Best budget 4K projectors

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Budget 4K projectors are all about getting a sharp 4K signal on a big screen without paying “home theater flagship” money. I prioritize brightness (ANSI/ISO lumens) first, because it’s the biggest reason “budget 4K” disappoints in real rooms.

How I researched

How I researched — I compared the last 12–24 months of projector roundups, deep-dive reviews, and spec sheets; prioritized rated brightness (ANSI/ISO lumens), checked throw/placement flexibility and gaming signal support, verified warranty terms on maker pages when possible, and confirmed the exact US variants on Amazon.

Top picks

ViewSonic PX701-4K — Best overall “budget 4K” for mixed use

A bright, gaming-friendly 4K projector that hits the best balance of brightness + low lag + warranty. Why it wins: 3,200 ANSI lumens and genuinely useful gaming modes without getting overly expensive.

Pros

• High rated brightness (good for living rooms)

• Handles 4K @ 60Hz or 1080p @ 240Hz on HDMI 2.0 (great for consoles/PC)

• Strong placement tools (keystone + 4-corner adjustment)

• Warranty listed as 3-year limited in documentation/retailer materials

Cons

• Blacks/contrast won’t match true “cinema” models

• Built-in audio is just “okay”

Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.

Trade-offs / who should skip

• Skip if you watch mostly dark movies and care most about black levels.

• Skip if you need lens shift (this one leans on digital correction instead).

Scores: Performance 4/5 • Brightness 4/5 • Ease of Use 4/5 • Value 4/5

BenQ TK700 — Best for console gaming on a budget

If gaming is the priority, this one is built around fast response + true 4K signal support. Why it wins: 16.7ms input lag at 4K/60 (plus faster modes at lower resolutions).

Pros

• Rated 3,200 ANSI lumens

• Input lag specs: ~16.7ms at 4K/60, faster at 1080p/120 and 1080p/240

• Solid color target for gaming/TV content (Rec.709 coverage is a focus)

• 3-year parts & labor projector warranty (US), with separate lamp terms

Cons

• Not the most flexible placement (no generous lens shift)

• Speaker is usable, not room-filling

Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.

Trade-offs / who should skip

• Skip if you’re ceiling-mounting off-center and need lens shift.

• Skip if you mainly want “cinema blacks” for dark-room movies.

Scores: Performance 4/5 • Brightness 4/5 • Ease of Use 4/5 • Value 4/5

Epson Home Cinema 2350 — Best for living-room color and flexible placement

Epson’s big advantage is 3LCD color brightness and placement flexibility. Why it wins: 2,800 lumens color + white and ±60% vertical lens shift—rare at this price tier.

Pros

• Rated 2,800 lumens (color and white brightness)

• Vertical lens shift ±60% for easier shelf/ceiling placement

• Android TV streaming player included (simplifies setup)

• Epson states input lag under 20ms for responsive gaming

Cons

• “4K enhancement” style (not the same as native 4K panels)

• Fewer auto-image tricks than some smart projectors

Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.

Trade-offs / who should skip

• Skip if you want ultra-compact “carry it anywhere” convenience.

• Skip if you need HDMI 2.1 4K/120 (this class is mostly 4K/60).

Scores: Performance 4/5 • Brightness 4/5 • Ease of Use 4/5 • Value 4/5

ViewSonic PX749-4K — Best for the brightest “lights-on” picture

This is the pick for sports, parties, and rooms where you can’t fully control light. Why it wins: 4,000 ANSI lumens and fast gaming modes.

Pros

• Rated 4,000 ANSI lumens

• Gaming features: 4.2ms mode + up to 240Hz (at 1080p)

• Designed for Xbox (handy compatibility presets)

• Many authorized retailers list a 3-year manufacturer warranty (I couldn’t confirm wording on a US ViewSonic product page)

Cons

• No lens shift (mounting placement matters)

• Bright-room focus can mean less “inky” blacks at night

Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.

Trade-offs / who should skip

• Skip if you only watch in a fully dark room and want maximum contrast.

• Skip if you need lens shift for tricky mounting.

Scores: Performance 4/5 • Brightness 5/5 • Ease of Use 4/5 • Value 4/5

XGIMI HORIZON Pro — Best compact smart 4K for apartments

This is the “clean setup” choice: compact, smart, fast auto-setup features. Why it wins: convenience—just know its brightness is ISO-lumen rated, not ANSI.

Pros

• Compact size/weight for moving room-to-room

• Smart auto setup (auto keystone/alignment/focus features)

• Rated 1500 ISO lumens (not directly comparable to ANSI)

• Warranty: 1 year (when bought from XGIMI site or Amazon’s official XGIMI store)

Cons

• Best in dim rooms (brightness is the limiter)

• Smart OS/app support can change over time

Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.

Trade-offs / who should skip

• Skip if you regularly watch with lamps on or daylight—go PX701-4K or PX749-4K instead.

• Skip if you want maximum placement flexibility (no lens shift).

Scores: Performance 4/5 • Brightness 3/5 • Ease of Use 5/5 • Value 4/5

Quick compare

• Best overall: ViewSonic PX701-4K

• Best for gaming: BenQ TK700

• Best for placement flexibility: Epson Home Cinema 2350 (lens shift)

• Brightest for lights-on: ViewSonic PX749-4K

• Easiest “smart” setup: XGIMI HORIZON Pro

FAQs

Is “budget 4K projector” actually 4K?
Often yes in terms of accepting/displaying a 4K signal, but the imaging tech may be pixel-shifted (common in this price range).

Do I need a projector screen?
No, but a basic screen usually improves contrast and perceived sharpness versus a textured wall—especially for 4K content.

Which is best for PS5 / Xbox Series X?
For lowest-lag gaming focus, I’d start with BenQ TK700.

What matters more: lumens or contrast ratio?
In “budget 4K,” lumens usually matter first because many people watch with some ambient light. Contrast becomes the main priority only in a controlled dark room.

Any recalls I should worry about?
I couldn’t verify any active US recall notices for these specific models via official recall search results at the time of writing.

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