How to make the perfect home theater on a tight budget
Building the perfect theater system is easy when you have money to burn. But for those of us with a tighter budget, here are some affordable options that won’t compromise your enjoyment.
- How much do you need to spend on home theater? It’s possible to build an awesome audio-visual setup from scratch for $500.
- What is the most important part of a home theater? Probably your screen. Even cheap second-hand speakers can be adapted for surround sound.
- What is the best home theater setup on a tight budget? Check out the projectors, speakers and streaming devices below for some inspiration!
On a cold winter’s night, there is nothing better than settling down in a cozy room with a movie. Of course, straining to see the details on your laptop slightly detracts from the experience. But with these products, you can create the perfect home theater on the cheap.
Anker Nebula Prizm II HD LCD Multimedia Projector
This compact projector lets you enjoy the big screen experience at home. The Prizm II offers full HD resolution, with a display size of up to 120 inches. It also has dual 5W speakers on board for powerful sound.
Price: $269.99 USD
The Nebula Prizm II offers impressive visuals at an affordable price
RIF6 CUBE Pico Projector
Measuring just two inches tall, the RIF6 CUBE is small enough to take anywhere. Just as importantly, it has a maximum display size of 120 inches at full HD resolution.
Price: $199.99 USD
Chromecast Ultra by Google
This small HDMI dongle lets you send 4K and even HDR content from your phone or computer to your TV. Even if your screen can’t hit those heights, the Chromecast Ultra will optimize the picture.
Price: $69 USD
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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
If you’re a regular Prime user, the Fire TV Stick might better suit your needs. The devices gives you access to a vast selection of 4K and HD content, with physical controls, and voice search via Alexa.
Price: $49.99 USD
Get access to a huge library of content with Fire TV 4K
Polk Audio Command Alexa Sound Bar
Polk Audio’s Command sound bar provides virtual surround sound at a very affordable price. The device optimizes sound levels for dialogue, and you can use voice commands to control your TV thanks to Alexa.
Price: $249 USD
Roku TV Wireless Speakers Bundle
This bundle from Roku delivers wireless sound and high-quality streaming for under $200. Along with stereo speakers, the pack contains one voice remote and one tabletop remote with traditional controls.
Price: $199.99 USD
Roku’s wireless speakers bundle offers incredilbe value
Sonos PLAY:1 Wireless Smart Speaker
With class-D amplifiers and custom-built drivers, this Sonos smart speaker will bring your movie soundtrack to life. Pair two or more together for amazing surround sound, complete with Alexa intelligence.
Price: $149 USD
Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth TV Soundbar
This brand new soundbar offers incredible sound for a very reasonable price. The Mi bar packs eight drivers into a sleek design, with enhanced bass and multiple connectivity options.
Price: $70 USD
MovieMask Portable Cinema Wearable
If setting up all that equipment sounds like too much trouble, you can always use MovieMask. This headset turns your phone into a personal cinema display — perfect for lying back with your favorite Netflix series.
Price: $99 USD
Tight budget cinema
Few of us have $2k to blow on audio-visual equipment. But as this roundup proves, you can create an amazing home theater on a tight budget.
What does your setup look like? Paint a picture in the comments.
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