Should I buy a budget projector or a budget TV?

For most people, buy a budget TV. As a price guide, a decent budget TV usually makes the better everyday purchase when you want a reliable main screen.

Typical U.S. pricing:

• Budget TV: about $150–$300 for smaller 32–43" sets, and about $250–$500 for 50–55" budget models.
• Budget projector: about $80–$200 for ultra-budget models, and about $200–$500 for more usable budget projectors. If you also need a screen, speakers, or a dark room setup, the real cost can creep higher.

Rule of thumb: buy the TV if you watch in normal lighting, want sharper and brighter image quality, or use it daily. Buy the projector if you specifically want a much larger image for movie nights and can watch mostly in the dark.

Prices move a lot by sale, size, and brand, so check recent sold/completed listings or current retail deals before buying.