A small projector is compact, lightweight, yet, it can mimic a large viewing experience with a flick of on the button. As technology advances, it is becoming more powerful with expanded connectivity options, longer battery life, and better video quality.
Your portable mini projector allows you to expand your viewing environment to vary your experience. And screens can also be re-purposed like a blank wall or some thick fabric. You can set it up anywhere in your home, even in the garden. You can also bring it with you during vacations or business trips. Whether for work or leisure, getting quality and high-performing small projector gives more mileage to your investment.
A portable projector also allows you to share entertainment with your family or colleagues. It is now easier to conduct a mini outdoor cinema within your property or share funny clips stored in your phone for your friends to watch together by projecting them on a bigger screen like your wall.
The market for a mini projector offers a variety of options – from different shapes and finishes to more functions like integrated speakers and automatic keystone correction. Thus, it is challenging to spot the best using only several criteria, so we researched for you to come up with our 3 best recommendations.
Here at Top Ten Reviews, we used these key performance indicators to gauge each small projector options:
- Size
- Ease of installation
- Functionality
- Video and audio quality
- Connectivity
- Battery life
| Name | Key Features | |
|---|---|---|
| XGMI Halo True 1080p Portable Mini Projector– Editor’s Choice | 1080p HD video quality and supports 4K Ultra HD resolution; with Harman Kardon Speakers | Check Price |
| Anker Nebula Apollo, Wi-Fi Mini Projector | 480p resolution; Wireless connectivity | Check Price |
| ELEPHAS Mini Projector, Native 720P Video Projector | 720p resolution; 4500 lumens brightness; with built-in speakers | Check Price |
XGMI Halo True 1080p Portable Mini Projector – Editor’s Choice
Some people are hesitant to get a small projector because of the compromise in video quality. And it is largely because most mainstream types of a pocket projector can only provide up to 720p resolution. This is not the case with XGMI Halo True.
This small projector exhibits 1080p HD video quality, and can even support 4K Ultra HD resolution video format. This means you get finer and crisper details and colors, which enhances the viewing experience more.
The XGMI Halo True 1080p Portable Mini Projector can also run 3D videos, but you need to purchase separate 3D glasses for it. It offers a brightness of 800 ANSI lumens, enabling you to watch movies or show your presentation with lights on or without, and you can still see the details.
Meanwhile, this small projector is also equipped with a 4-point keystone correction that allows you to view what’s on the screen clearly from all perspectives. This feature is usually found in high-end projectors, but not on compact ones like the XGMI Halo.
I am also thrilled knowing that aside from superior high definition video quality and brightness, this mini HD movie projector is installed with Harman Kardon speakers. As you know, this brand is one of the industry leaders in the audio industry. And this partnership provides customers with the best of both worlds in one compact device.
This small projector is not yet stopping at providing outstanding video and audio quality. It also has a host of other features like compatibility with mobile and smart tv apps to stream movies, videos, and even games. It is also powered by Android TV that allows you to access a wide range of content using the device.
The XGMI Halo True 1080p Portable Mini Projector has a built-in battery that can last up to hours in full charge. The projector lights have 30,000 hours of lifetime, which is equal to about 3.7 years of non-stop viewing, or more realistic 10 years of use.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1080p HD video quality and supports 4K Ultra HD resolution | Compact but not lightweight |
| Supports 3D videos | |
| With built-in Android TV software | |
| Installed with 2 5W Harman Kardon speakers | |
| Multiple connectivities – Bluetooth, USB, and HDMI |
Conclusion
The XGMI Halo True 1080p Portable Mini Projector is for someone who wants to invest in a powerhouse small projector that combines superb video with rich audio quality.
Anker Nebula Apollo, Wi-Fi Mini Projector
If you are looking for something less hassle to set up, stripped of the not-so-necessary features, but remains reliable and compact as a small projector should be, this product is for you.
This mini movie projector connects to your streaming devices wirelessly to relieve you of carrying extra accessories with you. It is also built with the controls you need, so you can navigate menus, choose your movie, and change settings on the device itself.
The Anker Nebula Apollo, Wi-Fi Mini Projector can be mounted on a tripod or stand on itself. You can adjust the projection size manually by moving the device in considerable distance to the screen or use the embedded controls to expand it up to 100” without sacrificing its picture quality.
However, compared with other small projector options on this list, the video quality falls to only 480p resolution. This should not be a problem for small screens and a dim environment.
This lightweight small projector can be paired with a Bluetooth speaker to provide a rich and more immersive viewing or cinematic experience. It also works through screen mirroring via Airplay, Miracast, or Bluetooth, which again, are all wireless connections – fewer wires, fewer hassles.
This mini Bluetooth projector, aside from having an embedded interactive touch panel, can also be controlled remotely with the Nebula Connect app. This app is available from both Google Play and Apple’s App Store, making it a good mini projector for iPhone.
The Anker Nebula Apollo, Wi-Fi Mini Projector is running by Android 7.0 that allows you to access major video streaming platforms directly from your device like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube. No need to have another device to process the connectivity, which further enhances its portability.
This portable movie projector also has a built-in rechargeable battery that can run your videos and presentation for up to 4 hours, and Bluetooth audio playback for up to 30 hours. It supports a variety of video formats up to 1080p resolution. It also comes with a physical remote control if you find controlling it directly on the device and using your phone cumbersome.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can be mounted on a tripod or stand on an elevated flat surface | Low video resolution |
| Compact and lightweight | |
| Wireless connectivity | |
| Supports Android and Apple devices |
Conclusion
If you need a no-frills, compact, and lightweight small projector for small family get-togethers and usual video presentations at work, the Anker Nebula Apollo, Wi-Fi Mini Projector is for you. The wireless connectivity makes it easier to bring and use for people on the go.
ELEPHAS Mini Projector, Native 720P Video Projector
This small projector has more edge than its contemporaries in several ways, making it an improved version of the mainstream versions. It is lightweight, compact, and just the right size to fit your bag, but it is not short of functionalities.
The ELEPHAS Mini Projector, Native 720P Video Projector improves its resolution to 720p, giving your viewing experience more vivid and lifelike. It is also built with speakers, allowing you to have a complete cinema or portable presentation equipment in your work in one compact device.
This small projector also makes a good mini projector for phone. Aside from movies and business presentations, you can also use this device to project your phone’s screen as you play games.
This provides you with a different, and larger-than-life experience as a portable projector for iPhone or Android phone.
Surprisingly at its price point, it can provide 4500 lumens of brightness. This allows you to use your small projector in brightly lit environments with less compromise on clarity. This translates to 70% better quality than most small projectors in the market.
This device can support small projector screens ranging from 40″ up to 200″. This provides you another dimension in your viewing, cinematic, and gaming experience. And the best thing about it is that you can bring your small projector with you on vacations, travel, or business trips, giving you more ways to use it.
Although, this is not an LED projector mini, rather, an LCD version. The only difference is how it will consume energy, but when it comes to performance, it will not disappoint.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 720p video resolution | Not an LED projector |
| Multiple connectivities – HDMI, VGA, USB, AV, Micro SD, Audio | |
| 4500 lumens brightness | |
| With built-in speakers |
Conclusion
If you are looking to strike a balance between affordability, functionality, and audio/video quality, the ELEPHAS Mini Projector, Native 720P Video Projector is the small projector for you among this list.
Final Verdict
A small projector may be less in size, but it does not have to be also short of features and functionality. A rich, immersive, and satisfying viewing experience comes with a price tag, but with XGMI Halo True 1080p Portable Mini Projector as the best mini projector on this list, it is worth it.
With XGMI Halo True 1080p Portable Mini Projector, you are getting a 1080p HD video quality with two integrated Hardon Speakers enriching the whole experience. the 30,000-hours bulb lifetime also assures that you can enjoy your best portable projector for a long time.