Mini Projectors: How to Choose the Best Model

There are many reasons why a projector may be a better choice than a Smart TV. If it is also a portable projector you have the advantage of being able to take it wherever you go comfortably. So, let’s talk about portable mini projectors and why you should consider getting one before a TV.

The advantages of a mini projector

mini-projector
When you think of enjoying a good movie or series it is normal that the first thing that comes to mind is a large television. Because the experience offered by a large diagonal screen is always better than what you can find on a smartphone, tablet and even PC. Even so, there are reasons why some people decide not to opt for a large Smart TV.

The main problem is a simple matter of space. If you live in a small apartment or it is for your room, having a 55, 65 or 75-inch TV in the middle or even hanging on the wall can be overwhelming. So, in these cases, if you don’t want to give up a generous screen to watch your favorite movies and series, a portable projector can be a very good idea .

Projectors in general and mini portable projectors in particular offer that advantage of being able to enjoy diagonals of up to 100 inches. Always depending on the size of the wall, room and whether it is a long throw or short throw projector. The latter means that if it is short throw, you can have it attached to the wall and get a large projection. If not, you will need to claim it and that also affects the brightness of the lamp.

Therefore and in summary, a portable projector offers the following advantages:

  • Big screen for when you want to watch content like movies or movies
  • It takes up little space at home
  • To project you only need a smooth wall, preferably white or light gray (you can also use the ceiling)
  • Models with integrated battery make it easy to use anywhere

Well, if you have been interested in the idea and want to know what you have to consider when choosing portable projector, read on.

What to consider when choosing mini projector?

Knowing the advantages of mini projectors, when choosing the ideal model you must take into account some technical aspects that make differences in such important issues as image quality and price. So, when you choose a model you will not take surprises or think that you have spent your money badly. The three keys when choosing portable mini projector are:

Image quality

There are projectors capable of delivering images at 4K resolution and with a sufficient brightness level to support the HDR content that many platforms already offer. The problem is that they are usually products of considerable dimensions and a fairly important price as well.

Therefore, when you look for a portable projector and see prices that normally range between 150 and 300 euros you should know that there will be commitments. In terms of image quality, the two most important affect resolution and brightness .

Most portable mini projectors offer a resolution between 480p and 720p . It may seem little, especially when we talk about 70 or 80-inch screens, but if you have a visiting distance of about two meters it is more than enough.

As for the brightness, these lamps do not have so much power, so you will have to reduce the light in the room as much as you can. Therefore, at night or with the blinds down is when you will enjoy it the most. Although, this is applicable to virtually any device for watching movies and series.

Connectivity

Having an HDMI input and headphone output , Bluetooth would be ideal, are essential things. As a rule it is usually met in the vast majority, so you will not have problems.

Then, depending on the model, you can find some that include an Android-based operating system or support for technologies such as Miracast, which allow you to send content wirelessly from the smartphone to it. Which can be interesting, although a bad one you connect a Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV Stick and resolved.

On the rest of possible connections that it may have, it will depend on your needs, but in theory it is enough with what we have mentioned before.

Image projection control

The image projected by one of these devices is rarely displayed perfectly. There is always a bit of deformation. Therefore, having options to correct both vertical and horizontal inclination helps a lot. It is true that they are not have it you can manage in other ways, but it never hurts.

Lamp life

The lamp of a projector is its most delicate element . Regarding a television, the useful life is usually shorter, although the advances in light technology already allow projectors whose projection systems offer a good number of hours. So, look carefully at the lamp hours data to ensure the longest life possible. Likewise, it is important that you know that a projector is not to have it on all day like a television.

Sound, drums and other extras

The other sections such as integrated speakers, battery and other extras add value, but they should not be decisive compared to the previous ones. Because sound systems, with the exception of some models, offer a power of 1 or 2 W, too low to listen well to a movie or series.

The battery theme is interesting if you intend to take it with you , for example, camping. Although again, if it does not offer enough autonomy, a battery of a couple of hours would be little to see many of the current films.

A great TV replacement for small spaces

With all of the above, choosing a mini projector should now be much simpler. Basically, what you should know is that the resolution, despite not being 1080p, is enough to see quality content and in a large diagonal. Of course, the space or room the darker the better, due to the limitation of the light output.

Finally, having an HDMI connection to connect any video source and headphone output or bluetooth connection to pair a wireless headset and have a better listening experience helps a lot.

Without a doubt, if you have space problems or are not interested in having a large diagonal TV always visible, mini projectors are a great option. And if you travel a lot, too.