I have always wanted that proper movie night vibe at home; the big screen feel without spending a lakh on a fancy setup. A few months back, I finally gave in and decided to build a mini home theatre in my living room. Soundbar? Check. Curtains? Check. Popcorn machine? Okay, no—but the vibe was there. The real challenge, though, was finding a good projector that didn’t burn a hole in my wallet. Something under ₹20,000–₹25,000 that could handle HD or Full HD content, decent brightness, and reliable connectivity. And man, I went down a rabbit hole. Turns out, the market is flooded with cheap knock-offs and “1080p supported” claims that aren’t always what they seem. I ended up buying one that I am honestly quite happy with, and along the way, I discovered a few other projectors that genuinely stood out during my research.
What to Look for in a Budget Home Projector (And What to Avoid)
Before I dive into the products, here’s a quick lesson I learned the hard way. Not all “Full HD” projectors actually output Full HD. A lot of them just accept 1080p input and downscale to 720p natively. If you care about sharpness, always check the native resolution.
Brightness is another key factor. Anything under 200 ANSI lumens will look washed out unless your room is pitch dark. If you’re using it in a semi-lit room, aim for 300–400 ANSI lumens at least. Also, check for keystone correction, screen size compatibility, and input options—HDMI, USB, and even wireless casting if you want to go cable-free.
And one last thing: noise levels. Some budget projectors sound like mini jet engines once they heat up. Look for low-fan-noise models if you’re watching thrillers or horror films where every pin drop matters.
What I Bought: Everycom X9 Full HD Projector
This was my pick after way too many nights scrolling through Reddit, YouTube reviews, and customer feedback. The native 1080p resolution is sharp even when projected onto a plain wall (I don’t use a screen). I have placed it about 10 feet away from the wall and get a screen size around 100 inches, and the brightness still holds up if I keep the curtains drawn. I paired it with a Fire TV Stick, and it boots up in seconds and runs super smooth with zero lag in casting. The colors are surprisingly rich, reds and greens don’t look faded like on some other budget projectors. What sealed the deal for me was how well it handles sports. IPL matches look crisp, and there’s no motion blur, which is rare at this price point. Fan noise is there, yes, but with a soundbar or even decent inbuilt volume, it doesn’t matter. One underrated thing? The remote works well from almost any angle. No weird alignment needed.
EGate i9 Pro-Max Android Projector: This is like the Maruti of budget projectors in India; reliable, simple, and everywhere. What makes this one click is that it comes with Android 9.0 built-in. So for someone who doesn’t want the extra hassle of plugging in streaming devices, this is an all-in-one solution. It runs apps like Netflix and Prime Video natively, though the UI isn’t buttery smooth. Native resolution is 720p, but it does upscale 1080p content reasonably well. The speakers are loud enough for a bedroom or small living room, but if you care about bass or clarity, you’ll still want an external speaker. A cool trick I saw in a YouTube comment someone used a ceiling mount for this and turned their bedroom ceiling into a movie screen. Totally doable with this one.
Wanbo T2 Max (2024 Version): If Apple ever made a budget projector, it would probably look like this. Minimal design, smooth matte finish, and it just feels “premium” to hold. The 2024 refresh has better brightness and quieter fans, which is huge. What really makes this projector pop is its uniform focus across the screen corners are just as sharp as the center, which is rare in this segment. It has native 1080p resolution and pairs perfectly with streaming devices. Bonus: It looks stylish enough to sit out in your living room without making your space look like a tech mess. It also supports Dolby Audio passthrough, so if you hook it up to a better speaker system, it delivers that proper cinema feel. I wouldn’t call this budget exactly but it punches above its price.
ViewSonic M1 Mini Plus: This one’s a lifestyle projector. It’s tiny—like, fits-in-your-palm tiny but surprisingly functional. The battery means you can carry it for impromptu outdoor screenings or even set it up on your terrace. It’s not a brightness powerhouse, so only use this in a dark environment, but the sound system is powered by JBL and that actually makes a difference. The sound is rich and room-filling for a small bedroom. Also, it comes with swappable faceplates, if that sort of thing matters to you. Think of this one as a great secondary projector something for chill sessions, not your main theatre rig.
XElectron C9 Android Projector: This is the one people often compare with the Everycom X9. What gives the C9 a slight edge for some is its audio. The built-in speakers are among the best in this budget segment—loud enough for a mid-sized room without feeling hollow. The UI of the built-in Android OS is cleaner than what I expected, and the boot-up time is fast. One feature that’s unexpectedly useful? The digital zoom. If you’ve ever placed a projector on a table that’s not perfectly aligned with your screen or wall, digital zoom lets you resize the image without physically moving the projector. Super handy if your room layout is fixed.
So, Are Budget Projectors Worth It?
Absolutely, but only if you set the right expectations. Don’t expect IMAX quality for under ₹20K. But if you’re looking for a reliable, immersive viewing experience for movies, matches, or casual gaming, there are some solid options out there. For me, the Everycom X9 has been a great companion for weekends and game nights. But if I had a bit more budget, I would probably go for the Wanbo T2 Max just for that sharp design and excellent visuals. Either way, with the right setup a decent projector, blackout curtains, and some good snacks—you can get pretty close to the theatre experience without leaving your sofa.
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I ended up getting the XElectron C9 last year purely because I could not tolerate the jet-engine sound from my older projector anymore. You are right about the speaker quality it is genuinely room-filling, and I have not even felt the need for a soundbar in my bedroom setup. What surprised me though was the digital zoom. I did not even know I needed that until I started adjusting it for different wall setups. Curious have you tried any short-throw projectors in this range?
I know exactly what you mean about the fan noise it was one of my biggest headaches before switching too. The C9 is super underrated when it comes to speaker quality, honestly better than some more expensive models I tested. And yes, digital zoom is one of those features you only realize the value of once you have it. I did experiment with a short-throw option briefly (one from Jimwey), but the picture softened too much at the edges. Still watching the space though maybe the next wave of budget projectors will crack that.
I have been planning a backyard movie night for months, and this post gave me a clearer picture (pun intended). The ViewSonic M1 Mini Plus sounds exactly like what I need. Small, portable, JBL audio? Yes please. But how does it handle subtitles? I find that a lot of smaller projectors either lag or blur the text. Did you test that by any chance?
Subtitles were actually one of the things I specifically checked on all of them, especially since I watch a lot of K-dramas and foreign films. On the M1 Mini Plus, the text renders cleanly on dark backgrounds but can blend a little on white-heavy frames. I used VLC via casting and it handled most .srt files without delay, which was impressive for its size. Just make sure to tweak font size and contrast settings before starting the movie especially if you are watching outdoors under variable light. But overall, for something that fits in a bag, it performs way above expectation.
What surprised me while testing a few models with friends was how much the wall paint affects image quality. A slightly off-white wall made my Wanbo T2 look dull, but when we threw it on a light grey matte finish? Total game-changer. I also wonder how these projectors hold up long term like bulb quality and firmware updates. Have you faced any degrading brightness or software hiccups yet?
Great point about wall color makes a huge difference. I ended up buying a light grey projector screen cloth on Amazon for around ₹1,200 and mounted it over the wall. Made the visuals pop noticeably more than on the plain white wall. As for longevity, it has only been about six months with the Everycom X9, so no signs of dimming yet. Firmware’s been stable too no auto-updates, which is both a blessing and a curse. I think the bigger issue is dust; I open the vents and clean it every month now just to be safe.
i got the egate one n ngl the UI made me rage quit the first week lol but i kept it cuz i’m lazy n the inbuilt apps mean i don’t need to find the fire stick remote at 1am question tho did u ever try using bluetooth headphones with any of these like is it even worth trying
The Egate’s UI definitely tests your patience, especially if you are used to smoother Android TV interfaces. I get the remote struggle though having built-in apps is weirdly comforting when you are half-asleep and do not want to dig around for devices. As for Bluetooth headphones, yes! I paired a pair of OnePlus Buds with both the Everycom and the XElectron models (they both have Bluetooth support) and there was minimal lag surprisingly watchable even for dialogue-heavy stuff. Just do a quick audio sync test before watching anything with tight timing like music performances or sports.
I’ve seen people say you need a projector screen to get the real experience, but I’ve been projecting on a plain cream wall at a friend’s place and it looked fine. Do you think a budget screen actually makes a noticeable difference, or is it just an upsell?
I had the same doubt, Aman, because like you I started with a plain wall. And yes, it does work fine, especially if the wall is light-colored and smooth. But when I eventually bought a budget projector screen cloth (Rs 1,200 on Amazon), the difference was more noticeable than I expected. The screen gave better contrast, deeper blacks, and sharper edges compared to my off-white wall. Think of it this way: the projector is only as good as the surface it reflects on. A cream or glossy wall can slightly distort colors or scatter light, which makes darker scenes look washed out. A proper screen especially those with a matte grey or ALR (ambient light rejecting) finish controls that light better and gives a more cinema feel. For casual viewing, your wall is fine. But if you are going for a dedicated setup and watch a lot of movies or sports, I’d say a budget screen is a worthy upgrade without needing to splurge on the fancy Rs 10k+ ones.
Im curious about gaming on these budget projectors. I senn people say input lag makes it impossible, but I also seen YouTubers casually playing FIFA on them. Have you tried connecting a console like PS4 or Xbox, and is it actually enjoyable or just frustrating after a while?
Gaming is where budget projectors get really tested because input lag becomes noticeable fast. I did try connecting my PS4 to both the Everycom X9 and the Wanbo T2 Max. For casual gaming like FIFA, Rocket League, or story-driven games it was totally fine. The lag was there (around 30–40ms from what others measured online), but not disruptive unless you are into competitive FPS titles like COD or Valorant. The Everycom actually handled motion better than I expected, and the Wanbo felt a bit smoother overall, especially in cutscenes where the visual sharpness really popped. But if you’re planning hardcore competitive gaming, I’d honestly stick to a TV or monitor. For laid-back couch sessions, though, firing up a projector at 100 inches with a controller in hand feels amazing it gives a totally different vibe compared to even a big 55-inch TV.
One thing I never understood is the lamp life claims. Brands say 30,000 hours or 50,000 hours, but that sounds like marketing fluff. Do these projectors actually last years without the bulb dimming, or is it something we have to budget for like replacing a tube light?
You’re right to be skeptical because 50,000 hours can sound too good to be true. In reality, what that number means is potential lifespan under ideal conditions, usually at lower brightness settings. For perspective, even if you watched 4 hours of content every single day, 30,000 hours translates to over 20 years. The truth is most people will replace their projector for a newer model long before the bulb dies. That said, what does happen over time is gradual dimming. After 2-3 years of regular use, you might notice the image isn’t as punchy, especially if dust has built up. That’s why regular cleaning and ventilation matter a lot. On my Everycom, I make it a habit to dust the vents monthly and keep it elevated slightly for airflow. So while you don’t really have to budget for lamp replacements in this price range (since LEDs last much longer than old halogen-based lamps), it’s safe to expect a slow drop in brightness after a few years.
I’ve always been confused about ANSI lumens vs the regular brightness numbers brands throw around. One brand said 7000 lumens and another said 350 ANSI, and I had no clue which was better. Since I usually watch during the evening with a lamp on in the corner, I don’t want to waste money on something that still looks washed out. Which metric should I trust more?
That’s a really important question Neha, because the brightness numbers can be super misleading. When brands say 7000 lumens or 9500 lumens they are often referring to LED lumens or just exaggerated marketing figures. What really matters for home usage is ANSI lumens since that’s a standardized measure. To put it in context: 350 ANSI lumens will usually outperform a 7000 lumens claim from a budget projector that isn’t using ANSI as a benchmark. For your setup with a lamp on, aim for 300-400 ANSI lumens minimum. That will give you enough clarity without having to turn your room into a cave. My Everycom X9 runs at around that brightness, and as long as I draw the curtains, it’s perfectly watchable. If you are planning semi-lit viewing regularly Wanbo T2 Max might be the safer bet since its upgraded 2024 version handles ambient light slightly better.