When you are investing your hard-earned money on a projector, especially under the 500 dollar range, there are features that will help you to judge the performance. Here we present all the noticeable features to check out when getting the best budget best projector under 500 dollar.

Resolution Offered

The first thing you should check out is the resolution offered by the projector, as it will decide the visual quality you will get. Even though the resolution is not the only deciding factor for visual quality, a high resolution can make a significant difference. It is always recommended to get the maximum resolution possible, but under $500, you won’t get above full HD. Make sure you shouldn’t compromise on other resolutions when comparing with other features, as a poor resolution will make the visuals blurry and pixelated.

Connection Availability

Whether you are getting a projector under 500 or 1000 dollars, you shouldn’t overlook the connection availability offered by the projector. The ports are one of the vital features of the projector as they ensure a smooth connection with other devices. The availability of all the necessary connections like HDMI, VGA, USB, audio 3.5mm, Bluetooth, etc., will make sure of the convenient usage of the projector. Moreover, it will help you to play content from various sources without facing any limitations.

Buying a device like a projector is not easy, and it becomes trickier when you try to hunt for the best video projector for under 500 dollars. So to make your buying process easy and less stressful, we have created a guide that will help you to ideal the appropriate best projector under 500. The following factor should be your significant considerations;

Brightness

After considering the projection technology, it is time to consider the brightness level. Brightness which is generally specified by lumens, serves as a vital factor because it decides how bright your images will be in any light condition. You have to determine the lumens rating according to your usage and setup location. If you plan to use the projector mostly inside the room with minimal light interference, then the 1000-2000 ANSI lumens range would be sufficient for you. However, if your entertainment room faces a lot of ambient light problems or you plan to use it in an outdoor area, then it would be wise to get a 3000+ lumens projector.

Resolution

When deciding on a projector, you shouldn’t compromise on the resolution as the higher the resolution, the better the picture quality will be. However, you can’t expect to get a projector with 4K or full HD native resolution. Although you might get lucky to get a full HD projector under $500 due to Amazon offers.

Your target should be getting a 720p or 600p native resolution projector because they will ensure a high-quality output with top-notch detailing. Some of the projectors also come with full HD support so that you won’t have a problem playing full HD movies or presentation content on the large screen. However, you should remember that with an increase in resolution, the price of the best projector under 500 also increases.

Contrast and Color

While evaluating brightness and resolution, many users often overlook contrast and color, but you shouldn’t. Just like other features, contrast and color play a vital role in deciding the quality of the projector’s visuals. You should always target a projector that not only offers a high contrast ratio but also offer stunning color accuracy.

A projector with a contrast ratio of more than 10000:1 and over 90% color gamut coverage will mesmerize you with some incredible images for all your needs. If you go for a projector with low contrast and poor color accuracy, you will get a bland image output even if you have HD native resolution. So it is crucial to have the right blend of all the features.

Connectivity Options

A projector should be equipped with all the suitable connection options, including both wired and wireless. However, under the 500 dollar range, it is implausible that all the quality projectors will offer you both wired and wireless options. So your main task would be to get a projector with all the standard connectivity like HDMI, VGA, USB, and audio 3.5mm. Having all the standard ports will allow you to connect most of the modern devices with ease.

It would also be great to have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity because it will not only allow you to go wireless but also enjoy screen mirroring through your smartphone. Moreover, it saves you from the hassle of hooking the cable to the best projector under 500 when it is mounted on the ceiling.

Screen Size and Throw Distance

When you are considering all the essential features to buy the ideal projector for, under 500 dollars, you should also check the screen size and throw distance. The throw distance not only decides the distance between the projector and screen but also ensures a clear image output. Different projectors have different throw distances, and it tells you how much setup area it needs. So if you are setting the projector in a small area, then you need ultra-short or short throw distance.

But if space is not a problem, then you can go for a normal throw distance. Along with throw distance, you should also consider the screen size of your projector because it will decide your extensive screen experience. Most of the projectors you will find under $500 offer a fantastic screen size range of around 40-200inch so you won’t have any problem. However, for a proper movie experience, we will recommend you for a wide clear-screen image size range.

Lamp Longevity

When it comes to getting a projector, apart from the performance, you should also consider the bulb life of the projector. Lamp life of around 20000hours will not only ensure great longevity but will also save you from frequent lamp replacement. It is expensive hardware of a best projector under 500, and if you get a high lamp life, then it will reduce your cost of ownership. We would suggest you to go for a minimum bulb life of 10000hours, but it would be better if you can get it around 20000hours.