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In 2022, we see a trend in Ultra Short Throw and 4K laser projectors. Where do the mini projectors, micro projectors, or pico projectors stand in the market nowadays, then? In today’s blog, we look at the new mini projectors that are small in size and yet have loads of power factors in 2022. If you are looking for a small, portable projector for your bedroom, small studio, apartment, van, classroom, or meeting room, these tiny yet mighty projectors are for you!
AAXA P8 Smart Mini Projector – ( $249 on Amazon)
AAXA Technologies have been well-known for the projectors in the “portable mini projectors” class in the past decade. The AAXA P8 Smart Mini Projector comes up in the first place because it is the smallest, lightest, and most versatile mini projector. Weighing only 0.6lbs, the AAXA P8 Mini Smart Projector is truly a mini projector that fits in your pocket (1.40″ x 3.90″ x 3.40″ (HxWxD)).
The AAXA new P8 projector can support up to 1080p signal and its native resolution is 960×540.
Though the P8’s native resolution is not very impressive, it is equipped with Android 10.0 onboard, WiFi, Bluetooth, and built-in streaming apps such as Netflix and Twitch. Wireless screen mirror smart devices are also available on the P8 mini projector, so the only cable you need in order to watch YouTube or Netflix is the projector’s power cable.
What we like about the AAXA P8 Mini Smart Projector (besides its super tiny compact size) is its wide variety of inputs, including HDMI, USB, 3.5mm Headphone Jack (Audio Out), and Memory Card (Micro SD)). The AAXA P8 Mini Smart Projector projects a decent 430-LED-Lumens brightness image, which is more than acceptable for casual movie time and gaming, especially when the price is very attractive at only $249. The projector comes with a mini tripod and a tiny remote control, making the whole package a real bargain.
Pros: very compact and portable, smart features (WiFi, Bluetooth, Android 10.0), inexpensive
Cons: not native Full HD resolution
Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector – ($699 on Amazon)
We have reviewed the Wemax Dice Movie Projector on our YouTube channel before, and we really like its smart connections and user interface. However, the Wemax Dice Movie Projector is perhaps too big and heavy to be considered a real mini projector. Instead, the Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector has a better fit in the “mini projector” class. The Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector has 300 ANSI Lumen brightness and it is capable of projecting a 100-inch screen using an ALDPlaser light source. The connectivity that the Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector offers are USB, HDMI, 3.5mm Audio, making it a standard projector.
Similar to the AAXA P8 Mini Smart Projector, the Wemax Go is also equipped with WiFi for Airplay & Miracast. However, while the AAXA P8 has WiFi for browsing the internet, the Wemax Go’s WiFi is only usable for wireless screen mirroring from your smartphone or other smart devices. The Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector does not have a built-in power supply. In other words, it does not have a built-in battery, and it needs connecting to a power source. This power source can be a 15V/2A power bank. With auto vertical keystone, the Wemax Go provides a degree of ease of use. Wemax advertises the Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector as a “1080P support projector” – and its native resolution remains unknown. We could not find any information about the Wemax projector’s true native resolution on their Amazon listing.
At the price point of $699, the Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector lacks numerous typical features that projectors in the above $500 price range often offer such as a built-in battery, horizontal and vertical keystone, auto focus, zoom, and native 1080P full HD resolution.
Pros: Small size (0.71 lbs), nice & sleek design, decent brightness, Wifi for Airplay and Miracast
Cons: Wifi is only available for screen mirroring, no tripod, no remote control, expensive, unknown native resolution.
Samsung Freestyle Projector – ($899 on Amazon)
Making its debut at CES 2022, the Samsung Freestyle Projector is probably the projector that has the most controversial reviews and feedback in 2022. Some people love the Samsung Freestyle Projector for its exotic design – most people would not be able to tell if it was a projector or a speaker, or a studio light at the first sight. While most lifestyle influencers on YouTube love the Samsung Freestyle for its beautiful white color and its unique “Point & Play” design, the Samsung Freestyle Projector receives various critical reviews from the true projector-enthusiasts out there.
What you get for paying $899.99 on the Samsung Freestyle Projector are native 1080P Full HD resolution, Samsung Smart TV with voice assistants, 360 sound from a powerful Dolby speaker, auto keystone, smart calibration, and a 100-inch screen from any angle. Similar to the AAXA P8 Mini Smart Projector, the Samsung Freestyle Projector has Bluetooth for audio out and WiFi for both smartphone screen mirroring and web browsing.
The Samsung Freestyle is relatively small (4″ x 6.8″ x 3.7″ with the stand and 3.7” x 5.3” x 3.7” without the stand, 2.9 lbs shipping weight), and you can call it a mini projector. However, we would not classify it as a portable projector due to its lack of a built-in battery. However, an external battery is available to purchase on Samsung Official Website.
The Samsung projector’s Achilles’ heel is definitely its brightness. Samsung has been inconsistent with their brightness rating – it was measured multiple times with a different brightness rating every time. Sometimes they stated that the Samsung freestyle projector had 400 ANSI Lumen. Another time, the projector brightness was measured with just “lumen”, or “ANSI LED lumen”, or “LED lumen”. Today when we checked their official listing at Samsung.com, the Samsung Freestyle Projector brightness is measured at 550 Lumen Nits by Samsung.
We like that Samsung provides a native 1080p projector, but is the Samsung Freestyle worth $899.99 when it is not fully portable and its brightness is very humble?
Pros: Wifi, Bluetooth, Samsung Smart TV, Auto Keystone, Auto Focus, Native 1080P FHD, Color Calibration, Remote control with voice assistance, good speaker
Cons: expensive, very low brightness, no built-in battery
Acer AOPEN QH11 Projector – ($179.99 on Acer Official Website)
If it’s your first projector and you do not want to spend over $200, Acer has a new projector that is maybe worth your initial investment. The Acer AOPEN QH11 is a Single LCD Projector with a native resolution of 720p HD. At only $179.99, the Acer AOPEN QH11 offers 2 USB ports, 1 HDMI Port for video in, Audio Line Out, and Headphone Jack. On top of that, the Acer Aopen QH11 Projector has both vertical and horizontal keystone correction – which the $699 Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector is not capable of. The Acer AOPEN QH11 Projector’s standard brightness is 200 Lumens, roughly the same level of brightness with the Samsung Freestyle Projector. We appreciate Acer for being honest about the native resolution of the AOPEN QH11 Projector.
At $179,99, the ACER AOPEN QH11 Projector is significantly cheaper than both the Wemax Go Mini Pocket Projector and the Samsung Freestyle Projector. The $249 AAXA P8 Mini Smart Projector is slightly pricier than the Acer QH11, but it is 5x smaller, has Wifi and Bluetooth, and Android 10.0.
Pros: relatively small, horizontal and vertical keystone for easy setup, lens cap included, inexpensive
Cons: no battery, not full HD 1080p, no wifi, no bluetooth