The 9 Best Portable Projectors

For work presentations on the go

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Whether you're looking for a projector that's easy to move between multiple meeting rooms or you need a travel-friendly projector for client presentations, there are a lot of options available. We've rounded up our top choices of the best portable projectors, focusing on features that meet almost every need.

From options for bright conference rooms or ones with long battery life for out-of-town presentations, we'll help you choose the right projector for you.

Best Overall: ViewSonic PA503S Projector

ViewSonic PA503S

Courtesy of Amazon

Perfect for in-office presentations or to take on business trips, the ViewSonic PA503S projector supports 1080p HD resolution and uses DLP (digital light processing) technology for sharper pictures, so your video clips and photos always look their best. The lamp is rated for up to 15,000 hours of life and produces up to 3,800 lumens of brightness, making your slideshows and video clips easy to see. The lamp also has a SuperEco feature that reduces power consumption and extends the life of the bulb, ensuring that this projector will last for years. 

The portable projector has plenty of connection options, including HDMI, VGA, and USB, while it also supports both Windows and macOS-based computers. It comes with a remote for intuitive and easy-to-use controls, and a carrying case is available to protect the unit from damage during travel. The projected image size ranges from a minimum of 30 inches to a maximum of 300 inches, easily fitting your presentation to any room size.

Weight: 4.85 pounds | Dimensions: 4.33 x 11.57 x 8.58 inches | Throw distance range: 3.9 to 43 feet | Contrast ratio: 22,000:1 | Hours of life: Up to 15,000

Best Value: Fangor 1080P HD Projector

Fangor 1080P HD Projector

Walmart 

A projector is an important investment for any business, so it's crucial to get the most features for the price. With plenty of connectivity and portability options, the budget-friendly Fangor projector has native 1080p HD resolution and LCD projection technology for great-looking video and photo presentations. It also has a 6,000:1 contrast ratio for enhanced sharpness and detailing, so your slideshows, photos, and videos never look muddy or blurry. The lamp provides up to 6,500 lumens of brightness, so your presentations are easy to see, even in the brightest of conference rooms. The projector is Wi-Fi enabled and features Bluetooth connectivity for a clean and simple set-up. 

In addition to both iOS and Android compatibility, the portable projector features HDMI, AV, and VGA wired connections as well as an SD card slot, allowing you to connect with any computer or mobile device and even play media right from a memory card. The built-in stereo speakers give you clean, clear sound. It also comes packaged with a carrying case for easy travel, a tripod for quick set-up, and both an HDMI and AV cable.

Weight: 6.28 pounds | Dimensions: 14.96 x 8.66 x 5.12 Inches | Throw distance range: 7 to 20 feet | Contrast ratio: 6,000:1 | Hours of life: Up to 60,000

Best Budget: Hompow Mini Projector

HOMPOW Projector, Native 1080P Full HD Bluetooth Projector

Amazon

If you're working with a limited budget, the Hompow mini projector is an excellent choice. Compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices, this portable projector also has HDMI, VGA, USB, and memory card connections, so you can use almost any media device for your presentation. The projector has a throw distance from 5 to 16.6 feet and screen size from 50 to 176 inches, so you can use it in a variety of room sizes. 

It also features 1080p HD resolution and LCD projection technology for great video and image quality. The lamp—which gives you up to 5,500 lumens of brightness, perfect for almost any lighting environment—is rated for up to 50,000 hours of life, ensuring that the projector will last for years. The built-in stereo speakers feature noise reduction tech so you can play crisp, clear audio during your presentations. Weighing just over two pounds, this portable projector is easy to move from room to room or to take with you on business trips.

Weight: 2.17 pounds | Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.8 x 2.8 inches | Throw distance range: 5 to 16.6 feet | Contrast ratio: 4,000:1 | Hours of life: Up to 50,000

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Best Pocket Projector: AAXA P7 Mini Projector

AAXA P7 Mini Projector with Battery

Amazon

For professionals looking for a truly compact projector, the AAXA P7 mini projector is the perfect pick. This projector measures 4.7 x 4.4 x 2.7 inches and weighs just over 1 pound, making it easy to pack into a laptop bag or briefcase. Despite its small size, this projector packs plenty of features: it has native 1080p HD resolution and DLP technology for the clearest pictures and videos possible; the LED lamp is rated for up to 30,000 hours of life and produces up to 600 lumens of brightness; it has a maximum screen size of 120 inches in low lighting environments and 80 inches in brighter rooms; and, the top of the projector features easy to use control buttons for hassle-free presentations. 

The small projector has an instant on/off cycle, so you'll spend less time waiting for it to warm up. It comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that gives you up to 90 minutes of run time—ideal for the average meeting or client presentation. It also has an onboard media player, as well as connections for HDMI, mini-VGA, composite video, USB, and even microSD cards. Even more, the built-in two-watt speakers give you clear audio for video clips.

Weight: 1.48 pounds | Dimensions: 4.7 x 4.4 x 2.7 inches | Throw distance range: Not listed | Contrast ratio: 2,000:1 | Hours of life: Up to 30,000

Best Short-Throw Projector: Optoma GT1080HDR Projector

Optoma GT1080HDR Short Throw Gaming Projector

Amazon

A great choice for smaller meeting rooms, the Optoma GT1080HDR has a minimum throw distance of 1.3 feet and an optimal throw distance of just 4.4 feet. This allows you to have great-looking presentations in even the smallest of spaces. The portable projector features native 1080p HD resolution and supports 4K UHD input, as well as HDR10 support and a 50,000:1 contrast ratio for superior detailing and image sharpness. 

The lamp is also rated for up to 15,000 hours of life and produces up to 3,800 lumens. If you have to demo games, it has an enhanced gaming mode that features a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth motion and an 8.4ms response time for reduced input lag. The projector has input ports for HDMI, VGA, USB, and audio connections so you can use any media player, mobile device, or computer with it. It also has a built-in 10-watt speaker for superior audio playback.

Weight: 7.70 pounds | Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.5 x 4.5 inches | Throw distance range: 1.3 to 4.4 feet | Contrast ratio: 50,000:1 | Hours of life: Up to 15,000

Best 4K Projector: Yaber Native 1080P Projector

YABER Y21 Native 1920 x 1080P Projector

Amazon

If your work presentations deal with ultra-high-definition media like games or video, you need a projector that can keep up with your expectations. The Yaber HD projector easily handles both 4K UHD and 1080p HD resolution media and has HDR support for superior clarity and detail. With its contrast ratio of 8,000:1, your clients won't miss a single detail of your presentation. The lamp features a SmartEco mode that reduces power consumption and extends the lamp life to 100,000 hours. It also produces up to 9,000 lumens of brightness for clear visibility in the brightest of rooms. 

This portable projector features a zoom wheel, so you can adjust your screen size from 45 to 300 inches without having to move the unit. It also has a throw distance from 5 to 29 feet, allowing you to use it in small conference rooms or large lecture halls. The dual five-watt speakers are coupled with a silent-operating cooling system for superior audio. Additionally, the projector has a ton of connectivity options from HDMI and USB inputs to composite video and audio connections.

Weight: 5.70 pounds | Dimensions: 11.8 x 11 x 4.4 inches | Throw distance range: 5.4 to 29 feet | Contrast ratio: 8,000:1 | Hours of life: Up to 100,000

Related: The Best Portable Scanners

Best for Bright Rooms: Vankyo Performance V600 Projector

VANKYO Performance V600 Native 1080P LED Projector

Walmart

Business professionals who routinely give presentations in bright rooms need a projector that’ll consistently deliver clear images, like the Vankyo V600. With native 1080p HD resolution and a contrast ratio of 5,000:1, the projector will always ensure great-looking presentations.

In addition to a 50-inch minimum and 300-inch maximum screen size, this portable projector has a built-in keystone correction wheel so you can quickly and easily adjust the screen to suit your space. It is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and has connections for HDMI, VGA, USB, AV, audio, and SD cards. It also comes packaged with a carrying case for protection against damage during travel and storage.

Weight: 8.3 pounds | Dimensions: 15.35 x 15.35 x 5.90 Inches | Throw distance range: Not listed | Contrast ratio: 5,000:1

Best Splurge: Epson Pro EX9220 Projector

Epson Pro EX9220 Projector

Amazon

If you're willing to invest in a high-end projector for your business, consider the Epson Pro EX9220. This projector uses widescreen ultra-extended graphics array (WUXGA) technology and native 1080p HD resolution to let you see more of your documents, images, and video clips without having to scroll. It has a quick and easy setup process, allowing you to connect your devices with a QR code, the Miracast app, or Apple AirPlay for wireless screen mirroring. If you require a wired connection, it has inputs for HDMI, USB, USB Type-B, VGA, and composite video. 

Note

While this product is available to purchase on sellers such as Amazon, it has been discontinued by its manufacturer Epson.

The lamp provides up to 3,600 lumens of brightness. The lens features automatic vertical keystone correction and a scroll wheel for horizontal keystone adjustments. This portable projector comes with a carrying case for convenient travel and storage, VGA and USB cables, and a remote for easy-to-use controls.

Weight: 6.2 pounds | Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.8 x 3.4 inches | Contrast ratio: Not listed | Hours of life: Not listed

Best Battery Powered: ViewSonic M1+ Portable Smart Projector

ViewSonic M1+ Portable LED Projector

Amazon

Opt for the ViewSonic M1+ portable smart projector if you don't have time to charge devices between meetings or give presentations with limited wall outlets. This projector has a built-in battery that gives you up to six hours of life, so you can give multiple presentations between charges. You can also charge your mobile devices via USB Type-C when you have the power adapter plugged in. It also features a plug-and-play set up with HDMI and USB Type-A connections, a microSD card slot, and integrated Wi-Fi connectivity. The projector has a throw distance range of 5.2 to 8.5 feet and a screen size from 60 to 100 inches. The LED lamp is rated for up to 30,000 hours of life and provides up to 2500 lumens of brightness, making this best in low-light or darkened rooms. 

This portable projector has smart functionality and 16GB of onboard memory, so you can download and access media from the unit for fast and easy presentations. The built-in Harman Kardon speakers also give you the best, room-filling sound possible. For protection, this projector has an automatic feature that turns the unit off when it detects objects that are too close to the lens.

Weight: 1.70 pounds | Dimensions: 5.7 x 4.96 x 1.57 inches | Throw distance range: 0.64 to 2.66 feet | Contrast ratio: 120,000:1 | Hours of life: Up to 30,000

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the ViewSonic PA503S Projector (view at Amazon) for its ability to produce clear, sharp images and helpful features that preserve its longevity. It has plenty of connection options and works with multiple operating systems. As a bonus, it also comes with a remote and carrying case, so you can carry it around safely from place to place.

What to Look for in a Portable Projector

Wired vs. Wireless

Wireless projectors offer a lot more flexibility than wired options. They provide a cleaner look, faster set up, are easier to travel with, and can link up with your smart devices. However, wired options are known for their reliable connections. If you know you'll be using your projector somewhere with spotty Wi-Fi, you may want to look at a wired projector.

Compatibility

A wired projector's compatibility with other devices will depend on whether or not your device has a port for the connections it provides, such as HDMI, USB, etc. For example, a wired projector can probably connect to most laptops, but phones or tablets are unlikely unless you have an adapter. Wireless projects can connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so they are compatible with a wider range of devices.

Hours of Life

Hours of life refer to how long your lamp can run without flickering or burning out. You can find projectors with as little as 1,500 hours of life or as high as 100,000 hours. The number differs based on the type of lamp the projector has. Common types of lamps include halide, LED, and laser. LED lamps usually have greater hours of life than the rest.

Meet the Expert

Taylor Clemons has over three years of experience as a freelance writer writing about consumer and business technology. Her work has appeared in TechRadar, Lifewire, GameSkinny, and more.

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