Throughout the pandemic, families sought more ways to enjoy at-home entertainment, including streaming their favorite movies and TV shows with portable projectors. And when its winter, these portable devices make for just as immersive entertainment indoors as out.

There are hundreds of portable projectors on the market, hitting every price and feature you might need. When you're deciding which is right for you, consider features such as price, picture quality, connectivity, and more.

Keep reading to find the best portable projectors in 2022.

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF11laser projector

Best portable projector overall

Epson

Features:1080presolution  3LCD projection technology Up to 1,000 lumens

If budget isn't an issue, then consider the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF11Laser Projector, which despite its price tag, is one of the more affordable Epson EpiqVision projectors. With 1080presolution and 3LCD projection technology, this Epson device boasts stunning picture quality for movies, gaming, sporting events, and more. Its brightness and viewing angles should be the last of your worries, with up to 1,000 lumens and a projection size of 30-150 inches.

The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF11 has impressive connectivity to streaming solutions such as Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. It has a built-in HDMI port to make streaming content easy. The projector has a dual-speaker audio system -- one specifically designed for high frequencies, while the other is for bass-reflex and low frequencies.

The Epson projector has excellent reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Customers especially like its brightness, picture quality, and remote control.

Pros:

• Up to 150-inch projection with 1080presolution
• Integrated dual-speaker audio system
• Connectivity with streaming devices

Cons:

• High price tag
• Only 1 HDMI port

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Anker Nebula Capsule

Best portable projector with 360-degree sound

Anker

Features:720presolution Projects up to 100inches 4+ hours of battery

While the Anker Nebula Capsuledoesn't have 1080p resolution like many other portable projectors on the market, it's still a customer favorite for good reasons. Thanks to its cylindrical design, the device is smooth on the edges, generates a 360-degree audio experience, and projects up to 100 inches.

The Anker Nebula Capsulehas compatibility with HDMI and USB devices for connectivity with laptops, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and others. The feature that really stands out is the built-in Android operating system, allowing you to download right from the projector your favorite streaming and media apps like YouTube and Netflix.

The Nebula Capsule has excellent reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars among 4,914 users.

Pros:

• Excellent color quality
• 360-degree sound system
  
• 4+ hours of battery life

Cons:

• Only 720p resolution
• Could be brighter for outdoor use
  
• Outdated software

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Yaber V2WiFi Mini projector

Best budget portable projector

Yaber

Features:720p or 1080presolution Projects up to 200 inches 8000 lumens

Many portable projectors come with a high price tag, but the Yaber V2projector is perfect for those who want excellent quality on a budget. It includes full-screen 1080p and up to 200 inches of projection, twice the range of some more expensive alternatives. You also get built-in dual stereo speakers, which are essential for any viewing experience.

The Yaber's WiFi capabilities make it easy to connect to both iOS and Android devices for mirroring movies, videos, photos, and games. It also can connect to devices including a TV box, a Fire Stick TV, a Chromecast, a PC, a laptop, a tablet, and more. One of the few trade-offs that we see with this projector is that certain streaming services, like Netflix and Prime Video, cannot be broadcast through your mobile device apps.

Though priced significantly lower than traditional portable projectors, the Yaber V2 promises a satisfactory entertainment experience, garnering an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Pros:

• Affordable price tag
• WiFi capabilities
• Up to 200 inches of projection

Cons:

• 720p resolution not the sharpest when projected at max size
• Streaming not supported for many mobile apps

View now at Amazon

ViewSonic M2portable smart mini projector

Best smart portable projector

Amazon

Features:1080p resolution Projects up to 100 inches Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant 

The ViewSonic M2Portable Smart Mini Projector has excellent video quality, with 1080p resolution and screen projection up to 100 inches. It also has excellent color accuracy and built-in premium Bluetooth audio.

The ViewSonic device is known for its smart device capabilities. It includes a WiFi connection to the app store, allowing you to use various streaming services. You also can utilize voice control for Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. It has connectivity via HDMI and USB Type C to media players, PCs, Macs, and other mobile devices.

The ViewSonic projector has good reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Customers especially like the quality of material, value for the money, and the sound quality.

Pros:

• 1080p resolution
• Bluetooth speaker system
• Smart connectivity

Cons:

• High price tag
• Battery not included

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BenQ GV2Wireless Mini portable projector

Best outdoor portable projector

Amazon

Features:1080p resolution WiFi hotspot mode 65 Watts

The BenQ GV2projector is perfect for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors. This device is splash- and drop-resistant, meaning you can safely use it on your outdoor adventures. It has 1080p for HD images and 4-watt chambered audio with a Bluetooth speaker.

The BenQ project connects to various streaming services using Aptoide. It provides WiFi and hotspot mode for various forms of entertainment. You also can connect devices such as a Fire TV Stick, a Roku, and an Apple TV via HDMI.

The BenQ projector has decent reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Customers especially like the brightness, picture quality, and sound quality.

Pros:

• Designed for outdoor use
• Built in WiFi and Bluetooth
• Compatible with streaming services

Cons:

• Speaker quality
  
• Compact size doesn't pack the biggest battery
  

View now at Amazon

What is the best portable projector?

The best projector is the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF11 laser projector, due to its high resolution, speaker system, and connectivity.

Portable Projector	Price	Resolution
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF11	$800	1080p
Anker Nebula Capsule	$300	720p
Yaber V2	$100	720p or 1080p
ViewSonic M2	$671	1080p
BenQ GV2	$470	1080p

Which is the right portable projector for you?

Now that we've covered our favorite projectors, how do you decide which is best for you? First, consider your budget. The projectors on this list fall under a wide range of price points, from less than$100 up to$700. Narrowing down your budget can help identify the best options for you.

Next, consider the situations in which you expect to use your portable projector. Will you use it during your next backyard barbecue or do you hope to take it on your next outdoor adventure?

It's also important to consider your connectivity needs. Do you want a smart device that you can connect to other devices wirelessly? Or do you want to be able to connect other devices via HDMI or USB input?

Finally, we recommend spending some time reading the reviews and feedback left by customers, as they offer insight beyond the marketing and spec sheets.

Choose this portable projector...	If you want...
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF11	The best overall option
Anker Nebula Capsule	A portable projector with 360-degree sound
Yaber V2	A budget-friendly portable projector
ViewSonic M2	A portable projector with smart home capabilities
BenQ GV2	A portable projector to use outside

How did we choose these portable projectors?

There are many portable projectors on the market, and it can be difficult to figure out which one is right for you. To choose the best portable projectors for 2021, we considered a variety of factors, including price, resolution, connectivity, picture quality, and more.

Our goal with this list was to find a projector to fit every need and price point. As a result, we chose both premium and budget projectors, as well as one designed for outdoor use, and one with outstanding smart capabilities. As a result, every shopper can find one on the list that fits their needs.

Do portable projectors need to be plugged in?

Many portable projectors come with batteries, meaning you can use them for several hours at a time without needing to plug them in. If you'd like to connect a laptop or computer with your projector, most should have an HDMI or a USB port for mirroring.

How many lumens do you need to project in daylight?

You need at least 2,500 lumens from your portable projector to be able to use it during the daytime. 

Can you watch Netflix on a portable projector?

Many portable projectors allow you to stream Netflix and other streaming services. But some limit your ability to mirror and stream subscription-based content.

Are there alternative portable projectors worth considering?

The five projectors on our list are some of the most popular on the market, but they certainly aren't the only ones. There are plenty of other projectors that may fit your needs. A few other popular options include:

TMY Projector

$79.99 at Amazon

NexiGo WiFi Bluetooth Projector

$99.99 at Amazon

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