There is various best projector under 500 dollars. If you are confused, which one should you choose?

Then don’t worry about it. I have shortlisted some top 10 projectors.

There are various types of projectors I have added to this list. So there is a variety of projectors.

No matter which purpose you are going to buy the projector. To watch movies inside or outside.

Or you have to play video games. By connecting the console to your projector.

If you are a business person. You can also choose the best budget presentation projector.

Editor’s Choice: Overall Best.

ViewSonic PA503W is the best projector under 500 dollars:-

• It’s a bang for buck.
• Good for the watching movies and business presentation.
• You can project very sharp image from the projector.
• Gaming experience is good on this projector.
• This projector can project very bright images.

Best projectors under 500 [Gaming, Business, Home theatre]

ViewSonic PA503W 

Features:-

• Screen Size: 300 inches
• Resolution: 1280×800
• Throw Ratio: 1.55:1 – 1.70:1
• Brightness: 3,600 ANSI Lumens
• Aspect Ratio: 16:10
• Contrast Ratio: 22,000:1
• Input Lag: 1080p/60: 16ms

ViewSonic PA503W (Amazon Link) is the best business projector. If you are looking for a projector under 500 dollars.

Because now you don’t need to do the office presentation in the dim room.

This projector got lots of brightness. You can easily use this projector. In the room. Where is the ambient light?

It’s a business projector. That’s why you will get the 1280×800 resolution. And 22,000:1 contrast.

But this projector is also good for movie sessions. No matter indoor or outdoor. Gaming is also good on this projector.

There are also some downsides to this projector. Its speakers are crap. I will highly suggest you spend on good external speakers.

Also, it’s a little bit tough to set up this projector. If you are going to use this projector. It also overheat.

Pros and Cons.

• Pros
• Very bright image.
• Sharp image quality.
• Good for business purposes as well as movies.
• You can also buy this projector for casual gaming.

• Cons
• Crap speakers.
• The projector gets overheat.
• Not easy to set up.

Anker NEBULA Capsule Max 

Features:-

• Screen Size: 100 inches
• Resolution: 1280×720
• Throw Ratio: 1.30:1
• Brightness: 200 ANSI Lumens
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Contrast Ratio: 600:1
• Input Lag: 75.8 ms – 125.9 ms

Anker Nebula capsule max (Amazon Link) is a very handy projector. Comes with a cylindrical shape. 

On the top of the projector. You will get the navigational touch buttons.

Also, this projector comes with a remote. Capsule Max also has built speakers. Which is sufficient.

This projector has an android but does not come with the Play Store. But it has a nebula store.

Don’t worry, if you need some other apps. That is not available, for that you can connect your firestick with your projector.

The image is good, but not wow on this projector. Try to avoid lots of ambient light. When you are using this projector.

It has auto focus features. So it does not matter. At which angle did you set up this projector?

You can buy a portable tripod for this projector. As a stand.

Pros and Cons.

• Pros
• Good speakers.
• The image is reasonably good.
• Portable.
• Autofocus.
• HDMI in port.

• Cons
• No play store.

Anker NEBULA Apollo 

Features:-

• Screen Size: 100 inches
• Resolution: 854×480
• Throw Ratio: 1.30:1
• Brightness: 200 ANSI Lumens
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Contrast Ratio: N/A
• Input Lag: N/A

This projector comes with an android. So it’s an obvious thing. You can install different apps. To stream the content.

Anker Nebula Apollo (Amazon Link) has 480p resolution with 200 ANSI lumens. Which is good when you are using the projector in the darkroom.

After fully charging this projector. You will be able to use this projector for four hours.

If you want you can connect the projector to your IOS device wirelessly. To projector your content from your iPhone.

It has small speakers. So its speaker might not be able to give you the complete cinematic experience.

Then you can use the aux port in this projector to connect with the speaker. Or you can wirelessly connect your speakers with a projector.

On the top of the projector, you will get the navigation buttons. You can also use that touchpad as a mouse.

It’s easy to navigate overall. But especially when you are watching Netflix on your projector. It’s very useful.

Pros and Cons.

• Pros
• Great design.
• Connect wirelessly.
• It has a built-in battery.
• Acceptable image quality.
• Smart projector.

• Cons
• Weak speakers.
• Only 480p.

XGIMI MoGo Pro

Features:-

• Screen Size: 100 inches
• Resolution: 1920×1080
• Throw Ratio: 1.20:1
• Brightness: 300 ANSI Lumens
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Contrast Ratio: N/A
• Input Lag: N/A

This projector design is very slick. It has a built in android TV. So here you have access to various types of streaming apps.

Most of the time. If you are not getting a streaming app that is not available by default.

For that, you can connect our Roku stick to your projector.

Despite XGIMI MoGo Pro (Amazon Link) having a compact design. In this projector, you will get the in built speaker by harman kardon and a battery.

If you charge this projector full once. You can use this projector for two hours.

Its speakers are quite good. I am sure you won’t need any external speakers for your projector. 

But if you need to connect external speakers. Then you can connect the wireless speaker to the projector.

Fan noise on this projector virtually does not exist. Do you have a USB stick? 

Then you can easily connect your USB stick and watch movies. You don’t need to connect any streaming device to the projector.

If you are planning to use this projector on battery. Then remember you won’t get full brightness.

And also if you connect your speaker. When you are operating on a battery. Then your battery will drain soon.

So, remember these things. When you are going to buy this projector.

Pros and Cons.

• Pros
• Android/Smart projector.
• Connect wirelessly with the speaker.
• You can play movies with a USB stick.
• Its speakers are good indoors.
• Bright enough to operate in a semi dark room.

• Cons
• Built-in batteries don’t make that sense.

FATORK Mini Projector 

Features:-

• Screen Size: 114″
• Resolution: 854 x 480
• Throw Ratio: N/A
• Brightness: 7500 lux
• Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
• Contrast Ratio: N/A
• Input Lag: N/A

This FATORK Mini Projector (Amazon Link) is comparatively smaller than the iPhone 14 pro max.

But this projector has quite a good image. If our projector is in a dark room you will get the image. 

Which looks good from far away. But when you sit near the projector. You will realize your image is not in high definition.

This little projector can wirelessly connect to your iOS and Android devices. 

HDMI in port available in this projector. So you can easily connect your streaming stick to the projector. 

And also a DVD player. It will give you access to a wide range of content to watch. 

The Fatork Mini projector has its battery. Which works long enough to run some movies.

If you have good luck with this projector. You can connect the projector to iOS and Android. Using the cable.

But sometimes it does not work. If you want to connect your smartphone to the projector wirelessly.

It won’t work when you try to projector Netflix content. 

Pros and Cons.

• Pros
• Ready pack and go to travel.
• For the projector size image quality is good.
• It has a built-in battery.
• Have an HDMI input port.

• Cons
• It’s not good when it comes to connecting with iOS and Android devices.

ViewSonic M2e 

Features:-

• Screen Size: 100 inches
• Resolution: Native 1920×1080
• Throw Ratio: 1.21:1
• Brightness: 400 ANSI Lumens
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Contrast Ratio: N/A
• Input Lag: 66ms

This is a gorgeous looking projector. It will remind you of Apple TV. Let’s see how this projector performs.

In the daylight with the window shades down. This projector works very well.

Your kids watch cartoons on this projector. But if you open the window shades. The image will wash out.

ViewSonic M2e (Amazon Link) can be powered up by the wall power outlet. Or you can connect this projector to the power bank.

And also it’s a portable projector. So, it’s very easy to carry for outdoor movie night.

For entertainment purposes, you can also connect the projector to the Apple TV. So you can stream good quality content.

This projector is an android projector. So, you will get some inbuilt apps.

If you are a beginner to operate the projector. You have to just plug in the projector. Directly from the power source. 

And a project on the projector screen. Because this projector has auto keystone and autofocus features.

It has an inbuilt speaker by harman kardon. Which is enough for indoor movie night. For outdoor activities, you have to invest in speakers.

The noise level on this projector is very minimal.

Pros and Cons.

• Pros
• Easy to set up.
• This projector has native 1080p. Images have good clarity.
• Good design.
• Portable. 
• Easy to take outdoors.
• Keystone correction and Autofocus.

• Cons
• Mirroring does not work.
• Not built for serious gamers.

Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-FH02 

Features:-

• Screen Size: 390 inches
• Resolution: 1920×1080
• Throw Ratio: 1.19:1
• Brightness: 3,000 ANSI Lumens
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Contrast Ratio: N/A
• Input Lag: N/A

If you want your five hundred dollars. To spend on the trusted brand projector.

This projector could be a great option for you. It has 3LCD imaging technology.

Which makes sure you will get the color accurate image. In comparison to a DLP projector.

Also, it has 3000 lumens. So you don’t need to worry about the ambient light in your room.

It’s very portable. You can carry it outside for a backyard movie night. 

When it’s come to picture quality. This Epson projector has a 1080p resolution. 

In the box of the projector. You will get the Epson streaming device. Which is powered by Android TV.

In this projector, you won’t get the mounting hole. Also, there is only one speaker on the projector.

This projector has a wireless option available. To connect with your speaker. 

But it’s not promising. It takes a lot’s effort to connect your wireless speaker to connect with the projector. 

And often it’s disconnected. This is the biggest problem.

Pros and Cons.

• Pros
• The bright image in any light condition.
• Color-accurate image.
• It’s portable and easy to carry.
• Great for indoor and outdoor use.
• 1080p projector.

• Cons
• You can not hang this projector from the ceiling.
• The wireless connection is not good.

Anker NEBULA Solar 

Features:-

• Screen Size: 120 inches
• Resolution: 1920×1080
• Throw Ratio: 1.20:1
• Brightness: 400 ANSI Lumens
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Contrast Ratio: 1,000:1
• Input Lag: 27ms

No matter what your purpose is buy a projector. For gaming or movies.

This projector can fulfill all your intentions. When it comes to entertainment.

You will get the android tv built in. You can stream content from the most famous streaming platforms.

Like Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Disney Plus, etc. 

It’s easy to connect your gaming console to the projector. And there is one different thing.

When it’s come to gaming on this projector. You can log in to your steam account. 

And you can connect the gaming controller to the projector. And play games.

If you want to take the full potential of a projector battery. I will suggest that you first fully charge the projector.

Anker claims that. You can use this projector for three hours on battery.

When I use this projector. It runs for three and a half hours. No worries if you don’t have the projector screen.

You can directly project on the wall. Because on this projector you will get the right color wall setting.

So, you can adjust the wall color setting. According to your wall color.

It’s also easy to set up this projector because. You will get the autofocus and keystone correction features on this projector.

I will suggest you use this projector in the dark room. For the best possible image quality.

Pros and Cons.

• Pros
• It can run up to three and a half hours.
• Wall color settings.
• Inbuilt Android TV.
• Portable.

• Cons
• Nothing to say.

BenQ MW560 

Features:-

• Screen Size: 150 inchs
• Resolution: 1280×800
• Throw Ratio: 1.55:1 – 1.70:1
• Brightness: 4,000 ANSI Lumens
• Aspect Ratio: 16:10
• Contrast Ratio: 20,000:1
• Input Lag: N/A

Looking for the best projector. That you can use it in a bright room. For movies and business presentations.

If you have a very bright living room. Where you want to project some movies. During the daytime.

You will get a good picture. That you can enjoy. Also for the business presentation, this projector is great.

Because you can project very good quality presentations. In the bright room.

Also in this projector, you will get the various bulb power consumption modes. 

So, you can take care of your projector bulb health. And you don’t need to replace your projector lamp or bulb.

In this projector. There are lots of connection options available. VGA, HDMI, USB and audio jack out port, etc.

So, you won’t have any issues. When it comes to connecting your gaming console or streaming device with the projector.

Or you have to connect your speakers to the projector. 

Pros and Cons.

• Pros
• Very bright projector.
• Good for movies.
• Best for the business presentation.
• Lots of connections are available.
• Various power consumption modes.

• Cons
• A little bit bulky.

ABoolon outdoor projector

Features:-

• Screen Size: 500″
• Resolution: 1080P
• Lamp Life: 100000 Hours
• Brightness: 900 ANSI
• Projection Technology: 3LCD
• Contrast Ratio: 15000:1
• Speakers: 10W

This projector looks bulky. But this projector is lightweight. Easy to carry anywhere.

When you connect your projector and the smartphone with the projector. And mirror your smartphone screen on the projector.

Its image looks good even in a bright room. The speakers of this projector are good.

You can easily connect your projector to the laptop. To projector images.

In this projector, you will get the keystone correction option. So, no matter how you place the projector. 

Also, it has a zoom feature to make the setup easy. You don’t need the projector screen. You can project it on the wall.

The fan noise of this projector is not a big deal. But you can not mirror Netflix from your smartphone.

Pros and Cons.

• Pros
• You can mirror your phone screen. To project normal content.
• Have a zoom and keystone correction.
• Easy to set up.
• Portable and lightweight.

• Cons
• Can’t mirror Netflix content.

How to choose the best projector under 500?

Want to spend wisely on the projector? Then make sure to remember these points. 

While choosing the projector.

Screen Size

People buy the projector for the cinematic experience at home. The projector can project various sizes of the image.

While choosing the projector. Make sure you choose the projector according to your screen size.

If you have one. Or if you are planning to buy a projector screen. Choose according to that.

I have planned to put a projector on the wall. Then make sure you choose the projector. Which can project at least a 100-inch screen.

Resolution

Resolution is one of the most important things. When it’s come to projector image quality.

There is various projector you will get on the list. 480p, 720p, 1280×800 and 1080p. 

Don’t expect the native 4k projectors in the list. Because for that, you have to pay a lot more.

When you are going to use the projector for the proper home cinema. Then I will suggest you go with the 1080p projector.

And for the business, you should go with the 1280×800.

Going to buy the projector for casual movie nights and streaming. Go with 480p and 720p.

Brightness

If you aim to use the projector in the bright room for the movies and the business meeting.

Then I will suggest you buy the projector with 3000 ANSI lumens. Or more.

If you will use the projector for movies in a dark room. Or you will use the projector in the room with some ambient light.

200 to 400 ANSI lumens will be good to go.

Aspect Ratio 

For business purposes. You should choose the projector. Which has a 16:10 aspect ratio.

While for movies and gaming, the 16:9 aspect ratio is good.

Contrast Ratio

The contrast ratio is also a major point. To notice, if you want good image quality from your projector.

The contrast ratio is the difference between the white and black parts of the projector.

More the contrast ratio. Your projector have. The more images will look good.

Conclusion: Best projectors under 500.

Choosing the projector between lots of options. It’s very frustrating. 

But no worries. Here I have shortlisted some best projectors that you can buy for under 500 dollars.

Under the five hundred dollar projector. You will get a lot’s features that will make your business presentation and movie nights memorable.

See you next time…