The 9 Best Portable Projectors in 2023 – Top Picks & Buying Guide

Portable projectors have been a real revolution for cinema enthusiasts because they allow you to enjoy all the benefits of a movie night everywhere.

If you are a type who prefers to move always from one place to another, this is the device for you: it will allow you not to have to give up an excellent audiovisual experience because of your nomadic nature.

Here we had selected the best portable projectors that are listed below.

Things to Consider Before Buying Portable Projectors

Portable projectors are an excellent option to have a fantastic experience with the video games you love or to enjoy your favorite movies on a big screen, without having to go to the cinema.

However, before buying a projector, you should dispel any doubts you may have about the use or the device itself. In the following section, we will answer the most frequently asked questions.

How Far from The Screen Should I Place the Portable Projector?

The answer to this question may vary by model: most portable projectors have a range of between one and five meters. You should know that the further away the projector is from the wall or screen, the larger the projected image will be. Some projectors allow you to change the image size without having to move the device.

However, this is not the case with portable projectors, especially the cheaper ones: in fact, they allow you to adjust the image simply based on the distance from the projection wall. If you consult this information before finalizing the purchase, you will not find any nasty surprises.

What Is the Projection Ratio of A Portable Projector?

The projection ratio refers to the size of the projected image based on the distance of the projector from the screen. For example, the Vamvo model projects an image of 200 inches by about 4.5 meters and 44 inches by 1.5 meters.

Does the Room I Am Projecting Into Be Completely Dark?

Many manufacturers recommend using the device in a room as dark as possible because the filtered light from outside could reduce the quality of the projected image. If the area in which you will use the projector is completely dark, a projector with an intensity of 1500 lumens should be fine.

On the contrary, if a lot of light enters the room, the greater intensity is needed if you want to obtain an optimal image. For example, in offices, where a minimum of light is required during projections, projectors that reach even 3000 or more lumens are needed; if you want to project outside, even if at night, you will be particularly subject to light contamination.

Do I Need Speakers to Use a Portable Projector?

Most portable projectors have built-in speakers: this is an outstanding feature because the device will be easier to transport, and you won’t have to carry other items with you.

The audio quality varies from model to model. In principle, however, the sound is not as excellent and enveloping as that from proper audio equipment.

We must pay close attention to the characteristics of the speakers included in portable projectors: if they do not match our needs, we should opt for another model. In many cases, for optimal audio quality, external audio devices must be used, connecting them to the projector or video source.

How Do You Power a Portable Projector?

Power is a significant factor to be considered well if you want to travel with the projector. Many projectors are powered by connecting them to an electrical outlet. Still, there are other models equipped with a battery: this is an exciting possibility because it can give the user greater mobility.

What Devices Can I Connect to My Portable Projector?

The answer to this question may vary from model to model: the best projectors on the market are very versatile, so much so that they are compatible with various devices. Most of them can be connected to computers, televisions, consoles, DVD players, smartphones, tablets, USB sticks, and SD cards.

What Materials Can I Reproduce on A Portable Projector?

The material you can reproduce depends exclusively on the device you will connect to the projector. If you join a computer or a DVD player, for example, you will not have to worry about the formats.

In these cases, the projector acts as a screen for these devices, because they will reproduce the material. The problem may arise if you want to play files that are located on a USB stick or an SD card.

The format of the image or video must be compatible with the projector, but this should not be a problem: the supported formats (MP4, AVI, or MOV) are also the most famous. However, always better to check in the manufacturer’s directions.

Is the Image Quality of The Projector Good?

Today, practically all portable projectors offer Full HD image quality. The models we have shown you in the Ranking all support this resolution, but some clarifications are still needed.

On the one hand, it must be taken into account that, typically, a portable projector does not have image quality as good as a traditional projector. In fact, many times, the resolution must be sacrificed in favor of mobility and design.

On the other hand, then, most projectors do not even come close to the quality of modern screens and televisions. The main advantage of a portable projector lies in the price because with a relatively cheap device, and it is possible to reproduce a much larger image.

Purchase Criteria

Portable projectors are a fundamental device if you want to always bring the cinema with you or if you’re going to watch a football match with friends.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the perfect projector for your needs. In the following section, we are going to show you the main criteria to be sure of making a profitable purchase.

• Dimensions and weight
• Image quality
• Connectivity
• Usage
• Sound

Dimensions and Weight

An excellent portable projector must be, among other things, easy to transport: therefore, it must be small and light. The projectors that we proposed to you in the Ranking do not exceed 30 centimeters in width and are easily transportable: try to opt for a model that has these measures.

As for weight, some models do not exceed 4 kg, but it is always better to opt for a model that weighs a maximum of one or 2 kg. To decide on this aspect, you need to know precisely how often you are going to carry the projector.

Image Quality

This factor will significantly influence the audiovisual experience. Many of the portable projectors offer Full HD quality, while others stop at HD. Also, it is essential to know that portable projectors cannot provide the same video quality as modern monitors and televisions.

Connectivity

Technological progress has brought about a great revolution in connection options. Today, projectors, even portable ones, have multiple ports that allow them to be connected to computers, consoles, DVD players, smartphones, and tablets. Some models have HDMI, AV, VGA, and USB outputs, and not all are sold with the cables necessary for connection.

For this reason, the manufacturer’s indications regarding connection to other devices should be checked. Also, some portable projectors are equipped with Bluetooth technology, which is very useful if you want to play images or videos from your smartphone.

Usage

When buying a portable projector, you must keep in mind the use you are going to make of it: this device is perfect for watching movies and TV series, playing video games or watching sports events.

Also, don’t forget the usefulness of projectors when it comes to viewing photos or text presentations. You must also pay attention to the frequency with which you will go to transport it.

Some projectors have a design specifically designed to facilitate their transport, but this factor compromises other characteristics, such as image quality. Hence, it is essential to find a model whose parameters are in perfect balance.

Sound

Most models are equipped with a system for reproducing sounds, but usually, the quality is not the best: in these cases, it is better to connect the device to external speakers or use headphones.

If, on the other hand, you connect the projector to a computer or a television, you can have the sound reproduced by the latter.

Conclusions

If at the end of the 19th century I had told the Lumière brothers, the fathers of the cinema, that in 2019 you would have been able to enjoy the seventh art from the comfort of your home, they would have taken you for a fool. Instead, portable projectors were born!

Thanks to this device, you can watch your favorite TV series and movies practically anywhere. Don’t forget to find the perfect combination of size and performance, including image quality. After that, you just have to choose the device to connect enjoy!