A lot of people will now agree that actual movie theaters are starting to become a thing of the past. Now it’s easier than ever to enjoy entertainment in the comfort of your homes, especially with obscenely large TVs and for those who want the traditional theater experience, a portable projector is the way to go.
Granted, it’s tricky picking a model that won’t disappoint with its image quality. If you try to go too cheap, then you’ll end up with a pixel party device. That’s why it’s important to be picky with your portable projector.
Thankfully, we’ve done that homework for you. Here’s a good collection of actually decent to amazing portable projector models for your camping movie nights or outdoor activities.
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LG PF50KA 100” Portable Projector
PROS
- Sharp image quality, true 1080p
- Large image projection
- Good for gaming with iminimal input lag
- Minimalist device
- Netflix and Hulu are preinstalled
CONS
- Complicated remote control
- Weak speaker
- Stated battery life is for when saving mode is on
- Pricey
Specs:
- Display Resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Battery: 2.5 Hours
- Brightness: 600 Lumens
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI
- Image Size: 100 inches max
- Dimensions: 6.7 x 6.7 x 1.9 inches
- Weight: 35oz
Leave it to LG to produce some stellar display devices. Their LG PF50KA portable projector is one of the most well-received ones in the market. It’s pricey compared to the off-brand Chinese ones, but the image quality is crisp and it outputs a true 1080p resolution.
More importantly, the speakers are good and the projector has Smart TV capabilities, eliminating the need for bulky input devices. Battery life is good too, at least for one typical epic movie. Other users swear by its impressive gaming potential with little to no discernible input lag.
LG PF50KA 100” Portable Projector
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12
PROS
- Amazing image quality thanks to laser technology
- Android TV connectivity and compatibility is handy
- Built-in Chrome Cast functionality
- Easy to watch your favorite streaming sites
- Outstanding color accuracy
- Impressive audio thanks to Yamaha speakers
- Huge image projection
- Easy to use
- Bright
CONS
- Expensive
- Bulky and cube-like
Specs:
- Display Resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Brightness: 1000 Lumens
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI, Android TV
- Image Size: 150 inches max
- Dimensions: 6.9 x 6.9 x 5.0 inches
- Weight: 4.7 lbs
Epson is no stranger to reputable electronics and their penchant for creating some competitive devices also extends to the EpiqVision Mini EF12. It puts out a large 150-inch projection; it’s the perfect device for those attempting to create their own home theater experience with an actual projector.
Do be aware that since Epson uses laser lamp technology for this projector, it will cost a pretty penny. you can expect crisp and clear image quality here with impressive brightness to boot, nearly double that of our best overall pick. Value-wise, well, it’s a thousand-dollar projector, but it’s worth it if you’re a bit of a pixel snob.
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12
Optoma ML750 WXGA
PROS
- Small, easily fits in a large pocket
- Bright for its size
- Cool operation
- Decent image quality
- Large projection output
CONS
- Pricey
- Somewhat noisy fans
- Poor speaker
- No Bluetooth
- No internal battery
Specs:
- Display Resolution: 1280 x 800
- Brightness: 700 Lumens
- Connectivity: HDMI, MHL, USB
- Image Size: 120 inches max
- Dimensions: 4.1 x 4.2 x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 0.88 lbs
As far as portable projectors go that project HD images, the Optoma ML750 WXGA is the smallest. It weighs barely a pound and can fit on your palm though you might want to set it on something more even during operation.
As far as image quality goes, it’s decent enough. You might spot some pixelation here and there due to the lower resolution, but seeing as you can put it in your pocket, there’s not much to complain about. Due to the size, you will need to live with some compromises, such as the lack of Bluetooth and the poor speaker as well as the large power bank.
Optoma ML750 WXGA
AAXA P7 Mini
PROS
- Light and small
- 1080p projection
- Large projection output
- Cheaper price compared to competition
- Crisp image quality
CONS
- Wonky Bluetooth
- Limited video format support for onboard media player (via USB)
- Loud fan
- Poor remote control
Specs:
- Display Resolution: Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Battery: 90 minutes
- Brightness: 600 Lumens
- Connectivity: HDMI, USB, microSD, AV, mini-VGA, Bluetooth 4.0
- Image Size: 120 inches max
- Dimensions: 4.7″ x 4.4″ x 2.7″
- Weight: 1.40 lbs
For those looking to try out some humbler options, the AAXA P7 Mini offers a good bang for your buck product. It’s an FHD portable projector that’s only 2/3 the price of the usual competition. Image quality, however, is great at 1080p and a good brightness.
It’s also light and has a battery (albeit a weak one). One downside that could be a dealbreaker for many would be the .avi and .ogg format for the USB and SD card media player in the device, but beyond that, it’s a solid portable projector.
AAXA P7 Mini
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are portable projectors good for gaming?
That depends mostly on their input lag. Good ones like those from LG don't introduce much input lag. If you're playing competitively, it's best to rely on a monitor instead. -
Do portable projectors need a white screen?
Not necessarily. You can project the image on a fairly clean off-white wall with no issues though you will want a smoother and whiter surface for better image quality.