Best Projectors Under $500 (2025)
Compare 15 projectors under $500. The entry point for quality home theater from trusted brands.
What is the best projector under $500?
Updated January 9, 2026 • Based on 15 projectors compared
The best projector under $500 in January 2026 is the ViewSonic PA504W 4000 Lumens WXGA High Brightness Projector with Vertical Keystone, HDMI 1.4, USB 2.0 Type A, and VGA Inputs for Home and Office at $499.99. It delivers 720p resolution, 4,000 lumens, and a 5.0-star rating from 2,665 reviews. At $400-500, you enter trusted brand territory with verified specs and real warranties.
Our Top Picks Under $500
Top-rated at 5.0 stars. 4,000 lumens, 720p resolution.
ViewSonic PA503S 4000 Lumens SVGA High Brightness Projector for Home and Office with HDMI Vertical Keystone
4,000 lumens - handles rooms with some ambient light.
LG PH550 CineBeam LED Projector with Built-In Battery, Bluetooth Sound Out and Screen Share
Gaming-ready. Good for casual gaming.
Prices updated daily from Amazon
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchasesCurrent Deals - Under $500
Limited-time discounts on quality projectors. Prices verified within the last 24 hours.
LG PH550 CineBeam LED Projector with Built-In Battery, Bluetooth Sound Out and Screen Share
-60%Save $140.29
Hitachi CP-X3042WN LCD Projector - 720p - HDTV - 4:3
-50%Save $244.99
LG CineBeam PF510Q Portable Full HD (1920 x 1080) LED Smart Projector, Airplay 2 and Screen Share support, Bluetooth Audio Dual Out
-38%Save $227.00
Loading projectors...
Under $500 Buying Guide
What to expect at $400-500:
Red flags to avoid:
- Claims of 10,000+ lumens (impossible at this price)
- "Native 4K" under $700 (always fake)
- No-name brands with no US presence
- 30-day seller warranty only
FAQ
Best for home theater?
Epson models offer best color accuracy with 3LCD technology. ViewSonic for brightness.
Best for gaming?
BenQ and Optoma DLP models have lower input lag (15-20ms). See our gaming projector guide.
Worth upgrading to $1000?
Yes - you get 4K resolution, sub-10ms gaming lag, and better HDR. See under $1000 picks.
Explore Other Projector Categories
Best Budget Projectors 2025
Top cheap projectors under $800 with reliable performance
Best 4K Projectors 2025
Best 4K projectors for home theater and cinema quality
Best Gaming Projectors 2025
Best gaming projectors with low input lag for PS5/Xbox
Best Outdoor Projectors 2025
Best outdoor projectors for backyard movie nights