Best Projector Under 700- Ultimate Guide In 2022
Projectors are becoming an excellent source for viewing movies, tv shows, business presentations, and playing games on a larger screen.
When there was a lockdown situation, they gave a true home theater-like experience in covid-19 situations.
But at the same time, these devices come in various price ranges with different features and multiple sizes.
So, to get the right one, we have listed down the best projector under 700 with all its benefits and drawbacks.
I have listed those products only, which are heavily researched, and also some of the models I have personally tested.
So I will not bore you with what a projector does, how you should use it, etc.
But if you are a beginner looking for more details on brightness level, contrast ratio, and screen size, you can keep reading this article.
But if you know everything about the projection system, you can skip the buying guide part and “directly go to the buying section.”
Contents
Buyers Guide
Resolution
So, most projector in a price range below $700 comes with a native resolution of 1080p. But you will see we have reviewed 4k projectors also. They are an enhanced version of 1080p.
If you’re looking for a projector for business presentations, watching movies at home, or playing games, it’s highly recommended to get a resolution of a 1080p projector.
Lumens Power
Lumes power is measured in ANSI where your whites will be whiter, and blacks will be whiter too. But black seen are balanced with the help of the contrast ratio that “I have discussed in the next step.”
You need to know where to use the projector to get balanced lighting. If you use it in daytime conditions, you can skip the contrast ratio in a projector.
And in these scenarios where the ambient lighting is higher in the room, it is highly recommended to go with lumens power of 4000-5000 lamp power.
But if you use the projector in darker conditions, going below 2000 lumens power will be an ideal choice.
Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio produces “detailed black scenes in darker conditions.” A higher contrast ratio means a snappier-looking, more realistic picture.
A lower contrast ratio on a projector means the dark scenes will look “dull” or “washed out.” In general, if you use the projector in more ambient light, there is no point in the contrast factor.
But if you use it in less to no ambient lights, the contrast ratio plays a more significant role in those scenarios.
So, think about what environment the projection unit will be used or how much darker you can make your room.
Screen Size
If you use a projector for watching movies or playing games in your house, we suggest you use a projector that can accommodate a screen size of 100″ inches or more.
But do not exceed the size limit of more than 200″ if you will use it in your home most of the time.
Quick Look
It will give you a good idea about that particular model and also it will save your a lot of time.
Image Product Features Price 
Epson EX3280 3LCD XGA Projector Check Price On Amazon 
ViewSonic PX703HD 1080p Projector Check Price On Amazon 
XGIMI Elfin Mini Projector Check Price On Amazon 
Optoma GT780 Projector for Gaming Check Price On Amazon 
BenQ TH671ST Check Price On Amazon 
LG PF50KA 100” Portable (1920 x 1080) Projector Check Price On Amazon 
Epson Home Cinema (1080) Check Price On Amazon
Best Projector Under 700
1). Epson EX3280: Best Video Projectors under $700
This unit carries a weight of less than 5lbs, making it easier to move from one place to another with its carry bag, which has multiple pockets to store the remote, projector, and cord in an organized manner.
In terms of image quality, the Epson ex3280 runs with the help of a 3lcd display and DLP technology to project crystal clear flickering free images on the screen.
Also, the lamp provides 3600 lumens with a contrast ratio of 15,000:1, which is bright enough to project the videos in brighter conditions suitable in a classroom, conference room, or outdoor evening events.
It is recommended to put the Epson ex3280 at a distance of 10 feet to view pictures of 100″ inches. The EX3280 comes with a resolution of 1080p with 4k compatible features.
If you cast any 4k content on the Espon, the video will play in an enhanced version of 1080p but not in the actual 3840 x 2160 resolution.
This projector comes with an in-built sound system with two speakers, enough for conferences or viewing movies with few people in the room.
While testing the Epson, the speakers will not give you a theater-like experience, so for that, you will need to connect it with external speakers. Also, there is no wifi or Bluetooth connectivity to cast with Android or Apple devices.
Benefits
- Digital keystone horizontal with automatic alignment of pictures.
- Minimal rainbowing effect.
- The images are crisper in brighter conditions.
- The carry bag helps you to store the projector when not in use.
Drawbacks
- Not made for usage in small rooms.
- No vertical keystone feature.
2). ViewSonic PX703HD:
Next on our list is a model from ViewSonic, perfect for those who want a theater-like experience in their living room to watch movies, sporting events, or play games in HD resolution.
With a native resolution of 1920x1080p, this device produces a screen size of 120″ inches at a distance of (11 feet) away.
Also, the ViewSonic comes with multiple connection ports, making it easier to connect any streaming device to play anything on the bigger screen.
The projector used in darker mode gives you a crystal clear image compared to video projected in brighter conditions where the pictures were washed out.
The auto lens shift feature adjusts the images vertically with an optical zoom of 1.3x, making it easier to align pictures quickly.
Now for the gamers, this device lets you play the game at the lowest lag time of 16ms when you switch the Viewsonic to gaming mode in HD mode.
But when switching the projector to a gaming mode, you will be unable to adjust the picture horizontally and vertically as the lens shift feature will be disabled in gamers mode.
In eco mode, the lamp will run at least 14000-15000 hours; in standard, it will have a life of at least 10,000 hours, giving the projector to run for 7-8 years with daily viewing of 2 hours.
Benefits
- 3d ready.
- Ideal for gaming with a lag time of 16ms.
- Hassle-free installation.
- It projects images of 100″ inches at 1.5m away.
Drawbacks
- Lens shift gets disabled in gaming mode.
- No horizontal lens shift feature.
3). XGIMI Elfin
If you are into traveling or looking for a projector that is not only portable but made to project videos at 1080p and also supports 4k content, then here is the Xgimi elfin projector.
This compact device is compatible with in-built wifi and Bluetooth connectivity that lets you stream any content from your mobile or tablet devices.
Inside the Xgimi, it comes loaded with 5000+ apps and games with the help of the Android ten operating system.
The apps like disney+ and amazon prime lets you watch movies without connecting to the streaming device at the back of the projector HDMI port.
Due to copyright problems, you will not be able to stream Netflix on this model. So, you have to connect any streaming device like firestick, Roku, or Chromecast to view the content.
You can mount or place this device anywhere, like on a surface, ceiling, tripod, floor, or table, to get the Elfin ready when it is out of the box.
Quick autofocus and keystone correction lets you focus the images quickly, making the projector run the movie or any content in less than 5 minutes.
The Elfin does come with an 800ANSI lumen that will give you a brighter picture in darker conditions.
This model cannot be used even in a dim condition where the brightness level is too low as you will not see anything on the wall or screen due to its lower ANSI ratio.
When switching to the HDR10+ feature, the images positively affected the color reproduction, giving excellent picture quality.
But when the HDR10+ is off, the images are washed out thoroughly. The inbuilt Harmon Kardon speaker will give you a good audio experience if you use it outdoors while camping with friends.
Benefits
- Lighter in weight with a compact design
- It comes with wifi & Bluetooth connectivity features.
- HDR10+ gives more detailed video quality.
- Enhanced 4k resolution.
Drawbacks
- It sometimes makes noise when running for a few hours.
- No in-built battery.
4). Optoma GT780
This device is mainly used in places with limited space, where you want to project images on a bigger screen.
It has a standard resolution of 720p and also comes with a support of 1080p (1920 x 1080). This projector also provides full support for 3d content, which can play from any source.
The Optoma GT780 comes with 3800 ANSI brightness making the videos brighter and rich in average light conditions.
It has a vertical keystone correction feature of +/-40% for the setup process and also comes with a wide-angle zoom of 0.8 – 2.0x that helps to place the projector on tables, flat surfaces, or ceilings.
This device comes with a limited VGA, HDMI, USB, and composite (RCA) ports at the back. But, with the help of an RCA port, you can connect your older device like VCR to A/V equipment like camcorders, etc.
We tested this projector playing the movie Conjuring at 1080p resolution to get a correct detailing level of GT780 On Netflix.
The picture quality was brighter in little ambient conditions, and the Optoma gave detailed dark scenes with a contrast ratio of 25,000:1.
But when we placed the Projector 17 feet away to get 300″ inches of a projection screen, the movie was not as bright as the lamp was not that powerful to provide clear images.
Benefits
- Support 1080p & 3d content.
- Easy setup process.
- Short throw projector.
- You can also connect an older device with an RCA port.
Drawbacks
- Limited connectivity option.
- The projector lamp is not bright when a projection is made at 300″ inches.
5). BenQ TH671ST:
The Benq TH671 is a choice for gamers and movie viewers who want to project their images from a shorter distance.
This model will take less than 5 minutes from all its advanced to basic settings when placed on any surface.
If you place it on the ceiling, it will take more time to get ready.
Regarding the back of the connection, there are two HDMI ports (one has MHL support), a 3.5mm jack, an input/output stereo jack, USB ports, and VGA input.
On the top of the models are manual menu buttons from where you can control the Benq TH671 projector system.
At the top, you will also find a zoom and focus ring. Both are manually adjusted to set the image on a screen.
So, if you have a small room, the best projector under 700 can project video games at 100″ from a distance of 1.5m/five feet away (0.69~0.83).
At 3000 lumens, the Benq lamp will still do justice to present pictures projected in a brighter room but will lack when there are direct sunlight conditions.
If you use TH671 in brighter conditions most of the time, the life of the lamp will be less as the model will give more brightness on the screen.
But if you run in eco mode, the brightness will be 50% less, and the lamp will run at least 13,000-14,000 hours depending on the usage.
The color space Rec. 709 provides the coverage of 92% standard measurement due to its RGB color wheel.
We tested this Projector on Nintendo Switch playing kart Mario 8 deluxe the experience was excellent with a lag time of less than 17ms.
You cannot expect higher black levels due to its low contrast ratio of 10,000:1. Also, there is no USB C port to hook up multiple devices.
Benefits
- Lower lag time of 17ms.
- Lighter and compact
- It produces an image size of 30″-300 inches.
- Short throw projector system.
Drawbacks
- No USB – C port.
- The Contrast ratio should be more in comparison to other projectors.
6). LG PF50KA:
Next, we have a projector from LG PF50 that can be used in remote areas where power backup is not possible while camping with family members.
This projector is an ideal solution for viewing your favorite shows with the help of an inbuilt battery system that runs for at least 2.5 hours on a single charge.
The LG PF50 has wifi and Bluetooth connectivity feature that lets you connect your mobile and tablet devices without hiccups.
While in the setup process, the auto keystone correction features, the picture will automatically adjust the standard screen ratio without wasting time on any adjustments.
But still, you can make more adjustments with the help of a manual ring-type knob for better image alignment.
Also, an LG Smart TV UI feature lets you watch videos on youtube, Netflix and browse the internet with the help of apps that come with an LG official operating system.
Now talking about the specification, this device runs on single-chip DLP technology, with a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 with 600 ANSI brighter bulb support.
To get the home theater experience, you can connect the external speakers with the help of a Bluetooth speaker. But after connecting the speakers to LG PF50KA, the battery will last only 2 hours.
According to built quality, it comprises high-grade plastic with a square body and round edges. Also, the projector is so small that it can fit easily in your bag for carrying purposes.
Benefits
- Wifi & Bluetooth Connectivity.
- The battery lasts more than 2 hours if running at a lower setting.
- It comes with LG Smart TV UI.
- Remote control has lots of buttons to control the PF50KA.
Drawbacks
- The in-built speaker sounds average.
- Sometimes the fan makes noise when running at full power for longer.
7). Epson 1080:
The Epson 1080 is a lightweight projection unit that weighs less than 7lbs but is also compact in size and can be fit in a small space.
With the support of a 3chip LCD design, it produces awesome colors with a deeper and more fine on-screen picture quality where ever its been projected.
The powerful 210-watt bulb produces a brightness of up to “three thousand four hundred” lamp with a contrast ratio of 16,000:1.
It will give brighter images in daylight viewing, but it will struggle in produces deeper black levels. So, if you are going to use it most of the time viewing any horror-type movies, then look for another model.
So, to play any content, connecting with a streaming device is highly recommended to make the Epson home cinema truly an excellent viewing experience from your living room or in the master bedroom.
For the mounting process, we did it on the ceiling with the help of a small universal mounting hole switched at the center of the projector.
Also, we place the device at a distance of 8 feet to get a 110″ screen size. The 1.2x focus zoom feature with vertical and horizontal lens shift feature allows you to fine-tune image alignment.
You will be disappointed with its internal 2-watt mono speakers, which produce below-average sound with a bass frequency of almost zero.
Now with Epson 1080, you will get a warranty of 2 years with excellent customer support. So, it is a perfect home theater with a native resolution of 1920x1080p.
Benefits
- The lamp produces the content in Brighter conditions.
- It supports mirror screening with the help of Miracast.
- Lighter and compact in design.
- The universal mounting hole allows you to mount the projector with any style.
Drawbacks
- Below average internal speakers.
- Lack of streaming features.
FAQ
What is the ideal projector in brighter conditions for less than $700?
It depends on your room’s brighter conditions where you want to view the content on the projection screen. According to our recommendation, Epson EX3280 will do justice in the more illuminated area.
How many Lumens should a projector have?
If you want to display it in dimmer conditions or darker rooms, below 3500 ANSI lumens are appropriate.
But if the conditions have a more ambient lighting condition, I suggest you go with above 4500 lumens power projector.
What is the reputed brand for selecting the projector?
If you are going for reputed brands, it’s always recommended to go with BenQ, Epson, ViewSonic, LG, Samsung, Optoma, XGIMI, etc.
Conclusion
We hope the above information will help you select the right projector for any environment. So, if you are looking for our recommendation, going with Benq TH671ST is a mix of gaming and home theater experiences.
At that moment, I thought, why should I restrict myself to a smaller screen when an alternate option like a projector is available on the market.
So, I began searching the internet for the best projectors in 2014. And to be honest, I didn't find the information I was looking for.
But then, on my friend's suggestion, I purchased a BenQ 1080p projector in 2015. After that, my love and interest in Projector started, and I kept reviewing the latest available projectors available in the market.
I wrote down each advantage and disadvantage of the current Projector model. I gave only an honest reviews to my readers on projectorsplace.com and my social media pages like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.
If you feel I have left any projector model uncovered, let me know on my official email id: [email protected]
You can meet me here:-
Thanks
Carry
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