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Updated Oct 22, 2021
The market today offers some of the best portable short throw projectors in recent memory. In this product review article, let’s run through the best portable short-throw projectors to make your next presentation or movie experience a lot more convenient.
Before you move to the detailed reviews, here are the top portable short throw projectors in a glimpse:
- BEST PORTABLE SHORT THROW PROJECTOR: ASUS S1 200 lumen
- BEST DESIGN: Sony LSPX-P1 Portable Ultra
- BEST BUDGET PORTABLE SHORT THROW PROJECTOR: ViewSonic M1 Portable Projector
- BEST IN BRIGHTNESS: Optoma ML750ST Ultra-Compact 700 Lumen WXGA
Portability is the name of the game these days, not only for phones and computers but also for projection equipment. If you are a fan of mini home theaters or if you often do small group discussions, then using the best portable short throw projectors will enhance your experience.
Top 4 Best Portable Short Throw Projectors
| Projector Model | Price | Our Verdict | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS S1 200 lumen HDMI/MHL Built-in 6,000mAh Battery Power Bank Short-Throw LED Pocket Projector |   | $$ | Best Overall |  |
| Sony LSPX-P1 Portable Ultra Short Throw Projector |   | $$$ | Best in Product Design | |
| ViewSonic M1 Portable Projector with Dual Harman Kardon Speakers |   | $ | Best Budget Portable Short Throw Projector | |
| Optoma ML750ST Ultra-Compact 700 Lumen WXGA Short Throw LED Projector |   | $$$ | Best in Brightness | |
ASUS S1 200 lumen HDMI/MHL Built-in 6,000mAh Battery Power Bank Short-Throw LED Pocket Projector – BEST OVERALL
ASUS S1 Specifications & Details:
Native Resolution: 854×480
Brightness (Lumens): 200 lumens brightness; up to 100 inches (in low-light conditions
Throw and Zoom Ratio: 1:1
Connectivity: separate adapters Lightning Digital AV Adapter from Apple, Samsung specific MHL cable (5 pin to 11 pin) for video output
Outputs: HDMI/MHL, USB port for charging
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
Light Source Life: 30,000-hour LED lifespan
Built-in Speakers: ASUS SonicMaster-enhanced speaker
One of the best things about the ASUS S1 projector is that it comes in a sleek, compact, and durable form. With its Zen-inspired and ultra-portable design, this device has promising capabilities.
It’s recommended for people who are always on the go or for professionals whose jobs require a lot of traveling. This particular ASUS S1 short throw projector is lightweight and can easily be carried anywhere you need to go.
It also comes with a best-in-class short throw ratio: place it 2 feet (0.6m) from the screen, and it can project up to 100 inches image size. It’s an effective projector for presentations in confined spaces.
Prof of ASUS S1
- Very compact and lightweight, so you can bring it anywhere
- Can be used for 3 hours and can also serve as a power bank for other devices
- Comes in sleek and minimalist design
Cons of ASUS S1
- May not project clear images in huge spaces
- Low lumens rating at 200
Why Should You Consider the ASUS S1 Projector?
With the compact but highly capable design of ASUS S1, users generally find this product incredibly useful especially for those who need to travel a lot. By far, it is considered one of the most recommended portable projectors in the market today.
Almost all users of this product have given it a perfect score in terms of style, technical specifications, and price.
Is the ASUS S1 Projector for You?
This device is a marvel to behold, because its small frame can project a 100-inch image with ease. I especially like that it fits the palm of my hand, and yet is powerful enough to be used in company meetings and product presentations.
Its compact frame sacrifices some features such as lamp brightness and the number of ports for device compatibility. However, as long as the device is used in a dark room and you’re using conventional media sources transmitted via HDMI, this baby will be your new favorite presentation tool.
Sony LSPX-P1 Portable Ultra Short Throw Projector with WiFi/Bluetooth, Wireless HDMI Unit, Compatible with Android & iOS – BEST IN PRODUCT DESIGN
Sony LSPX-P1 Specifications & Details:
Native Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels
Brightness (Lumens): Up to 100 lumens
Throw and Zoom Ratio: displays images up to 80″ on flat surfaces
Connectivity: WiFi from supplied wireless HDMI unit, DMI out to external AV receiver, speaker or TV
Outputs: HDMI IN connector (1), HDMI OUT connector (1 (pass-through)), IR BLASTER connector (Mini jack)
Contrast Ratio: 4000:1
Light Source Life: No data
Built-in Speakers: 2 (monaural) bass reflex system
With its compact design, it may be difficult to imagine that the Sony LSPX-P1 projects images in just about any screen or room. This ultra short throw projector shoots images up to 80 inches in size, at barely a few centimeters from the screen. It projects 720p high-definition and high-contrast images via the SXRD panel laser projection.
Its multiple connectivity options allow you to connect a wide array of media devices – laptop, smartphone, Blu-Ray player, digital media player, cable box, and any HDMI-supported device.
What makes this device even more fascinating is the built-in Smart Control, which allows the user to watch images or videos in just a few swipes. Also, a compatible mobile app can be used to control the device using your smartphone, thereby enhancing the user experience as you can easily send commands from any phone.
It comes with a built-in battery which can work for up to two hours. The Sony LSPX-P1 also offers outstanding built-in speakers that go well with the high resolution images that this device produces.
Pros of Sony LSPX-P1
- Stylish, compact design
- Above average audio quality
- Produces 720p high-contrast images
- Has a built-in battery
- Multiple connection ports
Cons of Sony LSPX-P1
- Relatively more expensive than most of its competitors
- Balancing the images can be very challenging
Why Should You Consider the LSPX-P1 Projector?
Users generally find the product impressive especially for the images it projects. Audio quality from the built-in speakers is also considered one of the greatest assets of the product.
However, some buyers found it difficult to position the device to balance the images. In addition, the users generally experienced difficulty in using the mobile application supposedly compatible with this device.
Is the This Projector for You?
Out of all the best portable short throw projectors on this list, the Sony LSPX-P1 gets my two thumbs up for design. The device looks like it came out of outer space, similar to the EVE robot from Wall-E.
The product also doesn’t scrimp on features. Despite its minimalist frame, this projector showcases high-contrast and high-quality images and several connectivity options. It’s no wonder that it was awarded top seed in our review of the best Sony short throw projectors.
Sony LSPX-P1 Portable Ultra User Manual
ViewSonic M1 Portable Projector with Dual Harman Kardon Speakers, HDMI, USB C and Built-in Battery – BEST BUDGET PORTABLE SHORT THROW PROJECTOR
ViewSonic M1 Specifications & Details:
Native Resolution: 854 x 480
Brightness (Lumens): 250
Throw and Zoom Ratio: 1.2
Connectivity: MicroSD card slot, USB Type-A, and USB Type-C
Outputs: HDMI, Audio Output
Contrast Ratio: 120,000:1
Light Source Life: 30,000-hour LED lifespan
Built-in Speakers: Dual Harman Kardon speakers
The ViewSonic M1 could project images in almost anywhere and in almost any type of room. It is one of the known quality projectors that come in affordable price in the market today.
What is good about this product is the ease of placement. With its smart stand that doubles as a lens cover, the user doesn’t have to change the position of this device if there is a need to project images on another wall or screen.
It also comes with solid built-in speakers that complements the quality images it projects. The 6-hour built-in battery allows the user to experience longer viewing time without the hassle. The device is also covered with an industry-leading warranty, which is rarely offered by some leading brands.
At a price that’s significantly lower than all of the best portable short throw projectors on this list, the ViewSonic M1 Portable Projector brings the best value for money.
Pros of ViewSonic M1
- Affordable for its outstanding capabilities
- Connectivity of the device is very convenient
- Offers big projection and produces maintains the high resolution of images
- Very user-friendly for its plug and play set-up
Cons of ViewSonic M1
- Remote signal does not work properly most of the time
- Users may encounter difficulty in adjusting picture settings
- Does not support wireless connectivity
Why Should You Consider the ViewSonic M1 Projector?
As one of the most affordable portable projectors in the market today, the ViewSonic M1 is generally loved because of its 250-lumen brightness and its built-in speakers. The built-in 4000mAH battery is also loved by the buyers, as they can watch movies or view presentations without worrying that the battery might run out easily.
On the other hand, one of the downsides of the device often observed by users is the difficulty to adjust the settings to clearly project the images. Also, the remote usually fails to serve its purpose.
Is the ViewSonic M1 Projector for You?
This device definitely takes the cake in terms of value for money. The ViewSonic M1 Portable Projector is perfect for people who are looking for any of the best portable short throw projectors at the lowest possible price. Some of its best features include a unique swingable lens cover that also functions as a stand, as well as its Harman Kardon speakers.
On the flip side, the relatively low lumens rating of this projector makes it a bit unsuitable for rooms with ambient light.
ViewSonic M1 Portable Projector User Manual
Optoma ML750ST Ultra-Compact 700 Lumen WXGA Short Throw LED Projector with MHL Enabled HDMI Port – BEST IN BRIGHTNESS
Optoma ML750ST Specifications & Details:
Native Resolution: WXGA (1280 x 800)
Brightness (Lumens): 700 ANSI lumens
Throw and Zoom Ratio: 0.8:1 (distance/width) – 5% variance
Connectivity: 1x HDMI + MHL v2.0, 1x Universal I/O – VGA, microSD-slot, USB-A reader/wireless, 1x Audio-out
Outputs: Audio out (3.5mm)
Contrast Ratio: 20,000:1
Light Source Life: up to 20,000 hours (LED Life)
Built-in Speakers: 1.5 Watt Speaker
The Optoma ML750ST is built for people who need a projector that could keep up with a life that is always on the go. Engineered for portability and convenience, this device comes with a palm-sized and lightweight design. Its integrated media player lets the user view videos and images conveniently. It also offers mirroring technology which can easily be used for mobile devices.
Its best feature, however, is its powerful LED light source with a lumens rating of 700, which is the brightest one on our list of the best portable short throw projectors. It’s also designed for no lamp replacement, and therefore speaks volumes about its quality and durability.
Pros of Optoma ML750ST
- High lumens brightness
- Palm-sized design
- Weighs less than one pound
- Comes with mirroring technology for iOs, Android and other Windows devices
Cons of Optoma ML750ST
- Difficult to fix picture settings
- Focus is also difficult to fix
Why Should You Consider the Optoma ML750ST Projector?
The easiest thing to love about this product is its compact design. Users love how they can easily bring this projector wherever they go.
Compared to its competitors, though, the Optoma ML750ST is a bit more pricey. However, the quality of images and videos projected by this portable projector is worth the cost.
In addition, some users frequently mentioned their difficult encounter in adjusting the angles for better projection of images.
Is the Optoma ML750ST Projector for You?
Its lumens brightness is one of the highest in the market, making the Optoma ML750ST a best buy in terms of picture quality. I also like how it looks like a conventional projector but fits in the palm of my hand.
However, its price is almost the same as the Sony LSPX-P1 Portable Ultra Short Throw Projector. Between the two, though, I prefer the latter for its impeccable design and ultra short throw ratio.
Optoma ML750ST Ultra-Compact 700 Lumen WXGA User Manual
Relevant Reviews:
Best Short Throw Projectors On The Market
Best Short Throw Projector Under $500
Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors
Which Is The Best Portable Short Throw Projector For You?
Big surprises come in small packages indeed. Portable short throw projectors are very easy to love, because their capabilities will definitely impress you, especially considering the affordability and durability that they come with.
The recommendations above should help you pick the best portable short throw projectors for your intended purpose.
FAQ
What To Look For Before Buying The Best Portable Short Throw Projectors?
Of course, when buying the best portable short throw projectors, you should consider the size, weight, and warranty. You should also check the technical aspects like connectivity and imagery.
What Are The Best Portable Short Throw Projectors?
Based on our research, which includes real people review, the best portable short throw projectors for you are the following:
- – ASUS S1
- – Sony LSPX-P1
- – ViewSonic M1
- – Optoma ML750ST
Why Should You Buy ASUS S1?
The ASUS S1 is a small but compact short throw projector. It can also project 200 lumens brightness.
Why Should You Buy Sony LSPX-P1?
This model packs beauty and function. It also has the greatest audio quality on our list.
Why Should You Buy ViewSonic M1?
This affordable projector provides 250 lumens brightness and a built-in 4000mAH battery. Thus, resulting in better user experience.
Why Should You Buy Optoma ML750ST?
The Optoma ML750ST is a small but terrible projector. Users love it because they can bring it wherever they want because of its size and weight.
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