If you're looking for the best portable projectors that are compact and can be truly carried with you anywhere, many options are available; however, most offer inadequate image quality. The smaller the projector, the dimmer it tends to be, with many portable models lacking vibrancy even in the darkest rooms. While no small and portable projector can compete with larger units in terms of image quality, some models do provide a decent viewing experience. Portable projectors also tend to be fully featured in terms of smart features and offer a comprehensive suite of image correction features, emphasizing their set-up-and-go nature. Ultimately, the best easy-to-carry projectors strike a balance between portability and image quality in a compact, attractive package. If you're unsure how big an image you'll get in different rooms or setups, you can use our projector throw calculator to see how each model behaves at various distances before you buy.
We've purchased and tested over 60 projectors, and below, you'll find our top recommendations for the best small projectors. We only cover consumer models, not high-end products meant for enthusiasts. If you're buying on a budget, check out the best projectors under $1,000 and the best projectors under $500. Or, if you're specifically looking for projectors to take outside, look at our list of best outdoor projectors, or, inversely, if you're mostly interested in using your unit inside, our list of the best home projectors. You can also vote on which ones you want us to purchase and test.
Quick Look
We've independently bought and tested over 60 projectors, and we've published all the detailed results for each so you can decide which one to buy. These have all been tested under the same standardized methodology, allowing you to compare them side by side. We still have all these projects in our lab so we can continually go back and compare them to ensure our reviews are still accurate. All our test methodology is also public on our website, so you can validate the results yourself.
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Best Portable Projector
Movies7.1Gaming5.3Portability8.0Brightness5.5Contrast8.3Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy5.6Color Gamut9.3Wi-FiYesSee all our test resultsSmart OSwebOSThe best portable projector we've tested is the LG CineBeam Q. It's an ultra-compact 4k (pixel-shift) RGB-laser projector that weighs about 3.3 pounds, and the rotating metal handle doubles as both a carry handle and a stand, so it’s genuinely easy to toss in a bag and set up anywhere. There's no integrated battery, but it can run from USB-C Power Delivery (65W or higher), so a compatible power bank is enough to use it away from an outlet. It also has quick autofocus, auto-keystone, and Auto Screen Adjustment, so you can drop it on a table, tilt the handle, and get a squared-up image in seconds. It runs webOS with full app support (including Netflix), plus AirPlay 2/Screen Share, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, making it easy to cast from your phone or pair a wireless speaker.
Like most ultra-portables, it's not very bright overall, but it's reasonably bright for its size and looks good in a fully dark room. Its biggest strengths are deep contrast for this class and a very wide color gamut, so movies and shows look rich once the lights are off. Out-of-the-box accuracy is sub-par, but it calibrates extremely well. It accepts 4k @ 60Hz and supports HDR10 and HLG, although HDR highlights won't exactly "blast" at this brightness. Gaming support is limited to 60Hz with high input lag, so it's fine only for slow, turn-based single-player titles. There's a single HDMI port with ARC plus USB-C, and a small built-in speaker that works in a pinch; for better sound, use a Bluetooth speaker or a soundbar over ARC. Overall, if you want the best combination of portability, smart features, and image quality, the LG CineBeam Q is our top portable pick.
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Best Budget Portable Projector
Movies6.3Gaming6.1Portability8.5Brightness6.0Contrast6.8Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy4.0Color Gamut8.4Wi-FiYesSee all our test resultsSmart OSAndroidIf you're looking for a budget-friendly portable projector with a built-in battery, the XGIMI Halo+ is our pick. It's a compact 1080p LED unit weighing about 3.7 pounds, so it’s easy to throw in a backpack, and the integrated battery is rated for up to 2.5 hours of video, which is enough to watch most movies without needing an outlet. XGIMI's auto-setup tools help a lot on the go: autofocus, auto-keystone, intelligent screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance quickly clean up the image when you move it. It runs Android TV with Chromecast and AirScreen, plus Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, making it simple to stream over a hotspot or pair to a Bluetooth speaker.
In terms of picture quality, it's dim by living-room standards but brighter than many other battery-powered projectors, and it looks good on a modest screen in a fully dark room. Contrast is okay for this class, and it supports HDR10 and HLG, though, as usual, it's not bright enough to fully exploit HDR. Color accuracy out of the box is rather poor, so picky viewers may want to tweak the picture modes. For gaming, it accepts 4k @ 60 Hz (downscaled to 1080p) with relatively high input lag, making it better suited to casual single-player games. Still, it's much more responsive than the LG CineBeam Q above, making the XGIMI a better pick for those looking for a portable gaming unit. Connectivity is simple: one HDMI with ARC, a USB port for direct media, a headphone jack, and 5W Harman/Kardon speakers. Overall, the Halo+ is the best choice if you specifically want a battery-powered portable projector at a budget-friendly price.
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Best Cheap Portable Projector
Movies5.8Gaming4.3Portability8.0Brightness4.8Contrast6.2Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy5.1Color Gamut8.2Wi-FiYesSee all our test resultsSmart OSAndroidAre you looking for a cheaper portable projector that still offers acceptable image quality? Check out the XGIMI MoGo 2, the best mini projector that won't cost you an arm and a leg. It's a very small projector that weighs only 2.4 pounds, so you can seamlessly take it with you on a trip. It doesn't have an internal battery like the XGIMI Halo+, but it supports external charging via power banks through its USB-C port; just make sure your power bank can deliver at least 65 watts of power via a USB-C connection. It has many image correction features: full auto keystone, autofocus, intelligent screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance. It has the Android TV 11 smart interface, Chromecast and AirScreen support, and Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities to round out the package. For gaming, it's a 60Hz, 720p-class portable with relatively high input lag and no 120Hz support; it'll do for slow games in a pinch, but gamers might want to look for something else.
Unfortunately, the projector is very dim. You need to turn off all the lights to get a pleasant image, and even then, it's not exactly the most vibrant viewing experience possible. Its contrast is mediocre but good enough to provide a passable dark room viewing experience. It also has a wide color gamut and HDR support, but isn't bright enough to take advantage of them. Unlike the other picks, this unit only projects a 720p image, so it doesn't look as sharp. Ultimately, you get this projector because of its price, not its image quality. If budget and portability are what you're after, it's hard to beat this model.
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Best Bright Room Portable Projector
Movies6.6Gaming4.8Portability6.0Brightness8.8Contrast4.1Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy7.2Color Gamut7.0Wi-FiNoSee all our test resultsSmart OSNoIf you're seeking a bright yet still portable-friendly projector, the Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 is the best choice on this list. Portable projectors tend to be rather dim, but that isn't the case with this Epson model, as it's extremely bright and projects vibrant images even when used in bright rooms, such as a bright office or loft. It projects 1280x800 resolution images, which is a 16:10 aspect ratio, and is a better format for office work than what we typically find on projectors. Still, in a pinch, this projector performs well for movie viewing, especially in brighter rooms, as its contrast just isn't good enough to provide a truly immersive viewing experience in dark rooms. For gaming, it's limited to 60Hz at its 1280x800 resolution and has noticeable input lag, so it’s fine for casual play but not ideal for fast or competitive titles; on the plus side, that 1280x800 resolution matches the Stream Deck's native output, making it a seamless connect and project scenario.
Even though it isn't as small as the products above, and it requires a power outlet due to its lack of an internal battery, it's still quite portable due to its small size and light weight. It doesn't feature auto keystone correction and autofocusing, so manual adjustments are necessary to correct any geometry issues. It also lacks a smart OS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, necessitating an external streaming dongle to access any streaming apps or wireless features. Ultimately, it's a great value for anyone looking for a small yet bright projector, as it's far brighter than any other projector on this list, even if it's not as portable overall.
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Best Dark Room Portable Projector
Movies6.3Gaming5.2Portability6.0Brightness5.1Contrast8.8Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy3.9Color Gamut5.4Wi-FiYesSee all our test resultsSmart OSAndroidThe NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) is a great choice if you're looking for a somewhat portable projector that offers better performance than most compact models. While it doesn't have an integrated battery and is larger than the ultra-portable options above, it's still small enough to carry around from room to room, making it a versatile choice for movie nights, gaming, or casual presentations. The inclusion of vertical auto keystone correction adds a touch of convenience, letting you set it up quickly without fuss. The similarly sized Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 is far brighter, making it better for well-lit spaces, but its poor contrast can result in a washed-out image in darker environments. This is where the NexiGo shines: its excellent contrast makes it a much better option for dark rooms, delivering more vivid and immersive visuals, even if its colors are muted overall. For gaming, just like with every other pick on this rec, there's no 120Hz option, and input lag is fairly high, so unless you just want something for slow single-player titles, this isn't the best option.
This projector also packs many features, including Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi, Miracast and Apple AirPlay support, two HDMI ports (one with ARC), a Game Mode, and HDR10. While its Android TV interface is pretty basic, as it doesn't include any apps, adding a Chromecast or Fire TV Stick makes it a complete streaming solution. If you're looking for a projector that balances portability with impressive performance for darker spaces, this one is a fantastic value and is a better pick for dark rooms than similarly sized alternatives.
Notable Mentions
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Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen:
The Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen is an interesting portable projector with an innovative swiveling stand. Unfortunately, it's very dim and doesn't have an integrated battery, so the LG CineBeam Q and the XGIMI Halo+ are much better products.
See our review - Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser: The Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser is a portable projector with an integrated battery promising up to 2.5 hours of uninterrupted playback. Still, the XGIMI Halo+ is much brighter for a similar price and has better contrast. Plus, the XGIMI MoGo 2 offers image quality similar to the Anker but at a much lower cost, although the MoGo 2 doesn't have a battery. See our review
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XGIMI MoGo 4:
The XGIMI MoGo 4 is an ultra-portable with a built-in battery, so it’s easy to grab for casual movie nights. Picture quality is the trade-off: brightness and contrast are limited, and color accuracy needs tuning. The XGIMI Halo+ remains the stronger overall choice for image quality, though the MoGo 4 typically costs a bit less.
See our review -
XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro:
The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro is a very light, travel-friendly model with a swiveling base and a full auto-setup toolkit (autofocus/auto-keystone/screen alignment). However, picture quality trails the XGIMI Halo+: brightness is low, contrast is shallow, and out-of-the-box accuracy is noticeably off, so it really only looks decent in a completely dark room. It also doesn't include an internal battery.
See our review - XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: The XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro isn't as good as its cheaper sibling, the XGIMI MoGo 2. The Pro does project a sharper 1080p image versus 720p for the regular MoGo 2, which matters if you want to project an extremely large image. If not, the regular MoGo 2 has slightly better brightness, contrast, and out-of-the-box color accuracy and is cheaper than the Pro. See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 19, 2025:
The LG CineBeam Q replaced the XGIMI Halo+ as the 'Best Portable Projector' due to its superior image quality, but the XGIMI Halo+ is still a great option at a lower price point, pushing it to the 'Best Budget Portable Projector.' All other picks stay the same, but have been rewritten.
Apr 09, 2025:
We made sure that our recommendations are still accurate and available for purchase. The XGIMI MoGo 2 is a bit hard to find now, but we'll monitor its availability.
Dec 09, 2024:
Added the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) as the new 'Best Dark Room Portable Projector' due to its relatively small size and excellent contrast.
Oct 08, 2024: Verified that all of our picks are still widely available for purchase.
Sep 18, 2024: Removed some products from our Notable Mentions and made sure that our picks are all still widely available.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best small and light projectors for most people to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper projector wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no projectors that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of the best projectors that are easy to carry. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no projector is perfect, many are good enough for most uses; however, avoid the worst models to ensure adequate quality.