What to expect from a projector for under $300?
Projectors under $300 tend to have a decreased throw distance (meaning your projector will need to be closer (usually between 7 and 20 feet) for perfect picture resolution and intense color. Whereas the very high-end projectors you might see in movie theaters can project from over 50 feet away with very clear picture quality. Think of projectors under $300 as your ideal fit for regular to medium-sized homes and home theaters. You probably already have the space to fit one of these projectors and have it perfectly perform in that space.
Features to consider before buying
Each feature of your projector is going to be very important to your purchase because these features are what make up your display – the picture quality (resolution), the quality of sound (speakers), the adjustability (size of screen on a wall or other surface), and the technology (the way you control your projector as well as the devices which are compatible with it). Below we’ve listed these features and given them explanations as well as many prime examples to help you make the best purchase.
Display technology
Currently, there are five kinds of display technologies for video projectors: DLP, LCD, LCOS, D-ILA, and SXRD. LCD displays are now the most common and involve utilizing a light source which passes through three LCD chips with assigned primary colors (usually red, green, and blue) to create and project images. Whereas LCOS/D-ILA, and SXRD projectors, use light sources which are reflected off of the three LCD chips (instead of passing through them). These days you tend to find the combination of LED lights and LCD displays because in combination, they tend to make the brightest and most resolute picture.
DLP displays, which used to be the most popular, employ the combination of a color wheel and a chip that has microscopic tilting mirrors. Light passes through the color wheel and is reflected off the chip and onto your screen. There are no DLP displays or other display technologies exhibited on our list.
Brightness, contrast, resolution
Brightness – without sufficient light output your home projector won’t be able to display a bright and crisp image. Additionally, if your light output is too low your image might appear foggy and soft (even in a dark room). If you’re trying to determine whether a projector will output enough light to produce bright images, you should check the models’ ANSI lumens rating (how much light a projector can put out). Projectors with 1,000 ANSI lumens or greater will always have sufficient brightness for home theater use. Two of our brightest models with a 3,000+ Lumen rating are the RocketPRO 1080P Video Projector and the CiBest T26.
Contrast ratio – this ratio should complement your brightness. A contrast ratio is the ratio between black and white portions of your image (the higher your ratio the whiter your whites and the blacker your blacks). If your contrast ratio is low your image will look washed out. 2,000:1 is an exceptional ratio to have (1,500:1 is also relatively good), anything lower might was out your picture. The CiBest T26 offers an astounding ratio of 4,000:1.
Resolution – Your resolution will be a mix between your brightness and your contrast, producing the final picture. For an amazing picture which is very clear consider projectors with a high brightness as well as a high contrast ratio. These two things will ensure the clearest resolution; be aware that your distance (distance your machine is projecting) will also have an effect on the resolution.
Keystone correction
“Keystoning” occurs when a projector is aligned to a screen non-perpendicularly, or when the projection screen has an angled surface. There tend to be two methods of keystone correction: manual and digital. Manual keystone correction is a physical adjustment to the lens of the projector so that it projects at an angle higher or lower than it would be if it were on a flat surface. The manual adjustment is good for some situations, but cannot eliminate horizontal angles. The projector also needs to be far enough away from the screen to achieve results. Digital keystones usually allow for further adjustment.
Throw distance
A projector’s throw distance is the distance that the image is “thrown”, i.e. the distance between the projector and the image on the screen. For an ideal home-theater experience you’ll want a device which offers a ‘short-throw’, meaning it projects from 3 to 15 feet away. Not only will a short-throw provide a large image, but it will also reduce shadows and eye glare from your projector and screen. The POYANK HD Imaging Video Projector offers one of the most controlled throws (between 3 and 13 feet) meaning it will produce one of the best pictures both close up and at a distance without distorting your picture. Almost all the other models are just as good or close, though some offer a larger throw distance.
Screen size
Your ideal screen size will depend on you and the size of the space(s) you are intending to use your projector on. Because of their manual adjustment designs any of the projectors can make bigger or small a screen depending on the place you’re projecting it – for instance a white wall in your basement. In order to make the best decision for your home-theater environment, consider taking a tape measure to the area you intend to use and figure out the general size your screen will take. Additionally, many portable folding screens are available separately online.
Warranty and bulb life
Some of the products above have an insane lamp-life guarantee as well as long warranty, making these very trusted manufacturers with designs that will be used again and again in your home. Where lamp-life is concerned, try only purchasing lamps with a life of 30,000 hours (that’s 10 hours a day of use for the next 8 years) because these lamps will not only retain their brightness and color over time, but they’ll also provide exceptional movie-watching experiences for years to come.
For your ideal warranty (on the off-chance of a dud burning out early, or other damaged components during shipping), it’s best not to purchase any product with a warranty shorter than a year. It would be even better to aim for 2 to 3-year warranties.
Extra features (like powerful cooling system and portability)
Additional features might make all the difference for your home, and many of these devices come with their own unique designs which might make them more applicable to your movie-watching situation.
Portability – Almost all affordable projectors are portable, except if they were not mounted to your ceiling, for example. Although, if you spent a lot of time adjusting your projector, you might not want to take it elsewhere.
Mounting Capability – For mounting purposes, to the ceiling or other, consider projectors with easy keystone correction and pre-drilled holes for mounts in the ceiling. A good example of such a projector on our list is the RocketPRO 1080P Video Projector.
Compatibility – Choose the projector which will not only be compatible for your DVD-player and laptop computer, but also any other devices and systems which you might want to connect. If you do a lot of gaming or have kids with gaming systems, you might want to consider the products which are HDMI capable – if this is particularly important, then take a look our guide to the best gaming projectors.
Cooling – Projector fans tend to be loud, mostly because they are working hard to cool down the lamp and other components in your device which tend to heat up while watching a movie. For a quieter fan experience that still cools perfectly, you’ll want to consider fans made with sound-suppressing technology (these won’t detract from the sound of your games and movies). Two of the models with sound suppressing technology are the ELEPHAS CL760 and the GEARGO 2800.
How to set up a projector?
First, you’ll want to find the right location (near the wall or screen you’re projecting onto) with space enough for projecting your picture and letting people sit down and watch without getting in the way of the projection. There are two options: everyone can sit behind the projector, or the projector can be raised over every body’s heads. Next, you’ll want to plug in your projector and the device(s) you’re connecting to it – make sure you have enough plugs or extension cords for this.
At this point, the light will show on your screen, and you can begin adjusting the keystone alignment as well as the resolution (focus dial) for a clearer picture with a brighter image and crisp colors. Line up the center of your lens to the center of your screen before adjusting, and then keep in mind that larger pictures will be dimmer. The more luminous your bulb, the bigger a picture you’ll be happier with. Also, be aware that some projectors have picture modes (typically for a dark room, this will be the ‘movie’ or ‘cinema’ option).
Turn off the lights and enjoy!
