Thu. May 16th, 2024

$548 at Amazon

Anker Nebula Mars II Professional

Greatest mini transportable projector total

$300 at Amazon

Anker Nebula Capsule

Greatest low-cost mini projector with a battery

Present extra (1 merchandise)

I did not understand projectors might be superior outdoor till I attempted one. The perfect transportable projectors are straightforward to arrange in any room of your home or within the nice outdoor (or not less than your nice outdoor). Don’t fret about image high quality: Projectors have come a great distance.

Whether or not you mission onto a clean wall or a projector display, you’ll be able to seize the image high quality you crave with out getting weighed down. Additionally they supply a handful of connectivity choices, together with Wi-Fi, HDMI and Bluetooth, and sometimes run on batteries. Many mini projectors may give you entry to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Hulu and different streaming providers with out you having to attach a streaming machine or laptop computer.

Moveable projectors do include some drawbacks, although. One is that many are comparatively dim, missing the brightness of a standard house theater projector. Which means they cannot mission as giant a picture as the massive guys. One other is that the majority transportable projectors, particularly the most cost effective ones, usually have decrease decision than their bigger counterparts, particularly 4K projectors. When you’re by no means going to be removed from an outlet, a regular projector will get you a a lot greater, brighter and higher picture for related cash. However if you’d like one thing compact, transportable and perhaps battery-powered, listed below are our prime picks for the perfect mini projector.

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

The Mars II Professional is our favourite transportable projector right here as a consequence of its gentle output, total picture high quality, ease of use and reasonably priced value. This cellular machine is a bit greater than most different transportable projectors right here, however nonetheless sufficiently small to cover utterly beneath a six-pack of Coke.

The built-in 12,500-mAh battery is sweet for about three-and-a-half hours, longer if you happen to simply run it as a Bluetooth speaker. There are apps in-built, a few of which take into account the Mars II a conveyable machine, that means you’ll be able to obtain content material to its 8GB inner reminiscence for offline watching. The faux-leather strap additionally makes carrying the outside projector round tremendous straightforward.

Learn our Anker Nebula Mars II Professional overview.

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Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

I like the highest projector higher however the AAXA P6X is my decide when cash is tight. Not solely is it inexpensive than the Anker above, it is also brighter with superior battery life. This mini projector suits in my hand, creates a 720p picture, and has an enormous 15,000-mAh battery. An HDMI enter and USB connection permits you to join and energy a streaming stick. The stick connection is vital as a result of the AAXA lacks built-in apps. 

Gentle output is spectacular for its dimension and value, about 50% greater than the Anker Mars II Professional, although its distinction ratio is a bit much less. The interior battery ought to final round 90 minutes within the mini projector’s brightest mode, and a formidable 240 minutes in Eco mode — most likely rather less if you happen to’re additionally powering a streaming stick. The interior speaker is not nice, however there is a headphone jack you’ll be able to connect with a conveyable speaker.

Learn our AAXA P6X overview.

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The Xgimi Halo Plus is a little bit giant to actually be thought of “mini,” however it’s pretty small. “Simply transportable” might be a extra correct description. It tasks a 1080p image and has a two-and-a-half-hour battery. It has Android TV built-in, so streaming is much simpler than with many different portables. It performs much better than most mini projectors, nevertheless it’s additionally approach greater and prices much more.

Learn our Xgimi Halo Plus overview.

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In contrast to lots of the different projectors on this listing the AAXA P8 cannot run on a battery — it is advisable plug in its energy adapter — nevertheless it’s so small, vibrant and low-cost it makes the listing anyway. There are definitely inexpensive projectors on the market, however nothing we have seen at this value or decrease, apart from the Vimgo P10, is value recommending. 

The P8 is completely tiny, roughly the identical total quantity because the Anker Capsule (which does have a battery), although clearly rectangular as an alternative of cylindrical. It is considerably brighter than the Capsule. It even has just a few streaming apps in-built, plus an HDMI port for connecting an exterior supply. The picture high quality is OK however for the scale, value and comparatively excessive gentle output, it is laborious to knock it.

Learn our AAXA P8 overview.

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The Anker Nebula Capsule is smaller than a can of soda, however can create a giant picture. Effectively, perhaps not “massive,” however “TV-sized” definitely. It isn’t notably vibrant, nor loud, however for one thing that may slot in your pocket it is nice. The opposite choices right here supply a far brighter, higher picture, but when dimension is your foremost concern, the Capsule appears to be like higher than you’d count on for its value and stature.

Notice that you could save $30 proper now at Amazon by activating the moment coupon on the product web page. 

Learn our Anker Nebula Capsule overview.

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Geoff Morrison/CNET

The Vimgo P10’s value fluctuates between $170 and $270, in the identical ballpark as our favourite low-cost projector, the AAXA P8. It is loads bigger than the P8, the biggest low-cost projector we have examined really, making it far much less transportable. It is nonetheless “small” in comparison with full-size and costlier projectors, nonetheless. 

Image high quality is healthier than the P8 in some methods, worse in others. The Vimgo P10 has a terrific distinction ratio and first rate brightness, however the shade is remarkably horrible. The middle of the picture is noticeably sharper and brighter than the remainder of the picture. It isn’t nice.

However the value is. A superbly watchable picture, and proper now you’ll be able to decide it up for $230 once you activate the moment coupon on the product web page. Plus, it even has Netflix in-built. The principle draw back is that, just like the P8, it lacks a battery.

Learn our Vimgo P10 overview.

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Different merchandise we have examined

Anker Nebula Photo voltaic Moveable: We did not just like the Photo voltaic Moveable as a lot because the BenQ GS50, Xgimi Halo Plus and even its sibling, the Mars II Professional. Its foremost drawback in comparison with others on this listing is its comparatively dim picture, which implies it might probably’t mission as giant an image and nonetheless look good. If you’d like a modern, budget-friendly transportable with 1080p and plan on conserving the picture on the small facet, nonetheless, it is a stable alternative. Learn our Anker Nebula Photo voltaic Moveable overview.

BenQ GS50: The GS50 is roughly the identical dimension because the Xgimi Halo Plus, and can be 1080p and has a built-in battery. You possibly can even use it as a Bluetooth speaker. Nevertheless, it is dimmer than the Xgimi Halo Plus for related cash. Learn our BenQ GS50 overview.

LG CineBeam PH30N: The LG PH30N is tiny even in comparison with different transportable projectors, even smaller than the AAXA. It isn’t notably vibrant, nonetheless, nor does it have built-in apps. The battery would not final so long as the AAXA both though it’s a bit cheaper. Learn our LG CineBeam PH30N overview.

Samsung Freestyle: The small, cylindrical Freestyle is an attention-grabbing concept, nevertheless it comes up quick. In regards to the dimension of a Bluetooth speaker, and in reality can double as one, the Freestyle can pivot on its stand to mission a picture at any peak on partitions and even the ceiling. Its built-in streaming is much better carried out than most transportable projectors. Nevertheless, it lacks a battery and its efficiency is common, at finest. Worse, its value is an effective 50% increased than it needs to be based mostly on the way it appears to be like and performs. Learn our Samsung Freestyle overview.

Xiaomi Mi Sensible Projector 2: One other comparatively costly small projector we did not love, the Xiaomi not less than has a beautiful, Apple-like design going for it. We appreciated the compact dimension, 1080p decision and built-in Android TV streaming, however the cons outweigh the professionals. It is comparatively dim, particularly for the value, and it lacks each a built-in battery and compatibility with a USB energy supply, so it is not actually transportable. Learn our Xiaomi Mi Sensible Projector 2 overview.

Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K: Because it has a deal with and a compact dimension, the Cosmos Laser 4K is technically transportable, nevertheless it’s hardly mini at greater than 10 kilos. There’s additionally no battery so you may must plug it in. It is good and vibrant, however the different downsides — lack of zoom, common total picture high quality and a steep value for what you get — preserve it off this listing. Learn our Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector overview.

BenQ HT2050A: The HT2050 is not technically a conveyable projector in any respect, however it’s compact and roughly the identical value as one of many costlier “transportable” choices. Its image can be a lot better in just about each approach, so if you happen to’re in search of a projector to be used across the house, or perhaps yard, and you do not want battery energy, it is value contemplating. Learn our BenQ HT2050A overview.

How we check transportable projectors

Each projector we overview goes by way of elaborate goal and subjective testing. CNET editors decide the services we write about based mostly on editorial benefit. While you purchase by way of our hyperlinks, we could get a fee.

Learn extra: How CNET Exams Projectors

FAQs

What makes a mini projector completely different from a full-size projector?

The largest distinction is gentle output. Conventional, full-size projectors can get a lot brighter than any transportable mini projector. Most transportable projectors use an LED lamp, whereas full-size projectors have both UHP lamps (that are mainly high-powered gentle bulbs) or laser gentle sources. Projector gentle output is measured in lumens. The brightest transportable projectors we have reviewed measure about 350 lumens, whereas a standard house theater projector measures 1,500 lumens or extra. 

A vibrant projector can produce a bigger picture, and appears higher when there’s some ambient gentle round. For that motive dimmer transportable projectors are finest loved with smaller photographs and in as darkish an setting as potential.

Past brightness, mini projectors are a lot smaller (after all), can run on battery energy and normally embody built-in streaming and first rate audio system. Conventional projectors have extra lens changes, together with focus, zoom and lens shift, and may run louder. 

Are all mini projectors transportable?

In that you could take them with you locations, certain, however some are more- or much less transportable than others. Mini-projectors vary in dimension from completely tiny pico projectors just like the AAXA P8 to fashions just like the Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K that does have a deal with, and is billed as “outside,” however is dear, heavy (10.7 kilos) and would require a giant backpack to lug round. Many transportable projectors have batteries however some, particularly low-cost fashions, don’t.

Does a mini projector must be plugged in?

It relies upon. Many transportable projectors have built-in batteries that may run for 2 or three hours earlier than needing to be plugged in. Some can even connect to exterior USB battery packs that permit them to be run with out plug-in energy. However, many smaller transportable projectors, particularly cheaper ones, do not embody a built-in battery or work with battery packs. They’ll have to be plugged in to work.

Are you able to watch Netflix on a conveyable projector?

Sure. Many mini projectors have built-in streaming that permit them to point out Netflix and different streaming providers when related through Wi-Fi. For projectors that do not have built-in streaming, you may want to attach one other streaming machine, like a Roku or Hearth TV Stick, to the projector’s HDMI enter to stream Netflix and different providers.

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