We think this little pico projector from MicroVision is one of the best iPhone projectors available on the market at the moment. It’s built for purpose with it’s PicoP display engine and it comes with all the accessories you need straight away including Apple connection cables. Shop for usb to vga adapter at Best Buy. With both Windows and Mac operating systems. To connect a monitor or a projector or whatever that has a vga input to. The Best Portable Projectors of 2018 Whether it's for a business trip or a family vacation, a light, compact, and capable portable projector makes a good travel companion. The Best Portable Projectors of 2018 Whether it's for a business trip or a family vacation, a light, compact, and capable portable projector makes a good travel companion.
- Best Projector For Macbook
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Unusable for Primary Purpose
I purchased this item, along with the recommended Lightning Digital AV Adapter, to watch movies in the backyard from my iPhone/iPad. At present it appears this I purchased this item, along with the recommended Lightning Digital AV Adapter, to watch movies in the backyard from my iPhone/iPad. At present it appears this is not possible - the picture works fine and is of a good quality, but the Projector will not correctly play the audio of the movie. After spending two days back and forth with Miroir 'support' and trying all of their suggestions with no real success: - Update the device firmware (not possible with this model, sigh) - Use a USB-C video cable (not possible when playing from iPhone / iPad) - Switch to 'English - Descriptive Audio' in the app settings - works, but of course now the audio being played has a narrative overlay that nobody wants to hear I'll be returning the unit. Honestly I'm surprised there is not more clear language on the product page to indicate that this unit is entirely unsuitable for this purpose, since I imagine it's a pretty common use case.
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The Rundown
- Best Overall:Apeman at Amazon, “The inclusion of dual speakers adds to the audio-visual mix.”
- Best Speakers:Anker Nebula Capsule at Amazon, “A truly portable entertainment option with a 360-degree omnidirectional speaker.”
- Best for Business:Optoma ML750ST at Amazon, “The Optoma ML750ST is well worth its steep price tag.”
- Best Budget:Elephas at Amazon, “It has great connectivity options: two USB ports, HDMI port, 3.5mm port, AV port, and an SD card slot.”
- Best for Traveling:ZTE Spro 2 at Amazon, “Full of features, including a five-inch touchscreen with 720p and 2.5 hours of battery life.”
- Best Plug-and-Play: Anker Nebula Capsule II at Amazon, 'One of the most versatile options for consuming media on the go.'
- Best for Gaming: BenQ HT2050A at Amazon, 'Boasts a high level of responsiveness with a low input lag (16ms) that delivers an ultra-smooth gaming experience.'
- Best for Home Theaters:Epson 3LCD at Amazon, “It handles 4K content with aplomb and is compatible with HDR content.”
- Best Connectivity: Acer C202i at Amazon, 'It connects through USB cables and WiFi, and can even play media from flash drives.'
- Best Contrast: AAXA P300 at B&H, “One of the brightest pico projectors on the market, with 500 lumens and a 2000:1 contrast ratio.”
- Best Design:RIF6 CUBE at NewEgg, “A silver 2- x 2- x 1.9-inch cube that weighs just five ounces, so it easily slips into your bag.”
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Apeman
3.1
Measuring 3.86 x 3.86 x .87 inches and weighing 1.2 pounds, the Apeman has 120 minutes of battery life courtesy of a 3400mAh battery. It's capable of projecting a screen size up to 100 inches on a wall. The 854 x 480 resolution isn’t quite Full HD quality, but video playback still looks fantastic. The inclusion of dual speakers adds to the audio-visual mix, while noticeably low fan noise allows you to solely concentrate on immersing yourself in whatever is on the screen. The 25,000 hours of LED life allows for 1,000 days of 24-hour video playback before the bulb will burn out. Adding HDMI cable and MHL support allows the Apeman to connect directly to a laptop, smartphone or tablet for easy plug and play use.
Best Speakers: Anker Nebula Capsule
4.1
Pico projectors have improved their brightness, battery time, and picture quality, but few have much as much thought and hardware into the speaker as this new product by Anker. The Nebula Capsule is a truly portable entertainment option, with an Amazon Alexa-style, 360-degree omnidirectional speaker. The cylindrical seamless aluminum body combines the speaker and the projector in a portable and durable design. In addition to room-filling sound, the Nebula Capsule projects a remarkably clear picture, thanks to DLP’s IntelliBright algorithm that maximizes the 100 ANSI lumen projector. The picture remains vivid and clear up to 100 inches. Smart connectivity rounds out the Nebula’s all-in-one functionality, using Android 7.1 to run and stream apps like Netflix and YouTube directly on the capsule. This smart mini-projector really is a great option for anyone who wants a device they can grab and go to bring a full cinematic experience with them in their backpack.
Best for Business: Optoma ML750ST
3.1
Sure, it's expensive, but the Optoma ML750ST is well worth its steep price tag. The LED projector boasts a native resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and can upscale video content to 1080i. With 700 lumens, it yields high color accuracy and produces a beautiful, bright picture.
The ML750ST’s short throw ratio of 0.8:1 is also to thank for its impressive image quality. While many projectors need a 1.2:1 to 1.5:1 ratio to project a large picture, the ML750ST can sit rather close.
The ML750ST has run-of-the-mill connectivity options, including an HDMI port, a USB port, a 3.5mm audio output and a microSD slot. Its integrated document reader makes it a great pick for business applications, though. You can project PDFs, DOCs and more from a USB thumb drive, so you don’t need to hook it up to a laptop. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have an internal battery, so you need to stay within reach of a power outlet, but when used in an office setting, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Best Budget: Elephas 1200 lumens LED mini portable projector
3.8
With a native resolution of only 800 x 480, the Elephas 1200 lumens LED mini portable projector might not be the best small projector you can buy, but it’s certainly the best budget one. It can scale up to full HD, but you’ll lose some quality as its not the native resolution.
On a positive note, this projector has great connectivity options: It has two USB ports (including a 5V port), one HDMI port, a 3.5mm audio port, an AV port and an SD card slot. Considering the price point, it has pretty decent speakers, too, but if you’re able, we’d recommend hooking up dedicated speakers via the audio jack. It’s also surprisingly quiet, which makes watching movies much easier. If you’re wary of buying a budget device, its 12-month warranty and two-month hassle-free return/replace policy should let you rest easy.
Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best cheap projectors.
Best for Traveling: ZTE Spro 2
4
The ZTE Spro 2 measures 5.2 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches in size and weighs just 1.2 pounds, making it an ideal size for traveling. Small stature aside, the ZTE is full of features, including a five-inch touchscreen with 720p, 2.5 hours of battery life and a 4000:1 contrast ratio for a highly detailed picture. The ZTE supports anywhere between a 20 to 120-inch or a nearly 10-foot viewable screen with DLP (digital light processing). The ZTE doesn’t require any wires, allowing content to be accessed via HDMI, USB, or microSD memory card, as well as support for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. The projector also has JBL speakers that offer great sound quality.
Best Plug-and-Play: Anker Nebula Capsule II
More than a small form factor projector that gives you an all-in-one solution, the Anker Nebula Capsule II is a grab-and-go entertainment setup with speakers and all. Whereas the first-generation model introduced a built-in 5-watt speaker that, for all intents and purposes, was pretty loud for the price, the Capsule II steps that up. This time you can expect an 8-watt built-in speaker for even more power.
But that’s not all. The company has also increased the resolution to 1280x720, putting it firmly in the HD realm. This is an upgrade from the 854x480 resolution of the previous-generation Anker Nebula Capsule, which admittedly is still a better bang for your buck. Then again, from the Anker Nebula Capsule II, you’ll get a much sharper image in a more compact package. Anker has also stepped up the brightness to 200 ANSI lumens, meaning you don't need to sit in the dark to enjoy its views.
Plus, with Chromecast capabilities built right in, you can cast content from more than 3,000 apps, making the Nebula Capsule II one of the most versatile options for consuming media on the go.
Best for Gaming: BenQ HT2050A
Looking for a projector that can keep up with your gaming needs? The BenQ HT2050A boasts powerful visual specs and smooth lag-free processing. This projector is well suited for small spaces, capable of producing a 100-inch long screen from just 2.5 meters away. The BenQ features 1080p resolution and is compatible with 3D video. With a brightness of 2,200 lumens and a contrast ratio of 15,000:1, the BenQ showcases vibrant colors that are comparable to the best HD TVs. Additionally, it boasts a high level of responsiveness with a low input lag (16ms) that delivers an ultra-smooth gaming experience. The BenQ HT2050A comes equipped with a plethora of inputs and outputs, including 2 HDMI audio-outputs, a 3D Sync port, and a 12V trigger. It can connect to most major gaming consoles.
Still can't decide on what you want? Our round-up of the best gaming projectors can help you find what you're looking for.
Best for Home Theaters: Epson Home Cinema 5040UB 3LCD Home Theater Projector
Let’s be honest: Home theaters are really all about impressing your friends and neighbors, right? So if you have the means to splurge, spring for this Epson Home Theater Projector that boasts 2,500 lumens, 2.1:1 zoom lenses, and up to a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The Lens Memory feature lets you default to a cinemascope-type widescreen instead of a 16:9 screen (HDTV), making it faster to boot up movies. It also handles 4K content with aplomb and is compatible with High Dynamic Range (HDR) content, delivering a wide range of brightness levels with dramatic darks and blacks. That makes it perfect for projection in all sorts of environments, from dark basements to bright sunrooms.
Best Connectivity: Acer C202i Mini Projector
Light, quiet and wireless, the Acer C202i Mini Project is ideal for those hitting the road, either for work or for vacation. Weighing just over 12 ounces, you can easily fit it inside your bag. It connects through USB cables and WiFi, and can even play media from flash drives. On a single charge, its battery life can last up to five hours. However, it can also function as a 9,000mAh power bank, projecting slides or images and charging your other devices at the same time.
The maximum resolution is 1600 x 1200 pixels while the LED light has a brightness of 300 lumens and can last for 30,000 hours. Never again will you have to worry about your projector burning out mid-presentation. Depending on how far they are from the screen, the images will take up between 29 to 100 real-life inches of your wall or screen. The projector includes a small tripod and a remote control. That said, audio isn’t its biggest strength: It has only one small speaker, one that shouldn’t be relied upon except for the most basic tasks.
Best Contrast: AAXA P300 Pico/Micro LED Projector
When it comes to projectors, contrast ration is a major factor. If it’s too low, it will be hard to see the screen, even in dark environments. The P300 is one of the brightest pico projectors on the market, with 500 lumens and a solid 2000:1 contrast ratio. The P300 also has a short throw distance. You can place the projector as close as four feet from the screen and still get a decently large and bright picture. This makes it a great projector for business and gaming alike.
The P300 has a removeable battery pack that lasts about an hour. It’s not quite long enough to watch a full movie, but if you carry a spare battery, you’ll be fine. Alternatively, you can keep it plugged in via HDMI. On top of that, it also has connectivity options for VGA, Composite A/V connections, plus microSD and USB readers. Unlike most other small projectors, the P300 comes with a remote, which lets you adjust volume and switch inputs, among other things.
Best Design: RIF6 CUBE Pico Projector
Honestly, could there be a cuter projector? The tiny RIF6 CUBE is a silver 2- x 2- x 1.9-inch cube that weighs just five ounces, so it easily slips into your bag. (The cube shape, however, makes it not so pocket-friendly.) On one side it has a USB Micro-B port for charging, a power button and a headphone jack. On the opposite side, it has a microSD card slot, a mini HDMI port and a tiny focus wheel. It produces a brightness of 50 lumens and a native resolution of 854 x 480 pixels, which is pretty common for pico projectors.
The projector has generally received positive reviews, yet the RIF6 CUBE does have some faults: it doesn’t connect wirelessly and video quality could be better. But if you’ve got design in mind, this projector is the way to go.
Tested by
How We Tested
We bought and tested five top-rated mini projectors. Our reviewers spent 243 hours streaming Netflix, playing games, and more. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these mini projectors, from their throw to their portability. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.
What to Look for in a Mini Projector
Throw -A projector’s throw distance is the distance between the projector and the image on the screen. There are projectors with long throws (usually installed on the ceiling of a big room), shorts throws (generally about 3 to 8 feet), and ultra-short throws (about 0 to 4 feet). It’s important to consider the setup of your room to determine which one you’ll need.
Lumens -The lumens rating will tell you how much light the projector is capable of outputting, which is crucial for ensuring you get a bright enough image. A projector with 1,000 lumens or more should be suitable for home theater use, though mini projectors are often less powerful. Again, the size and brightness of your room is important here.
Portability - If you’re interested in a mini projector, you likely looking for something you can toss in your bag to bring to class or over to a party. While all minis are reasonably portable, there are some picos available that fit comfortably in your hand.
Test Results: Apeman (Best Overall)
3.1
What We Like
- Easy to focus
- Solid sound quality
- Takes up very little space
- Comes with a mini tripod
What We Don't Like
- Setup requires some tech knowledge
- 2.5-hour battery life
- Glossy surface easily smudged
To set up the Apeman, our testers agreed that you need a basic understanding of how to connect an HDMI cable to your device. One reviewer realized that she had to buy a Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter to stream from her MacBook Air, so be aware that you may need to make some extra purchases before you can start watching your favorite shows and movies. The projector comes with a short HDMI cable, so our reviewers suggest buying a longer one if you discover that your setup requires some distance between the projector and your device.
Once our testers found the ideal positioning—you need to position the projector straight on at a blank, large wall—they raved about this mini projector, noting that its small form factor, impressive sound, and included mini-tripod are all top reasons to buy. The downsides? Its battery only lasted around two hours, which, as one reviewer pointed out, 'is concerning if you want to use it to watch movies without plugging it in.' One tester also said its glossy surface smudged easily.
Test Results: Anker Nebula Capsule (Best Speakers)
4.1
What We Like
- Durable design
- Easy-to-use Android OS
- Great speaker
Best Projector For Macbook
Our testers praised the Anker Nebula Capsule for its “unique beer can design” and high-quality speaker. While one of our reviewers said it’s “one of the best speakers among any projectors on the market,” he also noted that compared to dedicated speakers, “it leaves a lot to be desired.” One of our testers also mentioned, “The 480p native resolution results in vastly superior HDMI-connected media compared to streaming apps, which limits its portable advantage.” Bottom line: “It's a bit pricey, but comes loaded with modern features, such as a full Android OS, intuitive menu interface, durable design, four-hour battery life, and a decent Bluetooth-capable speaker,” summed up one of our reviewers.
Test Results: Optoma ML750ST (Best for Business)
3.1
What We Like
- High-quality picture
- Great adjustment options
- Compact build
If you’re going to spend over $500 for a mini projector, you better get what you pay for — and you do with the Optoma ML750ST. “I think this is a great product,” one of our testers said, “and if I was looking for a good projector, I would definitely buy this one again.”
Setup is “incredibly easy” and is as simple as plugging the projector in and connecting it to your device. Plus, our reviewers love the projector’s versatility. “You can connect anything to it: computer, camera, even gaming system,” one person noted. “You can also change a lot of the picture settings, including brightness, contrast, zoom, aspect ratio, and picture type.” These customization features make it easy to adapt your projection for rooms and walls of different sizes. Our testers also appreciated the “excellent” projection quality.
Test Results: Elephas 1200 Lumens LED Mini Portable Projector (Best Budget)
3.8
What We Like
- Easy to set up
- Affordable
- Easily adjustable
Best Micro Projector For Ipad
Not surprisingly, our testers could tell that this was a budget projector because of its lower light output and average resolution. Nonetheless, you should consider this model if you can’t spend a lot or don’t want to jump full force into the mini projector world. The simple setup process and basic functions make this a great choice for anyone looking to get their first projector.
![Best Best](https://1yhvlp3b86v14bfm843cm6oc-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/coocheer-e1459645636527-655x519.jpg)
Our reviewers suggest using the Elephas 1200 Lumens LED Mini Portable Projector in complete darkness. You’ll also want to keep it fairly close to the wall to get the sharpest possible picture. Luckily, you can connect multiple video sources — HDMI, RGB, USB, and more — and there’s a remote control you can use for focusing and input source selection.
Test Results: ZTE Spro 2 (Best for Traveling)
4
![Best Micro Projector For Mac Best Micro Projector For Mac](https://cdn1.macworld.co.uk/cmsdata/slideshow/3594425/best_mac_hard_drives_1600home_thumb1200_4-3.jpg)
Best Portable Projector For Mac
What We Like
Best Compact Projector For Mac
- Responsive Android-based OS
- Very portable
- Can run plugged in or on battery
What We Don't Like
- Below average sound quality
- Confusing app store
One of our testers described the ZTE Spro 2 as a “great little travel projector.” She was surprised at how responsive the touchscreen is because she said that’s “sometimes a concern for small Android devices.” The OS allows you to download apps, customize your home screen, and even receive email.
While the image quality didn’t live up that of larger, brighter projectors, it did get the job done. One of our reviewers lives in a small apartment, so she placed the projector about six feet from the wall. “If you have a big space, you might want a more powerful projector,” she said. The sound output is also good but it does lack some bass. One reviewer described the sound as “tinny.”
Our testers also noted the projector’s ability to auto-adjust focus when you move it, making it great for portability.