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Pico Projectors

The pico projectors category includes the latest in ultra-portable projectors, micro projectors, and pocket projectors for laptops and other convenient device integration. See below for a list of pico projector reviews and information pages.

Pico projectors, are hand-held portable devices that use a solid state light source such as LED instead of a conventional lamp.

Loosely defined as under 0.75 lbs., they are considerably smaller than similar “pocket projectors” or “mini projectors,” which are therefore over 0.75-1 lbs. Thus, these pico projectors are no larger than the size of a pack of cigarettes.

Since the first pico projectors emerged on the market a few years ago, each subsequent generation’s performance, on average, has exceeded its predecessors. Each year, picture quality, resolution, brightness and even inputs have become more advanced and are expected to continue to improve in the future.

Pico projector brands: 3M, LG, Optoma, Samsung, AAXA.

Pico Projectors Reviews

AAXA-P7+_FeaturedImage - Projector-Reviews-Images

AAXA P7+ Projector Review

August 14, 2023

ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 Portable LED Projector Review

January 3, 2023

  The ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 is a battery-powered LED short-throw DLP projector capable of displaying   an HD (1280x720) resolution image that retails for $449. Its LED light source can deliver 300 LED lumens of brightness ad the LED light source’s long ...

AAXA P400 Portable Short Throw LED Projector Review

November 14, 2022

  AAXA P400   The AAXA P400 is a battery-powered, LED short-throw, DLP projector capable of displaying a Full HD (1920x1080) resolution image which retails for $269. The P400 is one of the newest models from AAXA which is a leading manufacturer of smal ...

XGIMI Halo+ Portable Smart LED Projector Review

October 5, 2021

The new XGIMI Halo+ is brighter, smarter, and easier to install than older Halo XGIMI has done it yet again! XGIMI has found a way to improve the already great XGIMI Halo Smart Portable LED Projector. The new projector is called the XGIMI Halo+. The ne ...

BenQ GV30 Portable LED Smart Projector Review

September 22, 2021

  BenQ GV30 Portable Projector The second generation of BenQ GV and GS projectors has been announced. The BenQ GV30 and GS50 were recently launched at the end of Aug 2021. With the GV30 being the second generation of GV projectors, I had high expectati ...

AAXA M7 Portable LED Projector Review

September 7, 2021

AAXA M7 LED DLP Pico Projector In this article, I will give you a detailed look at the AAXA M7 portable LED projector. This new addition to the AAXA line is a Quad Cast LED-powered, full 1080p projector rated to deliver up to 1200 LED lumens. It retail ...

XGIMI Elfin Smart 1080P LED Projector Review

August 19, 2021

The XGIMI Elfin Smart LED projector is a Smart LED 1080P projector rated to deliver up to 800 ANSI lumens, and it retails for $649.

XGIMI Halo Portable 1080P Android TV Projector Review

May 5, 2021

The XGIMI Halo is a smart 1080P portable DLP projector with a compact design that is super portable, awarded the Projector Reviews Best in Class Award.

AAXA P6X PORTABLE PICO PROJECTOR REVIEW

May 2, 2021

The AAXA P6X Pico projector is an 1100 LED lumen, HD (1280x800) Osram LED/DLP powered, highly portable business projector, capable of projecting up to a 160” image solely on battery power. It has an onboard media player to accommodate cord free present ...

Philips PicoPix Max Projector Review

November 6, 2020

The Philips PicoPix Max is a Full HD (1,920x1,080) DLP projector capable of producing up to a 120’ image, with built in speakers, and up to a 3-hour battery life.

2019 Holiday Guide To Seven Great Home Theater Projectors Under $2000

November 22, 2019

‘Tis the season to be shopping for your next home entertainment or home theater projector! Welcome to our annual shopping guide, the Holiday Guide for Seven Great Home Theater Projectors Under $2000. In this guide we’ve selected some great projectors f ...

Aaxa 4k1 Home Entertainment Projector Review

August 15, 2019

The Aaxa 4K1 mini projector is a 4K (3840 x 2160), 1500 LED Lumen projector for your home entertainment pleasure.

Acer K138ST Projector Review – A Pocket Sized Gaming Machine

December 15, 2017

The Acer K138ST is a pocket projector designed for big screen gaming on the go.

about Pico Projectors

Pico projectors are less than 1 lb., fit comfortably in the pants or even shirt pocket, and are extremely convenient for portable uses. They typically use DLP or LCoS technology with an LED solid state light source. They are one size class smaller than pocket and mini projectors.

True, pico projector resolution remains significantly lower than typical business or home theater projectors, and brightness is not likely to reach the levels of standard size projectors.

However, the picture quality, color, and brighness of recent pico projectors is an improvement upon even the previous year’s models. We presume pico projector imaging will continue to be made better with new technological advances. For example, the brightest of 2009’s pico projectors was only 12 lumens, whereas some of today’s pico projectors measure up to 50 lumens and are more versatile than ever before (as of the end of 2010).

Without a doubt, pico projectors are a lot of fun. Their incredibly small size and excellent portablility make them great for video gaming, movie watching, or mobile presentations (so long as they’re bright enough for your environment).

Above, the pico projectors reviewed in 2010. From left, clockwise: Optoma PK201, LG HX-300G, 3M MP150, Optoma PK301, and the AAXA L1. Not shown: the AAXA P1 Jr.

Let’s take a look at some of the significant features of pico projectors.

Price

Pricing for Pico Projectors is usually around anywhere from $100 to $799 retail price; but most are available for $200-$400.

Notable Specifications

  • Brightness: 8-60 lumens
  • Native resolution: VGA to XGA, also wide screen models
  • Contrast: 1000:1 to 2000+:1
  • Light source life: 20,000+ hours, most rated 10,000-30,000 hours
  • Warranty: typically 90 days to 1 year, parts and labor (varies from brand to brand)
  • Inputs: Composite video is standard, and some offer VGA input, USB input and/or a card reader, and HDMI (typically a mini-HDMI jack)

Highlights

  • Extremely small – around the size of a wallet, some less than 1/2 inch thick, weigh around a half a pound or less
  • Most have more than one type of input in addition to standard composite video source
  • Increased compatibility as memory cards and USB slots are becoming more common
  • Some offer built-in multimedia players
  • Battery life around or just over 1 hour
  • Relatively quick recharge (3-5 hours)
  • Most have audio – 1 or 2 speakers, and some have audio out for external speakers/headphones
  • One year warranty is most common so far (though some have 90 day)
  • Long life LED light source

Check out our 2010 pico projector report for more in-depth analysis, comparisons and reviews of specific models: A Guide To Pico Projectors

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