Top 10 Best Budget Projector For Gaming: Buyer’s Guide

Whether you are a casual gamer or a professional gamer the idea of playing games on a 100 inch large screen in an unquestionably attractive option and the use of projectors for gaming can be the only way to make it happen. When the projectors were first started they were only used for media presentation in workplaces and cinema whereas projector gaming was not considered good enough. But with the passage of time enhancements in projectors occurred. And these days they are an attractive option for gamers. Many gamers look best budget projector for gaming.

The projectors are available in large price ranges. They can be extremely cheap to exceptionally expensive. There are very expensive 4K gaming projector in the market which fulfill the dream of every gamer. But most of the people find it difficult to afford them so we are here with top 10 best budget projector for gaming which are the need of most of the users. To select the top 10 projectors we checked dozens of projectors and finally reached a conclusion to select best budget projector for gaming and below is the list of our top picks.

Buying Guide For Best Budget Projector For Gaming:

Buying a projector is not an easy task because there are loads of options out there in market but finding a suitable projector according to your needs for a beginner is really tough. So today we are here to guide you how to select best budget projector for gaming and what to look in them as a priority. Some of these highlighting features are mentioned below:

1. Battery Life:

The most important thing to see when buying best budget projector for gaming is the battery life of the projector. Gamers play games and their screen time is about 12 hours a day so they need a projector with a good battery life.

2. Display:

Gaming on a projector is an amazing experience for a gamer as it provides a large screen size. As the projector screen size is large it required a good screen resolution to fulfill the need of good graphics for the gamers. Moreover, a high refresh rate of the display enhances the user gaming experience.

3. Software And Cooling System:

Two most important things to look in the hardware when buying best projector for games are listed ahead. First is to look for a good software experience which helps to optimize the speed of projector for gaming so it prevents any sorts of lags. Second thing to look after is the projector fan and cooling system because when you use projector continuously for a long period it gets heated. If the projector has a good cooling system it will increase the projectors life and prevent its lamp from burning or any burn spot.

Top 10 Best Budget Projector For Gaming:

1. Optoma HD39HDRx:

First projector in the top 10 list is Optoma HD39HDRx. It is an extremely bright projector with an exceptional resolution. It is specially recommended for professional gamers as it has designed features specific for gamers. Some of these features include:

Display: For gamers the display quality is among the important features to consider. Optoma HD39HDRx comes with a 1080p resolution combined with a 4000 Lumens brightness. It is considered one of the brightest projector out there in the market. Optoma HD39HDRx comes with a sharp colored display. It has a 120Hz refresh rate which attracts most of the gamers as it provides a lightning fast display without any lags. When it comes to image quality it is very difficult to say that any other projector is better than it except some laser projectors. For gamers the best thing is that it has a latency of 8.4ms so it produces an excellent response when playing games.

Cooling system: Gaming is a time taking experience where gamers tend to play games for consecutive hours. Therefore, there is a high chance that projector in use will become heated up. Like most other projectors that use fans for cooling purpose, this projector also utilizes the same cooling approach. But in contrast to other projectors in market, Optoma HD39HDRx comes with a fan that operates at only 26 decibels.

Thus we can say that minimum noise disturbance is produced and heating problem is also controlled in the best possible manner. In this way gamers can use this projector for a longer duration without any difficulty. Therefore, we can say that this projector is worth mentioning as one of the best budget projector for gaming.

Connectivity: Optoma HD39HDRx offers various ports for the gamers to connect accessories of their own choices. These ports include HDMI, VGA, USB along with an audio in/out port. This audio port allows the user to connect the external speakers to the projector. While the speakers of the projector works good but not good as required by the gamers so they prefer external sources of sound.

2. BenQ TH685P:

Build: If you are looking for 4k gaming projector then BenQ TH685P is one of the limited number of projectors which can be considered as one of the best and affordable 4K gaming projectors. BenQ TH685P is a sleek white box shaped projector which comes in a futuristic design and reasonably light weight.

Display: BenQ TH685P comes with a 4k display. Moreover, it comes with various refresh rates which means it can work on 120Hz on 1080p resolution but if you select 4K resolution then its refresh rate reduces to 60Hz. In addition to this BenQ TH685P has a sharp and colorful display. It supports full HDR content which helps not only the gamers but is a serious choice for people looking to get a projector for their home theatre. BenQ TH685P produces amazing 3500 lumens which are more than enough to work in a well lit room.

It has latency as minimum as 8.3ms which is perfect for professional gaming. It lacks some supportive features like google assistant or Alexa but at this price point its not a big deal. It is a serious contender for best budget projector for gaming because it comes below 700$ and buying a 4K gaming projector under 1000$ is the best bargain for a gamer.

Other features: BenQ TH685P comes with good speakers which are enough for a large room. It also has a 3.5mm audio jack and Bluetooth connectivity to connect it with external sound source because gamers always prefer sounds at high volume or the use of headphones while playing.

3. Optoma UHD38:

Display And Other Features: Optoma UHD38 is an absolute dream for gamers due to its high end gaming specifications. It comes with a relatively low latency, high refresh rate combined with a 4K resolution. Some gamers these days prefer projector gaming instead of using LCDs. Optoma UHD38 comes with 4K and 1080p resolutions showing different refresh rates for both resolutions. When it is shifted to 4K resolution its shows a refresh rate up to 240Hz which can be worthy to play games. Moreover, on 1080p resolution its refresh rate shifts to 60Hz. So a user can clearly differentiate the joy of playing games on 240Hz refresh rate.

In addition to this it is paired with 4.2ms latency which is the lowest out their in the market right now. It has a peak brightness up to 4000 lumens. So, Optoma UHD38 provides the most premium specifications a gamer can dream off.

Connectivity: Optoma UHD38 has two HDMI ports which are enough for a gamer along with USB-A and 3.5mm headphone jack in it to connect it to external speakers. In addition to wired connectivity it has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity provided out of the box which makes it much more interesting for the users.

4. Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12:

Display: The most unique projector among these best budget projector for gaming is Epson EpiqVision mini EF12 because it comes with a unique technology. In contrast to all other projectors that are mentioned in this list for best budget projector for gaming, Epson EpiqVision mini EF12 contain LASER technology. In simple words it uses LASER for transmission of signals instead of using lamps. Owing to this unique technology, it never faces any issue with its visuals.

Besides, it can provide a massive resolution of 3,840 by 2,160. These factors are enhanced by its large screen size option ranging between 70 to 130 inches, thus giving you the feeling of a home theatre. Its 4000 lumen brightness also acts as a contributing factor. Therefore, we can say that this projector is equipped with all the facilities to provide the best possible screen quality and hence it is worth mentioning in the list of best budget projector for gaming.

Other Features: One of the most important feature to be considered while listing best budget projector for gaming is the lag time. This device certainly supports 4k and boasts an input lag of 16.7ms. This feature makes it even more suitable for the purpose of professional gaming. Besides, it has an incredible sound quality due to its 10W stereo inbuilt speakers. In this way you do not need to attach any audio device in order to improve the sound quality.

Moreover, it comes with its own streaming stick. And has a number of input ports which contain HDMI, USB, ethernet and last but not the least RS-232. Certainly, these reasons make this projector one of the best budget projector for gaming.

5. BenQ TK700STi:

Display: BenQ TK700STi is the first ever marketed short throw 4K gaming projector. It is one of the best gaming projector from the BenQ projector ranges. It provides a latency up to 16ms and and 60 Hz refresh rate on a 4K display. It provides a sharp image with details and it provides an excellent sharp screen which means even moving at high speed the image comes out without any lag.

Sound: The sound of BenQ TK700STi is surprisingly loud as it comes with a 1x5W speaker which provides a loud and clear sound for gamers. Moreover, some gamers use this projector for gaming without external sound sources.

Connectivity: BenQ TK700STi provides a lot of connectivity options as which includes HDMI port, a VGA port, 3.5 mm headphone jack and a power outlet. It offers other connectivity options like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for more connectivity options like external speakers.

Other Features: It is the first short throw gaming projector. The advantage of short throw projector is that it can be used in a small room or a short space without any problem. So gamers having a small space dedicated for gaming can also use this projector for gaming.

6. BenQ HT2050A:

Display: The BenQ HT2050A is one of the best budget projector for gaming. For starters we can mention that it runs with a 16ms lag input, which means that it has the ability to work well with fast operating games. But what makes this projector most unique is its picture size. You can acquire an image size of 300 inches depending upon the distance of the projector from the screen.

This screen size is incredible for users who want to enjoy a cinematic experience. Its cinematic color technology and 1080p resolution gives a sharp as well as brightly hued image. Therefore, this projector can be used for playing games even in the bright room.

Installation: Talking about installation, this projector is very user friendly and easy to be installed. It can be installed as a flat surface on the back of chairs or can also be mounted on the ceiling of your room. Its 2D keystone correction features also aids in acquiring a square image. Moreover, it can be installed perfectly owing to the vertical lens shift feature. These installation features makes this projector a very user friendly device.

Other features: The cinematic experience is enhanced by its audio+ cinematic master speakers. These are 10W in-built speakers which create a theatrical audio experience. This is one of the best gaming projector which is available in the market at the moment.

7. BenQ TH671ST

Display: The first feature to be considered while deciding the best budget projector for gaming is the display. In this aspect BenQ TH671ST offers a full HD 1080p resolution with 3000 ANSI lumen, 10k to 1 contrast ratio, and last but not the least a light source of 240W voltage. Besides, it forms a clear diagonal image of 60 to 120 inches with a 1.4ms latency.

Unique feature: Apart from all the features mentioned above, some features are quite unique to this projector and can not be found in many other projectors. One such feature is the short throw of BenQ TH671ST which allows it form an incredible image only from a distance of 1.5m. This means that it can be used in small and cozy rooms without any difficulty of maintaining the image dimensions.

Moreover, another feature which makes this projector suitable to be mentioned in the list of best budget projector for gaming is its input lag which is low enough to maintain the operation with fast moving games. Although, you should avoid placing it at a long distance from the screen as this is a short throw projector designed specifically for smaller rooms with shorter distance between screen and projector.

8. BenQ HT2150ST

Display setting: If you are a professional gamer then you will always want a comfortable place for playing games. Therefore, you might want a small room with cozy and comfortable environment. This projector is best for installation in small rooms. Although its image quality is not that great owing to its passable color settings, but out of all 1080p resolution projectors this is the best budget projector for gaming. Its affordable nature and short throw projection option makes it highly suitable for gamers.

User friendly: Beside the suitable image size, the short throw feature of BenQ HT2150ST makes it easy to mount and is thus user friendly. It makes it a flexible option which can be installed quite easily in any small room without compromising the image size.

9. Optoma HD142X

Next in the list of best budget projector for gaming is Optoma HD142X. With a bright light source of 3000 lumen this projector is the considered as one the brightest projector available in the market at the moment. This bright light source makes it highly usable in the bright rooms and during the daytime. Not only it offers a bright image but the contrast ratio of the image formed is also praise worthy.

Display: Apart from 3000 lumen brightness, it also supports other features that are suitable for gamers. This is a model which has always been famous for gaming. Although many new gaming projectors have been designed that are more modernistic, yet this projector still complies with all the gaming projector standards.

Its REC.709 color space and a resolution of 1080p which is a standard resolution for gaming projectors, this projector forms a good quality image which is suitable for most conventional games. These features along with its highly bright lumens provide a good image quality even in bright rooms.

Other features: It comes with a 32ms lag rate which is suitable for conventional games, but it might create a little issue with hardcore games. Besides, its MHL connectivity will allow you to live stream during your gaming sessions and make videos for your social media platforms. Its 3D support and its best cooling system add to qualities and allow it to operate for a longer duration of time without having any kind of heating issues. The above mentioned features make it suitable to be listed in the list of best budget projector for gaming.

Besides, this projector is not only useful for playing games, but it can also be used for watching movies or series in home or to give presentation in offices. Therefore, it is a multi-purpose projector that can be used for different purposes in different situations according to the desire of the user.

10. Optoma HD146X

Last in this list of best budget projector for gaming purpose is Optoma HD146X. With a sleek body design and futuristic body, this projector is not only best operational but also quite incredible in its appearance. Let us know more about its incredible features.

Display: With the brightest 3600 lumen light source, this Optoma HD146X is far more brighter than most of the previously mentioned projectors. With a resolution of 1920 into 1080p and a cinematic color wheel it forms a sharp and crisp image with the best possible color contrast and image quality. Moreover is DLP chip designing technology from Texas instruments, Optoma HD146X has the most incredible image alignment.

Dynamic black technology works to provide a deeper image with a 500,000 to 1 contrast ratio. which allows dark screen to remain detailed and bright screen to appear clear.

Unique features: Enhanced gaming mode results in fast response to hardcore games owing to its low input lag. Moreover, shadows are enhanced to provide better visuals in dark scenes of the game. All this is possible due to its special gaming mode.

Besides, HDMI-CEC technology allow the user to operate projector and all other connected devices through a single remote control. This is due to HDMI link device.

Our Best Pick

After an extensive trials on various projectors in the market we selected our top 10 best budget projector for gaming. Our best pick out of the top 10 is Optoma HD39HDRx which comes with an excellent display and an amazing 120Hx display. In addition to this, it supports 4000 Lumens brightness which is enough for a bright room. Moreover it has a latency of 8.4ms. It is the best display out there in the market only a few ones which include laser projectors can be considered better than this. Optoma HD39HDRx it provides various port selections and is fully stacked for a professional gamer.

Conclusion:

After carefully reviewing and analyzing all the projectors in detailed manner we have listed 10 projectors that can be considered as the best budget projector for gaming. Every projector comes with its own unique features that enables it to be used specifically for the purpose of gaming on a professional level. Each projector has its own pros and cons so you can buy projector according to your requirements and budgets.

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