Are budget projectors worth it?

StevieP · 28 Nov 2024 at 10:21

I'm toying with the idea of getting my youngest a projector for a bit of gaming and YouTube watching in his bedroom but have no idea if they are any good?

My issue is that he doesn't really have the space for a TV without wall mounting it so thought a projector onto his wall (or even ceiling?) might be the way to go!

I don't want to be spending a lot but see these cheapo projectors on social media and they look OK!

Any experience or recommendations welcome!

Martynt74 · 28 Nov 2024 at 10:37

I'd be interested too at the risk of overtaking your thread! Especially the small form factor ones which could be used outside

https://www.amazon.es/Xiaomi-Mi-Smart-Projector-2/dp/B09M8NW1B4/ref=asc_df_B09M8NW1B4?mcid=986679e08a343a448a537fb92cb16e23&tag=googshopes-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=699843875270&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16083279721690598060&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9222472&hvtargid=pla-1606956454683&psc=1&gad_source=1

dave28 · 28 Nov 2024 at 10:51

Response times on cheap projectors is poor for fast pace gaming, its not great on high end ones to be honest.

Its fine for slower games but i would forget it for fast games like shooters.

StevieP · 28 Nov 2024 at 11:09

Thanks, never thought of response times! He mostly plays Minecraft which i imagine should be OK but also plays a bit of Fortnite so that could be an issue!

Raymond Lin · 28 Nov 2024 at 11:11

Aliexpress has these £25 projectors that I am tempted of buying for the bedroom/travel lol

I've read some reviews and they all are ranked the worst against all other projectors out there, but it is also 1/20th of the price. I spent more on a Salad with a coffee and water in CDG airport a few months ago.

So cheap it is worth a punt?

valve90210 · 28 Nov 2024 at 11:57

For film watching for the last few years I've been using a cheap Apeman 1080P projector which cost me £150. Is it a brilliant projector? No, it's pretty soft focused on the edges and doesn't have amazing black levels. But When projected onto a cheap motorised 120 inch screen I've got, along with a halfway decent KEF surround setup, it makes film watching really enjoyable; and everyone I've shown it to has been really impressed with it.

I have tried it a couple of times for gaming but anything with small text etc is very hard on the eyes so it's not good for that but for films I love it!!

hornetstinger · 28 Nov 2024 at 14:57

Raymond Lin said:
Aliexpress has these £25 projectors that I am tempted of buying for the bedroom/travel lol

I've read some reviews and they all are ranked the worst against all other projectors out there, but it is also 1/20th of the price. I spent more on a Salad with a coffee and water in CDG airport a few months ago.

So cheap it is worth a punt?

Would be better to spend £25 on beer, and use your imagination instead.

jaybee · 28 Nov 2024 at 15:13

This seems to be a really popular 2024 item on Xmas lists. I felt like a right killjoy trying to talk my son out of wanting one on the basis that it will be awful. I don't even need to see reviews or specs. A £50 projector is going to be worse than even the worst TV in our house in every way. I don't understand the sudden obsession with them. Even if you have a white wall to project onto, it will look **** without a proper pull down screen. They will also look dim AF especially in the day. Are they obnoxiously loud and hot as well?