best home theater projector under 500

I spent many hours looking for the best home theater projector for under $500. I made a list of the good ones and which was the best for you.

Are you attending a company conference, or do you want to watch your favorite movie at home with your family? It is effortless and much more fun than standing in line at the theater. It would be best if you had a home theater projector.

I never looked at customer ratings and reviews. I just experimented with some of the most dependable projectors. I will tell you how to buy the best projector under 500. Then I will show you my favorite projector.

Here Are the Best Home Theater Projector Under 500

Best Home Theater Projector Under 500 – Comparison Table

BenQ MS524AE 1080p Supported SVGA 3300 Lumens HDMI Vibrant...
Epson Home Cinema 660 3,300 lumens color brightness (color...
ViewSonic 3800 Lumens WXGA High Brightness Projector for...
Optoma HD146X High Performance Projector for Movies & Gaming...
Acer H5382BD 720P 3D DLP Home Theater Projector - White
BenQ MS524AE 1080p Supported SVGA 3300 Lumens HDMI Vibrant...
Epson Home Cinema 660 3,300 lumens color brightness (color...
ViewSonic 3800 Lumens WXGA High Brightness Projector for...
Optoma HD146X High Performance Projector for Movies & Gaming...
Acer H5382BD 720P 3D DLP Home Theater Projector - White
Screen Resolution
SVGA, 800×600
1280 X 800 WXGA
1920 x 1080p Full HD
1080p (1920×1080)
720p (1280 x 720)
Lumens
3300
3300
3600
3000
3300
Hours by Mode
4000/6000/10000
5000 - 10000
up to 15,000 Hours
up to 12,000 Hours
5000 (Standard), 6000 (Eco)
Aspect Ratio
Native 4: 3
4:3
4:3
16: 9
16:9 (Native), 4:3 (Supported)
Display Type
DLP
3LCD
DLP
DLP
DLP
73 Reviews
215 Reviews
909 Reviews
2,300 Reviews
281 Reviews
BenQ MS524AE 1080p Supported SVGA 3300 Lumens HDMI Vibrant...
BenQ MS524AE 1080p Supported SVGA 3300 Lumens HDMI Vibrant...
Screen Resolution
SVGA, 800×600
Lumens
3300
Hours by Mode
4000/6000/10000
Aspect Ratio
Native 4: 3
Display Type
DLP
73 Reviews
Epson Home Cinema 660 3,300 lumens color brightness (color...
Epson Home Cinema 660 3,300 lumens color brightness (color...
Screen Resolution
1280 X 800 WXGA
Lumens
3300
Hours by Mode
5000 - 10000
Aspect Ratio
4:3
Display Type
3LCD
215 Reviews
ViewSonic 3800 Lumens WXGA High Brightness Projector for...
ViewSonic 3800 Lumens WXGA High Brightness Projector for...
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080p Full HD
Lumens
3600
Hours by Mode
up to 15,000 Hours
Aspect Ratio
4:3
Display Type
DLP
909 Reviews
Optoma HD146X High Performance Projector for Movies & Gaming...
Optoma HD146X High Performance Projector for Movies & Gaming...
Screen Resolution
1080p (1920×1080)
Lumens
3000
Hours by Mode
up to 12,000 Hours
Aspect Ratio
16: 9
Display Type
DLP
2,300 Reviews
Acer H5382BD 720P 3D DLP Home Theater Projector - White
Acer H5382BD 720P 3D DLP Home Theater Projector - White
Screen Resolution
720p (1280 x 720)
Lumens
3300
Hours by Mode
5000 (Standard), 6000 (Eco)
Aspect Ratio
16:9 (Native), 4:3 (Supported)
Display Type
DLP
281 Reviews

BenQ MS524AEBest Projectors For Outdoor Movies

BenQ MS524AE 1080p Supported SVGA 3300 Lumens HDMI Vibrant...
73 Reviews
BenQ MS524AE 1080p Supported SVGA 3300 Lumens HDMI Vibrant...
  • 3300 ANSI Lumen High brightness for stunning presentations
  • 15, 000: 1 High Native contrast for crisp readability.Acoustic Noise (Typ./Eco.) 32/29 dB, C sku:...
  • Dual HDMI inputs for multiplatform digital connectivity. HDTV compatibility: 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p,...

BenQ MS524AE is a good choice if you are looking for a quality projector. It has an easy-to-use control panel at the top and 3 adjustment meters to move anywhere. It also has all your connections on the back, making it convenient.

The BenQ best home theater projector under 500 gives an excellent picture. It has 3,300 lumens for brightness. It is the most potent brightness of any projector on the market.

The resolution is an 800 x 600 SVGA widescreen image. It will be seen in well-lit and dark rooms with its 10-watt mono speaker to make you sound better than any other wireless speaker.

This type of projector is DLP. It can show you movies or sports in HD. The contrast ratio is 15,000:1. It means the quality of the movie or game will be excellent.

There are two VGA ports and one HDMI port to work together without problems when talking by video chat (such as Skype).

The remote control has a switch to set up the installation quickly, and a light on top makes it easier to access the device without delay.

BenQ MS524AE Specs

  • Native Resolution: SVGA, 800×600
  • Brightness (Lumens): 3300
  • Throw and Zoom Ratio: 1.94~2.32 / 1.2x
  • Light Source Life (Hours by Mode): 4000/6000/10000 hours
  • HDMI: 2
  • VGA: 2
  • Built-in Speakers: 2W x 1
  • Aspect Ratio: Native 4: 3
Pros
  • Excellent option at the price point
  • Lightweight and transportable
  • Marvelous brightness and contrast
  • The goal for business presentations
  • Eco-friendly modes
Cons
  • Almost low throw size
  • Normal speaker

This projector is good. I hope it does not have any significant problems. But, I noticed that the in-built speakers are not very good. Therefore, Benq is the best choice if you need a new projector for home entertainment.

Epson – Best Home Cinema Projector

Epson Home Cinema 660 3,300 lumens color brightness (color...
215 Reviews
Epson Home Cinema 660 3,300 lumens color brightness (color...
  • Images up to 300 Inches : life sized images up to 25x larger than a 60 Inches flat panel, on...
  • Bright : ideal for a variety of lighting conditions, the Projector has 3, 300 Lumens of equal color...
  • All digital HDMI connectivity : Connect your cable/satellite box, Blu ray Disc player, gaming...

The Epson home theater projector is perfect for watching movies and playing games. It is one of the best home theater projectors under $500 with high-quality video. The Epson home cinema projector is an LCD model with many connections. It has excellent picture quality, and it is small. The design of this projector is complicated but beautiful anyway.

You can carry the projector in a carrying bag. The wheel in the center helps you to position it. There is also a button for power and one for home to help you find your favorite pictures. On the back of the projector are ports for connecting to computers and other devices. One is called a USB Type-A port, and another is a USB Type-B port.

The projector supports a resolution of 800×600. It also has an aspect ratio of 4:3, which is best for 3LCD technology.
The company has considered the device at 3300 Lumens of brightness and has a long life for light. It lasts 5000 hours in normal mode or 10000 hours in eco mode. The company also has an exchange policy if the device has a problem.

Epson Specs

  • Brightness: 3, 300 ANSI Lumens
  • Resolution: 1280 X 800 WXGA
  • Display: 3LCD
  • Item Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.8 x 3.4 in
  • Connectivity Technology: HDMI
  • Screen Size: 33-320 inches
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Pros
  • 3300 Lumens of equal color balance and white brightness.
  • Portable, and replacement of the tube are also easy.
  • It supports multiple input options,
  • The original resolution, it uses WXGA excellent standard.
Cons
  • It doesn’t have an audio out port.

I compared this Epson projector with a BenQ projector. I noticed that the Epson one was better in brightness and contrast. So, I recommend it for people who want an HD-quality performance.

ViewSonic 3600 Lumens – Best Projector For Business Presentations

ViewSonic 3800 Lumens WXGA High Brightness Projector for...
909 Reviews
ViewSonic 3800 Lumens WXGA High Brightness Projector for...
  • VERSATILE PROJECTOR: High brighness 3800 Lumens WXGA projector with advanced visual features
  • EASY SETUP: 1.1x optical zoom, 40 degree vertical keystone
  • REDUCED INPUT LATENCY: A low 16ms input latency provides faster frame by frame action for smooth...

Here is a projector from ViewSonic. You can watch videos on it and see them. It has the Elite ViewSonic Scolor Technology that helps you see colors better.

Even if you are using the projector outside, this projector can produce 3600 lumens of brightness. This brightness is enough to see the screen. This original native WXGA 1280×800 resolution can show you high-definition pictures and videos. The device can connect via HDMI, VGA ports, and Audio-in/out.

SuperEco is a feature that can make energy useless. You can save up to 70% of the energy you would have used. Your lamp will last for 10,000 hours instead of 1000 hours. The audiovisual features and connectivity options are excellent, too!

The PA503W is perfect for education and small business environments. You get a 3-year limited parts and labor warranty, a 1-year lamp warranty, and a first-year free express replacement service. The power usage will depend on how often the product has been used before and other factors not mentioned here.

ViewSonic 3600 Specs

  • Brightness: 3600 ANSI Lumens
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080p Full HD( 1200X 800 ) WXGA
  • Display: DLP
  • Contrast: 22000:1
  • Throw Distance: 3.28ft – 36.02ft
  • Screen Size: 30-300 inches
  • 3D Compatible
  • Lamp Life: up to 15,000 Hours
  • Warranty: 3 years
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Pros
  • Pretty low fan noise
  • WXGA resolution at 1280×800
  • 3200-lumen brightness rating
  • HDMI jack
Cons
  • No carry case

It is perfect for home entertainment as I see the project is best for the training center. Still, BenQ is similarly excellent, but moderately. This ViewSonic extends further contrast and aspect rate better than BenQ.

Optoma – Best Home Theater Projector 4k

Optoma HD146X High Performance Projector for Movies & Gaming...
2,300 Reviews
Optoma HD146X High Performance Projector for Movies & Gaming...
  • CINEMATIC PICTURE QUALITY: Enjoy crisp, high-definition images with a native 1080p (1920×1080)...
  • PERFECT IMAGE ALIGNMENT: With the latest technology from Texas Instruments, the DLP DMD single-chip...
  • LIGHTS-ON VIEWING: Enjoy an incredible 3, 600 of brightness in any room in your home; leave the...

The Optoma HD143X is among the best alternatives for a home theater projector under $500. It also works well for home entertainment but is cheaper than other brands like ViewSonic and BenQ.

Optoma makes the best projectors in the market. They are more expensive, but they have better features and advanced technologies. When you compare them to other projectors, you can see how much better they are.

The Optoma HD143X is a great choice for watching TV or playing games at home. It is small and lightweight. It can produce colors that are true to life and has a high brightness of 3000 lumens.

It has a high contrast ratio of 23,000:1 and bright and accurate colors. The throw ratio is 1.47ft to 1.62ft by 1.1x optical zoom. It has 10w built-in speakers and supports MHL with a screen project size of 28 to 301 inches.

Optoma HD143X Specs

  • Brightness: 3000 ANSI Lumens
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080p Full HD( 1920X 1080 ) WXGA
  • Display: DLP
  • Contrast: 23000:1
  • Throw Distance: 1.47ft – 1.672ft
  • Screen Size: 30-300 inches
  • 3D Compatible
  • Lamp Life: up to 12,000 Hours
  • Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Pros
  • 1.1x zooming range
  • 2 HDMI ports for smooth connectivity
  • HDR mode for powerful gaming
  • Approximately 3,400 Lumens brightness
  • A standard of 15,000 lamp life
Cons
  • No noise reduction feature
  • It doesn’t support Dolby

Acer H5382BD – Best Projectors Under 500

Acer H5382BD 720P 3D DLP Home Theater Projector - White
281 Reviews
Acer H5382BD 720P 3D DLP Home Theater Projector - White
  • Projection Sytem: DLP
  • Resolution: Native 720p (1280 x 720)
  • Brightness: 3300 ANSI Lumens (Standard)

The Acer H5382BD is one of the best projectors for a home theater that you can buy. You can get it for under $500; it is durable and reliable. Sometimes, people think they are frustrated with the product, but so far, there have been thousands of opportunities where Acer has ensured that people do not leave frustrated.

The ports are at the back of the system: one USB port, two HDMI ports, one MHL port, and another USB Type-A port. You can connect with devices using an audio input and output and an RS-232 port.

The Acer H5382BD has 3300 lumens of brightness. It has an aspect ratio of 16 to 9 and a contrast ratio of 20,000 to 1. Its resolution can be increased from 720 (to) 1920 by 1080 pixels.

Acer says the light life can last 5,000 hours if you use regular mode, 6,000 hours in Eco mode, and 10,000 hours if you use Extreme Eco mode.

Acer H5382BD Specs

  • Projection System: DLP.
  • Display Panel: 0.62 inches DarkChip 3 DMD.
  • Resolution: Native 720p (1920 x 1080)
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (Native), 4:3 (Supported).
  • Contrast Ratio: 20000:1.
  • Brightness: 3300 ANSI Lumens (Standard)
  • Lamp Life: 5000 Hours (Standard), 6000 Hours (Eco)
Pros
  • 1080×720 resolution
  • 3300 lumens
  • HDMI port
  • Auto keystoning
Cons
  • Some motion artifacts

I suggest the Acer H5382BD. It is a good projector if you want something that can do many things.

Conclusion

People who want a home theater projector usually look for a good one for around 500 dollars. I have selected a ViewSonic home projector. It has 3600 lumens of illumination.

It is suitable for your display and company meeting. So let us show you our other projectors that would fill you perfectly. I hope I can help you find the best home theater projector for under $500. Please visit other parts of this website for reviews on more products.

If you can’t decide which projector to buy, I will share the list of the best projectors 2022 with you. After seeing all this information, hopefully, you will have made your decision.

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