Best Pico Projectors of 2019
Steve Scott
Updated on
Well, the future is definitely here! Who would have thought, just a couple of years ago that we would have projectors so small they could fit in your pocket, or that you could carry with you in your bag.
It’s like in one of those movies about shrinking. 
You must pay attention not to step on it and destroy it. Or to mistake it for a can of beer, as you could with Anker Nebula Capsule.
But, as any technology advances, so did the pico projectors. Now they offer you a lot more (besides portability) in terms of size, brightness or features. With a Pico projector you can take your videos and photos anywhere you go and have them ready for display.
By the endo this guide you'll have a better grasp on pico projectors, and which ones would suit you best.
Best Pico Projectors - Our Top Picks
1. Best Overall - Anker Nebula Capsule
Specifications
- Size: 4.72 inch (height), 2.67 inch (diameter)
- Weight: 14.8 oz
Key Features
- Beautiful display
- 360-degree speakers
- Android 7.1 system
- Four-hour battery life
- Wide range of connectivity and inputs
- 100 inches wide display
- Wide variety of features
PROS
CONS
Anker Nebula Capsule Review
Anker is a reputable company when it comes to manufacturing different smart devices. And it’s no different with Nebula Capsule Smart portable projector.
This model boasts with generous picture clarity and contrast. It displays 100-lumen images, which can be achieved on screens up to a 100 inches wide.
Nebula Capsule runs on the Android 7.1 system, so you’re good to go if you have your smartphone at hand. Providing you have internet access, you can start streaming video from any platform (such as YouTube or Netflix) anywhere you’d like.
But, even if you find yourself not having an internet connection available you can display files from your phones locally.
360-degree Multi-directional speakers
Although this model resembles a beer can in size and weight, it does come with a bunch of amazing features. It has a 360-degree speaker able to transfer sound in all directions.
This model will make you forget about ever wanting external speakers. In fact, you can hook up your music via Bluetooth and start blasting your favorite songs.
When it comes to battery life, people at Anker claim it can last up to four hours in video viewing mode, or thirty hours when listening to music. All in all, enough time to watch a good movie, or to enjoy some beautiful music!
See Related : Best Bluetooth Projectors2. Best Wireless - LG PH550
Specifications
- Size: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1.7 inches
- Weight: 1.43 lbs
Key Features
- HD Resolution 1280 x 720
- Wireless Connection
- Bluetooth Sound Out
- Battery life up to 2.5 hours
- TV tuner
- 30,000 hour LED
PROS
CONS
LG PH550 Review
Okay, so we’ve mentioned that pico projectors are so small they can fit into your pocket. Well, almost always.
LG PH550 is a bit on the bulkier side with 6.9 x 4.3 x 1.7 inches in size and 1.4 pounds in weight. Still, compared to other standard projectors, it is extremely easy to carry with you.
Not only that, but it makes the most out of its size. With it you get standard input options like HDMI and USB, but also Bluetooth audio output and coaxial connector if you wanna hook up some antenna.
Remotely Control the Whole Projector
It uses a remote pretty much similar to the ones for TV sets, which makes it much easier to go through the menu and adjust the settings. Even better, you can control PH550 from a distance, without ever having to get up.
With a high def resolution of 1280 x 720 and a contrast ratio of 100.000:1, it is bound to get a clear, defined image as the end result.
All in all, this model performs quite consistently, even compared to some more expensive LED-based projectors. Honestly, the brightness isn’t as high as in those models, but the color accuracy and image clarity are top-notch.
And with a battery life of 2.5 hours it can compete with many other models.
The only downside of this model is the lack of microSD connectivity.
It seems a little strange, especially if we look at all other connectivity options available. Want to learn more about the best wireless projectors? Check out our comprehensive guide!
3. Best Color - AAXA Technologies P300
Specifications
- Size: 5.9 x 3.8 x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 15.5 oz
Key Features
- 20,000 hours of LED life
- Battery life up to one hour
- Built-in speakers
- 4:3 and 16:9 ratio
- MicroSD and USB reader with HDMI and VGA input
- Compatible with Apple and PC
- Up to 120 inches wide display
PROS
CONS
AAXA Technologies P300 Review
AAXA P300 is both a favorite among the critics and the users. And rightfully so, since it has a brightness of 500 lumens and an image 120 inches wide, making it easy for you to pitch them from almost any distance.
It manages to achieve a quite exceptional color accuracy due to using Vibrant Color technology. This, in turn, helps the projector get the most out of the colors and reproduce almost all of them.
One fantastic feature is an astonishing 20.000 hour LED life. All due to the fact that it has a rechargeable Li-ion battery, and it allows you to turn on the projector even if you’re not hooked onto the power supply.
Various Connectivity Options
Another reason why this projector is popular among the critics is a wide range of connectivity options available. HDMI, VGA, USB 2.0, micro SD and Composite A/V, all packed in tiny 0.97lbs.
If we were to pick any downsides, it would be one-hour battery life. Although you can’t expect much more, the competition tends to offer a better deal when it comes to this.
4. Best Budget - RIF6 CUBE
Specifications
- Size: 8 x 8 x 2.5 inches
- Weight: 5.6 oz
Key Features
- 90 minutes back up battery life
- 120 inches wide projection
- Default resolution at 854 x 480
- Remote control
PROS
CONS
RIF6 CUBE Review
RIF6 CUBE is as compact and solid as it gets. As the name implies, it is shaped like a cube, and very small and light.
But even with such a tiny size it offers some great features. It found its use in presentations since it can turn your smartphone screen into 120 inches or display.
You can stream from a mobile device or connect it via HDMI or MicroSD card. But, it doesn’t offer Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, making this one of the significant drawbacks.
Battery life is nothing more than okay, with up to 90 minutes of working time. Which is not that bad for a product so small that weighs only 0.3lbs.
Use it in a Dark Room
This device is light sensitive, so you should try to darken the room when you use it. Its brightness is at 50 lumens and it can yield a clear image at 854 x 480 resolution.
So, the critics might argue that the image quality isn’t quite up there, but for such a price, you wouldn’t expect it to be. Read on if you want to know about some of the best cheap projectors.
5. Best High End - Sony MP-CD1
Specifications
- Size: 2.2 x 4.5 x 8.5 inches
- Weight: 9.9 oz
Key Features
- Brightness: 105 lumens
- Contrast: 400:1
- Resolution: 854x480
- Native Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (WVGA)
- Lamp life: 50000 hours
PROS
CONS
Sony MP-CD1 Review
Right out of the box, the first thing that grabs your attention is how well this model is built. The minimalist design, matte black finish, and a 2.2 x 4.5 x 8.5 inches package leave nothing to be desired when it comes to build quality.
When considering overall performance, this model has a 105-lumen lamp which leaves enough space to enjoy an excellent projection in any darker room or outside in the night time.
MP-CD1 works as a short-throw projector, which casts a 40-inch display when you position it just three feet away or a 120-inch image when nine to ten feet away. Check out this in-depth guide on the best short-throw projectors.
With this model, you get four ports. A USB-C for charging the device or plugging it in, a USB out, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm jack for attaching your headphones or an additional set of speakers.
Outstanding Battery
The great thing about MP-CD1 is its battery, which has 5000mAh. Even for a high-end model, this is really admirable.
So if you find yourself not having to use all that battery power, you can always turn your projector into a power bank and use it to charge your smartphone.
We know it’s not a reason to buy a projector, but it is a cool feature, you must admit!
There are, however, a couple of flaws. The first one being the battery life since you can get only about two hours of video time from a fully loaded battery.
To be fair, it is enough for most activities, but not great if you plan to use it for an extended period, like streaming TV shows.
As far as the speakers go, even though you get the built-in ones, you might want to look elsewhere. The sound quality is really sub-par and will definitely leave you wanting more, so you’ll have to get a set of external speakers.
6. Best for Business Presentations - Magnasonic PP60 LED
Specifications
- Size: 3.9 x 3.0 x 0.5 inches
- Weight: 0.28 lbs
Key Features
- Light Source: LED (RGB)
- 20,000 hours lamp life
- Projection Image Size: 10 to 60 inches
- Contrast ratio: 1100:1
- Resolution ratio: 640 x 360
- Battery life: more than 2 Hours
PROS
CONS
Magnasonic PP60 LED Review
Magnasonic PP60 is one of those models that is bound to hook you not only with its price but also performances. Even though it comes a bit cheaper, it doesn’t lack in visual quality, mostly because the DLP projection technology it uses.
It has a 640 x 360 native and can resolution and can go to 1080p. However, if you want to play Full HD videos you might notice it is lagging.
For a brightness of 25 lumens, you might want to make sure to play it in entirely dark surroundings. Without darkness you won’t be able to get clarity and sharp details.
It Provides a Great Contrast Balance
With 1100:1 contrast ratio you are bound to get a satisfying balance between brighter and darker tones. All in all, the color support provides a decent color accuracy that more expensive models wouldn’t be ashamed of.
At 60 inches of maximum projection size, you won’t get that big of a display. But, for office and business presentations, it has proven to be more than enough.
The reason why this Pico is considered to be one of the finest in this price range is the fact has 20000 hours of LED lamp life. Paired with a 2100mAh, 2-hour battery it makes this model a bargain.
Pico Projectors – Buying Guide
What are Pico Projectors?
Pico projectors are, simply put, small or mini projectors that are really lightweight and easy to carry around. Their portability is one of the main features why these projectors are popular on the market.
You can easily fit them inside your pocket or at the palm of your hand. Therefore, you can display presentations or your desired content wherever you are.
Pico projectors have a variety of built-in features that bigger projectors don’t necessarily come with. In most cases, connecting a pico projector to a mobile device, or through Bluetooth, USB port or wireless connection will be a breeze.
Replacing the Large Projectors
More and more pico projectors tend to replace bulky and large projectors, seeing that they are more efficient and affordable. Combined with the ease of use, it’s no wonder they’ve become a customers’ top choice.
There are many different uses for pico projectors. They can be used to watch videos on a big screen or flat surface.
You could use one to host gaming events with your friends or to showcase your photos or other documents of value.
These mini projectors are in high demand lately because people find them extremely convenient. Especially for those who tend to travel a lot, allowing them to carry it around whenever they wish.
Why Should You Get a Pico Projector?
As mentioned above, pico projectors are incredibly lightweight and easy to carry around. That makes them an excellent choice for an outside movie projection in your backyard because you wouldn’t want to carry a large LED projector outside with you.
Learn more about the best outdoor projectors from our comprehensive guide.
Mini projectors also found great use in classrooms.Teachers can, if there aren’t any other projectors available, use a pico projector and stream a lecture or an informational video from any platform.
All you need to do is connect your phone to the internet and project the screen to the projector.
These projectors also come in handy in offices or business-related occasions. At any time, you can show a presentation to your boss or colleagues by merely connecting a pico projector to your device.
Advantages Of Pico Projectors
Pico projectors have a wide variety of benefits, which is why they’re becoming more and more popular.
They come with ultra-bright lumen light which is responsible for the vibrant colors they provide.
As you’ve noticed many times across this guide, they are really portable and easy to move around. The best pico projector feature is that you can easily connect it with almost any device, like an iPad, smartphone or tablet.
Pico projectors are usually easily rechargeable, in most cases by using a USB cable. They come with built-in speakers, meaning you don’t have to get a separate set of speakers.
Most of the good pico models offer a wide range of connectivity options such as micro SD, Bluetooth, wireless, USB, mini HDMI, and AV inputs.Some of them come with AUX Audio out, and you can use a USB port to share personal media.
Downsides of Pico Projectors
Even with all those benefits listed above, they do come with a set of drawbacks. But, this is only natural for any type of device.
If we were to say what the biggest flaw is, it’s the fact that they display pictures only on a white surface. Naturally, you can present content on any other surface, but it won’t be accurate.
Another drawback is that PCs and laptops have a much better and higher resolution. This means that when you use those to display something, but on a low resolution, some details will be lost in the process.
But, all in all, new pico projector models come with high definition viewing and have a good image contrast and sharpness.
Common Pico Projector Features
Here are some of the most common pico projector features to help you distinguish them from the rest:
Battery Life
For such portable devices, battery life is one of the more critical functions. You don’t want to have to constantly charge your device when watching a game or going on a Netflix binge.
So, battery capacity is crucial to keep in mind when buying a pico projector. Luckily, new models come with batteries that can be used for more than three hours, non-stop.
Other models usually can go for about two hours or less.
The best thing about these batteries is that they are rechargeable and built-in, and can be quickly recharged by using a USB.
Weight and Size
Weight is another important feature since you’ll probably carry the projector around quite a bit. Pico projectors usually weigh between 5 to 20 oz.
They can be lighter than that, but in those cases they don’t have an internal battery included. Keep in mind, the lighter the projector, the easier it will be to take it everywhere with you.
As for the size, they are usually a few inches at most, to keep them handy and convenient.
Set-Up
The ease of use and set up is another factor to consider. If you’re not that tech-savvy, you should consider getting a projector that you need to plug in with a USB and you’re ready to go.
Otherwise, some models require a bit of time and patience, which can be a bit discouraging for a beginner.
Resolution
The resolution is something that is not completely dependant on the pico projector. To get a high-resolution picture, not only will the projector have to be able to handle it, but also the device that you use for screening.
Inputs
Projectors can get a signal from many different sources, like computers, laptops, smartphones and many more. So, the more inputs a projector has, the more choice it gives you.
Many advanced projectors have connectors for iPhones and iPods, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and HDMI. On the other hand, some come with only a USB connection, which is used both for charging and data sharing.
Image Quality
Image quality will usually be measured in lumens, which refers to the brightness of an image. How many lumens you’ll need depends on how you plan to use a projector.
If you want to use it at home or in some dark room, you’ll need fewer lumens than if you're going to use it in an office environment with lots of light around you.
In Conclusion
It’s safe to say that mini, portable projectors are a thing of the future. Chances are that many people will abandon the big, robust projectors in favor of the more compact and convenient ones.
And why not, seeing the benefits they bring along? Your only worry after getting one, since they’re so small, will be not to lose it somewhere.
My name is Steve Scott. Father of 2 and owner of Outdoor Movie HQ. I’ve been involved in the A/V industry for most of my life and built this blog to help people better understand projector technology. Please leave a comment if you have any questions.