Quick Answer: The Groview C26 (about $125-180 on sale, $249.99 list) is the best overall Groview projector — native 1080p with 4K input support, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and a measured 35 dB fan noise. If raw brightness matters more than quiet, the Groview JQ818C (about $139.96, $219.99 list) measured brightest in an independent sub-$100 test group, but it’s also the loudest at 48.4 dB. For the smallest, cheapest option, the pocket-sized Groview T6 runs about $59.99-89.99. Across the whole lineup, treat Groview’s advertised “lux” and “lumens” figures with real skepticism — independent testing consistently measures actual ANSI brightness at a fraction of the marketing number.
Groview is one of the recurring budget-Amazon projector names — like TMY and WiMiUS, already covered on this site’s own best budget projector guide — but it’s never had its own dedicated roundup. We went through the current lineup model by model, and the standout finding is a real, independently-measured gap between Groview’s marketing numbers and what actually reaches the screen.
Groview’s lineup, by the numbers
- A roughly 20x gap between marketing lumens and measured ANSI lumens. Independent testing measured the Groview JQ818C — marketed with lux figures up to 15,000 and listed elsewhere as “12,000Lm” — at a real 490 ANSI lumens. A separate 2026 marketplace listing advertising “12,000Lm” was independently measured by a buyer at just 350 ANSI lumens.
- The brightest model and the loudest model are the same model. An independent side-by-side test of sub-$100 projectors found the Groview JQ818C over twice as bright as the next-brightest unit in that group — and also the loudest, with a fan measured at 48.4 dB.
- The newer C26 trades some brightness for a much quieter fan. Independent testing measured the C26 at 500 ANSI lumens and 35 dB — a lower noise floor than the JQ818C, in exchange for a similar real-world brightness rather than a dramatic jump.
- The same spec sheet can appear under different names at different retailers. A Walmart-exclusive Groview listing carries the identical 15,000-lux, 490-ANSI spec sheet as the Amazon-sold JQ818C, without displaying that model name.
Our top picks at a glance
| Projector | Best for | Resolution | Measured brightness | Fan noise | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groview C26 | Best overall | Native 1080p, 4K input | 500 ANSI lm | 35 dB | ~$125-180 ($249.99 list) |
| Groview JQ818C | Best brightness for the price | Native 1080p, 4K input | 490 ANSI lm | 48.4 dB | ~$139.96 ($219.99 list) |
| Groview T6 | Best ultra-cheap / pico | Native 1080p | Not independently tested | Not published | ~$59.99-89.99 |
1. Groview C26 — Best Overall
Groview C26
- Native 1080p LCD panel with 4K input support, 500 ANSI lumens and 15,000:1 contrast per the manufacturer's own listing.
- WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 — newer connectivity than most budget projectors at this price offer.
- Autofocus and 6D/4P auto-keystone correction, cutting out manual setup fiddling.
- Measured at 35 dB fan noise in independent testing — noticeably quieter than the JQ818C below.
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The C26 is the Groview model to buy if quiet matters as much as price. Its 500 ANSI lumens is honestly about the same real-world brightness as the older JQ818C below, but the newer WiFi 6/Bluetooth 5.2 radio and a measured 35 dB fan make it the more comfortable projector to actually live with in a bedroom or small living room. Don’t expect true native 4K detail — like most budget projectors, “4K support” means the panel accepts and downscales a 4K signal rather than displaying one natively. For the wider field of native-1080p options across brands, see our best 1080p projector guide.
2. Groview JQ818C — Best Brightness for the Price
Groview JQ818C
- Native 1080p LCD panel with 4K support, measured at 490 ANSI lumens — over twice as bright as the next-brightest unit in an independent sub-$100 test group.
- 12,000:1 contrast, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth, and two HDMI/USB ports per the manufacturer's listing.
- Measured the loudest of that same test group at 48.4 dB fan noise — audible during quiet dialogue.
- Advertised elsewhere at up to 15,000 lux or "12,000Lm" — treat both figures as marketing, not the 490 ANSI lumens independent testing actually measured.
If raw brightness in a dim room matters more to you than a quiet fan, the JQ818C’s real, independently-measured 490 ANSI lumens is hard to beat at this price — it genuinely out-brightened every other sub-$100 projector in one head-to-head test. The tradeoff is noise: at a measured 48.4 dB, the fan is loud enough to notice during quiet scenes, so it’s a better fit for a casual family room than a bedroom or nursery. For manufacturer-rated models that stay well under that noise floor, see our quietest projector guide.
3. Groview T6 — Best Ultra-Cheap / Pico
Groview T6 Bluetooth Mini Projector
- Native 1920x1080 resolution panel, advertised at 9,500 lux, with Bluetooth 5.1 and a built-in HiFi speaker.
- 40 to 200-inch image range at a 5 to 18-foot throw distance, per the manufacturer's listing.
- HDMI, VGA, USB, and SD ports plus a remote — more physical connectivity than most minis this size.
- No independent ANSI-lumen or dB testing found for this model — treat the 9,500 lux figure the same way as the other models' marketing numbers, as a source-brightness spec rather than a usable comparison point.
The T6 is the pick if price matters more than brightness or connectivity extras — at under 6 lb and roughly $60-90, it’s the cheapest way into the Groview lineup. It skips the WiFi and auto-keystone features of the C26 and JQ818C, so plan on a wired HDMI connection or a separate streaming stick. For the wider field of pocket-sized options across brands, see our best mini projector guide.
What to watch for before buying a Groview projector
- Don’t compare lux or “Lm” figures across listings — they aren’t ANSI lumens. Every current Groview model’s headline brightness number is a source-measured or marketing figure, not the ANSI-lumen rating that actually predicts how the picture looks on your wall.
- The brightest model isn’t automatically the best pick. The JQ818C’s real 490 ANSI lumens beat the rest of its independent test group, but its 48.4 dB fan is loud enough to be the deciding factor against it for a quiet room.
- Check the actual spec sheet on the specific listing, not just the model name. A Walmart-exclusive Groview listing carries the JQ818C’s exact spec sheet under no visible model name — confirm resolution, ANSI/lux figures, and ports match what you expect before buying.
- Bundle deals (built-in screen, extra cables) change the effective price fast. Groview listings frequently bundle a portable screen or run steep coupon stacks — the list price on any given model is rarely what you’ll actually pay.
The bottom line
For most budget shoppers, the Groview C26 is the pick — a quieter fan and newer WiFi 6/Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity for a similar real-world brightness to the rest of the lineup. If a bigger, brighter image matters more than noise, the Groview JQ818C measured brightest in independent testing, just know you’re trading quiet for it. On the tightest budget, the Groview T6 gets you into the lineup for under $90. Whichever model you pick, trust independently-measured ANSI lumens and dB figures over the lux or “Lm” numbers on the listing itself. For the wider budget-Amazon-brand field, see our best budget projector guide, our best WiMiUS projector guide for a brand with the same marketing-lumens pattern, and our best projector under $100 guide for the honest ultra-budget tier across every brand.