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Portable projectors are finally good enough to replace a television.
For years, portable projectors were mostly dim plastic boxes that only worked well in a pitch-black room. That has changed. Today’s models come with laser light, built-in batteries, and smart TV features, even at reasonable prices.
Here are three projectors that consistently ranked among the top recommendations, but each is designed for a different type of buyer.
1. XGIMI MoGo 4: Best Overall Pick
Price: $499
The XGIMI MoGo 4 offers reliable performance without charging a premium price. It costs less than most rivals while still including a built-in battery, Google TV, and powerful stereo speakers.
Key specs:
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD
- Brightness: 450 ISO lumens (LED light source)
- Battery: Built-in, up to 2.5 hours of video or 6 hours of music per charge
- Weight: 2.9 pounds, about the size of a large coffee thermos
- Smart platform: Google TV, with Netflix built in
- Sound: Dual 6-watt Harman Kardon speakers
- Screen size: 40 to 200 inches, though 60 to 120 inches looks best
At 450 lumens, the MoGo 4 needs a dark or dim room to look its best, so it is not built for a sunlit backyard party. For movie nights after dark, camping trips, or dorm rooms, the picture stays clear and sharp.
2. Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser: Best Picture Quality in a Pocket-Sized Body
Price: $599.99
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser earns its spot on this list because Anker fit a laser light source into a body barely bigger than a soda can. Laser engines generally produce richer colors and deeper contrast than the LED lights used in most similarly sized projectors, and reviewers consistently point to this as the sharpest picture available in a projector this small.
Key specs:
- Resolution: 1080p (1920 x 1080)
- Brightness: 300 ANSI lumens (laser light source)
- Battery: Built-in 52Wh battery, up to 2.5 hours of video or 8 hours of music
- Weight: About 2 pounds
- Smart platform: Google TV, with officially licensed Netflix
- Sound: 8-watt Dolby Digital speaker
- Screen size: Up to 120 inches
It costs more than the MoGo 4 for a similar brightness rating, and the laser engine is the main reason for that. It suits buyers who care more about color accuracy and contrast than about getting the lowest possible price.
3. Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen: Best Value and Easiest Setup
Price: $799
Freestyle 2nd Gen is the best value in portable projectors, and the design explains why. The cylindrical body tilts a full 180 degrees and automatically levels and squares its picture on almost any surface, including ceilings and uneven walls. It also runs Samsung’s own smart TV software with a built-in cloud gaming hub, so no separate streaming stick is needed.
Key specs:
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD
- Brightness: 230 ANSI lumens (LED light source)
- Battery: None built in. An optional Battery Base accessory, about $190, adds roughly 3 hours of cordless runtime.
- Weight: 1.8 pounds
- Smart platform: Samsung Smart TV interface with Gaming Hub, plus Alexa, Google Assistant, and Bixby support
- Sound: Built-in 360-degree speaker
- Screen size: Up to about 100 inches
Unlike the other two projectors here, it has no built-in battery. It works best as a projector you plug in and place, not a fully cordless one, unless the battery base is bought separately. Samsung also just released a pricier Freestyle+ model at $1,199 with nearly double the brightness, but the 2nd Gen remains the better buy for most people.
How to Choose Between Them
- Want the best all-around deal? Get the XGIMI MoGo 4.
- Want the sharpest picture in the smallest body? Get the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser.
- Want the easiest setup and the most flexible placement? Get the Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen.
All three need a dim or dark room to look their best, since none of them are bright enough to compete with direct sunlight. Within that limit, each one delivers a genuinely big, sharp picture for a fraction of the price and size of a traditional home theater setup.
