The 8 Best Mini Projectors of 2023

Best Overall

Anker Nebula Capsule II

4.3

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When considering mini projectors, portability is one of the prime considerations, and when it comes to that, being the size of a soda can is about as small as you can get (especially as most bags and backpacks have pockets designed for carrying drink-sized items).

It's got everything you need, including a speaker built into the base and a built-in app store—just connect it to a Wi-Fi network, and you're good to go.

The projector runs on Google's Android software, so along with the easy-to-use interface you can easily download apps like Netflix or Hulu, plus you get the added bonus of built-in Google Assistant. You can also control it using Google Assistant or via a smartphone app or the supplied remote.

Overall, we really like the Nebula Capsule II, and think it's the perfect solution for a pop-up cinema night or even as a bedroom TV for occasional use. It's not cheap, but it's got everything you need built in.

_{Resolution: 720p | Brightness: 200 ANSI lumens | Contrast Ratio: Not listed | Projection Size: 40 to 100 inches}

Best Portable

APEMAN Mini M4 Projector

4.2

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Keeping in line with portability comes the Apeman M4 DLP projector. This device is about the size of three CD cases stacked on top of each other and has decent sound. It also has a fairly dim picture, however, so you'll want to set this projector up in as dark a room as possible.

The projector comes with a 3,400 mAh battery built-in, which will barely get you through a 2-hour movie. You can also charge your phone off of the battery, but that obviously leaves even less power for the projector. Still, we like to see that kind of versatility in devices.

You can connect to your projector using the HDMI input or plug in a USB drive to display photos and movies. The included tripod lets you point the projector anywhere you need it to go. Overall, this device is small enough to fit into a jacket pocket or a small bag making it ideal for campers, hikers, or really anyone who wants to tote their own projector around.

_{Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 50 ANSI lumens | Contrast Ratio: 2000:1 | Projection Size: 30 to 100 inches}

Best Budget

Vankyo Leisure 3

4.2

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The Vankyo Leisure 3 is designed for the home, and it comes with a carrying case for when it needs to go out on the road. There are a ton of input options, including VGA, HDMI, USB, MicroSD, and RCA.

The projector itself isn't terribly bright. It's also a little hard to set up. There are no feet on the bottom for leveling the projector, and there's only a comparatively short foot in front for vertical adjustment. You'll probably need to prop the projector up in front to get the image to go where you want it to go. But beyond all that, it's hard to argue with the price.

This is a great budget option that will work well in your home, as its name implies. You'll need a sufficiently dark room, but if you have that, you'll get a sharp 1080p picture with a good 2000:1 contrast ratio and solid color reproduction.

_{Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 2400 lumens | Contrast Ratio: 2000:1 | Projection Size: 32 to 176 inches}

Best for Business

Optoma ML750ST

4.2

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When you're talking about mini projectors, there's "mini" and then there's the Optima ML 750ST. Photos of the projector don't really show just how very small this projector is. It fits in the palm of your hand. It's also a short-throw projector which means you can have the projector close to the screen and still have a full-sized picture. In this case, you can get a 100-inch projection from just six feet away.

The size becomes even more impressive when you consider the 700 ANSI lumens and 20,000:1 contrast ratio you get in this powerful machine. It's ideal for business because it's bright enough for a conference room and small enough for a briefcase or backpack. You will want to make sure your presentation room is as dark as possible, though.

The projector is also a little on the expensive side. The lack of wireless connectivity is disappointing, and the fact that Optima sells a dongle to correct that oversight for an additional cost is borderline insulting. But the tiny size, combined with the high contrast picture makes this an ideal companion for business presentations on the go.

_{Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 700 ANSI lumens | Contrast Ratio: 20,000:1 | Projection Size: 16 to 135 inches}

Best Design

ViewSonic M1+ Portable Projector

4.3

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The ViewSonic M1 smart projector is one of our favorite items on this list because of its self-contained versatility. The stand that is built into the projector swings up to protect the lens when it's closed.  When open, the stand can point the projector where it needs to go. Overall, this entry gets high marks for design because of its clean look and built-in kickstand.

On the downside, the picture tops out at 480p, and the keystone adjustment tends to be glitchy. But the M1+ has an amazing 120,000:1 contrast ratio and a long-lasting battery that can go for up to six hours when the projector is in eco mode. Inputs range from microSD, USB-C, HDMI, and USB-A. It can also output sound with a 3.5mm audio jack.

_{Resolution: 480p | Brightness: 300 lumens | Contrast Ratio: 120,000:1 | Projection Size: Up to 100 inches}

Best for Travel

AAXA P7 LED Projector

4.2

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Finding a projector that's portable is one thing, but finding one that travels well is another. In addition to being portable, a travel projector has to easily fit into a bag and work under most conditions. The AAXA P7 is a tiny cube about 4 x 4 x 3 inches (LWH) and has a lot of input options considering its size. You can plug in via HDMI, USB, MicroSD, and mini-VGA. Basically, any device you come across in your travels should work with this projector.

The sound isn't very loud, which is something of a theme for AAXA projectors, unfortunately. The battery will last for 90 minutes on a charge, which is fine for business presentations, but you may need to plug in for a feature-length movie. The projector comes with a tripod for aiming the device, but be sure you have a sturdy base because the tripod isn't all that good.

You will get 30,000 hours of LED life out of the bulb, and our reviewer Hayley says you'll get "picture quality similar to that of what you see in a modern HDTV...It’s bright and contains a good amount of contrast, so the colors appear vibrant." This is a projector that can hit the road with you and plug into anything you need along the way.

_{Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 600 lumens | Contrast Ratio: Not listed | Projection Size: Up to 120 inches}

Best for Gaming

BenQ HT2050A Home Theater Projector

4.4

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Using a projector for movies and presentations is nice, but cranking up a game onto a 300" projected screen is next-level. To do so, you need low input lag, and that's just what this projector delivers. If your projector takes too long to process the commands you give it, you will not do well in your game. The BenQ HT2050A is designed with low latency with gamers in mind.

At 2,200 lumens, it's also the brightest projector on our list, so you won't have to close the curtains when your friends come over for a gaming session. You also get a high contrast ratio, meaning your view won't be washed out. You can connect up to two HDMI ports, RCA, VGA, and microSD.

Though small, the projector is not portable. It doesn't come with a case, though it will fit into a larger bag. It also doesn't come with a mounting bracket, but you can buy one separately.

_{Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 2200 lumens | Contrast Ratio: 15000:1 | Projection Size: Up to 300 inches}