A portable projector turns any wall, bedroom ceiling, or backyard into a big screen, with streaming apps and speakers built in. These three mini projectors, chosen from RTINGS' lab tests, range from a sharp 4K model to a budget pick with surprisingly big sound.
The best portable projector is the XGIMI Elfin Flip 4K (~$999): small enough for a backpack, sharp and very colorful, quick to set up, and great for gaming.
The XGIMI Elfin Flip Laser (~$749) is the same design in 1080p for less, and the Anker Nebula P1i (~$299) is the budget pick, with the best built-in sound for the money.
A portable projector trades some picture quality for size. Small projectors are dimmer than full-size models, so they look their best at night or in a dark room, and most top out at a 60- to 100-inch image before the picture starts to look faint. In exchange, you get a projector you can carry from the living room to the bedroom to a friend's backyard, with streaming apps and speakers built in.
The biggest decision is battery or no battery. Battery models go anywhere but are dimmer, and most last about one movie at full brightness. Plug-in models like the XGIMI Elfin Flip are brighter and sharper but need an outlet. The cheap battery projectors we looked at were too dim and dull to recommend, so our three picks plug in; a portable power station runs them anywhere. Our picks follow RTINGS' lab measurements, which test every projector the same way.
| Projector | Resolution | Battery | Smart OS | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XGIMI Elfin Flip 4K | Pixel-shift 4K | No | Google TV | Best picture, gaming | ~$999 |
| XGIMI Elfin Flip Laser | 1080p | No | Google TV | Same design for less | ~$749 |
| Anker Nebula P1i | 1080p | No | Google TV | Best built-in sound for the money | ~$299 |
RTINGS' best portable projector, and the rare small one with genuinely solid picture quality. It's sharp, extremely colorful, and bright enough to look punchy in a dark room. A motorized zoom lens and automatic focus, keystone, and obstacle avoidance mean it's set up within a minute of unpacking it, and the built-in stand tilts so you can aim it up at a wall. It's also the best portable projector for gaming, with very low input lag, 1080p at 120Hz, and VRR.
Worth knowing: there's no built-in battery, so you'll need an outlet or a large power station. It isn't bright enough for a lit room.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.The same compact design for less money. It's 1080p rather than 4K, so it isn't quite as sharp, but RTINGS found it a little brighter than the 4K model, with slightly better contrast and equally vivid color. For movies and shows in a dark room, most people won't miss the extra resolution at portable screen sizes.
Worth knowing: there's no motorized zoom, so you move the projector to size the image, and no obstacle avoidance. It's limited to 1080p at 60Hz with higher input lag, so gamers should get the Flip 4K.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.A budget projector built around its sound. Two 10W speakers fold out from the sides to create a wide soundstage, which makes it a fun choice for backyard movie nights without a separate speaker. It's one of the cheapest projectors we recommend, and its input lag is low enough for casual gaming.
Worth knowing: there's no built-in battery, and it's dim, with weak contrast and muted color, so it needs a fully dark room. It's a fun casual projector, not a movie-night showpiece.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.