What's the best projector right now for around $500? I'm willing to spend a little more if there is a significant boost in quality, but I'd like to stay close to $500 if possible.
For which task? Overall, I think the BenqHT2050A is your best bet. It is an RGBRGB projector and should produce the best colors (if you're planning to use it for a home theater). If you need it for presentations, short-range works like a charm. It is quite bright, so you won't need an upgrade for a long time. You can also look for a ViewSonic projector. They used to cost just as Benq, but Viewsonic had a serious price drop. I haven't tried them myself, but I heard good things about the image quality.
These Short throw projectors were one of the best options I could have for a cheap price. Also, having them display a clear image without too much space in between the lamp and the wall. I looked up some of the nicest ones in the market here - https://projectorslab.com/cheap-short-throw-projector/ Few Advantages of projectors I agree on https://www.viewsonic.com/library/entertainment/advantages-of-projectors/