Whether you are a traveler, on-the-go business professional, or teacher, a portable projector can be a game-changer. You may want one for watching movies in your RV or hotel or giving presentations in the office or classroom. Whatever the reason, finding one to suit your requirements needn’t be a tricky task.

They come in a range of sizes, from pocket projectors to backpack-sized models. Whatever the dimensions, it should be small enough to transport it trouble-free.

Here are the best portable projectors available today.

The Optoma ML750ST is one of the best small projectors you can find for business professionals and educators. As it’s a short-throw projector, you’ll get a 32-inch display from a distance of only 25 inches, perfect for small to medium-sized offices and classrooms. Additionally, it makes transportation easy because it’s lightweight, can fit into the palm of your hand, and comes with its very own travel case.

It also features a built-in media player, image viewer, and document reader for easy display of files and images direct from your storage device. Thanks to the 700-ANSI lumen LED light source and a highly-impressive 20,000:1 contrast ratio, it displays them in bright and colorful images, too. It also has a WXGA 1280x800p native resolution and can down-convert Full HD content via HDMI.

The Optoma ML750ST supports a screen of up to 100 inches and even has 3D support if you decide to use it as a home entertainment system as well. However, the weak 1-watt speaker means you’ll need to connect to an external audio system via the audio jack.

Key Features
  • HDCast Pro for wireless presentations and screen mirroring
  • Keystone correction
  • Built-in media player, image viewer and document reader
  • Short-throw lens
Specifications
  • Brand: Optoma
  • Native Resolution: 1280x800p
  • ANSI Lumens: 700
  • Projection Technology: DLP
  • Connectivity: HDMI, MHL, USB
  • Throw Ratio: 0.8:1
  • HDR: No
  • Audio: 1x 1W speaker
  • OS: None
  • Lamp Life: 20,000 hours
  • Noise Level : 26dB in Eco Mode
  • Wattage: 46W in Eco Mode
  • Image Size: Up to 100 inches
  • Lamp Type: LED
  • Ports: 1x HDMI/MHL, 1x USB-A, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Size: 4.4 x 4.8 x 2.2 inches
  • Weight: 12.8 ounces
Pros
  • 20,000:1 contrast ratio
  • Short-throw technology allows for a 100-inch display from six feet away
  • 3D support
  • Good connectivity options
  • Portable and compact design
Cons
  • No internal battery
  • No Bluetooth connectivity
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Optoma ML750ST Ultra-Compact Short-Throw LED Projector

Movie buffs, travelers, and business professionals will love the Anker Nebula Apollo Mini Projector. In terms of size and portability, it’s one of the smallest and most manageable, with a height of just over five inches. It easily fits into a bag when on the go, and you can enjoy media content or give presentations from a variety of sources. The projector connects wirelessly and has a 4-hour battery life, negating the need for additional cables or chargers.

However, at 200 ANSI lumens, it isn't very bright. When projecting onto a large display, colors are not as vibrant as with some other projectors. Although this projector can generate a display of 100 inches. With its low lumens and a picture resolution of 480p, it is best to keep it smaller. 50–60 inches will give you a sharp picture with vivid colors. You’ll need to place the projector around 4.5 feet away to generate images this size.

Consequently, it's an excellent projector for use in a small, dimly lit bedroom, living room, hotel room, or even an RV. The decent 6-watt speaker can fill any small to medium-sized room, and with Bluetooth, you can connect to an external speaker for a more immersive sound.

Key Features
  • Android 7.1
  • Keystone correction
  • Good autofocus
  • Up to 100-inch display
  • Touch controls
Specifications
  • Brand: Anker
  • Native Resolution: 854x480p
  • ANSI Lumens: 200
  • Projection Technology: DLP
  • Connectivity: HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth
  • Throw Ratio: 1.3:1
  • HDR: No
  • Audio: 1x 6W built-in speaker
  • OS: Android 7.1
  • Lamp Life: 30,000 hours
  • Noise Level : 30dB
  • Wattage: 20W
  • Image Size: 20–100 inches
  • Lamp Type: LED
  • Ports: 1x HDMI, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Size: 2.6 x 2.6 x 5.2 inches
  • Weight: 16.6oz
Pros
  • Attractively priced
  • Up to 4-hour video playtime
  • Can also be used as a Bluetooth speaker
  • Portable design
  • Good connectivity options
Cons
  • Low lumens
  • 400:1 contrast ratio
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Anker NEBULA Apollo Mini Projector

The M1 Mini+ from Viewsonic is an excellent option for anyone looking for an affordable mini projector. It's perfect for movie nights, gaming sessions, and presentations, and the fact that it can fit into a back pocket makes it an excellent choice for travelers and commuters. However, its best feature is undoubtedly its price, and it might surprise you with what you get for your money.

The integrated JBL speaker provides clear audio with full bass and can fill a small room with an audio quality much better than most other budget portable projectors. Setup is easy, and you can input from a variety of sources, including USB, HDMI, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and microSD. The 480p resolution is also decent for the price, and you get good image quality in darker environments.

However, it's worth noting that the projector's performance is limited on larger projections. The battery life of 1.5 hours may also not be enough to enjoy a whole movie or presentation. However, you can charge it via a USB cable, so there’s no need to carry around a bulky battery pack.

Key Features
  • Integrated JBL Bluetooth speaker
  • Vertical keystone correction
  • User-friendly Aptoide User Interface
Specifications
  • Brand: ViewSonic
  • Native Resolution: 854x480p
  • ANSI Lumens: 50 (120 LED lumens)
  • Projection Technology: DLP
  • Connectivity: HDMI, USB, WiFi, and Bluetooth
  • Throw Ratio: 1.2:1
  • HDR: No
  • Audio: 1x 2W built-in JBL speaker
  • OS: N/A
  • Lamp Life: 30,000 hours
  • Noise Level : 25dB in Eco Mode
  • Wattage: 20W
  • Image Size: 24–100 inches
  • Maximum Supported Resolution: 1080p
  • Lamp Type: LED
  • Ports: 1x HDMI, 1x USB-A, 1x USB-C
  • Size: 4.3 x 4.1 x 1.1
  • Weight: 11.2oz
Pros
  • Impressive value
  • Stand doubles as a lens cover
  • Excellent image quality
  • Portable and compact
  • 120,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
Cons
  • Bluetooth connection for audio only
  • Limited projector control without the remote
  • 1.5-hour battery life
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ViewSonic M1 Mini+ Ultra Portable LED Projector

One of the leading FHD portable projectors is the MoGo Pro model from XGIMI. It’s an excellent choice if you value image quality above all else. On top of its high-definition resolution, you get an ANSI lumen output of 300. Not only that, but the high-quality dual 3W Harman Kardon speakers provide sharp audio with pretty decent low frequencies.

Movie buffs will love it, not only because of the quality of the picture and audio but also because it runs on Android 9.0. You can access your favorite streaming platforms from Disney+ to YouTube. Additionally, if you enjoy the occasional outdoor movie in the yard or when camping, the 2.5-hour battery life will survive most movies.

Educators can make their classes more captivating with its vivid display and capability to project onto a 100-inch screen. The Google Play store offers a wide range of apps to personalize the projector, including document readers and other essential presentation tools. While an external speaker may be necessary for large-group presentations, the MoGo Pro still delivers excellent value.

Key Features
  • Built-in Chromecast
  • Integrated Google Assistant
  • 40° automatic keystone correction
  • 1000:1 contrast ratio
Specifications
  • Brand: XGIMI
  • Native Resolution: 1920x1080p
  • ANSI Lumens: 300
  • Projection Technology: DLP
  • Connectivity: HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth
  • Throw Ratio: 1.2:1
  • HDR: Yes
  • Audio: 2x 3W Harman Kardon speakers
  • OS: Android TV 9.0
  • Lamp Life: 30,000 hours
  • Noise Level : 30dB in Standard Mode
  • Wattage: 65W
  • Image Size: 30–100 inches
  • Maximum Supported Resolution: 4K
  • Lamp Type: LED
  • Ports: 1x HDMI, 2x USB-A, 1x ethernet, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Size: 5.7 x 4.1 x 3.7 inches
  • Weight: 31.5oz
Pros
  • Small and portable
  • Good autofocus
  • Decent battery life
  • Excellent image quality
Cons
  • Must watch Netflix through the XTV Manager app
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XGIMI MoGo Pro Portable Projector

The XGIMI Elfin Mini Projector packs more powerful specs than its MoGo Pro counterpart. However, with great power comes a bit more bulk. Despite this, it’s still lightweight and compact enough to slip into a briefcase or backpack without hogging much space.

It pumps out an impressive 800 ANSI lumens in Full HD glory. This impressive display makes it one of the brightest and best portable projectors for movies. However, with such a high-lumen output, you need to compromise on the built-in battery for the projector to maintain its portability. When you watch a film, show off your photos, make an office presentation, or play video games, this beast needs continuous power from a wall outlet.

The audio is also pretty impressive. The dual 3W Harman Kardon speakers are loud enough to fill moderately-sized rooms. However, for an even more immersive experience, you can connect to external speakers via Bluetooth or the headphone jack. With Android TV 10.0 as the projector’s operating system, you can enjoy sharp picture quality and punchy audio while streaming all the movies you like from numerous entertainment platforms.

Key Features
  • Automatic focussing
  • Object avoidance feature
  • Keystone correction
  • Harmon Kardon speakers
  • Built-in Chromecast
Specifications
  • Brand: XGIMI
  • Native Resolution: 1920x1080p
  • ANSI Lumens: 800
  • Projection Technology: DLP
  • Connectivity: HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth
  • Throw Ratio: 1.2:1
  • HDR: Yes
  • Audio: 2x 3W Harman Kardon speakers
  • OS: Android TV 10.0
  • Lamp Life: 25,000 hours
  • Noise Level : 28dB in Eco Mode
  • Wattage: 65W
  • Image Size: 40–200 inches
  • Maximum Supported Resolution: 4K
  • Lamp Type: LED
  • Ports: 1x HDMI, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Size: 7.6 x 7.6 x 1.9 inches
  • Weight: 32oz
Pros
  • Down-converts and plays 4K content
  • Excellent display quality
  • Impressive audio
  • Large maximum image size
  • 1000:1 contrast ratio
Cons
  • No Netflix app
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XGIMI Elfin Mini Projector

If you seek a portable projector to which you don’t need to add external speakers, the Anker Nebula Mars II Pro is well worth considering. Of course, you can add external audio if you wish; it’s just that this mini projector is one of the loudest you can find in a projector of this size. It features dual 10W speakers that fill a small to medium-sized room with ease. The 720p resolution, 1000:1 contrast ratio, and 500 ANSI lumens ensure it also has sharply detailed and vibrant images.

Battery life is good, too. You should get around three to 3.5 hours of video playback, more than the majority of its competitors can boast. While the projector's audio capabilities and larger battery do make it a bit heavier than other mini projectors, it's still sufficiently portable and easy to take with you on the go. Plus, it comes with a practical handle that adds to its convenience. Although it might require a slightly bigger bag, you can still effortlessly bring it to presentations in the office or classroom.

Overall, it’s another versatile mini projector suitable for indoor and outdoor use. That said, like every mini projector, it offers better results when you use it at night or in shaded areas.

Key Features
  • Dual 10W speakers
  • Keystone correction
  • Chromecast built in
  • Carrying handle
Specifications
  • Brand: Nebula
  • Native Resolution: 1280x720p
  • ANSI Lumens: 500
  • Projection Technology: DLP
  • Connectivity: HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth
  • Throw Ratio: 1.2:1
  • HDR: No
  • Audio: 2x 10W speakers
  • OS: Android 7.1
  • Lamp Life: 30,000 hours
  • Noise Level : 32dB
  • Wattage: 57W
  • Image Size: 40–100 inches
  • Maximum Supported Resolution: 1080p
  • Lamp Type: LED
  • Ports: 1x HDMI, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Size: 7 x 5.2 x 4.8 inches
  • Weight: 62.4oz
Pros
  • 1000:1 contrast ratio
  • Impressive sound
  • Quality images
  • 3.5-hour battery life
Cons
  • Sluggish autofocus
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Anker Nebula Mars II Pro

While the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 may not be the most compact, its impressive specs make it an excellent option for anyone prioritizing quality. It bursts with an impressive 1000 lumens of brightness in Full HD. Additionally, the built-in Audiophile System by Yamaha provides high-quality listening pleasure comparable to soundbars. It's perfect for any medium to large room.

Travelers or professionals who live out of a bag, such as digital nomads or traveling photographers, will likely want something more compact. However, RVers will love it, while professionals can deliver top-notch presentations from anywhere.

On top of everything, this mini projector also has a laser light source, which has a few advantages over LED. First, it gives more accurate and consistent colors, and second, it doesn’t need any warm-up or down when turning the device on or off. It’s also a key factor in this projector’s impressive brightness. Although you still won’t use it outdoors on a sunny day, it does project well in ambient light.

Key Features
  • 3LCD engine
  • Android TV built-in
  • Long-life laser light source
  • Large 150-inch image projection
  • 8Auto Picture Skew (keystone correction)
Specifications
  • Brand: Epson
  • Native Resolution: 1920x1080p
  • ANSI Lumens: 1000
  • Projection Technology: 3LCD
  • Connectivity: HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth
  • Throw Ratio: 1:1
  • HDR: Yes
  • Audio: 2x 5W Audiophile System by Yamaha
  • OS: Android TV
  • Lamp Life: 20,000 hours
  • Noise Level : 22dB
  • Wattage: 73W in Eco Mode
  • Image Size: 30–150 inches
  • Maximum Supported Resolution: 4K
  • Lamp Type: Laser
  • Ports: 2x HDMI, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Size: 6.9 x 6.9 x 5.3
  • Weight: 75oz
Pros
  • Supports and down-converts 4K sources
  • Impressive sound
  • Bright, colorful images
  • No rainbow effect
  • 200,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
Cons
  • Not the most aesthetically-pleasing portable projector
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Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12

If you seek a portable projector perfect for streaming movies, giving impressive presentations, or even watching content while camping, the LG PF50KA portable projector is another top-notch choice. Despite its unremarkable name, it has a sleek and attractive design and is both portable and lightweight. And with 600 ANSI lumens and Full HD images on a screen up to 100 inches, you're in for a delightful viewing experience.

With its user-friendly interface and access to a wide range of the most popular streaming platforms, the LG Smart TV OS is another excellent feature. You'll never run out of things to watch, and setting it up is a breeze. Plus, with 2.5 hours of battery life, you can enjoy a movie or even a few episodes of your latest TV show without worrying about the battery fully draining. Just keep in mind that the speakers aren't very powerful, so you may want to connect a separate audio source for better listening pleasure.

The LG PF50KA portable projector is also versatile, with two HDMI connections (one with ARC) and USB-A and C ports. You can even screen share with LG's own Miracast or AirPlay 2 for Apple users. It's the perfect choice for anyone who wants an all-in-one entertainment and presentation solution.

Key Features
  • LG Smart TV platform
  • Keystone correction
  • User-friendly interface
Specifications
  • Brand: LG
  • Native Resolution: 1920x1080p
  • ANSI Lumens: 600
  • Projection Technology: DLP
  • Connectivity: HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi
  • Throw Ratio: 1.44:1
  • HDR: Yes
  • Audio: 2x 1W speakers
  • OS: LG Smart TV (webOS 3.5)
  • Lamp Life: 30,000 hours
  • Noise Level : 23dB (in Eco Mode)
  • Wattage: 65W
  • Image Size: 25–100 inches
  • Maximum Supported Resolution: 4K
  • Lamp Type: LED
  • Ports: 2x HDMI, 1x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x ethernet, 1x 3.5m headphone jack
  • Size: 6.7 x 6.7 x 1.9 inches
  • Weight: 35oz
Pros
  • 2.5-hour battery life
  • Bright and detailed display
  • Portable and lightweight
Cons
  • Poor audio
Buy This Product
LG PF50KA Portable Projector

FAQ

Q: How Many Lumens Is Good for a Portable Projector?

Manufacturers design portable projectors to be compact and lightweight. Therefore, their lumen outputs tend to be lower than more premium projectors. Thus, portable projectors are generally more suited to low-light and dark environments.

A projector with lumens in the range of 200-600 is sufficient. If your projector has more, it may well project quality images even with the introduction of ambient light.

That said, the picture quality will still be much better when you turn down the lights.

Q: How Do I Choose a Mini Portable Projector?

In addition to lumen output, you should consider the projector’s resolution and maximum display size. You will need better image resolution if you seek a projector to display content on a large screen. The opposite is true if you are to enjoy content on a smaller display. You will also need to decide if you will connect to external speakers or wish to have a projector with good built-in audio.

If you are taking it on the go, which is the primary reason for needing a portable projector, you need to consider the device’s dimensions and weight. Will you mainly be transporting it in a bag? If so, will it fit into said bag? Will you be shipping it in the backseat of your car? If so, maybe it doesn’t have to be so compact, and you can focus more on image quality and brightness.

Connectivity options are also important, and so is the battery life. These are all things worth considering before making your purchase.