Do you remember those bulky and heavy projectors of the past? The time for their generation has passed, so it has made way for new technology that offers more compact devices that you can take with you anywhere. This includes camping trips as well as office meetings. Pack it up in your backpack and impress your boss with that presentation or take it to a movie night in your friend's backyard. With the recent development of mini projectors, they've become a lot more portable, with built-in speakers, good battery life, streaming capabilities, and many connectivity options, even for smartphones. The latest features, however, will cost you a pretty penny, so plan accordingly if you want the best. Rather than diving straight into the latest and best mini projectors, let's talk about how to choose one.
Guide for Choosing a Mini Projector
Things To Remember When Buying A Projector:
⦁ Portability is the most important factor. The budget also plays a role. You can't expect the low-cost options to be as portable as the high-end ones. Make sure you're prepared to pay a good price if size and weight are important to you.
⦁ Any gadget comes with some accessories, and mini projectors are no exception. Depending on your use case, look for cables (for cable management), tripods, external speakers, and built-in batteries. The more externals you have the less likely you'll be to stay on the go.
⦁ Screen size has a direct impact on image quality. The majority of monitors will support screens up to 60 inches and sometimes more; however, as the screen size increases, the image clarity decreases.
⦁ Resolution: Another important technical factor. The native resolution and the maximum resolution are both available with mini projectors. A given size of the projection screen is able to display image clarity at the native resolution of the projection panel (see the above point). A higher resolution is better. For decent image quality, the maximum resolution refers to the maximum scaled resolution. With scaling, the quality of the image decreases because it is done through software. Today, most smartphones and laptops have Full HD resolution. You may be tricked by some manufacturers who may write Full HD on their packaging, but they may mean the maximum resolution at a given distance or scale. When the native resolution of the projector is smaller, such as 320 x 240 pixels, you will have terrible image quality.
⦁ Lumens are units of brightness. They have a direct correlation with brightness. For example, 100 lumens would suffice for a small room, while 400 would suffice for a large one. The light disappears with distance, so on the projection screen, you'd have about 30% less light than at the source. In most cases, manufacturers will not specify this, so whenever you read a number in their specifications, you should expect it to be the brightness level of the bulb.
Best Mini Projectors To Buy Right Now
KODAK LUMA 150 Portable Wireless Projector
With the KODAK LUMA 150, you can present effectively in meetings, conferences, and more. Compact and lightweight, it features superior DLP technology, touch controls, and near-universal device compatibility in a convenient package for easy portability. With a screen up to 120 inches, you can view slides, photos, or videos for up to 2.5 hours when fully charged.
Vamvo L4500
The VAMVO L4500 Multimedia Projector features multiple ports, including HDMI and USB, as well as audio and AV inputs. It can be connected to your phone, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or Wii for video, TV series, photo sharing, and games. The newest research and development in home entertainment systems will provide the best sound for movies, music, video games, etc., suitable for families, backyards, garages, camping trips, etc. Vamvo L4500 delivers exquisite video quality with 720p native resolution. It supports Full HD video at 1080p. The perfect home entertainment system! This portable, 7.3"*5.6"*3" size video projector, with projection sizes between 50 and 200 inches, weighs only 2 pounds and has a projection distance between 5 and 20 feet. There is a carrying pouch included with the projector.
Apeman Mini M4
The Apeman Mini M4 will please you in this regard thanks to its small size and great sound quality. The built-in 3,400 mAh battery, however, isn't enough for longer movies, and the picture is very dim at just 50 lumens, so you shouldn't project daytime movies outdoors.
Miroir M289
This Miroir M289 HD Pro FULL HD 1080p Portable Projector is designed for presentations and movie watching. Featuring 400 LED lumens and up to 100 inches of display, the M289 delivers the cinema experience anywhere while still being small enough to fit in a backpack. If you prefer external speakers, you can connect them over the 3.5mm jack and use the built-in speakers. USB C or HDMI connections are available for the M289 to connect with your phone, tablet, laptop, or game console. For a truly cinematic experience, choose the M289 with Texas Instruments Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology.
Sony MP-CD1
The Sony MP-CD1, it's about the size of a cell phone, and at only seven ounces, you won't worry about packing it. Even so, it's a very capable gadget, with a 120" screen, 105 lumens lens, and automatic keystone correction - so there's no need for a tripod to project a quality image. It can even serve as a portable power bank as well since it holds up to 2 hours of battery life
Optoma LV130
This ultra-portable mini projector is designed for home, office, or outdoor use in a compact, lightweight design. It weighs less than 1 pound. The large screen can be viewed anytime, anywhere with a 6,700mAh battery that offers up to 4.5 hours of usage, whether you are enjoying outdoor movies or business meetings. Due to the long life of the 300-lumen LED lamp, which can last up to 30,000 hours, LED lamps can last 7 times longer than traditional lamps, which require more frequent replacement. The USB port provides quick charging for mobile devices up to 1.0 amps. Stunning black levels are assured by the 100,000:1 contrast ratio. Connect your iOS or Android mobile device to the USB display to enjoy content from your mobile device. Compatible with notebooks, mobile devices, and gaming consoles, HDMI with MHL 2.2 provides a convenient input.
Anker Nebula Apollo
Streamline your entertainment with seamless touch controls. The transparent touch panel of Apollo lets you easily navigate menus directly from the device. With Apollo's 200 ANSI lumen DLP lamp, you can see every detail of the movies, shows, games, and more in breathtaking clarity. Your favorite movies, TV shows, games, and more are just a few clicks away thanks to Apollo's ultra-portable design. You can now stream YouTube, Netflix, and more straight to Apollo without the need to connect additional devices. Please note that Netflix and the like, have copyrighted content that cannot be mirrored. The apps can be downloaded and used directly through Apollo for viewing copyrighted content. No Chromecast support is available. The latest firmware version is recommended for optimum performance.
Vankyo Leisure 3
Millions of users have been won over by the VANKYO Leisure 3 projector's high value and durability. With its high-definition projection, it can fit in any space and create a projection that measures up to 176 inches and works from as far away as 16 feet or from as close as 4.9 feet. The projector is powered by an MStar advanced color engine, which provides a contrast ratio up to 2,000:1 and resolutions up to 1920 x 1080. It is rated at 59.79 Lumens. Along with the above, 15 degrees of keystone correction give the image a bit more flexibility. This mini portable projector can also be plugged into a smartphone or gaming console such as the PS3, PS4, X-Box One, or Wii. Besides the remote control, HDMI, VGA, and AV cables are also included.
Hompow Mini-Projector
An amazing cinematic experience can be had by using this phone projector, with a resolution of 1920x1080P. A projector's lamp life is 50,000 hours, so you can watch movies for 30 years without replacing it. It has a mini SD card slot, composite video in, VGA, HDMI, and two USB ports. You can watch anything you want via a Chromecast connected via HDMI and powered by USB. You can also use a Roku stick. For indoor use, the recommended projection distance is 60-200 inches; you get a 50-176 inch HD display, good sound quality for a portable projector, and a crisp and colorful image. Due to advanced fan cooling technology, the portable movie projector is quieter and more durable than previous models. Moreover, THIS movie projector has brightness/contrast adjustment features that the other (much higher priced) did not. The height/tilt adjustment on the bottom of the movie projector can be used to mount the projector on a tripod. With just a white wall as a projection screen, the video is stunning.
Epson VS355
Portable projectors made for widescreen laptops are perfect for HD presentations thanks to the VS355's high resolution. Despite the bright lighting in well-lit rooms, the lamp delivers 3,300 lumens of color/white brightness1. You get 2x more detail with WXGA resolution (1280 x 800). The installation and installation tools are easy to use. A wide Color Gamut3 and high Color Brightness2 enable Epson® 3LCD projectors to deliver remarkable color accuracy. With HDMI connectivity, the VS355 enables you to connect to the latest laptops and multimedia players.
Optoma ML750ST
To make it even more convenient for meetings, presentations, and movies on the go, the ML750ST is equipped with a short-throw lens. There is no comparison to the size and weight of this tiny projector, which weighs just 450g. Provide free presentations from your laptop using the built-in media player, native office viewer, microSD card slot, and USB connection, or present wirelessly from a mobile device using the HDCast Pro app and optional wireless USB adapter. ML750ST projectors can even be used for digital signage since the projector can be mounted virtually anywhere. With LED technology, you get accurate color reproduction (Rec.709), long life, and support for portrait modes. The compact ML750ST can play HD movies directly from a microSD card or USB stick at home, or from a computer with built-in memory. Users can connect to their latest laptops, PCs, games consoles, or Blu-ray players via an HDMI input, while Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) technology allows them to connect their mobile devices directly to the display. The entertainment projector has a low input lag of 17ms and a quick response time, giving gamers a competitive advantage.
Topvision 7500L Portable Mini-Projector
It is compatible with Android, iPhone, TV sticks, PS3, PS4, and other audio and video equipment. A single WiFi connection will enable you to mirror your screen, without needing to connect an HDMI cable, and a great viewing experience will be yours. By adjusting the focus and correcting the keystone you'll also get the best viewing angle and size. It can easily be carried in a backpack, so you can start your outdoor journey right away! It features 3W HiFi stereo speakers, so you can enjoy the best possible sound. By adopting temperature control technology, the video projector minimizes power consumption and extends lamp life up to 80,000 hours. It has many ports, including VGA / USB / HDMI / AV / SD / audio output. With this outdoor movie projector, you can use Smartphones, computers, tablets, U disks, SD cards, DVDs, game consoles, etc. It is ideal for home movies, backyards, games, yoga, and parties.
AAXA 4K1 Led
Featuring a native 4K UHD (3840x2160) Ultra High Definition Pixel Resolution, backed by 30,000+ hours of Osram Quad-Cast LEDs. Dual HDMI 2.0 inputs support HDCP 2.2 for streaming 4K UHD content. Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video 4K UHD content are compatible (4K Streaming TV Stick/Box Required). Electronic Focus provides better control over adjustments to ensure crisp image quality. Two high-fidelity Dual 2W Speakers deliver immersive sound for a truly immersive viewing experience. Design and operation are portable - Play video, images, and music straight from a USB or TF card. Easily transportable between rooms or across your house. Ideal for home theater and business uses. The screen size can be up to 200 inches (under low-light conditions). Compatible with ceiling mounts (Mount Kit sold separately).
BenQ HT2050A
The projector boasts a high native contrast ratio, a brightness of 2,200 lumens, and a high resolution of 96% Rec. color accuracy. The 16ms input lag and unique game modes ensure that gamers have an ultra-smooth gaming experience. Taking the action to the big screen is as easy as 8 feet away when you project the action on a 100-inch screen. 300-inch projection available. Supports most media players, gaming consoles, computers, and mobile devices through input options such as HDMI, USB, and more. In 90% of all cinemas worldwide and in 100% of Digital IMAX theaters, DLP technology is used. With BenQ's projector, you'll enjoy a longer-lasting, slimmer design, as well as a sharper and crisper image. There are several HDTV compatibilities such as 480i, 480p, 576i, 567p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p; video compatibility includes NTSC, PAL, SECAM, SDTV; 3D compatibility includes Frame Sequential: Up to 720p, Frame Packing: Up to 1080p, Side by Side: Up to 1080i/p, Top to Bottom: Up to 1080p.
Elephas Portable Mini-Projector
This mini projector supports smartphones, tablets, laptops, and Macbooks. It uses a USB connection. Lighting to HDMI adapters, Micro USB to HDMI adapters, or Type-C to HDMI adapters are needed depending on your devices. A wifi network adapter must be installed to implement a wireless connection. Portable projectors are favored by children. There are several science-related activities available, as well as educational videos and movies. Basically, it's a mini TV for children that can also be used as a story or image projector. With the help of a projector in the bedroom, a child can make their own movies with images and music. In order to watch cartoons and videos on their phones, children use the phone projector, which is a very popular product. Viewing a projector from a distance will allow it to project up to 60 inches (25-60 inches is recommended). Pico projectors are easy to carry in a pocket or bag, and even children can handle them. With this small projector, you can watch movies, and videos, and play games at home, in your courtyard, while traveling, camping, or anywhere else you choose. Multi-port led projectors include HDMI, USB, audio, Micro SD, TF, and AV interfaces. This portable projector can connect to multiple media devices, such as TV boxes, laptops, desktop computers, digital cameras, and HDMI-enabled devices for playing video, TV shows, sharing photos, and playing games. For small rooms or spaces, the cheap projector has a built-in speaker.
XGIMI Elfin
Features stunning 1080p FHD resolution for crisp visuals. A fast and easy setup is made possible with our Intelligent Screen Adaptation technology, which features automatic focusing, screen adjustment, and obstacle avoidance. In the dark, you'll enjoy an 80-inch screen with ample brightness and contrast, while during the day you'll enjoy a 60-inch screen. Speakers by Harman Kardon: Premium 6-watt speakers with DTS and DOLBY compatibility deliver crisp, clear sound. You can access more than 5000 apps, such as Disney +, HBO Max, Prime Video, Peacock, and more, with the integrated Android TV 10.0.
ViewSonic M1 Portable Projector
Portable LED projector with WVGA resolution (854x480p) that provides convenient entertainment almost anywhere. The lens can project up to 100-inches from 8-feet 9-inches with a shorter throw distance. With dual Harman Kardon speakers built-in, you can enjoy high-quality audio. With a dongle (not included), you can live stream sporting events straight into your living room or binge shows on Netflix and Disney+. Plug and play presentations, videos, and pictures for an easy setup. Easy to place in a variety of positions and angles with SMART STAND. It also functions as a lens cover. The built-in battery provides up to 6 hours of power, and the power adapter can charge mobile devices via USB Type-C when it's plugged in.
AAXA P7 LED Projector
High-definition 1080p (1920x1080) DLP optical engine paired with a high MTF lens improves clarity thanks to the native 1080p (1920x1080) resolution. This mini projector measures just 4.7" x 4.4" x 2.7" and weighs only 1.48 pounds. It fits neatly in your laptop bag or briefcase for business travel or outdoor camping. The battery is rechargeable and provides up to 90 minutes of runtime for Amazon customers. Luminus LEDs last 30,000 hours or more, so there is no need to replace bulbs. Featuring an onboard media player, TF and USB ports, mobile mirroring, Bluetooth 4.0 wireless output (depends on firmware version), and an onboard speaker. It also includes HDMI, mini-VGA, Composite video, and audio inputs. Perfect for presentations, gaming, and home theater at work or at home. Includes remote control for easy navigation and a 120" screen (in low light conditions).
Anker Nebula Capsule II
A stunning 720p image is presented with advanced DLP technology using 200-ANSI lumens. This projector can be used in low-light environments. Transducers reproduce every moment in pulse-pounding clarity with premium Scan-Speak transducers. Take your Capsule II mini projector to new heights with Android TV 9.0. Access over 5,000 apps, including YouTube, Hulu, Twitch, and more. Keeping you entertained at home is easy with Capsule II's 100-inch screen. Keep the kids entertained by watching cartoons and educational videos. Watch movies online or take online classes. There are endless possibilities. To use Netflix, please install the Nebula Manager app from Google Play. To control Netflix on this mini projector, download the Nebula Connect app for your phone. Netflix content isn't supported by Chromecast.