Small apartments used to force a choice. You could have a big screen or a usable room, rarely both. A 75-inch TV eats a wall whether it's on or off. A projector, by contrast, disappears into a shelf when you're done with it, and in 2026 the cheap ones finally stopped feeling cheap.
Under $500 you won't get native 4K, and nothing here will beat afternoon sun pouring through a window. What you can get is a sharp 1080p image, streaming apps built in, automatic focus and keystone correction, and a picture that makes a 55-inch TV look small. The compromises are real. They're just smaller than they've ever been.
This ranking is based on published specifications, current pricing and the wider body of owner and reviewer feedback. One warning before the table: brands quote brightness in ANSI lumens, ISO lumens or plain lumens, and those numbers aren't directly comparable. Treat them as a rough guide, not a scoreboard.
The shortlist at a glance
| Rank | Projector | Resolution | Brightness (as quoted) | Smart platform | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NexiGo PJ40 Pro | 1080p | 800 ANSI | Google TV | $270 to $350 |
| 2 | XGIMI MoGo 4 | 1080p | 450 ISO | Google TV | $399 to $499 |
| 3 | Aurzen EAZZE D1R | 1080p | 350 ANSI | Roku TV | $180 to $230 |
| 4 | Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-FH02 | 1080p | 3,000 lumens | None, needs a stick | $380 to $450 |
| 5 | VOPLLS Q5 | 1080p | 300 ANSI | Licensed Netflix and Prime Video | $200 to $260 |
| 6 | TCL A1s | 1080p | 350 ANSI | Google TV | $250 to $320 |
| 7 | Anker Nebula Capsule 3 | 1080p | 300 ANSI | Google TV | $400 to $480 |
| 8 | WiMiUS G2 | 1080p | 1,100 ANSI | Google TV | $300 to $380 |
| 9 | HAPPRUN 510G | 1080p | 400 ANSI | Google TV | $180 to $250 |
| 10 | BenQ TH671ST | 1080p | 3,000 ANSI | None, needs a stick | $400 to $500 |
1. NexiGo PJ40 Pro: if you only buy one
At $270 to $350, the PJ40 Pro covers almost every base. Native 1080p, 800 ANSI lumens, a 3,000:1 contrast ratio, licensed Google TV with Netflix, automatic focus and keystone, and 20W of audio. Point it at a wall and it sorts itself out in seconds. Input lag of around 10ms makes casual gaming realistic too. Several independent reviewers have called it the best budget projector of the year, and on paper it's hard to disagree.
2. XGIMI MoGo 4: the one that follows you around
The battery is the story. Roughly 2.5 hours of playback means bedroom tonight, balcony tomorrow, no extension cord. You also get 450 ISO lumens, Google TV with licensed Netflix, dual 6W Harman Kardon speakers, a 360-degree stand and a magnetic sunset filter. TechRadar named it its favourite portable projector. At $399 to $499, you're paying for freedom more than brightness.
3. Aurzen EAZZE D1R: for Roku households
Running Roku TV instead of Google TV is its whole personality, and a good one if you already know the Roku interface. Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+ and free channels come built in, alongside auto focus, auto keystone and Dolby audio support. At 350 ANSI lumens it wants a dim room. At $180 to $230, that's easy to forgive.
4. Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-FH02: the brightest picture, the dumbest box
Epson's 3LCD engine pushes 3,000 lumens, and colours hold up when the curtains don't fully close. That matters in apartments where you can't control the light. The trade: no Wi-Fi, no apps, nothing smart at all. Budget for a Chromecast, Fire Stick or Roku stick. If you already own one, this is the picture-quality pick.
5. VOPLLS Q5: the drawer-friendly option
At 1.81 inches thick, it slides onto a narrow shelf or into a drawer when guests arrive. It throws up to 120 inches in 1080p with licensed Netflix and Prime Video on board. Brightness around 300 ANSI lumens makes it strictly a lights-off machine.
6. TCL A1s: the familiar name
TCL makes TVs at enormous scale, and that brand reliability is the main reason to choose the A1s over lesser-known names. Google TV, autofocus, horizontal and vertical keystone, plus four-corner adjustment for awkward angles. At $250 to $320, it's the safe middle choice.
7. Anker Nebula Capsule 3: a speaker that happens to project
The cylindrical design looks like a Bluetooth speaker and works like one too. Google TV, 1080p and a built-in battery make it ideal for a studio where gear moves constantly. But $400 to $480 for 300 ANSI lumens is steep. You're paying for the form factor.
8. WiMiUS G2: for rooms that never get fully dark
Among the smart models, nothing here is brighter. A claimed 1,100 ANSI lumens, Google TV and MEMC motion smoothing for sport make it a strong fit for shared flats where someone always wants a lamp on. It's bulkier and plainer than the rest, but $300 to $380 is fair for the brightness.
9. HAPPRUN 510G: the cheapest way in
For $180 to $250 you get full Google TV with Google Assistant voice control, Dolby audio, auto focus and auto keystone. At 400 ANSI lumens it's an evening projector, but as a first purchase it removes almost every excuse not to try one.
10. BenQ TH671ST: the gamer's choice
Around 16ms of input lag in gaming mode, 3,000 ANSI lumens and a short-throw lens that fills a wall from a few feet away. That last point is huge when your sofa is backed against the far wall. Like the Epson, it needs a streaming stick for apps.
Matching the projector to your room
- Can't black out the windows? Look at the Epson, the BenQ or the WiMiUS G2.
- Want zero extra boxes? Stick to Google TV or Roku models like the NexiGo, TCL or Aurzen.
- No room behind the sofa? The BenQ's short throw solves it.
- Moving it nightly? The MoGo 4 or Capsule 3.
Once it's on the wall, you'll need something to watch. Help settle that by voting in our best TV shows poll.
Quick answers
Is 300 lumens enough for an apartment?
Only with the lights off and curtains drawn. For daytime viewing, aim much higher.
Do I need a screen?
Not to start. A smooth, light-coloured wall works fine, and you can upgrade later.
Which is best overall?
The NexiGo PJ40 Pro offers the most complete package for the money.
