Cheap Projectors

Let’s face it, home theater projectors aren’t cheap. You can buy a projector instead of a 60-inch TV, but you’d still need to spend close to $1,000 to get decent image quality. If you’re looking for a cheap projector, you may be able to find some in the $500 range or lower—but you can’t expect cinema-quality video at that price.

So how do you find cheap home theater projectors that still deliver? It really comes down to your budget and personal preferences. Before anything else, you should ask yourself how much you’re willing to spend on a projector and see if it matches current home theater projector prices.

Once you’ve got a budget in mind, you can start looking at features. Naturally, a small budget won’t get you a full-featured DLP projector, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a low-quality model either. Look at several models in your price range and see what features should be standard and what are considered perks.

Home projector costs aren’t just about the purchase price. Most home theater projectors generate a lot of heat and eat up electric power. You’re not really saving money with a cheap home projector that uses as much power as an entire home theater. For one thing, the bulbs have to be replaced after around 1,000 hours of use, and projector bulb prices can go up to $400 each or more.

Finally, consider how the projector will work with the rest of your system. The best home theater projectors will be able to handle high resolutions without sacrificing quality. Also, make sure it works well with your sound system—projectors don’t come with audio and have to be hooked up to separate speakers.