Best projectors you can afford
The HD142X has good overall image quality with full-HD resolution, solid contrast and accurate color.
Somewhat lighter black levels and less-accurate color than some more-expensive competitors; no analog video inputs.
The Optoma HD142X has an image so good, it will be tough for price-conscious home theater fans to justify paying more for a projector.
The HT2050 has excellent overall image quality with superb black levels and contrast for the money.
A shorter-throw lens helps it project a larger image in smaller spaces.
Competing projectors can get brighter and offer more-accurate color out of the box.
If you have a bit extra in your projector budget and can appreciate its excellent image, the BenQ HT2050 is the best choice at this price level.
A short-throw lens helps it project a larger image in smaller spaces.
There’s a nook that is perfect for a streaming stick.
Somewhat lighter black levels and less accurate color than some more-expensive competitors; poor remote.
If you’re short on space but crave the huge image only a projector can deliver, the Viewsonic PJD7828HDL is worth a close look.
Epson Home Cinema 640
At $350, the Home Cinema 640 is one of the least expensive home theater projectors available.
More expensive projectors can deliver full-HD resolution and overall superior picture quality.
Despite a lack of true HD resolution, the Epson Home Cinema 640 has impressive overall image quality considering the rock-bottom price.
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