of the image will also be a key factor to consider, so you should choose a good contrast ratio of between 2000:1 and 4000:1. Another thing to consider is what size display the projector is able to offer you. Is it on the smaller scale of 65 inches? Or more in the range of 100 inches?
Product Reviews
- Widely compatible
- Wide projection distance
- Quiet operation
- 3 year warranty
- Projects 480p
The Vankyo Leisure 3 projector is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a portable entry level projector. This particular cheap projector offers you a range of great features and fantastic functionality and all at a great price. The Vankyo Leisure 3 supports 1920×1080 resolution with a 2000:1 contrast ratio making it the best fit for home entertainment. This particular projector will display up to 176 inches.
Another great feature of this particular cheap projector is that it’s compatible with a range of devices. You can use it to project from your games console such as the Xbox One or PS4 for a more immersive gaming experience. You can connect it to your smartphone or tablet to watch your favorite shows and movies in even more detail. This versatility makes it a great choice if you’re looking for a projector that can be used for a variety of things.
You can easily adjust the screen size of the projector. Choose from a screen size of 32 inches up to an impressive 176 inches. While the projector will work at distances between 4.9ft to 16.4ft, the manufacturer recommends viewing it at 6.5ft. This should give you the best graphics so that you can enjoy your favorite shows or games in style.
This cheap projector is super quiet to operate. It features a unique fan suppression system to keep the unit quiet while you use it. There is an innovative cooling system in place for superior heat dissipation so that it can work effectively.
Overall the Vankyo Leisure 3 projector is a solid choice in terms of performance, but at a more affordable price than competitive products.
- Stand included
- Highly compatible
- 4000:1 contrast ratio
- 3 year warranty
- Can’t connect to external speaker
The MVV 1080p WiFi projector is another solid choice if you want a cheap projector that also comes with great connectivity. This particular projector offers a range of connectors to suit your various devices. It comes with HDMI, VGA, AV, and USB interfaces to make it compatible with smartphones, games consoles, and other devices. Great if you want to use it with multiple devices in your home! Not only that, but you can also connect your devices to the projector via WiFi for easier connectivity.
This particular cheap projector is able to support 1080p resolution, and delivers a resolution of 720p. The projector focuses on eliminating blurry edges and pixelated images to give you the quality HD movie experience that you’re after. Great if you’re fed up with inferior projectors being blurry no matter how much you adjust the settings. The MVV projector is also proud to offer more than 3 times the brightness of competitive products.
Another handy feature of this particular projector is that it comes with an included stand. This gives you everything you need for creating the ultimate movie experience right in your own home! You can use the projector and the supplied 100 inch screen outside for a unique viewing experience.
The manufacturer of this particular projector offers a 3 year warranty with it to give you more peace of mind. They also offer a money back guarantee if you’re not 100% satisfied with your purchase. They’re also happy to offer customers technical support to help you set up your new projector should you need it.
The MVV 1080p WiFi projector is an excellent choice if you want a projector that comes with all the technology you need to work it, as well as offering great connectivity.
- Detailed 720p projection
- 100 inch image
- Download and stream
- Portable
- Pricier
The Anker Nebula Capsule Max projector is the choice for you if portability is important. This particular projector is a more compact size than traditional models and can be easily transported anywhere. You can easily pack away the projector to bring with you on your travels or to take over to a friend’s house. Perfect if you want to take it camping, too!
This particular projector will give you unrivaled detail. The projector itself will display videos up to 720p on a 100 inch screen. In terms of brightness, the Anker Nebula Capsule Max features 200 ANSI lumens to give you the vibrant detail that you’re after. It also features clever technology to reduce eye strain. You’ll get 4 hours’ worth of playtime from a single charge. You can also project from any angle to get the best viewing experience.
Another great feature of this particular projector is that it’s super compatible with a range of devices. You can download and stream YouTube, Netflix, and many others directly to the device for ease. You can even use the Nebula Connect app on your phone to control your Netflix as you watch.
The projector also features HDMI and USB connectors so that you can also use it with your other home devices. This projector also features built in 8W speakers so that you can create the ultimate home cinema experience.
All in all the Anker Nebula Capsule Max is an excellent choice if portability is your major concern.
- True HD 720p
- Built in media player
- Widely compatible
- Built in stereo speakers
- Not easily portable
The Philips NeoPix Easy 2+ is the projector for you if you want a built in media player. This particular projector allows you to play videos and even songs via USB or microSD. Perfect if you want to use your projector for more than just watching movies! The projector also comes with built in stereo speakers for on the go sound.
In terms of specs, this is a pretty solid competitor. It’s able to support a resolution of 1280x720p, and is able to project in True HD 720p. The projector itself is able to project a 65 inch display, which will be more than enough for you and your family to enjoy without having to sacrifice on quality. This will be much better than a projector that displays a larger image but with less clarity.
Another great feature of this projector is how widely compatible it is. Not only can you display using a microSD card and USB cable, but it also features an HDMI port. This will be great if you want to use your new projector for gaming with your favorite consoles. Ideal if you want a more versatile projector that can be used for multiple purposes.
What’s really great about this particular projector is that it offers you fantastic image corrections. You can place the projector wherever you want to, and easily adjust the displayed image so that you get the best viewing experience. The projector uses digital keystone, digital zoom, and panel flip functions to give you the best display.
Overall the Philips NeoPix Easy 2+ is a solid choice if you want a versatile projector with a range of great specs.
- Widely compatible
- 3000:1 contrast ratio
- Built in speakers
- Advanced cooling system
- No stand included
The TopVision T21 projector is an impressive model that offers a range of great specs but at a more affordable price. This projector is able to support 1920x1080p display and projects images in 720p. It comes with an impressive 3000:1 contrast ratio, and has an upgraded 4000lux, making it brighter than most projectors.
Another great feature of this projector is that you can play videos straight from your phone via the USB connector. You won’t need to buy an additional HDMI converter cable in order to use it. You can even use your laptop, Firestick, or Chromecast to watch things on Netflix. In terms of other connectivity, the TopVision T21 projector comes with VGA, USB, HDMI, AV, and SD connectors. Perfect if you want to connect multiple devices to your new projector.
A unique feature of this particular projector is that it includes a built in speaker system. The speakers are 3W HiHi stereo speakers with an SRS sound system to give you a truly impressive home cinema experience. So you won’t have to worry about your computer or phone having to be hooked up to a separate set of speakers.
The TopVision T21 projector also features an advanced cooling system to keep it in top shape. The cooling system features 2 independent intelligent speed control fans to efficiently dissipate heat. You can easily adjust the speed of the fans yourself to change the temperature of the projector and improve its longevity. This can also help to reduce the projector’s power consumption and extend the lamp life for up to 80,000 hours.
This particular cheap projector is another solid choice in terms of value for money.
Things to consider
Compatibility
One of the most important things to consider when choosing the best cheap projector for your needs is how compatible it will be. You may have different uses in mind, such as streaming videos from your phone, using it as a screen for your games console, or watching your favorite shows and movies via Netflix. Whatever uses you have in mind, you need to choose a projector that will work with your devices.
What connector lead does it require to hook up to your laptop or games console? Most devices will be compatible with an HDMI cable, however, it’s worth bearing in mind that this might not be included as an extra with the projector. Does your chosen projector allow you to hook it up to your phone? If this is the case, you may need to buy an additional cable converter that will allow you to convert the USB cable of your phone to the HDMI connector on the projector.
Utility power vs battery operated
Another thing to consider is how you’re going to power your chosen cheap projector. If you want to use it around the home, it shouldn’t matter too much whether it uses utility power or if it’s battery powered. However, if you plan on taking your new projector with you on camping trips, things get a little more complicated.
There’s no guarantee that there’ll be a power supply within easy reach when you’re out camping. So in this case it will be better to opt for a battery powered projector. However, this may also influence the price of your projector, depending on models available. You will also need to bear in mind how many hours’ worth of playtime you’ll get from a single charge. There’ll be nothing worse than getting halfway through a movie only for the projector to cut out halfway through when it runs out of battery!
Display
You should consider what type of display you want your new projector to achieve. Bear in mind that as you’re opting for a cheap projector, you won’t be able to get the high quality 4K display that other more expensive projectors are able to offer. Instead, you should look for a good quality display that will allow you to watch your favorite shows or play through your favorite games without too much blurring or distortion.
The best cheap projectors will be able to offer you a display of 720p and support 1080p display input. This will mean that you get the best detail you can for your budget. The brightness of the image will also be a key factor to consider, so you should choose a good contrast ratio of between 2000:1 and 4000:1. Another thing to consider is what size display the projector is able to offer you. Is it on the smaller scale of 65 inches? Or more in the range of 100 inches?
Our Verdict
The Vankyo Leisure 3 easily earns the top spot in our lineup. This particular projector offers a range of great specs and at a reasonable price to boot.
Next up is the MVV 1080p WiFi projector. This cheap projector comes with a handy 100 inch stand for you to use, and offers unparalleled connectivity to help you connect your various home devices.
Third in our lineup is the Anker Nebula Capsule Max. While this projector is pricier than some of the competitors on our list, it still comes with a range of great features that make it a worthy mention, especially its easy portability.
The Philips NeoPix Easy2+ is next up in our list of the best cheap projectors. This projector is a solid choice if you want a cheap projector that will give you a range of excellent specs.
Last but not least is the TopVision T21. This projector offers you a range of great specs but at a more affordable price to give you great value for money.
And so our guide for the best cheap projector comes to an end! You should now know everything there is to know about cheap projectors without having to compromise on quality. All of the products we’ve selected will be perfect for your needs. Want to ask us a question about the best cheap projector? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll be more than happy to help!