Many manufacturers are following the path of creating compact devices for various purposes. Portable projectors are no exception. Currently, many models of mini projectors are produced in the world. The problem of choosing the right device for home or travel is acute. A further description of compact devices will help you understand the device parameters and choose the best mini projector in 2022.
There are 2 main types of projectors - office projectors and mini or pico projectors. The first devices were mainly intended for displaying presentations, graphs, and slides. These devices have increased noise levels and do not have the same image quality when watching videos. Mini projectors can magnify the image at a short distance, their noise level is minimal. We will consider mini projectors in more detail in the description.
The best manufacturing companies
Pocket video projectors are popular devices that are characterized by mobility and ease of use.
The best brands producing these devices:
- Xiaomi. The products of this Chinese brand are in high demand among buyers. Pocket video projectors are no exception. Their demand is explained by high quality, low price, long service life;
- Acer. The company produces high quality devices at affordable prices. The brand's products are light in weight and compact in size. They are distinguished by high broadcast quality. They convey not only the image well, but also the sound;
- LG. The brand produces high-quality multimedia equipment. The company's devices are characterized by stable operation and durability. The brand’s mini video projectors are suitable not only for watching movies and TV shows, but also for playing games, which will be especially interesting for children;
- XGIMI. A Chinese company that offers customers high-quality mini-devices with high resolution. They are convenient to take with you on the road due to their compact size and light weight. At the same time, the performance and picture quality are not inferior to full-sized devices;
- BenQ. A company that produces inexpensive equipment with good performance. The brand's products are characterized by brightness, high color rendering, and good color contrast. The models last for a long time without breaking down.
Unic P1
And it opens with a rather remarkable model, which almost fully reflects the concept of “pocket”, despite the fact that it is a representative of the mid-budget class. And now we are talking about the Unic P1 , which is presented in an interesting, and, as it turns out, quite common cubic form factor.
That's right, this DLP projector does not exceed in size, and in part even resembles in appearance a portable speaker, but at the same time allows you to enjoy a widescreen projection in a resolution of 640x360 pixels. Yes, you may not get any pleasure from watching a movie using this model, but for office presentations it can be a very good purchase. While you can connect an external audio system through the standard audio output for better audio results, the projector also has a built-in speaker that produces 1W of power. Again, if sound quality is not important in a particular situation, then it can be used. The current average cost of this model today is about 5,800 rubles .
Tips and tricks when choosing a mini projector
To choose the right device, it is recommended to consider the following criteria when purchasing:
- brightness. The higher this indicator, the lower the requirements for the lighting fixtures of the room in which the device is operated;
- wireless connection. This will allow you to communicate with devices without using wires;
- Wi-Fi support. This option allows you to watch videos directly from the Internet;
- permission. The higher it is, the better the quality of the device reproduces the image;
- screen distance. For small rooms, it is best to use devices that operate close to the screen. For large rooms this point is not important;
- contrast, saturation. It is recommended to choose models with average performance. The fact is that an overly saturated picture will irritate the eyes, which negatively affects vision. If the indicators are too low, then the image is reproduced blurred, which negatively affects the viewing of content;
- service. It is best to choose devices with a long lamp life and ease of replacement. This guarantees a long service life of the device.
A pocket video projector is a mobile device that can be taken with you to conferences, to the office, used at home, etc. Our rating contains the best products. From among them, it will not be difficult to choose the best option for yourself, suitable in terms of characteristics and price.
Category | Place | Name/Model | Characteristics and features | average rating | Photo |
The best inexpensive models | 3 | DUNE HD Traveler | A device with good built-in acoustics | 9.5 | |
2 | Everycom S6 plus | Quiet operation model | 9.6 | ||
1 | CINEMOOD DiaCube | A device that delivers clear images even in the dark | 9.7 | ||
The best mid-range devices | 3 | DIGMA DiMagic Cube | Model with a high-capacity battery | 9.8 | |
2 | Acer C202i | A device with a rich set of components | 9.9 | ||
1 | Philips PicoPix Nano PPX120 | A product that delivers high-quality images | 10 | ||
The best premium models | 3 | Vivitek Qumi Q6-WT | High quality multimedia model | 9.7 | |
2 | LG PH30JG | High-definition functional device | 9.8 | ||
1 | Vivitek Qumi Q3 Plus-BK | Reliable device with good brightness, contrast, color rendition | 9.9 |
Video - Choosing a mini projector
Everycom X7
The next relatively budget option among the ultraportable projectors on our rating list is the Everycom X7 .
In this case, the projector uses LCD technology and is intended primarily for home use, mainly because its real resolution is 800x600 pixels. Of course, these indicators are still far from the more familiar HD and Full HD formats, but to watch something on a wider canvas, setting up an indoor cinema at home, this may be enough. Moreover, we should not forget that we are now considering a fairly budget model, at least if we take into account the price range of this category of projectors. The projection distance of this model ranges from 1.2 to 3.8 meters, which will be quite enough for use in small and medium-sized rooms. Of course, this option is slightly larger than other pocket projectors, but in its price segment it shows quite good results, also taking into account little things like support for memory cards or the presence of various additional connectors. Its price is about 6,400 rubles .
Voting for the best portable video projector
What portable video projector would you choose or recommend?
Vivitek Qumi Q3 Plus-BK
33.33 % ( 1 )
LG PH30JG
0.00 % ( 0 )
Vivitek Qumi Q6-WT
0.00 % ( 0 )
Philips PicoPix Nano PPX120
0.00 % ( 0 )
Acer C202i
0.00 % ( 0 )
DIGMA DiMagic Cube
33.33 % ( 1 )
CINEMOOD DiaCube
0.00 % ( 0 )
Everycom S6 plus
0.00 % ( 0 )
Unic P2
Next on the list we meet another representative of a brand that has already appeared here, namely the Unic P2 .
And despite the fact that it is a direct continuation of the company’s line, as the name of the model seems to indicate, its form factor has undergone changes, and now this is not a cube, at least not in the usual sense. This is still the same hexagon, only flattened, apparently to reduce the overall dimensions and achieve greater compactness. And here they really tried, since the height of the structure is only 25 mm, despite the fact that the quality of the projection has improved significantly and is already 854x480 pixels. The minimum projection distance is only 0.35 m, and the maximum is 4.3 m. The interface is modest and is represented only by an audio output for a mini jack and a standard USB. But there is a Wi-Fi module, as well as support for reading memory cards, which slightly expands the possibilities of interaction. In general, again, for local presentations or watching movies, this option will be quite suitable. As for the cost, it has already reached 10,900 rubles .
P8I
If you are looking for an even more compact and portable, but at the same time functional model, then we advise you to turn your attention to the P8I , whose dimensions are 145x18x79 mm.
Yes, in width it turns out to be noticeably longer than the previous version, but the height is distinguished by its small indicator. With such dimensions, this model may be no larger than the average external battery, which will allow you to carry it just as easily and comfortably, without taking up much space in your backpack or bag. True, having a power bank may not hurt you, since the projector’s built-in battery, whose capacity is 4500 mAh, may be enough for a couple of hours of active work, but no more. On the other hand, this model can be praised for its very wide interface, represented by an HDMI output, a pair of USB 2.0 connectors, a standard 3.5 mm audio output and a slot for microSD memory cards. The design also includes a mono speaker, which is nothing special, though not different. Among the pleasant little things, we can also note the presence of a complete tripod and remote control. This smart projector will cost everyone about 15,900 rubles .
Viewsonic M1
the Viewsonic M1 pocket mini projector , which is deservedly one of the best options on the modern market.
Like most top models in this category, it has a real resolution of 854x480 pixels (480p), but supports 1080p playback, so it will work without problems, for example, with a game console or PC. This projector is capable of delivering bright, rich colors with excellent clarity in dark rooms, but with only 250 lumens of brightness, images will look slightly washed out during daylight hours. The lens cap also serves as a stand for the projector, which was a very interesting design decision. In terms of battery life, this model can provide an impressive 6 hours of playback, which is extremely practical for those who plan to use it anywhere. One of the most distinctive features of this projector is the two built-in Harman Kardon speakers, each 3 Watt, which provide one of the best audio experiences of any mini projector currently available on the market. Its average cost is now about 28,200 rubles .
Sony MP-CD1
In third place is the Sony MP-CD1 .
This Japanese corporation is known in many areas of technology and electronics production due to the high quality of its products and their commensurately high cost. And you definitely shouldn’t expect anything different from the proposal considered here. In terms of materials and assembly, everything here is top notch; quality is felt literally from the first touch of the projector. At true 480p resolution, images are crisp, with excellent colors and ample brightness. It also has a built-in 1W speaker which, as usual, is far from impressive, but it doesn't take away from the ability to connect external speakers. This model is more positioned as an office projector, since due to its thin and small body it simply could not get a more powerful battery. As a result, the actual autonomy of the model is approximately 2 hours, which may not be enough to watch a movie. And if you are going to purchase an external battery for it (or just an additional one), keep in mind that the projector is charged via the USB Type-C port. Well, its price is on average 27,000 rubles .
Acer C202i
Having overcome more than half of our modest ranking list of the best pocket projectors, right before the top three, many of you will finally come across offers from more famous and recognizable brands, one of which is the Acer C202i .
This new product is another representative of wide-format DLP projectors and its real resolution is also 854x480 pixels, like several previous models. And, in principle, it is quite enough for more or less comfortable viewing, at least users do not complain, leaving quite positive reviews. Externally, the projector looks quite attractive, although its overall dimensions are slightly larger than those observed in other, more compact analogues. And yet this does not prevent it (on the contrary) from providing a very high-quality picture and a battery life of about 5 hours on a single charge. The price of this model today is about 24,200 rubles on average.