A cozy sofa at home or soft ottomans in the open air? To get a comfortable movie theater experience, it doesn’t matter what you sit on, what matters is the quality of the screen that you will be watching your movie on. If your screens are not doing justice to your favorite movies and games and compromising on picture quality, it’s time to invest in a good projector.
In this article, you will find information on the best projectors under $100 that will satisfy all your requirements without compromising on quality. When deciding the top ones, we figured out the intricacies of choosing home theaters, took into account many of the criteria that affect the picture. As a result, we have identified the best projectors in terms of price/quality ratio and are ready to share them with you.
Best picture quality | Item Weight (pounds): 2.60 Item Dimensions (inches): 8.5 x 6.4 x 3.07 Hardware Interface: VGA, USB, HDMI, SDHC, Headphone Resolution: 1920x720 (1080p Supported) Luminous Flux: 4500 Lumens Contrast ratio: 3000:1 Benefits: ✔️ The brightest picture with great color rendering ✔️ Great set of inputs |
The most durable | Item Weight (pounds): 2.87 Item Dimensions (inches): 3.15 x 6.69 x 7.68 Hardware Interface: VGA, USB, HDMI Resolution: 800x480 (1080p Supported) Luminous Flux: 2600 Lumens Contrast ratio: 2000:1 Benefits: ✔️ Ready to use under 10 seconds ✔️ High brightness |
Best for outdoor cinema | Item Weight (pounds): 2.80 Item Dimensions (inches): 7.91 x 5.51 x 2.76 Hardware Interface: VGA, USB, HDMI, 3.5mm Audio Resolution: 800x480 (Full HD 1080p Supported) Luminous Flux: 4500 Lumens Contrast ratio: 2000:1 Benefits: ✔️ High image quality without the influence of ambient light ✔️ Uses diffuse reflection technology to reduce eye strain |
Best speaker sound | Item Weight (pounds): 3.09 Item Dimensions (inches): 9.5 x 9.1 x 4.4 Hardware Interface: VGA, USB, HDMI Resolution: 800x480 (Full HD 1080p Supported) Luminous Flux: 2200 Lumens Contrast ratio: 2000:1 Benefits: ✔️ Long bulb lifespan ✔️ Easily transportable using the case that comes with the kit |
The most portable size | Item Weight (pounds): 2.4 Item Dimensions (inches): 7.9 x 5.9 x 3.1 Hardware Interface: HDMI, VGA, USB, AV, TF Card, TV BOX Resolution: 800x480 (Full HD 1080p Supported) Luminous Flux: 2400 Lumens Contrast ratio: 2000:1 Benefits: ✔️ Equipped with an innovative cooling system ✔️ Can be used with any device due to a variety of ports |
Best gaming projector | Item Weight (pounds): 3.0 Item Dimensions (inches): 7.8 x 2.7 x 6.02 Hardware Interface: TV BOX, HDMI, VGA, USB, AV, SD Resolution: 1280x720 (1080p Supported) Luminous Flux: 2000 Lumens Contrast ratio: 2000:1 Benefits: ✔️ High picture quality ✔️ Variety of ports to connect multiple devices |
Through our research, we have learned what people are looking for in a projector and what are the most important features when choosing a device. Based on our research, we have identified the best criteria in each model. You can see the results of our calculation below.
1. Purpose of the projector
Are you looking for a projector primarily for watching movies or business presentations? Based on this, you need to choose the model that best suits you.
For sharing your business plans and presentation, we recommend the AuKing Mini Projector (review), which provides high image quality in daylight and perfect color rendering. The QKK Mini Projector (review) is a great option for watching movies. It has a great image quality and lots of sound options to create a truly immersive cinema experience.
2. Brightness
Not every home has a dark room or a room with enough curtains to get a little more darkness when using a projector. We recommend a minimum of 2000 lumens for the projector to be used during the day in an open room.
The models on our list that fit this criterion are the Crenova Mini Projector (review) and the CiBest Mini Projector (review). Both have the most lumens, which you can use to get breathtaking images at any time of the day.
3. Resolution
This is one of the most important characteristics when choosing a projector. Resolution determines how sharp and detailed your picture will be. It is important to note that each projector has its native resolution, but it can also handle higher resolutions.
The Crenova Mini Projector (review) has the largest native resolution at 1920×720, but it’s also worth mentioning that all the projectors on the list can support 1080p, which will allow you to view content at a high level.
4. Number of connections
This is also an important factor to pay attention to. With a sufficient number of ports (VGA, USB, HDMI, AV, TF Card), you can connect a laptop, DVD player, game console, or mobile phone and fully enjoy the work of the projector.
VANKYO LEISURE 3 Mini Projector (review) has not only a sufficient number of connections but also has good picture quality and compact size.
Item Weight (pounds): Item Dimensions (inches): Hardware Interface: Resolution: Luminous Flux: Contrast ratio: | 2.60 8.5 x 6.4 x 3.07 VGA, USB, HDMI, SDHC, Headphone 1920x720 (1080p Supported) 4500 Lumens 3000:1 |
Benefits: | ✔️ The brightest picture with great color rendering ✔️ Great set of inputs |
✅ Pros:
⛔️ Cons:
For projecting in a sufficiently bright room or when traveling, a high level of brightness is required to display high-quality images or videos. The Crenova Mini Projector has a brightness of up to 4500 lumens, nearly double that of other projectors on the list. Its vivid picture quality will provide your family and friends with the best cinematic experience. Also with a 3,000: 1 contrast ratio, 1.5 higher than other models on this list, this projector delivers excellent color performance from virtually any viewing angle.
It also features built-in speakers that give clear sound for a truly immersive experience. In addition to being compatible with laptops, smartphones, tablets, USB sticks, and X-Box ONE, the projector can also be used with headphones.
Item Weight (pounds): Item Dimensions (inches): Hardware Interface: Resolution: Luminous Flux: Contrast ratio: | 2.87 3.15 x 6.69 x 7.68 VGA, USB, HDMI 800x480 (1080p Supported) 2600 Lumens 2000:1 |
Benefits: | ✔️ Ready to use under 10 seconds ✔️ High brightness |
✅ Pros:
⛔️ Cons:
You’ve probably heard more than once that replacing a projector bulb costs almost 50% of the cost of the projector itself. Therefore, the AuKing Mini Projector is an excellent option for long-term use. It is equipped with a bulb that can last 55,000 hours, almost 1.5 times more than the VANKYO LEISURE 3 (review). This gives you up to 15 years of exceptional home theater experience.
This projector copes well in conditions of incomplete shade, so it can be used for business meetings, but, when the light is off, the quality is better.
Also, the projector is equipped with a range of ports for added versatility like the VANKYO LEISURE 3. This means you can connect your smartphone to share and view photos, stream TV shows and watch football matches. It is also compatible with tablets, Xbox One, and USB sticks.
Item Weight (pounds): Item Dimensions (inches): Hardware Interface: Resolution: Luminous Flux: Contrast ratio: | 2.80 7.91 x 5.51 x 2.76 VGA, USB, HDMI, 3.5mm Audio 800x480 (Full HD 1080p Supported) 4500 Lumens 2000:1 |
Benefits: | ✔️ High image quality without the influence of ambient light ✔️ Uses diffuse reflection technology to reduce eye strain |
✅ Pros:
⛔️ Cons:
This projector is well suited for outdoor viewing as it has a reasonably good focus and brightness, providing high image quality without the influence of ambient light, unlike the VANKYO LEISURE 3 (review) and the QKK Mini Projector (review). Also, this projector offers viewing sizes from 30″ to 200″, which is great for both large backyards and tiny terraces.
Along with image quality, this projector is compact and fits perfectly on a patio table. It also features built-in speakers that give clear sound for a truly immersive experience. You also have the option of connecting your headphones to the projector for even better sound quality.
Also, the projector uses diffuse reflection technology. Diffuse reflections are softer than normal reflections, so the eyes strain less for longer periods.
The projectors are prone to get overheated with extended use. A poor heat management system can significantly shorten the life of the device. But it is not the case with the CiBest Mini Projector; it uses the latest cooling system to keep the internal components cool.
Item Weight (pounds): Item Dimensions (inches): Hardware Interface: Resolution: Luminous Flux: Contrast ratio: | 3.09 9.5 x 9.1 x 4.4 VGA, USB, HDMI 800x480 (Full HD 1080p Supported) 2200 Lumens 2000:1 |
Benefits: | ✔️ Long bulb lifespan ✔️ Compact/easily transportable |
✅ Pros:
⛔️ Cons:
With built-in stereo speakers that are more powerful than other projector speakers on this list, the QKK Mini Projector provides amazing sound effects. There are also sound options (most effective when external speakers are connected) to give the impression of a movie theater or immersive video game experience.
Besides sound quality, this projector also provides excellent picture quality. It has a good balance between brightness and contrast. You will enjoy the sharpness of the displayed image even when watching movie scenes in dark colors. It’s also worth noting that the QKK LED projector supports a maximum bulb life of 50,000 hours, which is only 10% less than the most durable AuKing Mini Projector (review) so you don’t have to worry about the bulb failing quickly.
Also, the projector is equipped with a dual-fan cooling system for long hours of operation without fear of overheating. Another benefit — it is quiet, so you no longer have to worry about noisy sounds when watching movies or playing games.
Item Weight (pounds): Item Dimensions (inches): Hardware Interface: Resolution: Luminous Flux: Contrast ratio: | 2.4 7.9 x 5.9 x 3.1 HDMI, VGA, USB, AV, TF Card, TV BOX 800x480 (Full HD 1080p Supported) 2400 Lumens 2000:1 |
Benefits: | ✔️ Equipped with an innovative cooling system ✔️ Can be used with any device due to a variety of ports |
✅ Pros:
⛔️ Cons:
The VANKYO LEISURE 3 Mini Projector is a great choice for people who want to take a large screen with them on the go. This is the smallest projector featured in this article. With its compact shape, it is ideal for transportation, and the fabric cover that comes with the kit contributes to this, making it easy to store and move.
The resolution is suitable for watching movies and playing video games. The native resolution is 480 pixels, but the projector is capable of delivering 1080 pixels which means more detail and a sharper picture. And with a contrast ratio of 2000: 1, the colors are vivid and the picture looks realistic.
It is also worth noting that this projector has a large number of ports. Therefore, you can connect a TV, computer, game console, or mobile device, and there are also slots for a flash drive and a port for a DVD player.
Item Weight (pounds): Item Dimensions (inches): Hardware Interface: Resolution: Luminous Flux: Contrast ratio: | 3.0 7.8 x 2.7 x 6.02 TV BOX, HDMI, VGA, USB, AV, SD 1280x720 (1080p Supported) 2000 Lumens 2000:1 |
Benefits: | ✔️ High picture quality ✔️ Variety of ports to connect multiple devices |
✅ Pros:
⛔️ Cons:
If you are looking for a quality home game console projector, then this model is a perfect device for all kinds of entertainment. Vibrant graphics, exceptional portability, and flexible gameplay are all about the DR. J Professional HI-04 Mini Projector. It also works with Retroarch (a platform that allows running games on different computers and consoles due to a user-friendly graphical interface), which will appeal to fans of retro games.
The picture quality is good and clear due to the high lumen power, but this is achieved at the cost of a lower bulb lifespan. This is the reason the projector won’t be as durable as the AuKing Mini Projector (review). Besides, this projector is not the best choice for use in bright places as this will result in limited picture quality; the CiBest Mini Projector (review) is better suited for this. For a better experience, it is recommended to use a screen that will give a sharper picture.
Only for iOS Devices
Suitable for all Apple products.
Allows you to watch movies, sports events, streaming applications (Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, etc) from your Apple devices on any TV or projector that has an HDMI port.
For Android Devices
Connect your phone or laptop to HDMI-enabled projectors and enjoy big-screen streaming.
The braided nylon cable will provide extra durability.
Compatible with iPad Pro 2018-2020, iPad Air 2020.
Use the screen for vivid and crisp images that capture the finest details wherever you are. The viewing angle of this screen is very wide, so comfortable viewing is guaranteed from any angle. Its performance is comparable to those that cost several times more. And the ease and simplicity of customization will be a pleasant bonus.
If the projector compromises on sound quality, additional speakers will remedy the situation. Plus, this one is perfect for travel, as it is light enough but powerful at the same time.
Installing the projector on the ceiling allows you to watch your home theater or play your favorite game as comfortably as possible, without thinking that someone will accidentally hook the projector or press a button. Also, if you have a sufficiently noisy fan, moving the projector further away will solve your problem.
A home projector is a great way to enjoy a movie at home. To ensure that the image is always of high quality, the projection surface must be clean, and a special soft microfiber cloth will gently remove dust from the objective lens. That’s an essential accessory as the usual cloth can scratch the lens.
Projectors have long been capable of transmitting an image from a smartphone, laptop, camcorder, and other external sources to a large screen. At the same time, the picture is clear, bright, and contrasting. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money, as for under $100 you can find a decent model that strikes a balance between performance, extra features and price.
When buying a projector, we recommend that you pay attention to its purpose, whether you will watch movies or use it at business meetings. It is also worth looking at the brightness of the projector because the image quality will depend on it. Another important factor is the number of connections.
Our list of the top projectors under $100 is based on these criteria and includes the following models:
We advise you to pay attention to these models:
– Crenova Mini Projector — Best Picture Quality
– AuKing Mini Projector — The most durable
– QKK mini projector — Best speaker sound
More information about this projector in the article.
Around 2,000 lumens should be enough to compete with standard indoor lighting or leakage from closed windows. But if you plan to use the projector in a lighted room or outdoors, you will need something over 3000 lumens.
Yes, you can. For home use, it is quite possible to limit yourself to a light wall or sheet. Keep in mind, however, that you make certain compromises in the quality of the projected image.
It all depends on how often the projector is used. On average, a projector uses about 300-500 watts, which is only $ 0.03-0.05 per hour.
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