The last section of our Buyer’s Guide celebrates the best in ultra-portable projectors, combining built-in sound, smart features, and durability AND the convenience of a built-in battery. The very best in ultraportable projectors don’t need an external video source, a power cord, or external sound.
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Dangbei Freedo
Price
$549
Brightness
626 Lumens
Resolution
1920 x1080
Imager
DLP
Light Source
LED light source
Portability – size
2.99 lbs
Battery Life
3 hours of video 6 hours of music
Smart Features
None
Sound
Built-in 4-Watt Stereo Speakers
The Dangbei Freedo is a native 1080p Full HD smart projector, featuring an LED light source that produces 450 lumens. It is a feature-rich portable projector designed for users seeking a flexible entertainment solution for both indoor and outdoor environments. Weighing just over 3 pounds, it includes a built-in 60Wh battery that delivers up to 2.5 hours of video playback in Eco mode or up to 6 hours when used as a Bluetooth speaker.
The Freedo includes an integrated gimbal stand, which allows for a 165° vertical tilt making it easy to project content onto walls, ceilings, or angled surfaces. The Dangbei Freedo runs Google TV, offering access to all major streaming services including Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube, and Disney+. Audio is handled by a 6-watt 360-degree speaker system that supports Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus, and the unit can double as a standalone Bluetooth speaker.
The Dangbei Freedo is positioned as a premium portable projector ideal for buyers who value smart features, flexible installation, and all-in-one functionality in a compact form factor.
BenQ GS50 Portable LED Smart Projector
Price
$799
Brightness
500 Lumens
Resolution
1080 x 1920
Imager
DLP
Light Source
LED
Portability – size
5.7 lbs
Battery Life
Up to 2.5 hours
Portability – smart
Android TV dongle
Sound
2.1 channel
The big brother GS50 shares many features with its smaller sibling, the GV30. The brighter 500 ANSI lumen GS50 also steps up to Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution. Both projectors offer a built-in battery with up to 2.5 hours of battery life. The GS50 and GV30 both come with BenQ’s QS01 Android TV (ATV) Dongle for HDMI media streaming.
The GS50 also offers a powerful 2.1 channel audio system with dual 5-watt midrange tweeters and a 10-watt woofer. The GS50 can also be used as a handy portable Bluetooth speaker.
The GS50 also has a worry-free durable design that is ergonomically designed for a rugged and active lifestyle. The GS50 is IPX2 splash-resistant, with light splashes being channeled out of the projector and splash-resistant film protecting the speakers. An IPX2 rating means the GS50 can resist water that hits the projector at a 15° angle or less. The projector is also 2.3-foot drop-resistant thanks to its double protection of a 1mm-thick water-resistant TPU inner layer and a drop-resistant outer resin.
The GV30 is a smart all-in-one High Definition (HD) 1280 x 720p portable LED projector. The GV30’s brightness is rated at 300 ANSI lumens. The GV30 has a built-in battery that is rated to last up to 2.5 hours. Weighing less than 4 pounds and featuring a convenient carry strap, the GV30's portability makes it an excellent choice for neighborhood block parties, outdoor gyms, or office retreats.
The GV30 supports popular streaming apps like Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. You can also instantly cast any content from your handy smartphone, tablet, or PC. If you’re camping under the stars or watching flicks in the backyard, you’ll appreciate the unit's sound quality when listening to dialog and music, You can even use the GV30 as a portable Bluetooth speaker. The BenQ GV30 flexes its ultraportable chops by combining a 2.1 ch sound system with battery power in a light, and compact form factor.
GV31: Updated Version of the GV30
BenQ has introduced an updated version of its portable GV30 projector called the GV31. The GV30 offers a native resolution of 720p (HD), while the GV31 has a higher 1080p (Full HD) resolution. In terms of brightness, the GV30 is rated at 300 ANSI lumens, while the GV31, however, is brighter at 450 ANSI lumens. For audio, the GV30 includes 2.1-channel Bluetooth audio with a built-in subwoofer, delivering richer sound with more bass. The GV31, by contrast, has 2-channel stereo sound but lacks the subwoofer, which may result in less bass and audio depth.
Both projectors share a similar portable, cylindrical design with built-in batteries. The GV30 emphasizes versatility with a 360-degree tilt and stand, allowing it to project at various angles. The GV31 offers higher resolution and more brightness, which justifies its higher price.
The Capsule 3 is the fifth and newest addition to Nebula's "Capsule" line of compact ultra-portable projectors. Nebula touts the Capsule series of projectors as providing an ultra-portable cinema experience that the company says is designed to transform any space into a movie theater, even outdoors. The Capsule 3 is a pocket-sized design, 50% smaller than comparable models from various manufacturers. It is designed to make on-the-go projection look great and easy to set up.
The user interface is another Capsule series highpoint, with some models running on Android OS and the Capsule 3 running Google TV OS, providing access to many streaming apps directly from the projector. This seamless integration of smart features, quality build, and exceptional portability make Nebula projectors a compelling choice for those looking to blend entertainment and mobility.
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser is a portable compact projector with an integrated battery and retails for $799.99. It can reproduce Full HD (1920x1280) resolution and project images up to 120”. While most portable projectors rely on LED light sources, the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser utilizes a laser light source rated to deliver 300 ANSI lumens which is impressive for its compact size.
The projector is nearly the same size as your typical canned beverage. Due to its compact size, the Capsule 3 Laser can be quickly moved from place to place. In addition, the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser will automatically focus and apply keystone correction when the unit is pointed at an angle or bumped out of alignment if you enable the setting.
The XGIMI Halo+ is a smart 1080P DLP projector that utilizes a highly efficient LED light source to produce exceptional brightness for a portable unit. With Android TV built in, the Halo provides seamless access to popular streaming services, including Hulu, HBO Max, and YouTube, right out of the box.
The Halo+ has two 5-watt Harman Kardon built-in speakers, located on the sides of the unit. The speakers provide good sound for a portable projector and are loud enough for an average-sized room. When you use the included remote to change the volume, the level is conveniently displayed on-screen.
The XGIMI Halo+ is an FHD (1080p) portable smart projector with a built-in 59W battery rated to last up to two hours. The Halo+ can deliver 700 lumens when running off its internal battery and 900 lumens when plugged into an AC outlet. The unit's battery really enhances the unit’s portability and makes it a great option for a backyard theater or watching a movie at a campsite.
The ASUS ZenBeam L2 is a portable smart 1080p LED projector that offers a battery-powered big-screen movie experience in a surprisingly small package. With 960 lumens and a 1080p resolution, ASUS has created a compact and aesthetically pleasing product that will look good sitting on a nightstand and be easy to bring with you for movie nights away from home. The ASUS ZenBeam L2 is a smart projector. However, the smart features are powered by an included Android TV Box from HAKO mini, which creates a conflicting user experience that is far from seamless.
The projector's battery is good for up to 3.5 hours and it has built-in harmon/kardon 10w speaker. The included ports give you all of the basic connectivity options, including USB and HDMI inputs. Use the included carrying handle to bring the ASUS ZenBeam L2 with you wherever you go. The projector also comes carrying case is a nice touch that has room for the projector, along with some extra space for a few other things.
The Nebula Mars 3 is a portable smart projector that retails for $1099.00. It can deliver 1080P resolution and has a rated brightness of 1000 ANSI lumens. It is equipped with a high-capacity battery power bank large enough to deliver up to 5 hours of viewing, and it can be used to charge mobile smart devices.
The Nebula Mars 3 is the first product I’ve seen that can produce a decent portable movie-watching experience. In terms of brightness, battery life, and speakers, this projector is one of the best solutions in this niche category. This Nebula projector is made by Anker, which has had a strong focus on Laser projectors in the last few years.
While producing a 1080p image, the Nebula Mars 3 is able to give you 1,000 lumens of brightness for the entire duration of a standard-length movie, using the built-in battery. This projector is ultimately designed for convenient outdoor use, in situations where you might be camping, going on a road trip, or just having a casual backyard movie night. By including a large battery, really good speakers, and Android TV 11, this is a complete all-in-one solution that will let you bring the home theater experience with you.
The Samsung Freestyle is a portable smart LED projector that retails for $799. At first glance, the projector seems expensive based on its basic specs. However, the freestyle is one of the best thought-out portable projectors that we have ever reviewed. It is now also on our list of best projectors under $1000!
Samsung is one of the world’s leading flat-panel TV manufacturers, but there are some applications where a projector is a better display solution. But, the Freestyle is not targeted at the traditional projector customer. Its unique combination of features and optional accessories are designed to make the benefits of projection attractive to more customers.
“The Freestyle is a one-of-a-kind projector geared towards ultimate versatility and flexibility to meet the consumers’ changing lifestyles,” said Simon Sung, Executive Vice President and Head of the Sales & Marketing Team of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Without the limitation in space and form factor, The Freestyle is a fun and versatile device that can be used in any way consumers prefer.”
