A projector is a device that projects rays of light using lenses to display slides or film on to a large screen. The current digital video projectors replaced the initial analog slide and overhead projectors throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Projectors cost differently depending on the manufacturer, model, and quality of projections. The best budget home theatre projector should be able to serve the intended purpose to the maximum.
Today, we also have handheld projectors that use lasers or LEDs to project images on screens. Most projectors work well in a dark room, i.e., that which has less ambient light. In a very lit room, some projectors will not show clear displays. That is why movie theaters show at night, or they have to create artificial darkness in the movie halls for clear projections; otherwise, people will not come to watch blurred films.
Even though we have large digital screens that we can install in our homes nowadays, Most projector prices remain relatively low while giving the same large screen experience as the big smart screens. The good thing about projectors is that they allow input from TV decoders as well as sound output. You can thus watch TV using a projector. Connect a projector to any of the home theater systems with wireless speakers and enjoy news and music.
What are the different types of projectors?
There are around five main types of projectors. These include the following.
i) Installation projectors (Vx series)
Their brightness range can reach up to 5500 ANSI Lumens. The VX Series projectors offer the “Miracast Wireless Projection,” wherein you can project your laptop or smartphone.
ii) Portable projectors (lb series)
They are suitable for small to medium meeting rooms. They are light and compact. Furthermore, they are easy to use. Their brightness ranges from 2800 to 3700 ANSI Lumens. Their resolution ranges from XGA to WXGA. They are the newest and accept inputs from memory cards and USB disks.
iii) Large venue projectors
The projectors are suitable for large venues such as churches and theatres. Most of them have the RGB Booster technology that gives high-quality images.
iv) Home cinema projectors
The projectors are mainly for home use since they have full HD. They have various picture modes as well as color management settings. Combining the projector with a surround sound system will improve your home video and TV experience. A surround sound system under $200 is enough to entertain you to the maximum.
v) Short-throw/ultra-short throw projectors
These projectors are suitable for projecting within a small room. You can set them near the background, and yet they produce quality images. They have Corner Keystone Correction, Interactive Function and Memory Viewer Function, USB Display Function, and Curved Screen Correction features.
Which are the eight best budget home theatre projectors?
The following are the eight best projectors you can get for your home entertainment.
1) BenQ HT2050A 1080P Home Theater Projector
It is a 1080p projector with a brightness of 2,200 Lumens. It has a high native contrast ratio and 96% Rec. 709 color accuracy calibration and makes it produce superior pictures.
The BenQ HT2050A projects up to 300 inches and can be very good for your home to watch TV, movies, and games. It has flexible connectivity and supports gaming consoles, PCs, Macs, and mobile devices. You can connect via USB or HDMI.
PROS
- Flexible connectivity
- Large display
- Accepts various devices
- High-quality images
- Easy setup
CONS
- It is expensive
2) Epson Home Cinema 2100 1080p 3LCD projector
It has 2,500 lumens of equal color and white brightness and thus suitable for various lighting conditions. It gives you a large display of 132 inches and thus good for home theater. It has a dynamic contrast ratio of 35,000:1, which is good for dark scenes. The machine accepts versatile connectivity via the two HDMI ports.
Again, the machine has Innovative LCD technology that gives you amazing pictures without a rainbow effect. Furthermore, the projector has a Full HD resolution, and it is easy to use. It is also portable and easy to carry from place to place.
PROS
- Versatile connectivity
- Easy to use
- Full HD
- Large display
- Dynamic contrast ratio
CONS
- Has HDMI ports only
3) BenQ HT2150ST 1080P Short Throw Projector
Use this device to create a big display when playing games. It will give you a 1080p full HD image quality with 2200 ANSI Lumens. It has a 15, 000: 1 contrast ratio that gives you quality images. It has a short-range projection, and you can attain a 100-inch display from a three-ft distance.
The machine can project up to 300 inches. It has high responsiveness upon connection. Moreover, the machine has a 3-year limited part and labor coverage warranty. The machine is also long-lasting.
PROS
- Full HD images
- Short-range projection
- High responsiveness
- Large projection
- Long-lasting
CONS
- Limited warranty
4) ViewSonic 3200 Lumens Full HD 1080p Short Throw Home Theater Projector
The projector can give you a big screen of up to 300 inches. It has 3200 lumens. Furthermore, it supports a wide variety of colors to give you the best images ever. It has a long-life lamp that can shine for 10,000 hours and thus will serve you for long.
Also, the projector has 3-year limited parts and labor coverage and 1-year of lamp coverage. You will also have access to the company’s US-based customer service team. In addition, it supports various media players, PCs, Macs, and smartphones.
PROS
- One year lamp warranty
- Large screen projection
- Wide variety of colors
- It is durable
- Supports various media players
CONS
- Limited warranty on parts and labor
5) Optoma CinemaX P1 4K UHD Laser TV Home Theater Projector
The machine works with Google Alexa so that you only need to use voice commands to operate it. It can give you high-quality images with 4K Ultra HD and 8.3 million distinct on-screen pixels. It has an advanced laser source of 3000 lumens of brightness.
The machine requires less space since it can project a 120-inch screen from 15 inches away. Again, with this device, you do not have to buy soundbars since it has inbuilt ones. It is also easy to set up.
PROS
- Easy setup
- Short projection range
- Full HD
- Supports Alexa
- Built-in soundbar
CONS
- It is expensive
6) ViewSonic True 4K Projector with 3500 Lumens
The machine can display a Full HD screen of up to 300 inches in 3500 lumens. Furthermore, it will produce high-quality images in bright or dark rooms. It is durable since the lamp can shine for 15,000 hours.
Also, the machine has 3-year limited parts and labor coverage. It also has a 1-year of lamp coverage. Upon buying it, you will access the US-based customer service team anytime in need. Above all, the machine has flexible connectivity.
PROS
- It is durable
- One-year lamp coverage
- Suitable for both bright and dark rooms
- US-based customer care
- Full HD
CONS
- Limited warranty on parts and labor coverage
7) Sony Home Theater Projector VPL-HW45ES
The machine has super-resolution since it projects full HD images. It has minimal blur, and images are clear. It has a 1.6x zoom ratio, which makes it suitable for various room sizes. Furthermore, it has a wider coverage and greater stability with the built-in industry-standard RF transmitter.
The lamp is long-lasting and can shine for 6,000 hours. It has a remote control so that you can operate it from a distance. Use the manual to ensure that you do not mess up during installation.
PROS
- Full HD display
- Long-lasting lamp
- Wide coverage
- Large zoom ratio for different room sizes
- User manual
CONS
- It is costly
8) VAVA 4K UHD Laser TV Home Theatre Projector
If you have been looking for ultra-short-throw projectors, then this will suit you. It can project a 100-inch screen just from 7.2 inches away. It has 4K Resolution with HDR so that you can enjoy high-quality images. It has 3000: 1 native contrast far higher than the standard 2000: 1 native contrast in movie theatres.
Also, the lamp is long-lasting and can last for 25,000 hours. Those are several years of use! It also has an integrated Harman Kardon soundbar so that you do not have to buy a new one. Buy the device and get the best customer service ever. Furthermore, the machine has a 12-24 months warranty.
PROS
- Warranty
- 4K resolution
- Long-lasting lamp
- Excellent customer support
- Short-range projection
CONS
- It is expensive
Bottom line
Projectors are essential tools in various places, such as the cinema halls, conferences, and homes. They are better than the conventional screens since you can adjust screen sizes depending on the room’s size. Projectors that accept a large variety of input devices are economical to buy as they will give you the flexibility of use. It is always advisable to check the shine hours of a projector lamp before buying.
