Portable projectors, like everything else in life, arrive in many flavors. You may go with a cheapo, but remember you invariably end up with what you pay for. Low light power, short battery life, no HDMI, no elemental protection…the list goes on. Since a portable projector fits so well into activities like camping (or so-called “glamping” as you’re adding glamor to outdoorsy life), you really ought to pick one that’s fully loaded. Even if it costs a little more, you’re thinking about a long term investment.
So what should you look for? Well, we already mentioned lumens, and 500 is a nice threshold to remember. Water, dust, and shock proofing are excellent to have, since your portable projector may get jostled, dropped, or used near bodies of water – or maybe even in the rain.
Connectivity is absolutely vital. HDMI, USB Type A and Type C, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. With those you can connect your portable projector to pretty much every device imaginable: gaming console, streaming box, router, smartphone, RV radio…and many more. Plus, connectivity turns that portable projector into a smart device, since good models arrive pre-loaded with Android TV, so you can enjoy Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and other apps wherever you may camp.
And with Bluetooth included, that portable projector doubles as a standalone Bluetooth speaker. Pair it with your smartphone or tablet, load up Spotify, and you have an endless playlist for your campsite.
