The Best Portable Projectors 2023
By Linus Tan
Published Feb 2023
In case you haven't noticed, projectors have gotten way smaller. What used to be bulky devices requiring many cables have transformed into projectors with built-in speakers and are light enough to take them with you wherever you go. If you're looking for a device that blends convenience and entertainment, we've rounded up the best portable projectors you can buy.
Best Overall: BenQ GS50
✓ 550 ANSI lumens & 1080p resolution
✓ Impressive sound quality
✓ Different connection options
✓ Durable design
Best for Versatility: Samsung The Freestyle
✓ 550 lumens & 1080p resolution
✓ Convenient angling and adjustment
✓ Voice-enabled smart speaker
✓ Compact & lightweight
Best for Budget: Anker Nebula Solar Portable
✓ 400 lumens
✓ Up to 120 inches
✓ Compact & sleek design
✓ Budget-friendly
Best for Portability: Optoma ML750e HD-ready portable projector
✓ 700 lumens
✓ Keystone correction
✓ Multiple input options
✓ Extremely small
#1 Best Overall: BenQ GS50
BenQ GS50
Need a stylish way to entertain yourself? You wouldn't be able to resist the colours the BenQ GS50 comes in and its other features.
The BenQ GS50 is the cutest cube we've ever come across. It could've easily been styled with white alone but we're thrilled it also has splashes of green with orange highlights and a brown strap. The rounded corners have a rubberised finish making it perfect for on-the-go entertainment. What's cool is its outer shell is covered in a water-resistant film, earning an IPX2 splash-proof rating. Though it cannot tolerate being submerged, it's still pretty rugged in the sense it can withstand wetness. The BenQ GS50 can run up to 2.5 hours on battery, which isn't bad.
BenQ GS50
Along with the 1080 resolution, the BenQ GS50 projector gets a brightness of 500 ANSI lumens. In terms of resolution, the images are crisp enough. The sound quality is something to marvel at. Set in a 2.1 configuration with two tweeters and a large woofer, BenQ GS50 delivers deep, powerful bass, raising the bar for many speakers. Try sitting behind the project and you'll experience it as if the sound jumps right out of the screen.
Unfortunately, the brightness is harder to look past. Even though it displays an image bright enough in darker environments, it doesn't deliver as well with ambient lighting.
The BenQ GS50 projector is an excellent choice, offering a range of features and performance capabilities that make it a great value. It has a bright, sharp image that can be viewed in any lighting condition and works with most devices and media sources. The projector is easy to set up, and its intuitive user interface makes it simple to use.
BenQ GS50
Best Overall
✓ 550 ANSI lumens & 1080p resolution
✓ Impressive sound quality
✓ Different connection options
✓ Durable design
#2 Best for Versatility: Samsung The Freestyle
Samsung The Freestyle
The Samsung The Freestyle is a versatile and feature-packed projector that offers a great experience. It has a sleek design, with a black-and-white finish, and its compact size makes it easy to transport.
The design of the Samsung The Freestyle is key to its versatility, allowing you to set it up and project in almost any setting. Shaped like a spotlight, you can easily place and angle the projector onto any surface, so you can get creative with your placement and projection. It's designed to be lightweight, durable and easy to move around, so you can use it in a variety of different locations. Additionally, the Freestyle comes with key features like auto levelling, autofocus, and auto keystone, making it even easier to set up and use in any environment.
The other versatile aspect of the Samsung The Freestyle is that it can double up as an Alexa or Bixby-enabled smart speaker when it is not in use as a projector. This means that you can use it to listen to music, ask questions, and control other smart home devices, all with the help of Alexa's voice-activated capabilities.
Samsung The Freestyle
The Samsung The Freestyle boasts a brightness of 550 lumens, as well as support for 1080p resolution. It is capable of projecting an image onto a screen from as small as 30 inches right up to an incredibly large 100 inches. This means that regardless of the size of your viewing area, you can be sure that The Freestyle will deliver a clear, bright picture that will be sure to impress.
The Samsung The Freestyle also has a range of features that make it easy to use. It supports both iOS and Android devices, and it has a built-in media player that makes it easy to stream media. The projector also has a remote control and an intuitive interface, so it's easy to adjust settings and operate the projector.
Unfortunately, the Samsung The Freestyle doesn’t have a built-in battery and requires you to plug into an electrical source to use. That said, if you want to use the device wirelessly, you will have to get the additional Battery Base that’s sold separately. This will give your projector a 3-hour battery life. Or alternatively, you can plug it into a portable battery pack via a USB-C connection.
Overall, the Samsung The Freestyle is a great choice for those looking for a versatile and feature-packed projector. It's small, easy to transport, and it has a range of features that make it easy to use.
Samsung The Freestyle
Best for Versatility
✓ 550 lumens & 1080p resolution
✓ Convenient angling and adjustment
✓ Voice-enabled smart speaker
✓ Compact & lightweight
#3 Best for Budget: Anker Nebula Solar Portable
Anker Nebula Solar Portable
The Anker Nebula Solar Portable has a complete package with a built-in battery and the ability to enjoy watching movies or TV with a huge display just about anywhere. Plus, it functions as a Bluetooth speaker.
The projector's surface is white except for the red Nebula logo and the touch-sensitive volume buttons. It has a kickstand tucked on the underside of the Anker Nebula which once opened up, lifts at a 13-degree angle to position the image higher on the wall. At just 6cm tall and 19cm wide (think the size of an A5-sized notebook), the Anker Nebula Solar Portable is incredibly compact. When not in use, it's easy to store or light enough to be carried around. The battery lasts for three hours but there's a USB-C power port if you need to link it up to a portable power bank.
Anker Nebula Solar Portable
The Anker Nebula Solar Portable can cast a screen up to around 3m and also autofocuses so users don't have to toggle with the settings to get the perfect image. The picture quality of the Anker Nebula makes it great for beginners or casual projector users - you get strong details even though it caps out at Full HD resolution. One of the Anker Nebula Solar Portable's best features is its Bluetooth speaker functionality. It's easy enough to connect with other devices via Bluetooth and start enjoying tunes. The Anker Nebula has dual 3W speakers and is capable of use indoors or outdoors. That said, it won't be able to compete with too much environmental noise.
The only issue is its brightness. 400 lumens works fine for general watching however it significantly impacts daytime watch (won't deliver in bright conditions) or when you watch in relatively dark conditions (it struggles to effectively deliver dark scenes).
All in all, Anker Nebula Solar Portable is an incredibly versatile and powerful device that can be used for a variety of purposes. Whether you're looking for an outdoor movie projector, a portable speaker, or a powerful source of light, the Anker Nebula Solar Portable is sure to meet all your needs.
Anker Nebula Solar Portable
Best for B
✓ 400 lumens
✓ Up to 120 inches
✓ Compact & sleek design
✓ Budget-friendly
#4 Best for Portability: Optoma ML750e HD-ready portable projector
Optoma ML750e HD-ready portable projector
A compact portable projector, the Optoma ML750e HD-ready does have excellent characteristics perfect for travelling professionals.
Weighing in at 380g, this tiny projector is easy to carry around. As such, you're able to conduct wireless presentations using the free EZ View app. Moreover, the app gives you free rein to present documents, photos, and videos creating a more connected and collaborative experience during meetings. Its impressive range of ports includes one microSD card slot, an MHL-ready HDMI input, a universal I/O slot and a USB 2.0 slot for thumb drives.
Optoma ML750e HD-ready portable projector
The Optoma ML750e HD-ready is impressively bright at 700 lumens for its size. Furthermore, it has stunning colours providing colour performance with its accurate sRGB colours. The Optoma ML750e HD-ready also has superior contrast, adding depth to your image and making your text appear crisp and clear. This projector also offers excellent audio support without needing external speakers.
Yet, it's unable to connect via Wi-Fi, so you'll need a dongle to stream content - a real shame since it has a wealth of great features.
When you invest in the Optoma ML750e HD-ready projector, you are getting so much more than just a transportable device; you're also receiving a product that doesn't compromise on picture quality. All in all, you can be sure that your purchase of this projector will provide you with a viewing experience that you will be sure to enjoy.
Optoma ML750e HD-ready portable projector
Best for Portability
✓ 700 lumens
✓ Keystone correction
✓ Multiple input options
✓ Extremely small
Compare Portable Projectors
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons why you'd need a portable projector. The key to choosing the best one for you is to consider what you want out of it. While you mull over your options, we're gonna go ahead with an impromptu movie night!
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