The Best Projectors For Phones
Portable and powerful, our phones are excellent devices for watching videos. Sadly, their screens are just too small to share. The solution is a projector that's compatible with smartphones, so you can just plug right in and share the screen with as many people as you please. We wanted to find the best such projectors, so we decided to whittle down the options. In our search for the best, we focused on three main questions: Is it convenient and easy to connect to? Is the image quality bright and beautiful? Is the price fair? Our favorite was the AuKing Mini Projector, which produced an amazingly bright and clear image from such a small and compact little unit. It was also compatible with a whole slew of devices, but you'll have to plug it in with a direct connection. That's why we also recommend the TopVision portable video projector since it can connect over WiFI for true wireless connectivity. There's a lot to consider, so let's dive right in to our in-depth reviews of the best projectors for phones.
AuKing Mini Projector
Presentation king
AuKing’s mini projector offers rich colors in a 1080p resolution for you to show off your favorite movies, pictures, or presentations at any gathering, all from your phone. With a 2000:1 contrast ratio, deep darks and bright whites will help provide additional clarity on your screen, preventing washed-out images that make it hard to tell what you’re watching. It’s capable of projecting up to a 170-inch viewable space, making it perfect for even larger group viewing experiences when needed, and it has a long-lasting bulb that can run for up to 55,000 hours. For a versatile phone projector with fantastic display capabilities and a long life, the AuKing mini projector reigns supreme.
Pros:
- Usually, projectors in this low price range have sub-par image quality, but this one is surprisingly bright and beautiful.
- The LED bulb’s long life means you won’t have to hunt for expensive replacements.
- We were impressed by the power-up time. Unlike halogen-bulb projectors, this one is ready to go in less than 10 seconds.
Cons:
- You will need an HDMI adapter to connect to your phone, though these are generally inexpensive.
Fangor Portable LCD Projector
Awesome angles
While many projectors are limited to simply tilting up and down while laying on a flat surface, the Fangor portable LCD projector defies this constraint. With the tripod mount that’s included in the package, this projector gives you flexibility in pointing it in the perfect position for optimal viewing angles. It supports 1080p resolution and has a massive 4000:1 contrast ratio that offers deep blacks and bright whites. Fangor’s portable LCD projector ensures you’ll have a fantastic viewing experience, no matter where you are.
Pros:
- This is the perfect projector to take on family vacations since it’s small, compact, and only weighs 2.3 pounds.
- If you place the protector far away from the screen, you can project an image as large as 200 inches in size.
- You can use Bluetooth to connect to speakers for a truly immersive experience.
Cons:
- If you have an iPhone, you may need to buy a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter for a direct connection.
Elephas iPhone Mini Projector
iPhone integration
Elephas’ mini projector for iPhones is a high-definition projector with built-in wireless support, allowing you to project directly from your phone’s screen without needing additional cables or adapters. With its powerful lens, this projector’s capable of displaying in 1080p resolution on up to a 200” screen. It has built-in speakers to provide quality audio as you play movies or music on the screen and has noise reduction technology to limit distracting outside noise. With Elephas’ mini projector, you’ll have the ability to easily share movies and pictures with others straight from your iPhone at your next gathering.
Pros:
- With Screen Mirroring over Wifi, you can connect compatible devices wirelessly to project your iPhone or iPad screen.
- If you prioritize brightness, this is a great option. The room doesn’t have to be completely dark to enjoy a colorful, visible image.
- We were relieved to find a projector with simple, clear instructions. Setup is a breeze, even on the fly.
Cons:
- If you don’t want to go through the process of connecting via screen mirroring, you may need to buy a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter for a direct connection.
Top Vision WiFi Projector
The wifi wonder
With Top Vision’s WiFi projector, you’ll never be in a jam because you’re missing an adaptor for your phone. With its strong, stable WiFi technology, connecting to this projector with your phone is an absolute breeze. It’s capable of presenting on up to a 240” screen, with wide-screen capability for movies that support those dimensions. On high brightness, this projector can produce up to a whopping 6,500 lumens, ensuring clear presentations and movies on your screen. For a projector that can provide rich images without tying your phone down, Top Vision’s WiFi projector can’t be beat.
Pros:
- The wireless connectivity is strong, so you can stream over a slew of devices without any discernable lag.
- This is another high-value option since the price is low but the quality is high.
- You can connect streaming devices, like Amazon Fire Sticks, to turn this into a budget smart TV.
Cons:
- The speakers are high-quality but they don’t get very loud, so you may need to connect an external speaker if you have a big viewing party.
DRJ Professional Mini Projector
Power without the price
DRJ’s professional mini projector is the perfect combination of versatility, affordability, and power. It supports 1080p resolutions and is capable of producing 3,500 lumens with rich color contrast. Its four projection modes give you flexibility in how you project your movies and presentations onto your screen, whether it’s from the front, from a ceiling, or even from behind. And on top of that, this projector comes with its own screen, saving you the time and hassle of purchasing one from another store. For a great mini projector that won’t break the bank, grab a DRJ professional mini projector today.
Pros:
- We were pleasantly surprised to discover that it comes with a 100-inch screen, so this option really helps you stretch your dollar.
- The color was another surprise, with excellent contrast and strong tones.
Cons:
- It isn’t the brightest display, so the room needs to be dark for full visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between native resolution and “supported resolution”?
Native resolution is the precise number of dots that a projector can display on a screen. However, many projectors support higher resolutions by emulating these dots digitally using software enhancement. While a higher native resolution is always better than a lower one, many newer projectors are very good at supporting these higher resolutions with their digital enhancement.
What is “contrast ratio,” and what ratios are considered good?
Contrast ratio is the difference between the amount of light reflected from a white image compared to a completely black image. For example, a projector with a 1000:1 contrast ratio can project a white image that’s 3,000 times brighter than the black image it can project. Because outside light can affect the quality of a projector’s ability to produce crisp, dark images, it can be difficult to say exactly what a good contrast ratio is for every scenario, but in a dark space, a projector that can produce a contrast ratio of 2,000:1 to 5,000:1 should meet most of your needs.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.