But the tiny size, combined with the high contrast picture makes this an ideal companion for business presentations on the go. Hayley Prokos, Product Tester. The best portable projector is going to be a popular acquisition after a year inside - were finally able to get out and start seeing people a bit more, and what better way to celebrate that than taking your entertainment outdoors? In addition to being portable, a travel projector has to easily fit into a bag, and work under most conditions. Unlike the other projectors on this list the AAXA P8 can't run on a battery -- you need to plug in its power adapter -- but it's so small, bright and cheap it makes the list anyway. The XGIMI Elfin is an indoor projector with 800 ANSI lumens that delivers a ton of features in a small package. Beyond brightness, mini projectors are much smaller (of course), can run on battery power and usually include built-in streaming and decent speakers. Along with his work for GamesRadar, his words can be found in the Orlando Sentinel. As the best projector for gaming market has grown, there has also been a move to make the picture truly portable. t6 lumens beamer hdmi While we didn't like it quite as much as the BenQ GS50, this small, flat Anker mini portable projector costs less. For that reason dimmer portable projectors are best enjoyed with smaller images and in as dark an environment as possible. I wasn't really satisfied until I closed the blackout curtains and had very little ambient light around me. At 2,200 lumens, it's also the brightest projector on our list, so you won't have to close the curtains when your friends come over for a gaming session. Best Design: The lack of wireless connectivity is disappointing, and the fact that Optima sells a dongle to correct that oversight for an additional cost is borderline insulting. Yes. It's easy to set up and installing software isn't a concern. Worse, its price is a good 50% higher than it should be based on how it looks and performs. This mini projector fits in my hand, creates a 720-pixel image, and has a huge 15,000-mAh battery. Its the size of a large can but still produces a sharp picture and even 8W of sound. As a result you really best off perusing the best projector screen and best outdoor projector screen markets to ensure you have the right gear for your projected images. Get the best gaming deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable gaming news and more! The other options here offer a far brighter, better image, but if size is your main concern, the Capsule looks better than you'd expect for its price and stature. Read our Anker Nebula Solar Portable review, Read our Xiaomi Mi Smart Projector 2 review. It has some of the drawbacks that beset most of the best portable projectors such as a lack of zoom controls, and limited app availability, but more than enough advantages to make up for them not least two excellent built-in 5W Yamaha speakers and a great built-in Android OS which gives this the functionality of a smart TV with easy streaming. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best With 1080p resolution, compared to the Anker's 720p, you're less likely to see pixel structure or a "screen door effect" when watching from close up or with a really big image screen size. That means you can create an outdoor cinema anywhere, or just take a unit to your friends house to have a huge picture which everyone can gather around - safely. However, it lacks a battery and its performance is average, at best. The ViewSonic M1 is simple to set up and control, and the images it produces are crisp. Its quite impressive to be able to get a great 720p image from a unit this size. Stephen Slaybaugh is a fact checker and music writer with with more than 20 years experience writing about internet retail and consumer tech. Top dog. We found the battery to last well over two hours, but this can be stretched out to almost three, while you can also charge via a USB-C power brick. Read our Samsung Freestyle review. The image size is great even up to 100 inches and with higher brightness when plugged in this is that rare beast: a reasonably priced portable projector that could become your home unit. The projector comes with built-in Google TV as its operating system, complete with a collection of streaming apps along with it. Unfortunately, the input lag is noticeable when playing fast-paced games so its not ideal for a quick game of MarioKart8 from the Switch, although its not bad enough to be a deal-breaker. ViewSonic M1+ Portable Projector, We Tested the Best Outdoor ProjectorsThese Are Our Top Picks, Best for 4K: If you do want to connect up some hardware though there are the usual two HDMI ports and two USB ports, enabling media to stream straight from hard drive or USB stick - but you can also stream straight from your phone with screen mirroring. The projector can run stood up using a mirrored surface to direct the picture or lying down (the handle can be utilised to help the projection angle) and its quick to set up when moved, making it versatile if youre taking it to new locations. Though small, the projector is not portable. A fiddly remote and annoying settings menu can cause initial frustration. We appreciated the compact size, 1080p resolution and built-in Android TV streaming, but the cons outweigh the pros. The great thing about portable projectors or mini projectors is that you can sling one in a bag, and you have a mobile TV ready to go at all times (power supply dependent). Thank you for signing up to GamesRadar+. However, it wont beat out other solutions on sound or image quality for those who arent picky cinema viewers and who arent fazed by the price tag. But quick autofocus, excellent five-hour battery life, and a very decent speaker make this a strong option for taking out and about. At just 1.6kg it will easily slip into a bag, and the hard black plastic feels like it will stand up well to transportation, although it is a surprise that there isnt a carry case included. The stick connection is important because the AAXA lacks built-in apps. The autofocus also does a good job of refocusing the picture when you reposition the projector. projectors 4k There are compromises: unless you really shell out youll be in HD quality rather than 4K, and youll generally have to wait for dusk to get a good picture outdoors as battery-powered projectors have much lower lumen ratings than those which run off mains power. projector portable viewsonic x10 4k india launches digit Make the most of the summertime this year with one of the best portable projectors. You can connect up to two HDMI ports, RCA, VGA, and microSD. beamer leking The Epson EF-12 is an excellent portable projector that has plenty of features to make it an attractive proposition. Traditional, full-size projectors can get much brighter than any portable mini projector. The projector comes with a 3,400 mAh battery built-in which is good, but it'll barely get you through a 2-hour movie which is not. Well, the picture is really bright and clear, with a good-sized picture from quite a short distance. If you want something even smaller, we also love the Viewsonic M1+. If you do prefer your screens TV-shaped then check out our guides to the best TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X, best 120Hz 4K TV, and best OLED TV, and best QLED TV too. projector fhd blj dlp Read our Anker Nebula Mars II Pro review. However, autofocus sometimes has trouble maintaining focus. Using a projector for movies and presentations is nice, but cranking up a game onto a 300" projected screen is next level. You can even use Google Assistant through the remote, so you dont have to flick through menus. uhd portable 4k optoma projector compatibility assistant google 3d led smart You have to adjust it a lot to change the picture even a little. USB-C (HDMI to USB-C adaptor supplied), Bluetooth, WiFi. Subscribe to our newsletter and get techs top stories in 30 seconds. For example, a tan wall will skew colors toward the brown range. for Jordan Peele's latest", The Gray Man review: "Hangs some ace action on a threadbare plot", Thor: Love and Thunder review: "Unashamedly absurd and wildly entertaining", Elvis review: "Baz Luhrmann, like Elvis, knows how to put on a great show", Lightyear review: "Fun, but doesn't take us to infinity and beyond", Ms. Marvel episode 6 review: "The MCUs newest hero is a force to be reckoned with", Resident Evil Netflix series review: "Does little to rise above whats come before", The Boys season 3, episode 8 review: "Not the fight we were promised", Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1, episode 10 review: "An ending that's pure heaven for fans of the original series", Ms. Marvel episode 5 review: "A brave, necessary story", Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. It also doesn't come with a mounting bracket, though you can buy one separately. GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. It's also a little hard to set up. In short, you'll probably need to prop the projector up in front to get the image to go where you want it to go. productslearn more about But if youre looking for a great unit for every day watching at home which you can also take out to easily set up in other places, this fulfills that niche wonderfully. If you want to get through a movie, look for a battery life that exceeds 2 hours. "Placement, regular maintenance, and transportation are important qualities to extending the lifespan of your projector. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. There are a ton of input options, including VGA, HDMI, USB, MicroSD, and RCA. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Projector light output is measured in lumens. The internal battery should last around 90 minutes in the mini projector's brightest mode, and an impressive 240 minutes in Eco mode -- probably a little less if you're also powering a streaming stick. Streaming from home wifi is easy, but connectivity to phones while out and about is through the built-in wifi, which may mean stop you from using your mobile to stream video. Weve got a round-up here of some of the best portable projectors available in 2021 to make sure your summer is full of outdoor gaming and video, and you're prepared to set up a projection quickly wherever youre visiting. Theres a whole range of products contending to be the best portable projector to take out and about with you. projectors You will receive a verification email shortly. A tiny projector can give you big-screen TV, movies and games just about anywhere. Hayley Prokos has been writing for Lifewire since 2019, focused on travel-friendly consumer technology. But for films and TV, its a great little portable projector at a reasonable price. The bigger the difference, the more the projector will differentiate between colors. Batteries ensure you don't even have to worry about a power source. This creates a crisp, clear screen size around 64-inches, perfect for home and backyard use. The Anker Nebula Capsule is smaller than a can of soda, but can create a big image. It's tuned by Harmon Kardon, and the dual 3W speakers get as loud as you need them to be. Keeping in line with the portability comes the Apeman M4 DLP projector. Whether you project onto a blank wall or a projector screen, you can capture the picture quality you crave without getting weighed down. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Unfortunately, Netflix has been left out of those apps, the projector not qualifying as a supported device, for some reason. 1 x HDMI, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x 3.5mm aux, dual band wifi, bluetooth. Mini projectors are by definition portable and compact. Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 50 ANSI lumens | Contrast Ratio: 2000:1 | Projection Size: 30 to 100 inches, If you value extreme portability over raw power, the Apeman Projector M4 provides a sleek, modern design you can fit in your pocket with a surprisingly solid image and audio quality for its size. But, naturally, with a few caveats. An HDMI input and USB connection lets you connect and power a streaming stick. One is that many are relatively dim, lacking the brightness of a traditionalhome theater projector, meaning they can't project as large an image as the big guys. What's the difference between ANSI lumens and lumens? The Mars II Pro is the best compact projector option here due to its light output, overall image quality, ease of use and affordable price. First and foremost, its truly built for portability, with a hard-wearing outer case that is splash resistant, is drop tested to about two feet (or "carrying height"), and comes with a smart carry case. Projectors are particularly handy because they can cast a picture onto any surface and turn it into any size screen you need. If you want maximum battery life you can try to seek out the original Anker Nebula Capsule (opens in new tab) which can run for up to four hours, but youll be trading that off against the IIs better image quality and much improved operating system. 4K projectors can also be mini projectors, though the AAXA 4K1 is a little bigger than some. The XGIMI Halo+ is easily one of the best portable projectors, especially in the 1080p range, given its brightness, quick auto-keystone and focus, and a very decent battery life of almost three hours. On the downside, this projector tops out at 480p, and the keystone adjustment tends to be glitchy. The three-chip LCD processing gives great depth of colour and no rainbow effects, while the strong laser light means that its more than watchable with ambient light in the room. Overall, we love the compact portability of the Anker Nebula Capsule II. When you aim the projector at the screen or wall, the projector will automatically fill the largest possible space while avoiding other objects on the wall like shelves or lamps. I like the top projector better but the AAXA P6X is my pick when money is tight. The tiltable top section makes positioning the image easier than projectors with fixed lenses, and when its run out of batteries you can tilt it quizzically up and pretend its a cute Star Wars droid looking at you. Theres a lot to recommend the C250i as a portable projector for long watches far away from power sockets, but it can be more fiddly to set up than is ideal for something which is going to be set up in different places regularly, while the lack of brightness particularly means it wont be your main home projector. It's really slick and makes this projector super easy to set up. It performs well in dark rooms but colors get washed out in daylight conditions. Will is a freelance writer for a number of publications including GamesRadar, where he covers hardware reviews - with projectors being a particular point of interest. But, it has a pretty decent fan design and runs cooler and quieter than expected. If you want a sleek, budget-friendly portable with 1080p and plan on keeping the image on the small side, however, this is a solid choice. The round base makes propping the projector a little awkward because there's also no aiming mechanism to allow you to point the projector where you want it to go. It doesn't come with a case, though it will fit into a larger bag. You can use a blank, white wall as a screen and it'll work just fine. It's got everything you need, from a speaker built into the base to a built-in app storejust connect it to a Wi-Fi network and you're good to go. optoma uhd65 projectors projektoren tragbar epson tw7400 Given that it needs a mains connection it may be slightly cheating to call this truly portable, but if you can run an extension lead out to it you can definitely use it outside, and you'll be incredibly pleased. It's not particularly bright, nor loud, but for something that can fit in your pocket it's great. The battery doesn't last as long as the AAXA either although it is a bit cheaper. For some people, this will fall in the gap between a dedicated home projector and a truly portable unit, especially due to its lack of battery. Input lag isnt particularly noticeable but theres no dedicated gaming mode to improve it and it certainly wont satisfy competitive gamers. It runs on Googles Android TV platform, meaning it has a huge number of streaming apps built-in or ready to download easily. His bestselling novel, Undersea, and its sequel, Undersea Atrophia, are available in paperback and as an ebook on Amazon. Speaking of the remote, it comes with a remote, though the IR port where you need to aim the remote is recessed into the body of the projector slightly making it sometimes tough to aim. Would like to see more course controls there. The Apeman M4's two 1-watt speakers provide impressive sound quality that fills up a small or medium room despite their tiny size. He has written for Sound&Vision magazine, Home Theater magazine, and was the Editor in Chief of Home Entertainment magazine. It would also fit into a backpack if you didn't need to carry much else with it.