We've compared 7 bestselling Portable Projectors available online and put them to the test to recommend the best Portable Projectors for you.
We tested the products to find out the following.
Which product ended up being the best of the best? We'll also tell you how to pick the best Portable Projectors on your own in our buying guide, so read on for more shopping tips.
Kazuya Orihara is a journalist who has expertise in audio and video appliances. Kazuya was previously working as a computer-related editor, until he decided to switch over to the audio and visual world, working both in and out of Japan to follow the latest trends in the industry. He lives by the motto of actually trying products out and reviewing products that he can genuinely recommend. He's contributed as a writer to several media outlets, including audio and visual website Phile Web, as well as Japanese magazines like Kaden-Hihyo, MONOQLO, Nikkei Trendy, and Goods Press, all specializing in trending goods. Since 2009, Kazuya has also acted as a judge for the Visual Grand Prix (VGP), which in addition to his own reviews but also with votes from consumer electronics mass retailers, selects audio and visual equipment that offers high image quality, high audio quality, and melds seamlessly with various lifestyles.
After graduating from university and working for a video production company, Kohei Otsuru joined mybest in 2020. After comparing and verifying white goods, such as refrigerators and microwaves, he became the manager of black goods, such as televisions and headphones, utilizing my experience in video and audio. As a person in charge of comparison content, he tackled tasks such as wireless earphone sound quality measurement using dummy heads and tuneless TV image quality measurement using calibration software. In addition, he also handled gadget products such as mobile batteries and smartwatches. He was involved in more than 100 types of products. We aim to spread convenient gadgets that make daily life comfortable. We value first-hand information that can only be understood by actually using them in our content production.
First we focused on the most important part of a projector: the picture it produces. We asked AV electronics expert Orihara Kazuya to assist us in testing these projectors by playing three types of video on each one and assigning scores based on video quality. To assure the viewing environment was always the same we set the following conditions.80-inch pictureDefault video settingsIn the case of a light room, shut out external light sources, projection surface of 90 luxIn the case of a dark room, shut out external light sources, turn off all lightsWe used the following videos:TV series: Netflix's "Stranger Things"Concert: "The Weeknd - Blinding Lights (Live On The 2020 MTV VMAs)" from YouTubeSports: Patriots vs. Chiefs AFC Championship Highlights NFL 2018 Playoffs on YouTubeThese are the factors we scored on:TV series: Color reproduction, contrast, resolutionConcert: Contrast, subtitle sharpness, visual noiseSports: Resolution, visual noise, clarity
Second, we tested the brightness level each projector was able to produce, which has a big effect on picture quality. We calculated scores by measuring the number of ANSI lumens produced by each product. We projected a completely white image at 80 inches, divided the picture into nine regions and measured the lux in the center of each. We then calculated the value for the entire surface using the average lux value.The Illuminometer we used was the Hioki Lux Meter FT3425.
Next we evaluated sound, which is just as important for a portable projector as picture quality. Once again we asked Orihara Kazuya to watch three different videos and grade each model. Each video type got its own basis for scoring. We rated sound quality after adding up the scores in each category.TV series: Netflix's "Stranger Things"Concert: "The Weeknd - Blinding Lights (Live On The 2020 MTV VMAs)" from YouTubeSports: Patriots vs. Chiefs AFC Championship Highlights NFL 2018 Playoffs on YouTubeThese are the factors we scored on:TV series: Clarity of voices, richness, immersionConcert: Vocal clarity, natural-sounding instruments, sound expansivenessSports: Commentary clarity, crowd noise intensity
A projector that allows you to easily adjust the picture to the position you want results in the best user experience. Taking this into consideration, we based on our scores on the following criteria related to ease of use, then added up the scores in every category.How far from the wall does the projector need to be to produce an 80-inch image?Does it have keystoning?To what extent can you adjust the direction the image is projected at?Can it easily project onto the ceiling?Does it have autofocus?
For our final evaluation we looked at things like ease of operation and whether video streaming was supported. We graded the projectors based on the following criteria and added the points to calculate each one's features score.Are major streaming services supported by the OS?Does it accept voice commands?Does it have an HDMI port?Does it support mirroring from a smartphone?
All product tests
were conducted in-house at mybest
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.The mybest team independently conducts its own tests to rank products.
Portable projectors are smaller and lighter than standard home theater projectors, so you're probably wondering whether this comes at the cost of picture quality.
When we asked our experts to compare picture quality, we found that traditional home theater projectors are indeed superior to portable ones in terms of brightness and contrast. But when looking at the latest models, portable projectors aren't that far behind in the race for a crisp, clear picture.
Portable projectors' biggest selling point is that they're lightweight and easy to carry around. Even if you primarily use one to watch video alone, you can easily move it to a larger space like the living room or your backyard when you have company. If you're looking for a projector that's both reasonably priced and versatile, you'll definitely want to add one of these to your wishlist.
Every year electronics makers release their newest models to show off the latest technology and features. Keep reading to find out the latest developments in the portable projector market.
In January 2023 Anker-affiliated brand Nebula released their Capsule 3 Laser, the first ever portable projector to use a laser for producing an image, which allows for a brighter, more vibrant picture than traditional LED-based models.
XGIMI's Halo+ is notable for its ability to produce an image nearly as bright as standard home theater projectors while being small enough to hold in your hand. Not only does the picture quality hold up, but you can even use it in the middle of the day without worrying about the light from outside overpowering the image.
You won't have trouble spotting BenQ's GV30 in a crowded field of products, as it's designed in the shape of a wheel. You can change the position of the picture simply by spinning the body, so it's perfect if you're lying in bed and decide you want to watch a movie on the ceiling. In the next section we'll explain what to look for when choosing a portable projector based on the results of our rigorous product tests.
You'll find portable projectors in a wide range of prices at online retailers, from under $100 all the way up to $500 and over. You're probably wondering what the difference is between the low-end and high-end models, so we've done the work for you and compared their picture quality.
Projectors priced at over $500 took the highest scores in all the categories we tested, including picture quality, sound quality, and user-friendliness. But the part that really stood out when we put them to the test was the brightness level.
Projectors that cost less than $100 weren't able to depict colors clearly enough even in a dark room with external light sources completely blocked out. But when we tried a projector in the $500 range, it had no problem displaying a beautiful picture under the same conditions.
It was the brightness level that delivered a sharp, colorful viewing experience. So if you don't want to sacrifice picture quality, you should have a budget of $300 or more ready.
Here are the points to keep in mind when choosing the best Portable Projectors.
Picture quality should be your first priority when choosing a portable projector, so we asked our audio/video experts to go over each one on our list. Since brightness has such a large effect on image quality, we used the same criteria to grade all of them.
Portable projectors have the advantage of being compact, but aren't as strong on illumination when compared to standard home theater projectors. This is why it's so important to know their brightness level before buying, more so than resolution or color radiance. For our evaluations, we tested each product during the daytime and at night to get a better idea of their potential brightness.
We generally found that products with 300 ANSI lumens or more could easily produce a clear picture in a dark room and didn't lose much quality in a light room either. On the other hand, models with only 35 ANSI lumens weren't able to depict color saturation or contrast sufficiently, even in a dark room. In a lit-up room during the daytime, we could barely even make out what was on the screen.
For people who plan on using one during the day, and even those who think they'll only use it at night, brightness is the most important point to look at when buying a portable projector.
Just when you think you're ready to make a purchase, you might discover that different makers have different methods of labeling brightness, and some don't even list the brightness in the specification table. So we used a unit of measurement called ANSI (American National Standards Institute) lumens to measure each of the projectors.
Based on this standard, most of the products actually output a lower level of brightness than what the makers claimed once we put them to the test. A brightness of 150 ANSI lumens was around the cutoff point for being able to display a pleasing image in color and sharpness. We found this was good enough to enjoy a movie directly on the wall with no dedicated screen.
Of the projectors that output 150 ANSI lumens or more, our experts gave the highest score to XGIMI's Halo+. Not only was the contrast and color saturation excellent, but the resolution was sharp enough to see the details on the actors' skin and faces. If you're concerned about picture quality, we recommend picking up the Halo+.
Make sure to also compare our brightness ratings among all the products we tested when making a decision.
Of course, every portable projector has its own unique characteristics, even those that hit the 150 ANSI lumen mark. XGIMI's Halo+ came in first place in the brightness category, displaying an impressive 300 ANSI lumens. It goes without saying it projects a clear picture at night, and just closing the curtain is enough to use it in the afternoon as well. It also scored extremely high for picture and sound quality. This one gets our top recommendation for videophiles.
Nebula's Capsule 3 Laser, which, as the name suggests, uses laser technology to project an image, produced a vivid image with satisfying contrast. At only 32 ounces, it's also extremely light, making it a good choice for people who want their portable projector to truly deliver on portability.
When compared to the number one and two spots, BenQ's GV30 is just behind in brightness and picture quality, but it makes up for this with its convenient wheel shape which allows you to adjust the picture effortlessly. If you suddenly decide you want to lie down and watch something on the ceiling, all you have to do is turn the body until the picture shows up where you want. This one gets our recommendation for people who like to watch movies in bed.
The first thing you'll probably pay attention to when choosing a projector is the picture quality, but sound quality is also an indispensable part of the viewing experience. All of the best-selling portable projectors have their own built-in speakers, which our experts tested rigorously for sound quality.
It's said that speakers which produce a greater number of watts sound better, but the human ear can often hear differences even between products with the same specs. There are many variables that can affect sound quality other than the number of watts, like how many speakers are used or individual speaker size.
It's surprisingly hard to judge sound quality just by the specifications given by the maker alone. You can use the results of our testing for reference, as we've compared each projector's sound quality while displaying TV shows, sports, and concerts.
Portable projectors have the advantage of being small and lightweight, but whether such a small device can provide an experience suitable for a 100-inch image depends on how expansive the sound produced by the speakers is.
Sound projection refers to the effect of producing sound from multiple directions so that you don't realize it's coming from speakers. Imagine a battle scene where you can hear bullets fly from your left to your right, or watching a concert and feeling like the band is playing on stage right in front of you, and you'll have a better idea. If the sound doesn't reverberate around the room at all and you can tell it's coming from the projector, you lose part of the experience.
Our number one and two top-rated projectors in the sound department are both by XGIMI. We found their products to be top of the line in both video and audio. In particular, the Halo+ by XGIMI, which came in first place in the audio category, impressed us so much with its bass and sound immersion that we couldn't believe it was coming from such a small machine. For those who won't compromise on a full audio and video experience, this is one projector you'll want to keep in your sights.
When using a portable projector, it may be harder than you expect to get the picture to display in just the right spot. It's nice if you've got a stand that's the perfect height, but if you don't it can be quite a chore to find books or boxes to prop it up.
Some portable projectors have a built-in tilting mechanism or stand that allows you to adjust the angle the video is projected at. For people who plan on using their projector in a variety of spots or setups, it's handy to have these features when you want to change the direction the picture is shown.
We were able to separate the portable projectors into three categories depending on what method of setup they use. BenQ's GV30 is the only "wheel-type" model, allowing for use in any direction. This way you can watch your favorite videos without the need for a stand.
Some of XGIMI and BenQ's projectors allow you to adjust the angle of projection directly on the product. By pulling out the feet underneath the projector, you can adjust the angle of the lens up or down by about 15 degrees. This feature lets you watch video even with the projector set lower than your line of vision, so you can stay focused on what's playing without the projector becoming a distraction.
Models that don't allow for adjusting the angle or direction require a tripod to change the height of the lens. Depending on your setup, they may get in the way of viewing, so take this feature into consideration before buying.
We found that the wheel-shaped portable projector was the easiest to use. All you have to do is rotate the body and the image moves up or down accordingly, making it easy to immerse yourself in a movie without the projector getting into your view.
Since you don't need a tripod to move the lens up higher, it's also easy to play video on your ceiling. It's perfect for enjoying your favorite show while lying in bed. If the thought of lying back and watching a video sounds appealing to you, we highly recommend this wheel shaped projector, as setting it up is as simple as putting it on the floor.
There are some portable projectors that come installed with an OS (operating system) to play videos on streaming services. Consider getting a model with its own OS so you can watch your favorite shows on YouTube or Netflix.
If your projector has its own OS from the get-go, you can watch online streaming services without an external router. Without the need to buy a Fire TV Stick or use Chromecast and the advantage of portability, it really is the best of both worlds.
Certain models of portable projectors by makers Nebula, XGIMI and BenQ have Android TV pre-installed, which gives you access to the app store so you can download your preferred streaming service's app. Models loaded with Android TV are also compatible with voice commands, saving you the trouble of typing out show titles every time you want to search for something. We recommend you choose a projector with Android TV included for the most fulfilling experience.
Products | Image | mybest Score | Click to purchase | Key features | Main Score | Details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Picture quality | Brightness | Sound quality | Installation | Features | Resolution | Brightness (stated) | Brightness (measured) | HDMI ports | Distance needed for a 40-inch projection | Distance needed for a 60-inch projection | Distance needed for an 80-inch projection | Distance needed for a 100-inch projection | Distance needed for a 120-inch projection | Operating system | Speaker wattage | Autofocus | Obstacle avoidance | Auto keystone correction (vertical) | Auto keystone correction (horizontal) | Gaming mode | HDR support | Dolby Atmos | Battery life | Supported screen mirroring types | Length | Width | Height | Weight | ||||||
1 | XGIMI Halo+|Halo+ | ![]() | 4.79 | mybest's Top Choice! Like a Movie Theater in the Palm of Your Hand, This Hits the Mark on Both Picture and Audio | 4.82 | 5.00 | 4.86 | 4.65 | 4.54 | Full HD | 900 ANSI lumens | unknown | 1 | unknown | 62.4 in. | 83.7 in. | 104.64 in. | 125.52 in. | Android TV 10.0 | 5 W | HDR 10, HLG | 2.5 hrs. | Chromecast | 4 in. | 5 in. | 6 in. | 56 oz. | |||||||
2 | Nebula Capsule 3 Laser|D2426111 | ![]() | 4.50 | Laser Technology Allows for a Crisp, Polished Image | 4.54 | 4.65 | 4.43 | 4.00 | 4.65 | HD | 300 ANSI Lumens | 199 ANSI lumens | 1 | unknown | 59 in. | 98.4 in. | 118.1 in. | 137.8 in. | Android TV 11.0 | 8 W | unknown | unknown | HDR 10 | 2.5 hrs. | Chromecast | 3.3 in. | 3.3 in. | 6.7 in. | 33.6 oz. | |||||
3 | BENQ Portable Ceiling Projector|GV30 | ![]() | 4.44 | Project the Image Anywhere You'd Like With the Turn of a Wheel | 4.32 | 4.54 | 4.18 | 5.00 | 4.54 | HD 720P | 300 ANSI Lumens | 186 ANSI lumens | 2 | unknown | unknown | 82.7 in. | unknown | 106.3 in. | Android TV 10.0 | 4 W | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | 2.5 hrs. | N/A | 7.3 in. | 4.7 in. | 7.7 in. | 56.4 oz. | ||||
4 | XGIMI MoGo Pro|MGP88 | ![]() | 4.38 | Brisk, Colorful Image and Works at a Diagonal to Boot | 4.32 | 4.18 | 4.50 | 4.40 | 4.54 | Full HD | 300 ANSI Lumens | 143 ANSI lumens | 1 | unknown | 5.21 ft. | 6.98 ft. | 8.72 ft. | 10.46 ft. | Android TV 9.0 | 3 W | unknown | unknown | N/A | unknown | 2.5 hrs. | Chromecast | 4.15 in. | 3.72 in. | 5.74 in. | 29.9 oz. | ||||
5 | BENQ Wireless Outdoor Projector|GS50 | ![]() | 4.21 | Ample Color Range, Striking Visuals and Delicate Audio | 4.29 | 3.43 | 4.86 | 4.40 | 4.54 | Full HD | 500 ANSI Lumens | 86 ANSI lumens | 2 | unknown | unknown | 82.8 in. | unknown | 106.8 in. | Android TV 10.0 | 5 W | unknown | HDR 10 | unknown | 2.5 hrs. | Airplay, Chromecast | 5.75 in. | 7.32 in. | 6.06 in. | 81.1 oz. | |||||
6 | Nebula Capsule II|D2421J11 | ![]() | 3.98 | Compact and Affordable With a Focus on Sound Quality | 3.82 | 3.75 | 4.07 | 3.68 | 4.65 | HD | 200 ANSI Lumens | 111 ANSI lumens | 1 | 44.9 in. | 67.7 in. | 90.1 in. | 113 in. | unknown | Android TV 9.0 | 8 W | unknown | unknown | unknown | 2.5 hrs. | Chromecast | 3.14 in. | 3.14 in. | 5.9 in. | 25.6 oz. | |||||
7 | Fangor Mini Projector|F-601 | ![]() | 3.12 | Lacks Brightness and a Dedicated OS, so Keep a Streaming Device on Hand | 3.15 | 3.00 | 3.25 | 3.22 | 3.04 | Full HD | 6000 ANSI lumens | 36 ANSI lumens | 2 | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | 2.5 hrs. | unknown | 8.27 in. | 6.22 in. | 3.94 in. | 55.6 oz. |
The Halo+ is Chinese manufacturer XGIMI's high-end portable projector. It claims to produce 900 ANSI lumens of brightness and comes installed with speakers by audio equipment maker Harman Kardon. The projector's powerful luminance benefits the picture quality and delivers a wide range of color depth. Thanks to its strong brightness level, our monitors praised the contrast and color saturation. As a forerunner in the race to deliver a bright picture, this portable projector makes you feel like you're at the movie theater when used in a dark room and is also perfectly watchable in a light room.
The sound resonated deep in our ears during our evaluation. In addition to being crystal clear, we could hear the delicate nuances in people's voices and intonation. To top it all off, lower frequencies came through with a rich, satisfying vibration. Setting up the Halo+ is also straightforward. It's equipped with autofocus and keystoning to ensure you get an image at the correct ratio. Pulling out the stand stored underneath allows you to adjust the angle by around 15 degrees.
Thanks to being box-shaped, you could technically turn it on its side and watch video on your ceiling, but keep in mind you'll need to have the battery charged first since the ports are all on the back. This projector comes with Android TV 10.0, so you can install your preferred streaming app; it also accepts voice commands. You can even mirror the image on other devices with Chromecast or Apple Airplay. It's a bit pricey, but considering the quality and features included, we think it's worth every penny. For those who demand the best when it comes to both video and sound quality, we can easily recommend this model.
Resolution | Full HD |
---|---|
Brightness (stated) | 900 ANSI lumens |
Brightness (measured) | unknown |
HDMI ports | 1 |
Distance needed for a 40-inch projection | unknown |
Distance needed for a 60-inch projection | 62.4 in. |
Distance needed for an 80-inch projection | 83.7 in. |
Distance needed for a 100-inch projection | 104.64 in. |
Distance needed for a 120-inch projection | 125.52 in. |
Operating system | Android TV 10.0 |
Speaker wattage | 5 W |
Autofocus | |
Obstacle avoidance | |
Auto keystone correction (vertical) | |
Auto keystone correction (horizontal) | |
Gaming mode | |
HDR support | HDR 10, HLG |
Dolby Atmos | |
Battery life | 2.5 hrs. |
Supported screen mirroring types | Chromecast |
Length | 4 in. |
Width | 5 in. |
Height | 6 in. |
Weight | 56 oz. |
Anker, considered one of the global leaders in portable projectors, makes the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser. It's the first portable model to use a laser for its light source, resulting in clear hues and a bright picture. In this case, we discovered that the laser technology resulted in an even brighter and more focused image than what the maker's official specifications would indicate. It displayed an image with sharpness comparable to full HD monitors while keeping naturally balanced colors. It's unlikely anyone would be unsatisfied with the image the Capsule 3 delivers. The high range of luminance makes even dark scenes in movies and TV shows a joy to watch.
In the sound department, it didn't lose much in terms of impact despite its compact size. Sounds filled the room from all sides, making this an excellent choice to immerse yourself in a movie. This projector doesn't come with a stand to adjust the direction of the lens, but it does have auto keystoning so that you can use it comfortably, even if space is tight. It also has built-in autofocus, so you can take it to any room and keep watching your show. That is, as long as you have a place to plug it in!
Android TV 11.0 is preinstalled and ready to go, so you can download any streaming service and start watching videos immediately. It also works with Chromecast and Apple AirPlay to watch on your smartphone.
Resolution | HD |
---|---|
Brightness (stated) | 300 ANSI Lumens |
Brightness (measured) | 199 ANSI lumens |
HDMI ports | 1 |
Distance needed for a 40-inch projection | unknown |
Distance needed for a 60-inch projection | 59 in. |
Distance needed for an 80-inch projection | 98.4 in. |
Distance needed for a 100-inch projection | 118.1 in. |
Distance needed for a 120-inch projection | 137.8 in. |
Operating system | Android TV 11.0 |
Speaker wattage | 8 W |
Autofocus | |
Obstacle avoidance | unknown |
Auto keystone correction (vertical) | |
Auto keystone correction (horizontal) | |
Gaming mode | unknown |
HDR support | HDR 10 |
Dolby Atmos | |
Battery life | 2.5 hrs. |
Supported screen mirroring types | Chromecast |
Length | 3.3 in. |
Width | 3.3 in. |
Height | 6.7 in. |
Weight | 33.6 oz. |
The GV30 is by Taiwan-based electronics maker BenQ. It took the Good Design Award in 2021 for its circular shape, which allows the lens to be moved up to 135 degrees. We found the GV30 produces deep, distinct colors across the palette and solid resolution, making for an engulfing viewing experience. The picture isn't as easy to see if you turn the lights on, but it's perfectly sufficient for casual viewing.
During our tests, the sound quality was notable for its clarity and richness. With a reasonable amount of expansiveness and pronounced bass, you'll have no trouble absorbing yourself in a movie. As for features, this projector is equipped with autofocus and vertical keystoning. Of course, the biggest appeal is that you can project the image in any direction by simply turning the wheel-shaped body. We felt it was the easiest to set up and have ready for viewing out of all the products we tested.
With Android TV 9.0 installed out of the box, you can download the app for whichever streaming service you subscribe to and start watching video right away. Other features include compatibility with voice commands and mirroring on other devices using Chromecast or Apple AirPlay. With its unique, playful design, you can watch videos on your ceiling with the simple swipe of a hand. There are other products on the market with better picture and sound quality, but the difference isn't big enough to outweigh the benefits and overall pleasing experience for the viewer.
Resolution | HD 720P |
---|---|
Brightness (stated) | 300 ANSI Lumens |
Brightness (measured) | 186 ANSI lumens |
HDMI ports | 2 |
Distance needed for a 40-inch projection | unknown |
Distance needed for a 60-inch projection | unknown |
Distance needed for an 80-inch projection | 82.7 in. |
Distance needed for a 100-inch projection | unknown |
Distance needed for a 120-inch projection | 106.3 in. |
Operating system | Android TV 10.0 |
Speaker wattage | 4 W |
Autofocus | |
Obstacle avoidance | unknown |
Auto keystone correction (vertical) | |
Auto keystone correction (horizontal) | unknown |
Gaming mode | |
HDR support | unknown |
Dolby Atmos | unknown |
Battery life | 2.5 hrs. |
Supported screen mirroring types | N/A |
Length | 7.3 in. |
Width | 4.7 in. |
Height | 7.7 in. |
Weight | 56.4 oz. |
The MoGo+ is a mid-range portable projector by the maker XGIMI, who dominates the Chinese projector market. It projects an image with 1080p resolution and has a brightness of 300 ANSI lumens. We appreciated that the picture was able to reproduce both colors and motion adequately in dark scenes as well as lighter ones. As for the brightness produced by the projector itself, however, we felt it wouldn't be adequate to watch in a light room in the afternoon. You'll get better results by having blackout curtains or using it at night.
This projector is notable for its powerful sound quality that really emphasizes impact. We got the impression that the speakers produced a surround sound-like effect that went above and beyond their size. While the maximum volume is not extremely loud, it shouldn't cause any problems if you're using it at home. There's an included stand that allows you to adjust the direction the image is projected at by around 15 degrees. It also has auto keystoning for both horizontal and vertical aspects, making it highly convenient to set up, as it can be placed far away from your field of vision.
The box shape does allow you to place it on its side to watch video on the ceiling, but you won't be able to charge the battery simultaneously due to the port being on the back. The pre-installed OS is Android TV 9.0, and it accepts voice commands, making it compatible with video streaming services without the need to buy an extra peripheral. You can also mirror the screen onto your smartphone with Chromecast or Apple AirPlay.
Resolution | Full HD |
---|---|
Brightness (stated) | 300 ANSI Lumens |
Brightness (measured) | 143 ANSI lumens |
HDMI ports | 1 |
Distance needed for a 40-inch projection | unknown |
Distance needed for a 60-inch projection | 5.21 ft. |
Distance needed for an 80-inch projection | 6.98 ft. |
Distance needed for a 100-inch projection | 8.72 ft. |
Distance needed for a 120-inch projection | 10.46 ft. |
Operating system | Android TV 9.0 |
Speaker wattage | 3 W |
Autofocus | |
Obstacle avoidance | unknown |
Auto keystone correction (vertical) | |
Auto keystone correction (horizontal) | |
Gaming mode | unknown |
HDR support | N/A |
Dolby Atmos | unknown |
Battery life | 2.5 hrs. |
Supported screen mirroring types | Chromecast |
Length | 4.15 in. |
Width | 3.72 in. |
Height | 5.74 in. |
Weight | 29.9 oz. |
The GS50 is another portable projector by maker BenQ, who split from their parent company Acer in 2001. It projects a 1080p (full HD) image at 500 lumens and is intended for outdoor use, with IPX-2 level waterproofing. We were impressed with the picture quality, which displayed neutral colors particularly well and was gratifying overall. The image gave a natural feeling of depth that made viewing a joy. The only downside was a lack of brightness, meaning it's not geared toward use in already bright rooms.
The sound quality left us a bit disappointed since it was obviously coming from the direction of the projector and didn't give any impression of a three-dimensional soundscape. On the plus side, the sound itself was incredibly clear, making it easy to catch what people were saying and pick up on nuances. Regarding setup, this projector supports keystoning both vertically and horizontally, although it needs to be handled manually for horizontal adjustments. Some people might feel it troublesome to adjust it on their own, but it does allow for projecting at a diagonal.
As with other box-shaped projectors, you can turn it on its side and project onto the ceiling as long as you don't need to simultaneously use the ports on the back. This projector comes with Android TV 9.0 equipped as its OS so you can use any major video streaming service without additional accessories. It also recognizes voice commands, so there's no need to type out the name of the video you're looking for. And finally, it's compatible with both Chromecast and Apple AirPlay, to easily mirror video onto your smartphone screen.
Resolution | Full HD |
---|---|
Brightness (stated) | 500 ANSI Lumens |
Brightness (measured) | 86 ANSI lumens |
HDMI ports | 2 |
Distance needed for a 40-inch projection | unknown |
Distance needed for a 60-inch projection | unknown |
Distance needed for an 80-inch projection | 82.8 in. |
Distance needed for a 100-inch projection | unknown |
Distance needed for a 120-inch projection | 106.8 in. |
Operating system | Android TV 10.0 |
Speaker wattage | 5 W |
Autofocus | |
Obstacle avoidance | unknown |
Auto keystone correction (vertical) | |
Auto keystone correction (horizontal) | |
Gaming mode | |
HDR support | HDR 10 |
Dolby Atmos | unknown |
Battery life | 2.5 hrs. |
Supported screen mirroring types | Airplay, Chromecast |
Length | 5.75 in. |
Width | 7.32 in. |
Height | 6.06 in. |
Weight | 81.1 oz. |
The Nebula Capsule II is developed by Anker, a company formed by former Google engineers. The size is comparable to that of a water bottle, but still manages to produce a 720p image with 200 ANSI lumens. With a brightness of 200 ANSI lumens, this projector had no problem producing a quality picture in a dark room and handled contrast well, but projecting an 80-inch image lost some sharpness due to the resolution. The brightness level isn't up to the task of playing video in a light room, and the picture ended up looking whitish and washed out.
When we examined sound quality, we could hear that the sound was coming from the direction of the projector if we closed our eyes, so it isn't top of the line in terms of sound projection. Thankfully, the solid lower frequencies made up for this, and we enjoyed the overall presence of sound. It's worth mentioning that vocals and instruments were easy to distinguish when watching concert footage. This model comes with autofocus but only vertical keystoning. You'll need to have space on your wall directly in front of where you set the projector in order to use it effectively. It doesn't come with a stand either, meaning you can't adjust the angle the lens is pointing at, so you'll need a tripod if you want to use it to watch video on the ceiling.
With Android TV 9.0 pre-installed, you can download the app for any streaming service and start watching videos. It also has the convenience of accepting voice commands, as well as mirroring compatibility with either Chromecast or Apple AirDrop.
Resolution | HD |
---|---|
Brightness (stated) | 200 ANSI Lumens |
Brightness (measured) | 111 ANSI lumens |
HDMI ports | 1 |
Distance needed for a 40-inch projection | 44.9 in. |
Distance needed for a 60-inch projection | 67.7 in. |
Distance needed for an 80-inch projection | 90.1 in. |
Distance needed for a 100-inch projection | 113 in. |
Distance needed for a 120-inch projection | unknown |
Operating system | Android TV 9.0 |
Speaker wattage | 8 W |
Autofocus | |
Obstacle avoidance | unknown |
Auto keystone correction (vertical) | |
Auto keystone correction (horizontal) | |
Gaming mode | unknown |
HDR support | unknown |
Dolby Atmos | |
Battery life | 2.5 hrs. |
Supported screen mirroring types | Chromecast |
Length | 3.14 in. |
Width | 3.14 in. |
Height | 5.9 in. |
Weight | 25.6 oz. |
The Mini Projector F-601 is by maker Fangor, who specializes in projectors. It claims it can produce 7,500 lumens at a 1080 resolution and can project an image of up to 200 inches. However, this projector wasn't able to produce a sufficient amount of brightness in our testing, which resulted in being able to see the texture of the wall behind the image. We couldn't immerse ourselves in the video, even in a dark room.
The visual representation of resolution was also underwhelming, and we could make out individual pixels at times. We noticed the distribution of brightness wasn't even on either side of the picture, possibly due to the curvature of the lens. You definitely wouldn't want to use it to watch a video in the daytime. As for sound quality, the audio was thin and muffled as if it had gone through a megaphone. The fluctuation of voices wasn't balanced, making it difficult to catch what was said at times. Most people would find it unsatisfactory to use without any audio accessories.
This projector is equipped with vertical keystoning, but no autofocus. It can be attached to a tripod for viewing video on the ceiling, but considering its size and weight this wouldn't be an ideal setup. Since it doesn't come with its own OS, you won't be able to stream video unless you have a dedicated streaming device. But it is compatible with Apple AirPlay, so you can mirror the image on your iPhone if you'd like.
Resolution | Full HD |
---|---|
Brightness (stated) | 6000 ANSI lumens |
Brightness (measured) | 36 ANSI lumens |
HDMI ports | 2 |
Distance needed for a 40-inch projection | unknown |
Distance needed for a 60-inch projection | unknown |
Distance needed for an 80-inch projection | unknown |
Distance needed for a 100-inch projection | unknown |
Distance needed for a 120-inch projection | unknown |
Operating system | unknown |
Speaker wattage | unknown |
Autofocus | unknown |
Obstacle avoidance | unknown |
Auto keystone correction (vertical) | unknown |
Auto keystone correction (horizontal) | unknown |
Gaming mode | unknown |
HDR support | unknown |
Dolby Atmos | unknown |
Battery life | 2.5 hrs. |
Supported screen mirroring types | unknown |
Length | 8.27 in. |
Width | 6.22 in. |
Height | 3.94 in. |
Weight | 55.6 oz. |
We took the following five points into account.
Products we tested
To assure the viewing environment was always the same we set the following conditions.
We used the following videos:
These are the factors we scored on:
We projected a completely white image at 80 inches, divided the picture into nine regions and measured the lux in the center of each. We then calculated the value for the entire surface using the average lux value.
These are the factors we scored on:
No. 1: XGIMI|Halo+|Halo+
No. 2: Nebula|Capsule 3 Laser|D2426111
No. 3: BENQ|Portable Ceiling Projector|GV30
No. 4: XGIMI|MoGo Pro|MGP88
No. 5: BENQ|Wireless Outdoor Projector|GS50
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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