7 Best Projectors Under $400 2023- Review & Buying Guide

Can I get a quality projector for under $400? The question comes to your mind when you plan to buy a new projector under a strict budget constraint. The simplest answer to your question is yes. There are many projectors under $400 that serve the purpose of mini-home theatre and are also great for business or educational purposes.

However, it is quite hard to figure out quality projectors under $400. It is critical to creating a balance between the price and its features to get the best experience. Keep in mind that budget devices cut down some important features to make them affordable. We have reviewed the seven best projectors under $400 you can buy in 2023.

Top Projectors Under $400

1. ViewSonic 3800 Lumens WXGA Projector – Best Home Theater Projector For The Price

The Viewsonic 3800 lumens projector with the WXGA native resolution and 40-degree keystone correction is the best projector for watching HD and Full HD movies on big screens. The projector impressed us the most with its image quality. The projector comes equipped with 380 lumens brightness coupled with a 22000:1 contrast ratio.

Plus, it uses super color technology that offers a wide range of colors enabling the projector to produce incredible image quality for movies and other HD content. We also loved the versatility of the projector; it has many features making it suitable for office, home, and institutional use. You can maintain the image quality even on a large screen by zoom and focus rings as it offers a 40-degree keystone adjustment.

The projector’s versatility is further increased by a size range between 30-300 inches and a 3.5 mm throw ratio. ViewSonic Projector comes with an impressive range of ports, including a 3.5 m audio jack, VGA, HDMI, composite RCA video, RS232, and USB. It means you can connect the projector with a wide range of devices. The only flaw we noticed is its noisy fan.

The fan inside the projector produced noise slightly larger than average, which sounds annoying during presentations and movies. Finally, buy this projector as it has an impressive lamp life of 15000 hours at super eco mode. Also, the manufacturer is offering a 3-year warranty on limited parts.

 

ViewSonic 38000 lumens projector with native WXGA brightness is a versatile projector for office, home, and institutional use. It produces the sharpest image quality with a 22000:1 contrast ratio, SuperColor technology, and 40-degree keystone adjustment even on large screens.

2. Anker Nebula Apollo Wi-Fi Mini Projector -Top Budget Projector

Anker Nebula is one of the best projectors under $400 that offers superior image quality and portability. The projector features a high MTF lens coupled with Full HD native resolution, taking its image quality to a new height. We really appreciate the performance of this portable projector for HD movie playing. With a contrast ratio of 2000:1 and 200 LED lumens, the projector produces a sharp and high-quality image on the screen size of 100-inches.

The brightness level is amazing for such a small size and portable projector that gives you an amazing performance even in the daylight. The feature that made me add this model to this list is its portability. It comes in a small form factor weighing around only 0.75 kg, allowing you to take this device anywhere with you. Also, it comes equipped with a 9750 mAH battery that lets you watch movies and other content for up to 240 minutes.

This projector offers a wide range of ports, including HDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, audio 3.5 mm, and a mini USB. It is evident that you can connect the projector with all modern devices to give presentations and play movies. The projector features android 7.1 OS allowing you to download your favorite content from Hulu, Amazon, and Netflix.

Plus, it has 3000+ hours of lamp life which is amazing as you don’t need to replace the lamp for at least 10 years. Finally, we really liked the control panel. It has a transparent touch panel and a few buttons, making the menu navigation a real breeze.

 

Anker Nebula Apollo Wifi projector is the best portable option you can buy in 2023. With its superior image quality and impressively convenient control panel, the projector lets you play FHD content anywhere, anytime.

3. Epson EX3260 SVGA 3,300 lumens Color Brightness

Epson EX3620 SVGA projector offers razor-sharp details for text and images. It boasts of a high contrast ratio of 15000:1, giving you crispier details and superior image quality for business and education presentations. It offers 300 lumens brightness, giving you the best experience even in the well-lit rooms.

Although it doesn’t offer a Full HD resolution, it provides a satisfying experience at 800×6000 native resolution. We were also impressed by the keystone correction offered by this projector. It offers horizontal manual keystone adjustment while vertical auto adjustment, making the screen perfect for presentations.

The only thing we dislike is that the projector comes with only standard connectivity options like HDMI, 3.5 mm Audio Jack, and SVGA. However, it can be connected to all modern devices like PCs and laptops.

Plus, it has a quick and easy setup with an intuitive and straightforward control panel that helps you start the device in no time. Please buy this product with confidence as it offers a lamp life of around 10,000+ hours and a warranty of 1-year.

 

Epson EX3260 offers 300 lumens brightness and 800×600 native resolution. It is one of the best projectors under $400 you can buy in 2023. Also, it has a high contrast ratio and a 3 LCD technology, giving crispier and razor-sharp details during presentations.

4. Optoma S334e SVGA Bright Professional Projector

It’s pretty hard to find a professional-grade projector under $400, but we have got a reliable and trustworthy option for you. Optoma S334e featuring 38000-lumen brightness offers terrific image and video quality even in the well-lit rooms and large conference halls. We were impressed by the projector’s amazing performance in all conditions.

It has a constant ratio of 22000:1 couples with 800×600 native resolution giving you the sharpest and crispier image quality at large screen size. The projector offers a screen size between 27-304 inches. However, we recommend keeping the size between 100-200 inches for crispy and better image quality.

The image quality is further enhanced by a throw ratio of 1.94:1. It allows you to play HD content and present presentations with vivid and clearer image quality. We were also pleased to get a wide range of port options. It comes equipped with an HDMI port, 3.5 mm audio jack, VGA, Composite, and USB, giving you the freedom to connect the projector with all modern external devices.

The projector has a 10-watt built-in speaker that offers a large sound level and quality. These speakers are ideal for small rooms, but it is recommended to use external speakers in large conference halls.

 

If you are looking for a professional-grade yet affordable projector, consider this option by Optoma. With 3800 lumens brightness and 22000:1 contrast ratio, it gives you the sharpest image quality with vivid details even in well-lit rooms.

5. YABER Y21 Native 1920 x 1080P Projector

Yaber Y21 is another incredible product you can buy for under $400. The projector boasts of Full HD native resolution making it a perfect choice for business presentations and watching movies. The projector also impressed us with its large screen size and throw distance of 5.5 meters.

With a 1080p resolution and 7000:1 color contrast ratio, it delivers sharp and crystal clear details for text and images. Although it uses LED technology, it works great for HD movies, giving a real cinematic experience. Additionally, you will get a screen size between 45-300 inches. We recommend you keep the screen size between 150-200 inches for the best experience.

The feature that sets it apart from other projectors under $400 is its 6800 lumens brightness. It is the only projector that offers 3800-lumen brightness for white light while 3800 lumens for colored lights. This feature makes the projector ideal for daylight and outdoor conditions. Finally, we really appreciate the terrific lamp life of 100000+ hours and the 6-months money-back guarantee.

 

If you are on the lookout for a projector under $400 with high resolution and brightness, this is the best option you can have. The projector offers a screen size between 45-300 inches and a brightness level of 6800 lumens, making it perfect for home and commercial use.

6. Gzunelic 7000 Lumens Android Wi-Fi Bluetooth Projector-G8W

Gzunelic G8W comes equipped with several quality features and can outperform many expensive professional-grade projectors. The feature that sets this projector apart from its counterparts is its brightness level. With an impressive 7000 lumen LED Brightness, the projector lets you play movies, presentations, and other HD contents in well-lit rooms and even outdoors.

Moreover, we found this is the only projector under $400 that gives the real cinematic visuals-thanks to its Full HD display. Plus, with its FHD resolution coupled with a wide range of color technology and 10000:1 contrast ratio, it reproduces cinematic visuals with impressive clarity and crispy details.

In addition to impressive performance, we loved the ease of control this projector offers. It features android 6.0 and can be operated via a cell phone. It also allows you to mirror your favorite contents on the big screen from your phone. However, it is imperative to be in the same wifi network. Plus, it also gives you access to online videos, online games, and various apps.

Plus, it has a 4D keystone adjustment that lets you fix the image from four sides making this projector ideal for business presentations, HD movies, and playing games. Also, it has a 5-watt stereo speaker with SRS sound that offers sufficiently clear and loud sound quality in closed rooms. However, it is recommended to pair it up with separate speakers in large conference rooms.

 

Gzunelic G8W offers 7000 lumens brightness and an FHD resolution allowing you to play videos and presentations in ambient light conditions. Plus, its intuitive control mode and impressively wide range of ports help it stand out as the best projector under $400.

7. AAXA P7 Mini Projector with Battery

AAXA P7 mini projector with a quality DLP engine and high MTF lens offers the most standout image quality you can expect from a mini portable projector. The most standout feature we find on this mini portable projector is its resolution. It offers 1080p Full HD resolution, which is quite impressive for such a small-sized projector.

Plus, 6000 lumen LED brightness coupled with a 2000:1 color contrast ratio lets you play videos and presentations with crispier details and impressive color reproduction. Plus, we really appreciate the big screen size of 120-inches. You can adjust the screen size up to 10 inches from a few feet away, which is a real bonus you can get with a portable projector.

The projector also features a wide range of connectivity options making it versatile. These options include composite AV, VGA, HDMI, USB, TF port, and smartphone mirroring. The projector uses a 35-watt li-ion battery that gives you a playtime of 90 minutes.

Batteries are included with the package for Amazon customers; however, it is recommended to always keep spare batteries with you. Finally, the projector promises a 3000+ hours lamp life, which means you don’t need to replace the lamp in the near future.

 

AAXA P7 portable projectors with 1080p native resolution and 6000 lumens brightness can outperform many professional-grade projectors. With a lightweight form factor and a wide range of ports, you can play the presentations and videos from various devices anytime and anywhere.

How To Choose The Best Projector Under $400?

You Need to be more careful when you are buying something under a limited budget. Therefore it is critical to consider a few factors before buying a projector under $400. A wisely chosen projector will serve the purpose and give a higher value for money. We have enlisted the most crucial factors one must take into account before buying a projector under 400 dollars.

Purpose

It is the main deciding factor that lets you choose the best projectors. Some projectors are designed for business and institutional use. They offer high brightness levels and sharp image and text qualities. While, if you are buying a projector for entertainment purposes, a high resolution should be your top priority. Home-based users and entertainment seekers should avoid business projectors, as they may cost you extra for nothing.

DLP or LCD

In projectors under $400, you will get two types of engines LCD and DLP. The projectors that offer LCD projection are relatively inexpensive. These projectors are ideal for presentations as they offer terrific brightness levels and superior text and image quality.

These projectors are not ideal for the movies as they lack performance in motion frames. If you want a projector for playing videos or watching movies, a DLP-type projection is the best option. They deliver faster movement in motion frames, making them ideal for watching 3D movies.

Resolution

Resolution is the most critical factor as it directly impacts the image clarity and quality of the projector. In projectors under $400, you can find the resolution upto FHD. 1921×1080 resolution will let you watch your favorite movies and content in the best possible quality. However, many projectors in this range feature 800 native resolution, which also works well in many conditions like presentations.

Contrast Ratio

It is the ratio between the darkest and brightest parts of the projection. This is a critical factor and has a great impact on visuals and graphics quality. The contrast ratio could be as high as 22000:1 and could be as low as 1200:1. The higher contrast ratio will result in better color reproduction and an enhanced viewing experience.

Brightness

The brightness of the projector is measured in Lumens. Usually, in this range, you can find the projectors offering 3800-lumen brightness. This brightness is enough to display the contents in a well-lit room. However, some portable projectors offer brightness between 700-1000 lumens which works great in closed and dark rooms.

Connectivity Options

Availability of various connectivity options enhances the versatility of the projector. It allows you to connect the projector with all modern and some outdated devices to play your favorite content. In 2023 you must look for a 3.5 mm audio jack, a USB, and HDMI, Composite AV, and VGA as standard input options. Moreover, many projectors under this range offer Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity, giving you the option of wireless connectivity.

Lamp Life

Lamp life is a crucial factor as lamp replacement is a costly process. Projectors usually offer two types of lamp life, one for normal mode and the other for economy mode. It is recommended to go with lamps offering the lamp life at least 10000 hours in normal mode. Lamp life is the most critical factor for business and institutional projectors.

Screen Size

Normally projectors under $400 offer a screen size between 30-350-inches. These projectors are ideal for commercial and institutional use. However, many models lose clarity above 150-inches. Portable projectors offer a screen size between 10-150 inches which is enough for home-based entertainment.

Physical Attributes and Portability

Size, weight, and mounting mechanisms are other important factors to consider. You can find many portable projectors under $400. These projectors feature a small form factor but cut down some important features like brightness and screen size. These types of projectors are ideal for entertainment or home-based use.

However, for commercial use, you should go with large-size projectors. Mounting style is also critical, and it should be in line with your ceiling structure. The temperature of the projector also affects its performance. The temperature of reliable projectors remains between 40-50 degrees celsius.

FAQs

Is 700 lumens good for a projector?

700 lumens brightness is good for normal use like gaming, mini-home theatre, or educational presentations. This brightness is great for closed and dark rooms; however, it might not work outdoors for commercial use.

Is 3000 lumens too bright?

3000-lumen brightness is ideal for outdoor use and large conference rooms. These brightness levels give you great visuals under ambient light conditions and well-lit rooms. However, it is too bright for watching movies in small dark rooms.

What is the best inexpensive projector?

ViewSonic 3800 Lumens WXGA High Brightness Projector is the best inexpensive projector. It offers a 1080p native resolution, 3800 lumens brightness, 22000:1 contrast ratio, and super color technology, making it perfect for home and business use.

Wrapping Up

We can safely conclude that we can find many reliable projectors under $400. However, it is critical to ensure that product you are buying is in line with your purpose and need. Our list of seven best projectors includes both business and home-use options.

Our top three picks from the list are

ViewSonic 3800 Lumens WXGA High Brightness Projector for its incredible brightness level, 40-degree ketone adjustment, and a contrast ratio of 22000:1.

Anker Nebula Apollo Wi-Fi Mini Projector for its high MTF lens, Full HD native resolution, small form factor, and wide range of connectivity options.

YABER Y21 Native 1920 x 1080P Projector for its 6800-lumen brightness, Full HD resolution, competitive price, and large screen size.

Keep in mind that resolution and brightness are the two main factors that decide the projector’s image quality. You should focus on brightness for business use, while for mini-home theatre, you should focus on the resolution and contrast ratio.