Top 5 Best Portable Projectors for 2021
- 22 May, 2019
All these LED DLP personal projectors are lightweight and ultra-portable unlike the projectors of old. The next most important aspect is the lumens and these 5 models range from 200 to 1000 ansi lumens (1200 to 6000 marketing lumens). Obviously there is always a trade off between price versus lumens, battery power, connectivity and other key features but the at-a-glance table can help you decide.
Increasingly Android operating systems (OS) onboard are becoming more popular and that's not just for the ability to watch a plethora of entertainment like Netflix, Youtube or iPlayer. Android on-board also means business or education apps such as PDF readers, powerpoint and presentation tools are supported.
The uniquely designed Pico Genie Periscope/Periscope Plus doubles up as a speaker and projector all in one, the Periscope provides awesome deep base sound and a unique swivel lens that allows you to change your view from wall to ceiling with ease.
The Vivitek Q38 Portable projector comes highly recommended, with an impressive 600 ANSI Lumens (3000 marketing lumens) and Full HD projection, unique to a projector of this size with an inbuilt battery.
(UPDATE 2020): Q38 is now EOL, best alternative is the Pico Genie M550 Plus 2.0
Next the Butterfly PIQS TT wifi projector is a smart solution, with auto keystone, auto focus, and interactive remote it is a very intuitive and user friendly portable projector, perfect for gaming, drawing, business and presenting.
(UPDATE 2020:) PIQS TT is EOL, best alternative is Pico Genie M550 Plus 2.0 or Pico Genie Impact 3.0
And if you still can’t decide and just want every possible feature in one small box then the Pico Genie M550 Plus is the obvious ultra portable choice in this range with powerful speakers, short throw, a 3 hour battery and high brightness at 650 lumens. The M550 was also Techadvisor's 'Best Portable Projector 2019'
(UPDATE 2020): Replaced by Pico Genie M550 Plus 2.0
Finally for those of you who prefer raw power over the convenience of a built in battery we have the Vivitek Qumi Q8. The Q8 dominates in the brightness category delivering 1000 ANSI lumens (6000 marketing lumens) in Full HD! Couple this image quality with the portability and you have a true pocket cinema.
See Table Below for full comparison of all the key features of the Pico Genie Periscope/Plus, the Vivitek Qumi Q38 , the PIQS TT, the Pico Genie M550 Plus and the Vivitek Qumi Q8.
| Feature | Pico Genie Periscope/Plus | Vivitek Qumi Q38 | PIQS TT | Pico Genie M550 | Vivtek Qumi Q8 |
| Price (inc vat) | From £199.99 | £510 | £359.99 | £599 | £834 |
| ANSI Lumens | 200 | 600 | 400 | 650 | 1000 |
| Marketing Lumens | 1200 | 3000 | 2400 | 3900 | 6000 |
| Battery (mains/rechargeable) | 3 hours | 2 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours | mains |
| Resolution | HD 720p | Full HD 1080p | HD 720p | HD 720p | Full HD 1080p |
| DLP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Type | LED | LED | LED | LED | LED |
| Short Throw (larger image) | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Android | Yes v5.1/6.0 | Yes v6.0 | Yes v4.4 | Yes v4.4 | No |
| Netflix, YouTube, iPlayer etc Apps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Keyboard / Mouse | No | No | No/Yes | Yes | No |
| Remote control type | Standard | Standard | Interactive Laser Remote | Advanced Radio Remote | Standard |
| Keystone correction | Yes | Yes | Auto Focus Auto Keystone | Yes | Yes |
| Wifi, Wireless, Mirroring | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| LED | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MS Office Apps / PDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | 3w Deep Base | 2w | 1.5w | 3w | 2w |
We have also got handy buyer's guides for the Top 5 Best Business projectors of 2019 and the Top 5 Best Home Cinema Projectors for 2019 so all your projector needs are covered.
