In the market for good cheap projectors under 100 USD? We’ve got suggestions.
What Makes for a Good Projector?
What makes a projector good? The answer depends on your specific setup and needs. Applicable features include:
- Resolution
- Brightness
- Contrast
- Throw
- Keystoning
- Media Formats
- Inputs
Understanding the lingo
Unless you’re familiar with the world of projectors, it is easy to get lost in the technical jargon. Take some time to check out the following technical terms to make your choice a little bit easier.
Resolution
Resolution is the number of pixels within the height and width of a visual display (i.e., TV, monitor, or projector). The more pixels, the finer the picture quality.
Throw
A projector’s so-called “throw” is the distance between its lens and screen. Most projectors have an optimal throw range. If that figure falls outside of your setup, it could make for a terrible picture.
Lumens (Brightness)
Lumes represent the total amount of visible light from a source. The higher the lumen rating, the brighter the light. This is an important metric if you plan to use the projector in a well-lit room or outside on a sunny day.
Contrast Ratio
The property known as “contrast” considers the luminance ratio of its brightest color. The higher the ratio, the better for monitors and projectors.
Keystone
Keystoning “squares” a screen. If your projector is not exactly perpendicular to the wall or the projection screen, the top of the display may appear wider than the bottom (or vice versa). This can be fixed by adjusting the keystone of the projector.
List of the Best Cheap Projectors Under 100 USD
Below you’ll find an in-depth analysis of the best cheap projectors currently on the market.
Salange 2020 HD Mini Projector
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Native Resolution Max Resolution Throw Distance Screen Size Lumens Contrast ratio Lamp Life Colors Weight |
720P 1080p 2.5 ft-18 ft xx-176’’ 3800 4000:1 55,000 hours 16.77 million 2.24lbs |
Truly portable at only 2.24 pounds, the Salange 2020 Mini HD portable projector packs a lot of punch for such a small package! With a native resolution of 720p and support for up to 1080p, this projector displays a very clear picture for the price. The sound from the built in speakers is not the greatest, so using it with an external audio source would be best in all but the quietest of environments. The throw distance, contrast ratio, and lamp life were the best out of all the projectors under $100.
The Salange 2020 Mini HD features one HDMI port and 2 USB ports. It also has a VGA, in addition to an audio output for connecting to home theaters and stereos. The projector also comes with a handy remote control.
The Good
- Good Resolution
- Great Contrast Ratio
- Long Lamp Life
- 3-Year Support Contract
The Not So Good
- Low Volume from Internal Speaker
Crenova XPE496
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Native Resolution Max Resolution Throw Distance Screen Size Lumens Contrast ratio Lamp Life Keystone Correction Colors Weight |
480p 1080p 4-18ft 28-180” 2200 3000: 1 50,000 +/- 15° 1.07 billion 4.39lbs |
The Crenova XPE496 portable projector has a lot going for it, namely a high contrast ratio and a nice long throw. It’s 2200 lumens, while not the highest in this group, still manages to deliver a crisp picture at 1080p in rooms that aren’t 100% dark.
The 50,000 hour lamp life is well above average and recent upgrades to this model have made it run quieter than previous versions. The Crenova XPE496 has several inputs including HDMI, 2xUSB, VGA, Audio, AV, and SD, as well featuring a 12-month warranty that includes replacement or refunds, in addition to lifetime customer support.
The Good
- Good Contrast Ratio
- Long Lamp Life
The Not So Good
- Low Volume from Internal Speaker
- Manual Recommends Using the Projector for Only 2-3 hours at a Time to Prevent Overheating
LoongSon YG400
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Native Resolution Max Resolution Throw Distance Screen Size Lumens Contrast ratio Lamp Life Keystone Correction Colors Weight |
240p 1080p 4’11” – 13’1” 50” – 130” 1200 Lumens 1000:1 30,000 +/- 15° N/A 2.9lbs |
The LoongSon YG400 mini projector is the definition of an average projector. It’s the Kia of projectors! While it doesn’t excel in any category, it’s also not the worst in any category and gets the job done.
The LoongSon YG400 supports resolutions up to 1080p with 1200 lumens, a contrast ratio of 1000:1, and a 30,000-hour lamp life. Its throw is not the greatest but does provide for an eleven-foot screen size when set up maximully. Inputs include 3.5mm Audio, AV ,HDMI, SD Card Slot, USB, and VGA.
As with all mini projectors, the built-in sound is not the greatest and external audio is advised, unless your environment is exceptionally quiet.
The company that manufactures the LoongSon YG400 offers a 1-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty, a 30 days no-questions-asked return policy, and ample customer support.
The Good
- Good Resolution
- Good Lamp Life
- 1-Year Warranty
The Not So Good
- Low Volume from Internal Speaker
GRC Mini Projector
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Native Resolution Max Resolution Throw Distance Screen Size Lumens Contrast ratio Lamp Life Keystone Correction Colors Weight |
480p 1080p 3’3” – 16’4” 32” – 16’ 4500 3000:1 45,000 +/- 15° ??? 3.19lbs |
They say good things come in small packages, and the GRC Mini projector is the perfect example. With a decent throw — up to 16’4” — the biggest screen size at 16’ and high lumens count (4500), you’d think this would be the most expensive of the bunch, but it’s not! Its 45,000-hour lamp life is nothing to cluck at either.
Accessories include a remote control, HDMI Cable, and AV breakout-cable. Inputs HDMI, 2xUSB, VGA, AV, 3.5mm audio, SD card.
The Good
- Great Screen Size
- High Lumens
- Good Resolution
- Good Lamp Life
- 1-Year Warranty
The Not So Good
- Low Volume from Internal Speaker
TENKER Q5 Mini Projector
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Native Resolution Max Resolution Throw Distance Screen Size Lumens Contrast ratio Lamp Life Keystone Correction Colors Weight |
480p 1080p 3’9” – 9’10″ 3’-8’6” 1500 1000:1 20,000+ +/- 15° 16.77 million 1.98lbs |
The Tenker Q5 falls squarely in the middle in terms of features and specs. At 1.98 pounds, it’s the lightest of the bunch. It also has a better than average lamp life. The Q5’s 1500 lumens make for great viewing in darkened rooms, but it doesn’t fare as well in well lit rooms, which is why they “do not recommend it for PPT/Word/Excel or business presentations.” However, its 16.77- million-colors capability makes images pop in the right setting.
The Good
- Good Resolution
- Good Lamp Life
- 3-Year Warranty and & Lifetime Customer Support
The Not So Good
- Low Volume From Internal Speaker
- No Mount for Tripod or Ceiling
And The Winner of the Best Projector Under $100 Award Goes To…
Our choice for the best projector under $100 is the Salange 2020 HD. It’s high native resolution and contrast ratio combined with its long throw and lamp life push it to the top. We have no doubt that you will be nothing but impressed by this purchase. Happy projecting!
