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 LG CineBeam HU70LA is a strong contender in the under-$500 projector category, especially for home cinema lovers who want sharp 4K UHD resolution. Its 3840 x 2160 pixel display delivers crisp and detailed images, making movies and shows look quite impressive on a large screen up to 140 inches. The LED light source provides vivid colors with less risk of the rainbow effect common in DLP projectors, and the HDR10 support enhances the picture quality by adjusting brightness and contrast frame by frame. This model is generally bright enough for dim to moderately lit rooms but may struggle in very bright environments.

The projector offers flexible setup options, including remote focus and 1.25x zoom, which means you can adjust the image size without moving the device—convenient if you mount it on the ceiling or place it on a shelf. Connectivity is modern and versatile, with HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, and smart features built in, along with voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant, adding ease to navigating apps and content. Weighing about 7 pounds and measuring compactly, it fits well in most home setups.

With mostly positive reviews, the LG HU70LA suits users seeking a 4K home projector with smart features and flexible installation who are prepared to manage lighting conditions for the best picture quality.

The ViewSonic PX701-4K stands out in the budget projector category by offering true 4K UHD resolution, delivering very sharp and detailed images for movies and games. It has a brightness of 3,200 lumens, making it bright enough for rooms with some ambient light, and the contrast ratio provides decent color depth and shadow details. Its throw distance allows projection of a large screen between 80 to 150 inches from about 9 to 16 feet away, which is flexible for most home setups.

A key advantage is its very low input lag (4.2ms) and high refresh rate (240Hz), ideal for fast-paced gaming and ensuring smooth visuals. The projector also supports HDR content and uses SuperColor technology, enhancing color vibrancy for a more enjoyable viewing experience. For image adjustments, it includes automatic keystone correction plus manual horizontal and vertical correction, simplifying setup and maintaining a clear picture even if the projector isn’t perfectly aligned. Connectivity options include two HDMI ports and a USB port, making it easy to connect gaming consoles, media players, and other devices.

Weighing about 6 pounds, the PX701-4K is portable but not the smallest model available. It suits gamers and home cinema enthusiasts who want 4K quality without spending a premium. For users needing extremely long lamp life or more advanced installation features, higher-end models may be more appropriate.