Products reviewed
Best for Home Theater: BenQ HT3550 4K Home Theater Projector with HDR10 and HLG
Best for Gaming: BenQ TK700 4K HDR Gaming Projector
Best Budget: ViewSonic PX701-4K 4K UHD
Best Splurge: Epson Home Cinema 5050UB 4K PRO-UHD
Best Overall: XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector
In today’s fast-paced world, we’re constantly on the move whether it’s for work, play, or luxury. And while we’re on the go, we need ways to keep ourselves entertained. Thanks to advances in technology, we now have more options than ever before when it comes to portable entertainment. And today, we’ll talk about one such device i.e. the portable projector.
With the ability to project images and videos onto any flat surface, projectors have revolutionized the way we consume media. And now, with the advent of 4K resolution, most portable projectors are capable of delivering stunning video quality that rivals even the most advanced home theater setups.
With so many options on the market though, it can be tough to know where to start. That’s why we’ve done the research and compiled a list of the 5 best portable projectors of 2023. Combing through customer reviews, evaluating personal user experiences, and exploring all relevant factors, we’ve pinpointed the most dependable, top-performing, and cost-effective portable models for your consideration.
Whether you’re planning an outdoor movie night, a camping trip, or just looking for a high-quality portable entertainment solution, these projectors are sure to impress. So, keep reading and prepare to be astonished by just how fantastic these mini-projectors can be!
How do we choose the best portable 4k projector?
Here’s a buying guide that will help you understand the key factors to consider when selecting a portable 4K projector:
Resolution: 4K resolution is the gold standard for image quality, offering four times the number of pixels than 1080p HD of traditional projectors.
Brightness: The brightness of a projector is measured in lumens. A high lumen count is important for projectors that will be used in bright rooms or for outdoor viewing. For most indoor settings, a projector with a brightness of at least 2,000 lumens is sufficient.
Contrast Ratio: Contrast ratio refers to the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of an image. A higher contrast ratio will result in better color accuracy and overall image quality.
Size and Weight: Portability is one of the key benefits of a 4K projector. Look for a device that is compact and lightweight, making it easy to take on the go.
Lamp Life: The lamp is part of the projector that generates light, and it has a limited lifespan. Look for a projector with a long lamp life, ideally, at least 10,000 hours, to minimize the need for regular lamp replacements.
Connectivity: Consider what devices you are want to connect to the projector. Look for a projector with multiple input options, such as HDMI, USB, and Wi-Fi, to ensure compatibility with a wide range of devices.
Sound Quality: Many portable projectors come with built-in speakers, while some require external speakers to be connected. Look for a projector with good sound quality if you plan to use it without external speakers.
Price: Portable 4K projectors can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Determine your budget and choose a projector that meets your needs without breaking the bank.
By considering these factors, you can choose the best portable projector that fits your buying criteria.
Now that you know what 4k projectors are and how to choose one, let’s dive in and take a closer look at the best portable 4K projectors on the market.
Best for Home Theater
BenQ HT3550 4K Home Theater Projector with HDR10 and HLG
Why we love it
The BenQ HT3550 4K Home Theater Projector is a top-notch choice for anyone looking to amp up their home theater experience with exceptional image quality, color precision, and contrast. Boasting an impressive 3840 x 2160-pixel resolution, this projector delivers stunningly sharp, detailed visuals that will surely immerse you in your favorite movies and shows.
Thanks to its Cinematic Color Technology and DCI-P3 color space integration, the HT3550 provides an accurate and extensive color gamut, taking your viewing experience to a whole new level. Its HDR-PRO tone mapping technology further enhances image contrast, giving your movies a professional and life-like appearance.
Featuring a sophisticated 10-element lens array and advanced DLP technology, this high-performance projector ensures bright, vivid, and clear images that will satisfy even the most discerning home theater aficionados. With its compact design and remarkable features, the BenQ HT3550 4K Home Theater Projector truly sets the standard for what a top-quality home cinema experience should be.
What you should know
The BenQ HT3550 is also a perfect home theater projector for those with limited space, thanks to its 5% vertical lens shift and compact 1.3x short throw big zoom lens. Its award-winning design is not only visually appealing, but it also comes with an impressive 3-year warranty, which beats the typical 1-year industry standard.
With its light source longevity, the HT3550 ensures lasting performance, offering 4,000 hours in Normal mode, a whopping 10,000 hours in Economic mode, and an astounding 15,000 hours with SmartEco technology. The projector’s horizontal frequency ranges from 15K to 135KHz, while the vertical scan rate varies between 23 and 120Hz.
Featuring a high-speed color wheel, the HT3550 delivers clear, blur-free 2D images at 96Hz, 100Hz, and 120Hz, and smooth 3D visuals at 120Hz. The built-in Motion Enhancer (MEMC) minimizes jitters, while CinemaMaster Audio & Video create an immersive audiovisual experience.
Stay connected with plenty of input options, including HDMI, USB Type A, Mini B ports, and more. Plus, the added security bar provides peace of mind, making the BenQ HT3550 the ideal choice for those seeking a high-quality, space-saving, and reliable home theater projector.
Best for Gaming
BenQ TK700 4K HDR Gaming Projector
Why we love it
Experience the ultimate gaming adventure with the BenQ TK700 4K HDR Gaming Projector, specifically crafted to offer an unparalleled level of immersion that gamers are looking for. Thanks to its exceptional low latency and high-resolution capabilities, this projector is perfect for adrenaline-pumping fast-paced games.
Boasting an impressively low input lag of only 16ms at 4K/60Hz and an ultra-responsive 4ms lag at 1080p/240Hz, this top-of-the-line projector offers seamless and uninterrupted gaming action, setting it apart from others in the market.
Additionally, with the customizable Game Sound Mode and Game Mode, you can effortlessly tailor the audio and visuals to suit your specific gaming preferences. The projector’s compatibility with eARC for Dolby Atmos and 7.1-Channel Audio pass-through ensures an enveloping and all-encompassing gaming atmosphere.
The BenQ TK700 also features a user-friendly 2D Auto Vertical Keystone that eradicates trapezoidal distortions, streamlining the setup process. Experience the stunningly vivid, crystal-clear graphics and high-fidelity sound of the BenQ TK700 4K HDR Gaming Projector, and you’ll truly feel like you’re part of the game!
What you should know
BenQ TK700 4K HDR Gaming Projector features an impressive resolution of 3840×2160. This powerhouse is perfect for all game enthusiasts looking for exceptional clarity and detail in their gaming visuals. With its impressive 3200 ANSI lumens brightness and remarkable 96% Rec. 709 color precision, you can enjoy crisp, stunning images even in a well-lit room.
To further enhance your gaming experience, the TK700 boasts innovative black detail enhancement technology, making it easy to discover intricate details within dark scenes. This projector is compatible with all your favorite gaming consoles, including Sony’s PS5 and PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X and Series S, as well as Google Stadia. Moreover, it works seamlessly with external audio setups for an immersive auditory experience.
Designed with convenience in mind, the BenQ TK700 features a flexible 1.3x zoom to accommodate different throw distances, allowing you to adjust the projector’s position to suit your gaming setup perfectly.
To top it all off, enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a 3-year limited parts and labor warranty, assuring you that you’re protected should any issues arise.
Don’t settle for less, indulge in a heightened gaming experience with the BenQ TK700 4K HDR Gaming Projector, where visuals and sound come to life like never before.
Best Budget
ViewSonic PX701-4K 4K UHD
Why we love it
If you’re looking for an affordable way to enjoy 4K picture quality, the ViewSonic PX701-4K Projector is an excellent choice. With its impressive 3200+ ANSI lumens brightness and remarkable contrast, this projector ensures clear and vivid images even in rooms with ambient light.
Gamers will appreciate the 4.2ms low input lag and the swift 240Hz refresh rate, making their game sessions smooth and responsive.
Cinephiles are in for a treat with the SuperColor Technology, which, along with HDR/HGL support, delivers breathtaking colors that bring movies to life.
Additionally, the advanced connectivity options, including dual HDMI and a powered USB-A port, make it easy to connect various devices seamlessly.
What you should know
ViewSonic PX701-4K performs better than any traditional home theater projector. This budget-friendly device offers a 1.1x optical zoom, ensuring a stable image without any warping, while its automatic vertical and horizontal keystoning makes setup a breeze.
With an impressive lamp life of up to 20,000 hours, you can count on enjoying high-quality projections for years on end.
This projector caters to your streaming needs including the Netflix app, although you’ll need to purchase a separate dongle to access your favorite platforms.
In short, the PX701-4K projector is an ideal choice for those who want to enjoy stunning 4K visuals at an affordable price.
Best Splurge
Epson Home Cinema 5050UB 4K PRO-UHD
Why we love it
If you’re a home theater aficionado looking to indulge in the ultimate visual experience and don’t mind paying a little more, get the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB 4K PRO projector. Its state-of-the-art processing technology elevates color and image quality, delivering a breathtaking 4K display.
Featuring a genuine 3-chip projector design and a sophisticated pixel-shifting processor, this projector ensures remarkable color range and clarity, devoid of any “rainbowing” or “color brightness” problems.
Additionally, its exceptional HDR processor and digital imaging processor work together to present true-to-life content, complete with smooth tonal variations and impressive color precision.
Moreover, the Home Cinema 5050UB is capable of showcasing 4K content at an astounding 2,600 lumens for both color and white brightness. This capability allows for an expansive performance range as well as extraordinary HDR results. Experience a more vibrant and detailed visual treat with this outstanding projector.
What you should know
The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB 4K PRO comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s worth every penny for its professional-level color accuracy, extreme color gamut, and outstanding dynamic contrast ratio.
Another standout aspect is the implementation of Epson UltraBlack technology, which minimizes any unwanted light interruptions within the signal. Consequently, this results in an impressive 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.
To further enhance the picture quality, this projector offers 16 levels of precision HDR adjustment, ensuring optimal HDR performances tailored to the content on-screen. In addition, the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB 4K PRO is among the first home theater projectors to fully showcase the DCI-P3 color space, boasting a color range that is 50% wider than most Rec. 709 1-chip devices.
Lastly, with Epson Precision Lens Technology in place, you can expect razor-sharp picture clarity across the entire screen, without any light leakage interfering with your viewing pleasure. When it comes to upgrading your home cinema setup, the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB 4K PRO is undoubtedly the ultimate indulgence.
Best Overall
XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector
Why we love it
Experience the ultimate cinematic magic in your own home with the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector. Boasting true 4K resolution and a powerful 2200 ANSI lumens brightness, this projector will make your movie nights unforgettable. The 8.29 million pixel display, together with the dual Harman Kardon 8W speakers, DTS-HD, and DTS Studio Sound, ensures a stunning audio-visual treat.
Setting up the projector is hassle-free, thanks to its smart features like auto keystone correction, intelligent screen adaptation, auto-focus, obstacle avoidance, and automatic screen alignment. You’ll have the perfect viewing experience without breaking a sweat.
The X-VUE 2.0 Image Engine takes the cinematic experience to a new level, providing 60Hz MEMC for super-smooth motion and HDR10 x HLG for lifelike colors. Dive into your favorite movies and shows like never before!
Running on Android TV 10.0, the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector houses over 5000 Google Play apps with Chromecast built-in, so you can effortlessly stream and mirror content from your devices. To make things even better, the Google Assistant feature allows hands-free voice control.
What you should know
The Horizon Pro 4K Projector by XGIMI boasts a robust quad-core processor along with 3GB of RAM, resulting in a seamless and fast performance. Its durable LED lamp has an impressive lifespan of up to 25,000 hours.
With 3D support and a variety of connectivity options such as HDMI port, USB, and Bluetooth, this projector offers flexibility and convenience. Not to mention, its portable design with a built-in handle and compact size allows for easy transportation and setup in any location.
Additionally, the projector is equipped with an advanced cooling system that ensures quiet operation even during long periods of use. This makes the Horizon Pro 4K Projector perfect for a wide range of entertainment needs, from movie nights and sports events to gaming sessions and streaming your favorite shows.
Ultimately, this is the best portable projector that delivers an unparalleled home-theater experience, making it our top pick in the market.
Best Portable Projector: Frequently Asked Questions
Do battery-powered projectors exist?
Yes, there are projectors that are powered by a battery instead of being plugged into a power outlet. These battery-powered projectors are becoming more popular due to their portability and convenience. They are perfect for outdoor use, camping trips, and other situations where there may not be a power source available. Keep in mind that battery power varies among different models, so be sure to check the specifications before purchasing one.
What are the advantages of LCD projectors?
LCD projectors offer several advantages such as high image quality, high brightness, better color accuracy, longer lifespan, and lower power consumption compared to other types of projectors. Additionally, LCD projectors are typically more affordable and easier to maintain.
Is a portable mini projector worth it?
Yes, a portable mini projector is worth it, especially if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option with long battery life. With features like USB C connectivity, remote control, built-in rechargeable batteries, and the ability to power via a standard power outlet, a portable mini projector can provide convenience and flexibility for both personal and professional use.
Do all mini projectors come with a Bluetooth speaker?
No, not all pocket projectors come with built-in Bluetooth speakers. While many mini projectors have built-in speakers, other projectors may require external speakers to be connected via Bluetooth or a wired connection for audio output.
Are all mini projectors portable?
Yes, all mini projectors are portable due to their small size and lightweight design. However, the level of portability may vary depending on the model and brand of such a small projector. Some mini projectors are designed to be more portable than others, with features like long battery life, compact size, and wireless connectivity options making them ideal for on-the-go use.
Do the best portable projectors all work with Android TV?
No, not all of the best portable projectors work with Android TV. However, many of them do have HDMI ports that can connect to a smart TV or streaming device, allowing access to streaming apps like Netflix.
Can you use a streaming stick with a projector?
Yes, you can use a streaming stick with a projector. Most projectors come with an HDMI port, which allows you to connect a streaming stick such as a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast. This will enable you to access streaming apps and services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video on your projector.