What better way to show videos and movies to your friends than with a portable projector. It is the best way to watch your favorite films and home movies on a much bigger screen than your phone anywhere you may be.
Last month, we’ve already reviewed on the best outdoor projectors for film night outside your home. And today we will review the best portable and mini projectors for people who love to bring their big screen along to everywhere easily.
But with the hundreds of portable projectors out there for sale right now, it can be confusing which one to pick that is best for you. We have researched the top 11 best portable projectors and compiled a list of their pros and cons so that you can have a better idea of which one to choose.
List of the Best Portable Projectors
#1. Nebula Capsule Smart Mini Projector with 360° Speaker
The Nebula Capsule Smart Mini Projector by Anker has IntelliBright technology making the image projected much clearer and more vibrant even if it only has 100 lumens. This also means that the projection can go as big as 100 inches without compromising the integrity of the video’s quality.
Nebula Capsule portable projectors can run for up to 4 hours on its battery and can be connected through USB, HDMI, and Screen Mirroring. It also weighs less than 15 oz., so traveling with this projector won’t be a hassle. It also has a great 360-degree speaker system that makes the sound quality of this device impeccable.
The only thing about this projector is that it doesn’t screencast apps such as Hulu, Fox+, Netflix, or other similarly copyrighted services. You’ll have to go through the Capsule’s App and download them again to be able to watch your favorite shows from those channels. It also doesn’t support Chromecast.
Conclusion: This device has great sound and video quality overall. It’s most ideal for those with Android devices to be able to use the full extent of its features. Also, you can check out our guide for the best projectors under 500.
KDCUSA’s OU Smart Beam Laser is an award-winning projector for its Class 1 Eye-safe Laser focus free capabilities. This little gadget can project a screen size of up to 150 inches with the use of fewer lumens than most projectors out there. It also doesn’t need dim lighting so presentations and lectures won’t be a problem.
The main downside of this projector is that it requires specific cables for specific devices like IOS or Android to be able to stream services like Netflix or HBO Go. These cables and also the optional tripod does not come with the device and has to be purchased separately.
Conclusion: This projector is ideal for traveling light with and provides excellent video and sound quality for such a small thing.
The latest AAXA P6 Mini LED Projector comes with a remote and mini tripod making it great to travel with and easy to set up. It has outputs like AV, Mini VGA, USB, microSD, and AUX out that you can connect to your laptop, gaming console, or phone for easy screening. It also has an onboard media player that can accommodate microSD cards and USBs to plug and play.
The major downside of this projector is that it doesn’t have screen mirroring or any wireless connectivity at all. It doesn’t even have a Bluetooth feature. It also has quite a small speaker that works best in small spaces.
Conclusion: This device is most ideal for professional use since its setup is mostly for presentations and such. We also have a list of the best AV to HDMI converters and HDMI splitters & switchers that you might like to check.
The Laser Beam Pro C200 is probably one of the most accessible portable projectors out there. Not only does it feature access through screen mirroring, Bluetooth, HDMI, USB, and Wi-Fi connections, it also has a built-in OS that has 8GB of internal memory. This makes watching videos through its 150-inch screen even easier.
This device doesn’t have a remote that comes with it so you’ll have to rely on the buttons on the device itself. This may be a bit difficult to maneuver when you are booting up. It also has a USB type C charger instead of the standard micro USB. The sound quality may come out quite shrill since it has a small speaker but it does have an output where you can hook-up a speaker or headphones in.
Conclusion: This portable projector is one of the best when it comes to connectivity. It can be a pain to navigate but this is ideal to use for anyone who is more tech-savvy.
The PIQS TT Mini Video Projector features one of the best video quality projections there is. Its picture’s brightness and vibrancy can be seen even without dimming the lights making this ideal for professional settings. It also has up to 3 hours of battery life making for a great way to watch movies wherever you are.
PIQS TT does have internal speakers that are great for enclosed spaces but can also be connected to Bluetooth speakers. Its intelligent Autofocus and Virtual Touch Controller are features that make this device easy to use and set up. One of the best features of this projector is the built-in PIQS Draw App that is ideal for business use and also kid-friendly.
One of the setbacks of getting this device is its Android OS. It’s out of date and isn’t compatible with a number of apps out there. It also doesn’t provide access to Google Services that may cause difficulty to use in the long run. The major downside is that YouTube doesn’t work through this OS. You’ll have to connect your laptop or phone through HDMI to be able to access it.
Conclusion: This projector is great for home and for work use. It doesn’t need too much tech know-how to use and can be used anywhere.
Pros
HD Video Quality
Built-in App
Multiple Connectivity
Rechargeable Batteries
Light-weight Design
Cons
Lack of Google Services
No Screencasting
#6. Optoma ML750ST Ultra-Compact 700 Lumen WXGA Short Throw LED Projector
The Optoma ML750ST is a short throw projector that shows high-quality, bright images. It has a 20,000:1 contrast ratio and sharp focus that makes the video vibrant and highly defined. It is pretty easy to navigate without the frills of an Android OS to have to deal with.
There are some issues with the sound output of this device but that is to be expected for such a small gadget. It does, however, have the option to plug in headphones or external speakers on it. There isn’t any Bluetooth connection so wireless speakers aren’t an option. The Optoma ML750ST is mostly known for its gaming capabilities.
The high definition imaging and its ability to project a huge screen within such short distances with a really fast response can make your gaming fantasies a reality. Unlike laser portable projectors, this one has an LED lamp that has to be replaced every 20,000 hours.
Optoma ML750ST doesn’t have a battery built-in though so an outlet should be within reach wherever you plan to use it. You’ll also need a gadget that is MHL enabled to be able to hook it up. This convinced us of putting Optoma ML750ST on the portable projectors list.
Conclusion: Great for gaming and streaming videos if you don’t mind the outlet. It has great image quality and its response time is really fast. Read full review here.
The ASUS S1 200 lumen is a short-throw LED portable projector that has a 6,000 mAh built-in rechargeable battery that also comes with its very own power bank that you can use for your mobile devices. The great thing about this particular projector is that it has a brightness of 200 lumens and can show high definition images and videos without having to dim the light.
The major downside to the ASUS S1 is that it doesn’t provide Bluetooth connection or Screencasting. The only way you’ll be able to get to mirror your laptop or phone’s screen is through an HDMI port/ Digital AV adaptor which requires specific cables for Apple or Samsung use. These cables are sold separately.
ASUS S1 does have a docket for microSD cards but the USB outlet is only for the charger.
The great thing about this projector is its sound quality. With a gadget this size, it throws out an amazingly clear sound with its Built-in ASUS Sonic Master enhanced-speaker making the need for external speakers not necessary in enclosed places like in your room.
Conclusion: The ASUS S1 is a great portable projector to travel with and even has its own power bank to make binge-watching on a big screen possible anywhere you go. It is ideal for small spaces and is pretty user-friendly if your patient enough to deal with cables. So we pick them up on our best portable projectors list.
Pros
Built-in Battery with Power Bank
SonicMaster Enhanced Speakers
Short Throw Projection
Fits in Your Palm
Cons
No USB Connection
No Wireless Connectivity
Can only connect to Samsung and Apply devices through HDMI
The AAXA P300 is a travel-friendly projector that boasts 500 lumens brightness making its videos and images screen vibrant and defined. With its resolution at WXGA (1280×800), there is no doubt that this device will be able to throw a clear picture. It isn’t a short throw, however, so focusing on the image may take a minute.
The only outputs this projector has are HDMI, Composite AV, Mini-VGA, USB, and microSD. There is no Wi-Fi, Screencasting, or Bluetooth capabilities that can be annoying if you don’t like dealing with cables and such.
However, its onboard media player is incredibly easy to navigate and the remote that comes with it makes it more of a cake-walk. There are not many issues for sound other than the fact that it is small and the volume may not go high enough to accommodate a larger space. It does have a headphones outlet that you can use to plug in external speakers.
Conclusion: With the AAXA P300’s high resolution and quick response, this projector is ideal for gaming. For travel, a power bank or its cable is recommended to take along with it since its battery life is pretty low. We found it adorable enough to be on the portable projectors list.
The LG PH550 Minibeam Projector has 550 ANSI lumens brightness and has a resolution of 1280 x 720p. Its simple setup makes it easy to use but it does require external speakers for better sound quality. The good thing about this is that it has Bluetooth speaker capabilities that make it easier to connect.
LG PH550 even has an input for your cable so you can hook it up in place of your TV to make screening your favorite shows more fun on a wider screen. It has a built-in rechargeable battery that can last up to 2.5 hours of screen time.
This projector also has screencasting making it no problem to mirror the screens of your phone or laptop in minutes. The downside is that for Apple users, you’ll have to connect through HDMI cable since the wireless capabilities only support Android and Windows OS.
It can project a screen size of about 100 inches but it is not a short-throw so you’ll have to set it up far enough and fix its focus to get the best quality images and videos.
Conclusion: Ideal for those who would rather connect to their portable projectors wirelessly. Its easy setup and long lifespan make it also ideal for home use. It deserves a place in our portable projectors list.
APEMAN’s Mini Portable Projector is the kind of projector that really can be brought with you anywhere. It is so compact that you can even put it in your pocket to bring it around. Its high-resolution imaging makes it ideal to use on any flat surface and has DLP technology making for great contrast.
One of the perks of getting this projector is that it already comes with all the bells and whistles like HDMI cable and HDMI adaptor as well as a tripod and its other cables. However, if your Android phone is not MHL compatible, you may need a Miracast.
When it comes to connecting your iPhone, you’ll need a lightning cable that you can always get separately. There aren’t any wireless connection capabilities so it’s best to get all your cables aligned if you plan on using this projector. It has an adequate sound output for such a small device. And it has an option to plug in external speakers if you want the sound to be as big and bold as the screen.
Conclusion: A great travel-friendly projector with HD image quality. Ideal for work and entertainment with its clear and vibrant videos and easy set-up.
The TENKER S6 is a mini cube projector about 2 inches on all sides making it even smaller than your average phone. Its small size doesn’t get in the way of its 1080p resolution and it can throw images up to 100 inches big. You may need to dim the lights to get better images to help with the 100 lumens brightness it has.
TENKER S6 also has wireless connectivity allowing you to mirror screens through MiraCast or AirPlay. The only thing about streaming services like Netflix is that there might be an issue with sound. This projector is not compatible with Dolby so you may have to disable it on the streaming app services to be able to hear anything.
For its size, it has pretty impressive sound quality but you can always hook it up to external speakers to get more volume. It has a built-in rechargeable 2,600 mAh battery that can last up to 1.5 hours. It may not be enough to watch a full feature film but its battery is pretty sturdy and can stand multiple charges. Its recommended projection distance is about 1.5m but this can also be used closer if you are okay with it throwing a smaller screen size.
Conclusion: Amazing mini projector ideal for using on the go. Its easy setup and wireless connectivity make it ideal to use indoors and outdoors.
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Ai Cheng is a Senior Digital PR and Outreach Specialist from China. Ai Cheng is passionate about tech products, suits, fashion, and dancing. In her spare time, she loves to travel and watch movies. Read more.
