Projectors come in a wide variety of types. They are made for different purposes and to be used in different settings. The price of a projector varies based on the type and quality of the projector. The price may range from $100 to $2000.
A projector can have several features. While some features are optional, others are critical to the performance of the projector. The more expensive projectors may have the latest features and better display technology.
So, how much does a projector cost? Let’s look at the major factors that determine the price of a projector. This will help you come to an accurate estimate of the price of a projector suitable for you.
Factors That Affect the Price of a Projector
Resolution
Just like a laptop, TV, mobile, and other displays, the picture quality and clarity will depend on the resolution of the projector. The images appear sharper and crisper if the resolution is higher. The higher the resolution, the costlier the projector will be.
If you want to project on a smaller screen, low resolution might give you adequate clarity. However, as the size of the screen grows, low resolution will give you a pixelated image. 1080p resolution and 4K resolution are the most common choices for moderate to large screens.
Contrast ratio
This is another value that determines picture quality. A higher contrast ratio means there are more shades of colors available on display. This may especially matter in home projectors with darker rooms. It will impact the clarity and the profoundness of the picture.
If you are buying a projector to watch movies or play games in a darker room, the projector should have a high contrast ratio. But if the projector is meant for meeting rooms with high ambient light, then a projector with higher brightness and low contrast ratio will be more suitable.
Brightness
The brightness of a projector is denoted by the unit ‘lumen’. You will notice that the costlier the projector, the higher this value will be. Brighter projectors are needed when you need to use them in larger spaces with a lot of ambient light.
If you intend to use the projector in a small room with low light, then you can get away with low brightness and thus save money.
Connectivity
Your projector needs to take input from other devices like computers, smartphones, gaming consoles, music players, digital cameras, and so on. This is only possible through connectivity options like HDMI, USB, SD card, VGA inputs, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.
The more connectivity options there are, the more input options you will have to use your projector with different devices. This typically doesn’t affect the price very much, but this should be considered when making the purchase.
Throw ratio
This value tells you how large images you can project in shorter spaces. If you have a small room and you want to project larger-sized images, you will need a projector with a small throw ratio. But if you have a large enough room size, then you don’t need to be concerned.
You should prefer a small throw ratio for the kid’s room or if you intend to use the device in a tent or other small spaces. Otherwise, a larger throw ratio would create a smaller image if used in tiny spaces.
Additional features
Some other features may turn out pretty useful in the long run. Some of these features are only available in high-end models, so these will play a role in preparing a budget for the projector.
Inbuilt speaker
Today most projectors come with inbuilt speakers that too with powerful sound. But some micro projectors or portable ones may not have inbuilt speakers. In that case, they should have a 3.5 millimeters audio output or a stereo RCA output to connect with external speakers.
Keystone correction
If your projector is not placed perpendicular to the screen, the image that results could be distorted. The misalignment will cause it to look trapezoidal rather than square.
Sometimes there is no way to keep the projector in the right alignment. Today’s projectors use the automatic keystone correction feature to correct the distorted image. Not all projectors have this feature, so it’s worth checking out which ones come with this capability.
Streaming apps
It can be very convenient if the projector comes with pre-installed apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, YouTube, and others. Some of the new projectors come with Google Play Store and Android TV, which give you access to a wide range of apps.
This way, you don’t always have to connect other devices with your projector when you need to watch your favorite content.
Read more: How To Choose A Projector
Estimating the Cost of a Projector
Before you can answer “how much does a projector cost?”, you need to decide where you want to place it. If it’s a well-lit and spacious room, you will need a high lumen value, but you don’t need to care much about the contrast ratio and throw distance.
However, for a home theater system, the picture quality needs to be right. For non-business or entertainment purposes, you would need it to have pre-installed apps, a high enough contrast ratio, a small throw ratio, and a high enough resolution. Connectivity options do matter for all kinds of projectors.
So, once you decide on the specifications and choose a few reputable brands, you can estimate the cost of the projector that you need. So, the projectors may cost from around $100 to $2000.
The picture quality, lamp life, and functionality will decide the price of the projector.
Conclusion
It is possible to save a lot of money buying a projector if you know what you are looking for. You don’t need to buy the costliest projector for an ideal experience. What you need is a device with balanced specs and suitable for the purpose you need it for.
If you are clear about the features that you need in your projector, then you can bring down the cost of your projector. So, the best way to answer the question “how much does a projector cost?” is to make a list of all the features and specs you need and look for a brand that you trust.