For people living in small spaces, having a large TV set isn’t always the best utilisation of space. While projectors are popular alternatives, portable projectors offer some different advantages and are comparatively cheap! Unlike traditional projectors, they don’t require installation and are suitable for a wider range of spaces (many offer relatively short-throw, making them perfect even for smaller rooms). With a portable projector, you can simply pull it out for the living room when it’s movie night, set it up to entertain the kids in bed before bedtime, and even put on a movie in the garden in the evening. Portable projectors are easy to set up, take up little to no space, and offer the convenience of being able to take it to different rooms and homes!
If you’re looking for convenient entertainment for any room, read on for our Top Portable Projectors.
Top Entry-Level Projector - ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1
If you're not looking to spend too much on your portable projector, this great option for you - the award-winning ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1. This portable LED projector offers 300 Lumens of brightness and a native resolution of 720p HD, and a maximum resolution of 1080p FHD. With projection sizes ranging from 40 to 120 inches (1 to 3.2 meters), it transforms any room - regardless of whether it's big or small - into a home cinema that everyone can enjoy. The projector comes with multiple connectivity options, including HDMI, USB Type-C, and wireless mirroring for iOS and Android devices, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices. With its auto focus, auto keystone correction, and short throw ratio, the ZenBeam Latte L1 ensures easy setup and a high-quality viewing experience in any setting.
This projector is also ultra portable! It comes with a convenient carry pouch lets you take ZenBeam Latte anywhere, and the built-in battery provides up to 3 hours of nonstop entertainment (in Eco mode). These features make ZenBeam Latte perfect for nighttime outdoor viewing parties too. Because the brightness isn't super high, this projector will perform best in environments where you can control the lighting.
Top Mid-Range Projector - Xiaomi Smart Projector 2 Pro
The Mi Smart Projector 2 Pro takes out our best mid-range spot thanks to the incredible value it offers in a sleek and compact design. This feature-packed device weighs just under two kilograms but is designed to deliver a premium home cinema experience that's also portable! Anchoring its impressive visual credentials, it comes with 1300 lumens of brightness and supports Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080. With a throw ratio of only 1.1:1, you get plenty of flexibility in terms of viewing distance. The big 60- to 120-inch screen can be projected within a small space, providing great viewing experiences without the need for a big room. It also offers support for omnidirectional automatic keystone corrections, as well as functions such as automatic scaling of images and screen shift, so you can easily and smoothly zoom the screen from 60% to 100% and shift the screen in any direction.
This compact smart projector also offers pretty impressive performance when it comes to audio. It's equipped with two 10W DTS-HD and Dolby Audio speakers that are carefully calibrated to provide you with an immersive sound field experience. Meanwhile, the wide colour gamut and HDR10+ high dynamic range decoding significantly enhances the contrast and the colour palette of the visuals. The device supports a plethora of connectivity options including dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, and USB slots among others, ensuring seamless links to assorted devices. It has Chromecast built-in, allowing you to cast your photos, videos, and music from another device onto a bigger screen. Or with Android TV, you can access movies and shows from platforms like Youtube and Netflix in one place. It also has seven extension ports that enable it to connect with a computer, speakers or gamepads, and other accessories, satisfying both working and entertainment demands easily.
If you'll be using the projector in an environment with no light interference, you could opt for the cheaper Xiaomi Smart Projector 2. This one has 500 lumens of brightness so it isn't very bright, but in the right environment (i.e. a dark room), this won't matter so much.
Top Compact Projector - LG CineBeam HU710PB
If you’re looking for 4K resolution in an ultra-compact and portable form, the LG CineBeam HU710PB redefines cinematic experiences on the go. This ultra-portable powerhouse, weighing in at just 1.49kg, boasts 4K resolution, projecting stunning visuals up to 120 inches. Don't underestimate its size – the HU710PB packs a serious punch with vivid details thanks to a 3-channel RGB Laser boasting up to 154% DCI-P3 color reproduction. Plus, its innovative 360-degree rotating handle doubles as a stand for effortless projection on any surface.
Connectivity is a breeze with the HU710PB. Wirelessly share content from your phone or laptop with Screen Share or AirPlay, and enjoy movies, music, and photos on the big screen. Bluetooth pairing with dual audio output lets you connect two speakers simultaneously for immersive sound, while built-in speakers offer powerful audio on the go. Need outdoor entertainment? No sweat – connect an external battery to the USB-C port and keep the party going. With 500 lumens of brightness and auto screen adjustment, the HU710PB delivers a seamless setup for flawless visuals wherever you are.
Packed with 4K resolution, a 3-channel RGB Laser light source, and LG's webOS smart platform, the CineBeam HU710PB is your pocket-sized portal to a cinematic experience, anytime, anywhere.
Top High-End Projector - XGIMI Horizon Pro
The XGIMI Horizon Pro is an elite choice for anyone seeking an exceptional, high-end mobile movie experience. It outperforms most portable projectors and is one of XGIMI's brightest, most advanced, fully portable projectors. The power-packed projector delivers 2200 lumens, taking your viewing experience to another level, with vibrant, life-like images regardless of ambient light conditions. Its 4K Ultra HD native resolution coupled with X-VUE image technologies powered by XGIMI and Harman Kardon's audio technology, provides cinematic visuals and ultra-clear audio, ensuring an epic home theatre experience. It also features Artificial Intelligence Picture Quality technology, which can identify and analyzs on-screen details, optimise clarity, depth, and edge definition; and support for HDR10+.
As for its smart features, XGIMI Horizon comes with built-in Chromecast and Android TV, which opens up a whole universe of entertainment, from streaming platforms, games, to a host of other apps from the Google Play Store. Intuitive voice control, powered by Google Assistant allows for easy control of the device. Additionally, the automatic screen adjustment system offers a hassle-free setup. High-speed dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 ensure that connectivity is never an issue. The XGIMI Horizon is not simply a projector, but rather a complete entertainment system packed into a compact and stylish body. With its advanced imaging and audio technologies, rich feature set, and user-friendly design, the XGIMI Horizon brings you a whole cinematic experience!
If you don't need 4K resolution, check out the XGIMI Horizon which shares all of the same features but with 1080p Full HD resolution!
Portable projectors provide you with a home entertainment set up that you can take everywhere and anywhere, for rooms of all sizes. While these are our top picks across three categories, we have more great options for you to choose from too - head over to PB Tech to show our entire range of TVs & Projectors!
