Best Portable Projector for 2024
A portable projector can give you big-screen TV shows, movies and games just about anywhere. Here are the best portable projectors you can buy today.
Our Experts
Portable projectors, also called mini projectors, are perfect for watching Netflix during an outdoor movie night, wall-sized gaming sessions, or adding a "TV" just about anywhere. The best portable projectors have Bluetooth, HDMI and Wi-Fi. Most can connect to iPhones and Android devices and also have Hulu, Disney Plus, and other streaming services built-in.
It's worth keeping in mind that most small portable projectors lack the brightness of home theater projectors. This means the picture can end up looking dim, especially if you want a big image. They're also typically 1080p, not 4K like most TVs. That said, if you want something portable and maybe battery-powered, here are our top picks.
Our Picks
What is the best portable projector for 2024?
Most portable projectors are compromised in a lot of ways, but the Mars 3 Air manages to do just about everything right. It creates a reasonably bright, colorful, contrasty image. The streaming interface works just like what’s found in more expensive projectors and many TVs. It sounds better than you’d expect, too, being able to double as a decent Bluetooth speaker. If you want to connect a game console, there’s an HDMI input on the back. The battery is rated for 2.5 hours, though if you run it at max brightness it’s a lot less. If you’re not on the go, you can plug it in and use it like a regular projector.
While a traditional home projector will outperform the Mars 3 Air in every way, they don’t have its battery and ultra-portableness. We wish the price was a little lower, but given how much better it is than the competition, it’s worth the premium.
I like the top projector better but the AAXA P6X is my pick when money is tight. Not only is it less expensive than the Anker above, but it's also brighter with superior battery life. This mini projector fits in my hand, creates a 720p image, and has a huge 15,000-mAh battery. An HDMI input and USB connection lets you connect and power a streaming stick. The stick connection is important because the AAXA lacks built-in apps.
Light output is impressive for its size and price, about 50% more than the Anker Mars 3 Air, although its contrast ratio is a bit less. The internal battery should last around 90 minutes in the mini projector's brightest mode, and an impressive 240 minutes in Eco mode -- probably a little less if you're also powering a streaming stick. The internal speaker isn't great, but there's a headphone jack you can connect to a portable speaker.
The Xgimi Halo Plus is a little large to truly be considered "mini," but it is fairly small. "Easily portable" is probably a more accurate description. It projects a 1080p picture and has a two-and-a-half-hour battery. It has Android TV built-in, so streaming is far easier than with many other portables. It performs far better than most mini projectors, but it's also way bigger and costs a lot more.
Unlike many of the other projectors on this list, the AAXA P8 can't run on a battery -- you need to plug in its power adapter -- but it's so small, bright and cheap that it makes the list anyway. There are certainly less expensive projectors out there, but nothing we've seen at this price or lower, except the Vimgo P10, is worth recommending.
The P8 is tiny, with roughly the same overall volume as the Anker Capsule (which does have a battery), although rectangular instead of cylindrical. It's significantly brighter than the Capsule. It even has a few streaming apps built in, plus an HDMI port for connecting an external source. The image quality is OK but for the size, price and relatively high light output, it's hard to knock it.
The Anker Nebula Capsule is smaller than a can of soda but can create a big image. Well, maybe not "big," but "TV-sized" certainly. It's not particularly bright or loud, but for something that can fit in your pocket, it's great. The other options here offer a far brighter, better image, but if size is your main concern, the Capsule looks better than you'd expect for its price and stature.
The Vimgo P10's price fluctuates between $140 and $270, in the same ballpark as our favorite cheap projector, the AAXA P8. It's a lot larger than the P8, the largest cheap projector we've tested actually, making it far less portable. It's still "small" compared to full-size and more expensive projectors, however.
Picture quality is better than the P8 in some ways and worse in others. The Vimgo P10 has a great contrast ratio and decent brightness, but the color is remarkably terrible. The center of the image is noticeably sharper and brighter than the rest of the image. It's not great, but the price is.
A perfectly watchable image, and right now you can pick it up for $140. Plus, it even has Netflix built in. The main downside is that, like the P8, it lacks a battery.
Other portable projectors we've tested
Anker Nebula Mars II Pro
Anker Nebula Mars II Pro We like the Anker Nebula Mars II Pro due to its light output, overall image quality, ease of use and affordable price. This mobile device is a bit bigger than most other portable projectors here, but still small enough to hide completely under a six-pack of Coke. However, if you want the best, you'll find it in the newer Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air.
Anker Nebula Solar Portable: We didn't like the Solar Portable as much as the BenQ GS50, Xgimi Halo Plus or even its sibling, the Mars II Pro. Its main disadvantage compared to others on this list is its relatively dim image, which means it can't project as large a picture and still look good. If you want a sleek, budget-friendly portable with 1080p and plan on keeping the image on the small side, this is a solid choice. Read our Anker Nebula Solar Portable review.
BenQ GS50: The GS50 is roughly the same size as the Xgimi Halo Plus, and is also 1080p and has a built-in battery. You can even use it as a Bluetooth speaker. It's dimmer than the Xgimi Halo Plus for similar money. Read our BenQ GS50 review.
LG CineBeam PH30N: The LG PH30N is tiny even compared to other portable projectors, even smaller than the AAXA. It's not particularly bright, nor does it have built-in apps. The battery doesn't last as long as the AAXA either, although it's a bit cheaper. Read our LG CineBeam PH30N review.
Samsung Freestyle: The small, cylindrical Freestyle is an interesting idea, but it comes up short. About the size of a Bluetooth speaker, and can double as one, the Freestyle can pivot on its stand to project an image at any height on walls and even the ceiling. Its built-in streaming is far better implemented than most portable projectors. It lacks a battery and its performance is average, at best. Worse, its price is 50% higher than it should be based on how it looks and performs. Read our Samsung Freestyle review.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Projector 2: Another relatively expensive small projector we didn't love, the Xiaomi at least has a gorgeous, Apple-like design going for it. We appreciated the compact size, 1080p resolution and built-in Android TV streaming, but the cons outweigh the pros. It's relatively dim, especially for the price, and it lacks both a built-in battery and compatibility with a USB power source, so it's not truly portable. Read our Xiaomi Mi Smart Projector 2 review.
Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K: Since it has a handle and a compact size, the Cosmos Laser 4K is technically portable, but it's hardly mini at more than 10 pounds. There's also no battery so you'll need to plug it in. It's nice and bright, but the other downsides -- lack of zoom, average overall image quality and a steep price for what you get -- keep it off this list. Read our Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector review.
BenQ HT2050A: The HT2050 isn't technically a portable projector at all, but it is compact and roughly the same price as one of the more expensive "portable" options. Its picture is also much better in pretty much every way, so if you're looking for a projector for use around the home, or maybe backyard, and you don't need battery power, it's worth considering. Read our BenQ HT2050A review.
How we test portable projectors
Every projector we review goes through elaborate objective and subjective testing. CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
Read more: How CNET Tests Projectors
Portable projector FAQs
What makes a mini projector different from a full-size projector?
The biggest difference is light output. Traditional, full-size projectors can get much brighter than any portable mini projector. Most portable projectors use an LED lamp, while full-size projectors have either UHP lamps (which are effectively high-powered light bulbs) or laser light sources. Projector light output is measured in lumens. The brightest portable projectors we've reviewed measure about 350 lumens, while a traditional home theater projector measures 1,500 lumens or more.
A bright projector can produce a larger image and look better when there's some ambient light around. For that reason, dimmer portable projectors are best enjoyed with smaller images and in as dark an environment as possible.
Beyond brightness, mini projectors are much smaller (of course), can run on battery power and usually include built-in streaming and decent speakers. Traditional projectors have more lens adjustments, including focus, zoom and lens shift, and can run louder.
Are all mini projectors portable?
In the sense that you can take them with you places, yes, but some are more or less portable than others. Mini projectors range in size from absolutely tiny pico projectors like the AAXA P8 to models like the Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K that does have a handle, and is billed as "outdoor," but is expensive, heavy (10.7 pounds) and would require a big backpack to lug around. Many portable projectors have batteries but some, especially cheap models, do not.
Does a mini projector have to be plugged in?
It depends. Many portable projectors have built-in batteries that can run for two or three hours before needing to be plugged in. Some can also attach to external USB battery packs that allow them to be run without plug-in power. On the other hand, many smaller portable projectors, especially cheaper ones, don't include a built-in battery or work with battery packs. They will need to be plugged in to work.
Can you watch Netflix on a portable projector?
Yes. Many mini projectors have built-in streaming that allows them to show Netflix and other streaming services when connected via Wi-Fi. For projectors that don't have built-in streaming, you'll need to connect another streaming device, like a Roku or Fire TV Stick, to the projector's HDMI input to stream Netflix and other services.