The 5 Best Portable Projectors That Are Under $500

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.TCL/AurzenProsEasy to set up and stream with Google interfaceSurprisingly decent speakersDoubles as a Bluetooth speaker and a lampConsNeeds a little more battery life to be truly eliteFor entertaining, there isn’t a better value projector than this. I tested out the Vibe One this summer and coming from XGIMI’s higher-end projectors, I expected to notice a drop-off in quality. For the most part, it just wasn’t there. Seconds after booting up the Vibe, I was launched into a familiar Google TV interface with a crisp 1080p image.If you really want, you can shut it down and use it like a Bluetooth speaker. In Bluetooth mode, the base light shines and can be set to various light colors and patterns. With a built-in handle and impressive onboard sound that doesn’t require a Bluetooth speaker, the Vibe One really delivers on being an all-in-one entertainment device.ProsCapable of producing a large, bright imageEasy to throw in a bagIf you really want to split hairs, this thing isn’t under $500. It’s exactly $500 ... plus tax. It’s a 3,000-lumen, full HD projector that weighs less than six pounds. Of all the projectors on this list, this is the one that will give you the best and brightest image. The speakers aren’t great (especially compared to what XGIMI packs in its budget projectors) but it does support Bluetooth connection for audio—just know it can be wonky from time to time.Despite not having any handle or grip, this Epson projector is perfectly portable. You can just as easily hide it away on your coffee table as you can throw it in a bag and take it to whoever is hosting the weekend’s activities. It can use Android OS to sign in to streaming apps, or there’s a single HDMI port if instead you want to use it for gaming.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsWorks just like a smart TV for streamingAlso a good option for gamingHandle doubles as a kickstandConsRequires constant power to functionSpeaking of TV brands, TCL also makes a pretty damn good budget portable projector. The A1s puts out native 1080p and can support input for 4K video. That means you can stream in 4K and watch 4K Blu-rays, and the projector will downscale to give you the best picture possible, without technically being in higher res than 1080p. With speakers that deliver with Dolby audio, you are getting the cinema experience all in one device—right at home or just outside.It does require constant connection to AC power to even operate, so it’s not ideal for outdoor movie nights. For that I’d recommend the XGIMI up top or, for a truly stellar value, the next projector on the list. But for taking to your buddy’s for movie night and easily hopping on the Wi-Fi to stream Netflix, and play Smash. Bros once credits roll, this is perfect.ProsSwinging design makes it easy to get the right angle, no matter where you are Easy to use Roku interfaceFor under $100, you have to start looking outside the household name brands. Don’t be so quick to dismiss Aurzen for its slop-adjacent name and aggressive Amazon placement—the products are good. Not the best specs, and it only spits out a native 720p image and the sound without a speaker is okay at best, but we promise you nobody at outdoor movie night will care.The leg up this has on other portable projectors of the same size and form factor (aside from price) is the Roku interface. When you boot it up, the familiar Roku home screen greets you with all the apps you’ve come to love, and when you idle long enough, it’s time for Roku City. The thing even comes with a Roku remote. If you know anyone too stubborn or tech illiterate to want to change from their Roku interface, this projector will at least get them out of the house.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsGreat picture and good sound for the priceLow latency mode for gamingA lot of these projectors are portable, but that’s mostly by virtue of them being small enough to fit in our price range. But not everyone needs that. In fact, if you’re looking to replace a bedroom TV or just turn up the entertainment game in a room where nothing’s going on, you don’t need to move your projector. For $300, this gets you just that.The NexiGo PJ40 is a native 1080p projector with 4K support (not real 4K as I pointed out with the TCL, but alas) and a picture that can get up to 300 inches. Realistically in a living room, you’ll get something more like 75. Still impressive. The picture is bright; the speakers don’t skimp; and there’s even a lag-free mode for gamers who are connecting to their consoles using one of the two HDMI ports. It’s more versatile than a smart TV, and dollars to donuts, it’s probably a better value as well.What to Consider When Buying ProjectorsBrightness: First of all, we have to address brightness. Brands will try to lure you in with big numbers of ISO or ANSI lumens. But at this price point... none of that matters a whole lot. None of these projectors are going to work in bright light. For that, you have to triple your budget and start looking at HD laser and short-throw projectors. For under $500—even under $1,000—projectors are still going to require darkness to really work.Portability: The good thing about affordable projectors is that they're all quite portable. This is the main draw of these projectors, as they don't always need to replace TVs. Sometimes its just about giving you an additional, more flexible, way to watch.Resolution: Some people will say "Don't buy anything less than 4K," but we think that's kind of dumb. For a budget projector that's a fun option for movie night, we think 1080p is enough. Save yourself some money and don't freak out about resolution.