The best portable projectors make the most sacred forms of entertainment better. Backyard movie night feels more like a trip to the cinema, except you can pause for a bathroom break whenever you want. The big game can be truly humongous without a $3,000 new TV. And video games are simply way more fun and shareable when they’re blown up on the wall instead of confined to a handheld screen.
The best part is that portable projectors can shine in any and all of those roles at a moment’s notice, moving from room to room or from indoors to out. They might not have the technical specs of a dedicated home theater setup, but they don’t carry as big a price tag either. I’ll take that versatility (and the savings) any day.
But what makes a projector portable? And at what point are the category’s sacrifices compared to high-powered projectors too steep to accept? I tested nine different options and landed on two that nail this niche subset’s strengths.
Soundcore by Anker Nebula P1 Portable Projector
Best portable projector
