Best Projectors Under $700 in 2026: 5 Picks Compared by Specs

Refreshed October 5, 2026

If you are shopping for a projector under $700, the pool here holds five current listings, each with a different strength. The NexiGo Nova Mini is our top pick for most people: it combines 1080p resolution, laser illumination, Google TV with Netflix built in, and a portable design, all within the budget. We made the shortlist by comparing stated specifications from the seller listings only, and the prices you see are live, read from the store at the time the page loads. Nobody here has tested these units in person.

5 picks from 5 projectors that match this guide with a price we can quote today, made by 33 makers. Live prices throughout, each with the moment it was read.

The list in brief

Which pick fits you?

• For an outdoor movie night: You want something light enough to carry to a backyard or campsite and bright enough to hold up after dark. The NexiGo Nova Mini is 1080p, laser-powered, portable, and runs Google TV with Netflix. See pick 1
• For a fixed home theater corner: You plan to mount the projector on a shelf or ceiling and leave it there. The ViewSonic LSD400W gives you a high-brightness laser engine in the 3000 to 5999 lumen range, made for installation work. See pick 2
• For 3D Blu-ray content: You have a 3D Blu-ray collection and want a budget DLP projector that handles the format. The ViewSonic PJD5134 is explicitly 3D Blu-ray ready and includes an integrated speaker. See pick 5

The full list of 5

1 Best overall

NexiGo Nova Mini

Resolution

1080p

Brightness

1000 to 2999

Light source

Laser

Apps built in

Yes

Portable

Yes

Outdoor

Yes

$649.99 price as of 2026-10-05 20:56 UTC (Details)

View on Amazon

This is the only pick in the pool that combines 1080p resolution, laser illumination, Google TV with Netflix, and portability in one unit. The 1200 lumens output is brighter than the other portable laser here, and the stated 15000:1 contrast ratio is the highest in this list.

Pros

• 1080p resolution, the highest in this list
• Laser light source with 1200 lumens of brightness
• Google TV with Netflix built in, no external stick needed
• Portable and outdoor-ready per the seller's stated categories

Cons

• Lumens are below the ViewSonic LSD400W's 3000 to 5999 range
• No stated battery capacity or runtime
• Laser brightness may be limiting in a well-lit room

Good fit if

• You want a smart, portable projector for movies at home or outside
• You watch Netflix or other streaming apps without adding a dongle

Skip if

• You need a high-brightness projector for a lit conference room
• You plan a permanent ceiling installation with mostly 720p sources

Verdict: The best balance of resolution, brightness, smart features and portability in this price range.

2 Brightest laser in the pool

ViewSonic LSD400W WXGA 4000 Lumens Laser Installation Projector

Resolution

720p or lower

Brightness

3000 to 5999

Light source

Laser

$697.00 price as of 2026-10-05 20:56 UTC (Details)

View on Amazon

The LSD400W is the only pick with a lumen output in the 3000 to 5999 range, which puts it far above the other laser models here. It is designed as an installation projector with dual HDMI inputs and WXGA resolution (not 1080p), so it is best for fixed setups where brightness matters more than pixel count.

Pros

• Highest lumen output in the list: 3000 to 5999
• Laser light source, longer stated life than a typical lamp
• Dual HDMI inputs for connecting multiple sources
• WXGA 16:10 aspect ratio fits widescreen laptop presentations

Cons

• Resolution is 720p class (WXGA), lower than the 1080p NexiGo
• No smart features, needs an external streaming device
• Not portable: this is a fixed installation unit

Good fit if

• You need a bright, low-maintenance projector for a classroom or meeting room
• You mount the projector on a ceiling or shelf with a long throw

Skip if

• You want 1080p or higher resolution for movie nights
• You need a device you can pack into a bag

Verdict: The right choice when brightness and installation flexibility are more important than resolution.

3 Best portable laser

XGIMI MoGo 4 Laser Portable Projector with 4 Filters

Brightness

Under 1000

Light source

Laser

Portable

Yes

$669.00 price as of 2026-10-05 20:56 UTC (Details)

View on Amazon

The MoGo 4 is one of two portable laser projectors in the pool (the other is the NexiGo Nova Mini), but its 550 ISO lumens is the lowest of any pick, which makes it best for a dark room. It includes four filters for color adjustment.

Pros

• Portable design and laser light source, both stated by the seller
• 550 ISO lumens, suited for dark-room viewing
• Four filters included for color and contrast adjustment

Cons

• 550 ISO lumens is the lowest brightness in this list
• No stated resolution, so it falls in the 720p or lower class in the pool data
• No smart features mentioned in the listing

Good fit if

• You want a portable laser projector for trips and bedtime viewing
• You watch mostly in a dark room and want a compact size

Skip if

• You need to project in a bright room or on a large screen
• You want 1080p or built-in app support

Verdict: A compact, laser-powered companion for dark-room and on-the-go watching, not for bright spaces.

4 Best for ceiling-mount classrooms

Epson PowerLite W49 LCD Projector

$629.00 price as of 2026-10-05 20:56 UTC (Details)

View on Amazon

The PowerLite W49 is the only LCD projector in the pool, and it is explicitly ceiling mountable, with a 16:10 WXGA aspect ratio that matches widescreen laptops. Because it uses LCD panels, it avoids the rainbow effect that some people notice on single-chip DLP units, though the seller listing does not state the lumen output.

Pros

• LCD technology, no rainbow effect in most viewers
• Ceiling mountable, designed for permanent installation
• 16:10 WXGA resolution, a natural fit for presentations
• Established Epson brand with wide service support

Cons

• Lumen output is not stated by the seller
• No smart features, needs an external video source
• Not portable: this is a fixed-install model

Good fit if

• You equip a classroom or small meeting room
• You mostly project slide decks and documents, not video

Skip if

• You want 1080p or a laser light source
• You need a projector you can move between rooms

Verdict: A solid, no frills LCD workhorse for permanent classroom installations.

5 Best for 3D content

ViewSonic PJD5134 SVGA DLP Projectorwith 3D Blu-Ray Ready

Resolution

720p or lower

$643.00 price as of 2026-10-05 20:56 UTC (Details)

View on Amazon

This DLP projector is the only pick that is explicitly 3D Blu-ray ready, which makes it the niche choice if you have a 3D disc collection. The SVGA resolution (800 by 600) is the lowest in the pool, and the seller does not state lumen output, so it is best for small-to-medium dark rooms rather than bright spaces.

Pros

• 3D Blu-ray ready, the only 3D-capable pick in this list
• Integrated speaker, no external audio needed for basic use
• DLP technology with Dynamic ECO mode for lamp life

Cons

• SVGA resolution is the lowest in this pool
• Lumen output is not stated by the seller
• No smart features or wireless connectivity mentioned

Good fit if

• You watch 3D Blu-ray discs on a regular basis
• You want a budget DLP projector for a small dark room

Skip if

• You need a projector for high-definition video or games
• You want a light, portable unit

Verdict: A 3D-focused DLP projector for enthusiasts, not a general-purpose pick.

The specs, compared

Why these made the list

The pool holds 5 projectors, all within the featured price range. We shortlisted every one because each covers a distinct use: a smart portable laser, a high-brightness laser installation model, an ultraportable laser, a ceiling-mountable LCD classroom model, and a 3D-ready DLP unit. The selection compares resolution, light source, lumen output, smart features and portability from the seller's stated specifications. Prices are read live from each store listing at page load and may change. We have not tested any of these projectors, and we do not quote customer reviews. The goal is to give you a spec-based first filter, not a substitute for your own research.

Things to weigh before buying

Resolution: 1080p vs WXGA vs SVGA

The pool shows three different resolution classes. The NexiGo Nova Mini is the only 1080p model here, which means it can display a full high-definition image from a streaming stick, game console or Blu-ray player. The ViewSonic LSD400W and the Epson PowerLite W49 are WXGA units (1280 by 800), a common choice for laptop presentations but not full HD. The ViewSonic PJD5134 is SVGA (800 by 600), which limits fine text and detail. If your main use is movies or games, 1080p is worth the price difference.

Light source: laser vs lamp

Three of the five picks use a laser light source: the ViewSonic LSD400W, the XGIMI MoGo 4 and the NexiGo Nova Mini. Laser projectors typically have a longer stated lifetime than traditional lamps, and they do not have a bulb to replace. The Epson and the ViewSonic PJD5134 do not state their light source in the listing, so if you want the long-life advantage, you need to pick one of the laser options.

Brightness: what the lumen output means

The seller listings group luminance into ranges. The ViewSonic LSD400W is in the 3000 to 5999 lumen range, the highest in this pool. The NexiGo Nova Mini is in the 1000 to 2999 range. The XGIMI MoGo 4 is at 550 ISO lumens. The Epson PowerLite W49 and the ViewSonic PJD5134 do not state a lumen range. If you need a projector for a bright room, look for a model with a stated output above 3000 lumens. If you project in a dark room, a lower output may suffice.

Smart features and built-in streaming

Only the NexiGo Nova Mini includes a smart platform (Google TV with Netflix) out of the box. If you want to watch streaming services without connecting an external stick or a laptop, that is a significant advantage. The other four picks are bare projectors that need a separate source device. For a portable or outdoor setup, having Netflix built in can save you from carrying an extra box.

Portability vs permanent installation

The pool splits into two groups. The XGIMI MoGo 4 and the NexiGo Nova Mini are labeled portable, and both are small enough for a backpack. The Epson PowerLite W49 is listed as ceiling mountable, and the ViewSonic LSD400W is described as an installation projector, so both are meant to be fixed in place. The ViewSonic PJD5134 is a standard desktop DLP unit. Choose the form factor that matches where you plan to use it: moving it around or leaving it installed.

Connectivity and setup

Check the ports before you buy. The ViewSonic LSD400W has dual HDMI inputs, which is useful if you want to leave both a streaming stick and a game console connected. The other models list only a single HDMI input or none in the pool data. All projectors here need a sound source: the NexiGo and the PJD5134 include speakers, while the Epson and the ViewSonic LSD400W do not state whether audio is built in. HDMI is the standard connection for modern video sources; for details on the cable types and versions, the HDMI Licensing Administrator publishes a cable guide.

Questions

Can I use a projector under $700 in a bright room?

It depends on the lumen output. The ViewSonic LSD400W is the only pick in the pool with a lumen output in the 3000 or higher range, which gives you a fighting chance in a room with some ambient light. The NexiGo Nova Mini at 1200 lumens is better in a dark room, and the XGIMI MoGo 4 at 550 ISO lumens is best in full darkness. If you cannot control the lighting, look for a model with a stated output above 3000 lumens, or consider blackout curtains.

Is 1080p resolution worth the extra cost under $700?

For movies, streaming and gaming, yes. The NexiGo Nova Mini is the only pick here that is 1080p, and it is priced within the same range as the WXGA models. If your content is mostly 1080p, you will see a clear difference in sharpness and detail compared with a WXGA or SVGA projector. If you only project slides or text documents, a WXGA model like the ViewSonic LSD400W or the Epson PowerLite W49 may be sufficient.

What is the advantage of a laser projector over a lamp projector?

Laser light sources typically last longer than traditional lamps, and they do not require a bulb replacement. The ViewSonic LSD400W, the XGIMI MoGo 4 and the NexiGo Nova Mini all use laser illumination. The other two picks in this pool do not state their light source, so you cannot assume they are laser. If you plan to use the projector daily for years, a laser model reduces the long-term cost of ownership.

Do I need a separate streaming device with these projectors?

Only the NexiGo Nova Mini includes Google TV with Netflix built in. The other four picks are bare projectors that require an external video source such as a laptop, a streaming stick (for example, a Fire TV Stick or Roku), or a game console. If you want to watch Netflix without an extra device, the NexiGo is the only one in this list that makes that easy.

What is the difference between a DLP projector and an LCD projector?

The main visual difference is that some people see a brief rainbow effect on edges and highlights with a single-chip DLP projector (like the ViewSonic PJD5134), while LCD projectors (like the Epson PowerLite W49) do not produce that artifact. DLP models tend to be lighter and often have a higher contrast ratio, while LCD models are often more compact for a given brightness. In this pool, the ViewSonic PJD5134 uses DLP technology, and the Epson uses LCD; the XGIMI MoGo 4 and the NexiGo Nova Mini use laser light sources.

Latest changes

• 2026-10-05: First published.

Sources

• HDMI Licensing Administrator: HDMI specification and cable guide
• Dolby Vision official technology page
• Consumer Technology Association
• USB Implementers Forum