Projector technology is becoming more and more advanced. Nowadays, projectors not only belong to the cinema but are also a choice for your house. The most popular type of projector today is the video projector, which is the replacement of traditional types of projectors. A video projector can project high-definition video content onto a projection screen.
Therefore, using a video projector at your home can give you a cinematic experience instead of going to the cinema or buying an expensive LED television. Whether you want to play video games or enjoy your favorite movie, a high-quality big-screen display can improve your home theater experience. Luckily, there is a diverse range of prices on different projectors on the market. Even though expensive projectors can cost you over a grand, with so many brands and models, you can find the best projector under 100 dollars that is affordable and has the same key features as the expensive ones. These cheap projectors won’t bring you high-level experience, but basic functions and high quality are all covered at affordable prices.
Before you decide to buy a video projector under $100, there are several factors you need to consider. The first and the most basic thing is compatibility. Your favored projector should be able to connect to your device at home, such as smartphones, laptops, etc. The brightness of your room is another factor. A common projector can provide 1,000 to 2,500 lumens on average, which is suitable for a 140-inch screen with surrounding light on. For a brighter room or a larger screen, you’ll need more lumens.
We understand that it is difficult to choose the best projector under 100 dollars with countless brands and models. Don’t worry. We’re here to help. Here is a list of our recommendations for the best projector under $100 in 2022 and the buying guide. We’ve looked through plenty of reviews and commentaries for a combination of reasonable price and excellent performance.
Now, are you ready for a wonderful movie night? Let’s scroll down and check out the list!
Contents
Quick View
Editor’s Choice: CiBest iPhone Projector
Most Durable Projector: AuKing Mini Projector
Best Quality Projector: TMY V28 Projector
Best Projector for Children: PVO Portable Projector
Best Value Projector: PONER SAUND WiFi Mini Projector GP16
CiBest iPhone Projector
Check Price on Amazon
Features:
Display: LED
Contrast: 6000:1
Throw Distance: 2.62ft-14.8ft
Brightness: 7500 lumen
Supported Resolution: 1080P
Projection Size: 30″ to 200″
Keystone: ±15 degrees
Size: 7.87 x 5. 5 x 2.7 inch
Weight: 2.25 lb
CiBest projector has been recommended by so many consumers and review websites. Maybe it’s not the best projector under $100, but there must be some reasons for its popularity.
CiBest Projector is very portable thanks to its compact size of 7.87” x 5. 5” x 2.7” and light weight of only 2.8lb. In such a small size itself, its maximum screen size can reach up to 200”, which is much larger than many of its competitors.
Despite its low price, the viewing experience is first-class in its price range due to its brightness and resolution. With a 7500-lumen brightness and a 1080 full HD resolution, you’ll have an enjoyable viewing experience in your home theater. The lifespan of the lamp is up to 30,000 hours, and perhaps you won’t have the chance to change it.
The throw distance determines the distance between the projector and the screen. Luckily, the range is so wide that you can place your CiBest projector flexibly. However, the ideal distance should be between 6 ft and 8 ft. Accordingly, the projection size is 80” to 90”.
CiBest projector is easy to set up. You just need to follow the instruction and can start to get clear and vivid images in no time. If purchase, you’ll get an 18-month return and a lifetime warranty. Amazing!
PROS:
Compact, light-weight, portable
First-class viewing experience
Enough brightness
High resolution
The wide throw distance range
Easy to set up and use
CONS:
Weak speaker (external speakers are recommended)
AuKing Mini Projector
Check Price on Amazon
Features:
Display: LCD
Throw Distance: 1m to 5m
Contrast Ratio: 2000:1
Lamp Life: 55,000 hours
Projection Display: 32″-170″
Size: 7.7 x 6 x 2.7 inch
Weight: 2.87 lb
The AuKing Mini Projector is another one that should be included in the best projector under $100 list due to many of its fantastic features. It offers 1080P resolution, 55,000-hour lamp life, and LCD technology, giving you crystal clear images and a perfect viewing experience second to none. And, there is no need to change the bulb for it can be used for more than 15 years!
With the 1m to 5m throw distance and up to 170” screen size, your room will be turned into a nightlong home theater the moment you turn on the AuKing Mini Projector. All your family members or friends can sit back together and enjoy yourselves.
Thanks to the 2000:1 contrast ratio, all crucial details of the images will be seen clearly during viewing. The keystone correction is remote-controlled, so it is easy for you to adjust the screen whether you are standing beside the projector or not. The AuKing Mini Projector is compatible with TV Box, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, PC, Laptop, Tablet, etc. With built-in speakers, you can hear the sound clearly. No external speakers are required.
PROS:
Supports 1080p full HD
Built-in speakers
High compatibility
Powerful cooling system
Low noise
CONS:
Brightness is not enough
No zoom knob
TMY V28 Projector
Check Price on Amazon
Features:
Display: 180 ANSI LED
Brightness: 8500 lumen
Supported Resolution: 1080 full HD
Throw Distance: 1m to 5m
Contrast Ratio: 4000:1
Lamp life: 60,000 hours
TMY V28 is the best projector under $100 suitable for small-size home theaters, featuring multimedia capabilities and portability. With 8500 lumen brightness, this projector offers images of excellent quality to you, and its 60,000 hours of lamp life ensures that you can keep enjoying your favorite movies for a long long time. With TMY V28, you can view all the details clearly even projecting on a large screen in high definition because of the 4000:1 contrast ratio, 1080 full HD, and LED system. In addition, with the keystone correction, the picture is perfect.
The throw distance is 1 meter to 5 meters. You can view the screen clearly from whatever viewpoints in the room. Besides, TMY V28 supports up to 270” screen size, which is enough for a home theater.
A 5-year after-sales service will be provided after you purchase TMY V28 projector.
PROS:
Outstanding brightness
Supports 1080p full HD
3LCD color calibrating and adjusting technology
WiFi projector
Multimedia capabilities
CONS:
Not easy to adjust images
PVO Mini Projector-YG300 Pro
Check Price on Amazon
Features:
Display technology: LED
Brightness: 4,500 lumen
Supported resolution: 1080P full HD
Max. screen size: 170”
If you’re looking for the best projector under 100 dollars for your kid, this is it, PVO Mini Projector-YG300 Pro! It is famous for its mini and compact size, also named a pocket projector. PVO YG300 Pro is portable, easy to use, and perfect for children whether they would like to use it in their rooms or outside.
The screen size can be up to 170”, but it is better to choose between 60” and 100” for an optimal projection effect. With 1080 full HD supported resolution, the picture quality is satisfactory. PVO YG300 Pro has many ports, including HDMI, USB, audio, etc. It is compatible with multiple media devices, including laptops, TV boxes, digital cameras, desktop computers, etc.
PROS:
Small, compact, portable
1080 full HD supported resolution
Can be charged with a mobile phone charger
Enough ports for various connection options
Simple to set up
Ideal for children
CONS:
No WiFi
No Bluetooth
No built-in battery
No adjustable keystone correction
PONER SAUND WiFi Mini Projector GP16
Check Price on Amazon
Features:
Display technology: LED
Brightness: 5500 lumen
Contrast: 5500:1
Aspect ratio: 16:9/4:3
Supported resolution: 1280x720p, 1920x1080p
Throw distance: 5ft-15ft
Screen size: 40”-210”
Size: 7.87 x 5.90 x 2.95 inch
Weight: 2.5lb
As the best projector under $100, PONER SAUND WiFi Mini Projector GP16 is absolutely worth the money as it is fully equipped. The 5,500-lumen brightness, 5,500:1 contrast ratio, and LED display technology can give you an outstanding viewing experience even in daylight. With a supported resolution of 1280 x 720p and 1920 x 1080p, the image quality will exceed your expectation. You will get vivid, clear, and colorful pictures.
The throw distance is 5ft to 15ft, but 6.5ft is the best distance for watching. You can adjust Keystone Correction manually. With integrated steel speakers, PONER SAUND GP16 doesn’t need external speakers, and you can experience excellent sound reproduction.
It has multiple interfaces, including HDMI, USB, AV, VGA, and headphones, and is compatible with different devices, such as computers, laptops, DVD/VCD players, PS3, PS4, headsets, USB disks, etc.
PROS:
Brightness is high
Low noise
1080 full HD supported resolution
Small and lightweight
Excellent compatibility
CONS:
None
Buying Best Projector Under $100: Things To Consider
Maybe you didn’t find your favored projector under $100 from the above list. That’s all right because we’ll list important factors you should consider when selecting a projector under $100. Scroll down and look through this information and start to choose your projector!
Brightness
Brightness is a basic factor we need to consider. It determines how bright the projected picture is. Brightness is measured in Lumen and the higher the lumen, the brighter the image. Normally, you can see lumens rating in the product specifications, but you may wonder how many lumens mean less bright, bright enough, or too bright. Let’s take some examples. 1000 lumens is ideal for projecting in a completely dark room with no light. 2000 lumens is perfect for indoor areas with a little light. 3000 lumens is appropriate for outdoor application.
However, you don’t have to always select a brighter projector because it depends on the location. If you have a dark home theater with not much lighting, 1000-2000 lumens is enough. If you will use the projector outside, then 3000 lumens are perfect. Therefore, think of your needs and where you are going to use the device first.
Display Technology
Next, display technology is another essential factor. Generally, there are three types of display technology: digital light processing (DLP), liquid-crystal display (LCD), and light-emitting diode (LED). DLP can offer you the best image quality but with a high price tag. It’s unlikely to get DLP from a projector under $100. LCD and LED are more affordable and can also provide you with satisfactory color quality. However, when using a projector with LCD technology, you should pay attention to the overheating issue due to more heat generation.
Contrast ratio
The contrast ratio is the capability of producing black and white and the ratio between them. It is often shown in the form of 2000:1, which means the lightest part is 2000 times brighter than the blackest part. So, the higher the contrast ratio, the brighter the white part and the darker the black part. Colors between black and white look more vivid. For projectors under $100, a contrast ratio that is higher than 1000:1 can be fine.
Supported Resolution
Images on the big screen can also be clear and high-quality. It depends on the resolution. Higher resolution means more pixels, which generate pleasantly clearer and crisper pictures, thus enhancing your viewing experience. A projector with a resolution under 480p Most projectors under $100 provides a default resolution of HD (high definition) that is 720p, but usually, a full HD of 1080p is also supported.
Throw Distance
Throw distance is the distance between the projector and the projection screen. Usually, there is a throw distance range and an optimum distance for your reference. Before purchasing, make sure where you are going to place the projector and what’s the room size.
Lamp Life
Lamp life is crucial to you because it determines how many years your can use your projector. This number is easily found in the specification table. A lamp with a service life of more than 50000 hours is ideal since it means you can use it for almost 15 years!
Portability
Portability is really important for users who are going to use the projector flexibly instead of making it a stationary device. Small and compact projectors are quite portable to carry. However, a projector that weighs less than 2 pounds has overheating issues due to the compact design.
Conclusion
With the development of projector technology, we can purchase a relatively ideal projector device for under $100 in 2022. Though it may not be a flawless projector with first-class quality, it meets your basic needs, functions normally, and is durable. Hope our list and buying guide help. Now, pick your favorite projector and get ready to sit down and enjoy a fantastic movie night with your family and friends!