The Best Small Projector For 2024

Steve McConnell By, Steve McConnell
Updated
Best Small Projector
Best Small Projector

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: ELEPHAS 8000L Portable Projector

The ELEPHAS 8000L Portable Projector is a next-generation portable projector with cutting-edge technology. It is small, roughly the size of a smartphone, making it easy to carry around. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: AuKing 2023 1080P Projector

This AuKing 2023 1080P Projector is the perfect choice for family entertainment. This product produces bright, lifelike images that are 35% brighter than other models. Read Review

3. Best Compatible: NICPOW Mini Projector

The NICPOW Mini Projector is the perfect companion for your outdoor movie nights. This powerful projector has a durable, lightweight design that makes it easy to carry and set up. Read Review

4. Best Easy To Use: GooDee Mini Projector

The GooDee Mini Projector is the perfect movie or game night device. With its fast and easy wifi and Bluetooth connection, you can quickly and easily sync your smartphone to the projector to watch your favorite movies and shows. Read Review

5. Best Reliable: ACROJOY Portable Mini Projector

The ACROJOY Portable Mini Projector is robust and highly versatile. This projector has MStar advanced color engine and the latest 7-layer LCD lens, giving you superior color accuracy and brightness. Read Review

Are you looking for the best small projector to bring your movies, gaming, and presentations to life? Look no further than the latest selection of small projectors available today. Small projectors offer unparalleled convenience, allowing you to bring the big-screen experience to any room in your home or office. There are countless options, whether looking for a projector for your home cinema setup or something to take on business trips. 

Small projectors come in various shapes and sizes, from ultra-portable and lightweight models to larger, more powerful projectors that can project images up to 300" in size. They also have various features, from short throw lenses to wireless streaming capabilities. Knowing which projector is best for you can be difficult with so many choices. This guide will help you find the perfect small projector for your needs by breaking down the different types of projectors, detailing the features to look out for, and providing a selection of the best small projectors available. We'll also outline the advantages and disadvantages of small projectors so that you can make an informed decision. 

Our team spent about 20 hours researching, sifting, and selecting many high-quality models. As an outcome, We think the best small projector is ELEPHAS 8000L Portable Projector. It features a German emerald glass lens and 24-bit true color support, letting you easily watch movies with vivid color. In addition to the other suggestions on this list, which equally deserve your consideration, we have compiled a helpful buyer's guide to assist you in making your decision.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 ELEPHAS 8000L Portable Projector
Our Score:
9.7
ELEPHAS

This product features a massive screen of 200 inches, which displays detailed visuals for indoor and outdoor entertainment settings. It includes an effective heat dissipation system, making the fan noise less noticeable. In addition, this projector also has a built-in HIFI speaker, allowing it to give outstanding sound quality even without external speakers. This helps to further immerse you in the experience of watching a movie.

This movie projector has several ports, including a USB port, an HDMI port, an AV connector, an audio port, and a Chromecast interface to suit various devices. The portable projector comes with a compact stand, a carry case, and support from a portable power station, so you can take your leisure life with you wherever you go. Because it features a German emerald glass lens and 24-bit true color support, letting you easily watch movies with vivid color. Although this product's cord is a bit short, it still works effectively for a long time.

TOP Choice #2 AuKing 2023 1080P Projector
Our Score:
9.6
AuKing

This AuKing tiny projector produces vivid, brilliant, and 35% brighter images than other products. It has a compact size of 6.7 inches by 5.3 inches by 2.9 inches and weighs only 1.12 pounds, making it ideal for travel, camping, and leisure activities with the family. Moreover, this outdoor projector has a big projection screen size of up to 170 inches, enabling you to spend enjoyable home theater time with your family no matter where you are, indoors or outside. 

This projector significantly decreases fan noise by 80% thanks to cutting-edge noise reduction technology. The portable projector's built-in stereo surround speaker gives you all of the original audio fidelity and crystal-clear sound quality. This allows you to enjoy an auditory feast even without external speakers. The only downside of this product is that its lens cap may fall off after a long time, but you don't need to worry because you can easily reassemble it.
 

TOP Choice #3 NICPOW Mini Projector
Our Score:
9.4
NICPOW

The NICPOW outdoor projector has a 100-inch screen and is easy to transport and operate, making it an excellent choice for movie evenings. You have several viewing options, depending on the projection distance, which may range from 3.3 to 16 feet, and the viewing size, which can range from 32 to 240 inches. Moreover, this device has a variety of interfaces, including HDMI, AV, AUDIO, and two USB ports, so it is compatible with a wide variety of electronic gadgets.

This outside projector has 2x3W HiFi stereo speakers and an SRS sound system, which help fulfill your standards for the sound quality of movies and music you watch or listen to. Moreover, with this product, you won't have to worry about the headaches caused by the portable projector's excessive noise or overheating. It features a color contrast of 6000:1 and a brightness of 7500 lux, which together provide an exceptional viewing experience. Nonetheless, you may find it a bit difficult to get focused images; hence you should look for some tips on the Internet to learn how to do it.
 

4 GooDee Mini Projector
Our Score:
9.3
GooDee

The GooDee projector uses the most recent digital light processing technology, which offers improved light efficiency and color control. As a result, it can produce a picture that is an astonishingly brilliant 260 ANSI lumens in brightness. This movie projector is versatile because it can display images up to 150 inches in size, making it suitable for various environments. Besides, its small size (5.9 inches by 3.9 inches by 0.9 inches) and lightweight (about 2.6 pounds) allow you to bring it virtually everywhere and anytime. 

By utilizing either 2.4G or 5G WiFi, this projector makes synchronizing a smartphone's display simple. You will have an easier time watching your favorite movies and shows thanks to the ultra-fast 5G WiFi. Also, because it features a built-in rechargeable battery with 7000 mAh capacity, this wireless projector can play back videos for up to 2.5 hours on a single charge. This product may get hot when operating for a long; however, it doesn't affect its overall quality.
 

5 ACROJOY Portable Mini Projector
Our Score:
9.1
Acrojoy

As a result of its utilization of Bluetooth 5.1 technology, this projector possesses a higher connecting stability, a longer transmission distance, and a faster connecting speed. With its built-in stereo two speakers and SRS sound system, this device delivers an outstanding experience to your aural sense. As a result, you can enjoy beautiful sounds when watching any movie. However, the tripod is not very good, which may make it wobbly in uneven places. Therefore, you should pay attention to this issue to have an amazing experience when using it.

You will enjoy a more consistent and reliable WiFi experience thanks to the latest 5G WiFi technology built into this tiny projector. The MStar advanced color engine and the latest 7-layer LCD lens used in the projector contribute to the quality of the images produced by the device, which is brighter than other projectors by an additional 80%. In addition, by altering the distance between the projector and the screen or wall, you can increase the size of your entertainment to 240 inches.
 

6 ALVAR 5G Mini Projector
Our Score:
9.0
Alvar

The ALVAR RV500W projector features the most recent generation of Bluetooth technology, resulting in more reliable and less choppy connections. In addition, as a result of its dual-band WiFi technology, not only does it have a faster speed, but it also has a better connection and smoother playing experience. This feature also simplifies casting the content you enjoy wirelessly and directly from other devices.

Because the lightweight projector weighs only 2.2 pounds, you can effortlessly transport it from inside to outside without any difficulty. You can enjoy screen sizes ranging from 40 to 400 inches by using the zoom function up to 75% or by moving the projector to enlarge or reduce the image. It has a 120-inch screen, making it great for home theaters, outdoor movies, camping, and other similar activities. It is a pity that this product's battery cap may be loose, but it doesn't matter. 

7 Tkisko 5G WiFi Mini Projector
Our Score:
8.9
Tkisko

Because this projector measures only 6.5 by five by 2.6 inches and weighs only one pound, it is straightforward to transport. This device's short-focal lens and high-refractive lens technology enable you to view a screen that is thirty percent larger than it would have been otherwise. In addition, this product offers an entirely magnificent picture with a resolution of 1080P HD (the native resolution is 720P) and brightness of 9000L.

This small projector has an improved dust-proof and cooling system, which lowers the likelihood of the device overheating and causing issues with the screen. Because of the diffuse lighting, it is also less strain on your eyes compared to looking at a smartphone screen. In addition, it is compatible with various computers, TV sticks, USB disks, and audio devices thanks to its HDMI, USB, AV, and audio connectors. Though this product has no zoom feature, it is an excellent option for watching movies.

More To Consider

8 HISION Bluetooth Projector
Our Score:
8.7
HISION
9 WIMIUS 1080P Outdoor Projector
Our Score:
8.5
WiMiUS
10 DBPOWER Mini Bluetooth Projector
Our Score:
8.4
DBPOWER

What to Look For in a best small projector?

Resolution

When selecting a video projector, the resolution is an important factor to consider as it will determine how clear and detailed the projected image will be. Resolution is measured by the number of pixels on the horizontal and vertical axes, and the higher the resolution, the more pixels are available to create a detailed image. The two most common resolutions are 1080p (also referred to as Full HD or FHD) which has a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels and 4K (also known as Ultra High Definition or UHD) which has a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels.

Lamp Life

Lamp life is a critical factor to consider when selecting a home cinema beamer, as it determines how long the light source will last. Most bulb projectors have a lifespan of 3,000-5,000 hours, while laser projectors tend to last up to 20,000+ hours. It is important to allow the projector to cool down after use and not unplug it while in use, in order to maintain the life of the lamp. Replacement lamps/bulbs can be installed to reset the hour count if needed. Laser based projectors are an ideal choice for those who plan to use their projector for extended periods of time, as it provides a longer lamp life and a lower lifetime cost than lamp based units.

Connectivity

To connect a video source to a projector, you should make sure you have the appropriate ports for the device you're connecting. If you want to connect multiple devices, such as a Blu-ray player, gaming console, and HD cable box, you'll need a projector with multiple HDMI inputs. HDMI cables are the most important connection, as they transmit digital video and audio signals between devices, and support standard, high-definition, and Ultra HD video signals, along with stereo and surround sound audio formats. Other ports may include component video, VGA, an SD card slot, and USB port. Audio outputs allow you to connect to your sound system. If the projector you're looking at doesn't have an HDMI port, it's best to look for another option.

Brightness And Lumens

The brightness of a projector is measured in lumens, with higher lumens indicating a brighter projector. When it comes to choosing the right projector for your situation, you should consider both white brightness and color brightness. White brightness reflects the total amount of white light emitted, while color brightness measures the brightness of projected colors such as red, blue, and yellow. If the color brightness is lower than the white brightness, the images and details may appear to be darker or duller. When looking at projectors, it is important to consider the ANSI Lumens output as well, since this gives an indication of the best performance the projector can deliver.

Aspect Ratio

The aspect ratio of a projector is the proportion of width to height of the projected image. Most commonly used projectors are 16:9, which is the ratio of HDTV, 1080p, and 4K UHD. This format is the best choice for home theaters since it works well with 2.35:1 and 2.4:1 Cinemascope movies. For office and presentation settings, it'd be a wiser decision to go for a 16:10 WUXGA projector. This is because most computer displays use the same aspect ratio, allowing you to display more data on the screen at once. Compared to 16:9, it has the same number of horizontal pixels as 1080p, but it's slightly taller.

Light Source

The most important factor in choosing a projector is the type of light source it uses. Bulbs, lasers, and LEDs are the three most common options. Bulbs are the traditional choice, offering good brightness and wide color spaces. Laser projectors are becoming increasingly popular due to their brightness, deep black levels, and the fact that they don’t require lamp replacement. LED projectors are typically found in inexpensive models and pico projectors, and don’t usually offer 4K resolution.

Chipset

The chipset is a critical component in the operation of a digital projector. It is essentially a computer chip that processes the video signal and creates the image that is projected onto the screen. There are three main types of chipsets that are used in digital projection technology: DLP, LCD, and LCoS. Each chipset offers its own unique advantages and produces high-quality images, but each one excels in different areas.

FAQs

What is a small projector?

A small projector is a device that projects an image onto a flat surface or screen. Small projectors are often used in classrooms and offices for presentations, or for entertainment purposes. They can be used to display movies, photos, or other media.

What is the best type of small projector for a home theater?

The best type of small projector for a home theater depends on the size of the room, amount of ambient light, and viewing distance. Generally, a short throw projector with at least 2000 lumens of brightness is recommended for optimal viewing in a smaller space.

How do I connect a small projector to my laptop?

Connecting a small projector to a laptop depends on the type of projector and laptop you have. Generally, the connection can be made with an HDMI cable, VGA cable, or by using a wireless adapter. Depending on your equipment, you may need to purchase additional accessories in order to make the connection.

How much space do I need for a small projector?

The amount of space needed for a small projector depends on the type of projector and the size of the room. Generally, a projector should be placed at least 6 feet away from the wall or screen for optimal viewing. It is also important to ensure that there is no light reflecting off of the projector onto the viewing surface.


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About Steve McConnell

Steve McConnell

Steve McConnell discovered his passion for technology early in his life when he bought his first Nintendo (NES). After spending hours experimenting with cartridges, he finally got inspired and began disassembling and rebuilding any that didn't work. Steve began playing online PC gaming after he quit console gaming. He was a passionate gamer and a problem-solver, which led him to create his own computers.
Steve brings curiosity, critical eyes, problem-solving skills, and persistence to US Best Gear as a tester. Steve is a tech nut who loves to keep up with the latest technology, from electric toothbrushes and electric skateboards to fitness trackers and sewing machines.

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