Projector Finder · used projectors for projection mapping

Want to start projection mapping but don’t know which projector to buy?

Tell us how much you want to spend. We show you what’s worth buying used — from your first home projector to professional laser models — with shipping included in the price.

Under $300

Get started

Home and school projectors. Enough to learn mapping in a dark room: small walls, objects, a shop window, your first shows.

Top pick Lamp

BenQ TH575

2/5

Bright, cheap Full HD with a long-lasting lamp — a solid beginner pick.

  • 3,800 lm
  • 1080p
  • 1.49–1.64:1
Typically Under $300 used →
Top pick Lamp

Optoma HD146X

2/5

Bright Full HD for very little money: a great first projector for rooms and small walls.

  • 3,600 lm
  • 1080p
  • 1.47–1.62:1
Typically Under $300 used →
Top pick Lamp Short throw

Acer H6517ST

2/5

Full HD short throw on a budget: big images in small spaces.

  • 3,000 lm
  • 1080p
  • 0.50:1
Typically Under $300 used →
Lamp Short throw

Epson EB-685W

1.5/5

Ultra short throw: a big image from under a metre away. Ideal for shop windows and tight rooms.

  • 3,500 lm
  • WXGA
  • 0.28:1
Typically Under $300 used →
Lamp Short throw

ViewSonic PS501W

1.5/5

Short throw for small rooms: a 2 m image from about 1 m away.

  • 3,500 lm
  • WXGA
  • 0.49:1
Typically Under $300 used →
Lamp Short throw

BenQ MW632ST

1.5/5

Cheap short-throw projector for small walls and tabletop experiments.

  • 3,200 lm
  • WXGA
  • 0.72–0.87:1
Typically Under $300 used →
Lamp

BenQ W1070

1.5/5

A classic cheap Full HD projector: the easiest way to try mapping at home.

  • 2,000 lm
  • 1080p
  • 1.15–1.50:1
Typically Under $300 used →
$300–800

Serious hobby

Brighter, sharper and easier to place: longer zooms, some lens shift, the first laser models. Good for galleries, small events and permanent displays.

Top pick Lamp

Epson EB-G7500U

4/5

The cheapest way into a projector that takes pro lenses.

  • 6,500 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $300–800 used →
Top pick Lamp

NEC PA653U

4/5

Installation-grade LCD with interchangeable lenses, common from universities.

  • 6,500 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $300–800 used →
Top pick Lamp

Panasonic PT-EZ590

3.5/5

Compact pro Panasonic with interchangeable lenses, light enough to rig easily.

  • 5,400 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $300–800 used →
Laser

Optoma ZH406

3.5/5

Affordable Full HD laser with a long zoom and some lens shift.

  • 4,500 lm
  • 1080p
  • 1.40–2.24:1
Typically $300–800 used →
Lamp

Panasonic PT-VZ580

3/5

5,000 lm WUXGA with lens shift and a wide zoom — easy to place.

  • 5,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • 1.09–1.77:1
Typically $300–800 used →
Lamp

Epson EB-2250U

2.5/5

5,000 lm WUXGA with a long zoom: lots of projector for the money.

  • 5,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • 1.38–2.28:1
Typically $300–800 used →
Lamp

Epson EB-FH52

2.5/5

Full HD 3LCD with a long zoom: flexible placement at a fair price.

  • 4,000 lm
  • 1080p
  • 1.32–2.14:1
Typically $300–800 used →
Laser Short throw

Epson EB-L200SW

2/5

Short-throw laser: no lamps to change, perfect for small permanent installs.

  • 3,800 lm
  • WXGA
  • 0.48–0.65:1
Typically $300–800 used →
Lamp Short throw

Optoma GT1080HDR

2/5

Full HD short throw: a 3 m image from 1.5 m, great for small stages and rooms.

  • 3,800 lm
  • 1080p
  • 0.50:1
Typically $300–800 used →
$800–2,000

First pro

Installation projectors with laser light or interchangeable lenses. Museums, theatres, medium stages.

Top pick Lamp

Christie Roadster HD20K-J

4.5/5

20,000 lm for the price of a mid-range projector — but xenon lamps are costly to run.

  • 20,000 lm
  • 1080p
  • Lenses 0.67–10.4:1
Typically $800–2,000 used →
Top pick Laser

BenQ LU9235

4.5/5

Sealed laser DLP with interchangeable lenses: a pro projector at a mid price.

  • 6,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $800–2,000 used →
Top pick Lamp

Panasonic PT-DZ870

4/5

Rental-grade 8,500 lm DLP: lots of light for the money, if you accept lamps.

  • 8,500 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $800–2,000 used →
Laser

Epson EB-L610U

4/5

Your first laser pro: no lamps, lens shift, WUXGA — built for installations.

  • 6,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • 1.35–2.20:1
Typically $800–2,000 used →
$2,000–5,000

Professional

What rental companies and mapping studios use: 7,000–20,000 lm, pro lenses, built-in blending. Large interiors and façades at night.

Top pick Laser

Epson EB-L1505U

5/5

12,000 lm laser with strong colour brightness for big, colourful surfaces.

  • 12,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $2,000–5,000 used →
Top pick Laser

Panasonic PT-RZ120

5/5

12,000 lm laser DLP with the same lenses as the RZ970.

  • 12,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $2,000–5,000 used →
Top pick Laser

Epson EB-PU2010B

5/5

10,000 lm laser: large interiors, stage sets and small façades at night.

  • 10,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $2,000–5,000 used →
Laser

NEC PA1004UL

5/5

10,000 lm laser LCD for permanent installations.

  • 10,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $2,000–5,000 used →
Laser

Panasonic PT-RZ970

5/5

The mapping industry standard: 10,000 lm laser, huge lens range, built-in blending.

  • 10,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $2,000–5,000 used →
Lamp

Panasonic PT-DZ21K

4.5/5

20,000 lm 3-chip DLP, a façade-mapping staple. Four lamps to budget for.

  • 20,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $2,000–5,000 used →
Laser

Panasonic PT-MZ770

4.5/5

8,000 lm laser with pro lenses in a compact body.

  • 8,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $2,000–5,000 used →
Laser

Epson EB-PU1007B

4.5/5

Laser workhorse for museums and galleries, with edge blending built in.

  • 7,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $2,000–5,000 used →
$5,000+

Large venue

High-brightness 3-chip and 4K projectors for big façades, arenas and festivals. Usually bought from rental companies.

Top pick Laser

Barco UDX-4K32

5/5

31,000 lm 4K laser, the reference for large-scale mapping.

  • 31,000 lm
  • 4K UHD
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $5,000+ used →
Top pick Laser

Panasonic PT-RQ35K

5/5

30,000 lm 4K+ laser for large façades and arena shows.

  • 30,000 lm
  • 4K+
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $5,000+ used →
Top pick Laser

Panasonic PT-RZ21K

5/5

20,000 lm 3-chip laser: the façade and event standard.

  • 20,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $5,000+ used →
Laser

Epson EB-L1755U

5/5

15,000 lm laser: façades and big stage backdrops.

  • 15,000 lm
  • WUXGA
  • Interchangeable lenses
Typically $5,000+ used →

Prices are for used projectors on eBay.com, including the cheapest shipping to the US quoted by eBay, refreshed every few hours. Where we don’t have live prices yet, the budget band is our estimate. eBay links are affiliate links (eBay Partner Network): if you buy, 4mapper earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. Specs are from manufacturer data: always confirm with the seller.

Already know where you’ll project? Enter the size and distance and we’ll mark which projectors fit.
Throw ratio—Enter width and distance
Brightness—Enter the image width

Projectors that don’t fit are dimmed in the list above. Rough estimates for a single projector; big surfaces are usually covered by several blended projectors.

How to choose

Start with the space, not the specs

Small wall or object in a dark room? Any projector in the first band will do. Bigger surface, some light in the room, or a façade? You need more lumens — the fit check above tells you how many. Can’t put the projector far away? Look for “Short throw”.

How the mapping score works

We score each projector from 1 to 5 on what matters for mapping: brightness (up to 4 points), resolution (Full HD/WUXGA +1, 4K +1.5), laser light (+1), lens shift (+0.5), interchangeable lenses (+1). A 2/5 projector is still a great way to start: the score tells you how far it can take you.

Shipping matters

A cheap projector with expensive shipping isn’t cheap. Every price here includes the cheapest shipping to your country quoted by eBay, and listings with unusually high shipping are flagged. Buying locally with pickup can save a lot on heavy pro projectors.

Buying used: checklist

  • Photo of the lamp or laser hours in the menu.
  • Photo of a full white image (dust, dead pixels).
  • Pro models: is a lens included?
  • Remote, power cable, case. Buy with eBay’s Money Back Guarantee.

FAQ

What is the best projector for projection mapping on a budget?

For a first projector, a used Full HD home or school projector with 3,000–4,000 lumens is plenty to learn in a dark room. Short-throw models help in small spaces. Spend more when you need more light (bigger or brighter spaces), a laser light source (installations that run every day) or interchangeable lenses (long distances).

How many lumens do I need for projection mapping?

Brightness is spread over the whole image: double the width and you need four times the light. As a rough guide, multiply the image area in square metres by about 150 for a dark space, 300 for a dim room and 600 with some ambient light; add 50% for grey surfaces and more than double for dark brick. Use the fit check on this page to calculate it.

Why do you show prices with shipping included?

Projectors are heavy and fragile, and shipping on eBay is often a big part of the cost — especially for professional models sent by courier or pallet. We show the total with the cheapest shipping eBay quotes for your country, and flag listings where shipping is unusually expensive.

Can I use a cheap mini LED projector?

You can experiment with one, but many cheap no-name projectors advertise inflated brightness figures. Look for ANSI lumens from established brands: a used 3,000 ANSI lumen projector from Epson, BenQ, Optoma or ViewSonic is usually far brighter than a new “9,000 lumen” mini projector.

Is a used projector a good idea?

Yes: schools, companies, museums and rental firms replace projectors regularly. Check the lamp or laser hours, ask for a photo of a full white image to spot dust or dead pixels, and for professional models check whether a lens is included.

Laser or lamp?

Laser projectors keep their brightness for around 20,000 hours, start instantly and need little maintenance — ideal for installations. Lamp projectors are much cheaper used, but lamps last a few thousand hours and cost money to replace.

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