Pico projectors come in all shapes and sizes, with some even available as modular attachments for your smartphone. They exist to fill the niche for those who want the ability to project content directly from their phone or tablet to make it easier to share photos or watch movies with friends. There's a ton of variety out there, but we've outlined the best available in 2018, including my favorite, the excellent .
Most portable projector
Sony MP-CD1 Mobile Projector
This mobile projector from Sony isn't the most powerful on our list, but it's got a fantastic portable form factor and performs well with a whisper-quiet fan. Ideal for connecting HDMI devices but be warned there's no Bluetooth support for connecting your phone. For more information, check out my .
Weird brand name, quality product
AAXA Technologies P300 Pico Projector
We've highlighted the P300 because it's not too expensive and features native 1280x800 HD resolution with Texas Instruments DLP technology and a 500 LED Lumen optical engine. In terms of connectivity, you get HDMI, mini VGA, microSD and USB readers, with an onboard media player for convenient use.
Best built-in sound
Anker Nebula Capsule
From Anker comes the Nebula, a portable projector that is arguably the most complete projector on the list. It's got a big base that includes a 360-degree speaker and runs on Android 7.1 so you're able to download and use apps such as Netflix and Youtube with just a wireless connection. The cylinder design here is quite unique compared to the other products on our list.
Short-throw projector with a big battery
ASUS S1 LED Pocket Projector
This pocket projector from ASUS is small and mighty, and with a 6000mAh rechargeable battery it also doubles as a power bank to keep your mobile devices charged. It uses advanced DLP technology that's capable of a short-throw projection that creates a 41-inch screen from just one meter away. There's an HDMI/MHL port in the back that lets you plug in your favorite device including support for Samsung or Apple devices.
LG's best portable projector
LG PH150G LED Projector
LG's portable projector lets you cast a screen 100 inches to replicate a movie theater experience in your home, and the LED lamp will last up to an estimated 30,000 hours. There's a built-in wireless mirroring function that works with Android smartphones and tablets, along with a USB port for plugging in files directly and Bluetooth support for audio output.
Best for Moto Z users
Moto Insta-Share Projector Moto Mod
For Motorola fans, the Moto Insta-Share Projector is one of the coolest Moto Mods available, connecting directly to your phone and letting you project videos, photos, and more right onto your wall — up to a 70-inch display.
Pico projectors are a great solution for both home entertainment and formal presentations. Given the variety of styles and features included, choosing the right pico projector will depend on the devices you own and how you plan to connect and watch content. For an ultra-portable solution, we'd recommend the , but for a more unique option that runs on Android and offers better wireless connectivity, we'd recommend the .
Update September 2018: Added the Sony MP-CD1 and updated formatting.