If you’ve found yourself in need of a new, smaller projector for your business presentations or entertainment, you may be overwhelmed by all of the choices available. With features like resolution, lumens, contrast, and price to consider, finding the best budget micro projector can be a daunting task. Our reviews of the best budget micro projectors under five pounds can make your decision easier.
These are our top 10 choices. Click to see current pricing, pictures and user reviews.
- ViewSonic PJD5155
- ViewSonic PJD5533W WXGA
- Epson Home Cinema 730HD
- RIF6 Cube – 2 Inch
- AAXA P4 P4X
- FAVI RioHD-LED-2
- Taotaole Multi-media
- AAXA LED Pico Projector
- AomeTech Portable
- Aketek Multimedia
Best Budget Micro Projector
The best of the small projectors is the PJD5155 SVGA DLP Projector by ViewSonic. Its key features, reliability, and customer satisfaction make it our top choice in this size range.
This machine is 9 x 12.4 x 4.1 inches, and weighs 4.8 pounds. 3300 ANSI lumens is enough light for projected images to show without turning off the room lights, which is great for business presentations. Contrast ratio is the amount of detail that shows up ranging from light to dark. The 20,000:1 contrast ratio is nice and high, so movies will be nice and clear.
The SVGA in the name means it has 800×600 resolution. This is an aspect ratio of 4:3, which is on the low end of the scale. It offers the sharpness of a traditional television, however, this little unit has five view settings and superb color to enhance movie images. It has enhanced audio, as well. It will easily attach to other devices, is 3-D Blu-ray ready, and includes a remote. The warranty adds peace of mind.
There are other models offering more features, but this one will easily meet most consumer needs at a much lower price. Users give this item high marks, reporting that it’s easy to use right out of the box, it works great for watching movies outdoors, and the color quality and lumens make up for this model’s lower pixel rating. It’s portable and fast to set up.
Budget Micro Project Reviews
Our top choice would easily suit most people’s needs, but it’s not the only great model out there. Read our budget micro projector reviews to learn more:
ViewSonic PJD5533W WXGA Portable WXGA Projector
Measuring 8.7 x 10.5 x 3.3 inches and weighing 4.6 pounds, this unit offers 2,800 ANSI lumens. The WXGA in the name means it has 1280×800 resolution resulting in wide-screen HD quality.
Like the ViewSonic that was our top pick, this model has color technology that makes brilliant images whether you’re showing movies or graphs.
It also has the same warranty. Customers have been overwhelmingly pleased with this one. Some of its features are superior over the PJD5155, at a higher price.
Epson Home Cinema 730HD projector
The 730HD from Epson measures 9.2 x 11.7 x 3.1 inches, and weighs 5.3 pounds. This Energy Star model has a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, 3000 lumens, and contrast ratio up to 12,000:1.
It also has keystone correction, which means it will adjust for the trapezoidal effect on the screen when images are projected at an angle.
This item costs more than most of the others we’ve reviewed here, with features to justify the expense. Users love the image quality.
RIF6 Cube – 2 Inch Pico DLP High-Res Mobile Projector
At 8.3 x 4.9 x 2.8 inches and 1.3 pounds, the RIF6 Cube is a true pocket projector, or pico. This unit is truly portable, and can be used to project onto the ceiling.
Its resolution is 854×480, or WGA, and it can project a 3’ image from just 3’ away. Its LED light, instead of a traditional lamp, can last up to 20,000 hours.
The body is durable aluminum, and a mini, flexible tripod is included. People report that the DLP technology makes up for the low resolution, and this has surprisingly good image quality.
AAXA P4 P4X Pico Projector
This model from AAXA Technologies is truly pocket sized at 5.6 x 2.7 x 1.2 inches and 12.8 ounces. It produces 95 ANSI lumens when plugged in, and 55 when using a battery, and its contrast ratio is 2000:1.
Expect the battery to last up to 75 minutes. You’ll get the best image quality under 100 inches. This little unit doesn’t have the light power of the larger models, but it is especially portable and convenient. It comes with a mini tripod and a remote.
FAVI RioHD-LED-2 Mini Projector
The RioHD-LED-2 from FAVI at 8 x 6 x 4 inches and 2.7 pounds is an easily portable little machine, with 50 lumens, a resolution of 640×480, and a contrast ratio is 1,000:1.
This model will project an image up to 100 inches. This little unit is basic, but it is inexpensive and users claim it’s a good value for the money, and it does what it promises.
They say the company’s tech support is helpful, too. It includes a remote.
Taotaole Multi-media Micro Home Theater Projector
This unit from Taotaole measures 7.9 x 6 x 2.6 inches, and weighs 1.8 pounds. It has 800 lumens, its resolution is 800×480, and its contrast ratio is 800:1.
This small, inexpensive model has an LED lamp for long life, and it makes an image size up to 120 inches. It is recommended for home use to watch movies but not for business presentations.
This model has keystone correction. People who’ve used this item were very pleased with its quality for the price.
AAXA LED Pico Projector
Another Pico from AAXA, this item measures 4.2 x 2.4 x 0.7 inches, and weighs 9.6 ounces. It has 25 lumens, its resolution is 960×540, and it uses an LED light.
It will project an image up to 60 inches. This item, which is the size of a phone, has built-in speakers and battery, and is ideal for sharing personal media.
A mini tripod is included. Users state that the picture quality is quite good when the image is small, and it’s a great deal for the price.
AomeTech Portable Mini LED Projector Home Cinema Theater
This model by AomeTech weighs 1.8 pounds and measures 2.8 x 5.4 x 6.7 inches. It has 150 lumens, its resolution is 320×240, and its contrast ratio is 500:1.
This small unit will project an image up to 100 inches, and has keystone correction for the distortion that comes from projecting at an angle.
It has an LED lamp and manual focus, and it comes with a remote. People who’ve used this item say it works very well and they like its low price.
Aketek Multimedia Pico Mini Projector
This inexpensive model from Aketek weighs 1.1 pounds. It has 60 lumens, its resolution is 320×240, and its contrast ratio is 400:1.
This LCD model has manual focus, and projects an image from 20 to 80 inches. It comes with an AC adapter and a remote.
This multimedia pico will work with numerous media devices. Consumers enjoy it for small projects and personal use, and say it’s well worth the money.
Now that you’ve seen our reviews for budget micro projectors, and considered your own needs, we are confident that you will find the best budget micro projector for you.
Here is a more detailed look into some of the featured products
RIF6 Cube Mobile Projector
The RIF6 Cube is a 2-inch portable projector that is equipped with 120-inch vivid display. It works with phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming consoles, giving you the ability to enjoy larger-than-life entertainment anytime, anywhere.
The Cube is only 8 cubic inches. It is made of lightweight aluminum and fits comfortably in your palm. Its brightness is up 50 lumens and throw ratio is 1.99:1 distance/width.
The package includes MHL and HDMI connector cables, remote control, USB charger, and flexible mini tripod. It also has a port for micro SD from which you can play video/audio content. The video input is up to 1080p.
The Cube has a 90-minute battery life and features an LED bulb with a 20k-hour lifespan. It is compatible with HDMI devices and works with any mobile adapter so you can stream on the go.
This mini projector is durable and can be set up easily. It does an impressive job in enhancing users’ digital experience with its large display and good clarity.
However, the picture quality starts to degrade with a 100-inch screen size and above. You may also notice a rainbow effect in the video. The speaker is not the best either.
The Cube does not connect wirelessly. The touchpad is poorly responsive and the brightness of 50 lumens is not up to par with some users’ requirements.
Nonetheless, the RIF6 Cube is well worth the investment for everyday digital entertainment. It is portable, easy to use, and has a stylish design. It has neat functionalities for the price.
Pros
- Portable and lightweight
- Compatible with HDMI/MHL devices
- Comes with useful accessories; works with mobile adapters
- Has good clarity, a large display, and can be set up easily
Cons
- Picture quality starts to degrade above a 100-inch screen size
- Does not have wireless capability; weak touchpad
AAXA P4-X LED Pico Projector
The AAXA P4-X Pico Projector features an ultra-bright 175 lumens optical engine, which is powered by DLP technology of Texas Instruments. This portable projector is less than 5.6-inch long, 2.7-inch wide, and 1.2-inch tall.
The device has a wide range of inputs and outputs, including mini-VGA, mini-HDMI, micro SD, composite A/V, USB, and 3.5mm audio out. It is also Android/iOS compatible, although an adapter cable may be needed.
The P4-X projector is equipped with a lithium-ion battery (built-in) that can power the device for over 75 minutes on full charge. It also features genuine Osram LEDs with 20K hour life.
This device has a large projection of up to 120 inches for low-light conditions. It has a sleek design, intuitive controls, and a media player for maximum portability.
The P4-X can deliver brilliant colorful images of up to 80 inches, which is quite impressive for its size and price. It has great connectivity and a full complement of useful accessories and cables required for an enjoyable digital experience.
On the flip side, the P4-X projector has no on-board media storage. It has low volume and loud fan noise. It tends to run hot after a while and the background disrupts the home screen.
The tripod that comes with the projector has a bendy leg so it may take some time to adjust it properly. And as light increases, the picture quality tends to decrease.
The AAXA P4-X Pico Projector is not perfect but it is surprisingly good for the price. It’s portable and will fit nicely on your coffee table or in any room.
Pros
- Features a 175 Lumens LED optical engine
- Has lots of input/output connections; can project up to 120 inches
- Has built-in lithium-ion premium battery
- Comes with a full complement of useful accessories and cables
Cons
- No on-board media storage; low volume
- The tripod may take some time to adjust properly
FAVI RioHD-LED-2 Mini Projector
FAVI Entertainment’s RioHD-LED-2 mini projector offers the ideal balance in affordability and performance for educators, gamers, home theater enthusiasts, and business professionals alike. Its portable design works well for media entertainment and laptop presentations.
The box includes a remote control, composite A/V cable, power adapter, and user guide. The projector has several connections including HDMI, VGA, composite A/V, component, s-video, and stereo/headphone jack.
It has a native resolution of 640 x 480 and supports 720p, 1080p, and 1080i resolutions. It weighs less than 3lbs and fits nicely in most bags and laptop cases. Its maximum size image is 150 inches.
The RioHD-LED-2 projector comes equipped with the revolutionary LED2 technology to provide 20,000 hours of lamp life. It is 5X as bright as a standard pico projector.
The projector also has built-in speakers with decent sounds. It is budget-friendly, does not heat up easily, and comes with 1 year manufacturer warranty for parts and labor.
Keep in mind that the native resolution of this device is only 640 x 480, so it will downgrade the resolution from your computer or any input device you connect to it.
All functions work via the remote only. If you lose the remote, there is no other way you can adjust the settings. Like some of the standard bright lamp projectors, the cooling fan of this device also produces noise.
For the price, the RioHD-LED-2 mini projector works wonders. It does not have the best product, video, and image quality but it certainly does its job of bringing you great entertainment at home and even at work.
Pros
- Offers the ideal balance between affordability and performance
- Includes HDMI, VGA, composite A/V, component, s-video, and stereo/headphone jack connections
- Supports 720p, 1080p, and 1080i resolutions
- Provides 20,000 hours of lamp life; 5X as bright as standard projectors
Cons
- Has low native resolution; produces noise
- All functions work only through the remote control
Taotaole Multimedia Micro Projector
The Taotaole Multimedia Micro Projector is a portable 800-Lumens projector that you can use in your house, on your backyard, or during outdoor trips. It is lightweight and has easy to use control buttons.
This projector has AC/DC power input. This means you can use it with battery when you’re outdoors or plug it into the socket when you’re home. The box also includes a remote control, power adapter, 3-in-1 AV cable, and user manual.
The Taotaole micro projector has a multi-function feature that allows you to view different video and image formats. Its native resolution is 800 x 480, but it can also support 1920 x 1080 resolution.
The image size of this micro projector stretches from 30 inches up to 120 inches. It has several input connections, including AV, USB, SD, HDMI, and Micro USB. Its projection distance is 3.5 to 12.5 feet.
The device has audio-out jack that enables you to hook up external speakers for better sound quality. It also has multi-language support: English, Spanish, Russian, Deutsch, Czech, and Polski.
The sound quality of the built-in speakers is not outstanding, so connecting external speakers is highly recommended. This device has limited functionality and is not ideal for Office PPT presentations.
Although the picture quality is great,—with clear and solid colors—it has a permanent watermark which is a turn-off for some people. There are also some issues with the fan and bulbs not functioning properly.
Despite the few drawbacks, Taotaole Multimedia 800-Lumens Micro Projector is one of the best options on the market today. It is reasonably priced, easy to set up and use, and has sufficient functionalities.
Pros
- Has AC/DC power input and 800 Lumens brightness
- Image size is 30 to 120 inches; supports 1920 x 1080 resolution
- Has several input/output connections
- Has multi-language support
Cons
- Sound quality is not outstanding
- Has a permanent watermark
AAXA LED Pico Projector
The AAXA LED Pico Projector is a pocket-size projector, measuring only 4.25 x 2.36 x 0.7 inches. And yet, it holds many features and functionalities, such as delivering a vibrant 60-inch image in low-light environments.
The package includes a USB power cable, 3.5m composite cable, adjustable tripod, documentation, and the pico projector itself. The device also has inputs for mini-HDMI, micro SD, USB, and composite video.
The key features of this portable projector are: 25 lumens brightness, qHD 960 x 540 resolution, vibrant color technology (15K-hour lamp life) and built-in lithium ion battery that lasts for up t0 80 minutes on a single charge.
The AAXA LED Pico Projector has an on-board media player that can support multiple file formats, including MP4, JPG, and AVI. This allows you to easily share videos and pictures with family and friends.
The device is compatible with Mac, PC, and mobile devices such as tablets, iPhone, and Android. It also has built-in speakers with decent sound quality, however it is not as loud as one would expect.
However, this projector does not have a VGA input, which many buyers look for in a projector. The battery life is poor and the picture quality is not of high standards either.
Depending on the lighting conditions, you may notice dark red colors in some areas of the screen. The picture is not sharp enough and the center tends to become slightly blurred.
Due to its minor cons, the AAXA LED Pico Projector is great for adding a TV on your wall, ceiling, or in the bedroom, but not as a primary viewing option in your living room.
Pros
- Portable with qHD 960 x 540 resolution
- Has many connection options
- Has an on-board media player
- Compatible with Mac, PC, and mobile devices
Cons
- Does not have a VGA input
- Poor battery life; poor picture and sound quality