Are you in the market for a new projector?
You can find several affordable units including the best projector for under 200 dollars. We’ll be reviewing some models including their features, pros, and cons. You’ll also learn some key features to look for when picking a budget projector.
Straight to the winner? So for the top projectors in the under-$200 price range on the market, we would pick the: 5.5-inch HD Projector by XINDA.
Best Projector Under $200 Comparison Table
[aawp table=”2796″]Best Projector Under 200 Reviews
1. iDG-787W Mini Portable Projector by iDGLAX
Summary
Image/Resolution
The iDGLAX projector has native resolution f800p x 480x and is compatible w/ 1080i/p.
You can project images from 30-inch to 100-inch. The ideal distance from the screen is 6 to 9 feet from the screen/wall to provide the best viewing experience.
The LED Display tech reproduces a wider range of colors than a standard projector. This provides an image that’s richer/clearer.
Features
The unit supports input options like:
- AV
- HDMI
- SD
- USB
- VGA
You can charge your smartphone/tablet using the USB port.
There’s an advanced cooling system and ball-bearing fans to help to reduce noise and over-heating. It also reduces the amount of maintenance you’ll have to conduct on the projector due to repairs.
The lamp provides soft brightness and a maximum of 20,000 hours of operation. This reduces the hassles and cost of lamp swaps so you’ll have to replace it less frequently than other units.
Extras
An HDMI cable and remote are bundled with the portable projector.
This portable projector includes a 1-year warranty service that includes customer service and technical support. You can contact the company about any questions/concerns you have.
Applications
This projector makes a good gift for friends, family, and children. It can be used for various applications including home theater, gaming, and movie nights. You can play games on gaming consoles like Xbox, Ps23, Wii, etc.
You can also connect your iOS/Android phone/tablet to the projector with an HDMI adapter. The projector is also compatible with PC/Mac to share content with your friends and family. If you use this option make sure to use the 800p x 600p or 1024p x 768p display resolution.
Another option is to connect the HDMI adapter to the TV box and watch your favorite shows and programs.
You’ll be required to use external speakers when using a VGA cord to connect the portable project when watching videos. The speakers will help to produce a louder/better sound.
Pros
- Excellent value for the price point
- Ideal for shows, cartoons, and games
- Good customer service
- Remote control bundled with projector
- Easy to set up and operate
Cons
- Sometimes hard to clear/bright image
- Diagonal line on right side
- Fan is somewhat loud
2. Mini Portable Home Theater by Mileagea
Summary
Image/Resolution
The portable home theater creates an image ranging from 18-inch to 120-inch. It also produces a native resolution f800p x 480p and 800 lumens.
Features
The LED lamp is long-lasting, which helps to save time, effort, and money. You’ll usually only be required to replace the bulb every few years or so. Some of the benefits include fewer swaps and less maintenance.
Extras
The projector includes various connections including HDMI, VA, AV, audio, SD card, and USB. There are also built-in speakers so you won’t have to purchase standalone speakers for the mini projector.
Applications
The projector supports input resolutions including:
- 1080i
- 1080p
- 4K
- 720p
- VGA
- WVGA
- XGA
You can also connect the mini projector to cable box, X-Box, PlayStation, DVD/Blu-ray player, and other devices. You can also use the USB port to play your favorite jams via a portable media player.
Pros
- Excellent customer service
- Good value for the price
- Connects to consoles, Fire sticks, phones, etc.
- Function in dim room
- Good picture quality
Cons
- Doesn’t support Dolby audio
- No adjustment dial for regulating image size
- Problems with USB
3. 5.5-inch HD Projector by XINDA
Summary
Image/Resolution
The XINDA projector offers 1080p resolution and high brightness. The unit is brighter/clearer than standard LED projectors via 3500 lumens.
Color accuracy is up to 3x higher than other projectors with high color brightness and 3x wider color spectrum. You can project HD images and videos.
It includes a 5.5-inch LCD display that can project from 32-in. to 200 in.
Features
The projector has a basic yet stylish design with a stainless steel casing.
This HD projector also produces less noise due to the cooling system w/ heat dispersion. The projector also includes noise suppression tech that can reduce noise up to 50%. This provides a better viewing experience for friends and family.
You can also get experience Stereophonic/Surround Sound that creates an immersive experience like a movie theater.
The lamp has a life up to 60,000 hours. If you watch one 2-hour movie daily, the lamp will still work for several years. This helps to reduce the time and effort required to swap in a new lamp.
Extras
The XINDA projected is backed by a 3-year warranty, and the company offers customer service/technical support. You can contact the company if you have any questions/concerns.
The mini projector is bundled with:
- Projector
- Remote Control
- Power Adapter
- AV Cable
- HDMI Cable
- VGA Cable
- User Manual
- Cleaning Cloth
The projector also includes a 3-year warranty that includes customer service and technical support. The company will replace the unit if it stops working within 3 years after the purchase date.
Applications
The mini projector includes various input options including:
- AV
- HDMI
- SD
- TV
- USB
This gives you several options for content. You can also connect the projector to desktop/laptop, DVD/Blu-ray player, PS3/PS4, and Xbox through the HDMI port. The HDMI adapter can also be used to connect the mini projector to your iOS/Android smartphone/tablet.
The projector also supports various audio formats like ASF, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA, and image formats like BMP, JPEG, PNG, and TXT. This offers more versatility since you can enjoy several different formats in terms of video, images, and audio.
The projector includes a 5W built-in speaker so you won’t have to purchase a standalone unit.
Pros
- Brighter than similar projectors on the market
- Good price for full HD projector
- Good sound for small projector
- Bright and clear images
- Very small/compact projector
Cons
- Sometimes difficult to see details
- Sound might stop working quickly
- Might only last for months
4. SLCD Portable Projector by AbdTech
Summary
Image/Resolution
The focus can be tweaked using the image focusing function for a clearer HD picture. The projector produces 2600 lumens efficiently with 854p x 540x high definition. The AbdTech LCD produces a crisp/clear picture for indoor and outdoor activities.
The LCD projector can display images on screens ranging from 32-in. to 200-in. with a project distance ranging from 4 ft. to 20 ft.
You can use the 15-degree vertical keystone correction to get the best angle. This will provide the optimum viewing angle whether you’re watching a TV show or movie.
Features
The built-in power speakers are loud enough for outdoor movies using interfaces including HDMI, USB, VGA, and AV.
You can also connect the projector to a PC/Mac via an HDMI cable. The AV cable can be used to connect the LCD projector to iOS and Android phones/tablets.
The lamp has 20,000+ hours of life and can save up to 70% energy vs. other projectors.
The projector includes two USBs. One is for hard disk devices, U-0Dis,, etc. Meanwhile, the other USB slot can only be used for charging devices like phones, tablets, and media players.
Built-in speakers can improve the user experience when watching movies, viewing images, and playing games.
The cooling system w/ heat dispersion can help reduce sound by 50% via noise suppression. This improves the viewing experience of your family and guests.
Extras
The AbdTech includes a 1-year limited warranty for parts and a 90-day warranty for lamps. It’s critical to read the terms & conditions, so you’ll know exactly what the warranty does and doesn’t cover.
Applications
The LCD Portable Projector can be used for various applications like indoor movie nights with family or outdoor movie nights with friends.
Pros
- Good for outdoor movies
- Good images in light and dark environments
- Built-in speaker
- Clear image on big screens
- Excellent specs for the price.
Cons
- Sound is very loud
- No carrying case bundled.
- Requires thicker HDMI cable
5. 2400Lux Mini Projector by TOPVISION
Summary
Image/Resolution
The TOPVISION projector offers 2400 lumens and is brighter than similar projects on the market. The company recently upgraded the projector’s lumens. It also includes a 2000:1 contrast ratio and 16:10 aspect ratio.
You can project the image to screens ranging from 50-in. to 176-in. This is with a projector distance from 1.5m to 5.2m. The optimum viewing distance is around 3m.
It’s quite easy to get a clear image. First, adjust the keystone correction, so the screen gets in the same place. Then tweak the focus ring.
Features
The TOPVISION unit also includes built-in hi-fi speakers. You can get full-spectrum sound indoors or outdoors.
The projector’s lamp has a life of up to 50,000 hrs. So if you watch one movie every day using the projector, you won’t have to change the lamp for several years.
Extras
This projector is bundled with remote control and AV cable.
The manufacturer offers a 2-year warranty that provides a refund or replacement if you have any issues with the mini projector. You can also contact the company if you have any questions or issues about the product.
Applications
The TOPVISION can be connected to a phone or laptop via USB cable without Wi-Fi and HDMI adapter. It’s compatible with:
- Smartphone
- TV
- USB sticks
- Tablet
- DVD/players
- TF cards
- Laptop
- Amazon Fire
This provides many options for content and offers greater flexibility than other pocket projectors available on the market. Unfortunately, you can’t access streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix due to copyrights.
You can use this projector for different applications like sports events, movie nights, and outdoor parties.
The USB cable lets you connect the projector or your iOS/Android mobile device.
For connecting Android phones/tablets, you’ll have to download a Google app.
Another key feature includes noise reduction. This is due to the cooling system that provides effective heat dissipation. That makes the projector much quieter than similar units on the market.
Pros
- Good visibility at nighttime
- Ideal for educational applications
- High image/sound quality
- Good option for family/friends
- Issues with resolution/brightness
- High-quality product for price range
Cons
- Might not be long-lasting
- Won’t work with Galaxy S9
Key Features of Projectors Under $200
If you’re looking for the best projector under 200 here are some of the best features to watch for:
You can find lots of portable/mini/pocket projectors in the under-$200 category. These are great when you want to use the unit for outdoor movie nights, camping, vacations, etc. In these situations, you won’t want to haul around a heavy projector to the other side of the world.
In terms of portability make sure you consider the size and weight of the projector. Some are small enough so they can fit inside a pants pocket or small bag. This makes it a cinch to bring the projector with you in your luggage.
Mounting
In many cases, you’ll just want to place the projector on a table and start watching content. However, if you’re looking for more options look for projectors with other options. One mounting option is to attach the unit to the ceiling. This requires separate hardware but provides a quality viewing experience.
Keystone Correction
Sometimes the projector is placed below or above the screen’s horizontal line. When this happens, projectors can sometimes make an adjustment known as “keystone correction.” This isn’t available on all units, so it’s a feature to consider.
Keystone correction can also cause some downsides worth noting. They include lower resolution and dimming. However, in terms of the overall viewing experience, this feature is worth the downsides it can produce.
Lamp
The biggest issue in terms of the lamp/bulb is how long it will last. You can find some units that last up to 60,000 hours before needing to be replaced. In most cases, the lamp won’t need to be replaced for several years even if you want a 2-hour movie every day.
Just make sure to research the bulb’s maximum lifetime. If you’re planning to the projector regularly, then it can become an issue if you have to replace the bulb every year, for example.
Lumens
Make sure that you consider the lumens or “lux” figure for a particular projector model. This will help to determine the brightness of the projector’s image. You should look for at least 1,000 lumens for home theater use and 3,000 lumens for outdoor use.
There’s also an X-factor. Sometimes a higher lumen figure doesn’t translate into a brighter/clearer picture. Make sure you consider various other factors like resolution and contrast since it’s a combination of several factors that determine the overall clearness of a particular projector.
Speaker
The built-in speaker included with a projector typically isn’t outstanding. However, it does add convenience since you won’t have to haul a standalone speaker with your projector every time you go on a business trip or vacation, for example.
Make sure to check out a few things. Which audio inputs does the projector support? How much wattage does the speaker have? Is the sound crisp and clear?
If you want the best experience possible, you should consider purchasing a stand-alone speaker to pair with the projector. This will add to the total cost but will also provide the best audio possible when watching a movie, TV show, or music video.
Price
If you’re looking for a projector in the under-$200 category, you’re already looking for a budget unit. That said, you can still find a wide range of prices. Some units are even in the under-$100 price range. However, if you want a decent quality unit, you should definitely be willing to shell out some extra money.
Several factors affect the projector’s price tag including the brand, materials, features, inputs, quality, resolution, portability, and so on. These are just some of the many factors that affect the price tag.
Before you start searching for a unit make sure to set a budget and just as importantly—stick to it! This will help to prevent you from spending more than you can afford. That’s definitely a situation you’ll want to avoid.
You should also consider how much value you’re getting. If you shop around you can find an outstanding projector at a lower price.
What can you do? Consider an older version of a projector since it will be cheaper than the latest one. Look for sales, discounts, and promos that can help you save money on your purchase. Avail of services like Amazon Prime that offer perks like free shipping. All of these methods can boost the value you get from a particular projector.
Extras
Unfortunately, pocket projectors usually aren’t bundled with too many extras. It might include things like HDMI/USB cables or a carrying case, but that’s about it. In many situations, you’ll have to purchase input cables separately, which adds to the total cost of your purchase.
Warranty
You can often find limited warranties for mini projectors. These are usually valid for 1-3 years from the purchase date although sometimes they’re lifetime warranties that are honored for the lifetime of the projector.
If the warranty is limited make sure to find out what it covers. This is sometimes listed in the product description, but other times you’ll have to read the fine print of the terms & conditions. Typically it covers things like defects although there might be different timeframes for particular components like the lamps.
Then sometimes you can also get a satisfaction guarantee with the projector. These are usually valid for 30 days, although they can also be for 60 or 90 days, for example. These guarantees tend to promise you’ll be 100% happy within X days or you can get a full refund or replacement.
Reviews
You should read lots of reviews before picking a particular under-$200 projector. Check out Amazon’s Verified Purchase reviews because these are from people who actually bought a certain product.
It’s unfortunate but many of today’s online reviews are “fake” since people are paid to add a positive or negative spin for a particular product. It’s very tough to determine sometimes that a review is fake so that’s why you should look for Verified Purchase reviews and similar ones.
Make sure to read not only customer reviews but also ones from industry experts. This will provide feedback about the technical aspects of a particular projector model. They’ll know what to look for in terms of the unit’s functionality, features, quality, etc.
Manufacturer/Brand
Portable projectors are a niche so you should do some research about some of the leading makers/brands. This will help to determine which brands you should generally consider and which ones you should ditch automatically.
As a general rule, it’s a wise choice to forego picking units from generic and off-brands. You can save tons of money, but you’ll likely have issues related to product quality, customer support, etc. If you have any technical issues, for example, if the unit breaks the first time you use it then you might get stuck with it.
Compatible Devices
Like inputs, this is another key issue to consider when picking a unit. For example, you might want to watch movies form your DVD/Blu-ray player, play games on Xbox, PS4, or Wii, or view images from your smartphone/tablet or PC/Mac.
Many of today’s projectors can be connected to a wide range of devices. It’s just a matter of finding out which ones are compatible with a particular projector you’re considering, so you’ll know whether or not you view content from the device.
Noise
Many projectors include features like heat dispersion and cooling systems that help reduce the amount of noise the unit produces. This usually isn’t a major issue since you should focus more on factors like the image/audio quality.
That said, certain systems can reduce noise up to 50%. This can be a big benefit if you’re watching films such as the 857-hour title “Logistics” (2012). If a projector is particularly loud, it can be distracting and even prevent you from enjoying a TV show or film.
The noise level is actually based on various technical factors. It’s the combination of them that affects the overall noise level of the projector. Make sure to research whether past customers verify that the noise-reducing tech actually works.
Inputs
You can find various input options for projectors. They include HDMI, USB, TV, AV, SD, VGA, and so on. This is critical because it will affect the content sources you can use with the unit. In general, the “more is better” rule applies so make sure to check out this issue to make sure you’ll have as many options as possible.
Resolution
If you’re looking for a budget projector, then you should consider full HD (1080p). This is definitely good enough when you’re on the road and want to enjoy a movie or TV show.
Will HD resolution guarantee a crisp and clear picture? It won’t, but it’s a good start. You should consider other factors like contrast, focus, lumens, and so on. However, since full HD has basically become an industry standard, it will help to provide the best viewing experience possible from a mini projector.
Conclusion – Which Project is the best under $200?
We’ve reviewed some of the top projectors in the under-$200 price range on the market. After careful consideration, we’re prepared to share our selection for the crème de la crème. Drumroll, please: 5.5-inch HD Projector by XINDA.
This unit provides an outstanding view experience. |Features include full HD resolution, 3500 lumens, and 200-inch. image.
The projector also provides a lot of flexibility You have several input options like VGA, TV, AV, SD, HDMI, and USB. You can also connect various devices to the unit like DVD, PC/Mac, phone/tablet, and gaming consoles like PS4, Xbox, and Wii.
Then there are some extra perks that make the XINDA unit the best projector under 200. They include a 3-year warranty with customer service & technical support, 50% less noise via the game-changing cooling system, 5W speaker, and 60,000 lamp life. This XINDA projector is picture-perfect!
