10 Best Projector Under 500 2025 in the United States

The Optoma GT1080HDRx is a solid choice for gamers and home cinema lovers looking for a projector under $500. It offers a sharp 1080p resolution with HDR10 support, providing clear and vibrant images along with better contrast featuring deep blacks and bright whites. Its 3,800 lumens brightness and 50,000:1 contrast ratio make it suitable for use in various lighting conditions, including some daylight. The short throw lens is a standout feature, allowing you to project a large 120-inch image from just four feet away, saving space in smaller rooms. The enhanced gaming mode with a fast 8.4ms response time and 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay with minimal lag. Additionally, lamp life is impressive at up to 15,000 hours, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Connectivity is flexible with two HDMI ports supporting devices like gaming consoles, streaming sticks, and media players.

While it may not include some advanced features found in higher-priced models, such as lens shift or extensive audio options, it delivers excellent image quality and gaming performance for its price. This projector is a bright, sharp, and responsive option for gaming and casual movie watching without breaking the bank.

The Optoma GT2000HDR is a compact Full HD projector with a sharp 1920 x 1080 resolution, making it suitable for home cinema, gaming, and presentations. Its bright 3500 lumens rating means it performs well even in rooms with moderate lighting, which is a strong point for this price range. The short throw capability allows you to project a large image from a close distance, saving space and making it easy to set up in smaller rooms. It uses a laser light source, which typically lasts longer and offers stable brightness over time compared to traditional lamps, providing durability and less frequent replacements.

The projector includes HDMI and USB connectivity, covering the basics for connecting laptops, gaming consoles, or media players, though it does not offer wireless options, which may be a consideration if you prefer cable-free setups. The external power supply helps reduce heat inside the projector. At around 9.6 pounds and fairly compact dimensions, it’s portable enough to move between rooms or locations. Some users appreciate its brightness and picture quality, but it may not be the top choice for those wanting the absolute best in image contrast or advanced features.

This projector is a solid choice if you want a bright, sharp image from a short distance without breaking the bank, but keep in mind that advanced image adjustments and wireless connectivity might not be included.

The Kodak Luma 500 Mini Projector is a compact and lightweight choice for those looking to enjoy Full HD (1080p) video quality without breaking the bank. Its native 1920x1080 resolution is a strong point, delivering clear and sharp images that are great for movies or presentations. The projector supports a 150” display, which is quite large for its size, making it suitable for small home theaters or casual outdoor movie nights.

Brightness at 150 ANSI lumens is relatively low compared to many projectors in the under $500 range. This means it performs best in dark environments and may struggle with ambient light, so it’s not the ideal pick for well-lit rooms or daytime use. Connectivity is a standout feature here, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, USB, and even Google TV built-in, allowing easy streaming from phones, laptops, and other devices. The built-in Chromecast and Netflix certification make it very user-friendly for streaming content directly, which is a plus for casual users wanting a simple setup. The automatic vertical keystone correction helps maintain a balanced and properly shaped image without much manual adjustment, adding convenience.

The Kodak Luma 500 is a highly portable and versatile projector that excels in image clarity and connectivity for its size. While its brightness may limit use to darker settings, it is a solid choice for home cinema enthusiasts or anyone wanting a flexible, easy-to-use projector under $500.