8 Best Mini Projectors to Buy in 2023 – Top Portable Projector Reviews

A mini projector is one of those products that feels like it’s from the future. As long as you have a blank wall or a white sheet, you can watch a movie anywhere on a ginormous cinema-like screen. Most models are able to project up to a 100-inch image and even have built-in speakers. And although the pictures they produce don’t rival those from a TV or full-sized projector, mini projectors are the easiest and most inexpensive path to bringing the big screen to your own backyard — or, for those who prefer coziness over camping, to their living rooms.

The Best Mini Projectors

What to Consider

Screen Size and Resolution

Just like with smart TVs, the “screen” size of a mini projector is measured diagonally and the lower the resolution, the smaller and less detailed your picture will be. If you’re on a budget, a pico projector — like the may seem appealing since they are more affordable and have favorable reviews on Amazon. However, most pico projectors have just a 480p resolution (854×480 pixels). Meaning, you’ll be able to project an image size between 24 and 48 inches. If you enlarge the image too much, it’ll look washed out, less detailed, and even grainy.

You’d be better off with a projector with a 1080p resolution (1920×1080 pixels), like the . You can also buy 720p (1280×720 pixels) resolution projectors which find a nice middle ground. 720p projectors can easily project a 60-inch image. 1080p projectors will have no issues projecting a clear 100-inch image.

Brightness

Compared to full-sized home theater projectors, portable projectors use a LED lamp rather than a UHP lamp. Their brightness is measured in lumens or ANSI lumens with the brightest mini projectors measuring 600 lumens, while home theater projectors hover around the 1,500 lumen range.

Although LED lamps aren’t as bright as traditional projector lamps, they do last significantly longer. We recommend opting for a model that has at least 300 ANSI lumens of brightness. If you plan to use the projector outdoors, you should shop for something that has at least 500 ANSI lumens of brightness, like the which is completely waterproof.

Portability

You should also pay attention to the size and shape of the projector. Some mini projectors are around the size of an energy drink can, others look like a thick Moleskine notebook or a small video game console, and a handful even have carrying handles for easier transport. Be sure to pay attention to the projector’s weight, too, so you don’t get stuck lugging around a heavy projector all day.

If you plan to use the projector on the go, you’ll want a model with a battery. While shopping, pay attention to the battery life specs. Most projectors can last for a 90-minute movie, but there are some with batteries that last even longer.

Connections and Media Playback

Next, you need to decide how you plan to watch content. Some projectors have full-size HDMI inputs on their backside so you can plug in a streaming device, Blu-ray player, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or video game console. Others have USB ports for playing back personal media files, and some have built-in Wi-Fi for casting content from a smartphone. Our favorites have an onboard operating system that allows you to download internal streaming-video apps that you log into over Wi-Fi just like you would on Netflix using your smart TV.

How We Chose

We spent 50-plus hours researching the best mini projectors on the market, comparing specs and features, and reading consumer and editorial reviews of all our picks.

To determine the best mini projectors worth buying, we thoroughly scrutinized their designs, ease of use, durability, picture quality, speaker quality, and battery life. Our picks are lightweight, super portable, and easy to use on the go. Plus, they pack enough battery life to get through a 2-hour movie, while still being small enough to toss into a bag.

Whether you’re looking to have an outdoor movie night, need a new presentation tool for work, a portable display for gaming on your garage door, or want a portable home theater setup, there’s a projector here for you.