10 Best Budget Projectors 2025 in the United States

The Epson Home Cinema 980 is a strong choice among budget projectors, especially if you want bright, clear images for gaming, sports, or home theater use. Its 4,000 lumens brightness (both color and white) means it can handle rooms with some light without the picture looking washed out, which is better than many budget options. The 1080p resolution delivers sharp, detailed images that suit movies and games well. It also includes a handy built-in speaker, so you won’t immediately need external speakers, though for the best sound experience, you might want to add those.

The projector offers two HDMI ports and a USB power port, making it easy to connect devices like streaming sticks or laptops, which adds to its versatility. Setup is user-friendly with an automatic keystone correction feature that keeps the image squared up without fuss. In terms of size and portability, it’s relatively lightweight at around 7 pounds, so moving it between rooms or taking it to a friend’s place isn’t a big hassle. Its contrast ratio of 16,000:1 helps with better detail in darker scenes, though it may not match higher-end models in deep blacks.

Fans of budget projectors looking for bright, vibrant colors and easy setup will find this model a solid buy, especially for casual gaming and home cinema in moderately lit environments.

The NEBULA Mars 3 Outdoor Portable Projector is a solid choice for those looking for a budget-friendly projector for outdoor and on-the-go use. Its 1080p resolution ensures clear and sharp images, making movie nights enjoyable. With 1000 ANSI lumens of brightness, it performs well in low-light outdoor settings, although it may struggle in bright daylight. The projector's AI-powered image adjustment helps optimize picture quality automatically, which is a handy feature for casual users. The throw distance and 200-inch max screen size allow for a flexible setup, whether it’s in a backyard or a camping site.

The built-in battery offers up to 5 hours of playtime, which is ample for most movies and presentations, and it can double as a power bank for other devices. Its IPX3 water resistance and drop and dust resistance make it durable enough for outdoor use. Connectivity options include USB and Chromecast, ensuring you can stream content easily from various sources. Additionally, the built-in 40W speaker with Dolby Digital Plus provides decent audio quality, eliminating the need for external speakers in most cases. However, at 9.9 pounds, it’s relatively heavy for a portable projector, which might be a consideration for those who prioritize ultra-portability.

The projector's Android TV 11.0 integration offers a wide array of apps and streaming options, adding to its versatility. The NEBULA Mars 3 is well-suited for those who enjoy outdoor activities, camping, or simply need a reliable projector for occasional use in different settings.

The Optoma GT1080HDR projector is specifically designed for gaming enthusiasts, offering a great experience on a budget. One of its standout features is the enhanced gaming mode, providing a fast response time of 8.4ms and 120Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for smooth and fluid gameplay. Additionally, it supports 4K HDR, offering bright whites and deep black levels, along with accurate colors thanks to its 6-segment color wheel. This ensures an immersive visual experience whether you're playing games or watching movies.

The resolution of 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) is decent, providing sharp and clear images for most users. Moreover, its brightness level of 3800 lumens allows for effective usage in both day and night settings, so you won't have to worry about dim visuals in well-lit rooms. The contrast ratio of 50,000:1 further enhances the image quality, delivering detailed visuals with good depth. The short throw lens is another advantage, allowing you to project a large 120-inch image from just 4 feet away, making it perfect for smaller spaces and easy installation.

While the projector is versatile and can be used in various environments, its weight of 6.61 pounds and dimensions may limit portability for some users. Connectivity options are flexible, with dual HDMI inputs supporting various devices like gaming consoles and media players. The long lamp life of up to 15,000 hours is impressive, promising durability and reduced maintenance costs over time. Some users might find the built-in 10-watt speaker less powerful compared to external sound systems. The Optoma GT1080HDR is a solid choice for gaming and entertainment, combining impressive visual performance with a reasonable price tag, though it might not be the most portable option for frequent travelers.