If you have a reasonably-size television, you might wonder why you would need a projector. The benefits of projectors are notable, though. For a far lower cost, you can watch your favorite movies are a much larger “screen.” Additionally, these devices are a lot more portable than a TV set. If you have a camper, for example, you can pack your projector with you and watch movies under the stars outside.
Source: coolthings.com
Contents
Buying Guide
Before you go out and buy the first portable projector that seems like a deal, consider the following features:
- Connectivity Type: Make sure you have the appropriate cables, or if you want wireless, that it’s Bluetooth compatible.
- Brightness: Look for the number of lumens a device puts out—the more, the brighter, generally.
- Resolution: Native 1080p tends to be better, but look at the pixel ratio, too.
- Fan noise: To keep the unit from overheating, most have internal fans, and you’ll want a quiet one.
- Speakers: Not all projectors have the best sound quality, so check for loud or dual stereo speakers.
Buying Recommendations








Budget Portable Projectors
Looking for a budget-friendly projector? Check out our recommendations.
1. AuKing Mini Projector – Editor’s Pick
With a two-year guarantee and outstanding customer ratings, this compact projector is both highly affordable and offers a bright, clear picture.
Resolution: 1080p
Brightness: 2,600 lumens
Video Inputs/Connectivity: 100V – 240V and HDMI connect
Warranty: Two-year guarantee
- Compatible with tablets, USB, Xbox, laptops, phones, and more
- Budget-friendly
- High contrast ratio
- Simple plug-in setup
- May need additional cables to connect with phones
- ★【Superior Home Theater Projector 】2021 Upgraded mini projector equipped with 2000:1 contrast ratio, supported 1080p resolution, brings you a 35% brighter images than similar projectors in market. It provides you with a premium home cinema experience with the bigger screen and clearer image.
- ★【Big Screen & Built-in Speakers】The mini projector has a 32~170 inches projection display size with 1m to 5m projection distance. Built-in speakers offer excellent loud sound quality, you can also connect it to external speakers to meet your higher quality sound needs.
- ★【Low Noise & Long Lamp Life】The projector is lower in noise and more durable than previous models thanks to advanced fan cooling technology. Powerful cooling system cools the heat of lamp efficiently, extending the bulb life to 55,000 hours, which means you can use it more than 15 years.
2. XINDA Mini Video Projector
Resolution: 1080p
Brightness: 2200 lumens
Video Inputs/Connectivity: HDMI, VGA, USB, SD, AV, TV
Warranty: three-year
- Built-in 5W speakers with surround sound
- Virtually no machine noise
- More extended warranty than some competitors
- Simple setup
- Not the brightest projector for the price
- 【High Brightness and High resolution】With 3800 lux of brightness and contrast ratio of 4000:1,Video projector is more vivid and 20% clearer than other small led projectors on the marke.Xinda projector 1280*768p (normally projector is 480p), which could offer a ultra accurate & vivid video quality
- 【 bars led light & Big Screen & Built-in Speaker 】so cool bar led light in the dark , enjoy the best Wonderful Viewing Experience with 50-200 inches.We suggest that the best of projection is about 2.5-4m with 60 -120 inches Sizes
- 【Strong dimensional effect & No Noise】2 Built-in 5 W speakers and surround sound system, make the listening as lifelike as your viewing. Easy to set up without the need for costly external speakers. Projector is used with an the newest innovative cooling system with the heat dispersion,cutting in half with noise suppression.
3. Dr. J Professional Portable Movie Projector
Resolution: 1920*1080
Brightness: 1,500 lumens
Video Inputs/Connectivity: HDMI, USB, VGA
Warranty: three-year offered
- Comes with projector screen
- Lightweight for travel
- LED lamps (more affordable to replace)
- Compact size
- Lower audio than some competitors
- Focus can be touchy to adjust
- [100Inch Projector Screen Included] PORTABLE LED VIDEO PROJECTOR: To meet our customer's new needs, DR.J has improved not only the brightness, contrast ratio of the projector, but also included a 100" Portable Projector Screen in the package. Enjoy the great movies outside with your family in your yard.
- HIGHEST 1080P RESOLUTIONS SUPPORTED: Supported resolution:1920*1080, Aspect Ratio: 4:3/16:9, Contrast Ratio: 2000:1, Lamp lifetime: 40000 hours, Watching Size: 32”-176” with projector distance 1.5m-5m. [Note: not recommended for PPT, word, excel or business presentation.]
- MULTIMEDIA PORTABLE PROJECTOR: DR.J projector is compatible with TV Box, ChromeBook, PCs, Laptops, Tablets, Blue-ray DVD player, SD Card, USB Flash Drive, Video Games, Media players (Music, Pictures, Video, TXT), Smartphones ( Wireless HDMI Dongle not included).
Premium Portable Projectors
These projectors make the top of our premium list.
1. CiBest Native LED Video Projector – Editor’s Pick
We love this projector for its various options, bright display, affordable bulb replacement, and a reasonable price even among premium projectors.
Resolution: 1080p
Brightness: 2,600 lumens
Video Inputs/Connectivity: HDMI, USB, VGA, memory card
Warranty: 60-day money-back guarantee, three-year factory warranty available
- Simple setup with various inputs
- Remote control included
- Bright and clear video quality
- Sleep timer option
- Very quiet machine
- The internal lens can get dirty in dusty conditions
- Adjusting clarity can be difficult
- 【FULL HD 1920x1080 NATIVE RESOLUTION】: The CiBest 1080p projector delivers larger-than-life Full HD entertainment at home. Get big-screen images up to 300" — up to 25x larger than a 60" flat panel — in 1080p.
- 【BRIGHTER & SHARPER】: Packed with 6000 lux brightness and 5000 : 1 high contrast ratio, this led projector is to produce bright and vibrant images, which bring you a 80% brighter and 50% sharper image than other comparable projectors on the market.
- 【LONG LAMP LIFE & LOW FAN NOISE】: An energy-saving feature reduces power consumption and extends the lamp life by up to 50, 000 hours. With latest cooling system and high-quality material, the fan noises only half as comparable projectors.
2. Epson VS355 LCD Projector
Resolution: 1080p with 1280 x 800 pixels
Brightness: 3,300 lumens
Video Inputs/Connectivity: HDMI
Warranty: one-year, with 90-day lamp warranty
- Easy to focus
- Exceptionally bright picture
- Ideal color and clarity
- Comes with a lens cover
- No WiFi connectivity
- Speaker and sound could be better
- More accurate, vivid color, even in well-lit rooms — 3,300 lumens of equal color and white brightness (1).
- WXGA resolution (1280 x 800) — 2x more resolution than SVGA for projecting HD presentations and video; perfect for widescreen laptops.
- Fast, easy setup with Epson — get up and running in no time with easy image adjustments and convenient control.
3. Vankyo Performance V600 Native Projector
Resolution: 1080p HD
Brightness: 4,000 lumens, 6,000 lux
Video Inputs/Connectivity: HDMI, USB, 5V-USB, headphone audio port
Warranty: limited three-year
- Minimal input lag even for gaming
- Comes with carrying case
- Quality picture
- Reasonable price for more premium projector
- Quick refresh rate
- The internal fan is slightly louder than some
- Power button sometimes needs a few presses to switch on
- 【NATIVE 1080P FULL HD RESOLUTION】With native resolution of 1920*1080 and contrast ratio of 5000:1, the VANKYO Performance V600 brings 3 times of more details than 720P projectors, delivering impeccable image quality for professional use.
- 【+80% BRIGHTER THAN OTHERS】Featuring greater brightness, this V600 projector provides a display up to 300" in size, and ideal contrast for business presentations, designed to create an excellent performance.
- 【ULTRA LONG-LASTING LAMP】With long-lasting lamps, this V600 full HD projector lasts for over 10 years of daily use (2-3 hours per session)
Brightest Portable Projectors
These projectors are the brightest on the market.
1. APEMAN LC550 Mini Projector – Editor’s Pick
We like the Sony SRS-XB12 for the reliable brand name, outstanding reviews, and the passive radiator that provides incredible bass for such a small speaker.
Resolution: 1280 x 720P
Brightness: 4,500 lumens
Video Inputs/Connectivity: HDMI, VGA, USB, AV, RCA, TF Card
Warranty: one-year
- Large screen display (up to 200 inches)
- Exceptionally bright and clear display
- Simple menu navigation
- Built-in dual speakers for a louder sound
- Shorter warranty than competitors
- You need a dongle to connect some devices
- IMPRESSIVE NEW NATIVE 720P RESOLUTION: Native 720P resolution(1280 x 720P) and 3000:1 contrast ratio. The latest 4.0’’ LCD display technology with advanced LED light sources. Brings you an excellent movie image. Also a perfect GIFT for all ages!
- BRIGHT AND ENORMOUS SCREEN EXPERIENCE: 6000 lumens portable projector, the display size from 30" to 200". Crisp images is perfect for home movie&gaming with your family and friends (Not recommend for Powerpoint or business presentation).
- EFFICIENT MUTE COOLING SYSTEM: Dual fans operate at the same time so as to cools the machine well. The latest cooling system makes the LED projector more efficient than other mini projectors with only one fan. Lamp life can be also lengthened to 50,000 Hours. The internal LED bulb saves up to 70% energy.
2. Artlii HD Movie Projector
Resolution: 1080p with 1280*800 pixels
Brightness: 4,000 lumens
Video Inputs/Connectivity: VGA, USB, HDMI, wireless
Warranty: three-year
- Ultra-quality HIFI stereo sound
- Wireless connectivity
- Setting to increase brightness
- Long bulb life with LED lamps (more affordable to replace)
- Two different color options
- No zoom
- Screen size is not ideal for small spaces
- 【BRIGHT & CRISP IMAGE】:As the latest home theater projector of 2021, this projector has been upgraded with a 50% brighter LED bulb and native HD 1280x720P resolution, which produces a sharper image and vivid, and it supports up to 1080P resolution and 4K resolution (for YouTube only).
- 【HIFI STEREO & LOW NOISE】 : Built in two HIFI Stereo delivers accurate and powerful sound. No extra amplifier and speaker is needed. Equipped with advanced noise reducing system, you can hardly notice any noise when playing movie or video.
- 【LARGE PROJECTION SCREEN & LONG LAMP LIFE】 : The projection screen size can be as large as 250". It is your perfect choice for indoor and outdoor activities, such as remote learning. Adopted Direct Light Path Optical Technology, the lamp life of the movie projector can be more than 45,000 Hours.
3. XINDA Mini Portable Projector
Resolution: 1080 with 1280x720P
Brightness: 4600 lumens
Video Inputs/Connectivity: Bluetooth, HDMI, VGA, USB
Warranty: three-year
- Bluetooth compatible
- HD clarity on-screen (around roughly 100-inch size)
- Focus adjustment works well
- Quality speakers
- Reasonable price
- Limited range on remote
- Does not work with Dolby sound
- 【High Brightness and Native 720 Resolution】It comes with 4600 lumens and has a hign dynamic contrast ratio of 4000:1,Providing sharp and detailed images from HD content without downscaling or compressing,This is four times higher than a 480p projector,(Most projectors claim to support 1080p,actually it may only 420p or even 240p)by combing an innovative high-refraction 5 layers glass lens,ensuring the best video experience
- 【LED Bar & Big Screen】The bar LED lights up coolly in the dark,Excellent big screen viewing experience, from 50-210 inches.Recommended for optimal projection: 2.5-4m( with sizes raning between 60 and 120 inches )
- 【HIFI Stereo Sound & No Noise】Sround sound system with 2 Built-in 5 Watt speakers,The projector comes equipped with the latest in innovative cooling systems,a heat dispersion that also refults in a noise suppression of up to 80%.
Highest Resolution Portable Projectors
If you’re looking for projectors with high resolution, here’s what we recommend.
1. Yaber Native 1080P Projector – Editor’s Pick
If one of the most crucial aspects to you of a portable projector is the image clarity, Yaber’s model comes through with clear an HD-quality picture.
Resolution: Native 1080P with 1920 x 1080 pixels
Brightness: 6,200 lumens
Video Inputs/Connectivity: HDMI, USB, card reader, smartphones
Warranty: three-year
- Horizontal and vertical keystone correction
- Contrast ratio of 8000:1
- Screen size up to 200 inches
- Quiet interior fan
- Exceptionally clear picture
- The brightness of the image does not seem to align with advertised lumens
- Best for indoor, darker room use only
- ❤[Innovative 4D Keystone Correction & Zoom Function] Our HD projector is the first projector with± 50 ° 4D (vertical & horizontal) keystone correction function to ensure the projected image is always a standard rectangle. It’s very convenient to adjust the screen by using the remote control, especially for the projector suspended from ceiling. Reducing projection size by using the X/Y Zoom function, while others can only do that by changing the projection distance.
- ❤[1080P Native Resolution (1920*1080), Support 4K Video] The projector with a real native resolution of 1920*1080, remarkable 7200L bright and high dynamic contrast ratio of 10000:1, provides sharp and detailed images from HD content without downscaling or compression, which is four times higher than 720p. Combining an innovative high-refraction 5 layers glassed lens, ensuring the best video experience.
- ❤[Hifi Stereo Sound & Latest Advanced Cooling System] The Y30 LED projector has built-in 3W dual stereo speakers with SRS sound system provides a great auditory sense experience without external speakers. Updated an advanced and silent cooling system with 3 fans running simultaneously. Adopt the latest SmarEco technology to minimize lamp power consumption to extend the useful life of the lamp to a maximum of 100000 hours.
2. Crenova Lux Projector
Resolution: Native 1080P HD with 1920 x 1080 pixels
Brightness: 5,500 lumens
Video Inputs/Connectivity: HDMI, VGA, USB, AV, TF Card, TV box
Warranty: one-year, with lifetime technical support
- An exceptionally bright, precise imaging
- Contrast ratio of 5000:1
- Comes with quality remote control
- The picture is still clear even at edges
- No keystone for side to side
- Only available in bright red
- ENJOY FAMILY MOVIE TIME - This Mini movie projector provides 3200 Lux, 2000:1 contrast, 200” max display, max supported 1080P, 50000 hours led lamp life, 4:3/16:9 aspect ratio at a suitable price. For the optimum viewing experience, operating it in a dark setting is recommended.
- PORTABLE VIDEO PROJECTOR - Crenova XPE498 projector with great design and mini size, fits for home theater, indoor/outdoor parties. A mini led projector, easy for you to carry the HDMI projector for outside. Easily connect laptop, TV Box, PS3, PS4, X-Box to enjoy BIG games with kids for a joyful parental time!
- MULTIMEDIA PROJECTOR WITH IMPROVED FAN - This led video projector works with Laptop, Fire Stick, Chromecast, Roku Stick, TV Box, PS4, DVD, USB Drive, Smartphone mirroring with an extra Lightning/Type-C/MHL Micro USB to HDMI adapter cable( ADAPTER NOT INCLUDED). Improved noise-reduction tech and a dual-fan cooling system decreases the 90% fan sound. Enjoy a quieter family movie time!
3. GuDee Full HD Video Projector
Resolution: Native 1080p with 1920 x 1080 pixels
Brightness: 4,500 lumens
Video Inputs/Connectivity: USB, Micro USB
Warranty: three-year
- Contrast ratio of 5000:1
- Large screen size (up to 200 inches)
- Compatible with a vast array of devices
- A bright and clear picture
- Reasonable price for high resolution
- Confusing instruction manual
- Bulkier than some portable projectors
- ▲EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE - With 6500L brightness, 6000:1 contrast ratio, 200” display in full HD 1080p resolution. Our HD video projector utilizes LCD TFT technology and LED light source to provide you with amazingly sharp images. It’s +80% brighter than other tv projectors and safe for your eyes.
- ▲THE BEST HOME THEATER POJECTOR - Our movie projector comes with advanced cooling system that provides awesome heating dispersion without any noise. It is great for having backyard movie nights and parties with your family and friends and providing more entertainment. It fits for playing games, sharing photos, watching sport matches, etc.
- ▲IDEAL FOR POWERPOINT PRESENTATION - Our business projector has built-in dual speakers produce Hi-Fi stereo sound, which is loud enough for conferences. There are 4 holes in the bottom of the overhead projector for ceiling mount to show presentations and graphics. Perfect for office, church, classroom or any indoor and outdoor use.
Final Thoughts
Video projectors can be a fantastic way to view movies at home on a much larger screen with a far lower cost and less bulk than a TV of comparable size. If you want to turn an unused room into a home theater, get some light-blocking curtains, comfy chairs, and one of these projectors. Compare how affordable your favorite projector from this list is to a massive television, and you’ll soon see the value in these devices.
Last update on 2021-03-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API