The best mini projectors aren’t just the preserve of travelling salesmen. Mini projectors are handy little gadgets that allow you to access some top-quality entertainment, wherever you may be.
Though they may not have resolutions to rival the best home cinema projectors and smart TVs, mini projectors are extremely portable and can pack a surprising amount of visual punch. You can take your entertainment out into the garden and watch your favourite shows under the stars, or provide an ad-hoc game station for you and some friends. Family photos, home videos and the latest blockbusters can be shared easily, no matter the location.
So, whether you’re looking to stream from Prime Video, Netflix or Disney+for family movie night, hunting for a 100-inch screen for some multiplayer chaos, or just interest in seeing what the tech can offer, we’ve rounded up the very best mini projectors below.
What we look for in the best mini projectors:
Lumens
A lumen is a measurement that indicates the brightness of a light source. ViewSonic reports that a candle sits around 14 lumens, while sunset comes in at 400 lumens. A bright sunny day is 100,000 lumens.
A projector with between 200-500 lumens ANSI will be right for living rooms and smaller spaces with limited ambient lighting. Large rooms and brightly lit areas require upwards of 2000 lumens ANSI. Such brightness is beyond the remit of mini projectors.
Standardised by the American National Standards Institute, the acronym 'ANSI' should follow any lumen measurement: for example, 1000 ANSI lumens.
Resolution
Resolution refers to the number of pixels a projector can display. The more there are, the more precise an image will be. While full-HD 1080p and 4K UHD devices are available, mini-projectors typically sit between 420p and 720p, also known as HD ready. When coupled with enough lumens and a deep enough contrast, these resolutions can still produce an engaging image quality.
Contrast Ratio
Contrast ratio measures the ratio between the brightest parts of an image and the darkest. A contrast ratio of 15,000:1 means that the brightest whites of an image are 15,000 times brighter than the darkest blacks. High contrast allows an image with greater detail and realism, while low contrast ratios leave images looking washed out and lifeless.
When it comes to projectors, there is some interplay between the contrast ratio and lumen brightness. Lower lumen projectors designed for dimly lit indoor spaces can afford lower contrast ratios.
Connections
The available input connections determine how a projector receives input. The more interfaces available, the greater its versatility.
Mini-projectors tend to prioritise the most common, and therefore most useful, connection types, including HDMI, microSD and USB Type-A. Some models also include Bluetooth and WiFi connections, which can allow for smartphone and tablet screen mirroring.
Audio interfaces are also important, with 3.5mm line-outs and Bluetooth allowing headphones and external speakers to be connected.
Throw Range
Throw range refers to the distance between the projector and the screen. A single projector has a range of distances it can project an image from, with the closest distance creating a smaller image and a longer distance a larger image. It’s an important specification to consider when purchasing a projector, especially for use in small rooms.
Keystone
Keystone correction, often just called keystone, is a function that adjusts distorted images to ensure that they appear square. A projected image that has not been keystone corrected may appear longer along one edge than another. There are several reasons that images can distort, including an uneven projection surface or off-centre projector.
A projector with keystone adjustment will allow you to have greater control over the image. It’s a standard feature on larger projectors, but it’s sometimes not found on mini projectors. Its absence isn't felt too strongly, however. It just means that you'll need to take a little more care during setup.
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The Best Mini Projectors
Kodak Luma 350
Optoma ML750e
Viewsonic M1 Mini
Kodak Luma 150
Viewsonic M1+
Philips PicoPix Nano PPX120
Kodak Luma 350
Producing an image that’s both large in size and deep in detail, the Kodak Luma 350 is a mini projector to admire. The 720p HD resolution is complemented by the 3,500:1 contrast ratio, while the 350 ANSI lumen helps keep things well-lit (in dimmer environments).
Kodak has included plenty of connectivity options for versatility in playback. HDMI, USB and microSD interfaces take care of the physical, while WiFi and Bluetooth allow for wireless connections to iOS and Android devices. The Luma 350 also has a 4W inbuilt speaker.
Just be aware that the battery only lasts two hours, so unless you have access to a power bank, it’s short films only.
Pros: High-quality 720p image
Cons: Short battery life
Specifications:
Lumens: 350 ANSI
Resolutions: 72p
Contrast Ratio: 3,500:1
Max Image Size: 200-inches
Keystone Correction: No
Connections: HDMI, USB Type-A, microSD, WiFi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio out
Weight: 0.340kg
Size: 28 x 111 x 111 mm
Optoma ML750e
www.currys.co.uk
The Optoma ML750e is the mini projector that looks most like a miniature projector. Its proportions, venting and connections are all reminiscent of the brand’s exceptional full-sized offerings.
The ML750e is a powerful device, throwing a 720p HD content up to 3.2m for an image size of 100-inches. This, and the 700 ANSI lumen count, explains why the casing has such extensive venting. Colours appear bright and accurate, with weight and depth being provided via the 15,000:1 contrast ratio.
The only letdown here is the single 1W the onboard speaker, and the absence of an internal battery - the projector uses an AC mains power cord.
It’ll connect to a device via HDMI, MHL, or VGA (with the provided converter). It’s also got the interfaces for USB-Type A and microSD and will allow wireless connections with a USB dongle. The 3.5mm audio will let you take advantage of some better speakers. It’s been around for a few years, so if you have any 3D content knocking around, then it’ll handle that, too.
Pros: 720p, great brightness and colour accuracy
Cons: Mains powered, expensive for an older device
Specifications:
Lumens: 700 ANSI
Resolutions: 720p
Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1
Projection range: 1m to 3.7m
Image Size: 17 to 100-inches
Keystone Correction: +/-40°
Connections: HDMI/MHL, VGA, USB Type-A, microSD, 3.5mm audio out
Weight: 380g
Size: 105 x 106 x 39 mm
Viewsonic M1 Mini
The Viewsonic M1 Mini is an affordable mini projector that’s suitable for family use indoors and out. Photos and movies can be played on the device via USB Type-A or a HDMI connection, and are cast in Cinema SuperColour+ for a lovely visual pop. A remote control is included and is required at all times as there are no controls on the projector.
There are several quality-of-life features onboard, including automatic keystone adjustment and the built-in stand. The stand allows you to position the device over 360-degrees and protects the lens when not in use.
Sound is provided by the integrated 2W JBL cube, which isn’t cinematic but you can hear what you need to. The small size, weight and price tag are felt most in the battery life, which maxes out at 2.5 hours - but still, that’s long enough for a movie.
Pros: Affordable, highly portable, good colours
Cons: Short battery life
Specifications:
Lumens: 120 ANSI
Resolutions: 480p
Contrast Ratio: 500:1
Max Image Size: 80-inches
Keystone Correction: Auto
Connections: HDMI, USB Type-A
Weight: 0.3kg
Size: 110 x 104 x 27 mm
Kodak Luma 150
Measuring in at 99mm long and 23mm thick, the Kodak Luma 150 can slip into a coat or backpack pocket with ease. Using Digital Light Processing (DLP), the projector pushes out a huge array of realistic colours that bring media to life. Though diminutive, the connection options are plentiful, including both wired and wireless connections. There's even a mini 1.5W speaker tucked away in here. All of this runs from its internal rechargeable battery. Though the resolution, two-hour battery life and brightness are modest at best, it's still a pretty neat gadget.
Pros: Extremely portable
Cons: Lacking lumens and battery
Specifications:
Lumens: 60 ANSI
Resolutions: 480p
Contrast Ratio: 1,500:1
Max Image Size: 150-inches
Keystone Correction: No
Connections: HDMI, USB, microSD, AirPlay, Micracast, 3.5mm audio out
Weight: 217g
Size: 99 x 99 x 23 mm
Viewsonic M1+
The Viewsonic M1+ pushes the boundaries of ‘mini’. However, for the slightly larger size and weight, a range of benefits are gained. The quality of the picture is excellent, with an accurate colour representation and plenty of brightness. 6W of audio comes from two Harman Kardon speakers, which kick out quite the sound for such a small device. The battery life spans about six hours, so it’s going to see you through a night of entertainment without worry. As with the Mini M1, the inbuilt stand works over 360-degrees and doubles as a lens protector.
The Viewsonic M1+ has plenty of connections, making it a versatile unit. In addition to HDMI 1.4 and USB Type-A, the M1+ supports USB-C and MicroSD. WiFi and Bluetooth are on board, too, allowing for wireless smartphone connections, and there’s 16GB of local storage, too.
Pros: Versatile connections, internal memory, high-quality images
Cons: Close to not being ‘mini’
Specifications:
Lumens: 300 ANSI
Resolutions: 480p
Contrast Ratio: 1200:1
Projection range: 1m
Max Image Size: 100-inches
Keystone Correction: Auto
Connections: HDMI 1.4, USB Type-A, USB-C, microSD, WiFi, Bluetooth
Weight: 771g
Size: 146 x 126 x 40 mm
Philips PicoPix Nano PPX120
www.currys.co.uk
Philips has taken a slightly different approach from the typical palmtop mini projector design with the PicoPix Nano PPX120. It's pretty much a cube, measuring in at 62mm along its longest side, and weighs only 136g. Its shape means that it’s nice and stable when projecting, making the lack of keystone correction forgivable.
It’ll project a modest 60-inch image from a distance of 3.5m, with surprisingly good colour representation and resolution, though it’s capped at only 360p and does require manual focusing. The built-in 2W speaker provides the audio, with a 3.5mm jack allowing headphones or external speakers to be used. The battery life spans 80 minutes.
Physical input connects via a micro-USB port. It’ll also mirror a smartphone screen via WiFi - a smart trick for such a small device.
Pros: Great for sharing pictures and movie clips
Cons: Short battery life, limited connections
Specifications:
Lumens: 100 ANSI
Resolutions: 360p
Contrast Ratio: 500:1
Projection range: 40cm to 3.5m
Image Size: 8 to 60-inches
Keystone Correction: No
Connections: Micro-USB, 3.5mm audio out, WiFi
Weight: 136g
Size: 48 x 62 x 52.3 mm
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