Best Projectors Under 500 USD [Top Rated 2023]

In recent years, projectors have become popular for home entertainment systems and business presentations because they have a bigger screen than most TVs and cost less. But it can be hard to find a good projector for less than $500 because so many models and brands are on the market. This article will discuss the best projectors under 500 USD based on picture quality, brightness, contrast, ease of use, and overall value for money. Our list of projectors will help you find the right one for your budget and needs, whether you want to watch movies or sports or give presentations.

Top 5 Best Projectors Under 500 USD

We discussed here the top 5 projectors under 500 USD for you please find details below.

1. YABER V6 Portable Home Theater Projector

YABER V6 Portable Home Theater Projector

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If you want a projector that can connect to WiFi and Bluetooth, the YABER V6 Portable Home Theater Projector is a great choice. This projector is bright enough for outdoor movie nights, presentations, and gaming sessions, with a brightness of 13000 lumens.

One of the best things about the YABER V6 is that it has a native 1080p resolution, which makes images that are sharp, clear, and have accurate colors.

It also works with 4K content, which makes it perfect for streaming movies and shows from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

The projector’s ability to connect to 5G WiFi is a big plus because it lets you stream without lag or buffering. It also has Bluetooth 5.0, which lets you connect to wireless headphones or speakers for a more immersive audio experience.

The YABER V6 is easy to set up and has a 4-point keystone correction feature that helps adjust the shape and alignment of the image on the screen. The projector also has a 50% zoom, making it easy to change the image size without moving the device.

This projector’s HDMI, USB, and VGA ports make it work with a wide range of devices, such as laptops, smartphones, and game consoles. The YABER V6 is great for large groups and events because it can show a picture up to 300 inches wide.

Pros
  • High-quality images are possible with native 1080p resolution and 4K support.

  • With a brightness of 13000 lumens, images are clear and bright, and the light can be used outside.

  • 5G WiFi connectivity lets you stream smoothly without pauses.

  • Bluetooth 5.0 lets you connect to wireless audio.

  • Easy image adjustments can be made with a 4-point keystone correction and a 50% zoom.

  • Up to 300 inches of screen size.

  • It works with various devices like laptops, smartphones, and game consoles.

Cons
  • Some users have said that fans make noise when they are running.

  • There is no built-in battery for portability, so it needs an outside power source.

  • The speakers’ volume might not be enough for larger rooms or outside.

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2. ViewSonic 3800 lumens (PA503S) Projector

ViewSonic 3800 lumens (PA503S) Projector

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With a brightness of 3800 lumens and a high contrast ratio, the ViewSonic PA503S is a great projector for home and office use. With a native resolution of SVGA (800×600), it gives clear, detailed images that are great for presentations, slide shows, and even movies.

This projector’s HDMI input is one of its best features because it makes it easy to connect to various devices, such as laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles, and streaming devices.

The vertical keystone feature is also a big plus because it lets you change the shape and alignment of the image on the screen without changing the quality of the image.

The ViewSonic PA503S is easy to set up and has several picture modes, such as Standard, Dynamic, and Movie, so you can choose the one that works best for your content. The lamp can last up to 15,000 hours, longer than most projectors in this price range.

The design of the projector is sleek and modern. It has a white and gray finish that goes well with any home or office decor. It’s also small and light, so it’s easy to move around and put away when unused.

Even though the ViewSonic PA503S doesn’t have as high of a native resolution as some other projectors on the market, it still has great picture quality with bright colors and clear details. It’s also not too expensive, which makes it an excellent value for the money.

Pros
  • With 3800 lumens of brightness, images are clear and bright.

  • HDMI input makes it easy to connect to many devices.

  • Vertical keystone makes it easy to adjust the image.

  • Up to 15,000 hours of lamp life.

  • It has a sleek, modern look that goes with any style.

  • Cost-effective price for a good projector.

Cons
  • The SVGA (800×600) native resolution may not be good for all content. There are no built-in speakers, so an external audio source is needed.

  • Compared to other projectors on the market, it has fewer ways to connect.

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3. BenQ MW560 High-Quality Business Projector

BenQ MW560 High-Quality Business Projector

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The BenQ MW560 is a high-quality business projector for presentations, conferences, and other professional settings. It has a brightness of 4,000 lumens and a high contrast ratio of 20,000:1. This means that even in well-lit rooms, the images are clear and bright.

The projector’s WXGA resolution (1280×800) gives clear and detailed images, making it a great choice for slideshows and presentations.

It also has Dual HDMI and VGA ports, which make it easy to connect a wide range of devices, such as laptops, smartphones, and gaming consoles.

Auto Keystone Correction is one of the best things about the BenQ MW560. It automatically fixes the shape and alignment of the image on the screen, which makes it great for quick and easy setup.

SmartEco technology is also built into the projector. This technology automatically adjusts the lamp’s brightness and power use to save energy and make the lamp last longer.

The BenQ MW560 is easy to set up and has several picture modes, such as Presentation, sRGB, Cinema, and 3D, so you can choose the one that works best for your content.

The projector looks sleek and professional, and it’s small and light, so it’s easy to move around and store when you’re not using it.

Even though the BenQ MW560 isn’t the cheapest option on the market, it’s a good investment for anyone who wants a high-quality business projector that gives clear, reliable images and various ways to connect.

Pros
  • With a brightness of 4,000 lumens, the images are clear and bright.

  • WXGA resolution (1280×800) for images that are sharp and clear.

  • Dual HDMI and VGA ports give you many ways to connect.

  • Setup is quick and easy thanks to auto keystone correction.

  • SmartEco technology makes lamps use less energy and last longer.

  • Sleek and professional design that looks good in any business setting.

Cons
  • It may be more expensive than other business projectors on the market.

  • No built-in speakers.  

  • It might not work in bigger conference rooms or auditoriums.

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4. Epson EX3280 Projector

Epson EX3280 Projector

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The Epson EX3280 is a good choice for people who want a reliable, high-quality projector that can be used in business and personal settings. With a color and white brightness of 3,600 lumens, this projector makes bright, clear images for presentations, movies, and other content.

One thing that makes the Epson EX3280 stand out is its 3-chip 3LCD technology, which ensures that colors are bright and true to life.

The projector also has an impressive contrast ratio of 15,000:1. This gives the images more depth and dimension, making them even more impressive.

The Epson EX3280 has an HDMI port that makes it easy to connect to various devices, such as laptops, game consoles, and streaming devices. It also comes with a clear, crisp speaker, so you don’t need to use extra speakers.

The Epson EX3280 is easy to set up and use, and it has a number of settings and modes that let you change the image to suit your needs. It’s also small and light, so it’s easy to move around and put away when not in use.

Pros
  • With 3,600 lumens of brightness, images are clear and bright.

  • 3-chip 3LCD technology gives colors that are true to life.

  • It has a 15,000:1 contrast ratio, which gives it more depth and dimension.

  • HDMI port makes it easy to connect to many devices.

  • Built-in speaker for a sound that is clear and crisp.

  • A small and light design makes it easy to carry and store.

Cons
  • The native resolution of XGA (1024×768) may not be good for all content. There aren’t as many ways to connect to the projector as there are with some other models on the market.

  • Might not work in bigger conference rooms or auditoriums.

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5. DBPOWER Native 1080P WiFi Projector

DBPOWER Native 1080P WiFi Projector

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The DBPOWER Native 1080P WiFi Projector is a high-quality projector with great image quality and a lot of different uses.

With a brightness of 12,000 lumens and 450 ANSI, it shows clear and bright images that are great for outdoor movie nights, presentations, and other content.

The DBPOWER projector’s native 1080p resolution is one of its best features. It makes sure that the images are clear and detailed, just like in real life.

The projector also supports 4K+4P+4D Keystone/Zoom/PPT, which lets you adjust the image to your liking and ensure it is perfectly aligned.

The DBPOWER projector has built-in WiFi, so connecting it to various devices, like laptops, smartphones, and streaming devices, is easy. It also has many ways to connect to other devices, such as HDMI and USB ports.

The DBPOWER projector is small and light, so it’s easy to move and set up anywhere you need it. It also comes with a remote control, which makes it easy to control the projector from afar.

Pros
  • Images with native 1080p resolution are clear and sharp.

  • 4K+4P+4D Customized image alignment is possible with Keystone, Zoom, and PPT.

  • WiFi connectivity lets a variety of devices connect easily.

  • The design is small and light to make it easy to carry.

  • There are many ways to connect, including HDMI and USB ports.

  • It comes with a remote control, which makes it easy to use.

Cons
  • May be more expensive than some other projectors on the market. It may not work with all older devices.

  • Might not work in bigger conference rooms or auditoriums.

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Buying Guide For The Best Projectors Under 500 USD

If you want a projector for your home or office, you have many options that won’t break your budget. When looking for the best projectors under $500, here are some things to think about:

When shopping for a projector, it’s important to think about the resolution. The image will be clearer and have more details with a higher resolution.

You can get projectors with resolutions from 720p to 1080p for less than $500. Look for a projector with at least 720p resolution for the best picture.

Brightness

Brightness is also an important thing to think about. The brightness of a projector is measured in lumens, and the image will be brighter if the lumen count is higher.

Most people don’t need more than 2,000 to 3,000 lumens at home. Look for a projector with a high lumen count if you want to use it in an office or a bigger room.

Connectivity

Think about what you want to connect to your projector. Look for a projector that has multiple ways to connect, such as HDMI, VGA, and USB ports. Projectors may also wirelessly connect to other devices, like Bluetooth or WiFi.

Contrast Ratio

The difference between an image’s darkest and brightest parts is called the contrast ratio. The image will be more vivid and clear with a higher contrast ratio. Look for a projector with at least 1000:1 contrast.

Keystone Correction

With keystone correction, you can change the image to fix how it looks when the projector is tilted. Look for a projector that has both automatic and manual ways to fix the keystone.

Conclusion

Consider things like resolution, brightness, connectivity, contrast ratio, and keystone correction when looking for the best projectors under $500. If you keep these things in mind, you should be able to find a good projector that fits your needs and doesn’t break the bank.

The YABER V6, the ViewSonic PA503S, the BenQ MW560, and the Epson EX3280 are all popular choices in this price range.