Types of projectors

Before getting to the main question, I will first clarify some types of projectors to make sense of what you can expect from a projector costing around $500.

Incandescent bulb projectors

There are three primary projectors: Incandescent bulb projectors are moderately priced and have high brightness with the tradeoff of needing to replace the bulb every couple thousand hours.

Laser projectors

 Laser projectors are an expensive new technology that uses different color lasers to project a bright image with an extremely long lifespan.

LED projectors

All the cheap projectors are LED projectors that use an LED light source projected through a transparent LCD screen, giving you a cost-effective, long-lifespan projector with the tradeoff of significantly lower brightness. LED projectors are typically not a replacement for a TV, but they can be fun for the occasional outdoor movie or less traditional applications like Halloween projection decorations.

Two criteria of a projector around this price range

The two criteria of a projector in this price range are picture quality and brightness. It would be nice to go to the amazon listing and buy the one with the highest lumens and resolution.

Let’s get to listing the best projectors around $500.

Considering the type best suited for different users with differing demands and requirements, around $500, I will share the top five projectors found and reviewed thoroughly.

Best Projector Around $500

Sr.	Image	Name	Price
1.		YABER V6 projector	Check Price
2.		YABER Y31 Projector	Check Price
3.		ViewSonic PA503W Projector	Check Price
4.		Epson VS260 Projector	Check Price
5.		Anker Nebula Solar	Check Price

1: YABER V6 projector

Description

Looking at the Yaber V6, you will catch that it is noticeably more diminutive than most aboriginal 1080p projectors; it has a clean, compact structure measuring just 9.84 by 8.66 by 4.33 inches, and it entertains 1.41 pounds. Even with its small size, it tends to pack 8 500 lux offering a more multicolored image than other projectors in the same price range. The image quality is clear and crispy, and you will hopefully encounter it promising to know that the image quality wasn’t going to suffer if there was too much ambient light coming through, so even if you choose to set up a movie night outside in your backyard, street lights, or any other unavoidable light shouldn’t be a problem.

Also Check Out:Best Projector Around 1000

The advised setup for the best results in creating a 100-inch image by placing the projector 10.8 feet from the wall or screen guidelines for setting up any image size is in the user manual, which is worth taking a look at to figure out what works best for your space.  It supports up to 4k ultra HD plus 16×9 and 4×3 aspect ratios to fine-tune the image. The projector boasts a 4d keystone correction technology so you can adjust both; vertically and horizontally.

 Specs

• USB
• HDMI
• Tabletop Mount
• sound system (SRS)
• 4-Point Keystone Correction
• 50 watts
• Remote Control
• 9500L
• USB stick
• Lamp life: 100000 Hours
• Newest Wireless Connection
• Bluetooth 5.0 Function
• Real 1080P
• Extra Carrying Bag
• 10000:1 high contrast
• 16:9/4:3 aspect ratio
• 1920x1080P resolution
• ZOOM Function
• dual HiFi Stereo speakers

 Pros

• The menu is user-friendly.
• At 7500 lumens, it is bright enough to see in a completely lit space.
• The colors are rich and closer to reality than other projectors.
• Even the unadjusted 4-point function does not distort the picture at all.
• You can manually change the speaker levels to increase bass, treble, pitch, and background.
• Speakers perform greatly.

 Cons

• The fan is a bit rackety.
• The height adjuster is challenging to handle.

2: YABER Y31 Projector 

Description

The Yaber Y31 is the projector that fits your multiple desires involving its usage. Whether you want a movie night at home, watch a movie under the stars with your friends in your backyard, or ensconce it in your living room, this projector fits it all. It supports 4k as well and comes with a 100-inch screen; you can project it from your phone or computer. You can utilize it to watch a game with your friends or a concert and whatnot. This projector retains five speakers and 4k keystone correction, which suggests it will deliver a high-quality image. For more than 10 000 hours, it can last without exhibiting any compromise on quality.

Specs

• VGA
• AV Port
• USB
• HDMI
• Headphone
• Ceiling Mount
• 9000L brightness
• contrast ratio of 10000:1
• sound system (SRS)
• Three fans
• lamp life: 100000 hours
• 10ft: recommended viewing distance
• Stereo Sound (HiFi)
• advanced cooling system
• 5 watts wattage
• 1080P Native Resolution
• Support 4k
• dual stereo speakers
• Three-year and Lifetime Professional Support 

 Pros

• super convenient
• highly adjustable
• reasonable
• no accommodation on resolution and brightness quality
• amazing 4d keystone adjustment 

 Cons

• The sound quality is average.

3: ViewSonic PA503W Projector 

Description

Great value, reasonable price; now comes the ViewSonic PA503W, properest for the money. It is already lingering for you in the back to travel or place this mid-range projector to create a home cinema. If not home, your office works too. The projector works amazingly in the daytime at excessive brightness. And the projector achieves a plus-minus 40-degree vertical keystone in an adjustable rectangular projection.

Also Check Out:Best 4k projector under 2500

The screen resolution offers 1280 to 800p, but the unique selling point is that the PA503W projects 120 inches from 15 feet in an ANSI 3800 lumens. The super color technology displays visible color accuracy at any shade. No more confusion regarding its shades both dark and light ambiance have superb picture quality. Five modes are apparent in the settings to choose the unique preset, brightest mode, presentation mode, standard mode, photo mode, and movie mode. Each of them works best based on your usage.

Specs

• HDMI
• Tabletop Mount
• 260 watts wattage  
• lamp life for up to 15,000 hours
• Progressive visual features
• input options like HDMI, VGA, and more
• 3800 lumens
• SuperEco Mode 

 Pros

• SuperEco mode keeps brightness up to 15 000 hours
• portable
• advanced visuals to use
• can project from long distance 

 Cons

• The fan makes rackety noises.
• A low range of remote control.
• Only the front of the foot is adjustable.

4: Epson VS260 Projector

Description

The recyclable materials make the styling of this projector outstanding. The elements and the control panel are so effortless to set up, including the picture skew sensor. Now, the images rectify straight away, and the keystone automatically benefits the picture. It uses zooming in a larger vision. The ideal bright screen operates true three-chip three LCD technology where the colors flow with a hundred percent RGB lighting.

The graphic resolution xga presents you with 1024 to 768 pixels. Measured at 3 300 lumens brightness capacity, it remains in a perfect color accuracy without rainbow or color brightness problems to project you the best view possible. A brilliant high contrast ratio of up to 15 000 to 1 ensures that every detail will appear on the wall in content. It does not support the audio jack setup; you can buy an HDMI sound converter or Bluetooth speaker. You can play some light gaming as a plus, but don’t go too hard on it.Multiple connectivity options are seen here with the HDMI support cables that help you connect instantly. 

Specs

• USB
• HDMI
• Tabletop Mount
• 3300 Lumens
• xga resolution
• contrast ratio up to 15,000:1
• Classic 1-year limited warranty
• 3-chip 3LCD technology
• HDMI port
• built-in speaker
• Built-in image skew sensor
• full-unit substitute
• free technological phone support 

Pros

• recyclable product
• crisp image quality
• near perfect resolution
• versatile ports 

Cons

• The sound quality is average.
• The audio jack is unavailable. 

5: Anker Nebula Solar (an outdoor projector) 

Description

The Nebula 1080p projector has hdr10, an automatic focus keystone correction for the corners, and three hours on its battery. It has a digital zoom, a built-in adjustable stand, and can accept 4K HDR input at up to 60Hz. Then we got the screw for the mountain, on the back we have the IR sensor HDMI type c connection, a USB port, and the power button, and lastly, on the front side, it just has nebula also, we have some soft touch volume controls for volume up and down.

You can adjust the standard to be a little bit brighter, and you go to wall color, so if you do put it on just the wall, you can choose what color your wall is, and the keystone correction is automatic depending on how you have the nebula positioned; you can tweak it more, and yes you can adjust just one side or the other the same way manually and zoom in and out. It is convenient for people who need to move to rooms camping; you don’t need to be connected to a wall outlet to run this three hours of battery time. 

Specs

• Bluetooth
• USB
• USB Type C
• HDMI
• Tripod Mount
• Table Mount
• 65 watts wattage
• up to 120 inches of fantastic 1080p amusement
• HDR10
• 400 ANSI lumens
• built-in rechargeable battery
• up to 3 hours of power
• more than 5,000 apps with Android TV 9
• Dolby Digital Plus
• dual 3W speakers
• built-in stand
• adjustable angle of projection by up to 13 degrees 

Pros

• portable
• Android TV
• responsive software
• No lag or missing frames while streaming
• 1/4-20 mounting 

 Cons

• Brightness is best utilized in dark rooms or at night.

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