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What Is a Portable Projector?
With a portable projector, a small and light device gives you a much bigger picture wherever and whenever you like. And the better models you know of, you won't have to lug that great TV along with you.
Some lower-end projector products are pretty light, around 2–3 pounds. They're ideal for personal entertainment and quick setups — you can carry one in a backpack and easily store it when not in use.
Big home theater projectors produce truly high-quality images, but that's all they do. The video components and the sound come from other devices you have to buy as accessories. With a portable, the full experience is built in.
A portable projector offers an all-in-one experience. It's easy to carry around when you want to use it. And you can easily stow it away when you're not using it.
- Some portable projectors come with Wi-Fi video streaming apps
- Others skip the streaming apps, but have a drawing app
- Usually include a small built-in speaker and various audio outputs
- Compatible with external sound systems for a fuller experience
- Available in DLP, LED, and laser panel configurations
What's All the Difference?
Switching for a "mini projector," "phone projector," or "bedroom projector"? A lot of different small projectors share these names.
There are several different nicknames for the smallest of the portable projector ranges. You've seen them called "pocket projectors," "pico projectors," and "camping projectors." Pocket projectors are good examples: they weigh almost nothing and easily fit in a briefcase or backpack.
Do you really want to put a fun panel TV in a child's bedroom or in each of your kids' bedrooms? They might have more fun with a tiny, inexpensive projector that they can take to a sleepover, or at least a friend's house.
Looking for something that's capable of higher performance than a pocket projector? Consider Epson's D series once-true streaming projectors. They're almost the size of a laptop case.
Samsung offers a compact — called the The Freestyle. It has a unique cylindrical design and can sit in a cradle on a table, can rotate up to 180°, or be mounted on a wall or ceiling. The Epson Groove Cinema 2200 and higher compare to the Samsung The Freestyle 360.
Portable Projector Styles Compared
Not all projectors are the same. The Epson 2220 or 3600 will give you superior brightness and full HD 1080p resolution. They're great for outdoor movie nights.
The Epson 2211 is a bit smaller than the home cinema-caliber models, and this design makes it a bit more worthy. You get 1080p HD resolution and 2,800 lumens of brightness. The laser light angle is meant to not hit bright indoor surfaces. You'll never have to replace its bulb.
A pocket projector similar to the Kodak Luma 150 is smaller and much more affordable than the rest. The tradeoff is lower resolution at 1080p and more basic brightness features.
| Feature | Kodak Luma 350 | Samsung Freestyle | Epson EF11 | Epson 2230 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | DLP | DLP | 3LCD/IHE Laser | 3LCD/IHE Lamp |
| Form factor | Ultra-compact | Compact cylinder | Compact | Standard |
| Resolution | 854×480 | 1920×1080 | 1920×1080 | 1920×1080 |
| Brightness | 150 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 2,700 |
| Image size | Up to 100" | Up to 100" | Up to 150" | Up to 535" |
| Width | 4 in | 4.5/7.6 | 8.1 in | 13 in |
| Height | 3.1/4 | 4.5/7.6 | 2.5/8 | 4.1/8 |
| Depth | – | 5.3/4 | – | 7 in |
| Weight | 0.74 lbs | 1.9 lbs | 2.7 lbs | 7.7 lbs |
What Can You Watch on a Portable Projector?
Let's start with the Kodak Luma pocket projectors. You can connect your device to them as easily as finding your device on Windows 10 laptops, the AirPlay with Apple devices with an iMac, or Windows 10. The Luma 350 has a USB connection and a slot for a microSD card. Connect your camera to show off your vacation photos and videos.
The Luma 350 is a little brighter and includes Wi-Fi so you can stream to the device on Android. In the full Android OS its browser, you can browse websites. Its 350 supports 4K HDMI, USB, and phone mirroring, just like the 350. But it doesn't have the microSD card slot.
The same 2211 and 2230 give you up to connectors in 240p and 480p, respectively. They also add HDR support and a Bluetooth port for connecting to speakers or headphones.
Like some of the Epson mobile screens, Samsung's The Freestyle has a built-in streaming platform. But it also offers some cool features, like an "ambient mode" that lets you display home messages and photos as if it's part of your room's ambient décor.
Epson's Smart Lifestyle Projectors
The Epson D2 is the highlight of Epson D2's lifestyle projectors. It offers 2 seconds of auto-calibration. It offers Miracast for wireless mirroring, and it supports 4K HDMI input. The screen is 3.3 times, and a bit bigger, but still gives you great step-up features. The screen is actually 5 seconds, which gives you a few times more brightness.
The Epson EF11 and Groove Cinema EF12 are Epson's more compact models that carry a few features beyond basic use for extra room displays and explain photo content.
Smart Streaming
Built-in Android TV gives you direct access to Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and more — no extra sticks needed.
360° Audio
Integrated speaker system projects sound in every direction, ideal for open outdoor spaces.
Auto Keystone
Intelligent auto-correction keeps your image perfectly rectangular no matter the angle or surface.
Wireless Mirroring
Mirror from any smartphone, tablet, or laptop wirelessly using AirPlay, Google Cast, or Miracast.
Larger Home & Backyard Theater Projectors
The Kodak Luma runs from 100–400 lux. Like Microsoft's Windows app, Miracast is a standard in the Amazon TV content that you can click on the device. The VAIO 1080 has a compatible wireless connection from the device to an AV/CR or similar device.
The Groove Cinema 2230 is the right choice if you want full Wi-Fi, and includes Google Assistant. It requires a single HDMI port, and has no USB or HDMI media port.
For outdoor movie nights, a lot of people use a portable Bluetooth speaker. Powered 5G speakers, however, have Bluetooth on them — because they are designed for this very purpose.
Finally, you can use a Micro HDMI to connect to a streaming service to use as a quality output for an external sound system. You'd look up the best portable projectors for outdoor screening to find your perfect pairing.
"For backyard evenings, the right projector transforms any wall or screen into a private movie theater — no TV required. It's one of the most rewarding outdoor living upgrades you can make."
What Else Do You Need?
You can use a wide screen, but your picture will look better on a projected screen. We offer several portable outdoor screen options. For some of them, you might need a projector screen buying guide to find the right fit.
You might need to connect to Wi-Fi to use them. You'll want an HDMI cable to connect to a streaming service on another computer. And you might also find the use for a network router cable or WiFi bridge to connect a streaming service to a certain set-top box. Read our wireless router buying guide to learn more.
Finally, on video or video, an audio system to connect to a streaming service as a quality output for an external sound system. Read our portable speaker buying guide to learn more.
Outdoor Living Entertainment Smart Home Backyard SetupReady to bring the big screen to your backyard? Shop our top-rated portable smart projector — built for outdoor movie nights and everyday entertainment.
Cosmos D2140 Smart Projector