The nights are getting longer and warmer, especially with the recent heat wave, so now is the perfect time to watch an outdoor movie with an IPA conference in hand to watch a movie outdoors. Whether you’re watching the latest blockbuster, enjoying a famous show, or watching sports on a monitor larger than your TV, one of the best portable projectors is a must. These models give you more freedom than many of the options in our roundup of the best movie projectors, are smaller and lighter, yet deliver huge bright projections over 100 inches and often come with built-in batteries for your home use. movie adventures.
Of course, they often don’t match the quality of high-end 4K TVs or most mains-powered home projectors. But these larger models can weigh over 10kg, which isn’t ideal if you want to take the film to the garden or another room.
The options in our review below are lightweight, (mostly) affordable, and capable of delivering high-quality images. The best portable projector is the BBQ BFF, especially now that it’s summer in the UK. They’re also sturdy enough to fit in your bag, and many of the mini models are just as good as some of the best dedicated indoor projectors.
It has a handle, so it’s considered “portable”, right? While technically it fits the bill, we know you won’t be nervous about it on a hike (especially since it doesn’t have a built-in battery and costs about 2 large ones), and the almost 5kg weight makes it a bit heavier than ours. list of any other model in . But if you move it from room to room or take it to your partner in the car, you won’t struggle with its compactness and you’ll get a huge advantage in image quality.
This Anker offers an all-in-one kit with built-in Android TV and a running Netflix app (unlike some of its competitors on this list), ports for streaming a flash drive, USB stick or headphones, plus smooth autofocus and keystone. This makes setup as easy as possible. We used it to set up a cinema in the bedroom and then moved it to a blank wall in the living room to get the same big screen experience from the couch and found that using loud built-in speakers or connecting our Bluetooth speakers provided the best results.” with audio.
Resolution: 4K Brightness: 2400 lumens Contrast ratio: 1500000:1 Maximum projection size: 150 inches Ports: HDMI x1, USB-A x1, Headphones x1 Speakers: Yes Power: Power Dimensions: 26.3 x 16.5 x 22 cm Weight : 4.85 kg
Overall, we think Anker’s Nebula Solar is the best choice for most buyers looking for a portable projector. You get Full HD picture quality at a reasonable price, and it comes with a lot of pre-installed apps via Android TV. This means you don’t have to worry about carrying around a streaming stick (although you can plug one in) to watch your favorite sports or movies, and you can mirror content from your smartphone via Chromecast and a dedicated app.
It was easy for us to move around the house, quickly collect things and create a new environment in a matter of minutes. It has a built-in kickstand that flips to give you more control over your viewing angle, and it weighs 1kg so it’s not hard to carry around in the car or keep under your arm – it’s just not the size of a beer can lower than just a pod.
Resolution: 1080p Full HD Brightness: 400 lumens Contrast ratio: Not officially announced Maximum projection size: 120 inches Ports: HDMI x1, USB-C x1, USB-A x1 Speakers: Yes Power supply: AC and 3 hours Battery dimensions: 19 .2 x 19.2 x 5.8 cm Weight: 1 kg
Another ViewSonic model that is more powerful than the M1 Mini pocket projector mentioned above and offers better Full HD picture quality, better sound and more ports in a larger form factor. We think it’s a good sports model because it has vibrant colors and works better in the bright scenes you might find in sports coverage. It also has constant motion smoothing, which affects the quality of movies, but is ideal for news, football or rugby games. Great for simple setup, the M2 also features fast auto keystone and autofocus.
When we tried this, we were able to project a 90-inch image onto the wall a meter away and found that the sound from the dual Harmon Kardon stereo speakers was loud enough to fill the room. For those in need of better sound, you can easily connect headphones or speakers via Bluetooth or the optional 3.5mm jack. This model has a handy array of ports for connecting everything you need, including a Micro SD card slot, an HDMI port, and a USB-A port for flash storage. There’s also a big benefit for sports fans on the go: It can run on a USB-C power bank – as long as it supports 45W and Power Delivery (PD) output like this Anker charger – in your backyard.
Resolution: 1080p Full HD Brightness: 1200 lumens Contrast ratio: 3,000,000:1 Maximum projection size: 100 inches Ports: HDMI x1, USB-A x1, USB-C x1, Micro SD card reader, Headphones x1 Speakers: Yes Power: Main power supply (and USB-C external battery support) Dimensions: 7.37 x 22.35 x 22.35 cm Weight: 1.32 kg
When using a portable projector outdoors, even in the evening light, you will need more brightness than many models on our list offer. Halo+ delivers an impressive 900 lumens on mains, and you can still get 600 lumens on battery (for reference). This should be more than enough for summer night parties. We’ve used it to watch movies with or without curtains and confirmed that it’s bright enough to handle plenty of ambient light.
It’s also the best choice for outdoor use as it has a handy stand and tripod, it can project a larger Full HD image than most portable models, and it has some impressive built-in 5W speakers to help you immerse yourself in any movies or shows. you are looking. Unfortunately, you can’t get Netflix through the powerful Android TV interface, and Bluetooth audio isn’t as loud. But it’s a great option for external connections via the HDMI and USB ports (adding a Netflix streaming stick), and we like its reliable autofocus and auto keystone correction. It’s a bit more expensive than our top pick, but the extra features are well worth it.
Resolution: 1080p Full HD Brightness: 900 lumens Contrast ratio: 1000:1 Maximum projection size: 200 inches Ports: HDMI x1, USB-A x1, Headphones x1 Speakers: Yes Power: AC and battery for 2 hours Dimensions: 11.4 x 14.5 x 17.5 cm Weight: 3.3 kg
We have to admit that when Samsung’s Freestyle launched at almost £1,000, we weren’t sure it could afford such a hefty price tag. Prices have come down, however, thanks to a new MSRP of £699 (we’ve seen it drop to £499), making it a more attractive option that outperforms the competition. Smaller than other projectors with the same 1080p resolution, we think this is a versatile kit that’s perfect for indoor viewing in darker environments or as a small travel model. We love its sleek look and how it supports HDR, offers 360-degree audio, is Bixby, Alexa and Google Assistant compatible, and has the Samsung Tizen Smart TV platform.
During testing, we used it to stream Thor: Love and Thunder through Disney+, and while we had some focus issues during setup, they were resolved when we stopped trying to zoom out (making it more suitable for more large room or 100-inch screen). screen). Anyone who has used the brand’s smart TV is familiar with Samsung’s interface. It’s a bit of a pity that it doesn’t have a built-in battery, which affects its portability. You can plug it into Samsung’s own Freestyle battery base (£159) or a larger third-party power bank with at least 50W charging speeds. Samsung has a list of compatible models and we recommend products such as this Anker PD 60W Charger, which we used for long trips and to charge laptops on the go. We also like that it comes in several different colors (white, beige, pink, and green), but we’d skip the protective cases, which are too tight to slip on and off.
Resolution: 1080p Full HD Brightness: 550 lumens Contrast ratio: 300:1 Projection size: 100 inches Ports: HDMI Micro x1, USB-C x1 Speakers: Yes Power: AC (and USB-C Power Bank support) Dimensions: 17.28 x 10.42 x 9.52 cm Weight: 830 g
Sounds like the Anker tops our list, but would you like it to be under £500? Looking ahead, the LG CineBeam PF50KS is a super versatile and reliable option that offers more options in terms of picture quality and connectivity. Its low lumens means we only recommend using it in dark rooms or at night, but in those conditions you’ll get impressive HD images and battery life so you can get to work when LA Confidential runs out.
You get the built-in Netflix and YouTube apps with this model, but we think most people will want to plug in a streaming stick because it’s missing some key apps like iPlayer and Prime Video. If most of your videos are files from your laptop, you have a USB-A port for flash storage and a USB-C port for screen mirroring from your computer or tablet. The only downside is that you won’t get great sound from the built-in speakers, but you can always connect it to an external audio source via Bluetooth or the headphone jack.
Resolution: 1080p Full HD Brightness: 600 lumens Contrast ratio: 100,000:1 Maximum projection size: 100 inches Ports: HDMI x2, USB-C x1, USB-A x1, Headphones x1, Ethernet x1 Speakers: Yes Power: AC and battery for 2.5 hours Dimensions: 17 x 17 x 4.9 cm Weight: 1 kg
You see, if you’re after an ultra-compact device that can do it all, you can’t go wrong with the Anker Nebula Capsule II, which is cheaper and smaller than anything else on our list. It includes Android TV for access to thousands of apps including YouTube, Prime Video and Disney+, as well as Chromecast and wired HDMI and USB-C connections.
It’s small enough to be gripped with one hand, about the size of a large can of beer (literally the size of a pint), and as light as a pack of pasta. We found it to be surprisingly durable as well, meaning it can fit in your backpack when you go to an outdoor theater. The main compromise? The resolution is below disappointing HD by today’s standards, and the battery life won’t outlast a movie as long as The Irishman. However, if you need portability, this is the best option.
Resolution: 720p HD Ready Brightness: 200 lumens Contrast ratio: 600:1 Maximum projection size: 100 inches Ports: HDMI x1, USB-C x1, USB-A x1, Headphone x1 Speakers: Yes Power supply: 2.5 hours Battery size: 12 x 7 x 7 cm. Weight: 680 g.
Like the Anker Capsule, this versatile mini projector is shaped like a large soft drink can. However, it offers more in terms of picture quality and its Full HD resolution is better than the aforementioned models. You can also lay it horizontally or vertically and it will automatically rotate the projection.
It’s worth the money and claims to last up to five hours on its own battery (although, depending on the brightness and volume of the built-in speakers, you might get less power). Considering it doesn’t have a built-in OS for quick access to apps, it’s not as versatile as the Anker projectors on our list, but it does have plenty of ports to connect with and you can mirror your phone’s screen.
Resolution: 1080p Full HD Brightness: 300 lumens Contrast ratio: 5000:1 Projection size: 100 inches Ports: HDMI x1, USB-C x1, Micro SD card reader, Headphones x1 Speakers: Yes 16.8, 9.8 cm Weight: 600 g.
This is a pocket projector (or a pico projector if you prefer) and is the smallest and lightest model on our list. It is also the most accessible and will be the right choice for many people who need to move around easily. However, you’ll need to recalibrate your resolution expectations here, as any model small enough to fit in your jeans pocket (and lighter than a box of chocolates) will inevitably degrade in quality. As such, it’s one of only two sub-HD images on our list with resolutions up to 480p – yes, it’s one of the lowest options for a YouTube video.
Don’t despair though, despite the lower quality, there is still a lot to be done. The most basic model sells for less than £150, if you want to choose another model with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the price will be higher. It’s perfect for presentations, photo slideshows and home movies. It’s not the brightest, but it has a neat kickstand that can handle multiple types of photo and video files via the HDMI and USB ports, and offers over two hours of battery life. Need a small projector for travel or a small room? This works great.
Resolution: 480p Brightness: 120 lumens Contrast ratio: 500:1 Projection dimensions: 100 inches Ports: HDMI x1, USB-A x1 Speakers: Yes Power: AC and battery up to 2.5 hours Dimensions: 11 x 10 x 3 cm Weight: 280 g
Want a projector that’s funnier and newer than advertised? If you’d rather something closer to £300 than a premium £400+ portable option, this one is worth considering. It can’t deliver the quality of an Acer C250i or a Nebula Capsule because it’s only 480p (like the ViewSonic above) and only offers 200 lumens of brightness. Put it in a dark room, however, and it works great for streaming YouTube or Netflix from a connected laptop. It also works with Airplay and Chromecast to project files and videos from your tablet or phone.
It runs on a modified and outdated version of Android, which unfortunately doesn’t offer as many modern apps as you need. It comes with built-in Netflix, Amazon Video, and Disney+ apps, which makes it very useful, but if you need to watch content outside of these services, we recommend connecting it to another device. It doesn’t get as bright on battery power, and if you push it to its projection size limit, you’ll start to see a drop in image quality. However, for the basics, this is an acceptable option.
Resolution: 480p Brightness: 200 lumens Contrast ratio: 100,000:1 Projection size: 100 inches Ports: USB-C x1, HDMI to USB-C adapter, DisplayPort x1 Speakers: Yes Power: Plugged in and up to 3 hours battery life Dimensions: 8 x 15.5 x 8 cm Weight: 708 g
The last thing you want is to get a mini projector and not be able to watch a movie in the sun or see your battery drain until you finish your Star Wars marathon. Here are the main points to remember before buying:
Brightness: If you’re going to take it outside, you’ll need a projector that can display products when it’s light outside, or at least with the curtains open. Brightness is measured in lumens, and while you want to get as high a model as possible, you can easily get a model with as little as 100 lumens with the shades closed – though as noted below, you’ll need at least 2,500 lumens. during the day. Movies are best viewed in a dark, airtight room, but we think the 300 is a good starting point for watching outdoors after sunset.
Contrast. Contrast measures how well your device handles the brightness of blacks and whites. A low contrast ratio such as 500:1 means your image will be more washed out. Higher contrast ratio means higher clarity – some models on our list exceed 1,500,000:1.
Resolution: Generally, the lowest resolution you should accept is entry-level 720p (i.e. 1280×720 pixels, also known as “HD ready”), although we do have two budget models at very low 480p (852×480 pixels) . While pixel lovers go for the best 4K quality, you’ll find that most top-tier compact models are 1080p (1920×1080 pixels or “full HD”). We included a 4K model in this review, but the high resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) comes at a price.
Projection Size: If you have the space, our best portable projectors can display 40″ and 200″ images. You can adjust the projection by placing the device closer to or further from the wall, and some models are capable of “short throw” meaning you can move it closer to the wall and still get a huge image. Most of us don’t have big white walls outside, so if you’re making those garden parties a chore, you might need a projector screen. Otherwise, you will need a flat white surface (such as a piece of paper) to view.
Keystone Correction: You can’t always mount the projector against a wall—sometimes it’s a little tilted, and that’s where the magic of keystone correction comes into play. If your angle is not correct, the projected image will be perfectly distorted, but this correction fixes your oblique projection and makes it rectangular without moving the projector. In some models it is manual adjustment, in others it is automatic. Keystone is a digital effect, and the Lens Shift setting allows you to move the entire physical lens assembly and helps sort out jittery or off-center projections.
Weight and Size: A homemade model can weigh as much as a microwave – this 11kg beast is one of our favorites, but it’s not portable, so you can’t take the one we carry with us. By comparison, some of these miniatures are the size of a beer can, and some of our list weigh less than a kilo.
Speakers: All models on this list feature built-in speakers for a full outdoor theater experience. For those who don’t have or want better sound, you can also use Bluetooth or a speaker port.
Battery life. For our review, we chose a combination of mains or battery power that can last up to three hours for all but the longest movies. If you’re using a wall outlet but looking out into the garden, you can always run an extension cord through the window – just don’t trip over it on your way to the beer cooler.
Apps: Some portable projectors run on operating systems such as Android TV or Samsung Smart TV, which means you can download all the necessary streaming service apps directly to your device without connecting it to a streamer or memory card.
Extras: Some projectors have smart features such as voice control or dedicated apps to help you navigate what to watch or change the volume. Speaking of assistants, you’ll likely find Alexa and Google Assistant, and you’ll likely notice additional features like Chromecast, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB and HDMI ports for connecting thumb drives, gaming consoles, or laptops.
We always recommend projecting in darker environments, so while we suggested some outdoor projectors in our review, they are used after sunset and we’re not talking about using them in direct sunlight. Frankly, even with the best projector on a sunny day, you will have a hard time. 10,000 lumens per square meter of sun – these gadgets don’t stand a chance.
However, if you insist on projecting during the day, you’ll need at least 2,500 lumens to get your image to appear, and it’s not enough to see it clearly. We are talking about sunlight in or around the house. As mentioned above, no projector on the market can stand up to the sun, so if you’re dreaming of projecting in broad daylight away from the shadows, you might want to give them up now. There’s a reason outdoor movie theater events happen after dark.
The answer to this question depends on what you consider “cheap”, but we’ve included it in a parade of sub-£100 projectors from brands you’ve never heard of on Amazon and eBay. The risk here is that many of these lesser-known brands have inaccurate specs, especially when it comes to brightness, and performance suffers.
The main thing to note is that many of these brands tend not to use the standard brightness specification, ANSI Lumens, in their listings. ANSI is short for the American National Standards Institute and its luminance specification is a respected source for evaluating the intensity of light sources. A candle is 14 lumens, a light bulb is 1600 lumens, and so on. The problem with nameless brands is that they are notorious for inflating lumens or other misleading specifications. We have provided the corresponding ANSI Lumens for all models in the listing.
With that in mind, we don’t think most of them are worth the risk, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a great projector for a lower price. We recommend either choosing one of our best projectors (starting at just £160) or choosing affordable budget office projectors from well-known brands like Epson or BenQ.
Post time: Nov-08-2022