The pocket projectors category includes the latest technology in ultra-portable projectors, micro projectors, and pico projectors for laptops and device integration. See below for a list of pocket projector reviews and information pages. Pocket projectors earn their name from being small enough to fit in your pants pocket, and weigh above 0.75 lbs. (but rarely over a pound). These projectors are extremely convenient and are ideal for portable use. However, when compared with the smallest size class, pico projectors, bulk is the real difference as opposed to weight. Though a bit larger in size than their tiny competition, pocket projectors pack more punch. Pocket Projectors weigh in under 2 lbs. and are able to project large images upwards of 65 inches. Today’s pocket projectors typically offer between 200 and 800 lumens, most have resolutions of WXGA or lower but in 2014 we saw the first of the 1080p resolution pocket projectors. Broadly speaking, pocket projectors are under 2 lbs., use a solid state light source (LED or laser), and have a small physical footprint. Most use DLP technology, a few have laser rather than LED light engines. Pocket Projector Reviews Formovie P1 Pocket Laser Projector Review The Formovie P1 compact Digital Light Processing (DLP) pocket projector features ALPD laser technolo…Read More February 25, 2023 ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 Portable LED Projector Review The ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 is a battery-powered LED short-throw DLP that retails for $449.…Read More January 3, 2023 AAXA P400 Portable Short Throw LED Projector Review AAXA P400 The AAXA P400 is a battery-powered, LED short-throw, DLP projector capable of displayi…Read MoreNovember 14, 2022Wemax Go Advanced Full HD DLP Business Laser Projector Review8.6″ x 4.6″ x 0.97″ (W x D x H) and weighs just 1.7 pounds The Wemax Go Advanced is a first-of-its-k…Read MoreJune 24, 2022LnRiLWhlYWRpbmcuaGFzLWJhY2tncm91bmR7cGFkZGluZzowfQ==IEBtZWRpYSBvbmx5IHNjcmVlbiBhbmQgKG1heC13aWR0aDogNzgxcHgpIHsgICB9IEBtZWRpYSBvbmx5IHNjcmVlbiBhbmQgKG1heC13aWR0aDogNTk5cHgpIHsgICB9IA==XGIMI Halo+ Portable Smart LED Projector ReviewThe new XGIMI Halo+ is brighter, smarter, and easier to install than the original XGMI Halo. XGIMI…Read MoreOctober 5, 2021IEBtZWRpYSBvbmx5IHNjcmVlbiBhbmQgKG1heC13aWR0aDogNzgxcHgpIHsgICB9IEBtZWRpYSBvbmx5IHNjcmVlbiBhbmQgKG1heC13aWR0aDogNTk5cHgpIHsgICB9IA==BenQ GV30 Portable LED Smart Projector ReviewBenQ GV30 Portable Projector The second generation of BenQ GV and GS projectors has been announced.…Read MoreSeptember 22, 2021AAXA M7 Portable LED Projector ReviewAAXA M7 LED DLP Pico Projector In this article, I will give you a detailed look at the AAXA M7 porta…Read MoreSeptember 7, 2021 XGIMI Elfin Smart 1080P LED Projector Review The XGIMI Elfin Smart LED projector is a Smart LED 1080P projector rated to deliver up to 800 ANSI l…Read More August 19, 2021 XGIMI Halo Portable 1080P Android TV Projector Review The XGIMI Halo is a smart 1080P portable DLP projector with a compact design that is super portable,…Read More May 5, 2021 AAXA P6X PORTABLE PICO PROJECTOR REVIEW The AAXA P6X Pico projector is an 1100 LED lumen, HD (1280×800) Osram LED/DLP powered, highly portab…Read More May 2, 2021 Pocket Projector Reviews REVIEWS Image Review Formovie P1 Pocket Laser Projector Review Review Date: February 25, 2023 MSRP:$399 MSRP Technology: Laser DLP ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 Portable LED Projector Review Review Date: January 3, 2023 MSRP:$449 Technology: Single chip DLP, LED light source AAXA P400 Portable Short Throw LED Projector Review Review Date: November 14, 2022 MSRP:$269 Technology: DLP Wemax Go Advanced Full HD DLP Business Laser Projector Review Review Date: June 24, 2022 MSRP:$1,198 MSRP Technology: DLP Laser XGIMI Halo+ Portable Smart LED Projector Review Review Date: October 5, 2021 MSRP:$849 Technology: DLP (0.33" DMD) BenQ GV30 Portable LED Smart Projector Review Review Date: September 22, 2021 MSRP:$599 Technology: DLP LED AAXA M7 Portable LED Projector Review Review Date: September 7, 2021 MSRP:$488.00 Technology: DLP (0.33" DMD) XGIMI Elfin Smart 1080P LED Projector Review Review Date: August 19, 2021 MSRP:$659 Technology: DLP (0.33" DMD) XGIMI Halo Portable 1080P Android TV Projector Review Review Date: May 5, 2021 MSRP:$799.00 Technology: DLP (0.33" DMD) AAXA P6X PORTABLE PICO PROJECTOR REVIEW Review Date: May 2, 2021 MSRP:$359 Technology: DLP VIEWSONIC M2 SMART LED PROJECTOR REVIEW Review Date: March 17, 2021 MSRP:$549.99 Technology: DLP LED Philips PicoPix Max Projector Review Review Date: November 6, 2020 MSRP:$899 Technology: DLP 2019 Holiday Guide To Seven Great Home Theater Projectors Under $2000 Review Date: November 22, 2019 MSRP: Technology: AAXA 4K1 – 4K LED Projector – A First Look Review Review Date: May 20, 2019 MSRP:$999 Technology: DLP Anker Nebula Capsule Projector – The Crowd Funded Soda Can Projector Review Review Date: December 14, 2018 MSRP:$349.99 Technology: DLP with LED light source ViewSonic M1 Pocket Projector Review – Sleek Pocket Projector with Impressive Sound Review Date: November 6, 2018 MSRP:$337 Technology: DLP with LED light source Acer K138ST Projector Review – A Pocket Sized Gaming Machine Review Date: December 15, 2017 MSRP:$599 Technology: DLP AAXA M5 Pocket Projector Review – 720p and LED! Review Date: November 29, 2017 MSRP:$499 Technology: DLP Two Holiday Guides, Ten Great Home Projectors Review Date: November 28, 2017 MSRP: Technology: 0 AAXA M6 Projector Review – 1080p Pocket Sized and LED! Review Date: August 16, 2017 MSRP:$599 Technology: LED Check out our 2016 Holiday Projector Shopping Guides Review Date: November 21, 2016 MSRP: Technology: 0 The Optoma ML750ST LED Projector Review – Part 1 Review Date: September 26, 2016 MSRP:549 Technology: DLP LG MiniBeam PF1000U Projector Review Review Date: August 16, 2016 MSRP:$1,399 Technology: DLP Millennials and Projectors: Optoma ML750 LED Projector Review: Part 2 Review Date: May 15, 2016 MSRP: Technology: 0 AAXA P700 HD Pocket LED Projector Review Review Date: December 4, 2015 MSRP:449 Technology: DLP Check out our 2015 Holiday Projector Shopping Guides Review Date: November 27, 2015 MSRP: Technology: 0 Sony MP-CL1 Pico Laser Projector Review Review Date: November 19, 2015 MSRP:349 Technology: Laser light technology 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 PW800 Projector Review Review Date: July 26, 2015 MSRP:$599.99 Technology: DLP LG Minibeam PH300 Projector Review Review Date: July 23, 2015 MSRP:$449.99 Technology: DLP ViewSonic PLED-W800 LED Projector Review Review Date: December 12, 2014 MSRP:709 Technology: DLP NEC NP-L102W Projector Review Review Date: September 5, 2014 MSRP:1099 Technology: DLP LG PF85U LED Projector – Review Review Date: August 28, 2014 MSRP:1299 Technology: DLP Asus P2B Pocket Projector Review Review Date: April 3, 2014 MSRP:549 Technology: DLP Vivitek Qumi Q7 LED Projector – Review Review Date: March 1, 2014 MSRP:999 Technology: DLP Acer K335 LED Portable Projector Review Review Date: February 3, 2014 MSRP:699 Technology: DLP (1) Canon REALiS LE-5W Projector Review Review Date: August 3, 2013 MSRP:799 Technology: DLP Optoma ML550 LED Projector Review Review Date: July 16, 2013 MSRP:599 Technology: DLP HB Opto HBP503D Pocket Projector Review Review Date: June 2, 2013 MSRP:600 Technology: DLP Optoma ML500 DLP Projector Review Review Date: April 6, 2012 MSRP:1199 Technology: DLP Viewsonic PLED-W500 LED Pocket Projector Review Review Date: February 1, 2012 MSRP:840 Technology: DLP Acer K330 LED Pocket Projector Review Review Date: January 23, 2012 MSRP:419 Technology: DLP Vivitek QUMI Q2 LED DLP Pocket Projector Review Review Date: September 8, 2011 MSRP:499 Technology: DLP LG HX300G Pocket Projector Review Review Date: October 1, 2010 MSRP:799 Technology: DLP LED Projector Review – Aiptek V10 PLUS Pico Projector Review Date: July 19, 2009 MSRP:349 Technology: LCoS BenQ GP1 Joybee LED Projector Review Review Date: July 2, 2009 MSRP:499 Technology: DLP About Pocket ProjectorsRecently, pocket projectors and pico projectors have been sort of lumped together, but pocket projectors are a distinct breed of their own. Pocket projectors (also known as mini projectors) earn their name because they can fit into a shirt or pants pocket. To put size perspective, a pocket projector is typically about the size of a thick paperback book, though the proportions vary depending on the model. Pocket projectors typically use an LED light source and are smaller than conventional projectors. If you’re tired of fiddling with a heavy and cumbersome projector for your presentations, pocket projectors and pico projectors are excellent options. Neither can provide the same brightness or image quality as a standard projector, but they’re suitable alternatives. Compared to the smaller pico projectors, pocket projectors are the more capable choice. They are far brighter than pico projectors, offering 100-300 lumens compared to the current pico maximum of 50 lumens. A pico, therefore, is not bright enough to handle a typical office space, but a pocket project can. Pocket projectors are also higher resolution than pico projectors. These factors make them better suited for presentations. Pocket projectors normally have a separate power brick with some real weight. One thing to consider about the larger pocket projector is that, while the projectors themselves are always under 2 lbs., the power bricks can approach one pound in weight depending on how large or bright the pocket projector is. Therefore, the required power bricks should be factored into the total weight. Originally, pocket projectors such as the Mistubishi PK20, which is now several years old, were battery powered like the modern pico projector. Because of their convenience, pocket projectors were very popular with missionaries abroad. They made presentations easy when traveling, for example, across Africa from village to village. Recently, though, we have seen a resurface of the original battery powered pocket projector in addition to the current power brick. We have seen some big changes in pocket projectors in the second half of 2010. Pocket projectors are moving up to the same resolution as many portable business projectors, including SVGA, XGA and WXGA (with the last two seen in 90% of business projectors). Also, pocket projectors are now as bright as the early portable projectors of 15 years ago, and are definitely capable of projecting a 4-5 ft. diagonal image in a conference room with moderate lighting. InputsThe capabilities of pocket and pico projectors are constantly expanding. Recently, we have seen the emergence of HDMI and mini-HDMI jacks. All but the least expensive models now seem to have computer inputs as well, and even the ones lacking those have media players that allow for presentations. We are also now seeing card slots, USB inputs, S-video inputs, and VGA in addition to the standard composite video source. Let’s examine the differences in input panels between a pico and pocket projector. First image is the LG HX300G pocket projector, which accepts HDMI, VGA, composite video, DC, audio input, and USB input. Second image is the Optoma PK301 pico projector, one of the better-equipped pico projectors. It includes VGA, mini-HDMI, DC, micro USB, audio input/output and a MicroSD card slot. PricePocket projectors typically run from $350-800, but the smaller pico projectors are usually around $200-400, with the least expensive starting at $100. Highlights Smaller and more portable than conventional projectors Brighter than pico projectors and therefore better suited for presentations 100-300 lumens that, while not as bright as “full-sized” projectors, are competent LED light source with no replacement cost Higher resolution than pico projectors, from VGA (640×480) to wide XVGA in its most common form (1280×800) For information on pocket projectors and their competitors, pico projectors, check out The 2010 Pico Projector and Pocket Projector Guide and Reviews
