Best Mini iPhone Projector 2020 – Buying Guide

Looking to create a home theatre experience with the best mini iPhone projector that your money can get you? Let’s take a look at what makes a mini projector for iPhone suitable in the first place, and the best offerings available for you to pick from in this buying guide.

The technology behind image projection has significantly evolved over the years, with high definition TVs becoming increasingly cheaper and larger at the same time. However, this hasn’t phased the popularity of the good old projector. The technology has been around for decades commercially through movie theatres and has found its way into homes and schools too. Portable projectors are the latest trend, allowing the ability to carry a mighty big screen in your pocket with ease of use and further powered by wireless connectivity.

If you’re out and about, but always looking for a convenient way to turn your iPhone into a full-blown media entertainment center, this buying guide for the Portable mini projectors for iPhone is just what you need in your arsenal.

Things to Look for in Mini Portable iPhone Projectors

Apart from the price tag that obviously influences your decision when looking for a portable projector with iPhone support, you need to consider other factors as well. We’ve dived off the deep end to research everything that goes into making a decent projector in the first place, and how those metrics change when you’re looking for the projector device that brings portability along with it too. Here’s everything you need to think about before you put your money on the table to get the convenience of a home cinema in your pocket with a mini mobile projector.

Contrast Ratio Matters

Apart from the brightness of the picture projected by the device, you need a high contrast ratio to balance the black and white sections of the image. The higher the contrast ratio of the portable projector, the deeper blacks, and brighter whites will be produced, which is as important, if not more than the lumens rating of the projector. The contrast ratio of around 1500:1 should be ideal for a dark room, but anything higher only means a better picture quality at the end.

Display Resolution and Pixel Density

Considering that you’re looking for a pocket projector for iPhone, you’ll always get a projected image that is much larger than the original display screen size (of course). However, going above and beyond expectations of a 4K video quality output will rip through your wallet, and might not even be feasible when projecting directly from the mobile phone in most cases.

• Native DVD resolution of 1024 x 768 should do the trick in most cases and is the basic resolution you should settle for.
• A high-definition display of 720p with a native resolution of 1280 x 720 should further improve the quality of projected image content.
• We recommend that for the best viewing experience, go for a mini iPhone projector that supports Full-HD 1920 x 1080 format of 1080p.

Positioning and Throw Distance

There are 3 major throw distance settings that most of the current generation portable and standard projectors support – throw, short-throw, and ultra-short-throw. The short-throw mini iPhone projector should be able to position the image between 3 – 8 feet across the plain, while the ultra-short throw projection should range between 0 – 4 feet distance. Additionally, some portable projectors come equipped with its very own kickstand that aids in positioning the mini projector ideally on a flat surface.

Portability and Ease of Use

Traditional projectors made for commercial use, generally require proprietary software to connect with media devices, but the same may not be feasible to use with most mobile devices. The smallest portable projectors for iPhone you can find these days, come with wireless connectivity with higher bandwidth and minimal latency that makes cordless transmission smooth. Since the entire idea behind the projector for iPhone is to make home entertainment portable, having a built-in battery is something you should look for in the one you pick.

List of 10 Best Mini iPhone Projector

The one-piece of technology that you always carry around in your smartphone, no matter where you are. Traditionally, projectors used to be clunky pieces that were either mounted to the ceiling in classrooms or placed on a mount, mostly meant for stationary use. Thanks to improved LED projection technology and downsizing of everything in the tech world, pocket mobile phone projectors are not only a reality but a common finding.

From some of the biggest names in tech such as Sony and LG to the relatively unknown ones, all of them have something worthy to offer in the mini projector space, and we’ve boiled it down to the best of the best.

Top Mini Portable iPhone projector Reviews 2020

Anker Nebula Capsule Max- Smart mini Projector

A veteran in the third-party tech gadgets market with strong roots in the mobile phone accessories space, Anker has now conquered the competition with a portable speaker that resembles the Apple HomePod that was reduced to size for portability. The Anker Nebula Capsule Max is the top model of the series of portable projectors, dedicated to mobile entertainment.

The latest and greatest DLP technology improves image clarity by a fair margin to display the native 720p HD content flawlessly, backed by 200-ANSI-Lumen that keeps the image upscaled to 100-inches. Universal compatibility, thanks to Android OS and its very own user interface skin, makes iPhone wireless connectivity a breeze, which is only made batter by the large capacity battery and powerful speakers that offer an all-in-one entertainment solution the size of a larger soda can.

DBPOWER  Mini Portable Movie Projector (Upgraded)

While it may not be backed by a large corporation brand, the DBPOWER Mini Projector has sprung up among the best mini portable projector for iPhone based on the rock-solid reviews that it has online. Upgraded recently to offer a brighter and sharper image quality, the screen size can be upscaled all the way from 32 inches – 176 inches, with a projection distance of 5 feet – 16 feet.

Offering strong connectivity options all across the board, the DBPOWER Mini Projector is sleek enough to be carried around, and yet, includes physical connectivity of all sorts. Built with a dual cooling system that aids 50,000 hours of guaranteed playtime, the only caveat of this portable projector is that it doesn’t come with a built-in battery, so you will need an external power source to operate it on the go.

LG PH550 CineBeam – Mini Bluetooth Projector

A pioneer in the world of HDTVs and imaging technology, LG also sports a range of projectors on a budget, and the LG CineBeam LED Projector is the smallest among the bunch. Built for portability, the Triple Wireless Perfection feature brings Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, which is only amplified for user experience, thanks to the Android OS it runs.

Despite the small form factor, the LG CineBeam does not hold back when it comes to the interface features for connectivity, along with a built-in battery to make sure that you’ve always got your entertainment on, even if it’s far away from a power source. With a native 720p resolution and upsizing all the way to 100 inches for a full-screen experience, carrying around the sleek and slim projector is effortless.

KODAK Luma 350 –  Mini portable Wifi Projector

Available in two variants, the KODAK Luma 350 is the more expensive of the two, and the only mini iPhone projector on the list that boasts a 4K resolution. Built with the latest and greatest DLP (Display Light Processing) technology to produce sharp and well-lit imagery, the KODAK Luma 350 is available for use with the iPhone directly through the Luma 350 app for complete and unprecedented wireless access.

You have to ability to upsize the display all the way up to 200 inches for a massive view, and apart from the Android OS that makes usability a breeze, the tiny square projector features powerful media connectivity features with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, and USB. The inclusion of a 7,500 mAh battery ensures that you get a few good hours of playback without having to plug in the device to the wall for power.

Atomicx –  Mini Wireless Movie Projector

Atomix projector is yet another one of the smallest portable projector among the list that hasn’t found popularity based on its brand, but rather the customers that have purchased it and loved the way it performed. The Atomicx is one of the few iPhone compatible projectors around that comes with its very own tripod provided in the box, which adds up to the ease of use, apart from its small form factor and pocket-friendly design.

The combination of wireless connectivity features such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi ensures that you can quickly with your smartphone, while Android 7.1 onboard ensures that you can also enjoy media entertainment apps such as Netflix, YouTube, and several others on it effortlessly. Making the most out of DLP video technology, the Atomicx Wireless Mini Projector is easy on the pocket in terms of its size, and the price as well.

VANKYO Burger 101  Best Small Projector

Aptly named based on the shape and size of this portable mobile projector, the VANKYO Burger 101 Pico Projector is designed to fit into your pocket, while making little to no compromise on the quality of video playback, supporting 1920 x 1080 Full-HD resolution. Despite the tiny size, you still get a powerful built-in battery for wire-free playback, along with a slew of on-board connectivity features that include HDMI, USB, and AUX as well, despite the built-in speakers.

The VANKYO Burger 101 comes with a tripod included, which makes it easier to manually position, especially since there isn’t a manual focus wheel built into the design. The default display resolution is the bare minimum and certainly isn’t among the best on the list, but consider the smaller size and price point, you get all the features of a premium projection device with this buy.

AKASO- Mini wireless Iphone Projector

Ever wanted a pocket projector that was every sense of the word, packed in a compact chassis and yet powerful enough to project a massive display projection of up to 100 inches. The sleek and slim chassis of the AKASO Mini Projector comes with wireless connectivity for screen mirroring with Android and iOS devices, with an ultra-short-throw or 1m – 3m distance that comes with automatic upscaling based on the content.

Despite the tiny size, this is among the mini projectors for iPhone that comes with a built-in battery of 4000 mAh to provide cord-free viewing on the go and also doubles up as a power bank for your mobile device. The 50 ANSI Lumens LED on this tiny projector surely isn’t the brightest of the bunch, but it makes up for the image quality with DLP technology, especially when you consider that it’s among the slimmest ones out there.

APEMAN NM4 –Pocket iPhone Projectors

Designed for those who want the portable projector to be as light as possible, the 200-gram APEMAN NM4 may take it easy of the weight but does not pull punches when it comes to performance. Included with the box is a tripod stand with the 360-degree rotational axis, which supports Full-HD 1080p video at a 1000:1 contrast ratio for deeper colors, which is only further enhanced, thanks to the DLP technology support.

Some of the most beloved features of this mini portable projector by APEMAN is the built-in battery, despite being a low capacity, which makes it easy to use outdoors, along with a slew of interface connectivity and wireless streaming features. However, with no onboard Android OS operating system, you will need to fetch an external Miracast dongle to wirelessly mirror content on the projector screen when using a mobile device.

Sony MP-CD1 Portable Pico Mini Projector

The Japanese tech giant has been big on the scene when it comes to projectors and display technology, and the Sony MP-CD1 is built to be a sleek marvel like no other. The device designed to resemble the dimensions and the form factor of a power bank, with its very own 5000 mAh battery embedded inside, along with built-in speaker system that can be backed by actual external speakers through Bluetooth or AUX.

The short-throw projector is backed by 105 ANSI lumens for a bright picture reproduction in dark environments and is capable of automatic Keystone correction for up to 120-inch display. Sony has partnered up with Microsoft on this one to bring their MHL dongle to you with the projector, which allows wireless mirroring of content not just from mobile devices, but directly from the computer screen as well.

ViewSonic M1+ Portable Smart Wi-Fi Projector

The last one on the list comes from ViewSonic, which is yet another mid-range tech manufacturer that has been around for decades. The M1+ Portable Smart Wi-Fi Projector is strongly marketing its surround sound experience in a tiny package, all thanks to the Harman Kardon dual speakers equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. Starting off with a rather decent 480p native projection, the display can by upsized all the way for projecting 100-inch images with the short-throw lens.

The projector comes with a built-in 4000 mAh battery that can be charged up quickly with the USB Type-C connectivity, and backed by a 3-year warranty to keep your purchase secured. The built-in Wi-Fi connectivity makes it easy to manage the incoming content, while the inclusion of basic hardware interface features such as HDMI, Micro SD card reader, and USB Type-A port makes the ViewSonic M1+ projector a worthy buy.

Final Words

Apart from the fact that projectors have been traditionally used as stationary devices, the larger large size of the lens, and the hardware that went into them, dictated for the chassis to be large and bulky. Just the way modern mobile phones become slimmer and sleeker, projectors have also adopted LED technology instead of the standard LCD that was used for decades, and this has helped minimize the footprint of the display devices, so much so that you can find portable projectors that can fit in your back pocket comfortably, and showcase a massive full-screen display as soon as you put them to the test.

A quick search online or on marketplaces such as Amazon will bring back results with dozens of mini portable projectors, thanks to the high demand. However, most of them are either falsely advertised, or just cheap Chinese junk, and buying them would be nothing short of pouring your money down the drain. We’ve done our best to only include reputed brands in this list of  Portable mini iPhone projectors, and even the ones that are fairly unknown, are backed by hundreds and thousands of 5-star reviews that vouch for the quality that the projector delivers.

Was this guide on the best mini iPhone projector useful in helping you decide the right fit for your portable entertainment system? Have we missed out in mentioning a definite buy that you’d rather choose, and feel belongs on this list too? We’re always open to suggestions, so share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and we’ll be sure to review your pick and add it if it ranks up.

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Husain Parvez

Editor at Whytheluckystiff

Sharing a love-hate relationship with Biotechnology in Uni, Husain moved on to his true calling of becoming a tech geek. While briefly being persuaded by the Apple clan, he made it back to Team Android, and has been a loyal comrade since, with a keen interest in IoT, Entertainment Tech, and Gaming.

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