Portable Projector Buyers Guide: What to Know Before You Buy
Pico Projector Buyers Guide
This guide demystifies brightness, resolution, throw, operating systems, connectivity and more so you can choose the right pico / portable projector with confidence.
What is a Pico Projector?
A pico (mini / pocket) projector is a compact, lightweight projector designed for portability with battery and mains operation. Typical uses include movies, spare‑room big‑screen TV, art and tracing, travel, business presentations, education and outdoor cinema nights.
Light sources
| Light source | Description |
|---|---|
| LED | 20,000–30,000 hour lifespan, low heat, energy‑efficient, instant on/off. Used in most pico projectors. |
| Laser | Similar image quality to LED but typically 2–4× costlier. Rare in portables. |
| Lamp | Larger and heavier with replaceable bulbs; uncommon in modern portables. |
Which type is best: LED DLP or LED LCD?
| Imaging tech | How it works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCD | Light passes through RGB LCD panels. | Usually cheaper; can look vibrant. | Larger/heavier/noisier, less flexible throw/offset, weaker blacks; edge blurring on very cheap units. |
| DLP | Micromirrors reflect light via LED colour sequencing. | Higher contrast and motion handling; better throw/offset; smaller, quieter, sharper. | Generally more expensive. |
Key features to check before you buy
Brightness (ANSI lumens)
- Typical pico range: ~50 to ~1,500 ANSI lumens.
- Room lighting: Darker rooms need less brightness; ambient light needs more.
Image position: throw & offset
- Throw distance: DLP picos often allow smaller minimum images and more flexible placement than LCD.
- Offset: DLP usually projects level with or slightly above the lens when on a table. Many LCDs project to the middle of the screen and may need a shelf/tripod/ceiling mount.
Resolution
- Native vs “supported”: Always check the native resolution; “supports 1080p/4K” can still be low‑res internally.
- Common native resolutions: 240p (poor) • 480p (basic) • 720p (HD) • 1080p (high‑end) • 4K (rare/large/expensive in true picos).
Connectivity
- Bluetooth: for audio only (to speakers/headphones).
- Wireless: screen mirroring via Miracast (Android/Windows) and AirPlay (iOS/macOS), often via built‑in apps such as eShare/Airpin.
- Wired: HDMI, USB, microSD, USB‑C; some models mirror Apple devices using the charging cable; some support Samsung DeX.
- Audio out: check for 3.5 mm jack.
Keystone, focus & noise
- Keystone: vertical (sometimes horizontal) digital keystone keeps images rectangular.
- Autofocus: convenient on frequent moves.
- Noise & cooling: Smaller chassis can mean faster fans; check dB or user feedback.
Battery, accessories & warranty
- Battery mode: Cheaper models may dim on battery to save power; very bright (>650 ANSI) battery models are rare.
- Accessories: Tripods, cases, mounts are handy for travel or fixed installs.
- Warranty & support: Prefer brands/sellers with strong after‑sales support.
Operating systems & apps
Many pico projectors run Android with built‑in apps (Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, etc.) and access to app stores. If an app later becomes unsupported, you can add an inexpensive HDMI streaming dongle to stay current. Some picos ship without an OS and rely on external sources (HDMI, laptop, dongles).
Built‑in speakers & audio
Larger all‑in‑one portables can include powerful speakers but are 4–5× heavier/bulkier. A compact projector + external Bluetooth speaker is often the best portability/quality trade‑off.
What to avoid: common pitfalls
- Inflated lumen claims and vague “peak/marketing lumens”.
- “Full HD/4K” on very cheap devices – check the native resolution.
- Poor lens uniformity and edge blurring on ultra‑cheap LCDs.
- Suspiciously repetitive or fake reviews.
FAQ checklist (quick scan)
| Area | What to check |
|---|---|
| Brightness | Real ANSI lumens (ignore “marketing” numbers) |
| Throw/offset | Fits your room; DLP usually more flexible |
| Keystone/focus | Vertical/horizontal keystone; autofocus if possible |
| Noise | Fan dB or user feedback |
| Battery | Brightness on battery; many dim in eco mode |
| Accessories | Tripod, case, mounts as needed |
| Warranty | Responsive seller/brand |
| Resolution | Native 240p / 480p / 720p / 1080p / 4K (rare in picos) |
| Imaging | LCD (cheaper) vs DLP (smaller/sharper/better motion) |
| Light source | LED (most common) • Laser (costly) • Lamp (rare) |
| Connectivity | BT for audio, Wi‑Fi mirroring, HDMI/USB/USB‑C, 3.5 mm |
| OS | Android apps, or no‑OS (use HDMI/dongles) |
| Speakers | All‑in‑one vs external BT speaker trade‑off |
Example pico projectors
- Pico Genie Impact 2 Plus Elite (LED DLP) – Ultra‑portable for movies, art and small groups.
- Pico Genie Impact 4 Plus (LED DLP) – Brighter, higher‑res; good for travel presentations.
- Pico Genie M550 Plus 3.0 (LED DLP) – High brightness with battery in a compact form.
- Pico Genie L700 (LED LCD) – Latest Android OS, higher brightness; no battery.
Conclusion & contact
There’s always a trade‑off between size/weight, brightness, resolution, battery and placement flexibility. If a spec looks too good to be true, it probably is—verify ANSI lumens and native resolution, and buy from a team that can support you before and after purchase.
Need advice? Call +44 (0) 01977 711 333 • Email info@picogenie.co.uk