400 ANSI lumens is good for a large room, for example, while 100 ANSI lumens is better 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. 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 Mini Projector Under $100: Vamvo L4500 Best Mini Projector For iPhone: Miroir MP289 Best Mini Projector For Lightweight Travel: Magnasonic LED Pocket Runner-Up, Best Mini Projector: Nebula Capsule II

New compact projector