From room to room smart projectors to pocket-sized mini projectors with built-in batteries, we've put the best portable projectors to the test. So, whether you're presenting in lectures and workshops, streaming TV and movies, or playing games, these are our top-performing units.
Balancing price and performance, the 4K Hisense C2 Ultra stands out as the best overall for us. Throughout our time testing this portable projector, it delivered exceptional image quality across a range of screen sizes.
Alternatives include more of the best 4K projectors for the true home theater experience to mini and handheld projectors for bedrooms, offices, and smaller spaces. Each one has been rigorously reviewed by our AV testing panel across assessing picture and audio quality, streaming and gaming options, and throw-distance at a range of budgets.
Best portable projector overall
✅ You want bright 4K visuals from your projector - whether it's for presentations, movies, or games.
✅ You want a true home movie experience, as this delivers that in spades for a great price compared to some.
❌ You need a budget pick, because while it's not ultra-expensive as far as portable home theater projectors go, it's not cheap either.
❌ You need something that works anywhere, as this requires mains power with no built-in battery.
Once we'd tested the Hisense C2 Ultra, there was no doubt in our minds that this light and compact unit was destined for the guide. It does everything the best portable projectors need to do - consistently serving up what we describe as "scintillating visuals", whether we were streaming TV and movies or playing games.
We loved pretty much everything about the C2 Ultra - from the high build quality (including the remote, which is rare) to the superb picture and audio quality. The OS felt snappy in use, and gave us access to all the core apps we expect.
Now, the size and weight do make this a genuinely portable unit. However, it's worth noting that it does need constant mains power, which means you won't be able to use it on-the-go in the same way you'd use a projector like the Anker Nebula Mars 3. For most people looking for a smart projector to take room to room, that's won't be a deal-breaker.
Ultimately, it delivered an authentic home cinema experience throughout our testing. It might not replace your TV forever, but it comes as close as any portable projector can.
Editor's note: For a high-end alternative, see our Xgimi Horizon 20 Max review for a premium portable projector for movies, games, and presentations.
Read our Hisense C2 Ultra review
Best value portable projector
✅ You want a smart, stylish portable projector you can take with you on the go.
✅ You want good all-round picture and sound quality for movies and cloud-based gaming.
❌ You need the brightest portable projector you can get - this one didn't fare well in multiple luminance tests and contrast is low.
❌ You need a good port selection - the Freestyle 2nd Generation lacks anything more than a micro-HDMI slot, without adapter.
We were already big fans of the original Samsung the Freestyle mini projector, naming it our top choice. And it's stayed that way - until we tried out the second-generation model.
Samsung's The Freestyle 2nd Generation isn't a radical departure from the previous iteration - although it now includes a Gaming Hub, letting you connect a wireless controller and access cloud-basing gaming apps like Xbox and Nvidia GeForce Now. It's all very easy to set-up, which is a big part of The Freestyle's appeal, and the subtle, compact design makes it ideal for transporting in a backpack.
In use, picture quality is good - blacks are deep and colors are accurate, with HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG support. The projector also features what Samsung dubs '360 Degree' sound. And in our tests, we were surprised to find it really did offer spacious audio, although the bass was admittedly limited.
However, we did spot a few drawbacks. In our multiple luminance tests, this wasn't the brightest portable projector in the world, and the contrast is low, too, for daytime use outdoors. We would've liked to see more than a single micro-HDMI port here, too (or at least include a HDMI adapter in the box). It may not be a budget model, either, but overall, this is an excellent, easy-to-use mini projector with a real emphasis on portability.
If you can't get the second-gen model, original The Freestyle is an excellent alternative.
Read our Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen review
Best 4K portable projector on a budget
✅ You want a bright portable projector - this one scored high in our tests, making it a good pick for rooms with some ambient light.
✅ You want an all-in-one 4K projector that boasts good picture and audio quality, with support for Google TV out of the box.
❌ Image quality is the real goal - it’s great for a portable model, but you’ll get more bang for your buck from more expensive home projectors.
❌ You're a gamer, because at 60Hz, this one lacks the high refresh rates required.
The BenQ GP520 is an affordable 4K portable projector that boasts impressive brightness - the LED light source hits around 2,600 ANSI Lumens, and in our review, we called it “a go-anywhere all-in-one theater system.”
The design is boxy and compact, weighing in at 8.2lb / 3.7kg. There’s no built-in handle - although you can get a carry case (sold separately). Despite this, we found it easy enough and light enough to move around. There’s no gimbal stand, but you’ll also find tripod holds on three sides for positioning the projector.
Picture quality is very good. We found the 4K images were sharp and detailed with HDR10+ support, and there’s motion handling. Colors aren’t blisteringly vivid, though, and the blacks could be deeper. This isn’t one for gamers either, since it can’t switch to 1080p for a frame-rate boost. Having said that, under the right settings, it looks way better than it has any right to be for a low-cost 4K portable projector. We also felt the speakers were surprisingly good. Of course, you’ll get better performance with a sound system, but they’re absolutely acceptable without an external set-up - especially since the fans aren’t especially loud in use.
Overall, a solid 4K entry that’s hard to beat on price, especially given the higher than average brightness compared to similar models.
Read our full BenQ GP520 review
Best mini projector
✅ You want an affordable mini projector for Android and iPhone.
✅ You want a pocket projector to use on the go - this is lightweight and well-designed
❌ You need high-resolution images - the 2nd gen version only hits 720p, while the 3rd gen reaches 1080p.
❌ You need a long-lasting mini projector - in our battery tests, we got around two to two-and-a-half hours video playback on the battery.
The Anker Nebula Capsule is our pick for best mini projector - a pocket-sized, handheld portable Bluetooth projector that’s powerful and pretty cheap. Better still, you can connect your iPhone or Android to the projector via a USB-C to HDMI cable for the full on-the-go viewing experience.
We reviewed the second edition Nebula Capsule, and absolutely loved the design. Shaped like a beer can, the Nebula Capsule is one super-portable unit, all in black, with speaker grilles pocketing the casing. In our own tests, we got up to 2.5 hours of video playback on a single charge.
Projecting up to a 100in screen, we found performance very watchable, although it struggles in broad daylight. The top-rated pocket projector hits up to 200 ANSI lumens, with 720p output. The third generation devices bump up these specs to 300 lumens and 1080p output, which is a big improvement. We’d still like to see a higher luminance for outdoors settings and camping though.
One of the best handheld projectors we’ve ever tested, especially for anyone looking for a mini projector for iPhone or Android.
Read our full Anker Nebula Capsule II review
Best portable projector for gaming
✅ You want a portable projector that’s made for gaming - with great refresh rates, this is an ideal mini projector for gamers.
✅ You want a decent 4K projector for watching movies - we love the flexibility of the BenQ X300G.
❌ You need a budget portable projector - it's not a cheap portable projector or an expensive one, but mid-range.
❌ You need a few more ports than that’s on offer - as is so often with mini projectors we review, this one is limited on ports.
When you’re looking at mini projectors for gaming, you’ll usually find many of the top models lack the right refresh rates, resolutions, and response times. While that’s fine for TV, movies, and certain games, it doesn’t offer the greatest experience.
And that’s why we really rate the BenQ X300G. This low-latency portable projector is tailored to gamers. It’s also reasonably affordable too, at least in the realms of projectors.
Accommodating screen sizes between 30-150in, the X300G boasts 2,000 lumens, HDR10 and HLG support, and even 84% DCI-P3 color space coverage. Picture quality in our tests was colorful and bright. However, we did find the LED and DLP mini projector was better suited to smaller rooms, and the built-in speakers are disappointedly average. With two HDMI ports and two USB slots, port selection is limited, too.
But what sets the BenQ X300G apart is the ability to switch between movies in 4K HDR at 24 or 60Hz, or dropping to 1080p at 240Hz for gaming. That gives it good all-round versatility.
Read our full BenQ X300G review
Best portable projector for business presentations
✅ You want a portable projector for presentations and talks - easy to set-up and work, we found this perfect for this use.
✅ You want a compact mini projector that’s easy to transport - the mini projector is compact, robust, and comes with a case for business travel.
❌ You need high-volume audio, which this doesn't deliver without hooking up external speakers.
❌ You need long-lasting battery, we found it can be limited in this regard.
We've put a number of portable projectors through their paces in lecture halls, and the TCL PlayCube balances performance and price well here. It's not ultra-high resolution, but for delivering presentations, it stands out compared to many we've tested, particularly for its high build quality and bright, detailed projection.
The design is certainly eye-catching. The small, cube-shaped mini projector keeps everything compact. There's a built-in battery here that lasted around three hours, however, we found it best when we plugged in the USB-C and ran it off the mains. And bonus points for including a durable travel case that's essential for those taking this to multiple speaking events.
Going beyond presentations, the PlayCube also performed well when streaming TV and movies inside. We chiefly used it in indoor halls and workshops, but it's just bright enough for some outdoor settings. However, if that's your plan, we'd strongly recommend the much brighter JMGO N1S Ultra here. This performs best indoors and when afternoons turn to evenings, where we felt the quality projection really came into its own.
In our review - and it's worth quoting in full - we said: "The quality of the projected image was also exceptionally good, and compared with some of the portable projectors that I normally use for workshops, the higher-resolution 1920 x 1080 display, alongside the 750lm brightness, really did make a difference to the clarity and internal gradation, even in relatively bright daylight conditions."
Editor's note: For a 4K portable projector see our JMGO N1S Ultra 4K review, which also performed very well during our presentation and lecture tests.
Read our full TCL PlayCube review
Best portable projector for outdoors
✅ You want a portable projector with a built-in battery to stream or present while on the go - it lasted over two hours in our tests.
✅ You’re looking for an outdoor-friendly unit - this model has waterproofing, as well as a lamp, power delivery for device charging, and Bluetooth speaker capabilities.
❌ You want a portable projector for home - honestly, you’ll find better models for around the same price with better specs if you’ve got a home theater set-up.
❌ You need 4K, as this unit caps out at 1080p, which further limits its appeal for those who want the best cinema experience indoors.
You can use plenty of portable projectors in the garden, but for a lot of models, you’ll need a reliable power source. And this usually means running cables from the house. That’s where a unit like the Anker Nebula Mars 3 shows its strengths. This compact projector features a built-in battery, letting you use it anywhere.
That’s not the only reason to like the Nebula Mars 3 for outdoors use, with the projector also sporting a camping lamp, Bluetooth speaker capabilities, and the ability to plug in small devices, so you can charge up your phone or tablet. A lens cap and waterproofing complete the set-up.
Specs are fair for a projector primarily designed for use outdoors. Here, you’ll find 1080p resolution that’s best for use on screens up to around 65 inches. The LED DLP projection system hits 1000 lumens, making it best-suited to dark environments (like a night-time movie screening in the yard). Colors are ok - we found they delivered modest vibrance, but naturally they lack the ‘pop’ of a triple-laser HDR-capable projector.
But it’s the built-in battery that really makes this a worthwhile unit. In that regard, it knocks the spots off a model like the Samsung The Freestyle, which also has a battery but lacks the brightness you’ll get here. During our own testing, we ramped the brightness up to full, with volume set to 50%, and the Nebula Mars 3 ran a two-hour movie with more than over 20% charge (around 30-minutes playtime) left in the tank.
Read our full Anker Nebula Mars 3 review
Best portable projectors compared
Model |
Resolution |
Optical technology |
Supported screen sizes |
Brightness (specified) |
Smart TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1080p |
DLP |
30 - 100in |
230 ANSI lumens |
Tizen |
|
1080p |
RGB laser DLP |
40 - 200in |
450 ISO lumens |
Google TV |
|
4K |
LED DLP |
50 - 180in |
2600 ANSI lumens |
Google TV |
|
4K |
RGB laser DLP |
50 - 120in |
500 ANSI lumens |
WebOS |
|
720p / 1080p |
DLP |
20 - 100 / 20 - 120in |
200 ANSI lumens / 300 ANSI lumens |
Google TV |
|
4K |
LED DLP |
80 - 120in |
2000 ANSI lumens |
Android TV |
|
4K |
Laser DLP |
Up to 200in |
3500 ANSI Lumens |
Google TV |
|
4K |
DLP |
60 - 300in |
3000 ANSI lumens |
Google TV |
|
1080p |
LED DLP |
30 - 200in |
1000 ANSI lumens |
Android TV |
Best portable projectors: FAQs
Do more lumens mean a better projector?
We asked Bob Wudeck, Senior Director, Business Development, at BenQ
Lumens for projectors is like horsepower in a car – it’s important but only a part of how well the projector is suited for the task. In the past lumens were the most important element. Now things are different, as most projectors today are far more advanced than projectors sold five years ago. So – what makes for a better projector?
Color accuracy – While commercial cinema projectors have strict color standards, there are still many classroom and conference room projectors that are not very color accurate. For newer home theater and commercial projectors, Rec. 709 is the standard for color accuracy and measurement to look for in the specifications.
Resolution – While nearly every TV sold today has over 8 million pixels, you can still buy a projector with under 1 million pixels today. The bigger the screen, the more pixels needed for a nicely detailed image. Look for either 1080p or 4K UHD native resolution projectors for the highest pixel density.
Solid State Lighting – Projector lamps contain mercury, are expensive, and need to be replaced every few years. They are being replaced by solid state light sources like lasers and high brightness LEDs that last up to 30,000 hours. Today you can get a high brightness LED projector with 4,000 lumens and higher color accuracy for only a small premium over a similar lamp powered projector.
Throw Ratio – Depending on your setup, the right throw ratio will make a big difference. For example, if you are using a golf simulator, you will want a “short throw” projector that can be mounted in a location that enables you to play without casting a shadow on the screen. Use a projector calculator to see how far back your model needs to be mounted to fill your screen.
What's the difference between ISO and ANSI?
A lumen is a measurement of brightness, and when it comes to portable projectors, that's important, especially if you're viewing a screen during the day or in an environment that's not completely dark like a cinema.
When selecting the right model, you'll likely come across both ISO and ANSI ratings. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are two different organizations measuring brightness. ANSI lumens measure the total light output, while ISO simulates a more real-world environment using a black-and-white checkerboard display. Because of this, they're not directly comparable. 1 ISO lumen converts to around 1.25 ANSI lumens.
While higher numbers should mean brighter images either way, it doesn't necessarily mean it'll be better than others. It'll depend on the settings and the portable projector's own capabilities.
Can I watch Netflix on my mini projector?
We asked Bob Wudeck, Senior Director, Business Development, at BenQ
For a portable projector, it should be easy to have Netflix running on your phone and then pair your phone with the projector so that you get Netflix (or other streaming apps) shown in the big screen format afforded by the projector. However, many paid streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney Plus have copy protection that prevents mirroring from mobile devices due to policies enacted and enforced by content owners. So, if you are casting from a notebook, Netflix content can be cast wirelessly via your laptop’s Google Chrome browser that is connected to an HDMI cable. You can also use Chromecast or Apple TV wireless devices to stream content as well. The best models of mini projectors also have phone apps to enable you to control your streams right from your phone or device to make it easy to use.
Can you connect a phone to a projector?
We asked Bob Wudeck, Senior Director, Business Development, at BenQ
There are three easy ways to connect a phone to a projector:
Cable – Nearly every iPhone and Android device has a video output port. Most projectors still use HDMI as their standard input port, so a simple adapter from either the USB-C connector on an Android or HDMI connector on the iPhone will enable you to get the cable connected – all you need to do is change the source to start screen mirroring from your phone to a projector.
Casting – If you have a Chromecast or an Apple TV, you can wirelessly connect to your projector and mirror your screen. You will need to be on the same network as the receiver, then use your built-in screen mirroring to send it to your projector. This is a nice option when you want to show photos or videos on your device, or for occasional use.
Wireless Presentation System – For business or education use, a wireless presentation system is faster and more secure than the other two options. The best models enable you to plug in a button to your phone or tablet and start sharing instantly. Others use either a dedicated app installed on your phone or Airplay to share the screen. While they are more expensive, the best models encrypt the transmission, so sensitive information can’t be wirelessly captured and seen from curious people in the area.
Are portable projectors any good?
Yes! Think of it like the difference between a portable Bluetooth speaker and the speakers in your living room. The latter may sound better and go louder, but you can't exactly pop them in a bag and take them to the beach. Even taking them into the garden is an enormous pain.
It's the same with portable projectors. They're typically – but not always – less bright and less powerful than their wired siblings, but they compensate for that by being incredibly practical with go-anywhere abilities. Battery-powered portable projectors are more than capable of delivering movie night without you having to worry about finding a power socket, and their portability means they're easy to move around and very simple and quick to set up.
That doesn't mean they're just for the great outdoors, though. Because portable projectors are designed to be small, they're useful for rooms where you don't want or can't have a normal-sized projector, or for homes where you might not want the projector in the same room all of the time.
The main compromise with portable projectors is in brightness: that's the biggest drain on their power, so battery-powered projectors have to strike a balance between the brightness of the picture (which in turn affects the maximum range and size of their display) and the amount of time they can run for between recharges.
What's the difference between a projector and a mini projector?
The main difference between a standard projector and a mini projector is that traditional projectors are designed to produce the highest possible quality at the most significant possible size, and if that means more giant bulbs or LED assemblies and louder fans, then so be it. Mini projectors also deliver good quality, but their priorities are different: they're also designed with portability and price in mind, so they're often more portable and affordable than their bigger siblings and often include built-in speakers and easy Bluetooth speaker connectivity.
Standard projectors are mainly powered, but many mini projectors are also designed to run on battery power. Like any battery-powered device, they have limited running times compared to when they're plugged in, but most models have more than enough power to show multiple movies without requiring a recharge halfway through. It can also mean that the projector is dimmer than a wired one to get more life out of the battery.
The other key difference is that mini projectors are designed to be set up speedily, and that can mean they have fewer connection options than wired models. However, the growing adoption of wireless technologies such as Google Cast and AirPlay and intelligent TV-style features such as streaming apps that work over Wi-Fi means that many mini projectors can get video from many sources.
How to choose the best portable projector for you
It’s important to know what to look for when you're buying a portable projector.
By considering how you’re going to use it, you’ll get the right mix of features. We asked Luke Chen, senior business line manager at Viewsonic Europe, a display and projector specialist for his point of view (no pun intended).
First off, you need to think about the situations you’re going to be using your projector in and find one that fits your requirements. Taking your smart projector on-the-go? Consider how well the projector achieves a portable design. Does it come with a carry handle? Or can it fold into a travel-ready container? If your projector is going to sit on your coffee table, make sure it says it’s a “short throw.”
Think about durability, LED technology avoids dimming projector issues, allowing smart projectors to shine brightly for up to 30,000 hours. LED light sources run much cooler than bulb-based light sources (meaning less fan noise). “Lamp-Free” is what to look for. It means you no longer have to rely on bulbs, which need to be replaced over time. They’re eco-friendly, too. Lamp Free means no glass bulb is needed, which means no mercury.
Something else to consider is resolution. Smart projectors are much smaller than standard projectors, this makes resolution the first thing to go. For those who enjoy camping, and just want some form of entertainment next to the campfire, a lower resolution works. Mini projectors have the hardest time with resolution. But, not all smart projectors suffer from poor resolution. 4K Smart LED projectors are now on the market. If home entertainment is your preferred use, opt for 4K resolution. The highest-end smart projectors will call themselves “True 4K” projectors.
Next, up, apps. Your projector is only as smart as the apps running on it. So, it makes sense to have an app store enabled on your projector. Does the projector you’re looking at come with app store integration? To work with apps, enable voice commands, and stream movies (all at the same time) look for a smart projector with ample processors, memory, and storage.
Most smart projectors have to compromise on sound. This is the only way to fit all the components into such a small size. If you don’t already have a premium sound system integrated into your home theatre, opt for premium speakers. In short, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all projector.
How we test the best portable projectors
We've tested many different types of projectors over the years, including the best ultra-short throw projectors and the best business projectors - but when we were looking for the best portable projector, we needed to see a few key considerations.
The most obvious is portability. This means different things to different people. In the guide above, we've clarified that some designs are portable because you can move them from room to room, like the Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K. At the same time, others are pocket-sized, like the ASUS ZenBeam E1 Portable LED Projector. Both are, technically, 'portable' but to varying degrees, and we've made that clear in the guide.
Usability is critical with projectors. There's no point carrying one with you if setting up is a pain. So while testing these best portable projectors, we ensured that you could get up and running quickly, even if you've not had much experience with projectors.
Brightness and picture quality vary in our guide above, but all can project TV shows and movies at a decent rate. We were mainly looking for projectors that offered a decent amount of brightness and resolution for their size and value for money. We've clarified when you'll likely get a dimmer experience, but in a tiny and affordable package, which might be more of a priority for some people.
