Mini Projectors

In a nutshell, a pico projector is a small, yet powerful mini projector. It's an extremely portable projector which, at its smallest, is pocket-sized and comparable in weight and shape to a cell phone. That makes pico projectors exceptionally easy to transport, since you can slip many models into a coat pocket or the pocket of a laptop bag. Originally developed to work with compact portable devices like smartphones, tablets and digital cameras, the first mobile projectors were characterized by a low brightness factor and low fidelity audio related to their size.

Since then, advances have led to vastly improved video capabilities, in some cases rivaling the full-size projectors that are familiar to many. Additionally, audio output is no longer limited to the built-in speakers. Audio can be run through your computer or laptop with USB or HDMI cables, or through a portable speaker that's part of your wireless network. Underscoring its versatility, your pico projector essentially becomes a phone projector when you use your smartphone (or tablet) to project content onto any nearby surface, such as a wall, notebook or tent flap.

In order to select the pico projector that best meets your needs, you'll want to identify specifications like brightness and resolution first. Resolution varies, but it's important to know that the higher resolutions deliver more detailed high-definition images. Similarly, the higher the brightness rating, the better the picture. An additional consideration is connectivity. Whether it has USB, HDMI, VGA or S-video inputs, you'll want to be sure the pico projector you select matches up with the source equipment you'll be using for projecting content. Finally, consider the battery and how long it will last before requiring recharging.