overview 1 comments
If you're looking for the best small projectors, many options are available, but unfortunately, most offer inadequate image quality. The smaller the projector, the dimmer it tends to be, with many portable models lacking vibrancy even in the darkest rooms. While no small and portable projector is going to compete with the bigger units when it comes to image quality, some models do provide a decent enough viewing experience. Portable projectors also tend to be fully featured regarding smart features and have a full suite of image correction features, emphasizing their set-up-and-go nature. Ultimately, the best easy-to-carry projectors balance portability and image quality in a small, attractive package.
We've bought and tested more than 35 projectors, and below, you'll find the best mini projectors to buy. If you're buying on a budget, check out thebest cheap projectorsand thebest projectors under $500. Or, if you're specifically looking for projectors to take outside, look at our list ofbest outdoor projectors. You can alsovoteon which ones you want us to purchase and test.
-
Best Portable Projector
XGIMI Halo+ 6
Movies
6.6
Portability
8.5
Weight
3.7 lbs (1.7 kg)Wi-Fi Yes
Cast Capable
YesThe best portable projector we've tested is the XGIMI Halo+. It's a very small unit and weighs only 3.7 pounds, so you can easily throw it into a backpack. Plus, it has an integrated battery promising up to 2.5 hours of uninterrupted playback, long enough to watch most movies. It has many image correction features: full auto keystone, autofocus, intelligent screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance, so it's truly a projector that you can easily take on the go as it corrects its image automatically as you move it. It has the Android TV smart interface, Chromecast and AirScreen support, and Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities.
Like most portable models, it's slightly dim but significantly brighter than other battery-powered ultra-portables, and it projects a pleasant 1080p image as long as all the lights are off. Fortunately, it does have great contrast, emphasizing its dark room capabilities. It also has a wide color gamut and HDR support but isn't bright enough to take advantage of them. Its color accuracy is quite poor, and while you can improve it somewhat through calibration, this isn't a product for color purists. It has one HDMI port, which also doubles as an eARC port, and a USB port through which you can play video files directly to the projector.
See our review
-
Best Batteryless Portable Projector
XGIMI Elfin 6
Movies
6.7
Portability
8.0
Weight
2.2 lbs (1.0 kg)Wi-Fi Yes
Cast Capable
YesSee all our test results
If you don't need an integrated battery, you can save money by going for the XGIMI Elfin, one of the best mini projectors we've tested. The Elfin is the smallest product on this list, weighing only 2.2 pounds. It still has full auto keystone correction, autofocus, intelligent screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance, so it's just as easy to set up. It also has the Android TV smart interface, Chromecast and AirScreen support, and Wi-Fi with Bluetooth 5.0. It has one HDMI port, which also doubles as an eARC port, and a USB port through which you can play video files directly to the projector. It also projects a sharp 1080p image, just like our top pick.
Unfortunately, this model is dimmer, with slightly worse contrast, than the XGIMI Halo+. This means that it's not quite as versatile, as it can't handle moderately lit rooms very well, and it doesn't look as good as the top pick in dark rooms. You also need to make sure to have access to an outlet due to its lack of an integrated battery. However, this model has much better color accuracy than the top model and can be made even better after calibration. Unfortunately, this model is harder to find than the others on this list, but XGIMI typically sells it on their official store. Overall, the Halo+ is a slightly better product, but you can save some money by going with the Elfin if you don't need a model with an integrated battery.
See our review
-
Best Small Portable Projector
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 0
Movies
7.0
Portability
7.0
Weight
4.7 lbs (2.1 kg)Wi-Fi Yes
Cast Capable
YesSee all our test results
If you'd prefer slightly better image quality but in a bigger package, consider the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12, which is the best small projector if you don't need the absolute smallest and lightest. Its cubic shape is small and compact, weighing only 4.7 pounds. While it doesn't have an integrated battery, meaning you still need to plug it into an outlet, it has full auto keystone correction and autofocus, making it easy to set up or move around. It also has built-in Android TV with full Chromecast integration, so you don't need to worry about getting an external streaming dongle. Like the top two picks, this model projects a sharp 1080p image.
The projector supports HDR10/HLG, but it's too dim to take advantage of. It's a tad brighter than the XGIMI Halo+, but the XGIMI's brightness is more uniform, and this projector has better contrast. Where the Mini EF12 truly shines, however, is in its color accuracy; it's impressively accurate out-of-the-box and can be improved even more by simply adjusting its color temperature. This makes it a much more viable option for those who care about accurate colors than the top two picks. You can connect a computer to the unit through its mini USB port, and the projector comes with full Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support.
See our review
-
Best Budget Portable Projector
XGIMI MoGo 2 3
Movies
5.9
Portability
8.0
Weight
2.4 lbs (1.1 kg)Wi-Fi Yes
Cast Capable
YesSee all our test results
If you're looking for a cheap projector that still offers acceptable image quality, check out the XGIMI MoGo 2, the best small projector that won't cost you an arm and a leg. It's a very small projector that weighs only 2.4 pounds, so you can easily throw it into a backpack. While it doesn't have an internal battery, it supports external charging via power banks through its USB-C port. It has many image correction features: full auto keystone, autofocus, intelligent screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance. It has the Android TV 11 smart interface, Chromecast and AirScreen support, and Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities to round up the package.
Unfortunately, the projector is very dim. You need to turn off all the lights to get a pleasant image, and even then, it's not exactly the most vibrant viewing experience possible. Its contrast is mediocre but good enough to provide a passable dark room viewing experience. It also has a wide color gamut and HDR support but isn't bright enough to take advantage of them. Unlike the other picks, this unit only projects a 720p image, so it doesn't look as sharp. Ultimately, you get this projector because of its price, not its image quality. If cheap and portable is what you're after, it's hard to beat the MoGo 2.
See our review
Recent Updates
-
Apr 04, 2024: We updated the XGIMI Elfin pick with links to XGIMI's official store.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best small projectors for most people to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper projector wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no projectors that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of the best projectors that are easy to carry. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no projector is perfect, many are good enough for most uses; however, avoid the worst models to ensure adequate quality.
