Projectors are quickly becoming the go-to medium for entertainment, offering a versatile alternative to large TVs. Whether for movies, streaming, gaming, or presentations, a projector can meet all your needs. If you’re on a tight budget and think getting a high-quality projector is out of reach, we’re here to dispel that myth.
Thanks to advances in tech, you can now find excellent projectors under $200 that offer impressive video quality and features once reserved for expensive projectors.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of the best projectors under $200 that can turn your wall into a large display. But before diving into the reviews, take a look at the comparison table below, which highlights key differences between the models.
Table of Contents
Best Projectors under $200: Our Top Picks
| IMAGE | NAME | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | GooDee YG600 |
| |
 | JIFAR H6 |
| |
 | QK02 |
| |
 | FANGOR 506 |
| |
 | TMY V28 |
| |
The 8 Best Projectors under $200 of 2024
1. GooDee YG600 HD 230inch Projector
The GooDee YG600 is a highly rated projector under $200, designed to provide a cinematic experience without breaking the bank. With its native 1280x768p resolution, it delivers clear and detailed video quality for all your movies.
One standout feature is its 6800 Lux brightness, which allows you to use it both indoors and outdoors without worrying about a washed-out image. The projector is versatile, offering screen sizes from 44 to 230 inches, and with a short throw distance of 4.9-18 feet, you can achieve a large screen view even in smaller spaces.
The 3000:1 contrast ratio, combined with high color support, ensures vivid and sharp image quality in various lighting conditions. For audio, it features dual 3-watt SRS built-in speakers that provide clear sound, enhancing your viewing experience.
The projector’s updated cooling system, featuring an innovative fan design, prevents overheating, allowing you to enjoy long sessions without concern. With a lamp life of 50,000 hours, this projector promises over a decade of use, making it a great long-term investment.
What We Liked:
- Impressive video clarity and vividness.
- Huge lamp longevity.
- A comprehensive screen size option.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Lacks good color quality.
2. JIFAR H6 Full HD Projector
The JIFAR H6 is a standout HD projector under $200, offering a combination of TFT LCD projection technology and a native 1080p resolution. This allows it to deliver impressive visual performance well beyond what you’d expect for the price.
Supporting full HD resolution, the JIFAR H6 ensures you can enjoy your 1080p content with excellent clarity and detail. Despite its budget-friendly status, the projector offers exceptional vividness and sharpness, thanks to its 9000 Lux brightness and 10,000:1 contrast ratio.
The MStar advanced color engine further elevates the visual experience, providing enhanced color accuracy and depth. With a screen size range of 60-450 inches, the projector is versatile enough for various uses, from presentations to entertainment and even outdoor viewing sessions.
Connectivity is robust, with VGA, USB, HDMI, and Bluetooth 5.0 options, so you can easily connect different devices. The two-way focus ring and keystone correction ensure that you can adjust the image for a perfect viewing experience, making this one of the best mini projectors available under $200.
What We Liked:
- Support almost all types of devices.
- Mind-boggling visual and color quality.
- Easy to correct images.
- High contrast ratio.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Overheating issue.
3. QK02 170inch Portable Video Projector
The QK02 might seem like just another budget home projector, but its performance on a large screen will surprise you. It supports up to 1080p resolution, allowing you to play full HD movies from various sources without any quality loss.
With 6500 lumens of brightness, this projector ensures your films appear vivid and bright, even on larger screens. The 2000:1 contrast ratio further enhances the clarity and sharpness, delivering an immersive movie experience.
The QK02 offers a screen size range of 30 to 170 inches, making it versatile for both solo movie nights and larger group viewings. Its throw distance of 1-4 meters does require a bit of space, but it’s manageable for most setups.
With an impressive lamp life of 50,000 hours, you won’t have to worry about frequent lamp replacements, a feature typically found only in the best projectors under $200. While its built-in dual stereo speakers are decent, movie enthusiasts might prefer adding external speakers for enhanced sound quality.
What We Liked:
- Easy to store and port.
- Decent visual performance.
- Commendable durability and lamp life.
- It doesn’t make much noise.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Short power cord length.
4. FANGOR 506 Mini Portable Projector
The Fangor 506 Projector provides an impressive balance of features, offering native 1080p resolution, vibrant colors, and high contrast (6000:1), making it ideal for home entertainment setups, especially in low-light environments. The built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity allow for seamless wireless connections to smartphones and speakers, adding flexibility. However, it lacks autofocus, requiring manual adjustment for focus and keystone settings, which may be cumbersome for some users. Despite its bright projection, it may struggle in well-lit rooms, and the built-in speakers, while adequate, might benefit from external audio support.
What We Liked:
- Bright and sharp picture in low-light settings
- Wireless connectivity (WiFi and Bluetooth)
- Multiple HDMI ports for modern devices
- Compact and portable
What We Didn’t Like:
- Lacks autofocus
- Image quality degrades in bright rooms
- Built-in speakers may need external support for better sound quality
5. TMY V28 7000 Lumens LED Projector
The TMY V28 is an underrated projector that delivers excellent visual performance, yet it remains relatively unknown in the market. Its standout feature is the 7000 Lumens brightness, which ensures ambient light won’t affect your viewing experience, even in well-lit rooms.
Paired with a 4000:1 contrast ratio and a wide color gamut, this projector produces vibrant visuals with sharp clarity. Supporting DLP technology and 1080p resolution, the TMY V28 is easily one of the best projectors under $200 for movie projection.
The built-in HiFi stereo speakers provide strong audio quality with clear voice delivery, making it unnecessary to connect external speakers for solo movie watching. It also supports a screen size of up to 270 inches, perfect for turning your room into a home theater.
With versatile connectivity options like HDMI, USB, VGA, micro SD, and audio ports, you can easily connect a TV stick, laptop, smartphone, or media player, making it a highly flexible and affordable entertainment solution.
What We Liked:
- Top-notch bright and sharp images.
- It doesn’t degrade full HD videos.
- Beautiful and portable design.
- Large screen size.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Poor audio volume.
What to Expect from a Projector for under $200?
Nowadays projectors under $200 come with all the necessary features that are generally available in mid-range TV. Not only will you get a decent big-screen experience, but you will also get excellent brightness and color fidelity in all your videos.
However, you can’t expect them to perform the same as high-end models or offer top-of-the-line features. 1080p max resolution, 2000 ANSI lumens, 5000:1 contrast ratio, modern cooling technology, ultra-clear lens, DLP technology are some features you can expect from a projector under $200.
Although you will get a low native resolution in many models so you shouldn’t expect exceptional clarity and sharpness. Build quality-wise, they won’t impress you much, and only a few of them flaunt a sturdy construction.
In terms of screen size, you won’t get a broad range, but whatever they offer is more than sufficient for a big display. The best part is many of the budget models offer short throw distance, which makes things easier for you to achieve a large screen from a short range. One thing that is common in many projectors under $200 is enormous lamp longevity as some lamps manage to last more than 40,000hours.
Buying Guide: Are You Ready To Buy The Best Projector Under $200 On Your Own?
Finding the right projector under $200 can be challenging, but focusing on key factors can simplify the process. Here are some important considerations to guide your decision:
1. Resolution
- Higher resolution equals better video quality.
- Aim for at least 480p native resolution for basic use, and 720p for entertainment or movies.
- Look for models that support a variety of input resolutions for flexibility.
- You may be interested to learn more about 720p vs 1080p projectors.
2. Brightness
- Brightness depends on where you’ll use the projector.
- For dark rooms, 1000 lumens is sufficient.
- For outdoor use, opt for a projector with 2500 lumens or more.
3. Contrast and Color
- A high contrast ratio improves clarity and overall video quality.
- Look for projectors with at least 1 billion color saturation to ensure vibrant, true-to-life colors.
4. DLP vs. LCD
- LCD: Sharp picture quality, but often bulkier with lower brightness.
- DLP: Bright, colorful, portable, and more durable, making it a good choice for budget projectors.
- So you have to be careful when choosing between DLP and LCD projection technology.
5. Screen Size and Throw Distance
- For home use, a 150-inch screen size is usually enough. For larger outdoor crowds, consider projectors with up to 300-inch screen size.
- If space is limited, choose a short or ultra-short throw projector to avoid needing a large setup area.
6. Bulb Longevity
- Choose a projector with at least 20,000 hours of lamp life to reduce long-term costs.
- While a projector with a long-lasting bulb may cost more upfront, it saves on maintenance and replacement costs over time.
7. Connectivity
- Ensure the projector has essential ports: HDMI, VGA, AV, USB, and 3.5mm audio.
- Additional features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB Type-C, or MHL can make the projector more versatile.
Conclusion
Finding a capable projector under $200 can be tricky, as many promise more than they deliver. However, projectors like the GooDee YG600 and JIFAR H6 provide excellent entertainment value.
My name is Henry Larson and I have been associated with research and development of projectors throughout my professional career. I used all my experience and expertise to create this blog so that I can guide people to get the best projector of their choice. For any further assistance, you can get in touch with me through email or comments.