Projectors of all kinds are more associated with stationary use in a specially equipped room. However, today's fast-paced world has created a noticeable user demand for miniature projectors which are easy to transport and ideally can be used unplugged. The demand was instantly met, and mini-projectors appeared, including pocket-sized ones in the literal sense of the form factor.
In this article, we have collected the best mini projectors you can buy in 2021.
TOP- 5 Portable Projectors
YG-300 (under $50)
The perfect gift for any holiday. The projector is able to create a cinema effect in the apartment thanks to the Full HD video function. The gadget is equipped with a huge number of interfaces for content playback. If the projector's charge runs out, you can connect it to a portable external battery.
Pros:
- Focus adjustment;
- Availability of a speaker;
- There is a mount and stand;
- Can run on powerbank;
- Built-in speaker;
- Not noisy.
Cons:
- No battery;
- Only reads thumb drives up to 32GB.
Asus P3B (under $560)
The very compact projector is made of matte white plastic with holes on all sides for ventilation. On the front panel, there is a lens, on the back panel, there are all the ports.
The control keys are on the top and are assembled into a block. On the bottom of the device, there is a hinged foot to correct the position of the projector.
Asus P3B has the ability to connect headphones and a portable speaker. There is a slot for a microSD-card to view photos and videos and listen to audio recordings. The device works autonomously on battery power for 2.5-3 hours. It comes with a bag to carry the projector and small remote control.
Pros:
- Built-in rechargeable battery;
- Quality image;
- Own media player;
- Convenient controls.
Cons:
- There is a faint "rainbow effect."
- There is a little noise when running from the mains.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Compact Projector (under $500)
The projector dimensions are really modest - 150x150x115 mm, as well as its weight - 1.3 kg. The design is classic, in the spirit of being well-known to all amateur projectors for slide movies. Because of the desire to minimize the manufacturer has equipped the projector with only one speaker.
The principle of the projector is LED. The regular lamp has a life of up to 30 hours in energy-saving mode. The generated luminous flux looks a bit pale in all senses against the background of stationary models - 500 lm, but we should not forget that this is quite acceptable for this format. Pure contrast is 1200:1, which is not bad, but this figure is achievable only in flawless darkening conditions.
Pros:
- Miniature size and weight;
- Full HD projection resolution;
- Not bad image quality for these specifications;
- Contrast;
- Reliability and reliability;
- HDR10 support;
- SmartTV support;
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
Cons:
- No global firmware.
ASUS ZenBeam S2 (under $450)
The projector is miniature in size - 120x35x120 mm and weighs about 500 g. This model does not depend on a power outlet, having its own built-in battery. The principle of operation and characteristics of the light source are similar to the above-described model: LED-lamp with a lifetime of 30 thousand hours in economy mode generate a luminous flux of 500 lm with similar contrast indexes.
The projected image resolution is 1280x720 with a 16:9 aspect ratio. HDTV and 3D video are supported. Projection distance varies from 1.50 to 3m. The recommended comfortable and appropriate image size is 1.52 to 3.05 m in width. Distance to size refers as 1.12:1 to 1.12:1. Like virtually all projectors in this class, the ASUS ZenBeam S2 is able to automatically adjust focus and basic image characteristics.
Pros:
- Quality of materials and build;
- Autonomy;
- Autofocus and auto-tuning;
- Wi-Fi; Reliability and durability;
- Quiet enough to work;
- Stylish packaging.
Cons:
- Comparatively modest resolution (less than FullHD 1920x1080).
AuKing Mini Projector (under $100)
The dimensions of the device are 176x28x103 mm, weight 460 g. The design is minimalistic as usual for modern electronics, it is dominated by high-quality white plastic and brushed metal surfaces. The lamp is standard for such models - LED with a life of 30 thousand hours. The operating principle is based on DLP technology.
The projector generates a light flux of 500 lumens and gives a picture with the high contrast of 5000:1. With a sensor resolution of 1280x720 pixels, this combination provides a high-quality image - clear, with saturated colors.
Pros:
- High-quality build;
- High resolution;
- Record contrast;
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth;
- Cute design.
Cons:
- Minor flaws in OS and software;
- Weak remote control sensitivity.
How to choose
There are a lot of characteristics of image creation devices, but among them, there are the main ones:
- Goals and objectives. The apparatus must fully cover the needs of the user.
- Screen size. Most likely, the user knows the dimensions of the future screen. Using the measured data, it is possible to determine the required power of the device when operated in a room with artificial light. The formula is: X = 500xS, where X is the power and S is the area of the future screen.
- Resolution. To play high-quality Blu-Ray or FullHD content, you need the right resolution for your projector. Optimal is 1920x1080 pixels. If the resolution is lower, the picture quality will fall.
- Battery life. The battery capacity of each model is different and with it the duration of the device without recharging changes. The greater the battery capacity, the longer the portable projector can work.
When it is reasonable to buy mini projectors:
- When there is an infrequent need to use a large device. If the desire to see a picture on the wall occurs infrequently, it is better to take a mini-model. Traditional projectors require a special mount and equipment, which will interfere in the inactive state.
- For presentations in different locations. You can find a flat wall in almost any location, and you can take a cloth to nature and stretch it out.
- In the case of frequent travel. It will not be difficult to create a picture in the train on the wall of the compartment or on the top shelf.
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