Best iPhone Projector

Bringing a big screen with them on the go is the dream of every entertainment lover, but a bulky and expensive TV seems never to be the option. Though not all the projectors can replace the use of TV permanently, owning the best projector for iPhone can solve all your portability and expense issues.

However, confusion and struggle arise when there are too many options to choose from. Since all the projectors are not well balanced between performance and price, we have got you covered here with the best picks.

To help you find the best iPhone projector, we spent hours researching the top features and considerations you should make during your buying process. As you look at the different projectors available to you, we recommend only considering options with seamless iPhone connectivity, whether it’s through a direct-wired connection or through wireless options like Bluetooth. Make sure to also consider options with enough brightness and resolution for your own personal needs; we recommend at least 480p resolution and 300-500 lumens of brightness.

Finally, look for user-friendly controls that can be operated with a single hand or finger. These are some of the things that you should consider when getting the best projectors.

What to Look For in a Best iPhone Projector

Contrast Ratio

You’ve probably seen some contrast ratios that look like 1,000:1, or 10,000:1. The contrast ratio is defined as the difference between the brightest color possible and the darkest color possible. The bigger the difference, the more the projector will differentiate between colors. Lower contrast ratios will result in pictures that look either too dark or washed out. Contrast ratio is denoted as “XXX:1”. The higher the first number is, the better.

Brightness

Obviously, how bright your picture is will determine how dark your environment has to be in order to watch. Brightness is measured in lumens or ANSI lumens (See above). A brighter picture is more visible even when there’s a lot of ambient light. Generally speaking, a higher brightness is better.

Battery/Battery Life

One of the benefits you’ll get from a portable projector is the ability to set it down anywhere and go. Batteries ensure you don’t even have to worry about a power source. If you want to get through a movie, look for a battery life that exceeds 2 hours. Obviously, in this case, higher is better, because it gives you more freedom of placement.

Price

You can find most iPhone projectors for under or around $100, but our best overall pick is more expensive, but has the best features we’ve found. If you’re looking for a quick and budget iPhone projecting solution, there are options out there for you.

Whether you want to cozy up inside and watch a movie or you want to enjoy your favorite picture and video memories with friends, an iPhone projector is a great addition to your arsenal of devices.

What Does a Mini Portable Projector Need to be iPhone and iPad Compatible?

One way to ensure full Apple compatibility (or full compatibility with really any device these days) is with Bluetooth.

And so it would be great if all of the best mini projectors included Bluetooth capability, but strangely not that many of them do.

But while Bluetooth does ensure total compatibility with iPhone and iPad, and is a pretty slick way to go, there is actually a much more simple and reliable method, and that is to use the Apple Lightning or USB-C adapter and the correct cable to connect with the projector’s HDMI port.

I will include a few Bluetooth mini projectors, but I would rather focus on more important factors like portability, picture and sound quality, design and ease of use, and overall material and build quality, and consider wireless a nice feature to have but not necessary.

Rest assured, though, that every one of our recommendations will have the required HDMI cable, so that not only are they totally and easily compatible with any Apple portable device, they will also project images from that device in the highest quality possible.

Please note that for iPhone, you will need an HDMI to Lightning cable. The Belcompany Lightning to HDMI Cable is inexpensive, comes in a nice 2 meter length and works great.

Our Top Picks:

1. Anker Nebula Capsule Mini Portable Projector

Anker Nebula capsule is an ultimate projector that can be used for home entertainment as well as commercial purpose.

This capsule-shaped mini projector encompasses smart Wi-Fi, 100-inch picture size, 4-hour video playback time, and speakers that cover 3600 areas.

Now you can enjoy your favorite movies, series, games, or TV shows any time anywhere.

It is one of the finest soda-can-sized portable projectors that deliver remarkably bright and clear 100 ANSI- lumen images.

2. QXK Mini iPhone Projector

The QXK mini projector is ultra-portable and offers a comprehensive solution for projecting movies and pictures directly from your iPhone. At 9.4 x 9.4 x 4.3 inches, it’s on the larger end of the size spectrum, especially when compared to many other iPhone projectors, but it is still small enough that you can easily carry it around with you. Plus, with a sturdy tripod, you can set the projector up virtually anywhere with ease. The QXK is also durable and high-quality in its design. The lamp lasts upwards of 55,000 hours, depending on your usage.

This projector offers a really great image quality for its size, mostly due to its 480p resolution and 2,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. However, it really shines (literally) because of its incredible brightness rating, at 5,500 lumens. This makes the QXK an excellent choice for both dark and well-lit rooms. Plus, the projector offers really accurate color reproduction that makes every show and movie really pop. When it comes to connecting your iPhone, all you need is a lightning to HDMI cable and everything is seamless from there on out. You can also connect additional multimedia devices using the QXK’s SD card slot and VGA port.

3. Aaxa P300 iPhone Projector

The Aaxa P300 pico projector for iPhone offers the best when it comes to high-quality build and design. The Aaxa feels good in your hand and provides a sense of reliability which comes into play as you carry the device around with you on the go. This projector can fit in one hand, which might cause concerns in the durability side of things, but you won’t have to worry about that at all. We were impressed by how solid the video projector was, in spite of its smaller size. It also includes a tripod in your purchase, which adds even more stability during use. The only quality concern we found with this option was the lower bulb life, which is rated at 20,000 hours, but in reality, ends up being much less on brighter settings.

Don’t let the P300’s ultra-compact size fool you when it comes to picture quality, either. This powerful projector can display images up to 120 inches in size at full HD, 1080p resolution, measuring from corner to corner. And with a 2,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and DLP imaging technology, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a mini portable projector with a better display. You also get a rechargeable built-in battery in the Aaxa, which lasts upwards of 60 minutes at a time on the highest brightness setting. This may not be a long enough time to watch a full movie, but you can connect the projector to a portable power bank or directly into a wall outlet for continuous power, as well.

4. AKASO Mini iPhone Projector, Pocket-Sized DLP

It is compact, lightweight, and portable, perfect for people who are always on the go. You can conveniently carry this mini iPhone projector wherever you go. Also, it features multiple connectivities, including HDMI port, USB, AV, and micro SD card; connecting your game console and mobile device with this movie projector is fast and easy.

This projector for iPhone sports a vibrant display, which makes it a perfect addition to your home theater. AKASO mini iPhone projector has a rechargeable battery. But worry not, the battery life is long enough to entertain you with a 2-hour movie. You do not need to plug this mini projector into a power source.

Take note, AKASO mini iPhone projector has 50 ANSI lumens and supports 1080p Full HD resolution. It comes with a built-in speaker and remote control. This iPhone projector has a contrast ratio of 1000:1.

5. Optoma ML750ST iPhone Projector

When looking for the best portable movie projectors for iPhone, the Optoma ML750ST iPhone projector is something that you shouldn’t miss. What is good about this palm-sized iPhone projector is its compatibility with iPhones and other devices.

The Optoma ML750ST is perfect for movie nights or business presentations, and even when gaming. This is because of its fast response time and low latency, which is at 17ms.

But the most notable feature of this portable movie iPhone projector is the clear and crisp images that it projects. This isn’t surprising considering that it is equipped with 700 ANSI lumens, Rec709 color accuracy, auto keystone, and 20,000:1 contrast ratio.

The throw distance of the Optoma ML750ST is between 1.4 – 11.3 feet. Lastly, it comes with an HDMI port and is compatible with MHL.

6. ViewSonic M1 Portable Mini iPhone Projector

When it comes to brightness, it features 120 LED lumens (50 ANSI lumens) and a 120,000:1 contrast ratio. This iPhone projector also offers several connectivity options, including an HDMI port, USB port, and Micro USB. You can easily connect your game consoles and other media players with this projector using an HDMI cable.

ViewSonic mini iPhone projector is perfect not only for movie watching but also for business presentations. It has a built-in JBL speaker that delivers well-balanced sound.

This iPhone projector comes with a rechargeable battery, meaning you don’t have to get stuck near a power source to enjoy using this mini projector. It has an impressive battery life that lasts about a couple of hours at full charge.

7. GooDee LED Mini Projector

Earlier, we mentioned that LED mini projectors usually produce brighter images than pico and palmtop projectors. If you think that getting your hands on a mini projector for your iPhone will leave a gigantic hole in your pocket, think again.

Because of this, the device can be used in practically any environment. This includes outside your home and a well-lit room. It also comes with a full HD resolution and an integrated speaker, which is loud enough. But if your ears want more, worry not. That’s because at the back is an audio jack that lets you use a speaker or a pair of headphones with it.

How We Decided

As we researched the different iPhone projectors available today, we focused on portability and connectivity above all else. If you’re using the projector with your iPhone, it’s likely you’ll want something you can pack with you, no matter where you go. As such, we rated options higher if they could easily fit into a bag or backpack and awarded bonus points for projectors that are small enough to fit in your pockets.

When it comes to connectivity, we rated options higher if they included an easy way to connect your iPhone directly to the projector. While rare, wireless options get the most points. However, in general, most iPhone projectors use a physical cable for connection. We also preferred options that didn’t require adapters. Projectors that offer more connectivity options for other devices like gaming consoles and Blu-ray media players are also great choices, so we ranked those higher in comparison to others.

Finally, we rated the best iPhone projectors based on their image quality, factoring in different features like resolution, brightness, and adjustability. Keep in mind that these small projectors more often than not make trade-offs to achieve such compact sizes. As such, you will usually only get resolution ratings of around 480p and lamp brightness ratings under 1,000 lumens.

FAQs

Which projector works well with the iPhone?

If you want a projector that works well with the iPhone, you can select from the ones we’ve reviewed. We have mentioned mini projectors that not only work with your iPhone but also with all your Apple devices to deliver HD quality specs with 720p native resolution.

How many lumens do I need on an iPhone projector?

If you find an iPhone projector for your home theatre, you will need a minimum of 1500 lumens. In small to medium-sized rooms, an iPhone projector with at least 2500 lumens is best. Lastly, in large halls or teaching halls, you will need high lumens.

Can I connect Netflix with a mini projector from my iPhone?

Yes, first connect your iPhone to your projector, then use the Netflix iPhone app. Alternatively, you can connect a live streaming device like Amazon and stream Netflix from your iPhone to your projector. Some projectors even come up with a built-in Netflix.