XGIMI Halo+ GTV
Brightness: 700 ISO lumens | Streaming OS: Google TV | Battery life: 2.5 hours | Power source: AC adapter | Auto adjustments: Keystone, focus | Built-in stand: Non-adjustable | Resolution: 1080p | Size: 5.71”L x 6.75”W x 4.47”H, 3.5 lb
After testing all the best options, the XGIMI Halo+ is my top pick for portable projector because it combines class-leading excellent image quality with decent portability, yet looks elegant enough to live permanently on a coffee table. At 3.5 pounds and measuring about the size of a tissue cube, it’s easy to bring almost anywhere you might need a screen. Colors appear accurate and cinematic without requiring any adjustments out of the box, and its 700 ISO lumens of brightness are sufficient to make it usable indoors during daylight hours with the curtains drawn or even outside in the evening. 2.5 hours of rechargeable battery life and decent built-in speakers allow you to use it almost anywhere. And because it runs Google TV, it supports all major streaming platforms — including Netflix — and will receive regular firmware updates. (If you don’t use Netflix and don’t mind a slightly quirkier set-up process, the older version is available with Android TV for about $100 less.)
The Halo+’s few downsides only reveal themselves in head-to-head comparisons with top competitors. Its built-in Harmon Kardon speakers sound a touch thinner than those of others I tested, but you can pair it with any Bluetooth speaker or soundbar of your choosing. While it does have a built-in stand that folds into the bottom, it’s either fully out or not at all (though you can add an adjustable one if you want), and its lack of USB-C charging feels like a missed opportunity, considering similar XGIMI models offer this feature. Finally, while its fan is pretty quiet overall, it was the loudest among the models I tested. Overall, however, it was still the most well-rounded portable projector out of all the ones I researched and tested because it’s both powerful and portable enough to meet expectations under all the typical circumstances you’d plan on using it in.