Shopping for a portable projector can undoubtedly be intimidating, mainly because many options have similar specifications. Owning a portable projector is beneficial, as you will see in a later section of this article.
This article will also help you understand the following concepts about portable projectors:
- Our top 10 picks on the best portable projectors of 2023
- What to look for when shopping for a portable projector
- How to select the ideal projector that will help you enjoy movie nights
Let’s get started!
Our Top 10 Picks for Portable Projectors in 2023
ViewSonic M1 Mini Pocket LED Ultra-Portable Projector
Specifications:
- 250 ANSI lumens brightness
- Decent contrast ratio of 12000:1 with keystone
- Decent display resolution of 854×480
- Input ports: USB-C, HDMI, SD Card
- Integrated JBL speaker
- Practical and portable
Pros
Cons
The ViewSonic M1 mini-pocket ultra-portable projector is undoubtedly one of the best portable projectors of 2022. It has a sleek compact design, and it is small and lightweight, consequently making it an ideal projector for someone looking for portability and flexibility.
However, its low brightness and image resolution make it unsuitable for rooms with a lot of ambient light. It is certainly a great portable projector for anyone who’s starting out.
Samsung the Freestyle
Specs:
- High contrast ratio: 100000:1
- Single HDMI input
- Brightness: 550 ANSI lumens
- High resolution: 1920×1080
- Bluetooth-enabled
Pros
Cons
Samsung the Freestyle projector is undoubtedly a sleek portable projector from Samsung. It has many great features that enable you to enjoy your entertainment time. Two of its best features are firstly, the high contrast and secondly, the resolution, allowing you to view clear projected images.
Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4k
Specs:
- High resolution 3840×2160
- High brightness of 2,400 ANSI lumens
- Android TV OS
- Wide range of connectivity (HDMI, USB-A, Bluetooth)
- Autofocus and auto keystone
Pros
Cons
This projector is ideal for outdoor movies and works well indoors. The Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K portable projector is undoubtedly suitable for outdoor movies with friends and supports high-resolution images.
Optoma ML750e HD-Ready Projector
Specs:
- Brightness: 700 ANSI lumens
- Contrast ratio: 20000:1
- Resolution: 1280×800
- Lamp life: 20,000 hours
- Throw ratio: 1.5:1
- Connectivity: HDMI, MicroSD, USB
Pros
Cons
The Optoma ML750e projector offers you portability and flexibility. It is a lightweight projector (0.4kgs) and is undoubtedly ideal for use in rooms with controlled ambient light. Its wide range of connectivity ports is yet another advantage.
Benq HT2050A Portable Projector
Specs:
- Brightness: 2,200 ANSI lumens
- Contrast ratio: 15000:1
- Resolution: 1920×1080
- Lamp life: 7,000 hours on eco-mode
- Horizontal and vertical keystone
- Connectivity ports: Audio in & out, VGA, 2xHDMI, 2xUSB
- 10W in-built speakers
Pros
Cons
The Benq HT2050A is a responsive projector ideal for indoor and outdoor settings. Since the projector produces 2,200 ANSI lumens, it produces bright and colorful images especially if you pair it with the right projector screen.
This projector is also great for gaming because it is highly responsive. However, its portability is limited because it does not have an in-built battery, requiring power input. This projector is also a bit heavier compared to other portable projectors.
Optoma ML750ST – Best for Business
Specs:
- Brightness: 700 ANSI lumens
- Short throw (0.8:1)
- Resolution: 1280×800
- Contrast ratio: 20000:1
Pros
Cons
The Optoma ML750ST is another excellent portable projector from Optoma. It is almost similar to the Optoma ML750e, which we looked at earlier in this article. This projector is certainly ideal for business presentations as it is a short throw projector.
It additionally has a long-life lamp, meaning it will serve you for a significant amount of time before it requires a lamp replacement. The only downside to this projector is that it is not ideal for conference rooms with uncontrolled ambient light.
Anker Nebula Capsule II
Specs:
- Brightness: 200 ANSI lumens
- Contrast ratio: 600:1
- Resolution: 1280×720
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, USB
- Screen mirroring-enabled
Pros
Cons
Anker Nebula Capsule II projector is truly a portable projector with an 8W in-built speaker. It also has a battery that can power the projector for about 2.5 hours after a single charge. This battery power is enough to allow you to watch an entire movie or several episodes of your favorite series.
Considering its size, this portable projector offers a surprisingly decent contrast ratio of 600:1 as well as decent brightness of 200 ANSI lumens. However, this projector limits you to using it indoors. You’ll have to tightly control ambient light to be able to use this projector.
You might additionally be forced to move the unit around to get your desired image display as the projector cannot tilt its display.
ViewSonic M1+ Portable Projector
Specs:
- Brightness: 300 ANSI lumens
- Contrast ratio: 120000:1
- Resolution: 845×480
- 6-hour in-built battery
- Harman Kardon in-built speakers
- USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, 3.5mm audio, and MicroSD connectivity ports
- It runs on Aptoide UI
Pros
Cons
The ViewSonic M1+ portable projector is another great projector with many awesome features. It has a compact, sleek design with a functional stand that protects the projector’s lens.
You can connect different devices to this projector using its wide range of connectivity ports. In addition, you can download apps such as Netflix, YouTube, etc., and watch your favorite shows.
The projector is ideal for indoor applications as its in-built speaker provides decent sound quality for a typical home theater. Additionally, the projector is not bright because it produces less than 500 ANSI lumens.
Asus ZenBeam E1 Portable LED Projector
Specs:
- Brightness: 150 ANSI lumens
- Contrast ratio: 3500:1
- Resolution: 845×480
- A 5-hour in-built battery
- HDMI/MHL port
- Keystone-enabled
- Asus Sonic Master audio in-built speakers
Pros
Cons
The Asus ZenBeam E1 portable LED projector has a beautiful design with in-built ASUS speakers and a 5-hour in-built battery. This projector is also light, weighing just a little over 0.3kgs.
Its HDMI/MHL connectivity port can double as a display and charging port for devices. However, the projector restricts you to an indoor setting with controlled ambient light as its lamp is not bright. It produces only about 150 ANSI lumens. Its contrast ratio also needs improvement.
Anker Nebula Solar Portable
Specs:
- Brightness: 400 ANSI lumens
- Contrast ratio: Decent
- Resolution: 1920×1080
- Connectivity ports: USB-C 2.0, HDMI
- In-built battery and speakers that are Bluetooth-enabled
- Android TV OS
- Full HD without 4K support
Pros
Cons
The Anker Nebula Solar projector has a compact and sleek design. It has many cool features, such as a BT-enabled speaker. You can use this projector as a BT speaker when you want to listen to music or even podcasts.
It also offers a high resolution of 1920×1080 and runs on Android TV OS. However, the projector restricts you from watching movies at night or in a room with tightly controlled ambient light.
Additionally, watching movies using this projector in the dark can be challenging, especially if the movie has night scenes. The projector produces a decent contrast ratio that definitely affects image display.
Anker Nebula Solar portable projector has a 3-hour in-built battery, sufficient to watch a single movie or several episodes of your favorite series.
Why Having a Portable Projector is Beneficial
There are five primary advantages of owning a portable projector. Check them out:
- Portability
It’s only logical to have portability as the first benefit of owning a portable projector. Portability is often an underrated benefit until it starts becoming a necessity. Owning a portable projector allows you to enjoy your entertainment almost anywhere because these projectors are small and practical.
- Flexibility
As businesses continue to advance, you may require a portable projector that will allow you to pitch ideas easily and professionally. A portable projector gives you the flexibility of presenting an idea before a panel in a conference room and later enjoying a late-night movie in your home theater.
- Decreased Installation Costs
Unlike most fixed projectors, portable projectors do not need mounting. They only require a flat surface where you can place it and connect your device, e.g., phone, tablet, laptop, etc., to project images on a projector screen.
It is important to note that pairing your projector with a proper projector screen is highly beneficial. This is because projector screens offer better image reflections than walls.
In addition, your landlord may not allow you to mount devices on walls or ceilings, assuming you live or operate in a rented space.
You can own a portable projector as well as a portable projector screen and carry them wherever you want to go.
- Inexpensive
Portable projectors are certainly not as expensive as fixed projectors. However, costs primarily depend on the projector’s specifications. Specs such as a projector with high ANSI lumens count, high contrast ratio, and resolution will undoubtedly make a projector expensive.
- Easy to Set Up
Portable projectors are easy to set up, unlike fixed projectors which may take a lot of time and energy to set up. As such, portable projectors allow you to move from building to building, especially if you have different presentations in conference rooms that do not have projectors or projector screens.
What to Look for When Shopping for a Portable Projector
There are five primary factors that you need to look out for when shopping for the ideal portable projector;
- Brightness
Does your home theater have bright ambient light? Or do you want to present ideas before a panel in a professional boardroom without controlled ambient light? Consider getting a projector with a high ANSI lumen count.
ANSI lumen is a term that you’ll definitely come across when shopping for projectors in general. It refers to a projector’s brightness. When shopping for projectors, consider getting a bright enough projector for your home theater or conference room.
- Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio determines whether you’ll be able to see brighter whites and darker blacks. A perfect example is in Game of Thrones, during the showdown of the Wights, where the scene was too dark for some people.
If a movie night scene gets too dark to the point that you can barely see anything, your projector has a poor contrast ratio.
- Size and Weight
A portable projector should be small and light while bearing the best features, such as a high contrast ratio and ANSI lumen count. No one likes carrying a large and heavy electronic device, especially if it is a projector.
Remember, portable projectors have a sensitive lens. Consider using a carry case when carrying projectors – it’ll help protect the lens from scratches.
- High Resolution
Most modern projectors have a full HD resolution of 1920x1080p, which is undoubtedly ideal for watching movies or playing games on a 16:9 projector screen. High-resolution projectors will allow you to enjoy your entertainment time by viewing clear, life-sized images.
- Battery Life
A portable projector needs to have an in-built battery that will unquestionably give you the flexibility you require. An excellent portable projector does not merely have a battery but should have long-lasting battery life.
There are factors that affect battery life. For example, if you set your projector lamp to produce brighter images, then the projector will undoubtedly use a lot of battery power.
- Sound Quality
The quality of sound your projector produces matters a great deal. You wouldn’t want a projector with in-built speakers that are not loud enough nor produce poor sound quality. It would certainly ruin your entertainment experience.
If you intend to use your portable projector in a room with loud ambient noise, you should certainly consider getting a loud enough projector.
- Apps and Interface
Unlike traditional projectors, modern portable projectors primarily run on Android or Android TV operating systems. For example, the Xiaomi Mi Smart 2 projector which runs on the Android TV operating system.
You can consequently connect your projector with your email account and stream your favorite shows online easily.
How to Select the Ideal Portable Projector that Suits Your Needs
There are three primary factors that you need to consider before settling for a portable projector;
- How Do You Intend to Use Your Projector?
How you intend to use your projector significantly determines which projector you’ll select. If you want to watch movies and play games, you should particularly get a projector with a full HD resolution and a decent contrast ratio.
- Type of Room You Intend to Use the Projector
Firstly, does your room have a lot of ambient light and noise? Secondly, how big is the room? These two questions will certainly help you answer whether you need to look for a bright and loud portable projector. In addition, if your room is big enough, you should consider getting a giant projector screen.
A bigger screen means you’ll need to look for a projector supporting a big screen display. It is worth noting that bigger screens also require brighter projectors. It helps produce more accurate images.
- What Projector Features Do You Need?
Consider this example; You may have a modern laptop with a HDMI port. Therefore, you’ll need to get a portable projector with a HDMI port and other modern features. If you intend to stream content and project it using your projector, consider getting a smart projector or a projector with USB ports.
These USB ports are beneficial when streaming sticks such as Amazon or Roku.
Final Thoughts
Owning a portable projector can certainly be beneficial as it allows you to carry it easily and be flexible. It would be best for you to consider acquiring a portable projector. There are hundreds of portable projectors on the market.
We have, however, highlighted the top 10 best portable projectors to ease your selection process. You can always reach out to us to get more information on projectors and projector screens.
