Most of the finest projectors we assessment right here at CNET fall within the $500-to-$1,500 vary, as a result of we have discovered that is the candy spot for value and efficiency. We’ve executed a handful of high-end projectors, that are nice in case you can afford them, and we have additionally discovered some gems for only a few hundred bucks.
Some of these $250-ish no-name projectors, just like the AAXA P8 and the Vimgo P10, did surprisingly nicely in my comparison checks. They delivered huge, completely watchable pictures for lower than the value of a low cost cellphone. Which led me to the subsequent query: How low cost are you able to go?
Amazon is rife with projectors that value round $100, typically manner much less. Are any of those any good? Do any of them even work? Someone ought to discover out. Then I spotted, “Hey! I’m somebody!” So I made a listing, checked it twice, after which purchased (OK, CNET purchased) and reviewed the 4 that appeared probably the most fascinating. One is lower than the value of a online game, one prices lower than the value of a household dinner at Chipotle. All of them, amazingly, work. Sort of. Here’s how they regarded.
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Saying the Hision is the most effective projector on this roundup is a bit deceptive. It is the least dangerous projector on this roundup. It can create a watchable picture, principally, and is brilliant sufficient to get that picture to roughly least TV-size. It’s even 1080p decision. So finish the superlatives, reminiscent of they’re.
It’s not significantly brilliant, within the ballpark of mini and moveable projectors. The distinction ratio is not a lot worse than some projectors we have reviewed, although that is not saying a lot. It’s surprisingly loud, nevertheless. And the uniformity is dangerous, making the middle of the picture noticeably brighter than the sides.
It additionally had some bugs. Well, a bug. Literally. Forever entombed between the picture sensor and the lens, it appeared as an ovoid splotch of darkness a number of dozen pixels vast close to the center of the picture. Charming.
The Hision was good solely compared to the others right here. If you simply wish to spend round $100, although, you could possibly do worse.
Here’s the place I point out that pricing on all of those ultracheap projectors varies fairly a bit, typically from day after day. If the Hision prices extra $100 while you learn this, it is an excellent worse worth. For round $250 the Vimgo P10 and AAXA P8 are each brighter and way more watchable, and undoubtedly price saving for for my part.
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The YG300-Pro is not good. It’s half as brilliant because the Hision, has a worse distinction ratio and worse colour (and that is saying one thing). It shares lots of the identical points, together with abysmal uniformity. Some colours, like purple, are very undersaturated, making for a dull, chilly picture. It’s 720p, so the pixels aren’t the scale of paving stones at the very least.
Bottom line: The Hision is unquestionably higher but when it is considerably dearer while you learn this, the Meer makes a strong runner-up in case you merely cannot save up for a higher low cost projector.
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The Elephas JingHuier is half the value of the opposite two on this record, and it is fairly dangerous. In its favor, the design contains a pleasant, spherical focus knob and a relatively nice curvy design with a yellow entrance. Unfortunately, it is the second dimmest projector we have ever reviewed, placing out an almost invisible 33 lumens. The picture is not the worst I’ve seen, however it’s shut.
Dominated by huge, SD-resolution pixels and mediocre colour, its largest energy is that it is not the MissYou YG300 (see under).
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The MissYou YG300 could be very dangerous. Terrible. It’s unquestionably the worst projector, and doubtless the worst show, that I’ve ever seen. The picture is a smeary, joyless mess of washed out colours and disappointment. The colour purple is barely a suggestion. It places out sufficient gentle to imperceptibly brighten a shoebox. Every certainly one of its 23 lumens — the bottom I’ve ever measured — appear to battle their method to the display screen, then resent being there. Reviewing the YG300 made me query my life decisions as a projector reviewer.
Even for $35, which is what we paid on the time, do not buy this. Since then the value has gone up, which is the one factor that may make me advocate this projector much less.
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We want to speak about image high quality
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The projectors above, besides maybe the Hision, look worse than just about any trendy TV, irrespective of how low cost. You undoubtedly must recalibrate your expectations for what you are getting right here. I’ve used the phrase “watchable” quite a bit on this information which is someplace between beneficiant and Olympic-grade hyperbole. Here are a number of key the explanation why:
- Light output
- Contrast
- Color
- Resolution
In each measurable manner, spending $150 extra will get you a vastly superior product. The finest low cost projectors we have reviewed are considerably brighter, higher trying, extra correct and extra detailed. I hate recommending anybody pay extra for one thing, however on this case, it is nicely price it. Unless you are contemplating these as a disposable toy, I’d advise getting one thing else or saving up and getting one thing higher.
One of the comprehensible factors of confusion are the specs and advertising and marketing of those projectors. They’re stuffed with… let’s assume, “presents for fiction”? One of them claims 8,000 lumens of brightness. I measured 141. Another claimed a decision of 1080p. I measured 240, which is similar decision as VHS tape. Lots of selling twists the reality to promote you a product, however these projector descriptions have been particularly dangerous.
Why you think about spending greater than $100 on a projector
I’m all for spending as little as doable to get one thing cool, or at the very least helpful. We’ve reviewed a number of cheap projectors just lately that are not dangerous for the value. The ones on this roundup, nevertheless, are decidedly not good, even for the value. They’re exceptionally dim, to allow them to’t create a really massive picture, and it could be beneficiant to name their colour and distinction “marginal.”
What do you get with barely dearer projectors, beginning at round $250? Picture high quality is an apparent one, by way of decision, element and colour, most noticeably. Spending even a bit bit extra will get you considerably extra gentle output, which suggests the image is simpler to see and you’ll create a bigger picture as nicely. Some have built-in batteries to allow them to work utterly wirelessly. Lastly, many dearer projectors have built-in streaming. This means no exterior system is required to observe Netflix.
Watch this:
How to buy the best home theater projector
5:32
If you’re considering one of these $100-ish projectors to have on hand for the kids to occasionally watch a show in a room without a TV, the TV is absolutely a better option. It will be easier to use, easier to watch, and can be seen with the lights on. It’s not even that different in price. We recently spotted a 24-inch TV with streaming built in for $80. It’s less portable, for sure, but infinitely more useful.
If you were considering these projectors for something inexpensive and portable for camping, the Meer and MissYou can technically run off a battery. But then they’re even dimmer, if you can believe it. Don’t expect to create an image much larger than the smallest of TVs. If it doesn’t break your budget, something like the AAXA P8 is way brighter, or the Anker Mars II Pro which is good all-around for a bit more.
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How does CNET test budget projectors?
The same way we test more expensive projectors. For specifics, check out How we test projectors.
Ultrabudget projector FAQ
Do these ultracheap projectors actually work?
Surprisingly, yes! Not well, mind you, but they do create an image on a flat surface for $100 or less.
Can you stream Netflix on one of these projectors?
Yes, but with some significant caveats. Generally speaking, the easiest way to stream to these is by using a streaming stick connected to their HDMI inputs, which does work. These projectors don’t have built-in apps, despite their marketing images implying otherwise. Don’t expect to be able to mirror your phone’s screen and watch Netflix that way. There are copy-protection restrictions that make this unlikely to work.
Can I connect a gaming console (Xbox, PlayStation, etc.)?
Technically, yes, anything with an HDMI connection should work. That said, it’s worth noting that with the exception of the Hision, these are extremely dim projectors. You won’t be able to see much, if anything, with the lights on. Even with the lights off, a 50-inch image will still be hard to see.
Yes and no. You technically don’t need a screen. Any smooth, flat surface will work. A screen will improve the image, however, as they typically have no texture, and many can reflect back more of the light toward where you’re sitting and less elsewhere. This means the projector will seem a little brighter. That said, a screen isn’t going to make a $35 projector look like a $3,500 projector, or probably even a $350 projector. If you have the budget to add a screen, you’re probably better off getting a better projector now and saving up for a screen later.
As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000-mile road trips, and more. Check out Tech Treks for all his tours and adventures.
He wrote a bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines and a sequel. You can follow his adventures on Instagram and his YouTube channel.