Best Portable Projector Reviews 2018

When you’ve worked non-stop on a new presentation, or you’ve got your whole family gathered around to look at wedding pictures, you don’t want to be battling technical difficulties at your height of stress or excitement. This is where a projector could come in handy. I know what you’re thinking; I can’t be lugging around a projector everywhere I go. But that is where you’re wrong my friend! Nowadays you can get portable or pico projectors which are smaller than 5”2 and lighter than 1lb. So what are you waiting for? We’ve narrowed it down to five amazing brands that are all experts in making compact projectors. Now it’s up to you to see which features and price bracket suit you best.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Size

Resolution

Screen Size

Connectivity

Extras

Our Top Choice

Sony Portable HD Mobile Projector

Sony is one of the best-known brand names in the world of technology, and a fine example is the MP-CL1 Mobile Projector.

Pocket-sized. Easy-to-use. Features high-resolution videos. Supports Wi-Fi and various gaming devices.

Its fan can sometimes be a bit noisy.

5.9” x 3” x 0.5”. 7.4oz.

HD – 1,920x720

Up to 120 inches

Wi-Fi, MHL, HDMI

Connectable to gaming platforms

Best Value

Asus S1 Pocket Projector

Asus manufactures technical devices of the highest quality; this is clearly evident in their S1 Pocket Projector, which boasts high-end qualities.

A rechargeable battery delivering up to 3 hours of projection. Palm-sized and lightweight.

There is no remote control available.

4.3” x 4” x 1.2”. 12oz.

854x480 Native Resolution

Up to 100 inches.

HDMI/MHL

Built-in specialized Asus speaker

Optoma ML550 Portable Projector

Optoma’s recent ML550 Projector stands as a fine example of the precise design and quality this company promotes.

High-quality world-known brand. Compact, attractive design, light-weight. Supports 3D for that special viewing experience.

Remote control perhaps a bit too small.

4.1” x 4.2” x 1.5”. 14.1oz.

WXGA 1280 x 800

Up to 100 inches

Micro SD, BI-EXTBGN adapter

3D option

AAXA Technologies P300 Pico Projector

AAXA is one of the newest, most recently developed companies. Their P300 Pico LED projector perfectly summarizes what this young company is all about.

Light, small, capable of pulling off large resolutions. Easily set up and good battery life.

Its design, although rather small, can appear to be somewhat bulkier in comparison to other models.

5.9” x 3.9” x 1.6”. 1.3lbs.

HD – 1280 x 800.

Up to 120 inches.

HDMI and VGA compatible

Built-in Speakers

Vivitek Qumi Q5 Compact Projector

Renowned for creating high quality, durable products, Vivitek have excelled with their Qumi Q5 Pocket Projector.

Vivid, crystal clear videos. High compatibility with a number of files and formats.

A cord is required for power supply.

4” x 6.3” x 1.3”. 1.1lbs.

HD 720p resolution

Up to 90 inches

HDMI, Wi-Fi, Universal I/O

Supports 3D

(Updated September 22, 2017)

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How Do I Choose the Best Portable Projector?

If you're a business person with loads of various presentation-requiring meetings on your shoulders, or if you're an avid photographer who occasionally browses through volumes upon volumes of photos, chances are that you badly need some sort of presenting aid to enhance your viewing experience.

In fact, whatever the use in question is, any domain that features some sort of visual material will benefit greatly from being presented via a device such as an office projector or a home cinema configuration. The viewing quality is better, the picture is larger and whatever it is that's going on in a video is surely much easier to follow. All you need is a blank wall, or a great projection screen.

The only issue with traditional style projectors (other than their price) is that they tend to be cumbersome, heavy and all in all a drag to carry about, and set up over and over again. For this reason, many business people, for example, opt to simply give up on obtaining one of their own projecting devices and instead resort to struggling with the often outdated contraptions their companies offer as technical support.

Recently, however, there emerged a powerful new line of portable projectors, some of which can be small enough to fit in your pocket yet powerful enough to go neck and neck with the majority of fully sized, elaborately constructed projectors. This type of projector goes by several different names, pocket projector, compact projector and mini projector, but whatever you call them, the thing that they have in common is that the size makes them easy to transport from on place to another with ease.

Additionally, if you were to compare the prices of the two types, you will find that getting yourself a small, portable projector is a good idea even in this field, and that is not taking into account the numerous other benefits of such a solution.

Price

Delving deeper into the ever-expanding world of mini-projectors, we can see that finding one's perfect match isn't exactly a walk in the park, as the rapidly-growing market for these practical devices now offers a myriad of models, all of which have brilliant features and seem about equally attractive.

To help you make up your mind, and pick the perfect one for your needs first time around without throwing your money out of the window, we've amassed a load of useful information, some of which we'll present to you in the upcoming paragraphs.

Most high-quality pocket-sized projectors fall into price category ranging from 250 to about 450 dollars. Of course, you may find certain models considerably below or above that price, but, as you may have presupposed, the quality and durability vary with that as well.

Features

As for the budget-friendly aforementioned models from the suggested price category, the majority of them tend to include some of the more advanced data-projecting features, which are nowadays quite impressive, even in their stock shapes, with no special additions. Some of these are:

WI-FI connection
Connectivity to various gaming platforms
High-resolution in spite of their small size (up to 1200x800 pixels native resolution)
3D supported
Built-in memory
Built-in speakers
Special ports enabling connectivity with various devices (such as tablets, phones, and many other...)

Construction and Design

Acquainting yourself with the basics of mini-projector design and functions can help you immensely in understanding what it is you'll be looking for, especially if you are relatively new in this fairly confusing field of technical terms.

Namely, the portable projectors being a curious blend of compact and powerful, they are constructed with, above all, precision and effectiveness in mind, so as to not waste any space. Usually, they look like a mobile phone or a bulkier electric razor, with their elegant side being accentuated as the companies get progressively more confident in their technical features.

You may expect various additional equipment coming with your mini-projector, such as specialized cases, cables for connecting with numerous other devices, and even mini tripods for optimal positioning.

Also, a rather big distinction can be made between the models with LED lamps and those with stock lamps, as those with LED's may require fewer lamp changes, thus reducing the costs in the long run.

Performance and Ease of Use

When it comes to their performance, these lovely projecting devices pack a surprisingly hefty punch for their size, as they are able to easily compete with even some of the big boys in the business. They offer high-resolution, sharp picture as well as some pretty advanced features, such as automatic focusing, which means that you can put it in more or less any position, and the picture will still not be tilted.

Also, some models offer special newly-introduced technologies such as distortion correction and speckle-reducing, enabling clear visibility even if the back surface is damaged or of a funny shape.

Of course, some of these features do come at a cost, and that is especially noticeable when it comes to battery consumption, which may offer only a short period of viewing time. (often 30 minutes to 1 hour; some models go on for a couple of hours, though) However, this is only a minor issue, as you can easily connect your charger and use your mini-presentation device for as long as you want.

What is the Best Portable Projector?

Choosing the best portable projector for you can be daunting. But don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it looks. We’ve chosen 5 products from 5 exceptional brands. They vary in price from around $350 to $550 which means they vary in features and added extras too. With such a great selection we are hoping there will be something to suit your needs.

Our Top Choice

This pocket-sized Sony's MP-CL1 model features a number of outputs enabling various kinds of connections supported by a range of different devices. If you want a projector that's just as compact but operates at a close distance and could be placed virtually anywhere, you might want to check out Sony's Portable Ultra Short Throw Projector .

Sony Compact HD Mobile Projector - Screen size up to 120 inches

Sony Pocket Projector MP-CL1

Features

Whether it comes to enjoying the footage of your vacation exploits with your family while lying comfortably on your sofa, or holding an important presentation in front of a board of VIP's in your company, it is always a good idea to have your own projector at your disposal, ready to do its job whenever you need it to. Unfortunately, the equipment provided by the technical management people in your own company can sometimes be of suspicious quality and unreliable. In most cases, at least when serious job-related presentations are in question, you can't really afford to be snagged by various technical difficulties due to ineffective equipment.

That is why you may want to consider obtaining your very own reasonably-priced projector, which can serve you both in your job projects and at home. So, in order to kill two birds with one stone, the most convenient solution for you might be to get yourself an easily-portable pocket-sized device, which is reliable enough to do the job correctly every time you use it.

Leading in the business of high-quality portable projecting devices is a certain company called Sony, which is well-known and respected for its high-quality products.

This MP-CL1 model possesses all of the beloved qualities of a typical Sony product, and to name a few of its most prominent features, we've assembled this list:

It will project movies, videos, and data from various supported devices.
Features a WI-FI connection option.
Compatible with Apple products via WI-FI.
Connectable to gaming devices and platforms.
Doesn't require manual focusing.
Features distortion correction technology.
As well as speckle-reducing technology.
This projector offers HD quality resolution – good enough for any presentation or movie
With the option of a screen size of up to 120 inches, you’ll be hunting round for a wall big enough to project it on!
They say good things come in small sizes-true in this case. The MP-CL1 weighs just 7.4oz

After looking at those amazing features, it’s hard to see how they all fit in such a small projector. This little machine has all the features of a high-end model, without the high-end price tag.

Always wanted to go to an outdoor movie? Well now you can show your own with Sony’s Mobile Projector!

Best Value

This petite LED projector from Asus offers a 30,000-hour lifespan. If you are willing to put in more money for an even better Asus projecting experience, with more enhanced features, then this B1MR Ultra-bright Wireless LED Projector may answer to your prayers.

ASUS S1 LED Mini Projector 1080p Built-in 6,000mAh Battery bank

Asus Portable Projector S1

Features

There are always times when you feel like reminiscing about some special moments with your family, and what better way to present your video and photo memories than to have them wide-spread over a wall in your home. The modern projectors offer razor-sharp picture for the best viewing experience. These newly constructed pocket-size devices are also perfect for your working environment as they are compact and have high-quality features for their size.

If a reliable, tough projector is the top factor of your presentation style, then this Asus S1 Pocket Projector might be exactly what you need.

These are some of its impressive characteristics:

It has a 6,000 mAh rechargeable battery.
It is lighter than 0.75 lbs and can fit in a palm.
HDMI/HML port means compatibility with various different sources.
It features a built-in Asus speaker.
Offers over 3 hours of projecting time.
It can project onto screens up to 100 inches-very impressive for such a minute device

This Asus S1 boasts high reliability and durability, offering the best possible combo of the two for your money. If we take into account the good name of Asus, widely famous in the world of technical appliances, then we can see that this projector offers itself as one of the best solutions.

Need to squeeze a 100” screen into the palm of your hand? Well now you can with the Asus S1 Pocket Projector!

The ML550's lightweight LED projector is as well-equipped and tough as some of the big boys in the projector-playground. If you like this ML550 model, but would like to see another feature or two then we warmly recommend checking out Optoma's ML750 model projector, which will definitely tickle your curiosity.

Optoma ML550 3D Ready Portable LED Projector with HDMI Port

Optoma Pocket Projector ML550

Features

If your biggest issue with modern technology is space-related, and you get irritated that phones are getting bigger, and progressively more difficult to manage, and that certain oversized tablets exist in the form they do, you may not be exactly thrilled by the idea of owning a projector, as the images of you dragging a cumbersome, 1300 pounds heavy, 43-years-old apparatus from hell may flash quickly before your eyes. Luckily for you, if you happen to fit into that description, there is a projector out there so small, that your space issues will amount to worrying you’ve lost it in your pocket!

The market for small, capable projectors is already rather big and ever-expanding, and this Optoma's model might just be one of the smallest projecting devices out there. To defend the honor of this world-renowned company, we have picked one of their newest powerful yet minute projectors, namely the ML550 model.

Since some of the most well-known and respected features of the Optoma company include exceptional image-processing qualities and non-stop innovations, it is no wonder that this ML550 projector features some of the most innovative additions to its already impressive stock characteristics. Some of which are:

Incredible brightness, for its small size.
Reliable LED source of light.
The possibility of wireless presentation.
3D Ready technology for top-level viewing experience.
Small, sleek design which looks as though a regular-size projector has been scaled down.
A built-in speaker and HDMI connectivity.

If portability and reliability present your absolute priorities when it comes to technical devices, then this Optoma's compact projector solution might be a perfect choice for you.

Want a small projector that packs a hefty projecting punch? Get yourself Optoma's ML550 model - you won't regret it.

The AAXA P300 model is one of the finest examples of the innovative designs this company is capable of. If this model, however, is a bit pricey for you, you may want to consider LED PICO Pocket Projector as its cheaper alternative, which manages to retain some of the most important characteristics.

AAXA P300 Pico/Micro LED Projector with 60 Minute Battery Life and a 1280x800 Resolution

AAXA Technologies Portable Projector KP-600-01

Features

If you like to see new companies getting the chance to prove themselves and present their products in the best possible light, and you like projectors as well, then the fact that a relatively young strictly projector-oriented company is making a name for itself as you read this is going to put a smile on your face. Their rapid growth, however, is not just due to the kindness of the market, but rather it reflects the great quality of their products and the creativity that is on display with every new design choice and technical solution.

Investing your money in one of AAXA's products is always a good idea, and if you require a compact portable and easy-to-use projecting device, then their P300 LED Projector can be your weapon of choice.

If you're wondering why exactly this model, then take a look at some of its characteristics:

Featuring micro SD and USB readers.
Apple Mac and PC Compatible.
Up to 120-inch image.
Bright projection, even in low light settings.
Built-in speakers and HDMI port.
Built-in composite A/V connectors.

So, if you are operating on a bit tighter budget for your upcoming projector purchase, this P300 model might be an option you would want to consider, as it is reasonably-priced and still offers all the great characteristics of more expensive models.

Affordable yet a powerful little projector, P300 can be your new data projecting companion! Get it on Amazon for a great price!

Get the Best Portable Projector of 2018!

With 5 leading and innovative brands like these, no matter which product you choose you’re bound to be getting quality and longevity. It just goes to show that good things really do come in small packages!

Our Top Choice

Sony Portable HD Mobile Projector

Best Value

Asus S1 Pocket Projector

Optoma ML550 Portable Projector

AAXA Technologies P300 Pico Projector

Vivitek Qumi Q5 Compact Projector