Best Projector Under 1000 Dollars in 2022
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Are you looking for a great projector without going over your budget? This blog post will help you find the best projector under 1000 dollars.
Budget home theater projectors can provide a fantastic big-screen image in the $499 to $999 price range.
At this price, you’ll usually get 1080p Full HD resolution, decent out-of-the-box color accuracy, and at least 2000 ANSI lumens of brightness.
We have included a list of top-rated projectors under $1000, so you can find one that fits your life. Continue reading.
- Best budget option
- Various connectivity options
- Immersive sound mode
- Fast setup
- Multiple forms of connection
- Great performance for any light condition
Best Projectors Under $1000 of 2022: Our Top 7 Picks
- True 4K UHD resolution
- 3200 ANSI lumens
- 20000 hours of lamp life
- 16,000:1 contrast ratio
- Full HD 1080p
- DLP Technology
- 2200 ANSI lumens
- 15000 hours of lamp life
- 15,000:1 contrast ratio
- 1080p+WUXGA resolution
- 3600 ANSI lumens
- 15000 hours of lamp life
- 20,000:1 contrast ratio
- 1080p resolution
- DBT display technology
- 4000 ANSI lumens
- 15000 hours of lamp life
- 50,000:1 contrast ratio
- 1080p(1920x 1080)
- DLP display technology
- 4000 ANSI lumens
- 15000 hours of lamp life
- 16,000:1 contrast ratio
Epson Home Cinema 2250 3LCD Full HD 1080p
- Full HD 1080p resolution
- 3LCD technology
- 2700 ANSI lumens
- 70,000:1 contrast ratio
Full HD1080p resolution
3000 ANSI lumens
15000 hours of lamp life in EcoMode
22,000:1 contrast ratio
Top 7 Best Projectors Under $1000
The list below contains the best projectors under $1000 on the market. Continue reading and let’s find out their pros and cons.
- Display Resolution: True 4K UHD resolution
- Lumens: 3200 ANSI lumens
- Lamp life: 20000 hours
- Contrast ratio: 16,000:1 contrast ratio
If you want to step up your viewing experience without going overboard on price, then the ViewSonic PX701-4k projector is the best option.
The ViewSonic PX701-4k projector is our top pick for the best projector under 1000 dollars. It is an excellent choice if you want to purchase a high-quality home theater device without going over your budget.
It has a resolution that can match even your high-definition TV sets. With this projector, anyone from anywhere in the room will have a great viewing experience. Also, it delivers sharp-quality images from all angles.
If you are looking for true, crisp, and colorful images under the $1000 budget, the ViewSonic PX701-4k is one of the best projectors to purchase.
Specs:
- Display Resolution: True 4K UHD resolution
- Lumens: 3200 ANSI lumens
- Lamp life: 20000 hours
- Contrast ratio: 16,000:1 contrast ratio
- Throw distance: 100″ at 10.9 ft.
- Zoom capacity: 1.1x optical zoom
- Keystone: vertical and horizontal
- Connectivity: USB A, HDMI
Pros:
- True 4K projector
- Long lamp life
- Flexible setup
- Keystone correction feature
Cons:
- The contrast ratio could have been better
- Display Resolution: Full HD 1080p
- Display Technology: DLP Technology
- Lumens: 2200 ANSI lumens
- Lamp Life: 15000 hours
- Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1 contrast ratio
Our second pick is the BenQ HT2050A projector, which is great for home entertainment. With the flick of a switch, it gives you excellent light quality and full HD 1080p image all in one device. It has 2200 lumens with a 15000:1 contrast ratio, so it definitely does not lack brightness.
It can project up to 300 inches across any surface, making this great for anything from small group gaming sessions to movie nights with your friends.
The versatile joysticks let you zoom in/out on maximum screen space for controls during gameplay. Last but not least, easy connectivity via HDMI makes sure you can connect it to just about anything.
Specs:
- Display Resolution: Full HD 1080p
- Display Technology: DLP Technology
- Lumens: 2200 ANSI lumens
- Lamp Life: 15000 hours
- Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1 contrast ratio
- Throw Distance: Projects a 100-inch screen from just 8 feet away
- Zoom Capacity: 1.3x zoom
Pros:
- Best budget option
- Various connectivity options
- Immersive sound mode
- Vertical lens shift
Cons:
- Not 4K UHD
- No option for keystone correction
- Display Resolution: 1080p+WUXGA resolution
- Lumens: 3600 ANSI lumens
- Lamp Life: 15000 hours
- Contrast Ratio: 20,000:1 contrast ratio
Ready for business? The Epson Pro EX9220 projector has a high-quality design. It can be used both with or without keystone correction—making it the perfect choice for full-length PowerPoint presentations, conference rooms, and board rooms.
It features an optimal 3600 ANSI lumens lamp brightness and 1920 x 1200 WUXGA/1080p+ resolution (plus a 20,000:1 contrast ratio).
It’s also easy to set up on your ceiling or desktop (thanks to keystone adjustment and horizontal lens shift).
Best of all, the wireless capabilities let you show content from any device without cables snagging everything into an unruly mess.
Specs:
- Display Resolution: 1080p+WUXGA resolution
- Lumens: 3600 ANSI lumens
- Lamp Life: 15000 hours
- Contrast Ratio: 20,000:1 contrast ratio
- Wireless Connectivity
Pros:
- The price is not so high
- Fast setup
- Multiple forms of connection
- Great performance for any light condition
Cons:
- Not a 4K projector
- The contrast ratio could have been better
- Display Resolution: 1080p
- Display Technology: DBT
- Lumens: 4000 ANSI lumens
- Lamp Life: 15000 hours
- Contrast Ratio: 50,000:1 contrast ratio
The Optoma HD28HDR is a projector that lets you create an immersive viewing experience for family and friends on a giant screen in your house.
With 4000 lumens and a 50,000:01 contrast ratio, it delivers incredible picture quality even in rooms with lots of light during the day. It’s a 1080p projector; however, it supports 4K inputs.
The dynamic black technology will make sure the image looks just as good during daytime and nighttime viewing.
It features an HDMI port, so you can easily connect it to any device with an HDMI cable. View all of your favorite content, including 3D videos from Blu-ray or DVD players.
Easy setup on the ceiling and table makes this product great for displaying movies at home with the entire family present. If you want the best possible picture quality for less money—this is definitely a great buy!
Specs:
- Display Resolution: 1080p(1920x 1080)
- Display Technology: DBT
- Lumens: 4000 ANSI lumens
- Lamp Life: 15000 hours
- Contrast Ratio: 50,000:1 contrast ratio
- Throw Distance: Project a 120″ image from approximately 13 feet away
- Zoom Capacity: 1.1x zoom
Pros:
- Easy to setup
- Powerful lamp
- High image resolution
- High contrast ratio
Cons:
- Not suited for wall mounting
- A replacement bulb is expensive
- Display Resolution: 1080p(1920x 1080)
- Display Technology: DLP
- Lumens: 4000 ANSI lumens
- Lamp Life: 15000 hours
- Contrast Ratio: 16,000:1 contrast ratio
Our fourth pick, the BenQ MH733 projector, is an excellent choice for an office setting where the room will often be bright during work hours.
It has 4000 lumens and a 16,000:01 contrast ratio, so it can easily handle very brightly lit spaces and dark rooms in one device.
With its zoom capacity, you can also ensure that everyone from anywhere within your company gets their own comfortable viewing experience with this projector.
The easy connectivity options via HDMI ports allow everyone to plug in quickly without any hassle to show off presentations or other content on a big screen whenever they want.
Specs:
- Display Resolution: 1080p(1920x 1080)
- Display Technology: DLP
- Lumens: 4000 ANSI lumens
- Lamp Life: 15000 hours
- Contrast Ratio: 16,000:1 contrast ratio
- Throw Distance: 100″ @2.5m-3.3m
- Flexibility: 2D Keystone, Auto Vertical Keystone, Corner Fit Correction
- Zoom Capacity: 1.3 times
- High responsiveness
Pros:
- Easy to install and use
- Plenty of useful features for use in the office
- Affordable price
- Best image display
Cons:
- Low lamp life in the brightest mode
- The remote control is slightly tacky to use
- Display Resolution: Full HD 1080p
- Display Technology: 3LCD technology
- Lumens: 2700 ANSI lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 70,000:1 contrast ratio
If you want to stay under $1000 and still step up your movie and gaming experience, consider buying the Epson Home Cinema 2250 projector.
With 2700 lumens, it delivers full HD 1080p picture quality. Also, the 70,000:01 contrast ratio makes sure your movies look fantastic no matter what time of day you like to watch them.
The 3LCD display technology brings color vibrancy to life before your eyes while powering through even the most competitive lighting conditions.
Plus, it’s easy to set up on any surface with its vertical lens shift capabilities — making this an ideal device for screens from 100-inches down to 24 inches.
Specs:
- Display Resolution: Full HD 1080p
- Display Technology: 3LCD technology
- Lumens: 2700 ANSI lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 70,000:1 contrast ratio
- Zoom Capacity: 1.3 times
- Wireless Connectivity
Pros:
- Various connectivity options
- DLP projector
- High resolution
Cons:
- No option for keystone correction
- Display Resolution: Full HD1080p(1920x 1080)
- Lumens: 3000 ANSI lumens
- Lamp Life: EcoMode 15000 hours
- Contrast Ratio: 22,000:1 contrast ratio
The ViewSonic 1080p Short Throw Projector is an excellent projector for gamers or anyone who needs full HD quality on the go.
Whether you want to project onto the wall of your office, screen at home, or even present slides in an auditorium—this device has got you covered.
It features short throw capabilities and 3000 lumens brightness. It’s easy to set up, too; all you need is power and HDMI connectivity (and that’s about it).
Last but not least, the ViewSonic 1080p projector is designed to make your content stand out with its exclusive color technology.
Specs:
- Display Resolution: Full HD1080p(1920x 1080)
- Lumens: 3000 ANSI lumens
- Lamp Life: EcoMode 15000 hours
- Contrast Ratio: 22,000:1 contrast ratio
- Throw Distance: short-throw, projects up to 300-inches
- Flexible connectivity
Pros:
- Easy to setup
- Powerful lamp
- Most versatile projector
Cons:
- Not suited for large throws
Best Projector Under $1000 Buyer’s Guide
We want to mention that projectors can be very different in terms of features and performance. There isn’t one projector that is the best for everyone.
This means you need to know what features are important (and not-so-important) to make an informed buying decision based on your needs. We designed this buyer’s guide to help you do just that.
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Projector under $1000
There are quite a few features that you should consider before buying projectors. Here’s a list of the most important factors to consider when looking for your next projector:
Display Resolution
Resolution is mainly measured in terms of pixel resolution. It can be expressed as a total number (e.g., 1920×1080) or as a fraction representing the number of pixels on the screen horizontally and then vertically, such as 1280:720, for example).
The more pixels your projector has, the better quality picture you will get—this means less digital noise during fast action scenes.
Display Technology
There are typically two different types of projectors to choose from—DLP and LCD.
For one, DLP (or Digital Light Processing) projectors use a combination of mirrors, color wheels, and prisms.
On the other hand, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) models usually have one or more small liquid crystal displays.
For most people watching movies in their homes, an entry-level projector will be fine for playing back Blu-Rays and other high def content.
However, suppose you want the best possible picture quality out there. In that case, you should consider using a higher-end model that uses DLP or LCOS technology.
Lamp Life Span
Projectors use lamps to project light through an image onto your screen, making them essential parts of any projector system.
If they die prematurely, this could affect performance significantly since some replacements may cost up to $300-400.
So make sure you choose one with a lamp life long enough for how often you plan on using the projector.
Projector’s Throw Distance
The throw distance is the number of feet you need to place your projector away from the wall to display an image properly.
The general rule here is that if you want a larger screen size, choose a model with shorter projection capabilities; vice versa—if you are looking for something smaller, go with one with longer projection distances.
Also, keep in mind that different brands have their way of measuring this factor (throw ratio), so make sure they match before buying.
Lumens
Lumens are the most widely used measurement when it comes to projectors—they represent how bright/strong of an image you can expect from your projector. It is essential for two reasons.
First, if you want a large screen size (100″ +) in dark environments or rooms, then make sure you go with one that has over 2000 lumens.
Second, if you use your new projector inside your home in normal lighting conditions (daytime), always get more than 2500 lumens. So that it still delivers vibrant colors and incredible detail.
However, keep in mind that some models come with different lumen ratings depending on whether they use lamp power mode or eco-mode.
For example, some entry-level DLP projectors have up to 4000 lumens in lamp power mode but only 1500 when using the eco-mode—so do your research before buying.
High Contrast Ratio
This display technology specification compares an image’s darkest and brightest levels to determine how good it will look in dark/bright conditions.
Most entry-level projectors have low contrast ratios, which means you can expect them to perform poorly during daytime viewing.
So always try to pick one with at least a 5000:01 contrast ratio or higher. This way, even if your house has many windows, these models will still deliver great picture quality without washing out too much.
Wireless Connectivity
If you’re watching content from your laptop, smartphone, or tablet but don’t want to deal with too many cables—choose a model that supports wireless connectivity (most do).
Wireless projectors use either Bluetooth or WiFi connections. You can easily pair them up with different devices without requiring any cables.
If you are looking for something more advanced, make sure the projector has multiple HDMI ports.
Keystone Correction
This feature allows the projector to automatically fix its angle when it’s not perfectly perpendicular to the screen—helping you get rid of those keystone effects during picture playback.
Even if your model doesn’t have this setting, don’t worry because most models come with an automatic vertical and horizontal correction option that ensures no distortion or glitches are visible in the final image.
Remember that projectors without these features usually need to be placed directly against a wall (in front of where people would usually sit), so keep them on top of tables instead.
Ease of use
Projectors are often very complicated machines that require proper setup to deliver their full potential.
So you need to make sure it is easy enough for anyone in your household (including yourself) or office to set up and operate without much hassle.
Look for features like automatic keystone correction, which automatically adjust image distortion when projected onto an angled surface.
This way, no one has to manually correct the picture every time they move it around or place it at a different angle.
Also, look out for projectors with multiple inputs (HDMI ports, USB), so everyone can connect their devices easily when playing back content from them.
Conclusion
Projectors are great devices to have in the home or work environment. They come with different resolutions, screen sizes, and capabilities, all at a range of prices under 1000 dollars.
So, if you want to step up your viewing experience without going overboard on price, then the ViewSonic PX701-4k projector is the best option.