The mini projectors category includes the latest projector technology used in ultra-portable projectors, mobile presentations, and smart phone device integration. See below for a list of mini projector reviews and information pages. Mini Projectors weigh anywhere from 1.5 lbs. to 4.5 lbs., and are a great solution for on-the-go presentations, and personal media enjoyment. Mini projectors are the size class of portable projectors in which models typically weigh around 1-2 lbs. and are approximately the size of a paperback book. Mini projectors are commonly lumped in with “pocket projectors” and “pico projectors,” though they are a distinct breed. If in looking for “mini projectors” you’re actually really thinking of the very smallest of projectors that way about a half a pound or less, read up on pico projectors. The term mini projector appears to be fading from use, with today’s popular “pico projector” supplanting it. For our purposes, therefore, mini projectors will not incude the really small picos, but only these larger, beefier projectors with a lot more lumens. When they emerged on the market, mini projectors basically referred to the smallest projectors at the time. Mini projector brands: 3M, LG, Samsung, Epson. Article on Mini Projectors: The 2010 Pico Projector and Pocket Projector Report Mini Projector Reviews Acer C200 Pico Projector Review – Travel-Sized and LED The Acer C200 is a DLP projector with an LED light engine and small stature. This tiny pico projecto…Read More August 20, 2018 AAXA P300 NEO Pico Projector Review – Pocket Sized Fun The AAXA P300 Neo is a tiny, portable projector with an LED light engine, as is typical of pico and…Read More August 16, 2018 Acer K138ST Projector Review – A Pocket Sized Gaming Machine The Acer K138ST is a pocket projector designed for gaming. Its portable nature makes it highly appro…Read More December 15, 2017 AAXA M6 Projector Review – 1080p Pocket Sized and LED! AAXA M6 Pocket LED Projector The AAXA M6 is a bright, single chip DLP pocket-class projector with LE…Read More August 16, 2017 The Optoma ML750ST LED Projector Review – Part 1 The Optoma ML750ST, reviewed here, is a tiny, portable, short throw LED projector. The question we’r…Read More September 26, 2016 AAXA P700 HD Pocket LED Projector Review AAXA P700 – An affordable WXGA resolution, 650 lumen Pocket LED Projector – With built in battery!…Read More December 4, 2015 Millennials and Projectors: The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 730HD This is a quick write-up of the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 730HD as part of our “Millennials and Pr…Read More November 8, 2015 The Optoma ML750 LED Projector – Review Part 1 The Optoma ML750 reviewed here, is a tiny portable LED projector. Is the ML750 ideal for cord cuttin…Read More November 6, 2015 LG Minibeam PH300 Projector Review The LG Minibeam PH300 is a LED powered single chip DLP pico-class projector. It claims at a respecta…Read More July 23, 2015 NEC NP-L102W Projector Review The NEC NP-L102W is a nicely compact LED projector with WXGA resolution (1280×800) primarily suitabl…Read More September 5, 2014 Mini Projector Reviews REVIEWS Image Review Acer C200 Pico Projector Review – Travel-Sized and LED Review Date: August 20, 2018 MSRP:$199.99 Technology: DLP AAXA P300 NEO Pico Projector Review – Pocket Sized Fun Review Date: August 16, 2018 MSRP:294.99 Technology: DLP Acer K138ST Projector Review – A Pocket Sized Gaming Machine Review Date: December 15, 2017 MSRP:$599 Technology: DLP AAXA M6 Projector Review – 1080p Pocket Sized and LED! Review Date: August 16, 2017 MSRP:$599 Technology: LED The Optoma ML750ST LED Projector Review – Part 1 Review Date: September 26, 2016 MSRP:549 Technology: DLP AAXA P700 HD Pocket LED Projector Review Review Date: December 4, 2015 MSRP:449 Technology: DLP Millennials and Projectors: The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 730HD Review Date: November 8, 2015 MSRP:649 Technology: 3LCD The Optoma ML750 LED Projector – Review Part 1 Review Date: November 6, 2015 MSRP:1099 Technology: DLP LG Minibeam PH300 Projector Review Review Date: July 23, 2015 MSRP:$449.99 Technology: DLP NEC NP-L102W Projector Review Review Date: September 5, 2014 MSRP:1099 Technology: DLP HB Opto HBP503D Pocket Projector Review Review Date: June 2, 2013 MSRP:600 Technology: DLP AAXA P4X Projector Review Review Date: September 18, 2012 MSRP:349 Technology: DLP Acer K11 DLP Pico Projector Review Review Date: July 22, 2011 MSRP:379 Technology: DLP Pico Projector Review – Optoma Neo-i DV20a Projector Review Date: March 1, 2011 MSRP:449 Technology: DLP Pico Projector Review – AAXA P1 Jr. Pico Projector with LED Lightsource Review Date: October 22, 2010 MSRP:119 Technology: DLP Optoma PK201 LED Pico Projector Review Review Date: September 28, 2010 MSRP:299 Technology: DLP LED Projector Review – 3M MPro150 Pico Projector Review Date: September 23, 2010 MSRP:350 Technology: DLP Optoma PK301 LED Projector Review Review Date: September 2, 2010 MSRP:399 Technology: DLP AAXA L1 Pico Projector Review Review Date: August 23, 2010 MSRP:599 Technology: DLP LED Projector Review – Aiptek V10 PLUS Pico Projector Review Date: July 19, 2009 MSRP:349 Technology: LCoS LED Projector Review – 3M MPro110 Pico Projector Review Date: July 11, 2009 MSRP:359 Technology: LCoS Projector BenQ GP1 Joybee LED Projector Review Review Date: July 2, 2009 MSRP:499 Technology: DLP LED Projector Review – Optoma PK101 Pico Projector Review Date: May 8, 2009 MSRP:399 Technology: DLP Boxlight BumbleBee LED/DLP, Palm Portable, Pocket Projector Review – Overview Review Date: July 8, 2007 MSRP:899 Technology: DLP Mitsubishi PK20 LED, Palm-Sized. Portable, Pocket Projector Review – Overview Review Date: June 6, 2007 MSRP:899 Technology: DLP Dell 3400MP DLP Micro Portable Projector Review – Overview Review Date: May 26, 2007 MSRP:1099 Technology: DLP Optoma ML300 Projector Review Review Date: January 1, 2007 MSRP:899 Technology: DLP About Mini ProjectorsMini projectors are now often called pocket projectors, which are also sometimes included with pico projectors and weighing around a pound or two. While they are no longer the most portable of projectors, the features and performance of mini projectors continue to outshine their smaller competition on average. Right, the original mini projector, the Optoma PK20. Over the past couple of years, we have seen increased feature sets, higher performance, and smaller size in the world of mini projectors, as well as of the similar pocket and pico projectors. Click Image to EnlargePico projectors are supposed to be the very smallest of projectors, though lately everyone seems to include mini projectors and pocket projectors (a step up in size) in the pico conversation. Thus, pico has become a big buzz term that encompasses these mini projectors despite their larger size and higher performance. What both classes consistently have in common, however, is that they all use LED light sources. Mini projectors were originally battery powered, though as they became brighter with each subsequent generation, manufacturers gave up on internal battery supplies. However, due to demand, we may yet see a newer mini projector with a battery pack in it, though this would make the projector itself a lot heavier. We are more likely to see a mini projector with an external battery pack to run off of both external AC power and battery. Those original mini projectors with internal battery packs typically offered 50 lumens or less. As of today (the beginning of 2011), mini projectors typically range from about 100-300 lumens. As of the CES show in January 2011, we’re even seeing the first 300+ lumen mini projectors! The original successful mini projector, the Mitsubishi PK20 (shown below), dates back to about 2006. Initially it was used in the church market for missionary work. Missionaries would travel from village to village in underdeveloped countries, so, because they were never sure if they would have a power source for their presentations, they required battery powered projectors. So we’ve seen some changes. Most mini projectors today are now sporting 100+ lumens, therefore requiring AC power. But then again, they then also have the capability of doing small group presentations of rather reasonable quality, which the smaller, dimmer pico projectors can’t yet claim. Let’s take a look at some of the significant features of mini projectors. Highlights, specifications and features Very small and portable – around the size of a paperback book (dimensions will vary) Price: $400-$800 Brightness: 100-300+ lumens Offering up to WXGA resolution LED light source boasts ridiculously long life One year warranty or less is standard AC power, though battery power may re-emerge Many feature built-in multimedia players An excellent example of new features appearing on mini projectors is LG’s HW300T projector, which can wireless stream content from your PC or the internet. We expect the development and expansion of more great features such as this to appear in future mini projector models. Check out our 2010 mini/pico/pocket projector report for more in-depth analysis, comparisons and reviews of specific models: A Guide To Pico Projectors
