Best portable projector of 2025: Tested for streaming and presenting on the go

Date:
Sat, 29 Nov 2025 14:30:08 +0000

Description:
Want to stream or present anywhere - then these are the best mini and
handheld projectors we've reviewed.

FULL STORY ======================================================================

The best portable projector lets you stream movies, play games, and deliver professional presentations anywhere. Based on our comprehensive testing, I've hand-picked the top mini and handheld projectors worth including in your set-up.

For most people, there's no beating the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen . Now,
I may hate how clunky the name is, but there's no denying that this handheld 1080p mini projector offered fantastic picture quality for the price (and size) when we tested this one out. Better still, you can get an optional battery pack for it, meaning it can be used even when you're not neat a power supply. Definitely worth a look if you want a decent all-rounder.

Alternatively, the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro is a cheap portable projector that delivers plenty of bang for your buck. But for 4K portable projectors, both the budget-priced LG CineBeam Q and BenQ GP520 remain two of the best 4K projectors around. Check out the team's full reviews below, alongside some of the best pocket-sized projectors capable of filling a range of screen sizes for work and play. Quick list Best overall Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen



Best portable projector overall
A smart, ultra-portable 1080p projector, the Freestyle 2nd Gen from Samsung
is our top pick for its all-round picture and audio quality across movies and gaming.

Read more below Best on a budget XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro



Best portable projector on a budget
Considering the price, this mini projector delivers impressive picture quality, with bright, colorful images.

Read more below Best 4K BenQ GP520



Best 4K portable projector
This is a great little projector that won't break the bank, but offers 4K performance and better brightness than many at this price-point.

Read more below Best budget 4K LG CineBeam Q



Best 4K portable projector on a budget
Hitting 4K resolutions at well under $1000, this portable projector stands
out for being stylishly designed with great performance in our tests.

Read more below Best pocket-sized Anker Nebula Capsule II / III



Best mini projector
The Anker Nebula Capsule is a palm- or pocket-sized projector that's lightweight and built for taking with you on the go.

Read more below Best for home theaters Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K



Best portable projector for home theaters
A solid 4K portable projector, we found this model from Anker to be ideal for the home, and we especially like the high 2400 lumens brightness.

Read more below

See more Best for presentations JMGO N1S Ultra 4K



Best portable projector for presentations
This model stands out as a reasonably priced 4K mini projector that worked incredibly well for presentations in our own tests.

Read more below Best for gaming BenQ X300G



Best portable projector for gaming
Designed for gamers, the BenQ X300G is a low-latency 4K portable projector with good brightness and crisp images.

Read more below Best for outdoors Anker Nebula Mars 3



Best portable projector for outdoors
A built-in battery, lamp, and the ability to charge small devices make this model ideal for anyone screening outdoors.

Read more below Best portable projectors of 2025 in full Best portable projector overall Image 1 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 6 (Image credit: Future) Image 6 of 6 (Image credit: Future) 1. Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen

Our top pick for mini projector Projection system: DLP | Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 230 ANSI lumens | Screen sizes: 30 - 100in | Video inputs: Micro HDMI | Size: 4.03 x 6.80 x 3.75 in (with stand) Super-compact design Easy to use and navigate Built-in Gaming Hub Low brightness and contrast Micro-HDMI Expensive Buy it if... You want a smart, stylish portable projector you can take with you on the go.

You want good all-round picture and sound quality for movies and
cloud-based gaming. Don't buy it if... You need the brightest portable projector you can get - this one didn't fare well in multiple luminance tests and contrast is low.

You need a good port selection - the Freestyle 2nd Generation lacks anything more than a micro-HDMI slot, without adapter.

We were already big fans of the original Samsung the Freestyle mini
projector, naming it our top choice. And it's stayed that way - until we
tried out the second-generation model.

Samsung's The Freestyle 2nd Generation isn't a radical departure from the previous iteration - although it now includes a Gaming Hub, letting you connect a wireless controller and access cloud-basing gaming apps like Xbox and Nvidia GeForce Now. It's all very easy to set-up, which is a big part of The Freestyle's appeal, and the subtle, compact design makes it ideal for transporting in a backpack.

In use, picture quality is good - blacks are deep and colors are accurate, with HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG support. The projector also features what Samsung dubs '360 Degree' sound. And in our tests, we were surprised to find it
really did offer spacious audio, although the bass was admittedly limited.

However, we did spot a few drawbacks. In our multiple luminance tests, this wasn't the brightest portable projector in the world, and the contrast is
low, too, for daytime use outdoors. We would've liked to see more than a single micro-HDMI port here, too (or at least include a HDMI adapter in the box). It may not be a budget model, either, but overall, this is an
excellent, easy-to-use mini projector with a real emphasis on portability.

If you can't get the second-gen model, The Freestyle original is an excellent alternative.

Read our Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen review ^ Back to top Best portable projector on a budget Image 1 of 8 (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge) Image 2 of 8 (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge) Image 3 of 8 (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge) Image 4 of 8 (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge) Image 5 of 8 (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge) Image 6 of 8 (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge) Image 7 of 8 (Image credit: Future) Image 8 of 8 (Image credit: Future) 2. XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro

A strong contender for the top spot Projection system: RGB laser DLP | Resolutions: 1080p | Brightness: 450 ISO lumens | Screen sizes: 40 - 200in | Video inputs: Micro-HDMI, USB-A, USB-C | Size: 8.1 x 3.7 x 3.7in Picture
holds up well in ambient lighting Google TV OS with a comprehensive selection of apps Compact and lightweight No built-in battery Integrated speakers are poor Picture suffers in really bright conditions Buy it if... You want an affordable mini projector. This one retails at around $400, slightly less
than the similarly designed Samsung The Freestyle 2. You like the portability. We like that the cylindrical design protects the projector when not in use. Don't buy it if... You need a built-in battery. Like a lot of portable projectors, this one runs on mains or power bank, or the PowerBase stand accessory. You want 4K movies. The projector is only capable up Full
HD projections, so it won't be suitable for massive screens.

The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro is one of those mini projectors that surprises you with how good it is. In our testing, we found it delivered bright images with good color and contrast (and, of course, it looks even better in darker rooms). However, we did need to toy with the limited picture settings to achieve
this.

Once we set the projector up, we were pleasantly surprised with how well this model performed. Picture quality even in brighter rooms was very acceptable, although as it's only rated 450 lumens brightness, it's not well-suited to bright overhead lights or outdoor operations in daylight.

As a lower-end model, it's capped at 1080p, which might make it too low for bigger screens. We also noticed the unit can only be tilted to 130-degrees - we couldn't help but feel full 180-degrees would've improved overall performance. Nor did we like the built-in speaker, finding sounds to be serviceable at full volume, but very weak at lower settings. A Bluetooth speaker is recommended here.

Compared to its most obvious rival, the Freestyle 2, you'll see similar specs here for a lower price, but what really sells this one to us is the optional PowerBase tripod stand which elevates the mini projector while powering it at the same.

Read our full XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro portable projector review ^ Back to top Best 4K portable projector Image 1 of 8 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 8 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 8 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 8 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 8 (Image credit: Future) Image 6 of 8 (Image credit: Future) Image 7 of 8 (Image credit: Future) Image 8 of 8 (Image credit: Future) 3. BenQ GP520

A 4K low-latency projector that's still affordable Projection system: LED DLP | Resolutions: 4K | Brightness: 2600 ANSI lumens | Screen sizes: 50 - 180in | Video inputs: 2x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), USB-C (PD Out, DP In), 2x USB-A | Size: 9.49 x 5.94 x 8.86in Bright, crisp picture Integrated streaming and speakers Compact footprint Just okay color Bulky external power brick No optical adjustments Buy it if... You want a bright portable projector - this one scored high in our tests, making it a good pick for rooms with some ambient light.

You want an all-in-one 4K projector that boasts good picture and audio quality, with support for Google TV out of the box. Don't buy it if... Image quality is the real goal - its great for a portable model, but youll get more bang for your buck from more expensive home projectors.

You're a gamer, because at 60Hz, this one lacks the high refresh rates required.

The BenQ GP520 is an affordable 4K portable projector that boasts impressive brightness - the LED light source hits around 2,600 ANSI Lumens, and in our review, we called it a go-anywhere all-in-one theater system.

The design is boxy and compact, weighing in at 8.2lb / 3.7kg. Theres no built-in handle - although you can get a carry case (sold separately).
Despite this, we found it easy enough and light enough to move around. Theres no gimbal stand, but youll also find tripod holds on three sides for positioning the projector.

Picture quality is very good. We found the 4K images were sharp and detailed with HDR10+ support, and theres motion handling. Colors arent blisteringly vivid, though, and the blacks could be deeper. This isnt one for gamers either, since it cant switch to 1080p for a frame-rate boost. Having said that, under the right settings, it looks way better than it has any right to be for a low-cost 4K portable projector. We also felt the speakers were surprisingly good. Of course, youll get better performance with a sound system, but theyre absolutely acceptable without an external set-up - especially since the fans arent especially loud in use.

Overall, a solid 4K entry thats hard to beat on price, especially given the higher than average brightness compared to similar models.

Read our full BenQ GP520 review ^ Back to top Best 4K portable projector on
a budget Image 1 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 5 (Image credit: Future) 4. LG CineBeam Q

A stylish mini projector that won't break the bank Projection system: RGB laser DLP | Resolutions: 4K | Brightness: 500 ANSI lumens | Screen sizes: 50
- 120in | Video inputs: HDMI, USB-C | Size: 5.3 x 3.1 x 5.3in Stylish design Very good 4K picture quality WebOS streaming platform Limited brightness Requires mains Poor audio quality Buy it if... You want an affordable portable projector with 4K resolution.

You want a well-designed projector that fits in the house. Don't buy it if... You need a mini projector that runs off battery - this is mains-only.

You need superior sound quality - we found the built-in speakers to be average at best.

Coming in at under $1000 / 1000, the LG CineBeam Q is a delightfully stylish and affordable portable projector boasting 4K resolution and support for a raft of streaming platforms.

The design is sleek, looking like a hi-fi speaker, with a swinging stand that also acts as a handle for extra portability. Theres no built-in battery - youll need to use the mains cable - but that just keeps the device lightweight.

In tests, we were pleasantly surprised with how good the 4K performance was. And unlike rival units, this one has HDR10 and HLG high dynamic range
support. Elsewhere, the CineBeam Q features outstanding color performance. Darks were deep, bright images were vibrant, skin tones natural. However, there are some trade-offs at this price. Peak brightness is 500 ANSI lumens, and the contrast ratio sits at 500:1, which is average for portable DLP projectors. We also found it best paired with a speaker or soundbar, as the sound can be weak.

Overall, an excellent budget 4K portable projector with a stylish design. There are some trade-offs for the price, but its still cheaper than many rivals with similar specs.

Read our full LG CineBeam Q review ^ Back to top Best mini projector Image 1 of 5 Image Credit: TechRadar (Image credit: TechRadar) Image 2 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 5 (Image credit: Future) 5. Anker Nebula Capsule
II / III

An affordable handheld projector with Bluetooth Projection system: DLP | Resolutions: 720p / 1080p | Brightness: 200 ANSI lumens / 300 ANSI lumens | Screen sizes: 20 - 100 / 20 - 120in | Video inputs: HDMI, USB-C, USB-A |
Size: 3.15 x 3.15 x 5.9 in Good brightness Versatile projector No Wi-Fi
Tablet integration requires dongle Buy it if You want an affordable mini projector for Android and iPhone.

You want a pocket projector to use on the go - this is lightweight and well-designed Dont buy it if You need high-resolution images - the 2nd gen version only hits 720p, while the 3rd gen reaches 1080p.

You need a long-lasting mini projector - in our battery tests, we got around two to two-and-a-half hours video playback on the battery.

The Anker Nebula Capsule is our pick for best mini projector - a
pocket-sized, handheld portable Bluetooth projector thats powerful and pretty cheap. Better still, you can connect your iPhone or Android to the projector via a USB-C to HDMI cable for the full on-the-go viewing experience.

We reviewed the second edition Nebula Capsule, and absolutely loved the design. Shaped like a beer can, the Nebula Capsule is one super-portable
unit, all in black, with speaker grilles pocketing the casing. In our own tests, we got up to 2.5 hours of video playback on a single charge.

Projecting up to a 100in screen, we found performance very watchable,
although it struggles in broad daylight. The top-rated pocket projector hits up to 200 ANSI lumens, with 720p output. The third generation devices bump up these specs to 300 lumens and 1080p output, which is a big improvement. Wed still like to see a higher luminance for outdoors settings and camping
though.

One of the best handheld projectors weve ever tested, especially for anyone looking for a mini projector for iPhone or Android.

Read our full Anker Nebula Capsule II review ^ Back to top Best portable projector for home theaters Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future / Mark Knapp) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Future / Mark Knapp) Image 3 of 4 (Image credit: Future / Mark Knapp) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Future / Mark Knapp) 6.
Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K

Ideal for around the house Projection system: Laser DLP | Resolutions: 3840 x 2160 | Brightness: 2200 lumens | Screen sizes: 60 - 150in | Connections: HDMI 2.0 input, 3.5mm analog audio output; powered USB type-A | Size: 10.4 x 8.7 x 6.5 in Stunning design Doubles as a Bluetooth speaker Sound could be punchier No wired headphone output Buy it if... You want a well-designed portable projector that will fit any style of house and home.

You want a compact model that can be easily transported to different rooms and locations. Don't buy it if... You need a mini projector with a built-in battery for on-the-go-use - you'll need a mains connection here.

You need superior audio - we found the Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K lacked punch in the sound department.

The Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K is not your average compact projector. Its packing in some considerable brightness, peaking out at 2,400 Lumens, which
we found to be sufficiently bright for a semi-light-controlled environment during our testing, and its laser lamp makes for a high-quality image.

It's more than capable enough of being your go-to projector and staying put
in your living room it looks great, too. But its form factor at 26.4 x 22 x 15.5 cm and weighing 4.8kg means we had no trouble packing it up and carrying it from room to room when we were reviewing it.

However, there's a big problem when it comes to the Cosmos Laser 4K's portability: not that you can't cart this around the house easily, but unlike the Nebula Mars 3, there's no on-board battery. Bear that in mind if you're looking for a projector to take outdoors or far from home.

The Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K has plenty of competition - and if you don't need the laser projection, I recommend checking out our Anker Nebula Cosmos
4K SE review . But if you want a projector that will regularly work in a lot of different places around your home rather than outside it, there are few options that will do it as well and as easily as this one.

Read our Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K review ^ Back to top Best portable projector for presentations Image 1 of 7 (Image credit: Alastair Jennings) Image 2 of 7 (Image credit: Alastair Jennings) Image 3 of 7 (Image credit: Alastair Jennings) Image 4 of 7 (Image credit: Alastair Jennings) Image 5 of
7 (Image credit: Alastair Jennings) Image 6 of 7 (Image credit: Alastair Jennings) Image 7 of 7 (Image credit: Alastair Jennings) 7. JMGO N1S Ultra 4K

Perfect for business presentations, talks, and lectures Projection system:
DLP | Resolutions: 4K | Brightness: 3000 ANSI lumens | Screen sizes: 60 - 300in | Video inputs: 2x HDMI, USB | Size: 9.48 x 9.29 x 7.99 in Excellent brightness Portable design Auto adjustments Gimbal system Price Limited ports Buy it if You want a portable projector for presentations and talks - easy
to set-up and work, we found this perfect for this use.

You want a compact mini projector thats easy to transport - the mini projector is compact and feels robust enough for transit. Dont buy it if Youre on a budget - its not the cheapest projector you can find, although
it's not the most expensive either.

You need more ports - we found the selection on offer here to be lacking compared to rivals.

When it comes to businesses that need a top-rated mini projector for presentations, the JMGO N1S Ultra 4K stands out for us. At around the $2000 / 2000 mark, its reasonably priced for a high-resolution unit, and we really like its compact and robust casing. Perfect for pulling out when you need to present, then neatly storing it away. It wont take up too much room, but it will let everyone see the bigger picture.

Speaking of which, the N1S Ultra 4K supports screen sizes up to 150in, with a bright 3,000 ANSI lumens. Indoors performance was excellent, with images and sound coming through crisp and clear. A gimbal offers full 360-degree
rotation and 135-degree tilt.

Our reviewer, a lecturer, used the unit on location in a lecture theatre, studio, and village hall - and found this is where the 4K mini projector really shines. Easy to set-up - just plug and play - with color adjustments for a range of walls and screens.

What it really lacks is port selection. Youll only find two HDMI and a USB port, alongside a 3.5mm audio jack. For the price, wed like a few more
options here. If thats not an issue for you, we found this mini projector is great for giving presentations or any type of talk.

Read our full JMGO N1S Ultra 4K projector review ^ Back to top Best portable projector for gaming Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 4 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Future) 8. BenQ X300G

Perfect for gaming and movies Projection system: LED, DLP | Resolution: 4K | Brightness: 2000 lumens | Screen sizes: 80 - 120in | Video inputs: 2x HDMI
2.0 (1x eARC, 1x internal), USB-A, USB-C | Size: 8.3 x 7.1 x 7.7 in Great for gaming and movies Bright, crisp images Easy set up Nice design Limited port selection Short throw can make placement tricky Buy it if You want a
portable projector thats made for gaming - with great refresh rates, this is an ideal mini projector for gamers.

You want a decent 4K projector for watching movies - we love the
flexibility of the BenQ X300G. Dont buy it if You need a budget portable projector - it's not a cheap portable projector or an expensive one, but mid-range. You need a few more ports than thats on offer - as is so often with mini projectors we review, this one is limited on ports.

When youre looking at mini projectors for gaming, youll usually find many of the top models lack the right refresh rates, resolutions, and response times. While thats fine for TV, movies, and certain games, it doesnt offer the greatest experience.

And thats why we really rate the BenQ X300G. This low-latency portable projector is tailored to gamers. Its also reasonably affordable too, at least in the realms of projectors.

Accommodating screen sizes between 30-150in, the X300G boasts 2,000 lumens, HDR10 and HLG support, and even 84% DCI-P3 color space coverage. Picture quality in our tests was colorful and bright. However, we did find the LED
and DLP mini projector was better suited to smaller rooms, and the built-in speakers are disappointedly average. With two HDMI ports and two USB slots, port selection is limited, too.

But what sets the BenQ X300G apart is the ability to switch between movies in 4K HDR at 24 or 60Hz, or dropping to 1080p at 240Hz for gaming. That gives it good all-round versatility.

Read our full BenQ X300G review ^ Back to top Best portable projector for outdoors Image 1 of 7 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 7 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 7 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 7 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 7 (Image credit: Future) Image 6 of 7 (Image credit: Future) Image 7 of 7 (Image credit: Future) 9. Anker Nebula Mars 3

Built for the outdoors - complete with IP3X rating Projection system: LED DLP | Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 1000 lumens | Screen sizes: 30 - 200in | Video inputs: HDMI, USB-A, USB-C | Size: 10.2 x 1.97 x 6.3 in Bright for a portable projector Long-running battery Robust build quality Performance
falls short for home theater use Mono audio Dated smart TV platform Buy it if
You want a portable projector with a built-in battery to stream or present while on the go - it lasted over two hours in our tests.

Youre looking for an outdoor-friendly unit - this model has waterproofing, as well as a lamp, power delivery for device charging, and Bluetooth speaker capabilities. Dont buy it if You want a portable projector for home - honestly, youll find better models for around the same price with better
specs if youve got a home theater set-up. You need 4K, as this unit caps out at 1080p, which further limits its appeal for those who want the best cinema experience indoors.

You can use plenty of portable projectors in the garden, but for a lot of models, youll need a reliable power source. And this usually means running cables from the house. Thats where a unit like the Anker Nebula Mars 3 shows its strengths. This compact projector features a built-in battery, letting
you use it anywhere.

Thats not the only reason to like the Nebula Mars 3 for outdoors use, with
the projector also sporting a camping lamp, Bluetooth speaker capabilities, and the ability to plug in small devices, so you can charge up your phone or tablet. A lens cap and waterproofing complete the set-up.

Specs are fair for a projector primarily designed for use outdoors. Here, youll find 1080p resolution thats best for use on screens up to around 65 inches. The LED DLP projection system hits 1000 lumens, making it best-suited to dark environments (like a night-time movie screening in the yard). Colors are ok - we found they delivered modest vibrance, but naturally they lack the pop of a triple-laser HDR-capable projector.

But its the built-in battery that really makes this a worthwhile unit. In
that regard, it knocks the spots off a model like the Samsung The Freestyle, which also has a battery but lacks the brightness youll get here. During our own testing, we ramped the brightness up to full, with volume set to 50%, and the Nebula Mars 3 ran a two-hour movie with more than over 20% charge (around 30-minutes playtime) left in the tank.

Read our full Anker Nebula Mars 3 review ^ Back to top Best portable projectors compared

Model

Resolution

Optical technology

Supported screen sizes

Brightness (specified)

Smart TV

Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen

1080p

DLP

30 - 100in

230 ANSI lumens

Tizen

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro

1080p

RGB laser DLP

40 - 200in

450 ISO lumens

Google TV

BenQ GP520

4K

LED DLP

50 - 180in

2600 ANSI lumens

Google TV

LG CineBeam Q

4K

RGB laser DLP

50 - 120in

500 ANSI lumens

WebOS

Anker Nebula Capsule II / III

720p / 1080p

DLP

20 - 100 / 20 - 120in

200 ANSI lumens / 300 ANSI lumens

Google TV

Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K

4K

Laser DLP

60 - 150in

2200 ANSI Lumens

Android TV

JMGO N1S Ultra 4K

4K

DLP

60 - 300in

3000 ANSI lumens

Google TV

BenQ X300G

4K

LED DLP

80 - 120in

2000 ANSI lumens

Android TV

Anker Nebula Mars 3

1080p

LED DLP

30 - 200in

1000 ANSI lumens

Android TV Best portable projectors: FAQs Do more lumens mean a better projector?

We asked Bob Wudeck, Senior Director, Business Development, at BenQ

Lumens for projectors is like horsepower in a car its important but only a part of how well the projector is suited for the task. In the past lumens
were the most important element. Now things are different, as most projectors today are far more advanced than projectors sold five years ago. So what makes for a better projector?

Color accuracy While commercial cinema projectors have strict color standards, there are still many classroom and conference room projectors that are not very color accurate. For newer home theater and commercial
projectors, Rec. 709 is the standard for color accuracy and measurement to look for in the specifications.

Resolution While nearly every TV sold today has over 8 million pixels, you can still buy a projector with under 1 million pixels today. The bigger the screen, the more pixels needed for a nicely detailed image. Look for either 1080p or 4K UHD native resolution projectors for the highest pixel density.

Solid State Lighting Projector lamps contain mercury, are expensive, and
need to be replaced every few years. They are being replaced by solid state light sources like lasers and high brightness LEDs that last up to 30,000 hours. Today you can get a high brightness LED projector with 4,000 lumens
and higher color accuracy for only a small premium over a similar lamp
powered projector.

Throw Ratio Depending on your setup, the right throw ratio will make a big difference. For example, if you are using a golf simulator, you will want a short throw projector that can be mounted in a location that enables you to play without casting a shadow on the screen. Use a projector calculator to
see how far back your model needs to be mounted to fill your screen. What's the difference between ISO and ANSI?

A lumen is a measurement of brightness, and when it comes to portable projectors, that's important, especially if you're viewing a screen during
the day or in an environment that's not completely dark like a cinema.

When selecting the right model, you'll likely come across both ISO and ANSI ratings. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are two different organizations measuring brightness. ANSI lumens measure the total light output, while ISO simulates a more real-world environment using a black-and-white checkerboard display. Because of this, they're not directly comparable. 1 ISO lumen converts to around 1.25 ANSI lumens.

While higher numbers should mean brighter images either way, it doesn't necessarily mean it'll be better than others. It'll depend on the settings
and the portable projector's own capabilities. Can I watch Netflix on my mini projector?

We asked Bob Wudeck, Senior Director, Business Development, at BenQ

For a portable projector, it should be easy to have Netflix running on your phone and then pair your phone with the projector so that you get Netflix (or other streaming apps) shown in the big screen format afforded by the projector. However, many paid streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney Plus have copy protection that prevents mirroring from mobile devices due to policies enacted and enforced by content owners. So, if you
are casting from a notebook, Netflix content can be cast wirelessly via your laptops Google Chrome browser that is connected to an HDMI cable. You can also use Chromecast or Apple TV wireless devices to stream content as well. The best models of mini projectors also have phone apps to enable you to control your streams right from your phone or device to make it easy to use. Can you connect a phone to a projector?

We asked Bob Wudeck, Senior Director, Business Development, at BenQ

There are three easy ways to connect a phone to a projector:

Cable Nearly every iPhone and Android device has a video output port. Most projectors still use HDMI as their standard input port, so a simple adapter from either the USB-C connector on an Android or HDMI connector on the iPhone will enable you to get the cable connected all you need to do is change the source to start screen mirroring from your phone to a projector.

Casting If you have a Chromecast or an Apple TV, you can wirelessly connect to your projector and mirror your screen. You will need to be on the same network as the receiver, then use your built-in screen mirroring to send it
to your projector. This is a nice option when you want to show photos or videos on your device, or for occasional use.

Wireless Presentation System For business or education use, a wireless presentation system is faster and more secure than the other two options. The best models enable you to plug in a button to your phone or tablet and start sharing instantly. Others use either a dedicated app installed on your phone or Airplay to share the screen. While they are more expensive, the best
models encrypt the transmission, so sensitive information cant be wirelessly captured and seen from curious people in the area. Are portable projectors
any good?

Yes! Think of it like the difference between a portable Bluetooth speaker and the speakers in your living room. The latter may sound better and go louder, but you can't exactly pop them in a bag and take them to the beach. Even taking them into the garden is an enormous pain.

It's the same with portable projectors. They're typically but not always less bright and less powerful than their wired siblings, but they compensate for that by being incredibly practical with go-anywhere abilities. Battery-powered portable projectors are more than capable of delivering movie night without you having to worry about finding a power socket, and their portability means they're easy to move around and very simple and quick to
set up.

That doesn't mean they're just for the great outdoors, though. Because portable projectors are designed to be small, they're useful for rooms where you don't want or can't have a normal-sized projector, or for homes where you might not want the projector in the same room all of the time.

The main compromise with portable projectors is in brightness: that's the biggest drain on their power, so battery-powered projectors have to strike a balance between the brightness of the picture (which in turn affects the maximum range and size of their display) and the amount of time they can run for between recharges. What's the difference between a projector and a mini projector?

The main difference between a standard projector and a mini projector is that traditional projectors are designed to produce the highest possible quality
at the most significant possible size, and if that means more giant bulbs or LED assemblies and louder fans, then so be it. Mini projectors also deliver good quality, but their priorities are different: they're also designed with portability and price in mind, so they're often more portable and affordable than their bigger siblings and often include built-in speakers and easy Bluetooth speaker connectivity.

Standard projectors are mainly powered, but many mini projectors are also designed to run on battery power. Like any battery-powered device, they have limited running times compared to when they're plugged in, but most models have more than enough power to show multiple movies without requiring a recharge halfway through. It can also mean that the projector is dimmer than
a wired one to get more life out of the battery.

The other key difference is that mini projectors are designed to be set up speedily, and that can mean they have fewer connection options than wired models. However, the growing adoption of wireless technologies such as Google Cast and AirPlay and intelligent TV-style features such as streaming apps
that work over Wi-Fi means that many mini projectors can get video from many sources. How to choose the best portable projector for you

Its important to know what to look for when you're buying a portable projector.

By considering how youre going to use it, youll get the right mix of
features. We asked Luke Chen, senior business line manager at Viewsonic Europe, a display and projector specialist for his point of view (no pun intended).

First off, you need to think about the situations youre going to be using
your projector in and find one that fits your requirements. Taking your smart projector on-the-go? Consider how well the projector achieves a portable design. Does it come with a carry handle? Or can it fold into a travel-ready container? If your projector is going to sit on your coffee table, make sure it says its a short throw.

Think about durability, LED technology avoids dimming projector issues, allowing smart projectors to shine brightly for up to 30,000 hours. LED light sources run much cooler than bulb-based light sources (meaning less fan noise). Lamp-Free is what to look for. It means you no longer have to rely on bulbs, which need to be replaced over time. Theyre eco-friendly, too. Lamp Free means no glass bulb is needed, which means no mercury.

Something else to consider is resolution. Smart projectors are much smaller than standard projectors, this makes resolution the first thing to go. For those who enjoy camping, and just want some form of entertainment next to the campfire, a lower resolution works. Mini projectors have the hardest time
with resolution. But, not all smart projectors suffer from poor resolution.
4K Smart LED projectors are now on the market. If home entertainment is your preferred use, opt for 4K resolution. The highest-end smart projectors will call themselves True 4K projectors.

Next, up, apps. Your projector is only as smart as the apps running on it.
So, it makes sense to have an app store enabled on your projector. Does the projector youre looking at come with app store integration? To work with
apps, enable voice commands, and stream movies (all at the same time) look
for a smart projector with ample processors, memory, and storage.

Most smart projectors have to compromise on sound. This is the only way to
fit all the components into such a small size. If you dont already have a premium sound system integrated into your home theatre, opt for premium speakers. In short, theres no such thing as a one-size-fits-all projector.
How we test the best portable projectors

We've tested many different types of projectors over the years, including the best ultra-short throw projectors and the best business projectors - but when we were looking for the best portable projector, we needed to see a few key considerations.

The most obvious is portability. This means different things to different people. In the guide above, we've clarified that some designs are portable because you can move them from room to room, like the Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K. At the same time, others are pocket-sized, like the ASUS ZenBeam E1 Portable LED Projector. Both are, technically, 'portable' but to varying degrees, and we've made that clear in the guide.

Usability is critical with projectors. There's no point carrying one with you if setting up is a pain. So while testing these best portable projectors, we ensured that you could get up and running quickly, even if you've not had
much experience with projectors.

Brightness and picture quality vary in our guide above, but all can project
TV shows and movies at a decent rate. We were mainly looking for projectors that offered a decent amount of brightness and resolution for their size and value for money. We've clarified when you'll likely get a dimmer experience, but in a tiny and affordable package, which might be more of a priority for some people. ^ Back to top



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/best-portable-projector


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