overview 0 comments
If you're looking for the best projectors under $1,000, there are quite a few options, although most of the best projectors in this segment are significantly cheaper than that. The projectors here are certainly good enough for most consumers. These models deliver a decent viewing experience, and many have great smart features, eliminating the need to spend more on an external streaming device. Typically, the more portable a projector is, the worse its image quality, so keep that in mind when shopping for the best projector for your needs.
We've bought and tested more than 45 projectors, and below, you'll find the best models to buy for under $1,000. You can also look at our best projectors under $500 if you're looking for something even cheaper. For higher-end products, look instead at our best 4k projectors or best projectors. You can also vote on which ones you want us to purchase and test.
-
Best Projector Under $1,000
BenQ HT2060 3
Movies
7.6
Brightness
6.4
Contrast
8.6
Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy
8.5
Resolution
1080pSee all our test results
Hunting for a near‑$1K projector that punches way above its price tag? The BenQHT2060 hovers just over a grand at regular pricing, but it frequently slips below $1,000 on sale—close enough that it tops our list as the best projector under $1000. It delivers a razor‑sharp 1080p image with rich contrast that can outshine any other projector on this list in a dark room. Color accuracy is spot‑on straight from the box, but just know its brightness is only average—keep the lights low or the picture will look washed out.
Feature‑wise, it's lean: no built‑in smart OS, Wi‑Fi, or Bluetooth. It's the biggest projector on the list, so it's not necessarily very easy to move around, but it does have auto vertical keystone correction. Keep in mind that BenQ recommends not using that feature for the lowest latency possible. You get a powered USB‑A port for a streaming stick, and both HDMI inputs handle 1080p at 120Hz for gaming, though ARC/eARC isn't on the menu here. Instead, there are 3.5mm audio in/out jacks and an optical output. Overall, if you're chasing the best "around‑$1000" projector, especially when sales hit, the HT2060 is a standout pick.
See our review
-
Best Bright Room Projector Under $1,000
Epson Home Cinema 1080 2
Movies
7.0
Brightness
8.4
Contrast
5.3
Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy
8.3
Resolution
1080pSee all our test results
The Epson Home Cinema 1080 is the best bright room projector under $1,000 that you can buy, and unlike the BenQ HT2060, this one is truly sold for below $1K. It projects a very bright 1080p image, so it can easily handle moderately lit rooms, which is a good thing, as the projector's performance in dark rooms is disappointing due to its inadequate contrast. Its colors are alright; they're not very vibrant but are accurate out of the box.Additionally, there's no need to improve the unit's color accuracy through calibration, as it already performs exceptionally well right out of the box.
The Epson is only 5.9 pounds, so you can move it easily if you need to, and it has automatic vertical keystone correction, so it adjusts the image automatically if you change its projection angle. Plus, its optical zoom lets you adjust the projected image's size without moving the unit. The projector has two HDMI 2.0 ports and a USB-B port, allowing you to control the projector through a computer. Unfortunately, the unit doesn't come with a smart OS. Still, it does have Wi-Fi 5 and Miracast for screen mirroring, so all it's missing for full streaming functionality is an external streaming dongle, which you can power through the unit's USB-A port. Overall, the Epson is the brightest projector you can get for under $1,000.
See our review
-
Best Dark Room Projector Under $1,000
ViewSonic PX701-4K 0
Movies
6.8
Brightness
7.0
Contrast
7.6
Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy
4.8
Resolution
Pixel Shift 4kSee all our test results
Are you only using your projector in dark rooms, don't care about color accuracy, and find the BenQ HT2060 too expensive? Then consider the ViewSonic PX701-4K, the best dark room projector under $1,000 we've tested. Its pixel-shifting technology lets it project a higher-resolution picture than the other pickscan, giving it the sharpest image of the bunch. It is decently bright,and its contrast is good, making it a solid low-cost home cinema option. Unfortunately, this unit has one big flaw regarding image quality: its color accuracy is very poor out of the box, and you can barely improve it through calibration. This means that while this model excels in dark rooms, it might not be a good choice for home theater purists or anyone who cares about accurate colors.
It's a light projector at 6.2 pounds, so you can move it easily if needed. It even has automatic vertical keystone correction, so it can fix any geometry errors automatically on the vertical axis. It lacks any smart OS or wireless features, but it has a USB service port that you can use to power an external streaming dongle if you want any streaming features. Plus, this model has two HDMI ports capable of gaming at 4k @ 60Hz or 1080p @ 240Hz, making it a great pick for gamers on a budget. Ultimately, this might very well be the best product on this list for those who don't care about color accuracy, especially at its price.
See our review
-
Best Value Projector Under $1,000
NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) 25
Movies
6.3
Brightness
5.1
Contrast
8.8
Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy
3.9
Resolution
1080pSee all our test results
If you're looking for the best possible value, look no further than the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3). Even though it's much cheaper than any other projector on this list, it's no slouch when it comes to image quality, thanks to its truly excellent contrast, delivering punchy images in light-controlled rooms. Its brightness is inadequate for any room with lights on, but it performs well in dark settings. While its colors are muted, the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) still delivers impressive image quality for its price. Calibration is highly recommended to achieve the most accurate visuals, as the default settings are noticeably off.
The NexiGo comes with a rich feature set for its price. It includes Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi, and robust casting capabilities with Miracast and Apple AirPlay. Although it features built-in Android TV, its implementation is rather limited, so you’ll need a streaming dongle if you plan to use any streaming apps. The projector is equipped with two HDMI ports, one of which supports ARC, making it easy to connect a soundbar directly. Additionally, it has a 20W speaker system, which is a convenient option if you prefer using the projector’s built-in audio. Rounding out its feature list are a dedicated Game Mode and HDR10 support. While it may not have the brightness to stand out in well-lit environments, it offers excellent value for dark-room setups.
See our review
-
Best Portable Projector Under $1,000
XGIMI Halo+ 9
Movies
6.3
Brightness
6.0
Contrast
6.8
Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy
4.0
Resolution
1080pSee all our test results
If you're looking for a model you can easily carry without plugging it into an outlet, the best portable projector under $1,000 we've tested is the XGIMI Halo+. It's a very small unit and weighs only 3.7 pounds, so you can easily throw it into a backpack. Plus, it has an integrated battery promising up to 2.5 hours of uninterrupted playback, which is long enough to watch most movies. Its portability is made even better due to its many image correction features. To round up the package, it comes with the Android TV smart interface, with Chromecast and AirScreen support. It has Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities, making it super easy to connect the projector to your phone's wireless hotspot or Bluetooth speaker.
The projector is dim but is significantly brighter than most competitors in its class, and it'll project a pleasant image whenall the lights are off due to its okay contrast. Its color accuracy is quite poor out-of-the-box, so this isn't really a product for color purists. Still, color accuracy doesn't matter too much when projecting a movie on the side of a barn or van. It has one HDMI port, which also doubles as an eARC port, and a USB port through which you can play video files directly to the projector. Overall, if you're looking for a projector to take camping or to the beach, this is the best possible option.
See our review
Recent Updates
-
Apr 18, 2025 :
The BenQ HT2060 replaced the BenQ TH671ST as the 'Best Projector Under $1,000,' as the BenQ TH671ST's price has crept up lately, and the HT2060 is far superior in every aspect. The TH671ST is now in the Notable Mentions instead.
-
Feb 26, 2025 :
Modified the order of our picks to better serve our users and made sure that our picks are still readily available for purchase.
-
Dec 04, 2024 :
Replaced the Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 with the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) as our 'Best Value Projector Under $1,000,' as the NexiGo is the better value for most people. Also removed the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 and Epson EX3280 from the Notable Mentions.
-
Sep 25, 2024 : Verified our picks for accuracy and consistency and made sure that they're all still widely available for purchase.
-
Aug 27, 2024 : The BenQ TH671ST is now the 'Best Projector Under $1,000' due to its versatility, image accuracy, and wide color gamut. The Epson Home Cinema 1080 is now the 'Best Bright Room Projector Under $1,000.'
All Reviews
Our recommendations aboveare what we think arecurrently the best projectors under $1,000 to buy for most people. We factor in the price (a cheaper projectorwins over apricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no projectorsthat are difficult to findor almostout of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here isthe list of all our reviews of projectors available under $1,000. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no projector is perfect, many are good enough for most uses; however, avoid the worst models to ensure adequate quality.
