The arrival of the global pandemic has made the world go upside down, and with the increasing spread of Corona disease, it has become a necessity to stay mostly at home. Visual entertainment is the most common way that one could use to overcome boredom and relax at home.
So if you are someone who is looking to spend their leisure time enjoying movies or playing games on a big screen, then a projector would be ideal for you. Now, you must be wondering, is it possible to get the best projector for under 300 dollars? Certainly yes, and in this article, we are going to help you out to find them. Our list contains the top ten best projectors under 300 dollars that would not only give you a terrific visual experience but will also help you overcome boredom.
Before moving into the review part, we have come up with a comparison table highlighting all the significant features of our list’s projectors. This table will help you to segregate units based on your requirement and identify the ideal model.
Table of Contents
Best Projectors under $300: Our Top Picks
| IMAGE | NAME | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | ViewSonic PA503S |
| |
 | YABER Y30 |
| |
 | WiMiUS P20 |
| |
 | YABER Y21 |
| |
 | VIVIMAGE Explore 3 |
| |
 | Vamvo L6200 |
| |
 | WiMiUS K1 Outdoor Projector |
| |
 | Anker Nebula Capsule |
| |
 | FANGOR F-402 |
| |
 | WiMiUS K3 |
| |
The 10 Best Projectors under $300 of 2020
1. ViewSonic PA503S SVGA High Brightness Projector
When you think of getting the top projector under 300 dollar range without compromising on quality, one model we can suggest is the ViewSonic PA503S. Combining 800 X 600 native resolution and 22000:1 contrast ratio, this projector will impress you with terrific image quality and sharp clarity.
This projector produces spectacular colors and brilliant bright images, and it is mainly due to high 3800 lumens along with SuperColor technology. However, you won’t be impressed by its 2-watt inbuilt speaker, which is pretty bad in terms of quality as well as volume.
You can consider the ViewSonic PA503S as a multipurpose projector because it offers a 30-300inch screen size with a 1.96:1 throw ratio making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Whether it is a 40inch or 200inch image, you can use the 40-degree keystone and optical zoom to rectify image distortion and get a perfect picture frame.
If you love watching 3D movies, this projector will even fulfill that desire as it comes engineered with 3D Blu-Ray-ready HDMI input. Most importantly, it gets a massive light source life of up to 15000 hours, and it indicates that you can use this projector for a minimum of 5-years. In terms of connectivity, it comes with all the essential ports that include HDMI, VGA, RCA, video-in, mini USB, and 3.5mm audio-in & out.
What We Liked:
- Beautiful images with rich color and vivid textures.
- Decent lamp longevity.
- It gets a 3-years warranty.
What We Didn’t Like:
- The native resolution is relatively low in comparison to its competitors.
2. YABER Y30 Full HD Home Theater Projector
YABER Y30 is truly a highly rated home theater projector that has hit the sweet spot by offering excellent visual performance at an affordable rate. Y30 gets an innovative body design coupled with an advanced double-sided cooling system and intelligent temperature control so that you can use it for long movie sessions without any overheating.
Despite being an affordable device, it features full HD native resolution and HD reverse lens design so that you will never have to worry about visual quality. However, its ability to play 4K UHD contents with accurate color reproduction and that too without any degradation has attracted a lot of customers.
Y30 doesn’t compromise on image quality in any situation, and this is the reason it is designed with mammoth 7200 lumens and an 8000:1 contrast ratio. You can probably utilize this projector almost anywhere, and the 45-200inch screen-size range with 1.5-5.5m makes it possible for you.
With 2 HDMI, 2 USB, VGA, AV, USB, audio in & out, and support for various portable sticks make this projector suitable for connecting all modern devices. What makes it more special? It is the unique 4D 50-degree keystone correction and X/Y zoom function that will allow you to correct any error within seconds. A great thing about this manufacturer is that it even offers a 5-years repairing warranty, which is quite astonishing.
What We Liked:
- Incredible image quality at this range.
- Easy to correct image errors.
- Negligible overheating.
What We Didn’t Like:
- It often faces lag.
- Poor audio output.
3. WiMiUS P20 1080p 4K Support Projector
WiMiUS may not seem like a promising brand, but we can assure you that P20 will never let you frown on its visual performance, durability, and functionality. It gets a mammoth 7200 lumens to support, meaning playing your movies in both indoor and outdoor areas won’t be a big deal for you.
Another major highlight is the full HD native resolution with support 4K resolution, and it plays all the contents at their optimum quality with sharp textures. It is undoubtedly one of the best HD projectors under 300 dollars that offers a rich color gamut and a terrific contrast of 10000:1.
WiMiUS has designed this projector in such a compact way that it is not only easy to fit in bags but also doesn’t cause any fatigue due to its lightweight body. However, the factor that will surprise you a lot is the two 10-watt HiFi inbuilt stereo speakers with an SRS system delivering room-filling audio with clear voices.
The 50-200inch screen size range comes really useful for catering to large crowds, but the 1.5-6m needs you to provide a large space for setup. Durability would never bother you because it gets a high lamp life, faster cooling, and excellent body construction. Once you buy this projector, you will be entitled to a 3-years warranty and one-year free return, which is a tremendous advantage for any user.
What We Liked:
- Excellent visual performance.
- Great color quality and bright images.
- Efficient cooling system.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Poor focusing.
4. YABER Y21 4K Support Home And Outdoor Projector
Another top projector under 300 from the house of YABER is Y21 that earned a good spot in the market with its massive list of features and impressive performance. Experience superior bright and colorful images with 7000 lumens of brightness and high color gamut coverage and enjoy cinematic quality at home.
The native 1080p resolution plays a vital role in the visual performance as it, with the help of a 7000:1 contrast ratio, brings out the exact image quality from the content. What’s more? You can even watch the latest 4K movies and videos, and it won’t downscale while playing the 4K UHD contents. To elevate the overall visual experience, YABER has also introduced a dual 5watt stereo speaker with an SRS system, and it delivers a soothing audio output for all the contents.
Even though it serves as one of the best HD projectors for under 300 dollars, it will disappoint you with its considerable 5-30ft throw distance. However, it has a tremendous 50-300inch screen size range, and you can use it in different places without thinking of the crowd. It also comes with a geared X/Y zoom function, and 15-degree keystone correction, meaning correcting any image error won’t be a problem for you.
What We Liked:
- Sharp and fluidic full HD playback.
- Subtle look with portable design.
- It comes with a lot of accessories.
- Terrific lamp life.
What We Didn’t Like:
- It only supports MP4 format from USB.
- It often flickers while playing 4K contents.
5. VIVIMAGE Explore 3 1080p 60Hz Outdoor Projector
Constructed with an aesthetically pleasing design and top-notch hardware, VIVIMAGE Explore 3 will surely impress in every way. With a 55-300inch image range and 5.15-30.18ft throw distance, you can utilize it for backyard or outdoor setup and enjoy movies or TV shows on a big screen.
While setting up, if you face any image distortion, you can use the 4K keystone and manual focus, and it will help you easily position the image within the screen. Since it is mostly meant for outdoor projection, the manufacturer has loaded it with an innovative cooling system so that it works smoothly without any hardware issues.
It is undoubtedly one of the best projectors for under 300 dollars, and when you look at its 1080p visual output, you will understand. To ensure top-notch cinematic visuals in all conditions, it comes with massive 7000 lumens of brightness and an 8000:1 contrast ratio.
The color quality it has on offer in this price range is simply unbelievable, and the credit goes to the MStar advanced color engine. It will serve like a decade-long investment as it comes with 60000hour that promises to entertain you for a minimum of 10years without causing any dimming effect. Built with HDMI, VGA, USB, AV, SD card, and audio port, you can hook any type of device to play your movies.
What We Liked:
- The visuals are clear and sharp.
- Huge color accuracy.
- Easy to carry to different outdoor locations.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Poor throw distance.
6. Vamvo L6200 5000 Lux Home Theater Projector
When it comes to versatility, Vamvo L6200 is the one that is recommended by many professionals. Engineered with a native 1080p resolution, this projector delivers an impressive detailed image quality, which has allowed it to make its way into many best home projectors under the 300 list.
For a significant screen movie experience, you need highly bright and sharp images, and this is the reason L6200 packs a massive 5000 Lux brightness along with an 8000:1 contrast ratio. Unlike others, you get three aspect ratio options of 16:9, 4:3, and auto, so you can comfortably utilize the projector for different purposes.
Offering complete compatibility with HDMI, VGA, USB, micro SD, AV, and audio port, you can effortlessly connect it media player, TV box, PC, Chromecast, and many more. It may look small in size, but it holds the prowess to take the screen size from 45inch to a massive 300inch screen.
However, you need to maintain a 9.2m space from the screen to achieve a 300inch so you will need a vast area for setup. Importantly it has a beam angle +/- 50-degree, which eases up the mounting process and spares you from maintaining a perfect angle. It is based on a heavy-duty LED lamp that not only ensures a bright projection but also promises to last around 50000hours.
What We Liked:
- Detailed and precise full HD videos.
- Long lamp longevity.
- It comes with a 90-days money-back guarantee.
What We Didn’t Like:
- The speakers lack powerful volume.
7. WiMiUS K1 Outdoor Video Projector Native 1920×1080 LED Projector
WiMiUS K1 is an ultimate all-rounder that is meant to deliver large-screen viewing, whether you are at home or in the woods. K1 adopts a full HD native resolution and 10,000:1 contrast ratio, and together they produce an exceptional image quality at par with the best movie projector under 300 dollars. Apart from semi-dark rooms, you can easily use them in semi-lit outdoor areas as you will have 7200 Lux of brightness to take care of clarity level.
However, the major highlight is the 4K support, but unfortunately, it will downscale the quality when you play the 4K content on a big screen. With that being said, K1 treats you with a humongous 50-500inch screen size so that you won’t have any limitations even when you are arranging a massive backyard movie session.
The Bluetooth connectivity makes it perfectly suitable for versatile usage as you can easily set them up anywhere without having the headache of connecting wires. However, if you don’t have any Bluetooth device, then you can use the HDMI, VGA, AV, USB, and Audio port for hooking the device. The device comes with a 15-degree keystone and manual focus so you can say goodbye to all image placement issues that you often face during setup.
What We Liked:
- It operates without making much fan noise.
- Error-free Bluetooth connectivity.
- The images are sharp and vivid.
- The warranty coverage is highly useful.
- 5G Wireless Connectivity
What We Didn’t Like:
- You can use OTT platforms only through the web.
8. Anker Nebula Capsule Smart Video Projector
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Anker Nebula capsule falls in the top tier segment when you talk about the best home theater projector for under 300 dollars. Built ideally for proper home entertainment, it uses 854 X 480 native resolution and DLP projection to create a tremendous visual output on the big screen.
The 100 ANSI lumens might seem low for a home theater projector, but surprisingly it delivers a clear and vivid visual quality even in a semi-lit room. If you are watching along or with your wife, the omnidirectional speaker with a 360-degree surround effect will completely immerse you in the movie without sacrificing clarity.
Convert your room into a mini-movie theater, and to achieve that, you can use the 20-100inch screen size range with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The best part is that you can achieve that 100inch screen from just 3.08m away, which makes it an excellent option for apartments. If you want to play movies or TV shows from OTT platforms, then the Android system will be perfectly suited to you as it offers Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, etc.
Boasting a soda-can design, it opens new possibilities beyond the confines of the four walls and allows you to carry it everywhere. It is also backed by a heavy-duty inbuilt battery that can run up to 4hours without dimming the light source and downgrading the audio volume.
What We Liked:
- Extremely easy to carry and store.
- Support most of the OTT apps.
- Great battery backup.
What We Didn’t Like:
- It needs a tripod for mounting.
9. FANGOR F-402 Full HD Wi-Fi Theater Projector
FANGOR F-402 might seem like an unusual addition to our list of the best projector under $300, but once you start using it will leave you flabbergasted with its performance. The primary pillars of this projector are the full HD native resolution and 7500 lumens as they ensure a top-notch visual output with optimum detailing and clarity.
It would be unwise not to mention the 8000:1 contrast ratio that also adds to the terrific visual performance by ensuring deep blacks and high contrast. Built with a 5.8inch TFT panel, it enhances the overall light production and creates a great visual experience.
You can easily enjoy your games and movies on a big screen because FANGOR F-402 has the ability to notch up the projection up to 250inch at a 16:9 aspect ratio. The built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi make the projector entirely straightforward to use as you can use them for wireless connectivity and also screen mirroring.
In addition, you will also find HDMI, USB, VGA, audio 3.5mm, ethernet, and AV port for connecting devices with wires. What makes it more enjoyable? The long-lasting 65000hour of lamp life promises not only enormous longevity but also a low cost of ownership. With this projector, you also get a 3-years warranty coverage, but unfortunately, the repair center is located in Los Angeles.
What We Liked:
- Low noise performance.
- A plethora of connectivity options.
- The lamp longevity is really outstanding.
What We Didn’t Like:
- It is slightly challenging to carry in different locations.
10. WiMiUS K3 7500Lux 4K Support Projector
Do you love to enjoy 4K contents but don’t have the budget to own a large 4K TV? WiMiUS K3 can be a great budget option that can comfortably play 4K contents from different sources. However, it comes with a native full HD resolution, which offers excellent texture quality and detailing even when you go beyond the 150inch screen size threshold.
All thanks to the high 7500 lumens of brightness, you can use this projector even in bright conditions and that too, without any fading issue. To maintain clarity, it utilizes a 10000:1 contrast ratio, which is an excellent figure for a projector under a 300 dollar range. Its main aim is to treat you with great cinematic visuals, and this is why it packs skin color optimization, pixel, and color enhancement.
Unlike most budget projectors, WiMiUS K3 offers a wide projection size of 50-300inches but needs a spacious area to complete the setup. A great feature of this device is the 100% to 75% zoom function, and it allows you to shrink certain visuals to ¾ of their original size.
The inbuilt dual 10W stereo speaker is great for indoor entertainment, but for outdoor usage, you might need an external speaker that can be connected through the audio port. Dust is a big issue for multifunctional projectors, so WiMiUS has designed it with a removable dust filter so that dust doesn’t affect the image quality.
What We Liked:
- Great visual performance.
- The Wi-Fi connection is smooth.
- Negligible lag issue.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Lacks Bluetooth connection.
- It is not suitable for presentation purposes.
It is not easy to identify the most appropriate projector, especially when you are buying it for the first time. So we have put forward some crucial information that gives you all the required knowledge to help you to pinpoint the best projector.
How To Choose The Best Projector Under 300
Here are some essential considerations that you should keep in your mind while choosing the best projector for under 300 dollars;
Image Quality
You should never compromise on the image quality even when you are going below the 300 dollar price range. Having a projector with HD native resolution, a contrast ratio of 2000:1, minimum 1000 ANSI lumens, and high color saturation will give the appropriate image quality you need for home entertainment. A full HD resolution will be ideal under 300 dollars, but only a few offer such resolution.
Display Technology
DLP and LCD are mostly the options you are going to find in projectors in the given price range. LCD projection offers sharp image quality with rich color and zero rainbow effect, meaning you can get a great visual experience. However, they lack black depth and often face screen door effects. On the other hand, DLP offers a smoother video with high contrast and extraordinary vividness, making them suitable for various situations. But the presence of moving parts downgrades their reliability, and they will annoy you with rainbow effects.
Connectivity
The availability of all the required connectivity options like HDMI, VGA, USB, audio 3.5mm, etc., is essential for any projector. The device must come with all the needed ports so that you can hook all the required video devices.
Image Correction
Image correction is an essential part of any projector, and make sure your projector should come with minimum keystone correction, focus, and manual zoom. To properly position the image and get the required image quality during setup, you need keystone, manual focus, and zoom for adjustment.
Audio Quality
If you are not planning to invest in an external speaker, then it would be smart to find a projector with an excellent inbuilt speaker. A speaker with a dual setup or a minimum of 5-wattage would be sufficient for an indoor setup. However, for outdoor setup, inbuilt speakers fail to deliver quality and volume, so you would need a powerful speaker setup.
Screen Size and Throw Ratio
When you are going for a projector under a 300 dollar range, you shouldn’t take the screen size and throw ratio lightly. If you don’t need an extensive screen-size range and you are ready to arrange a large space for setup, for example, a church setup, then a 40-150inch screen size with a 1.5:1 throw ratio would be sufficient. However, if you don’t have much space in your room for the setup, then opt for a short-throw projector with a throw ratio below 1:1. For an outdoor setup, you should look for a projector with a 30-300inch screen and a decent throw ratio of around 1.3:1.
Portability and Mounting Feature
Almost every projector under budget range comes with a certain amount of portability feature, and it is a great feature to have. However, if you are planning to place it in a fixed place, then check whether the device has all mounting capabilities. The primary signs of mounting features are the bracket and pre-drilled holes in the body.
What Is The Best Projector Under the 300 Model And Why?
Well, different people have different opinions when it comes to considering the best projector under the 300 dollar range. Every person has their own set of requirements, so many people have different choices. This whole buying guide, along with the reviews, portrays the best projector available under the 300 dollar mark.
Almost all the devices in this list are similar in visual performance, but our team has come to the conclusion that YABER Y30 gets the edge in overall comparison. For portability, the Anker nebula capsule is the top choice, whereas WiMiUS S4 serves as the best option in multipurpose usage.
Final Verdict
Before ending this buying guide, we urge you to know your requirements before you dive into getting yourself a projector under the 300 dollar range. We have covered projectors from different ranges so that you won’t have a problem finding the one that suits you. For versatility, we have included some projectors that will have a similar visual experience in both indoor and outdoor areas.
You will also come across Anker nebula capsules that are extremely easy to carry to different locations. All the projectors on this list are affordable, and none of them would disappoint you with their performance. However, if you’re looking for projectors cheaper than what we have listed here, you may check out our review of the best projectors under $200. If you have any suggestions, you can share your thoughts through your comments.
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.