Are you one of those who love the whole cinematic experience when watching a movie or tv series? We are here to fulfill that wish of yours!
All you need is an Android Projector with that TV of yours!
Android Projectors are Projectors that run off the Android operating system, meaning you can download applications from the Google Play stores, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, and stream directly to your projector!
But as with all products, it is challenging to choose which one would best suit your budget and needs. To help you, we have listed below the five best android projectors to give you that cinema-level image and sound quality.
So let’s get started.
Our top picks
1. Anker Nebula Cosmos 1080p Home Entertainment Projector
This projector has a decent set of hardware and features. It is an oval-shaped device with an impartial texture.
With a quad-core CPU (A55) and GPU (Mali G31) along with 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of eMMC ROM. With a resolution of 1080p or full HD, you can watch movies and videos in high quality.
Similar to its hardware, the Nebula Cosmos Projector does not lack in its Software either. With the latest Android TV 9.0 operating system, users can download applications from the Google Play store and store them on this Projector.
The advantages of purchasing an Anker Nebula Cosmos Projector are:
- Full HD (1080p) native resolution
- Android TV 9.0 OS
- Decent built-in speakers
- Google play access
- Autofocus, Keystone correction
The disadvantages of purchasing an Anker Nebula Cosmos Projector are:
- Low brightness rating for HDR
- No 3.5mm audio output
- Requires a separate application for USB playback
- RAM and storage needs improvement
- External power supply adaptor
2. Artlii Play – A Smart Android Projector
This smart operating system, Android TV 9.0, has the latest TV version Android system with a built-in Google play store for downloading and installing applications.
It has a resolution of 1280*720 pixels and can also be used as a BlueTooth speaker by connecting with your phone!
This is not one of the top-notch models, but it is worth more than its price!
The advantages of purchasing an Artlii play Android Projector are:
- It is on the more affordable spectrum of projectors
- It has an Android 9.0 pie
- It has built-in speakers and Bluetooth connection
- 45-degree keystone correction
The disadvantages of purchasing an Artlii play android projector are:
- It has a lower resolution as compared to other models
- There is no option for adjustments in brightness, color, contrast, etc
- Keystone is tricky to adjust
3. XGIMI MoGo Pro
This 1080p Android TV portable projector with built-in Harman/Kardon dual speakers and a high capacity battery is perfect for when you need entertainment where you are!
This projector provides a sharp, crisp image with a physical resolution of 1920×1080 pixels and projects in real full HD and is 225% clearer than mainstream 720p projectors.
It also supports video format up to 4K Ultra HD. It has features of autofocus and smart keystone correction.
The advantages of purchasing an XGIMI MoGo Pro are:
- Full 1080p HD
- Android 9.0 pie
- Native apps and mirroring
- Seamless integration with other Google smart applications
The disadvantages of purchasing an XGIMI MoGo Pro are:
- The image quality is not up to the mark
4. Anker Nebula Capsule II
The new Nebula Capsule II projector is a lightweight can-shaped mini projector that can create an HD, 720p picture that’s up to 100 inches obliquely. It has a built-in speaker, so you don’t have to fret with Bluetooth.
It also has an Android TV built-in, so you don’t have to fuss with HDMI or to cast from your phone (though you can do those things, too).
The 8-watt speaker that it offers has a 360-degree surround-sound network delivering you a theatre-like experience. The back of the projector has an IR sensor, a mode switch button, and a power button.
It also has a ‘Nebula Connect’ app that facilitates a motion detector for moving the mouse/cursor on the projector UI and configure other settings. You can connect many more appliances to the projector via the HDMI cable like laptops, gaming consoles, etcetera. Media playback is probable using the USB port on the projector.
The advantages of purchasing this projector are:
- Runs Android TV natively
- Extremely portable
- 720p resolution
- Speaker is built-in and gets plenty loud
The disadvantages of purchasing this projector are:
- Only 2-3 hours battery life
- Slightly expensive for its worth
- No Netflix or Amazon Prime without weird hacks
- No easy way to save video on the device (and not enough storage do it anyway)
5. Anker Nebula Mars II
Yes, you read that right. Another Anker projector. What can we do? They are the best at what they do!
For all those movie fanatics and hardcore gamers, here is the one projector that might knock over your hearts. Guess what! It is the only mini projector in the market that can scale images up to a 150 inches screen size.
Having a sturdier size, it doesn’t risk on the characteristics and functionality that it offers on the upper-hand. It also has tripod support for increasing its height.
It has around 4 hours of battery life on a full charge. It has a regular USB port, DC input, and HDMI port for presenting your PS4, XBOX, or laptop. It runs on Android, and you get all the fundamental streaming applications like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and whatnot.
It has 300 ANSI lumens of brightness, optimal to view in the dark or limited lighting. It has dual 10W speakers that sound exceptionally satisfactory. It only allows up to 720p resolution to the max.
The advantages of purchasing this projector are:
- It has Good color quality for video and photos
- It Doubles as a Bluetooth speaker system
- It Runs Android 7.1 (and Android apps)
- It has a Loud sound system with smooth audio
- It has a built-in battery
- It has Up to 150 inches screen size
- It has 4 hours of battery life
The disadvantages of purchasing this projector are:
- It is not as easily portable as some similar projectors
- Its Autofocus is slow to engage
- It is Only 720p resolution supported
- It does not have the sharpest lens
In case you were not able to find our list of best android projector helpful, we have listed below some features to keep in mind when looking out for an android projector:
What to consider when buying an Android projector?
It is possible that the products mentioned above we found to be the best might not have to suit your needs and budget.
To further help you out, we have mentioned below factors you should keep in mind to help you find the best android projector.
Image quality
The projector you plan on buying must have a minimum of 1080p resolution around 1920×1080 for streaming high-definition content without any upscaling of the image that could spoil the complete quality of the picture.
A 4K non-upscaled laser projector or an LED projector would just look as unique as QLED TVs available out there that are highly expensive. Projectors having sRGB / Dolby Vision / Rec.706certifications are ideal for brighter whites and deeper blacks.
DLP vs. LCD vs. LED
There are three leading technologies used for projection: DLP, LCD, and LED.
DLP stands for Digital Light Processing, which uses a chip made of tiny microscopic mirrors and a spinning color wheel to create an image. These projectors deliver sharp images, do not require filters, have better response time and 3D capabilities.
The useful lamp life of a DLP projector is only 2000-5000 hours, which can prove to be a drawback, along with the fact that some customers complained of color ghosting/banding in some scenes.
Moving forward to LCD, these projectors used liquid crystal displays, have no moving parts, and are less expensive. If you are on a tight budget, you can go for a single chip LCD projector, but otherwise, a three-chip LCD offers better color saturation, lower noise levels, and works better for movies.
However, these projectors require constant filter maintenance and output less contrast.
The LEDs in LED projectors are known to have over 20,000 hours, which is quite ideal. They deliver better colors, have lower power consumption, and virtually zero maintenance costs.
These are smaller and generate less heat. However, these have limited brightness as compared to LCDs or DLPs, so If you plan on installing them in a room with plenty of light, it would not be the right choice.
Brightness
If the image isn’t bright enough to be seen clearly, all other measures fly out the window. Getting sufficient light out of a projector is often the most significant challenge, but remember, it is nearly impossible to get a projector that is too luminous.
If a projector is ever “too bright,” you can always just turn the brightness down. But making a projector that is too dim brighter is a difficult task!
Contrast ratio
Contrast ratio is probably the most trivial specification you’ll find. Like HDTVs, projectors depend on so-called “dynamic contrast” to boost their on-paper performance.
Dynamic contrast means comparing the richest black with the brightness turned all the way down for image A to the brightest white with the brightness turned all the way up for image B.
Unlike TVs, the screen surface plays an important role in contrast.
Intended use
Before planning to make a purchase, you must be aware of the intended use of your projector as this will help you decide what kind of features you should look out for.
Connectivity in projectors
While VGA, AVI, and HDMI are usually present, it is preferred to have a USB for plugging and playing images and videos. But if you are looking at arranging a massive home theatre, where the projector will be ceiling hoisted, you can do without a USB. For such a setup, you will have to keep the projector connected to a DVD or a Blu-ray player.
Team it up with a home theatre for a surround sound result.
Projector resolution
This is an important feature when choosing the right device for your needs. Resolution describes how clear a projected image will be based on how many pixels can be displayed in a given space.
Projector Maintenance
Your projector needs slight maintenance to keep working at its best. You may need to clean the projection window and obstacle sensor occasionally and clean the air filter and air vents to dissuade the projector from overheating due to obstructed ventilation.
FAQ
Can I watch TV on my projector?
Suppose your projector has an HDMI input cable. Then you can watch TV on it. If your projector has this port, it will allow you to stream content and connect to live TV applications available through the Google Play store.
Is there a projector app for android?
The best app for sending content from your Android device to your projector depends on the type of software your projector possesses. Usually, it is easy to share content from your smartphone to your projector if both are linked to the same Wi-Fi network.
Can you watch Netflix on a projector?
Yes, you can watch Netflix on a projector. But not with screen mirroring option as Netflix and some other sites black this feature to avoid the illegal display of their content.
This is one of the primary reasons why one should go for an Android TV projector so that you can access this content via the projector’s native apps.
Is a cheap projector worth it?
If you buy the cheapest projector, it will work, and it will project the picture onto your wall or screen. It just depends on the quality you may be seeking.
Higher-end projectors will display a higher quality picture.