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Best Android projectors in 2023

While people at home try to recreate their own personal cinema, TVs have continued to increase in size at an extreme rate, but a giant TV isn’t always the at-home cinematic solution. An in-home projector is your best friend when you want the movie-going experience without the pricey munchies and fart-filled seats. You can set them up just about anywhere from your basement to your backyard, provided you have enough brightness to enjoy those darker episodes (we’re talking about you, Battle of Winterfell).

While projectors have been used in movie theaters for decades, one might assume they come at a high-end cost, but that’s simply not the case these days. The truth is that some of the best Android projectors offer a better experience at a lower price than your average TV could. Even better, these popular picks come fully equipped with app stores, allowing you to save money by forgoing those top streaming devices and instead opting to download favorites like Netflix and Hulu.

Get started with one of these Android projectors


Samsung The Freestyle

Best overall

Built-in smart TV

$598 $898 Save
$300

Samsung’s awkwardly named The Freestyle is a compact, powerful projector with a 180° cradle stand, automatic image correction, and USB-C compatibility. It supports streaming with built-in smart TV tech, two voice assistants, and screen mirroring with smartphones.

Pros

  • Smart TV built-in
  • Multiple voice assistants
  • Distinct color accuracy
Cons

  • Expensive
  • Mediocre black levels
  • Only 1080p

Samsung’s The Freestyle is one of the more portable projectors you’ll find – while most of these are somewhat portable, even a toddler could carry this one. The Freestyle is small and compact but filled to the brim with power and potential. It sits on a 180° cradle stand to adjust to just about any viewing angle from the wall to the ceiling and automatically corrects skewed pictures for a properly straight screen every time. It’s also USB-C compatible and allows an external portable battery pack to keep it charged, so you can play your videos anywhere.

The Freestyle is everything you need in a projector and more, including your own smart TV powered by Tizen to bring you all your favorite streaming devices without needing any external hardware. You also get access to not just one but two voice assistants with Bixby and Alexa built in to help you with any and all device needs. If that’s not enough to have you putting The Freestyle in your online shopping cart right now, the ability to screen mirror with your smartphone should be the feature to seal the deal. No matter your needs, Samsung’s Freestyle has you covered.


Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 Projector

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12

Premium pick

High quality

$800 $1000 Save
$200

Epson’s EpiqVision Mini EF12 is a high-powered, feature-packed smart streaming laser projector with Android TV built-in. It offers stunning image quality, a 150″ display, and a high-end audio experience partnered with Yamaha.

Pros

  • Sharp image
  • Amazing sound quality
  • Compact and portable
Cons

  • Expensive
  • No 3D support
  • No zoom

Not only does Epson make amazing printers, but it’s also proven itself with some serious quality projectors, and its latest device is anything but ordinary. The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 is a high-powered and feature-packed smart streaming laser projector designed for both indoor and outdoor use. With built-in Android TV, users can begin streaming immediately, taking advantage of all major services from Hulu, HBO, and other streaming services.

This portable projector showcases stunning image quality up to an epic 150 inches and hits a wide range of brightness settings to suit any genre. Epson has also partnered with Yamaha to deliver the projector’s audio, meaning you should get decent sound even if you don’t own a soundbar to go with it. While it may come with an exorbitant price tag, its portability, functionality, and quality make it well worth every penny.


nebula-anker-mars-ii-pro

Anker Nebula Mars II Pro

Highly rated

Complete package

$380 $550 Save
$170

The Anker Nebula Mars II Pro is an affordable Android projector with 3.5-hour battery life and dual 10W audio drivers. However, it may cause audio lag issues, making it less suitable for outdoor viewing.

Pros

  • Very portable with handle
  • 3.5-hour battery life
  • Excellent sound quality
Cons

  • Weak brightness
  • Few ports
  • Occasional audio lag

The Anker Nebula Mars II Pro is right in the sweet spot for Android projectors. The price isn’t too high, particularly compared to some models on this list, and it still performs admirably across the essential features. The 3.5-hour battery life should get you through most movies, as long as you aren’t embarking on a Synder Cut Justice League marathon. The sound quality is surprisingly impressive, thanks to the dual 10W audio drivers. All that’s packed into a decidedly compact, portable projector with a convenient handle for maximum portability.

Despite sitting high on the list, the Anker Nebula Mars II Pro is, of course, not perfect. Some users reported audio lag when paired with certain devices, like the Amazon Fire Stick 4K, and 500 lumens is a bit low for daylight outdoor viewing. Still, these are far from deal breakers, and with all the other great features on this projector, we feel confident recommending it as a go-to option.

Xgimi Halo+

Portable power

Fully loaded device

The Xgimi Halo+ is the high-powered upgrade your home entertainment experience has been waiting for. This Android-powered projector brings you high resolution, with a crystal clear picture, crisp colors, and significantly noticeable details.

Pros

  • Bright and beautiful picture, with minimal color wheel artifacts
  • Incredibly fast, automatic picture adjustment
  • Reasonably quiet
Cons

  • Quite expensive
  • Limited battery life
  • No Netflix

If you’ve got a bit more money to throw around, the Xgimi Halo+ could be the Android-powered projector you’re looking for. You’d expect the picture to be crystal clear at this price, and that’s exactly what you get with this device. The resolution is high, the colors are crisp, and the details are actually noticeable, even without the optimal lighting conditions. The picture adjustment is also quite impressive, automatically providing the best viewing experience without having to adjust settings on your own. Plus, with the Android TV 10 interface built-in, you can enjoy all that content without navigating an outdated operating system.

There is one huge downfall of the Xgimi Halo+, though: no Netflix. Even if you manually download it, the streaming app won’t play its movies and shows, which is heartbreaking. You can attach a casting device to get around the problem, but it’s definitely a big con for this notably expensive device. Combined with the annoyingly low battery life (90-120 minutes), even shorter movies will require a power cable. Still, if video quality is more important than anything to you, this will be one of your best bets for the price.


auking-mini-projector

Auking Mini Projector 2022

Best value

Affordable and functional

$70 $90 Save
$20

The AuKing Mini Projector offers a big screen without a built-in interface, allowing users to connect directly to Android devices and streaming devices. With 2600 lumens, it delivers stunning clarity in well-lit rooms.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Impressive brightness
  • Compatible with many devices
Cons

  • Requires lots of cables
  • Copyright issues with Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ and others
  • Cheap, plastic body

We don’t blame you if you’re intimidated by all these other $200+ projectors. That’s why we’ve included the AuKing Mini Projector, a more affordable alternative to the standard projector experience. This projector is a bit different, as it does not provide any built-in interface but instead works with your Android phone or other streaming devices, like a gaming console or laptop. This means you’ll have to use a lot of cords to get the job done, but you could do a lot worse for the price, particularly given the impressive brightness at 2600 lumens.

If you’ve got the money to spend, though, we wouldn’t recommend pinching pennies with this projector. The lack of a built-in interface really does hamper the ease of everyday use, and the cheap plastic body doesn’t inspire confidence in longevity. Plus, there are copyright issues with this kind of projector when it comes to popular streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, so you could run into some problems when watching your favorites. Overall, this is a budget pick through and through, so if price is your most important feature, the AuKing Mini Projector can help you.


benq-gs50

BenQ GS50

Slick & stylish

Integrated functions and features

The BenQ GS50 projector offers a portable, high-resolution, HDR-level viewing experience with a durable design. It’s ideal for outdoor shows and comes with an Android TV dongle, making it easy to use and enjoy any and all shows.

Pros

  • Excellent picture quality for portable projector
  • Durable and stylish design
  • Comes with an Android TV dongle and a zippered case
Cons

  • Spotty USB-C charging
  • Pretty expensive
  • No Netflix on provided Android TV dongle

Don’t let its placement dissuade you, as the BenQ GS50 projector was on the verge of taking our top spot on this list. As a portable projector, the picture quality is extremely impressive, thanks to a higher resolution than most others on the list and HDR-level detail in the picture. Sure, 500 lumens aren’t necessarily worthy of a letter home, but it’s more than enough to manage in low-light situations. The cool, durable design is made to endure bumps, scraps, and even a splash here and there, which is always nice for portable projectors. And with an Android TV dongle included, you’re all set to get your content on without buying anything extra.

The BenQ GS50 is more expensive, although it’s a bit cheaper than the Xgimi Halo+, so it’s got that going for it. The biggest issue we found in our review was that despite the USB-C charging port, the projector was a bit finicky about what kind actually worked. According to the box, it requires a 45W charger, and we couldn’t get any others to work, so keep that in mind. The Netflix problem also rears its ugly head with this projector, so you’ll have to do without your Stranger Things or find a workaround. Overall though, if you’ve got the money, the BenQ GS50 is a more than respectable option, boasting great picture quality in a portable projector, which is not easy to come by.


XGIMI-Aura

XGIMI Aura 4K

Extravagant product

Extreme performance and price

The Xgmi Aura 4K is a prestigious Android-powered projector with unmatched quality and 4K resolution, offering exceptional picture quality. Limited customization options are available, but default settings are optimized for optimal viewing.

Pros

  • Very sharp picture quality with 4K and HDR support
  • Excellent audio quality
  • Short throw distance for easier placement
Cons

  • Extremely expensive
  • Limited customizability
  • No autofocus

Before you look at this price, let me warn you that it’s quite jarring. Compared to other projectors on this list that are a literal fraction of the price, the Xgimi Aura is certainly at the high end of the spectrum regarding cost. In fact, this projector is our honorary “if you won the lottery” pick because it was just too expensive to be considered the Premium Pick. Still, you very much get what you pay for with this device, offering unreal picture quality at 3840 x 2160(4K) resolution and HRD support. The short throw distance is perhaps the best feature, though, allowing you to place the projector directly beneath the wall for the easiest setup you can imagine.

The only downside we saw was that it doesn’t offer much in terms of customizability, but the default settings should be plenty clear for you to watch it anywhere in your home. That, combined with the excellent sound quality, makes this an absolute must-buy, as long as one of your rich relatives has left you a small fortune in their will.


akaso-wt50

AKASO WT50

Modern style

Budget media player

$270 $290 Save
$20

The Akaso WT50 is an affordable, compact Android-powered projector with a low brightness of 50 lumens. It’s ideal for dimly lit rooms for optimal viewing, making it a great choice for those on a budget.

Pros

  • Small, sleek design
  • Runs Android 9.0
  • AUX and Bluetooth capabilities
Cons

  • Poor brightness options
  • Complicated setup process
  • No built-in speaker

Back on the moderately affordable side of the projector discussion is the Akaso WT50, an unassuming projector built for portability. It’s quite small, incredibly light, and comes with a handy tripod for simple setup in your home. Unfortunately, the specs aren’t too impressive, although, at this price point, you can’t be expecting the world. The brightness sits at only 50 ANSI lumens, which is not going to be favorable in anything but dark rooms and midnight viewings, so don’t expect that sunset movie marathon to look great with this projector.

The audio quality is non-existent, providing no built-in speaker but instead providing a headphone jack (3.5mm) and Bluetooth support, so you can connect your own speakers for a more connected experience. While the tripod makes physical setup easy, the software side is a bit more complicated, and you’ll need to tinker with the settings to get the right picture for your room. Again, the price and portability make the Akaso WT50 so attractive, so if you’re in the market for a cheaper, portable-er option, you just found it.


kodak-luma-projector-1

KODAK Luma 350 Portable Smart Projector

Compact cinema

Perfect for on-the-go

$300 $350 Save
$50

Kodak Luma 350 is a portable, pocket-sized Android-powered projector offering high-quality entertainment at a low price. With Android 6.0 built-in, it supports most programs and media but has a slightly outdated operating system.

Pros

  • Large image size
  • Small, portable design
  • Easy to use remote
Cons

  • Only runs Android 6.0
  • Mediocre video quality
  • Few controls on projector

That’s right — they don’t just make cameras. Kodak certainly isn’t as popular as it used to be, but the Kodak Luma 350 is not a projector to skip if you’re looking for a deal. It’s definitely on the higher end of the budget options but has many features to warrant the extra cost. For one, it’s got Android built in, although it only runs Android 6, so you might feel like you’re time-traveling a bit when you use it. It also has a larger-than-most image size at 200 inches, but the video quality isn’t great at only 854 x 480 native resolution.

Brightness isn’t terrible either at 350 lumens, which should be enough for most situations, but you could certainly do better if you’ve got a lot of windows and want to watch at noon. Overall, the Kodak Luma 350 is full of trade-offs but none that would be considered serious deal breakers, particularly at the lower price point.

Can you use an Android phone as a projector?

While smartphone technology has gotten pretty advanced over the years, there still isn’t an Android device on the market that can act as a projector for viewing media on your walls at home. Of course, that can change in the future, but in the meantime, you can still use your smartphone to improve your overall projector experience.

The built-in interfaces of more expensive Android projectors enable you to access content directly from the gadget. However, cheaper projectors frequently work with Android phones, so you can just throw movies to the projector without using the built-in interface if you’re looking to save a little money. Yes, there can occasionally be a connectivity problem as a result of this, and you might have to refrain from using other apps on your phone while you watch. However, this is a fantastic approach to reduce costs while still getting top-notch projection results and maintaining and fully portable setup.

What’s the difference between a projector and a mini projector?

Mini projectors, as the name suggests, are noticeably smaller than regular projectors, but that isn’t the only distinction. Standard projectors typically provide consumers with a better overall experience in terms of the device’s functionality, greater quality, and improved connectivity. Mini projectors, on the other hand, are designed to be portable and convenient, allowing you to move them around your house and even take them to other places (like your backyard with a hammock and a fire pit burning).

How many lumens are good for a projector?

The brightness of these devices is measured in lumens, and the quantity of lumens you’ll need will mostly depend on where you intend to use the projector. Lumens and brightness won’t matter as much in a gloomy dungeon with few windows nearby, especially if you’re just watching at night. However, you should make sure your Android projector has at least 1,500 lumens if glare worries you and you want to ensure you can watch at any time of day.

Why should you get an Android projector?

There are several situations where a projector would be useful. You can just be an ordinary person who enjoys watching movies and TV shows on a huge screen. You might be an office worker who wants to improve presentations. You might even be a theater employee attempting to protect your skin after an awful incident.

However, it’s safe to assume that because you’re shopping for an Android projector, you’re simply an ordinary person looking for a reliable TV replacement. Android projectors excel in this regard because they let you download your streaming services and other media apps straight out of the box, allowing you to begin watching right away. These projectors are simple to set up, connect straight to your Wi-Fi network, and let you take full advantage of your home movie experience.

The best Android projector for you

As you’ve seen from the list, price is one of the most important aspects when looking for an Android-power projector. The range is substantial among these options, from $60 to almost $3,000, so your budget will factor in heavily. Considering overall value, though, we’ve got to say Samsung’s Freestyle projector offers the most bang for your buck. Lots of features, solid video, picture, and audio quality, portable with USB-C charging abilities, and stylish, durable design make it one of the best options out there, if not the best for your money.

The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 is also a great option, but it costs a bit more, so make sure you’ve had a pay day before taking the plunge. For good value, the Auking Mini Projector is the way you’ll want to go, as it’s notably more affordable and still provides solid video quality and compatibility with your Android smartphone.


Samsung The Freestyle Projector

Samsung The Freestyle

Best overall

Built-in smart TV

$598 $898 Save
$300

The fully portable Freestyle projector by Samsung is everything you need and more. With a fully adjustable stand, self-correcting and leveling images, built-in Smart TV features, and two smart assistants, this all-in-one smart Android projector brings everything to the table.



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