Should you buy a cheap projector in 2023? I tested every 1080p projector on Amazon under $100.
I bought a brand new batch of cheap projectors from Amazon to see which was the best in 2023. All projectors were under $100 after coupons and sales and 1080p native resolution.
Best Under $65: Happrun H1
(AmazonUS): https://amzn.to/3FOnKl0
(AmazonCA): https://amzn.to/49ONNp3
Best Under $150: Groview JQ818C
(AmazonUS): https://amzn.to/47oaf7r
(AmazonCA): https://amzn.to/3OYZCBc
Best When On Sale: VAMVO – Check For Coupons!
(AmazonUS): https://amzn.to/3QZWHd7
Most Advanced: Zoaybu
(AmazonUS): https://amzn.to/460l7aw
(AmazonCA): https://amzn.to/3Ii3NEE
Other Projectors in order of ANSI Brightness:
Groview T1: https://amzn.to/3Qx0ixt
PURSHE: https://amzn.to/3FTFOdD
HOWWOO: https://amzn.to/3MEQyjJ
HOMPOW: https://amzn.to/3u6mpn7
E GATE: https://amzn.to/3u776uj
MOOKA: https://amzn.to/49pyqEj
DBPOWER: https://amzn.to/473E2Tb
TOPTRO: https://amzn.to/40wuFZv
Ysametp: https://amzn.to/3QRv2ei
TMY: https://amzn.to/46Z6Agu
YOWHICK: https://amzn.to/49pYz5X
WEWATCH: https://amzn.to/3FTG78h
Pericat: https://amzn.to/3FVq1uA
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00:00 Introduction
00:31 Why you shouldn’t buy these
01:44 Brightness Testing
02:38 Contrast Testing
03:35 Side By Side Quality Testing
08:14 Fan Noise Testing
08:59 Input Lag Testing
09:18 USB Playback Menus
09:37 Conclusions
11:39 Groview JQ818C
What was the sound like when running the fans on the groview?
Thanks for pointing us to the GROVIEW! We looked it up, and the $40 coupon on Amazon has us paying only $100 for this thing. WORTH IT! Thank you so much! (Will come back and comment once we get it and test it out!)
Are your top 1-3 all good for simple Power Point presentations from a PC?
All of my projector recommendation videos have been updated for 2023-2024:
Best Sub $100 Budget Projectors: https://youtu.be/ooFvyudbxNE
Best $100-$600 Midrange Projectors: https://youtu.be/8mVX_29gXHE
Best Portable Projectors: https://youtu.be/jmmGQOSAReI
Best Modern Laser Projectors: https://youtu.be/3KmKv-TTIQQ
Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors: https://youtu.be/Ef0tNjGDoOU
Best Premium Home Theater Projectors: https://youtu.be/TjgXfRMtmSU
Best Gaming Projector: https://youtu.be/biXPgm-pxiU
Best Golf Sim Projector: https://youtu.be/c42W02UF_nI
Best UST Projector Screens: https://youtu.be/2b8PXZtL1q8
Omg, thank god for this review instead of those “you need to spend infinity and have 999 lumens and 69k hd resolution or your projector=junk” videos. My sister and her friend are buying a projector for their dorm room so they can game together and they sure as hell aren’t buying a $600 one.
Incredible video!!
I think they’ve realised that the Groview shouldn’t be at that price point i just checked Amazon in my country it’s now $486 USD (After converting currency) LOL
What about the HY320
What about the xuanpad projector It good?
What about the hy320?
If I was going to get a "budget" projector, I would just save a little more and go with the Groview, since it basically out classes all others for just a few dollars more.
Which model of HAPPRUN do you recommend?
In another video you say the JQ818C is 34.6ms input lag, but in this video it is 22ms ??? Which one is it?
I’m astonished by the quality of this vid/review. I’m not someone who leaves random comments. But I had to say something. This was everything I could have wanted in a review – especially for what seems like an underserved category of products (the cheap ones). The info was purely helpful and presented brilliantly. I wish you continued success! I’ve subscribed!
Thank you so much! Getting my own apartment and shopping for a projector feels like shopping for my first car all over again.
what is the input lag on the jq818c?
I feel like getting one of these projectors make zero sense once you consider that you can possibly find a used BenQ or Optoma 1080p that cranks out at least 2000 lumens for just a bit more.
WZATCO and WANBO projectors are not available in your country?? its a new buzz here in India. Please review if they are available I like your technical review
Do the names even make sense in the Chinese language?
Best review video ive seen
Does any projector allow u to change the screen size from afar?
Anyone know the best adjustable ceiling mount that fits the Happrun h1?
I am now in the camp of "no one should buy these."
I bought the Happrun H1 and the Vamvo so I could personally test them myself. The Happrun H1 literally burned it’s inside screen in under 5 hours. While the Vamvo arrived with dead pixels and markings on the internal screen. After a few days use, the Vamvo started showing dark burn marks in a circular pattern near the middle. These units are e-waste and should be avoided.
No one does a more comprehensive review than this guy. I went with the happrun and it is exactly as he said.
Buying the groview for a friend at the slightly higher price point .
Thank you!
I am considering buying one for my room rather than a TV, is the groview still the best option under 150? Also for installation is it better to buy a table and set the projector there or buy a wall stand and set up high?
There are precious few channels worth subscribing to. This is one of them. Amazing test. Thank you. Bought the Happrun from your link, since the Vamvo is no longer available.
Your handsome
Sadly, that exact model for the Vamvo isn’t listed on Amazon anymore (that I can find).
They have a different model now. And while that new model "supports" 1080p, it is only a 720p.
Unless Vamvo makes that same (or better) model available,
HAPPRUN no longer has Vamvo as a competitor.
I’d say spend a little more on something name brand. Alot of the cheaper ones have plastic lenses and will get burns after a couple years of use.
Lving the level of detail- great job!
Great reviews. Are any of these budget projectors good for tracing art? I need the projector to mirror images on Ipad/Iphone. It needs to mirror the image exactly as it is shows on the Apple device, ie. a square format image etc. must be displayed the same way on the projector.
Thank you
Do you have recommendation for 2024? Thanks!!
Hey, really good review. A rare sight these days.
Great video. I liked and subscribed. Appreciate your style and real world demo.
Can you do an identical video for 2024? I wish the vamvo was still selling on Amazon
Thank you for doing theese tests. If i decide to buy on of them i will do it through your links.
Well this year we did see the job technically because there’s that little round telescope looking one with built-in Netflix and everything for $60-70 That crushes everything this year simply because everything’s built in and it has a Bluetooth as well It’s only 720p but I wish you had that in here to see how good it compared
I really thought you were going for Vamvo
But in the ends it’s happrun 🎉🫡
Hey there! Between the Happrun H1 and the Groview JQ818C… which has louder fan noise? Does anyone know? Appreciate the input!! Thanks for such a detailed review.
Eazze D1 or jimveo or wimius which company & model is best? please
This was great! Thanks for the awesome review, this was super helpful. I’ve been looking for a quality budget projector for this year’s halloween party, plan to do some outdoor horror movies by the fire pit. I messed up and bought a highpeak mini projector before looking up reviews about it (turns out its a scam for all those wondering).
I’m looking for a projector for Halloween & the vamvo is no longer available on Amazon…. Which would you recommend?
did you test them with damn PC… PC anyone? I just want a monitor – projector. Anyone know about that? Anywhere? Anyone? I don’t want it for movies… just want to hook it up to my pc as another monitor? Anyone know?
Can I use a projector straight into my wall or do I need a projector screen , my wall is dark grey
Great video thank you! Question, what is your best projector recommendation for my Xlights light show? Looking for one not too expensive, decent quality and turns on automatically for my Pi that will be running it? My current projector doesn’t turn on automatically, I need a remote, unless there is a way around this? Thank you!
Martin Cynthia Jones Anthony Thompson Donna
Could’ve jumped to the end and watched the conclusion. But it was such a great review I watched all the way through. Congrats on the review, now I’m off to buy a projector.
Your videos are awesome! Super helpful. One question: You say all but four of the projectors display a text when a USB is used. Are you saying the text does not go away, or it’s there only when the playback begins?
This is such an amazing video. Thanks to this i bought the Happrun H1.