Best Portable Projector for 2025
While they are both small and highly portable, portable projectors otherwise lack the brightness of home theater projectors. This means the picture can end up looking dim, especially if you want a big image. The displays are also typically 1080p, not 4K like most TVs. That said, if you want something pocketable and even battery-powered, here are our top picks.
Most portable projectors are compromised in a bunch of ways, but the Mars 3 Air manages to do just about everything right. It creates a reasonably bright, colorful, contrasty image and the streaming interface works the same as those found in more expensive projectors and many TVs. Its onboard sound is better than you'd expect too, being able to double as a decent Bluetooth speaker. If you want to connect a game console, there's an HDMI input on the back. The battery is rated for 2.5 hours, though if you run it at max brightness it's a lot less. If you're not on the go, you can plug it in and use it like a regular projector.
While a traditional home projector will outperform the Mars 3 Air in every way, it lacks its battery and ultra-portability. We wish the price were a little lower, but given how much better it is than the competition, it's worth the premium.
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Though I like the above projector better, the AAXA P6X is my pick when money is tight. Not only is it less expensive than the Anker at the top of this list, but it's also brighter with superior battery life. This mini projector fits in my hand, creates a 720p image, and has a huge 15,000-mAh battery. An HDMI input and USB connection lets you connect and power a streaming stick. The stick connection is important because the AAXA lacks built-in apps.
Light output is impressive for its size and price, about 50% more than the Anker Mars 3 Air, although its contrast ratio is a bit less. The internal battery should last around 90 minutes in the mini projector's brightest mode, and an impressive 240 minutes in Eco mode -- probably a little less if you're also powering a streaming stick. The internal speaker isn't great, but there's a headphone jack you can connect to a portable speaker.
Overall image quality isn't great, but its size, brightness and price are a great combo.
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Unlike many of the other projectors on this list, the AAXA P8 can't run on a battery -- you need to plug in its power adapter -- but it's so small, bright and cheap that it makes the list anyway. There are certainly less expensive projectors out there, but nothing we've seen at this price or lower is worth recommending.
The P8 is tiny, with roughly the same overall volume as the Anker Capsule 3 (which does have a battery), although rectangular instead of cylindrical. The AAXA is significantly brighter than the Capsule, plus it has a few streaming apps built in and an HDMI port for connecting an external source. The image quality is OK, but for the size, price and relatively high light output, it's hard to knock it.
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The Anker Nebula Capsule 3 is the size of a 16-ounce beverage can, yet it's capable of a big image. Well, maybe not "big," but "TV-size" certainly. The projector is not particularly bright or loud, but for something that can fit in your pocket, it's great. The other options offer a brighter, better image, but if size is your main concern, the Capsule 3 looks better than you'd expect for its price and stature.
Unlike the AAXA projectors, the Capsule 3 has the full version of Google TV, so you get the regular version of apps like Netflix, Hulu and so on. The far larger and more expensive Mars 3 Air is twice as bright, but the Capsule 3's contrast ratio is very slightly better. So if you don't mind an image that's half the size, image quality will be similar.
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BenQ GS50: The GS50 is roughly the same size as the Xgimi Halo Plus, is 1080p and has a built-in battery. You can even use it as a Bluetooth speaker. It's dimmer than the Xgimi Halo Plus for similar money. Read our BenQ GS50 review.
Samsung Freestyle: The small, cylindrical Freestyle is an interesting idea, but it comes up short. About the size of a Bluetooth speaker, and can double as one, the Freestyle can pivot on its stand to project an image at any height on walls and even the ceiling. Its built-in streaming is far better implemented than most portable projectors. It lacks a battery, and its performance is average, at best. Worse, its price is 50% higher than it should be based on how it looks and performs. Read our Samsung Freestyle review.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Projector 2: Another relatively expensive small projector we didn't love, the Xiaomi at least has a gorgeous, Apple-like design going for it. We appreciated the compact size, 1080p resolution and built-in Android TV streaming, but the cons outweigh the pros. It's relatively dim, especially for the money, and it lacks both a built-in battery and compatibility with a USB power source, so it's not truly portable. Read our Xiaomi Mi Smart Projector 2 review.
Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K: Since it has a handle and a compact size, the Cosmos Laser 4K is technically portable, but it's hardly mini at more than 10 pounds. There's also no battery so you'll need to plug it in. It's nice and bright, but the other downsides -- lack of zoom, average overall image quality and a steep price for what you get -- keep it off this list. Read our Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector review.
Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE: Similar in design to the Laser 4K, it's a little dimmer but also a little cheaper. That makes its price/performance ratio far more interesting. Still large for a "portable" projector, but the handle makes it easy to lug around. Read our Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K SE Projector review" target="_blank.
BenQ HT2060: While not technically a "portable" projector, the HT2060 is small and light. It's wouldn't fit in a backpack, but if you want something for an occasional movie night, it could be stored in a closet and -- when it's time for the movie -- can be set up in just a few minutes. It's one of our favorite projectors. Check out our full review of the BenQ HT2060.
Every projector we review goes through elaborate objective and subjective testing. CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
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