The Best Portable Projectors of 2023

This compact, yet powerful projector fits easily in a bag, whether you want to bring it to your cabin to watch movies or your office to present a video in a work meeting. At just 5.25 feet from the wall, this projector covers 100 inches, meaning it works great in small spaces. It offers full 1080p full native resolution and a clear, vivid picture. It comes with a 39W lithium-ion battery, runs for up to two hours unplugged, and includes a long-lasting LED light source that allows you to use this projector for long periods of time. Reviewers say that it’ll run a lot brighter while plugged in, but a lot of movies run longer than two hours, so that’s a great idea most of the time anyway.

Here’s what the AAXA P400 includes:

• USB-A and TransFlash ports
• HDMI and 3.5 mm audio jack
• 30,000-hour LED lights
• 39W lithium-ion battery
• Tripod mounting option

The Optoma ML750ST is a sleek, 14-ounce projector with a decent amount of upside, provided you’re willing to pay a little extra for it. The "ST" in its name stands for "short throw"—there's a more affordable version of this projector that requires more distance for a comparable image.

The ML750ST isn’t equipped with an on-board battery—it runs on an AC power cord. This shouldn’t be an issue for most people, but if you were hoping to do some spontaneous screenings in venues without a nearby wall outlet, you might want to consider a portable projector with an on-board battery.

Here are the ML750ST’s connectivity options:

• HDMI/MHL
• USB
• Bluetooth
• 3.5 mm audio jack

The ML750ST’s small stature and light weight make it perfect for short- and long-distance travel—it weighs less than a pound and comes with a zippered carrying case that can easily be stowed in a briefcase or carry-on bag.

From a performance standpoint, this mini projector from Optoma isn’t as impressive as the Anker Nebula Mars II, but it’s 1280 × 800 WXGA resolution looks sharp from a distance of around ten feet. In a dark or dimly-lit room, the ML750T is bright enough to produce a picture with decent contrast, but as is the case with most mini projectors, the picture will appear flat and washed-out if there’s too much ambient light.

One of the ML750T’s bigger weaknesses is the projector’s tinny, 1-watt speaker—there just isn’t enough volume, even for the most modest of business presentations. And, compared to the Nebula Mars II’s 10-watt audio drivers, it’s downright quiet.

The Optoma ML750ST is a solid portable projector, but its online sale price is typically higher than the Anker Mars II. For reference, the Optoma ML750ST is currently listed on Amazon at $564 and the Anker Mars II is currently listed at $469.99. Unless you like the fit and finish of the Optoma more than the Anker projector, we think most people would be better off with the Mars II.

This sleek, metallic pocket projector from Asus is small enough to tuck into the pocket of a purse, weighs less than a pound, and comes with a thin, faux-leather carrying case. It's also equipped with a 6,000mAh-sized battery—no power cables required. From a portability standpoint, it's one of the most travel-friendly projectors we've tested.

Here's what the Asus ZenBeam E1 offers for connectivity options:

• HDMI/MHL
• USB
• 3.5 mm audio jack

The ZenBeam E1 isn't the most flexible device, but we do love how much thought went into the design. From top to bottom, the ZenBeam E1 seems built for travel—the carrying case even has a cut-out so you can keep charging it while it's stowed away. Asus was even kind enough to include an HDMI cable.

That said, its portability and low price tag ($269 on Amazon) are the best things about the ZenBeam E1—its performance is another story. The picture quality isn't terrible, but it's far dimmer than most of its chief competitors; the ZenBeam E1 really needs a dark room in order for the picture to pop.

Still, we love how easy it is to take the ZenBeam E1 on the go, and professionals who need a no-frills, easy projector for business trips will appreciate the emphasis on portability.

Of all the portable projectors we tested, the ViewSonic M1 had the most interesting design: It’s a small, book-shaped device with rounded corners, and its swiveling lens cover also doubles as a stand that holds the projector up when it’s engaged. The M1 features a lithium-ion battery for cordless operation.

Here’s what the M1 offers for connectivity options:

• HDMI
• USB (Type C)
• USB (Type A)
• microSD
• 3.5 mm audio jack

The M1's innovative stand is easily my favorite thing about this projector; it's one of those rare, sensible design flourishes that's both aesthetically interesting and functionally appropriate. When the M1 is in use, the projector's auto-keystone software does a fine job correcting for off-angles—it might take a few seconds, but the M1 fixes the proportions of picture when projecting from a tilted position.

Unfortunately, the M1's lackluster performance doesn't quite live up to its ingenious design. The M1's total resolution (854 x 480) is vastly lower than most of the projectors we've tested to date,

We also weren't terribly impressed with the remote control included in the box. In a vacuum, I'd prefer having a remote control over not having one at all, but the M1's remote is so dysfunctional that I almost wish I didn't have it to begin with. You'll need a clear sightline from the remote to the projector's receiver in order for it to work, and even then, there's a good chance it won't.

Ultimately, the M1 is a decent option for people who aren't looking to spend a whole lot (you can get the ViewSonic M1 on Amazon right now for about $300), but if you're even the slightest bit concerned about picture quality, I'd recommend spending more on a better-performing projector.

The Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector is designed for movie lovers who travel a lot. At a light two pounds, this Nebula projector can easily pack in your bag, yet it still offers similar brightness to other projectors. It has 300 ANSI lumens of brightness in 1080p HD, which reviewers say is decent, but could be better.

Here’s what the Nebula Capsule 3 offers for connectivity options:

• HDMI
• USB (Type C)
• Aux out
• Bluetooth
• Wi-Fi

With this projector, you’ll get 2.5 hours of play time and a strong 52Wh built-in battery that’s reliable for those long films. What’s more, you can download Netflix with Nebula play and control it using the Nebula Connect app. It even comes with an 8W Dolby Digital speaker that offers realistic sound.