Best Mini Projectors for Convenient Viewing and Gaming
Whether for a gaming session or a viewing experience, these mini projectors can wow you despite their smaller size. These are the more affordable versions and are quite portable, so you can bring them anywhere with you.
Although the cute size comes with imitations, it can be easier to set up and is better suited for smaller rooms. But not all mini projectors have enough prowess to wow you, and so we made this list.
Top Picks: Best Mini Projectors in Market
Whether it’s for a pop up theatre or a gaming enclave, you can choose from the best below.
Xgimi MoGo 4
It has this foldable cylindrical shape that gives it a sleek appearance. The design is a breath of fresh air and veers far from the usual boxy appearances of the more common projectors we have out in the market. It not only presents a more stylish approach but has also made the projector more flexible and versatile. It has a pre-mounted rotatable stand that allows you to effortlessly lower or raise the image height as needed.
Picture quality is impressive enough since this is not 4k ready yet. The colors are acceptably rich, and the sounds are clear with a distinct bass. This is perfect to use in a moderately lit room, neither too bright nor too dark. And oh, for the caveats, this can perform poorly in a dark space. Darker colors and images may look a bit washed out as the contrast is a bit lower.
This has a bit of fancy features that can add an element of fun to an occasion. There are lights that pulse when you use the unit as a Bluetooth speaker. You can also have this as a nice backdrop for an intimate party. There is a sunset filter that can project a large sun on the wall or even the ceiling.
LG CineBeam Q
When it comes to streaming videos and flicks in darker rooms, this is a sure party pleaser. It is 4K ready and equipped with a wide color gamut that makes every image very vivid and lifelike. The quality of the pictures is impressive and has deep contrasts that make up for a surreal viewing experience. Featuring deep backs, this is perhaps one of the best projectors that you can use in a dark room. In bright rooms, this can be quite an overkill and can come off a bit too bright for a projector of its size.
It also has image correction features, so you will be able to find the sweetest spot and curate a posh viewing experience with just a small and portable projector. It is very easy to calibrate, and you won’t have a hard time getting the perfect combination. This is a perfect use for pop-in home theaters in your own backyard, underneath the starry starry skies.
The caveat is that the sound is not in its best suit. So it‘s best to use this in a very quiet and intimate setting so that the sound will be decently audible.
Nebula Mars 3 Air
This is a full-HD LED projector that is highly recommended if you are prioritizing streaming convenience. It has built-in apps where you can seamlessly run your favorite flicks without the need for an external stick. From Google TV, 1080p streaming on Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime, it’s going to be a feast of entertainment, and you do not even have to undergo tedious setup to enjoy your own pop-up theatre. It also has an internal battery, so this is one of the best to bring during camping, and if you want to go off the grid.
The picture and sound quality is as one for the books. Pictures are very solid and vivid, there is great color contrast, and it is pretty accurate, too. You can enjoy the same impressive display and vivid images even if you are going to set it up in a dark room. Both the sound and the picture are very punchy and surreal.
The caveats are not much of a bummer and have more to do with the exterior design rather than the internal features. The underside has an awkward design that limits the type of tripods and mounts that you can use. And oh, it doesn’t have a USB-C charging port.
Dangbei Atom
This can perform quite impressively in well-lit and bright spaces. You can see that there is a good separation between bright and dark elements. The display is quite bright, and there is that auto focus feature that works right away. But if you want to be wowed, try setting up your pop-up theater in a dark room complete with TV sad and drinks.
This is quite bright and perhaps has one of the best when with high contrast images in dark rooms.
One of the things that will draw you to this projector is how it well constructed it is. It has decent heft to it, and you can tell that it is very solid and can last longer. Though it may not have that boxfull of luxurious aesthetics, you can tell that the build is premium.
It has a very simple chassis but screams elegance. At the side of the projector, you will be able to spot the controls. The side buttons are multifunctional. This makes it very convenient, and it is not rocket science to set this one up. It is very easy and simple to use.
You can connect your streaming apps via WiFi or a stick. Though a thing to note is that the response within the app is not that fast. These may be some of the small nuisances that you have to bear. But in terms of ease of use and viewing pleasure, we’re good with it.
EPSON EF12 SMART LASER
Get this if you want a complete package that combines decent sound, impressive, vibrant pictures, and the convenience of smart features at the same time. It is a strong contender for casual viewing in darker spaces or in your own backyard theater.
The sounds are to beat, it may even have better sounds than most flat TV panes we have in the market right now. This combines the excellence of display and sound output. A thing to note, though, this might not be the best projector to use in bright spaces.
And even if it has smart features, it might need a stick to be able to run Netflix. Though it can seamlessly run on Android TV.
This is also easy to use, a plug-and-play projector that most folks will not have a hard time setting up, even for the first time.
ASUS ZENBEAM L2
If you need a mini projector you can use for both gaming and viewing in small spaces, we highly vouch for this one. It has a short-throw screen that can project large images from just 3-8 feet away.
It has native 1080p resolution and supports 4K input. So images come clear and crisp. You can use this both in bright rooms and semi-dark spaces. Though the image quality may not come off as super surreal and immersive, it can be a versatile choice, especially if you are going to use it in a cramped space.
For convenience and ease of setup, it comes with an Integrated Smart TV that gives instant access to a variety of streaming apps. We see this as a jack of all trades. While is not the most superb in each department, but it can be very versatile and convenient for a lot of folks wanting entertainment without having to go through so much fuss. And it has a longer 3.5 hours battery life, which is one of its best-selling points.
BENQ GP100A PORTABLE LED 1080P
If you are on a budget but will not settle for mediocre viewing, we highly recommend this portable projector.
We are hands down when it comes to the sound quality. It is quite robust and very audible.
The pictures are clear and bright, but best for casual viewing. Convenience is also king when it comes to instant viewing pressure. You can directly stream the QS01 Android TV dongle that comes with it.
Just keep in mind that it lacks an internal battery, and you have to hook it up to a USB battery bank instead. This is perhaps one of the tradeoffs that comes with a more budget-friendly projector that still has good display and sound quality.
You can also use this conveniently for gaming. It is equipped with features that make it very easy to connect to apps and devices.
Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen, 2023
This is perhaps one of the best when it comes to balanced colors and sounds. The images and HDR pictures are very punchy and robust. You won’t have any complaints when it comes to the picture and sound quality, both of which are very immersive.
The sounds are large and big, something that you would not really expect and see from a mini projector.
You may also use this for gaming, and it can be quite a contender. Due to its very large audio quality, you can hear every boom and bam , which is one of the requirements for a more immersive gaming experience.
The caveat is that, for one, this lacks an internal battery. So you need a power bank to keep it going if you are going to use it for continuous viewing. Secondly, the setup is not one to be happy about. It may entail a learning curve and might put off those who are not into technical stuff.
XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro
This may have limited use when it comes to bright rooms and we it spaces. It has limited contrast and dimness that makes it quite confined to viewing in dark spaces. But we opted to include this in this list for specific reasons.
One, it has a built-in battery. So you no longer have to use an extra charging device to keep the juice going. This screams convenience, especially for movie marathons and continuous viewing.
Despite the said imitations, this can be king when used in dark spaces. The colors are very accurate, and the sounds are very big. For a projector of its size, we were pretty amazed by the sound quality.
This is also very easy to use, and the setup entails only a few steps; even those who are new to using a projector will be able to figure it out right there and then.
TCL PlayCube
This is a cute, perky, tiny projector that is reminiscent of a Rubik’s Cube, so that was how it was named. The design is very smart and perky; this can instantly lure you to check it out. You can twist like a Rubik’s Cube to move the lens upward or toward the wall or screen.
The addition of an internal battery makes it uber convenient for a lot of folks. Use it for viewing films or playing games continuously, or plug it into a power source. Once filled with juice, you may even be able to bring this cute project out to camping trips and excursions.
It also has Google TV built in. So streaming your favorite TV shows and movies can be quite convenient. However, this comes with quite a cost. The unique and intelligent design does entail some extra moolah.
Buying Guide: What We Looked For!
These are the specific key features that helped us curate this list.
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Power beyond size
While there is no contesting that standard size projects are still king when it comes to better picture and sound quality, that does not mean that you have to settle for something less than enjoyable.
Despite the smaller size, mini projectors can still provide a surreal and immersive gaming and viewing experience. That’s why we were serious about picking mini projectors that stood up to this expectation.
You can still enjoy viewing and gaming with solid colors and decent to impressive sound quality. While the standard size units are superior when it comes to this, the mini projectors that we have on this list come close.
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Convenient and easy
We have tons of units that are very easy to set up. Organizing your own party with a pop-up theatre or preparing for an intimate date is made easy. This can help keep your nerves calm and reserve your energy for the more stressful areas of the night, such as making sure everyone has enough food to gorge on.
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Never flimsy, but always perky
We chose projectors that are easy on the eyes; they can even be a conversation starter. The posh aesthetic can indeed elevate everyone’s viewing experience.
Are Mini Projectors Still Worth Buying?
Or should you just save and get a standard size?
Of course, they are still worth that hard-earned moolah. The mini versions still can offer advantages that the bigger projectors may lack.
Budget aside, there is the ease of use, more options of connectivity, and suitability in smaller rooms. If you have these circumstances, these mini projectors are worth checking out.
