10 Best Budget Projectors 2026 in the United States

The NEBULA Mars 3 Outdoor Portable Projector is a solid choice for those looking for a budget-friendly projector for outdoor and on-the-go use. Its 1080p resolution ensures clear and sharp images, making movie nights enjoyable. With 1000 ANSI lumens of brightness, it performs well in low-light outdoor settings, although it may struggle in bright daylight. The projector's AI-powered image adjustment helps optimize picture quality automatically, which is a handy feature for casual users. The throw distance and 200-inch max screen size allow for a flexible setup, whether it’s in a backyard or a camping site.

The Epson Home Cinema 980 is a strong choice among budget projectors, especially if you want bright, clear images for gaming, sports, or home theater use. Its 4,000 lumens brightness (both color and white) means it can handle rooms with some light without the picture looking washed out, which is better than many budget options. The 1080p resolution delivers sharp, detailed images that suit movies and games well. It also includes a handy built-in speaker, so you won’t immediately need external speakers, though for the best sound experience, you might want to add those.

The BenQ GV50 is a portable projector designed for cozy home movie nights and versatile entertainment. Its native 1080p resolution ensures clear and sharp images, while the support for 4K content adds a layer of future-proofing. With 500 ANSI Lumens, it provides decent brightness for dimly lit rooms, although it might struggle in very bright environments. The vibrant color performance with 98% Rec.709 wide color gamut should offer satisfying visuals for most users.