What's the difference between ANSI lumens and lumens?

Lumens are a measurement of luminous flux or the observed power of light. ANSI lumens are measured per the standards set forth by the American National Standards Institute, meaning that the light is measured the same way every time. It gives you a more exact figure as to how projectors compare with one another. Other lumens measures are valid, but they're not as strictly controlled.

Do you need a screen to use a projector?

Typically, you will get a much better picture if you use a projection screen, but it's optional. You can use a blank, white wall as a screen, and it'll work just fine. Remember that the wall's color will affect the colors from the picture. For example, a tan wall will skew colors toward the brown range.

Can you get a projector instead of a TV?

Yes! Good projectors will sometimes offer a better picture than a TV would. Plus, it can go away when you're not watching it. You can roll up a screen or even just cast your projection onto a white wall without worrying about a screen. Many projectors, including most in this list, take the same kinds of inputs as a TV.

The Best Mini Projectors of 2024

The best mini projectors can give you a sharp, clear picture anywhere you need because they're portable and compact. Here are some of the best ones available.

Best Overall

Anker Nebula Capsule II

PHOTO: Amazon

$460 at Amazon $500 at Walmart View on Seenebula.com

Pros

Android OS built in
Autofocus
Google Assistant

Cons

Pricey

When considering mini projectors, portability is one of the prime considerations. When it comes to that, 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—connect it to a Wi-Fi network, and you're good to go.

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

Overall, we like the Nebula Capsule II, and 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.

_{Resolution: 720p | Brightness: 200 ANSI lumens | Contrast Ratio: 400:1 | Projection Size: 40 to 100 inches}

Anker Nebula Capsule II Review

Best Portable

APEMAN Mini M4

PHOTO: APEMAN

$170 at Apemans.com

Pros

Very small
Good sound
Built-in-battery
Includes tripod
1080p

Cons

Very dim
Battery Life

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. However, it also has a dim picture, 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 the battery, leaving 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. Overall, this device is small enough to fit into a jacket pocket or a small bag, making it ideal for campers, hikers, or anyone who wants to tote their projector.

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

Apeman Projector M4 Review

Best Budget

Vankyo Leisure 3

PHOTO: Walmart

$66 at Walmart $100 at Best Buy

Pros

Carrying case
Multiple inputs
Low price

Cons

Not very bright
Short foot to aim

The Vankyo Leisure 3 works for the home, and it comes with a carrying case for when it needs to go out on the road. Input options include VGA, HDMI, USB, MicroSD, and RCA.

The projector itself isn't very bright. It's also 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 need to prop the projector up to get the image where you want it to go. But beyond all that, it's hard to argue with the price.

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}

Vankyo Leisure 3 Review

Best Design

ViewSonic Portable Projector

PHOTO: Amazon

$340 at Amazon $340 at Best Buy $340 at Adorama.com

Pros

Versatile stand
Solid battery life
Great sound

Cons

Limited to 480p resolution
Glitches in auto keystone and focus

The smart ViewSonic M1 projector is one of our favorite items on this list because of its self-contained versatility. The stand built into the projector swings up to protect the lens when closed. When open, it 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 exceptional 120,000:1 contrast ratio and a battery that lasts 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 Gaming

BenQ HT2060 HDR LED Home Theater Projector

PHOTO: Amazon

$999 at Amazon $999 at Adorama.com View on B&H Photo Video

Pros

Virtually non-existent input lag
Bright
Multiple input options

Cons

Not portable
Mounting brackets not included

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 HT2060 LED projector has low latency with gamers in mind.

At 2,300 lumens, it's also one of the brightest projectors on our list, so you won't have to close the curtains when your friends come for a gaming session. You also get a high contrast ratio, eliminating wash-out and enhancing detail. 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 have a mounting bracket, but you can buy one separately.

_{Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 2300 lumens | Contrast Ratio: 50000:1 | Projection Size: Up to 300 inches}

BenQ HT2050A Review

Best Sound

XGIMI Elfin

PHOTO: Amazon

$599 at Amazon

Pros

Google TV/Chromecast built-in
Auto keystone and obstacle avoidance
Great remote
Loudspeakers

Cons

No battery
No aiming or leveling
No built-in Netflix

The XGIMI Elfin is an indoor projector with 800 ANSI lumens that delivers many features in a small package. The projector comes with Google TV built-in as its operating system, complete with a collection of streaming apps. You can set up this projector and be watching a movie within minutes. Unfortunately, for some reason, Netflix has been left out of those apps. You can work around that by casting to the projector or using a streaming stick on the HDMI port on the back, but you shouldn't have to.

The projector's base is round with rubber feet and a tripod mount in the center. The rounded bottom makes propping the device awkward because there's no aiming mechanism to point it where you want it to go. But what outshines most other projectors is that it has auto-keystone and auto-obstacle-avoidance. Aiming the projector at the screen or wall automatically fills the largest possible space while avoiding other objects on the wall, like shelves or lamps. It's slick and makes things super easy to set up.

Finally, the sound on this projector is loud and clear, and the dual 3W speakers get as loud as needed. There isn't much bass here, though, so if you're looking for a thump, you'll want to add an external speaker or soundbar, but by itself, the speakers are excellent. The brightness could be higher, but this projector has many great features in a small package and will serve you well.

_{Resolution: up to 4K | Brightness: 600 ANSI lumens | Contrast Ratio: not disclosed | Projection Size: Up to 150 inches}

What to Look For in a Mini Projector

Contrast Ratio

The contrast ratio is the difference between the brightest and darkest colors and looks like 1,000:1 or 10,000:1. The higher the first number is, the better, and the bigger the difference between the two, the more the projector will differentiate between colors. Lower contrast ratios will result in pictures that look too dark or washed out.

Brightness

How bright your picture is will determine how dark your environment has to be to watch. Brightness is measured in lumens or ANSI lumens. A brighter picture is more visible even when there's a lot of ambient light. Generally speaking, a higher brightness is better.

Battery/Battery Life

One of the benefits you'll get from a portable projector is the ability to set it down anywhere and go. Batteries ensure you don't even have to worry about a power source. If you want to get through a movie, look for a battery life that exceeds 2 hours. In this case, higher is better because it gives you more freedom of placement.

The Best 4K and 1080p Projectors of 2024

FAQ

What's the difference between ANSI lumens and lumens?

Lumens are a measurement of luminous flux or the observed power of light. ANSI lumens are measured per the standards set forth by the American National Standards Institute, meaning that the light is measured the same way every time. It gives you a more exact figure as to how projectors compare with one another. Other lumens measures are valid, but they're not as strictly controlled.
Do you need a screen to use a projector?

Typically, you will get a much better picture if you use a projection screen, but it's optional. You can use a blank, white wall as a screen, and it'll work just fine. Remember that the wall's color will affect the colors from the picture. For example, a tan wall will skew colors toward the brown range.
Can you get a projector instead of a TV?

Yes! Good projectors will sometimes offer a better picture than a TV would. Plus, it can go away when you're not watching it. You can roll up a screen or even just cast your projection onto a white wall without worrying about a screen. Many projectors, including most in this list, take the same kinds of inputs as a TV.