Stay away from mini projectors that have fixed-focus lenses where possible. It can be a lifesaver when you don’t have a perfectly level surface to work with, or are projecting from well below your viewing area.Īnother thing to look for is an auto-focus that works flawlessly, or a focus ring around the lens that lets you manually adjust the focus until the image is clear. Some projectors come with an auto-keystone feature that automatically adjusts the image so it’s rectangular, even if the surface you’re projecting on is angled or curved. The last thing you want is to be fumbling around with cords and figuring out the interface when you’re trying to enjoy a movie. It’s important to find a projector that’s easy to set up and use. If you see a mini projector boasting 4000 lumens, it refers to the light coming from the bulb, not the brightness of the projection. Some brands only advertise the lumen value of their projector’s lamp, and don’t clarify the difference. On average, the ANSI lumen value of the projected image is often only about 30% of the value at its light source. Just to complicate things further, the light from a projector’s light source dims considerably on its way through the projector. 400 ANSI lumens is good for a large room, for example, while 100 ANSI lumens is only really suited to a smaller space. The higher the number, the brighter the image will be. The brightness of a projector is measured in lumens, a measurement of the total amount of light visible to the human eye from a light source. An ANSI lumen is a standardized measurement that quantifies the overall brightness or light output of a projector. They’ll make you think you’re purchasing an HD projector, but unless that’s the native resolution, you’re not really. If you’re scaling from a native resolution of 320 x 240 pixels to Full HD at 100 inches, for example, don’t expect to enjoy the viewing experience. Product descriptions are misleading, especially for lower-cost units. Using software, all projectors can scale an image up from their native resolution to a maximum of HD or Full HD, but the more scaling that’s happening, the worse the image will look. The bigger it is, the higher the quality of the image at a given size. The native resolution refers to the physical size of the projection panel. The difficult part is that most projectors have two resolutions, native and maximum, and the difference is important. Full HD, the current standard for smartphones, is 1920 x 1080 pixels. HD (high-definition) refers to a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. Resolution claims for projectors get a little tricky to navigate. All of our recommended options support a screen size of 60″ or more (often, much more,) but remember that for any given projector, the larger the screen size, the dimmer and less sharp it will be. Screen Size and ResolutionĪ projector’s screen size refers to how large an image it can display, typically measured in inches across the diagonal. Unless you know you’ll only use it within easy reach of an extension cord, we’d suggest looking for a battery-powered version that gives much better portability (and avoids cable management hassles as well). Some products omit the battery entirely, requiring an outlet to function. This way, you can keep the party going as long as you want without worrying about your projector dying halfway through your movie marathon. If you want to watch movies all night, we recommend getting a mini projector that can be recharged from an external power bank. Some models claim they can project for up to four hours, but that’s typically only achievable in lower brightness modes. For most people, how long a projector lasts away from a power outlet will define how portable it really is.Ī mini projector set at its highest brightness will consume more battery, with better ones likely lasting at least the length of a short movie (around two hours). Speaking of built-in batteries, they’re not all created equal. If you’re looking for a projector to take outdoors or on camping trips, make sure it has a built-in battery so you don’t need to rely on an external power source. Size and weight are important, especially for trips where you’re carrying all of your gear.ĭon’t just consider the size of the projector itself: factor in any cables, tripods, and external speakers you also need to bring with you. Low-priced mini projectors are rarely as portable as mid to high-range options. How to Choose a Mini Projector Portability Best for Lightweight Travel: Magnasonic LED Pocket Runner-Up, Best Mini Projector: Nebula Capsule 3 Laser
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