Adam holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Linguistics, and creative writing has always been his greatest passion. For more than 25 years he's been working for several well-known automobile and travel magazines as an editor and expert consultant, but when Adam started his writing path here, at WisePick, it turned out that he's capable of writing practically anything about everything.
Initially being an engineering specialist, Tom has never stopped learning and acquiring other knowledge and skills. Now he’s involved in technical support for a well-known household appliances manufacturer, so no wonder he knows everything about almost everything you buy for your home.
Last updated: July 01, 2021
Wise Pick is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Projectors are one of the most versatile ways to take a small display and make it larger than life. No matter if you are looking for a better at home viewing experience, office display, or gaming screen, a good projector is a right way to go. The best part is that, thanks to advancements in projection technology, now it is possible to get an excellent projector for less money than you might think. While the best projector under $200 might not have all the bells and whistles of a more expensive model, it will still provide you with a high-quality display and easy-to-use interface, no matter how you choose to utilize it.
If you want to get a good projector, there is a lot that you need to take into account. The media types the projector is compatible with, the resolution, and the throw distance you intend to use the projector for are all big considerations. You’ll also want to have a clear idea of how bright you need the projector to be and, based on how you will use the display, the amount of contrast control that you need to have.
While all those details might seem a bit daunting, never fear! We have put in all of the hard work for you. We have spent tens of hours reading through thousands of reviews to find the best projectors under $200 on the market today. By reading our buying guide and in-depth reviews, you’ll easily be able to find the best projector for your needs in no time at all.
"This projector with a large screen and built-in speakers features high resolution (1080px) and the greatest contrast ratio for the money – it will definitely come in handy both at home and outdoors."
If you truly want to have the best projector under $200 in your home, then give this model a look. It is one of the largest projectors in this price range, which means that it is not exactly portable, but still easy enough to move around if you have to.
The biggest benefit to this larger than average size for the price is that this is a really nice and bright projector. Its 3000 lumens will work well in any environment, no matter if you are using it in a darkened room or in full sunlight.
This projector is also one of the easiest on the market to hook up. It has a wide array of connectivity options, such as two HDMI ports, VGA, RCA, and two USB 2.0 ports. No matter what you want to hook this projector up to, you will have the correct ports to do it.
This projector is all set and ready to go if you intend to use it for HD content. It operates at a resolution of 1280*768 pixels, which is plenty for projectors at this price level. Of course, as the image gets larger, you might notice a bit of noise, but on smaller displays this projector will give you a wonderful picture.
When it comes to portability, this projector is in a class of its own. It is extremely lightweight, weighing in at a minuscule 0.6 lbs. This makes it easy to take with you pretty much anywhere you might go, be it on vacation or camping. It has a rechargeable battery that is able to provide more than two hours-worth of a charge, making it perfect for movies, presentations, gaming, or watching television.
For its size, it is also extremely bright. It can put out about 1800 lumens, which makes it perfect for either pitch black areas or even dimly lit places. Of course, it cannot be used under super bright lights or in broad daylight, but it is still pretty impressive given the size of the projector.
Unlike many other smaller size projectors, this one is perfect for use with PowerPoint presentations. This is because of the short throw range of the projector. Since it has to be a very short distance from the screen, the brightness doesn’t have a chance to dissipate as much as it would if the projector was further away. This portable projector can be hooked up in a variety of ways, such as by an HDMI or USB ports.
If the GooDee Video Projector 180″ HD listed above isn’t quite to your liking, then this projector just might fit your needs. It offers a similar level of resolution and very high brightness, while also being a bit cheaper.
Though this projector is a bit smaller than more expensive models, it would probably not work all that well if you intend to move it from place to place. The body is solid, and surprisingly bulky, which limits its portability quite a bit. Fortunately, part of the bulk for this projector has to do with its top-notch cooling system, which helps to ensure that the projector doesn’t get overheated when in use. This will also help the projector to last longer since it won’t be damaged by the heat.
This projector is also quite simple to connect. It has a multitude of connection options. Unfortunately, there are no RCA ports for this model, so it might not work with older media types. If you intend to connect it with either USB or HDMI, however, you will be all set. It also has a set of built-in speakers that will help to complete your home theater experience.
The biggest hang-ups with a bunch of these cheaper level projectors are that they cannot be, or are at least not recommended to be used for presentations. They are usually not bright enough or do not have the proper throw range to be utilized in a school or business setting, which is a bummer. This is also, thankfully, not the case for this projector! It is by far the best for presentations at this price level. It is super bright, as it can project up to 3,500 lumens, which makes it perfect for a bright office or classroom.
The throw distance is also a big factor in using a projector for presentations. If the projector is too far away, you will not usually be able to see the screen properly, which makes it tougher for anyone viewing the presentation to see what’s being discussed. This projector has a wide throw range, which makes it super quick and easy to find the right distance for any presentations.
Finally, this projector is easy to hook up to a variety of media. No matter if you are going to be using a Mac or a PC, this projector can be utilized. Of course, you can also hook it up to a home entertainment system with ease since it can be connected with a VGA, HDMI, RCA, or USB adapter.
Wsky is a popular brand, best known for its top-quality home theaters. H2 is one of its greatest inventions. It packs a punch with a ton of advanced features. It is the best projector you can get for your home theater because its performance is unmatched and it offers a great pennyworth.
The projector utilizes the 84 LED projection technology that is 75% clearer and brighter than 48-LED technology that most projectors within its range use. The technology makes it ideal for a movie night in the backyard or any form of entertainment in the dark.
Also, it features a single speaker, which is more powerful than the dual speakers. It also saves on energy. Another unique feature is the dual fan design that has an efficient cooling system that protects the light bulb thus increasing the projector’s lifespan.
With this projector, you will enjoy an improved viewing experience as it supports a cinema-level big screen display HD 1080P with 15 degree vertical keystone adjustment. You can watch movies, music videos and games on a screen as big as 176-inches.
What’s more, it supports multiple devices and input interfaces including the famous PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 among others via different input interfaces like HDMI input and USB. You can also connect the projector to your iPhone or iPad.
What are our favorite features?
Great viewing experience
Offers excellent value for money
Efficient Dual fun system and powerful speaker
What could be better?
Not the best for PowerPoint, word, Excel or business presentations
If you are looking for a high-quality, yet budget-friendly option for your projector, then this is a fine choice. It offers a lot of high-quality features at a much lower price. The only real concession you need to make when choosing this projector is that it isn’t quite as bright as some others on the market, and it doesn’t have as large of a contrast range. If you can look past these minor issues, this is a fine projector and a good choice for a home projector.
As is the case for many of the projectors on this list, this model is easy to set up, no matter how you intend to use it. Whether you want to watch movies from a DVD, stream online content, or play video games, this projector will accommodate you. It can be hooked up with HDMI, USB, or VGA adapters, making it easy to enjoy any kind of media you want.
This projector also has an innovative cooling fan and heat dispersion system. This system is surprisingly quiet and will help keep your projector nice and cool during operation, which in turn will help the projector and its bulb to last a good long time.
If you are looking for a highly portable projector that is easy to set up, then this might be the right model for your needs. It is nice and small; in fact, it is one of the smallest projectors on the market today. This makes it easy to take along with you, no matter where you are heading. It does not come with a carrying case, however, so if you do take it with you, you’ll have to supply one.
This projector is the complete package when it comes to portability. It has a rechargeable battery, which can be charged via a USB port on the back. It also has two built-in speakers, which, while they are on the small side, still provide high-quality sound. You also have the option of connecting your headphones to the projector for even better sound quality. This projector supports both USB and HDMI hook-ups for your media, making it easy to stream on the go.
As is to be expected with a projector of this size, it is not overly bright. In fact, it only puts out about 100 lumens maximum, which might not make it the best choice for use with office or school presentations. If, however, you are going to be using it while camping in pitch dark, or even in a highly darkened room, you should have no problem at all seeing what you are watching.
Despite its small stature, this device can provide you with a high-quality image, as long as the area that you are going to be using it in is truly dark. This makes it a great choice for projecting outdoors, either while on the go or camping, as long as it is completely dark outside. This projector is, unfortunately, not quite bright enough to use in an office or school setting for presentations.
What really makes this a bit of home run as far as portable projectors go is how simple it is to hook up your smartphone or tablet. All you need to do is connect your device to the projector via a USB cable, and voila! You are ready to project exactly what is on the screen. If you have a newer phone or tablet, you can also use AirPlay, DLNA, and Miracast to project your screen through the projector with no additional cords required. You also have the option to connect your media through an HDMI port.
Since this projector is built to be portable, it comes with a rechargeable battery. This battery can be charged with a USB cable. After the projector has been fully charged, it can provide you with about two hours of runtime, which should be plenty for pretty much any movie or gaming session while you are on the go.
If you are in the market for a nice, cheap, but high-quality projector to utilize with a home gaming system, then this might be a good unit for your needs. This projector is one of the brightest ones on the market. This makes it good for pretty much any time of day that you intend to play, regardless of how bright the sun might be. Even in full sunlight, the picture quality for this projector is nice and clear, thanks to its bright bulb.
If you are just getting started with a home entertainment system, this is a good first step. It has built-in speakers which provide high-quality audio if you don’t have any additional speakers hooked up. If, however, you are ready to set up a more sophisticated audio system, this projector has the proper hookups to get the job done right. It can be used with an HDMI cable to provide an HD quality viewing or gaming experience.
Even though this projector puts out a ton of brightness, it has an exceptionally long bulb life. Since it uses an LED lamp, it is no surprise that the bulb will easily last over 45,000 hours of use, and could even go all the way to 50,000 hours.
There’s no better way to have a cinema-like movie experience at home, than with this versatile mini projector. You can project your movie directly from your iPhone, MacBook, android phone, PC among other devices. It is a multi-media projector.
The projector is designed to offer you an immersive audio experience. It has a Hi-Fi stereo sound chamber that works to deliver crisp clear and brighter sounds to you. You can connect the projector to various media sources via Micro USB type C to HDMI adapter for android gadgets and Lightning to HDMI adapter for iOS devices.
With this projector, high-quality images are a sure bet. It supports 1080P full HD video with native 720p resolution. At a viewing distance of 7ft you will be able to get a cinema-like experience at a 4500-lumen brightness and remarkable contrast ratio of 3000:1. What’s more you can easily adjust the settings with a remote control.
As if that’s enough, the Crenova projector features a noise cancellation cooling system. It uses copper for heat conduction and turbofan to dissipate heat which increase its efficiency tremendously and suppresses fan noise. Nothing could be worse than that background projector noise when a movie is going on.
What makes it special?
Very few projectors can offer an immersive movie quality like this Crenova does. It offers high brightness and top-tier image quality. Its main selling point is its multi-media capability that makes it highly versatile.
What cons did we find?
The projector can only be used for 2 to 3 hours to avoid overheating. Its user manual is also not very straightforward, a beginner could easily get confused.
Things to Consider
In this section we will go over everything that you need to know to find the best projector for your needs.
What to Expect from a Projector for under $200?
The biggest difference that you are going to notice with a cheaper projector is that they are usually going to be smaller than a more expensive option. This will limit the size of the screen that they can be used for. Smaller projectors also have a bit smaller of a throw distance than larger options, so you would probably have to put the projector closer to your screen than you would do with a more expensive model.
Thanks to advances in projection technology, however, you can rest assured that most models, like the GooDee Video Projector 230″ HD, are still able to give a high-quality and high-resolution picture, despite their cheaper price level.
If you’re looking for an even more budget-friendly model, check out our guide to some of the best projectors under $100. On the other hand, if you’re willing to spend a little extra for more features, then consider a projector under $300.
Features to Consider Before Buying a Projector
There are several key features that you need to take into account if you want to be sure to get the best projector under $200 on the market today. In this section, we will go through everything you need to know.
Connectivity
There are several different options when it comes to connecting a projector whether you intend to use it at home or the office. The best option is to use an HDMI cable, as this will provide you with the best quality sound and picture. If you are using an older setup, then you need to make sure that the projector you want can handle an old VGA or RCA cable.
Compatibility
Of course, when it comes to connectivity, you also need to realize that some projectors will only work with certain kinds of devices. No matter if you intend to use this projector with a PC, Mac, Xbox, PS4 or even your smartphone, you need to make sure to check the compatibility requirements to see if you can use it. Otherwise, you will just be wasting your time and money.
Brightness
While you might think that the brighter the display, the better off you will be, that isn’t always the case. Depending on the location that you are going to be using your projector, you might want to be able to get by without a high brightness level.
If you are going to be using your projector in a darker area, you can probably use a dimmer projector (1,000 lumens) and get by just fine. If, however, you are going to be using your projector in a bright office or near windows, then you will want to go a bit brighter (3,000+ lumens).
Contrast
The contrast in an image is the amount of difference that the image has between light and dark. The higher the amount of contrast, the greater the difference between light and dark. You’ll want to make sure that the projector that you choose has a high contrast range.
The high contrast range a projector possesses is especially important for picture clarity. By selecting a projector with a wide range, you will be able to adjust the image to not only achieve your preferred viewing experience but a higher level of clarity as well.
Resolution
To put it as simply as possible, the better the resolution a projector possesses, the better the quality of the picture that it will display is. If you are looking for high-definition gaming or home theater experience, then you want to look for a projector that can handle higher resolutions.
Most projectors operate on a fixed resolution system. This means that they can only put out set amounts of resolution, no matter what the input resolution might be. You need to make sure that you get a projector with a variety of fixed resolution options. That way, you’ll be able to find the right resolution for your media type and usage.
Keystone correction
No matter where you intend to set your projector up, odds are that you will need to adjust the picture projection before you actually start using it for presentations, movies, or games. This is especially true if you are going to be setting your projector up on the ceiling above your screen or on a surface below your screen.
Keystone correct allows you to adjust the projected picture digitally. This allows you to turn what might be a distorted image into a nearly perfect rectangle. This is an essential feature as it allows you to use your projector anywhere, and still have a clear and easy-to-see picture.
Throw distance
The throw distance of any projector is the distance that it is able to “throw,” or project, an image and keep it clear. Depending on the size of the projector, and how much it costs, this could be several feet to over thirty feet in distance. If you’re looking to use your projector outside, you’ll probably need a greater throw distance, so our selection of the best outdoor projectors might be of use to you. The good news is, you can find plenty of these at under the 200-dollar mark .
Before you make your final decision on the projector that you want, be sure to take careful measurements so that you are sure of your throw distance needs.
Screen size
This is, obviously, not the screen size of the projector. In fact, most projectors don’t have any screen at all. This is, instead, the minimum or maximum size screen that the projector can be used with for an optimal viewing experience.
Before you make your final purchase, you need to be sure of the size of the surface that you will be projecting onto. That way, you can figure out your throw distance, and check your measurements against the limits of your projector of choice. This will help to ensure that you get the best picture quality for your money.
Warranty
As with any big purchase, you need to make sure that you look for a good warranty. Most projectors will come with a limited warranty for only a year or so. Of course, some projectors come with a longer warranty, such as the DBPOWER L21. The longer the warranty, the longer you have to get parts replaced without any extra cost to you, which is, after all, ideal.
Bulb lifetime
Unfortunately, bulbs are not usually covered in warranties. These essential parts are by far one of the more expensive components for a projector. They are also one of the more difficult pieces to change in a projector, which is why it only makes sense to go for one that lasts a good long time.
While a bulb with a longer lifespan will cost you extra money upfront, it will save you the hassle of having to change the bulb in the long run. As such, you should only purchase bulbs with a life expectancy of at least 10,000 hours, though the longer, the better.
Extra features
There is a number of extra features that you might want to look into when you are choosing your projector. While several of these features are nice perks, one feature in particular that you should look for is some cooling system.
This will help to keep your projector from overheating and burning out the bulb. It will also help to keep the fan noise to a minimum, which is ideal for watching a movie, playing a game, or giving a presentation. Internal speakers are always a nice touch as this increases the portability of your projector.
There are several things that you need to take into account when you are looking for an outdoor theatre projector. Here is a quick checklist of requirements to keep in mind:
Brightness: 2,000 lumens or better
Resolution: HD (720p or 1080p)
Connectivity: HDMI
Audio: Internal Speakers
Several different projectors under $200 can be used for an outdoor theater, but the GooDee Video Projector 230″ HD is probably the best option.
If you have a 1,000-watts blender, you’ll most likely be okay with ice in your shakes. However, it is best if you refer to the specific manual of the product before you place an ingredient into your blender you’re not 100 percent sure of that it can handle.
There are several different choices that you can take along with you that run off of a battery. These are usually much smaller models that can be set up in minutes and used with, or without cables.
Each of these projectors would provide you with the proper contrast and resolution to make your presentations pop off the screen for your clients.
Our Verdict
Out of all the different models out there, the best projector under $200 is most definitely the GooDee Video Projector. It is nice and bright, supports pretty much every media type out there, can run at high resolutions, and is simple to set up. If you truly want to have the best viewing experience at this price point, then we highly recommend that you check this model out.
Of course, you might be operating on a bit of a budget. In that case, you should check out the Vankyo Leisure 3 projector. While it might not be as bright as some other projectors, it still provides plenty of value. It can be used with tons of media types and has a high-quality resolution level. For the price, you simply won’t find a better value than this projector.
We, as a society, are constantly on the go. With the Vamvo Ultra Mini Portable Projector, you never need to be without a quality viewing experience. This projector is small enough to fit into your pocket but is still bright enough to provide a great picture while you are on the go. It also has a long-lasting rechargeable battery that makes it a great choice if you are looking for a great portable projector.
