Remember when the term "home projector" meant a giant reel machine that made loud sounds, smelled funny, and cost a small fortune? No, probably not, but trust us on this one. We've come a long way.
Today, a good projector can fit in your pocket and easily connect to that supercomputer called the iPhone, which also fits in your pocket. Two pockets, two great devices, total entertainment.
It's not hard to find an excellent mini projector for your iPhone, but you need to know what to look for before hitting the "buy" button. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
All about lumens: Lumens is the measure of brightness emitted by a projector. Small projectors have small bulbs, whether DLP (digital light processing) or LCD (liquid crystal display), so the lumen count will be low compared to large projectors. But if you choose too low a value, you'll have trouble seeing the image unless you're in complete darkness. The more lumens, the better.
Resolution: Even small projectors can give you relatively excellent resolution. You'll unlikely find a crystal clear 4K image in a small projector, but aim high. You can find excellent 720p resolution in even the smallest of projectors.
Connections: Since few small projectors have built-in streaming apps, they're of very little use on their own. So the connection ports are essential. Since we're talking about iPhones, you'll likely need a Lightning to HDMI or Lightning to Mini HDMI cable. As with projectors, the more methods of connecting to your iPhone, the better. The best ones will be able to connect via Bluetooth, but check to see if you also need a wired connection.
Battery life: if you're projecting from an iPhone, you probably don't want to be connected to a wall outlet. Most mini projectors run on rechargeable batteries, so check how long they can run on a full charge.
With these essential points in mind, here are seven solid choices for the best mini projectors for your iPhone:
1. Kodak Luma 350
What We Liked: The Kodak Luma 350 brings a ton to the table, even beyond the Kodak name. It's tiny (1.1 x 4.4 x 4.4 inches and barely an eighth of a pound) but has a solid 480p resolution and 150 bright lumens for small projectors. It offers a crisp, clear image that can reach a size of 150 inches and has all the necessary connections, including WiFi and Bluetooth.
What didn't we like: Ah, those WiFi and Bluetooth connections? Good luck setting them up because navigating the Luma 350's home screen takes a lot of effort. The interface experience was beyond frustrating; even then, it lost our strong WiFi signal with alarming frequency. It's a temperamental little creature.
Buy: Kodak Luma 350
2. Anker Nebula Capsule Max
Above all, we liked the sound. It's vast and immersive, especially for such a small device, and quickly fills the room. The cylindrical design is excellent. Setup is super easy, including connecting to WiFi, and the interface is simple and intuitive. The picture is lovely (if you're in a very dark room, we'll get to that later). We loved the autofocus and keystone adjustment technology that allows you to project a sharp, proportionate image at all times. The long battery life (4 hours) is excellent. It connects seamlessly to streaming sticks; we especially liked using it for gaming.
What we didn't like: If you try to use the Nebula Capsule Max in any conditions with even partial light, you will struggle. The 200-lumen bulb is bright for a mini projector. However, it still has a hard time overcoming any light source. Unless you provide a dark room, your $400 might be better spent on a giant projector with a more pungent bulb.
3. Akaso Mini Projector, portable DLP pocket projector
The LED PICO is an accurate pocket-size device but more robust. HDMI port works excellent when connected to game consoles, and USB, HDMI, AV, and MicroSD card inputs are available. Automatic keystone correction ensures an undistorted image.
What we didn't like: The control buttons are on the side of the device rather than on the top, which can cause accidental clicks when holding the device. The sound is feeble, and the battery life (announced at 2 hours) seems much shorter.
Buy: Akaso Mini Projector, portable DLP pocket projector
4. Cibest Home Theater Projector (update 2022)
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At this price point, it's almost unheard of to find a device with native 720p resolution and 1080p support. Works efficiently with streaming dongles, game consoles, and DVD and Blu-Ray players. It can project up to a 200-inch screen.
What we didn't like: Can project up to a 200-inch screen size doesn't mean it has to project up to that size; performance is much better down to less than half that size. The built-in sound is weak and narrow, and it's hard to hear over the noisy fan.
Buy: Cibest Home Theater Projector (update 2022)
5. Auking Mini Projector (Update 2022)
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What We Liked: Priced under $75 for a wide range of connections, including HDMI for iPhones and laptops (cord not included) and streaming sticks. Exceptional value for the money.
What we didn't like: Claims native 720p resolution and support for 1080p, but the picture doesn't back that up. Still, it's hard to nitpick an unspectacular but solid projector at this price point.
Buy: Auking Mini Projector (Update 2022)
