There was a problem. Plus, the colors are vibrant and the images are sharp and clean. As we say in our Xgimi Elfin review, it is surprisingly robust, capable and effortless to use for one that you can easily slip into your tote bag or backpack.. If youre looking for something truly compact and portable, you will likely be connecting it to your smartphone, so you will want to make sure the projector has the right inputs, outputs, or screen-mirroring options. You can, however, find affordable models that still deliver top-notch quality. The Nebula Connect app is compatible with both Android and iOS, although the device itself runs on an Android OS. Beyond streaming capabilities, portable projectors have multiple connectivity ports, making them perfect fits for the home and the office. Budget Buy: ViewSonic M1 Mini Plus $199.99 at Amazon, 5. If thats the case, the design does not lie the Capsule Max is a champ right out of the box the setup and super-intuitive interface screen immediately won us over. If you plan on taking your portable on flights, for example, you shouldnt get anything that might take up more than a quarter of the space in your carry-on luggage. Another thing thatll make choosing one trickier is the fact that there are many cheap projectors out there that might distract you from better quality options. The more significant issue is the cooling fan: That sucker is loud. The Nebula Solar also supports 40 degrees of horizontal and vertical keystoning to get the perfect squared-off image. Best For: Portable projection on a budget, Why We Chose It: 1080p resolution at this price point merits a look. The LG PH550 Minibeam is hands-down one of the best pico projectors on the market. We couldnt include every Nebula by Anker projector in this review, but the Mars II Pro offers several upgrades over the brands smaller, less expensive models. If you plan on using yours in places where outlets arent readily available, definitely consider getting one with a battery. The I/O is what you would expect from a device so small. For projectors batteries, we looked for those with at least 2.5 hours of life, the length of a relatively long movie. A 1,000:1 contrast ratio means the whites will appear 1,000 times brighter than the blacks. Brightness: Portable projectors are, by nature, used in various settings, meaning that the lighting might not always be optimal. Connectivity is also crucial for portable projectors. A portable projector wont take up too much space in your house or, with some exceptions, your budget. Its not just snappy in performance. Its built-in 20W speakers are designed to deliver 360-degree sound, ensuring that everyone around it gets the same audio experience. Heres why you can trust us. Thats on top of its snappy performance when opening apps and starting content. However, for something to be truly portable and thus eligible for this list it should be lightweight and fit into a bag or backpack. There are options on this list ideal for watching movies and others more suited to office or business environments. Grab a Bluetooth speaker (the connection is easy) and set it far enough away from the unit that it doesnt get overpowered by the loud whirring sound. Thats perfect for a movie night while on a camping trip. Contender: XGIMI Elfin Smart Projector $649.00 at Amazon, 4. You can easily mistake the ViewSonic M1 Mini+ Ultra Portable Projector for the Kodak Luma 350 at first glance. If you want to make the most out of this visual tech investment, here are the features we looked for when we chose the best portable projectors. Best Value: Groview BL43 $129.99 at Amazon, 7. If you dont want to spend anymore, you always have your laptop or a USB flash drive. There is a really good performance to be had here, but to get to it, you must first endure the hair-pulling frustration of setting it up. Its not huge by any means at just under 2 pounds and 7.6 x 7.6 x 1.9 inches, and its not going into your pocket, but unlike the Epson, it still fits easily into a messenger bag, and at a hair under 2 pounds it is half the weight of the Epson. You will want external speakers to get better sound for most of them, but the goal was to find portable projectors that worked right out of the box. Its absolutely solid. The Mi Smart Compact Projector 2 is not just compact and a great performer, making it a top contender if youre looking for the best portable projector, but its beautifully modern and minimalist, which allows it to fit in just about anywhere. Each model is used for a period of time in a home environment often the same setup to watch a wide range of content, including movies and TV shows. The ViewSonic M1 is compact and comes with its own stand that folds away when you dont need it. Projectors measure brightness in lumens. But honestly, we liked it. The contrast ratio is how bright the whites are compared to the blacks. Who its for: Beginners to the projector world who want to get going with little fuss. If it does not have Bluetooth, many portable projectors will have a 3.5mm audio-out jack so that you can hardwire it to a portable speaker or a sound system. Best For: A worthy competitor to the Epson EpiqVision EF12, Why We Chose It: The ideal messenger-bag companion projector. The P7 runs at a native 1080p resolution and 600 lumens for brightness. SPY is always on the lookout for the latest and best tech products, and this year we have tested dozens of projectors. All units with WiFi were connected to the same home WiFi system. Short-throw projectors are ideal for business environments since they let users cast large images without being several feet from the wall or projecting surface. What does matter is its size and weight be sure that youre bringing with you a sturdy surface or robust tripod to mount this on. Better than being portable, however, its one of the best performing yet surprisingly affordable smart projectors weve tested. Decide where and when you will use your portable projector and research the number of lumens projected. Many of the projectors on this list have Bluetooth connectivity to pair speakers wirelessly. For one, its incredibly compact at just 7 inches long and wide, and just over 2 inches tall. Last updated 23 June 22, The Kodak Luma 450 is a little slim on smart features, but its also slim and small enough to fit in the pocket of a coat or bag, The Nebula Solar offers a large 1080p projection for an affordable price, making it ideal for watching films on a big screen, By Michelle Rae Uy Portable projectors rarely come as a complete package. While many need external speakers to get an acceptable sound, the XGIMI Halo comes with Harman/Kardon speakers built-in, making for stellar sound and great video in one package. And, you can enjoy Netflix without going through hoops. Thats why weve tested a number of these popular projectors ourselves to see which ones are worth your hard-earned money. It even has a coax port to hook up cable service. Youre better off saving up for something thats better quality. Because there arent any special features, setup is quick and painless. We looked for ease of basic commands like play/pause/stop, volume, switching between inputs, and others. For anyone with those concerns, we recommend the BenQ GS2. The Anker Nebula Solar is a great portable projector for many reasons. Before working with SPY.com, Mike was the managing editor for big magazine brands from Mens HealthtoCar and DriverandRoad & Track. The idea of a sub-$200/200 projector online might be very appealing, but its likely too good to be true. The picture quality is sharp and vibrant as well. Choosing the best portable projector isnt easy. It doesnt quite fit in your pocket; in fact, it barely fits in your hand. TheLGPF50KA is the portable projector that checks all the boxes. Right now, the market is saturated with mini and compact projectors, and while a lot of them have similar features and strengths, theyre not all created equal. Thats whether youre hopping on a transatlantic flight or driving across the country. Most projector lamps are rated for at least 30,000 hours, which is more than enough for what they will be used for. That isnt the case with the AAXA P7. Why you should buy it: This Android TV-powered projector is easy-peasy to set up, and you can get watching completely wirelessly with ample connectivity options. Also boasting Xgimis X-VUE 2.0 image engine as well as its integrated 60Hz motion compensation technology (MEMC) and 900 ANSI lumen brightness, youre getting a viewing experience thats more elevated than, dare we say, anything else on this list. The LG PH550 also comes with a built-in battery that can last for 2.5 hours. Even in a partially lit room, the Epson overcame the light pollution to deliver a bright and clear image. Digital Trends Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites. There are several things you should consider when looking for a portable projector. Move over, Ryan Gosling Purple Hearts is here, By Matthew Forde Were not big fans of its egg-shape design, but thats a matter of preference. Word to the wise: skip WiFi entirely, go straight to the streaming stick or gaming console via the HDMI input and have a blast. However, know that these projectors arent going to be cheap at least not the great quality ones, and especially not the ones with smart TV capabilities. The projector comes with Android TV, which makes streaming your favorite shows from Netflix or HBO Max a breeze. However, if you do have the budget for it, you wont be disappointed. As we say in the HP CC200 Citizen Cinema review it skips the frills, opting to focus instead on picture quality, audio, and affordability.. While you might not want to replace your 65-inch TV with one of these save that notion for the ultra-powerful short-throw projectors a portable projector is a potent addition to your entertainment arsenal. But lugging around a short-throw projector to meetings can be a pain, and thats what makes the Optoma ML750ST so compelling. Most projectors these days are portable in the sense that they can be easily moved. Its doing its own thing, which is to deliver that projector function in the smallest form factor possible. It also boasts a whopping 200-inch maximum projection so you can also use it in larger rooms during a Super Bowl or FIFA World Cup party. If that doesnt work, you can also plug speakers directly in through the headphone or AV jack. Unlike some of the other portable projectors listed here, the ViewSonic is a short-throw projector. Michelle Rae Uy is a tech and travel journalist, editor and photographer with a bad case of wanderlust. Spy is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Weve tested most of the Nebula by Anker line, and while we dont have a published review of this projector on the site, we have had positive experiences with this upgraded projector. Amazons Choice: Nebula by Anker Mars II Pro $549.99 at Amazon ($50 Off Coupon Available). For something super compact that still projects a great image, theAAXA P7 is hard to beat. But the picture is solid, to the point where it outperforms far-costlier units. LG PF50KA portable home theater CineBeam projector, Pro-Jects latest turntables promise superior noise suppression. Know though that youll just have anywhere from two to four hours of video playback per charge. Another thing that makes the GS2 great for outdoor use is the LumiExpert technology. Plus, it comes with its share of unique features like the Bluetooth speaker mode that allows it to function as a Bluetooth speaker (without having to go through the user interface) and a built-in kickstand, both of which should come in handy. And while summers still in full swing, you havent lived until youve had a movie night or even a gaming binge outdoors, with your portable projector sending a bright clear image against a portable screen or even the side of your house. Plus, its built-in speaker, which supports Dolby Audio and delivers dual channel sound, is more than loud enough to fill a small-sized room. Who its for: Those who never know where theyre going to be set up for business presentations and want the peace of mind knowing that their projector will just make it work.