5 Best Gaming Projectors Under 500 Dollars

Gaming on big screens rather than a 15 inches gaming laptop screen is a lot more fun. Nowadays, gamers want to enjoy gaming on screens over 100 inches wide. However, these screens are expensive, so everyone can’t afford them. Here, a projector could be the best alternative to big screens in terms of both cost and performance.

We understand that some of you might be low on budget. That’s why we have picked up the 5 best gaming projectors under 500 dollars only. Yes, you can buy one of the best projectors for gaming under 500 dollars in 2022. So without wasting any single minute, let’s explore the list to find your best gaming partner. 

Best Gaming Projectors Under 500 Dollars – Comparison Table

Serial No. Name Dimensions (inches)Brightness (lumens)Resolution
1.Optoma HD146X Gaming Projector9.5 x 12.4 x 4.336001080p
2.Nebula Anker Mars II Pro Gaming Projector7.01 x 5.24 x 4.8500 ANSI1080 x 720p
3.ViewSonic PX701HD Gaming Projector12.2 x 4.4 x 8.735001920 x 1080p
4.Optoma H190X Gaming Projector9.6 x 12.4 x 3.9 3900720p
5.ViewSonic M2e Gaming Projector7.2 x 7.2 x 2.11000 LED1080p

1. Optoma HD146X

Gaming Projector

  • Hardware Interface HDMI & USB
  • Mounting Type Ceiling Mount
  • Brand Optoma
  • Wattage 5 watts
  • Brightness 3600 Lumens

At number one, we have the most favorite gaming projector of gamers. The Optoma HD146X comes up with an enhanced gaming mode due to a 16ms response time. It ensures that gamers don’t face any fluctuations while playing even the heaviest games like GTA and PUBG. It is just one feature out of hundreds of features.

This gaming projector has a native 1080p resolution with 3600 lumens of brightness. It has every feature that gamers expect from the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars. Moving further, it has an RYGCWV color wheel, so you don’t face issues with colors. And the Game Display Mode is what makes gamers fall in love with this gadget. 

Talking about its connectivity, you get both HDMI and USB ports that make it easy to connect multiple gaming consoles and other devices with the projector. 

Other features that make it one of the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars are:

  • 500000:1 contrast ratio
  • Full 3D content display
  • 120Hz rapid refresh rate

Issues Faced By Users

Some users faced issues with the remote control. Also, some said that it takes a lot of time to turn on and off. There were also some issues with the HDMI input when connected to streaming devices such as Apple TV.

Pros

  • 16ms response time for better gaming
  • 120Hz rapid refresh rate
  • 3D content display support
  • 1080p native resolution 
  • 3600 lumens of brightness with 15,000 hours of lamp life
  • Perfect image alignment

Cons

  • It might take a long time to turn on & turn off
  • The remote control is a bit annoying
  • Screen flickering when watching 3D content for multiple hours

If you are a heavy gamer and looking for the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars, the Optoma HD146X Gaming Projector is for you. It has all features that gamers expect from a gaming projector. With its 16ms input and 120Hz rapid refresh rate, you can take your gaming experience to the next level. So, buy it today before the stock runs out. 

This projector is what we recommend to our audience. However, if you didn’t find it a perfect option, make sure to check out the other projectors on our list. 

2. Nebula Anker Mars II Pro

Gaming Projector

  • Hardware Interface Bluetooth, HDMI & USB
  • Mounting Type Table Mount
  • Brand Nebula
  • Wattage 57 watts
  • Brightness 500 ANSI Lumens

Gamers play games in a dark room, so they don’t prefer brightness over display quality. If you don’t want a bright output, you can consider the Nebula Mars II Pro as a perfect option. It offers 500 ANSI lumens of brightness, which is pretty decent. However, it will not disappoint you in terms of display quality due to the 1080 x 780p resolution.

It is a battery-operated projector that works on 57 watts of power. When used in battery mode, it can work for over 3 hours non-stop. Gamers call it one of the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars due to its vertical and horizontal keystone correction feature. And not to forget, you get 1s autofocus technology to enjoy every moment of your game. 

Talking about its connectivity, you get Bluetooth with HDMI and USB ports to connect gaming devices such as PS4. Additionally, you can mirror your gaming phone screen using Miracast. Thus, it is the best gaming projector for both mobile and pc gamers. 

Other features that make it one of the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars are:

  • Projects up to 100 inches wide
  • Stability at every angle
  • Portable and battery operated

Issues Faced By Users

Some users said that its software is not up to date, which is why they face lags when connected with the latest gadgets. Other than this, no major issues were reported regarding this top gaming projector under 500 dollars. 

Pros

  • 500 ANSI Lumens (better than ordinary 2500 lumens)
  • Can project up to 100 inches wide
  • Battery operated (3 hours battery backup)
  • Autofocus to automatically clear image quality
  • Both vertical and horizontal keystone correction
  • Powerful sound thanks to 10 watts dual speakers

Cons

  • Minor lag issues due to outdated software
  • Some built-in apps mostly don’t work
  • The range of remote control is very short

If you want to play games outside your house, the Nebula Anker Mars II Pro Gaming Projector could be your best friend. It is one of the best projectors under 500 dollars that you can carry anywhere. As it is battery operated, projects up to 100 inches, and has dual speakers, it will not disappoint you. So, don’t think much and buy it today. 

Are you still reading? It means you didn’t find the above two projectors suitable for your gaming style. Don’t worry because the next projector on our list will win your heart with its exceptional features. Have a look at it. 

3. ViewSonic PX701HD

Gaming Projector

  • Hardware Interface VGA, HDMI & USB
  • Mounting Type Ceiling Mount
  • Brand ViewSonic
  • Wattage 300 watts
  • Brightness 3500 Lumens

ViewSonic tries to offer the best value to its customers in almost every price segment. When you search for the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars, you will see the ViewSonic PX701HD with exciting features. What makes it the best is its theater-like colors and 1920 x 1080p resolution with 3500 lumens of brightness.

Gamers prefer both smooth gameplay and quality graphics. If you have high-end gaming devices, you can use this projector for exceptional color quality. And don’t worry about any lags because you get 16ms input latency which is perfect for a smooth gaming experience. There is no way this projector will disappoint you as a gamer. 

Talking about connectivity, this projector has dual HDMI, USB, and VGA ports. Thus, you get versatile connectivity out of this impressive projector from ViewSonic. Connect it with your PS4, Xbox, or other gaming consoles to enjoy a smooth gaming experience. 

Other features that make it one of the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars are:

  • Projects up to 300 inches wide
  • Vertical lens shift for easy adjustments
  • Over 20,000 hours of lamp life

Issues Faced By Users

Some of its users faced difficulty in keystone adjustment because there is no horizontal keystone correction. Also, some said that the remote control is not of good quality. Other than these, it is the best projector under 500 dollars in 2022. 

Pros

  • 1920 x 1080p resolution with 3500 lumens of brightness
  • Can project up to 300 inches wide
  • Lamp with over 20,000 hours of working life span
  • Versatile connectivity thanks to dual HDMI ports
  • 16ms low latency for a smooth gaming experience
  • Built-in speakers with decent audio quality

Cons

  • No horizontal keystone adjustment
  • The remote feels a bit cheap

Gamers want to enjoy lag-free gameplay on big screens and maximum graphics settings. The ViewSonic PX701HD Gaming Projector comes up with 16ms low input latency and quality color output that makes it a favorite of every gamer. The stock is running out pretty fast so order it now. 

So, these were the top 3. We think most of you would have decided to order this projector. But if you are still with us, it means you are looking for projectors that offer more features. We have two more best gaming projectors under 500 dollars, so check them out. 

4. Optoma H190X

Gaming Projector

  • Hardware Interface VGA & HDMI
  • Mounting Type Table Mount
  • Brand Optoma
  • Wattage 50 watts
  • Brightness 3900 Lumens

Here is again a gaming projector from Optoma. It is a newly introduced projector by the brand that offers a bright 3900 lumens of brightness. This high brightness is combined with a 720p resolution, which makes it one of the best options to buy in 2022. It is an area where gamers are fully satisfied with its performance under this budget. 

This projector is also perfect in terms of color accuracy, thanks to the Rec. 709 color gamut. We know that gamers want to enjoy playing games with beautiful graphics and this projector exactly does that. Another exciting feature is its throw distance; place it at a distance of 12 feet and you will get a 100 inches wide image in high quality. 

As it is a modern gaming projector, you can enjoy 3D content and a 120Hz refresh rate for flicker-free image quality. Talking about connectivity, it offers both HDMI and VGA connectivity that enables you to connect it with the latest gaming consoles. 

Other features that make it one of the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars are:

Issues Faced By Users

We have personally used this projector. In these months, we haven’t found any issues with this projector. However, the remote control doesn’t work if you try to use it from a distance. Apart from this, it is one of the top projectors for gaming under 500 dollars. 

Pros

  • 3900 lumens of bright output
  • Can project up to 300 inches wide 
  • 120Hz fast refresh rate
  • Rec. 709 color gamut for quality color
  • Vertical keystone correction 
  • Perfect standard throw distance

Cons

  • Remote doesn’t work it used from a distance

No one wants to buy a newly launched item. However, if the item is from a trusted brand like Optoma, we don’t think you should think twice before buying it. The same is the case with the Optoma H190X Gaming Projector. We are using this best projector under 500 dollars, and it is performing far better than our expectations. So, try it out. 

The last projector on our list is from ViewSonic, but it is a bit expensive. If you think you can pay some extra bucks then check out this projector. 

5. ViewSonic M2e

Gaming Projector

  • Hardware Interface Bluetooth, HDMI, USB & MicroSD
  • Mounting Type Table, Wall, Ceiling Mount
  • Brand ViewSonic
  • Wattage 54 watts
  • Brightness 1000 LED Lumens

Here is the last projector on our list of the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars. It is actually a portable projector with 1000 LED lumens of brightness. Talking about the display, it is a 1080p resolution that makes it a perfect option for heavy gamers. Another reason why this projector is very popular among gamers is its versatile connectivity.

The projector offers HDMI, USB Type-A and Type-C, and Bluetooth support. For this reason, you can connect it with almost every device including a laptop, mobile, pc, and other gaming consoles. This projector lets you experience vivid colors thanks to the Rec. 709 color accuracy. Thus, you will never face any type of graphics issues. 

This gaming projector from ViewSonic comes up with both vertical and horizontal keystone correction to help you enjoy a quality display. Looking at the projection size, it is a bit lower than other projectors under 500 dollars. Unlike other projectors, it can project up to only 100 inches wide, which is not that bad. 

Other features that make it one of the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars are:

  • Versatile connectivity and mounting
  • Autofocus and easy to set up
  • Dual Harman Kardon speakers

Issues Faced By Users

Some of its users said they faced issues with the horizontal keystone correction. They complained that the projector shows a hue effect due to this horizontal keystone correction. Moreover, some users said that the remote didn’t work with some apps. 

Pros

  • 1000 LED lumens of brightness
  • Rec. 709 color accuracy for vivid colors
  • Both wired and wireless connectivity
  • 100 inches wide projection even from a distance of 9 feet
  • Dual Harman Kardon speakers for quality output
  • MicroSD card (16GB) support is available 

Cons

  • Issues with the horizontal keystone correction
  • Remote doesn’t work will all apps
  • You might experience hue effect during heavy gaming

If you can afford this projector, it could be a perfect projector for gaming that you can consider in 2022. It is perhaps the only projector on our list with Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, and MicroSD support. It could be one of the best gaming projectors under 500 to match your gaming style. So, order it today and enjoy a smooth gaming experience. 

Best Gaming Projectors Under 500 Dollars – Buying Guide

As a gamer, all of these five projectors are the best that you can consider in 2022. However, every gamer has a different style of gaming. Some might want a bright output, while some prefer color accuracy over brightness. Thus, you have to consult a projector buying guide to help you make a value for money purchase. So, let’s start. 

Color Accuracy

It is a feature that every gamer wants in a gaming projector. When you are looking for a gaming projector, you will not want to compromise on color accuracy. If you want to buy the top gaming projectors under 500 dollars, you have to go with a projector having Rec. 709 color accuracy feature. 

Brightness

Gamers mostly don’t prefer brightness because they play games in a darkened room with dim lights. However, if you want to enjoy a bright output, you have to consider a gaming projector with bright output. A projector under 500 dollars can offer nearly 4000 lumens of brightness, which is just perfect. 

Built-in Speakers

Gamers usually play games with their headphones connected. Thus, they don’t consider the quality of built-in speakers. However, some part-time gamers want projectors with decent sound quality. So, you have to check it yourself when searching for the projector. 

Apart from these, there are many factors that you need to consider to buy the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars for yourself. Check out our detailed Projector Buying Guide to help you buy a projector that matches your needs and expectations. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which brand offers the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars?

For buying the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars, you can consider Optoma and ViewSonic. Both of these brands try their best to offer the best value under every price tag. Thus, you can expect an outstanding performance from the projectors from both of these brands. 

Q: What makes a projector good for gaming?

As a gamer, you should buy a gaming projector with low input latency. As of 2022, projectors with 16ms of input latency are considered the best projectors under 500 dollars. Apart from this, you also have to consider the display refresh rate, resolution, color accuracy, and a few other factors. 

Q: Do speakers matter for the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars?

Gamers play games using headphones or earphones. For this reason, they don’t need to use speakers. Thus, if you also play using headphones or earphones, speakers should not be a matter of discussion when buying a gaming projector. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy watching gaming streams, you have to consider the speaker’s sound quality. 

Bottom Line

There you have it, the 5 best gaming projectors under 500 dollars. Brands like Optoma and ViewSonic are trying their level best to serve gamers with the best features. However, it doesn’t mean that you have to buy projectors from only these two brands; all 5 projectors on our list are the best gaming projectors in 2022. 

However, here is a quick recommendation from our side to help you decide:

  • The Optoma HD146X Gaming Projector is the overall best due to its low latency input and a smooth gaming experience.
  • The ViewSonic PX701HD Gaming Projector is a perfect option for gamers looking for bright and quality resolution.
  • If you want to try the latest gaming projector in the market, you can consider the Optoma H190X Gaming Projector.

If you still have any questions related to the best gaming projectors under 500 dollars, feel free to ask in the comments. Also, you can ask your queries through our contact us page. Our team will try to answer within 24 hours. 

That’s all we got for you today. We’ll meet you with a new topic soon. Till Then, We Are Rank Projectors. Have a good day!

Thanks for reading!

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