Key takeaways
- Cheapest pick worth buying: XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro ($399 – $449).
- Portable projectors with built-in streaming are fine for occasional movie nights; buy a home cinema model for regular use.
- Brightness decides where you can use it: a dark room needs far less than a living room with daylight.
In this article
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You do not need to spend a lot to get good projectors. These are the cheapest projectors we would still buy in the US, sorted by typical price.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Budget picks at a glance
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro | Buy | 8.2/10 | $399 – $449 |
| NEBULA Capsule 3 GTV | Consider | 7.6/10 | $399 – $549 |
| Epson Home Cinema 880 3LCD 1080p Projector | Buy | 7.9/10 | $449 – $649 |
Budget picks in detail
XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro
Portable and bedroom · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.2/10 · Typical price: $399 – $449
Why we like it: Tiny 1080p projector with Google TV.
Pros: Compact and light · Official Google TV with Netflix · Auto focus and keystone
Cons: Not very bright · Battery sold separately as a base
Buy it if you want a small, light projector with built-in Google TV for the bedroom or travel.
Skip it if you want a big, bright picture in a lit room.
NEBULA Capsule 3 GTV
Grab-and-go movie nights · Verdict: Consider · Score: 7.6/10 · Typical price: $399 – $549
Why we like it: Soda-can size with a built-in battery.
Pros: Built-in battery · Google TV built in · Very portable
Cons: Dim at 200 ANSI lumens · Battery covers only about one movie
Buy it if you want a truly portable projector with a built-in battery for camping or sleepovers.
Skip it if you want brightness for a large screen or a lit room.
Epson Home Cinema 880 3LCD 1080p Projector
Budget big screen · Verdict: Buy · Score: 7.9/10 · Typical price: $449 – $649
Why we like it: Very bright 1080p for the money.
Pros: Very bright · Simple setup · Inexpensive
Cons: No built-in streaming apps · Weak contrast in dark scenes
Buy it if you want a bright, simple 1080p projector for movie nights and backyard screenings on a budget.
Skip it if you want 4K, built-in apps or deep blacks.
How to save money
Portable projectors with built-in streaming are fine for occasional movie nights; buy a home cinema model for regular use.
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
Where not to cut corners
Brightness decides where you can use it: a dark room needs far less than a living room with daylight.
Common mistake: Trusting inflated 'lumens' claims on unknown brands; look for ANSI lumens.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best cheap projectors in the US?
The cheapest model we would still buy is XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro, typically $399 – $449.
Are cheap projectors worth it?
Portable projectors with built-in streaming are fine for occasional movie nights; buy a home cinema model for regular use. Do not compromise on the basics, though. Brightness decides where you can use it: a dark room needs far less than a living room with daylight.
When are projectors cheapest in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.