It is widely believed that if you want to get a stellar home cinema projector, you would need to spend tons of money in getting an ideal projector. But what if we told you that you could enjoy vivid colors, watch movies in HD resolution, and get stellar image quality without having to break your wallet?
Yes, we are talking about getting the best projector under 1000. But is that possible? To find out, we went through tons of home theater projectors on this budget point. Most projectors seemed good on paper, but only a handful delivered excellent picture quality and a good contrast ratio.
Wish to know all about them and make a proper purchase decision? You would want to stick till the end of this article!
Quick Summary
We will go through ten of the home theater projectors that fall at the affordable price point in this article. However, there are few that managed to impress us with the things they could offer for the money.
They are:
- Best Overall: The Optoma HD28HDR has the support to play 4K contents. And its contrast ratio is exceptionally high, which will allow you to get lifelike images on the screen. The input lag is reasonably low too.
- Best for Vivid Colors: Then, we have the Epson Home Cinema 2250. Its color brightness is top-notch. There is a proper wireless chip present as well. And it integrates Android TV OS, which will let you natively play different media.
- Best for Bright Pictures: Lastly, the Epson Pro EX9240 will impress you with its bright lamp. It can offer highly bright pictures even when there is a good amount of ambient light around. The unit also boasts a proper wireless chip to let you make a secure and stable wireless connection with mobile devices.
A Little about Projector Under 1000
Many buyers believe that you would need to stick to the premium lineup to get a stellar home theater projector. However, you can get the same user experience, if not better, with a budget projector.
Yes, many projectors under 1000 can offer a high contrast ratio, high brightness, and stellar picture and video quality. And through them, you can get a stellar performance while displaying office presentations, watching movies, or playing games.
10 Best Projector Under 1000 Dollars
We had to do loads of testing to find the best projectors under 1000. In those tests, we compared image quality, image brightness, contrast ratio, and other essential features. Among all, these are the ones that stood out:
1. optoma hd28hdr 1080p home theater projector
When you talk about the best 4K projector under 1000, the DLP projectors are the first ones that will pop up. And we have found a DLP projector that is highly capable of holding that position.
Unlike regular DLP projectors, this DLP projector packs a high-end DLP technology. That tech allows it to offer detailed and crisp images on the projector screen. And yes, it does have support for 4K resolution.So, you can watch movies and play games on it with stellar details.
Talking of which, this DLP projector has a high refresh rate. It can go up to 120Hz. In other words, fast-paced games and contents will seem buttery smooth on this home theater projector. The display technology also offers a low input lag.
The projector supports HDR as well. That will brighten up the whites and darken the blacks. The high native contrast ratio will further enhance this process. As the white brightness is reasonably high, you can set this gaming projector in environments with high ambient light around.
Other than that, the projector supports HDMI, USB, and other essential input and output connections. Those will let you make a quick and easy connection with gaming consoles and other external devices.
Why Should You Get It?
This projector under 1000 dollars offers everything that a premium device would provide and even more. It even integrates high-end display technology, which will offer a stellar overall movie-watching experience.
Pros
- Supports 4K resolution
- Utilizes high-end DLP technology
- Provides stellar picture quality
- Boasts significantly higher contrast ratio
- Has a low input lag
Cons
- Does not have any vertical lens shift adjustment
- Has no remote control
2. epson home cinema 2250 projector
Generally, Epson projector models can offer impressive picture quality and razor-sharp images. So, while looking for the best 4k projector under 1000, we wanted to check the Epson Home Cinema 2250 out. And we were not disappointed at all!
Let us first talk about image quality. The Epson Home Cinema 2250 delivers an impressive viewing experience. It has support for 4K contents, which means the image quality will be pretty sharp on those. The image enhancement display technologyof the LCD projector will further sharpen the images.
The Epson Home Cinema 2250 even integrates Android TV OS. And you will find an easy-to-use remote control to navigate through the Android TV OS smoothly. It also has support for all of the major streaming applications.
Furthermore, the color accuracy of this home theater projector is pretty impressive. It does not rely on a spinning color wheel like other LCD projectors. For that reason, the color brightness remains reasonably high too. It also integrates wireless casting technology.
There are built-in speakers as well. And the audio output from those speaker units will be capable of filling the room with sound. Watching movies with this home theater projector will surely be immersive. Also, the projector supports multiple input ports. So, pairing up gaming consoles and other devices will be easy.
Why Should You Get It?
This home theater projector has loads to offer. Connecting Android and Windows devices with it will also not be an issue, thanks to the flexible connectivity options.
Pros
- Provides higher color brightness
- Can wirelessly connect to mobile devices
- Provides high image brightness
- Offers vivid colors
- Capable of projecting a highly sharp image
Cons
- The Bluetooth chip is pretty dated
- Prone to the rainbow effect
3. epson pro ex9240 projector
While making a narrowed-down list with the best projectors under 1000, we prioritized a lot on brightness. And this offering from Epson stood out a lot from most of the other projectors under 1000.
As we mentioned, its display technology allows the unit to provide high brightness. And as the image brightness will be reasonably high, you will not need a fully dark room to enjoy bright images on the screen. It will work on most of the lighting conditions, and even there is ambient light around.
Other than providing high brightness, this projector under 1000 dollars supports full-HD resolution contents. That, combined with the high-end display technology, will make each content have greater overall detail.
It even sports a wireless screen mirroring feature. And its wireless chip will allow you to make a quick and easy connection with a gaming console or other devices. There are two HDMI ports available as well.
There is a keystone correction mechanism present. That will ensure that the picture is just perfect on the screen. You will even find an advanced lens shift mechanism. Also, thanks to the high contrast ratio, the white brightness and darkness of the blacks will be reasonably high.
Why Should You Get It?
This unit is yet another example that projectors under 1000 do not have to skimp out on the essentials. It even has a proper keystone correction, which will let you get perfect pictures on the screen.
Pros
- Sports a bright lamp
- Provides a high overall picture quality
- Utilizes high-end display technology
- Boasts keystone correction mechanism
- Works on most lighting conditions
Cons
- Fan noise is a bit high
- Might output rainbow effect from time to time
4. benq mh733 projector
Another name that will pop up when you go out searching for the best projectors under 1000 is BenQ. And we were pretty impressed with the lamp life this one can offer.
So, the lamp life of this projector under 1000 bucks is up to 15 thousand hours. And this is something you will not find for most of the DLP projectors at this same price range.
But that is not all! The home theater projector boasts the ability to offer superb image quality. It can provide stellar color accuracy and make the pictures seem true to life. The brightness of the images will be reasonably high too. For that reason, you will have any issues while setting it up in rooms with ambient light.
The overall size of this unit is smaller than most projectors. As a result, you will not face any issues while installing this. This mini projector also has loads of connectivity ports. There is a proper wireless chip present as well.
To enhance your viewing experience, it boasts high-e-nd display technology. You will even find loads of adjustment features and keystone correction mechanisms. Those will allow you to get the perfect alignment on the screen.
Why Should You Get It?
The lamp life is the most highlighting thing about this projector. It even offers stellar picture quality and higher overall brightness.
Pros
- Has a long lamp life
- Offers bright images
- Small and compact
- Boasts multiple connectivity ports
- Features loads of adjustment features
Cons
- Does not have an enhanced gaming mode
- The UI is a bit buggy
5. xiaoya outdoor projector
Are you on the lookout for the best projector under 1000 that comes with Hi-Fi stereo speakers? Look no more because XIAOYA has got exactly what you were looking for all this time.
As we mentioned, this projector under 1000 comes with a stellar set of speakers. The drivers are highly capable of providing a room-filling audio experience and will offer you an immersive audio-listening experience.
The fan noise will not even come in the way of the audio because it boasts a highly efficient fan. Its cooling system will be capable of keeping the lamp cool without making that much noise. The efficiency of the cooling system will also increase the overall lamp life.
Even the throw ratio of the unit is pretty praiseworthy. It can offer up to 170 inches of screen without being that far from the panel. For that reason, setting up this short-throw projector model will not be an issue. You will not even have to worry about connectivity as it has multiple connectivity ports.
Additionally, the lamp can offer reasonably bright images. Ambient light around the space will not be that much of an issue. The color accuracy is also pretty high. So, the pictures will be true to life, and movies will be fully enjoyable with this short-throw projector.
Why Should You Get It?
The fact that it comes with stereo hi-fi speakers truly impressed us. It can also offer stellar picture quality. Overall, you will have a fully immersive experience out of this.
Pros
- Boasts Hi-Fi stereo speakers
- The fan noise is reasonably low
- Can offer up to 170 inches of screen
- Has a short throw ratio
- Sports a high color accuracy
Cons
- Remote control is not user friendly
- Does not have a proper keystone correction feature
6. anker nebula capsule portable projector
You might have already heard about the brand Anker. Yes, they are pretty famous for offering stellar accessories and devices into the market. And they are not offering something that is a worthy pick for the best short throw projector under 1000.
The first thing that makes this unit stand out is the throw ratio. It can offer up to 100 inches of the screen by being reasonably close to the screen. This trait will eliminate the setup issues that many users have to go through with other projector models.
You will be amazed by the clarity of the image it can offer. The advanced DLP technology and the IntelliBright algorithms will ensure that you get a crisp and clear picture on the screen. Even the brightness of the images will be reasonably high.
Along with that, you will find an omnidirectional speaker inside this unit. That will offer 360 degrees of audio. So, it will be possible to get a proper audiolistening out of this. There is a Bluetooth and wi-fi chip present too. These chips will allow you to make wireless connections with the device.
Its overall form factor is pretty compact as well. The small nature will make it easier for you to carry it around. And thanks to the short-throw ratio of the lamp, setting this up will not be an issue either. It even boasts Android OS, which will make it easier to play media natively.
Why Should You Get It?
Its short-throw ratio is the main selling point. And the omnidirectional speaker is a cherry on the top.
Pros
- The throw ratio is pretty praiseworthy
- Features an omnidirectional speaker
- Utilizes advanced DLP tech
- Compact and highly portable
- Bosts Android OS
Cons
- Can not stream videos from Netflix natively
- Does not have a full-fledge USB port
7. Optoma GT1080HDR
On the lookout for the best home theater projector under 1000 with enhanced gaming mode? In that case, you would need to take a look at what Optoma is offering here.
First and foremost, this gaming projector can go all the way up to 120Hz. Due to that, fast-paced games will feel buttery smooth. The input lag is reasonably low too. It is at 8.4 ms. So, the gaming experience will be highly responsive.
But that is not all that this gaming projector under 1000 has to offer. It supports HDR content. That, combined with the high contrast ratio, will offer brighter whites and darker blacks. Movies, pictures, and games will seem lifelike on the screen.
Other than that, the native resolution of the projector is 1080p. It can offer crisp and clear images. Even the brightness of the pictures will be reasonably high. For that reason, you will not need a completely dark room to enjoy the contents. The color accuracy is reasonably high too.
There are numerous ports available on the back of this unit. As a result, it will be possible to pair it up with multiple devices at the same time. Also, adjusting the images on the screen will be pretty straightforward. The keystone correction system will make it easier to get perfectly aligned pictures on the screen.
Why Should You Get It?
This gaming projector under 1000 has got all the things that gamers want. It can go all the way up to 120Hz and has a low input lag. Even the pictures will be highly detailed and accurate in terms of colors.
Pros
- Supports 120Hz refresh rate
- Has a low input lag
- Compatible with HDR contents
- Offers crisp and clear images
- Features keystone correction system
Cons
- The lamp life is not that praiseworthy
- Does not have a zoom feature
8. benq ht2050a movie projector
One of the brands that are well-known in the projector space is BenQ. And this offering from them is an excellent pick for the best home theater projector. Want to know why? Continue reading!
To start with, it can offer stellar picture quality. The lamp is well capable of providing highly crisp and well-detailed images on the screen. Even the color accuracy is reasonably high. For that reason, you will be sure to have an amazing movie-watching experience out of it.
The input lag of the unit is pretty low too. It is at 16ms, which means the gamin-experience will be highly responsive. The lower input lag will also make the overall experience feel a lot smoother. It even has a short throw ratio. So, you will not have to set it further away from the panel just to get a big screen.
This projector under 1000 also features a load of connectivity ports. It has direct support for HDMI, USB, and other input options. You will not have to worry about dongles.
Furthermore, the DLP tech of the unit will ensure that the images on the screen have a higher overall contrast ratio. The images will seem lifelike and will have darker blacks and brighter whites.
Why Should You Get It?
Its superior picture quality will surely amaze you. And for the lower input lag, everything will seem highly responsive on the screen.
Pros
- Provides superior picture quality
- Has comparatively low input lag
- Color is reasonably accurate
- Sports a high contrast ratio
- Boasts loads of connectivity ports
Cons
- The integrated software is a bit buggy
- A bit loud when handling high load
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9. ViewSonic PX706HD
While looking for the best projectors under 1000, you might want to opt for something that has a reasonably long lamp life. In that case, you need to keep this offering from ViewSonic in your consideration.
The projector features an Eco mode. This mode will elongate the lamp life and allow the lamp to stay bright for up to 150 thousand hours. Now, that is not a short period for a projector at all!
It even has a short throw ratio. In other words, you would not need to set it further away from the panel just to get a big screen. Such a trait will eliminate the installation hassles. It also integrates exclusive color technology, which will offer highly accurate color on the panel.
Additionally, there is an enhanced gaming mode. In that mode, the latency will decrease dramatically. As a result, you will be capable of enjoying fast-paced games without any delays.
Even the details of the images are reasonably great. It features a native resolution of 1080p and can offer crisp and clear pictures on the screen. And there are loads of connectivity ports on the back. So, you will not need to worry about going through any hassles while connecting different devices to it.
Why Should You Get It?
The Eco mode of the projector will elongate the lifespan of the lamp. So, you will not need to change the lamp that frequently. It also offers highly-detailed pictures and has a lower overall input lag.
Pros
- Sports an Eco mode
- Features a short throw ratio
- Has an gaming mode
- Offers crisp and clear images
- Sports loads of connectivity ports
Cons
- The integrated speakers are not that high in quality
- Does not have advanced adjustment mechanisms
10. fangor 8500l native 1080p projector
Want to get your hands on one of the best home theater projectors that have proper wireless chips inside? Take a look at what FANGOR has to offer here.
You will not have to worry about connectivity at all. It integrates a proper wireless chip, which will let you make wireless connections with mobile devices. And as the chip is high-end, the connections will remain stable and secure. There are loads of wired connectivity ports available as well.
The advanced low noise design will eliminate the fan noise problem that is pretty common among different projectors. It will let you get fully into the content. Also, the images that it offers are crisp and well-detailed.
Other than that, it can support 4K contents. Even the native FHD resolution will offer you crisp and clear images on the screen. The brightness of the images will also be reasonably high.
It will be easy to get a perfectly aligned picture on the screen too. The unit comes with a keystone correction mechanism. It also has a zoom function, which will make the setup process hassle-free.
Why Should You Get It?
This projector comes with a proper wireless chip. That will allow you to make a stable wireless connection with the device. It even has a suitable cooling system.
Pros
- Packs high-end wireless chip
- Features a low noise design
- Supports 4K contents
- Offers crisp and clear images
- Has loads of adjustment settings
Cons
- The remote control is not that reliable
- Does not integrate a user-friendly UI
Read also: Why Are Projectors So Expensive?
7 things to Look for Before You Buy the best budget projector
Before you pull the trigger on buying any of the projectors that are available in the market, you would need to keep a couple of factors in mind. Without factoring them in, the chances of you ending up with the best projectors will be reasonably low. But what factors are we actually referring to here? They are as follows:
1. Image Quality
First and foremost, you would want to consider the picture quality. The best projector under 1000 would be the unit that can offer crisp and well-detailed images on the screen. And this will highly depend on the native resolution. So, we would recommend getting the ones that have a higher overall resolution.
2. Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio will dictate how bright the white and how dark the black parts of the images will look. And while you are selecting the best projector, you should pick the ones that have a high overall contrast ratio. Those will be capable of making the picture look true to life.
3. Accuracy of the Color
If the accuracy of the color is reasonably high, the pictures will not look lifelike. And that is something that you would not expect from the best projector, would you? For that reason, check the accuracy of the colors before making a purchase.
4. Brightness
Another thing that should be in your mind while looking for the best projector is the brightness of the image. It will primarily depend on the lumen rate. And the higher the lumens, the brighter the images will be on the screen.
5. Connectivity Options
If you do not want to go through any hassles, we would recommend picking the wireless projectors. Those will eliminate the hassles of handling wires. However, make sure that there are essential ports for wired connection, or else you will lose the flexibility.
6. Cooling System
The best projector needs to have a proper cooling system. If the design is not up to the mark, the lens will overheat. And that would lower the lamp and cause many issues with the image. So, you should check whether there is a proper cooling system present or not.
7. Adjustment Mechanisms
Usually, the best projectors will come with loads of adjustment mechanisms. Without these, it will get pretty hard to get a properly aligned picture on the screen. For that reason, check whether there is zoom, vertical shift, and other adjustment mechanisms present or not.
Projector Under 1000 (FAQs)
1. Do all home theater projector models come with integrated speakers?
Not really! Some of the units might come with speakers, and some might not. Also, some will have a Bluetooth speaker option, while some will not. It will basically vary from one offering to the other.
2. What lumen rate is good for projectors?
For the projectors, at least 1500 lumen is a must if you want to get a bright picture on the screen. However, when there is a good amount of ambient light around, you would want to get something that has at least 2500 lumens.
3. What are good contrast ratios for projectors?
The contrast ratio will dictate how dark the blacks are and how bright the whites are on the image. And for darker rooms, you would need at least a 1500:1 contrast ratio. However, the 2000:1 or higher is always better.
4. Which one has a higher lamp life, DLP or LED?
Usually, the average lamp life for the DLP projectors will be around 5000 hours. On the other hand, the LED lifespan will be over 20 thousand hours. In that sense, the LEDs have a longer overall lifespan.
5. What does the keystone correction feature mean?
The keystone feature will basically allow you to align the picture on the panel. It will help when the centerline of the image is not correctly aligned with the screen.
Verdict
As you can see, you really do not have to spend a ton just to get a good viewing experience. And rest assured, each model we have gone through in this article is nothing but the best projector under 1000. So, you can pick anyone that suits your needs without any hesitation.
However, among all of them, our top pick is the Optoma HD28HDR. It offers a load of money. The unit also supports 4K contents and has a significantly lower input lag.
But that does not mean that the other ones are not good for the money. They have a good overall value proposition, which is why they made it into the list.