Its a big step down in size and cost to our next pick, the 400 Asus Zenbean S2. We used a heavy duty laptop/projector stand to make sure we could achieve a 100-inch image with each model. It has a clever Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. This is where you can see the pixels, because theres more of a gap between each dot of light that makes up the image. Is the projector easy to setup?
Buy one of these if you want to turn your living room into a part-time cinema, and use your projector almost as often your TV (or perhaps replace your TV entirely). The best thing I can say about the P2-A's picture quality is that it's surprisingly good given the device's cost and size. No comments yet. The ceiling was white, not the dark colour youd ideally have. Its not too dim. Its menu system is very slow to scroll through, and theres just a two-height flip-out stand on the front to get the right angle. Our pick of the best office chairs to make working at home less of a chore.
The Asus F1 is worth looking at instead if you are after a projector for evening movie-watching. If youre looking for a serious projector that does have a battery, you need the Optoma LF160. Large-sized models will consume more power, but they will also have a battery with a higher capacity. The Optoma LF160 ticks all the right boxes for portable use too. We did notice some bad bits about setting up these two more cheap and cheerful models, though. And as it just has a simple two-height front legs, getting the ZenBeam 2 in just the right position is a bit trickier than the other ultra-portable models. If only the brightest image will do, the Epson EF100 is the projector to go for. The display technology used is also far inferior to their portable counterparts. As we have already ruled-out having to deal with bulb life, there are only a couple of other potential headaches to consider. But look closer and you realise they are very much "SD", with the same resolution as TVs from 20 years ago. We approached the testing process like any potential shopper might, but we did so with an emphasis on business use and travel. And its small and light enough to sling in a rucksack and take to a friends house. Even the pressure of your finger on the dial alters the focus. Reviews, deals and product news for people who like owning nice things. The primary feature that distinguishes portable projectors from mini projectors is size. You can install Netflix directly onto this projector, which is neat. And if you want to play games or watch movies during the day without worrying about how dark the room is, the Epson EF-100B is the only sensible choice. On the other hand, mini projectors have a resolution of 360p or 480p at most. We were initially a little disappointed by the raised blacks and the visible pixel structure, which makes the picture look more clinical. The Viewsonic M1+, BenQ GV1 and Asus ZenBeam S2 all fit in this category. Tiny projectors used to be dismally dim, but none of these are. My name is Michael Desjardin, and Im a senior staff writer at Reviewed whos been specializing in electronics for five years. My favorite aspect of the Nebula Mars II is its Android 7.1 operating system, which comes with popular streaming apps like Netflix, Youtube, and Amazon Video right out of the boxsimply connect the Mars II to a WiFi network and youre ready to go. We also weren't terribly impressed with the remote control included in the box. We would happily use any of the smaller models on a camping holiday, or as a portable alternative to a TV in the kids room. It lets you play YouTube and Netflix anywhere (that has Wi-Fi), without a cable cluttering things up. We love the BenQ GV1s cute design, and its tilting head. But how is its picture?
Twenty years ago,owning a projector was like owning a high-end sportscar:if you had one, you were either A) doing very well for yourself, or B) hurtling toward bankruptcy while pretending to be doing very well for yourself. Gigantic. The Nebula Mars II sits in the projector goldilocks zone. Email us and we'll compare notes. A portable projector is at its best when dealing with situations where a TV just isn't suitable. Portable projectors start from $300 and go all the way up to $1,200, with most of the options costing between $500 and $700. The Mars II clocks in at approximately four pounds, so its not exactly the lightest projector in our round-up. And at that price its a great deal for big-screen mid-day viewing, so keep an eye out for a bargain. The Mars II has auto focusing and keystone correction, which tries to make the picture look perfectly rectangular even if its not pointing straight at the wall or projector screen. Therefore, portable projectors are the obvious choice if you need a big screen with a decent quality picture. We did close the curtains to reduce the amount of ambient light, but these seem like the kind of conditions most of you will be able to replicate. For reference, the Optoma ML750ST is currently listed on Amazon at $564 and the Anker Mars II is currently listed at $469.99. These projectors may have their place, but its not in this test. The Nebula Mars II is only 720p, not Full HD.
They are too quiet, and dont have the bass movies deserve. The Optoma ML750ST is a solid portable projector, but its online sale price is typically higher than the Anker Mars II. The Epson EF-100 also suffers from screen door effect. Mini projectors have a weak light source and a small battery and rarely go above 200 lumens. Copyright 2022 ShortList Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Get the best deals and the best advice dropped right in your inbox. Resolution it just 480p, though, and the rival BenQ has slightly better image quality and app support. Its speakers are good too, with a good amount of lower-frequency punch and very good volume. The Viewsonic M1+ also has a slightly more flexible stand, which lets you rotate the projector part to just about any angle you like. The BenQ GV1 is a great pick for the kids' room, an alternative to a second TV. And, vitally, they are getting smaller every day super portable pocket projectors have become a class of product unto themselves, and two of them are currentlycrowdfunding for 2019 deliveries (and well beyond their campaign goals): Kickstarters Nebula Capsule IIand Indiegogos PIQO. And can it produce a good picture far bigger than your TV's without spending hundreds on blackout blinds and painting your walls and ceiling black? This projector also has some of the best speakers on test. What makes a good portable projector? This told us how much brighter projector X is than projector Y. It will actually fit in your pocket, if a bit awkwardly.Streaming capabilities:PIQO is also powered by Android, with more than 3 million apps available via the Google Play store, including Netflix. Why dont you start the discussion? BenQ has aimed for ease of use too, with an app-led approach based on Android. But there are some concessions made to make it work better as an on-the-go movie machine. The software, combined with the inconsistent remote control, really drag this projector down. This projector is also quite noisy. Netflix is NOT available on the device itself, but you can also mirror a smartphone or tablet via Chromecast or an HDMI/USB connection, and play music via Bluetooth.Sound:Internal, bass-prominent speaker by ScanSpeak that is 60% more powerful than the original Capsule (the unit also doubles as a portable Bluetooth speaker). The ZenBeam S2 doesnt have the fluffy friendliness of the BenQ GV1 and Mars II, as theres no app support built in, just a basic service menu that is not that quick to respond. Text looks very pixellated and hard to read, but we did find video watchable. Portable projectors, being larger and heavier, may cause a slight inconvenience. This problem is particularly annoying in the Viewsonic. It also means that they dont necessarily compromise on features or hardware. Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar. You'll need a clear sightline from the remote to the projector's receiver in order for it to work, and even then, there's a good chance it won't. Would we watch a full two-hour movie on one? Its speakers are loud and relatively full-sounding, and you dont need a totally blacked-out room to make the image enjoyable. Both have a manual focusing ring, which you turn to make the picture sharp, but getting the Viewsonic M1+ to its optimal position can be a headache. Andrew Williams has written about tech for a decade. It is not 4K like most new TVs or even Full HD, but we still find it sharp enough to make movies and games look great. One of the main advantages of mini projectors is that they are incredibly cheap. Its very easy to setup because so much of it is automated. Here's the brightness readings from out light meter, to give you an empirical look at how bright tiny projectors are compared to the big'uns. The Asus F1 is also a good choice if space is limited, as its 0.8 throw ratio lens means it needs less distance to project a huge image. It's free. Models of the former type have a resolution of at least 720p (HD), with some models generating a 1080p (Full HD) image. A great experience flourishes in this environment, even if the projector is not the top performer in any one category. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need. We didnt find this quite the easiest projector to setup. You can find alternatives from companies like Gorilla and Pulse online. But theres plenty to please cinema fans here. Make sure you pack a Bluetooth speaker, though, as the built-in ones are not particularly loud, and struggle to compete with the LH160s quite noticeable fan noise. It fits a lot into its tiny case too, like an autofocus lens and a 6000mAh battery that lasts for around three hours. 480p resolution may have been fine for the original Xbox and PS2, but these days games are made to suit Full HD and 4K displays, not ones like this.
In use, though, we preferred the BenQ GV1's tilting head. Read More, The Optoma ML750 ST weighs less than a pound, making it ideal for travel.
Still, if youll mostly deal with dark rooms, this projector offers the best results youll find in the super-tiny projector category. A teeny-tiny projector just doesnt cut it if you want a cinema-like effect. Competitive gamers might see them as a way to set up more screens at a tournament without lugging around armfuls of heavy hardware. Even this test was designed to reflect how you might use this equipment, though. First we set the projectors up in a bedroom with a light grey wall, during the day. This is the most capable projector on test that still feels like a lifestyle gadget. Here's what the Qumi Q3 Plus is offering: We appreciate the design of the Qumi Q3 Plusour review unit calls to mind a sports car with its fire-red paint job and glossy finish. Larger projectors, even portable ones, are pretty expensive. It's dazzlingly bright. During testing, we paid close attention to throw distance, color, contrast, motion performance, and peak brightness (particularly as it compares to the manufacturers reported brightness). Its a breeze. To get to grips with these projectors in the most real-life realistic manner, we tested them at home. The WantList: what to buy this week and beyond, The Nothing Phone (1) is available to buy now: 5 things to know, Best office chairs: great ergonomic chairs for the home office, Best vinyl: amazing records to collect and show off your system, Best ice cream maker: great ice cream every time, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra review: nothing short of stunning, Sonos Roam review: a perfectly portable powerhouse. They also have better display engines, allowing viewers to enjoy content in high definition and with good picture quality. Some projectors are equipped with nothing but USB and microSD ports, whereas others offer HDMI and VGA inputs, too. It does end up stuck between audiences, though. We used the projector during the day, with the windows open, and it still looked pretty good. While not all models have the same specifications, most portable ones are still capable of producing an image between 80 to 100 inches. Which puts out a better picture? Small ones are perfect for the kids room or for camping holidays, but the image just isnt quite good enough to make you want to use it often at home if you have a good TV. Its speakers are rubbish, its not as friendly as the other ultra portable projectors and its light output is predictably limited. Tell us, and we'll feedback to our reviewers so we can include it going forwards. The AAXA P2-A is an entry-level, ultra-portable projector that's best suited for people who need something affordable and don't mind limited connectivity options and a worse-than-average picture.
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While it's disappointing that the P2-A's built-in hardware is limited to mini-HDMI and USB, it is nice to have WiFi and Android functionality baked into a projector of this size. The Anker Nebula Capsule is a smaller portable projector from the company. Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. While the two expressions may seem to refer to the same category, it is not the case in reality. Due to their compact design, mini projectors have batteries of a limited capacity. The Zenbeam S2 is a bit of a technical tour de force. Most portable projectors settle into the $200-$400 range, though higher-end models can climb upwards of $600. Its speaker is not too quiet and its not too complicated. Larger models, unsurprisingly, performed better in both lighter and darker room tests. For kids bedrooms or camping holidays you may want to consider a lower-cost, smaller projector. Install the companion app on your phone and you can use its touchscreen as a controller for the Mars II, instead of the simple remote. Since portable mini projectors are often used in business, we chose our projectors and evaluated them with home and office use in mind. Therefore, from a size standpoint, mini projectors may be the better option. BenQs focusing dial is sturdier too. They must be placed closer to the screen as well. These scenarios let us see how easy each projector is to setup. Next, consider the type of content youll be watching and the hardware youll need to get the job done. Which stand? This shouldnt be an issue for most people, but if you were hoping to do some spontaneous screenings in venues without a nearby wall outlet, you might want to consider a portable projector with an on-board battery. Portable projector and mini projector are the two terms that buyers who are searching for a transportable projection device come across. Additionally, are there any specific features that you absolutely need, like a headphone jack or WiFi streaming? After knocking out a fistful of also-rans, we had a shortlist of candidates spanning a whole range of styles. A projector with 500 ANSI lumens may perform decently in some ambient light or outdoors, but a 100 ANSI lumen project will have to be used in absolute darkness. We also like the cube shape, which means that it will rest easily on your bed if you want to stream video on the ceiling. We have also included several portable projectors that bridge the gap between mini models and ones you might install in a home cinema. Copyright 2022 InsideHook. You give them a twirl until the image looks its sharpest. And most of them dont have the same level of convenience as petite projectors. For that kind of retro gaming, they are a great fit. This sleek, metallic pocket projector from Asus is small enough to tuck into the pocket of a purse, weighs less than a pound, and comes with a thin, faux-leather carrying case. It is far from the brightest projector on test, but has significantly more power than any of the smaller, cheaper models. You need to adjust your expectations before buying a portable projector. They have manual focus wheels. Theres more than one kind of portable projector, you see. But if youre willing to roll the dice a bit which sometimes pays off with crowdfunding campaigns the PIQO actually promises stronger specs in quite a few areas: larger projection sizes, higher picture clarity, the inclusion of an internal Netflix app, and above all, greater portability thanks to its micro dimensions. As weve avoided models that all-but make up specs, you shouldnt get the sense youve been duped as long as you come with the right expectations. While the larger models in this test make movies look better than either of these top picks, you may want to consider a "non portable" standard projector if that's your key concern. However, we have seen it sold onlines for 699 instead of its 899 RRP. This projector looks like the full package. Most of them are no larger than a tennis ball, fitting easily in the palm of the hand. From a portability standpoint, it's one of the most travel-friendly projectors we've tested. They have much greater light output, so look better in a wider variety of conditions. Having a knowledge of the same can assist buyers in their decision. However, if you want to play console games through your projector, we cant recommend the Viewsonic M1+ and BenQ GV1. We focused on portable projectors from reasonably well-known brands, as youre much more likely to be able to get some help if something goes wrong.