Are you an artist looking for the best digital projector to help you create your next masterpiece? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best digital projectors available on the market today and provide you with a few tips on how to choose the right one for your needs.
So whether you’re a painter, sculptor, or musician, read on to find out which digital projector is perfect for you.
Best Digital Projector for Artists Top Picks
1. KODAK Luma 150 Ultra Mini
The Kodak Luma 150 is a small but portable projector that can show images on both wireless modes. Of course, being a small projector, one cannot expect a lot of brightness, but it still does the job.
Key Features
- Big Screen – despite its portable size, the projector can display up to 150 inches of screen. It also offers multiple modes for viewing. In addition, the image has a 16:1 ratio, and it can play HD and even 4K.
- Connections – you can hook up different types of devices. For example, you can attach a camera, computer, and micro-USBs. The projector has HDMI ports from which you can display the image. If you want, you can also do screen mirroring.
- Portability – the Kodak Luma is a portable projector. It is lightweight, and you can easily lug it around. It has built-in speakers, and the battery can last up to 2.5 hours. It is not ideal for watching movies in a camp, but it would do well for presentations.
While the Kodak Luma has a relaxed look, it does not have the same power as the best projectors made for movies. Nevertheless, it is an excellent choice for artists who want to showcase their work to potential clients.
I like its portability and the varied ways by which you can use it. You can display your images using either wired or wireless. You can also project directly from USB and thumb drives. Unfortunately, it is just not that bright enough for outside viewing.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Super portable
- Stylish exterior design
- Minimal rainbow effect in video
- Can project from multiple sources
- Rechargeable internal battery
- Can reach up to 60 ANSI lumens of brightness
- Image size can reach up to 150 inches
Cons
- Low brightness and modest resolution
- No tripod
- Weak sound output
- Missing vertical keystone correction feature
2. Missyee Mini DLP Projector
Misyee is a Chinese brand that is trying to bring technology at a lower cost. The DLP mini projector is what I recommend to artists who do not want to spend a ton of money and yet still show images in vivid color.
Key Features
- High-Quality Image – while it does not display 4K, the projector is capable of projecting big images with sharp images. It is up to you to display a screen between 30 and 120 inches. However, you need at least one meter distance between the projector and the wall.
- Built-In Battery – as a portable projector, you do not have to rely on electric sockets to make it work. It can last on its battery for two hours. Its lamp life is also long, with a lifetime of 45,000 hours. I can say that this has the longest lamp life of all the projectors I have reviewed.
- Android System – the projector comes with an Android 9.0 operating system. Its memory is 32GB, which gives it a lot of computing power. You can access the PlayStore and install free and paid apps with it. As such, you can use it to run video media apps like you would with a phone.
Despite being small, there are several provisions for connections. It has an HDMI port, and you can also connect your video source via WiFi. On top of that, you can connect to a speaker via Bluetooth.
Apart from showcasing your artwork with this projector, you can use it as a portable device for screencasting content from your gaming consoles and mobile devices.
Pros
- Great value for the money
- Good image and sound quality
- Lots of useful features
- Easy to set up and use
Cons
- Some users report the internal battery does not hold charge
- Remote control can be unrepsoive
3. Bonsaii Portable Smart Projector
Bonsaii is a mini projector that is just about the size of a Rubik’s Cube. You can put it in your pocket and use it on a camping trip, office presentations, and gaming.
Key Features
- Connectivity – it has an HDMI adapter, not a port, but you can still connect an HDMI capable to it. If you do not want to use the HDMI adapter, you can connect a device wirelessly from the same WiFi hot spot.
- Android OS – like the previous one I discussed, this one has an Android operating system, but only version 7.1. Despite this, you can still access the PlayStore and install apps. As such, there are many other things you can do with it.
- 1080P Quality – you can project images and videos up to 1080p video resolution. The default is 1920×1080, and the projector will automatically focus the image at the center. You can use it outdoors and still enjoy the detailed high-definition output. However, I would still recommend using it at night or indoors with no lights on.
- Multi-Media Support is compatible with other mobile devices that run on either Android or iOS platforms. You can connect laptops, tablets, TV sticks, and USB drives.
I like this projector because it comes with both remote and touch controls despite being small. So if the remote stopped working, you could still make it work. You can also buy a tripod and then use it to project videos on a tent.
Pros
- Portable size can be carried in a pocket or bag
- Wireless Screen Mirroring
- 1920x1080P Supported
- Equiped with ±40° vertical Auto Keystone correction function
- Android 7.1.2, supportsApps like Youtube, Netflix etc
- Built-in Google Play and Aptoide TV
Cons
- Does not include a carrying case
- Tripod quality can be improved
4. Amoowa Smart Mini Projector
The Amoowa mini projector is so small that you can fit it in the palm of your hand. It has a touchpad and touch controls, but it does not have a remote. Despite its petite size, the makers still made it work with WiFi.
Key Features
- 200 ANSI – the brightness of this projector may be an issue, but 200 ANSI lumens is enough for a small projector. There are three modes, and you can watch movies with them. It works best in a dark environment, so I will not recommend it for outdoor use.
- Big Screen Size – believe it or not, this small device can project up to 300 inches of the screen on your wall. The thing is that you need a distance of two meters between the wall and the device.
- Connectivity – you can connect your video sources via HDMI and USB. The projector also offers wireless modes so you can connect your phones. It also works with gaming consoles like the PS4.
The screen resolution is fantastic, but do not expect cinema quality. Television still has better brightness. With Android, you use the app to browse for things to watch. It also has a built-in Bluetooth speaker.
If you want, you can use a wireless mouse to connect with it and navigate the system with the mouse. The battery life is also awesome, as it can last up to three hours.
Also, one USB port is the same for charging and viewing from a flash drive. What it means is you cannot plug it in and watch from a USB device simultaneously.
Pros
- Great brightness and picture quality
- Small portable size and lightweight
- 16GB large internal storage
- Quiet Fan
- Enough internal battery life for a 90 minute movie
Cons
- Built-in speakers are poor quality
- Does not include an audio jack but has Bluetooth connectivity
- Touchpad feature can be problematic for long term use
5. EZCast Beam J2 Portable Projector
Ideal for traveling, I strongly recommend this one to artists who need a complete projector package. It comes with a tripod plus a carrying bag. You can carry it no matter where you go and present your artwork to potential clients.
Key Features
- Long Battery Life – the projector sports 9000mAh, which means it can last up to five hours. It has more battery power than your average mobile phone.
- Connectivity – the projector accepts several types of connections such as WiFi, USB, Airplay, Miracast, and DLNA. Because of this, you can use it not only for presentations of your artwork but also for gaming. Ou can connect PS5 consoles laptops and many other things.
- Large Screen – it is a small projector, but it can show 100 inches of screen. This size is double that of most large-screen TVs that you can buy.
The projector already has a built-in speaker. It is integrated with the system, and you no longer have to buy one. Of course, if you want the best speakers, you must use a different set, especially if you watch outdoors.
Pros
- Lamp is bright enough to project in a well-lit room
- Keystone correction is a little basic but responsive
- Picture quality is quite good, especially at night
- Compact, easy to use
Cons
- User interface can be difficult to navigate
- Internal speakers are poor quality
- Color contrast needs improvement
What to look for in a projector for art projector
LED Lights
Many projectors still use incandescent lights. They get a lot hotter, are less color-neutral, are hard on your eyes, and use lots of energy. Compared to the new LED bulbs, incandescent lights do not last very long.
Brightness
Projectors work best when you use them indoors. But if you want to use it outside, then you will need a brighter projector. The brightness of a projector is measured in Lumens and LED bulbs are the best because they give off more light and last longer than regular bulbs.
Resolution
There are many different resolutions for projectors. The resolution is how clear an image is. You can see which one you want to use depending on what you need the projector for. If you are tracing, then a higher resolution will help because it makes the lines clearer and easier to see. You need to think about how much resolution you want. Most artists only need 1080p resolution. But there are projectors that have a higher 4K resolution.
Connectivity
Connectivity is important for digital projectors. The best ones will have a variety of options like USB, Bluetooth, HDMI, and memory cards.
Projection Screen Size and Throws
When buying an art projector, make sure it is the right size for your studio. If it is too close to the wall, your projection will be blurry. But if it is too far away, you won’t be able to see the details which defeats the purpose of having a projector.
Throw distance is the space you need between the projector and the screen. There are two types of projectors, short throw, and long throw. Short-throw projectors only need a few inches of space to create a clear picture, but long-throw options often need 10+ feet to create large images.
There are different ways to create art, but one way is not better than the other. Some artists like short-throw projectors because you do not need as much space to make them work.
Budget
It’s important to know how much you’re willing to spend on a projector. There are many super-cheap projectors in the market that advertise themselves as being just as good, or even better than their more expensive counterparts but they aren’t really worth your time and money if what we want is quality images. The knockoff projectors that are available in stores are not only bad for your wallet, but also quality. You’ll quickly find you can’t properly focus the image and get major issues like distortion or incorrect colors when watching movies.
Portability
Portable projectors are the answer for those who have to constantly go back and forth between home or office studio. Some even come with rechargeable batteries so you won’t need an external power source, which makes them perfect if you’re working on multiple sites or locations.
FAQ
How many lumens do I need for an art projector?
The brighter the projector, the less you’ll need to worry about other lights messing with what’s on your screen. If you want to use a projector and paint with all the lights on in your studio, make sure that your projector has at least 150 lumens.
Can I use any projector for art?
If you are an artist, a cheap LED projector should be fine. LED projectors are brighter than other kinds of projectors. The cheapest models can provide 2,000 lumens brightness. This means that you don’t need a dark room to see the image clearly.
What kind of projector is used for murals?
You can use a low-resolution projector for smaller screens. But, if you need to project an image on a larger screen, it is better to have Full HD resolution. A higher resolution will have more pixels per inch. This will mean that the image will be sharper and clearer.
How do digital art projectors work?
Projectors used to work by shining light through a film to make images on a wall. But now, most projectors are digital. You can choose an image or video and open it on your projector. Then, the image will appear on the display.
Bright light shines through the LCD and the pixels that are on the screen are projected onto the surface in front of the projector. Slide projectors will project what is on the slide onto a wall, whereas an overhead projector also enlarges the image on a piece of transparency film in the same way.
An opaque projector is different from a normal one because it has mirrors. It still works by shining light onto the image, which could be drawn or printed on paper. But in an opaque projector, you can also find mirrors and a lens. They are positioned so they reflect the image in larger proportions onto the wall.
What is an art projector?
This is a device that can project an image onto the wall or canvas. You can then paint over it or use it as a guide for your artwork. And you can show people this device in your art studio, gallery, or even on someone’s wall, like when they want to buy it. Art projectors come in all shapes and sizes and in a range of prices.
Opaque projectors will project images that are on paper, or canvas. Digital projectors use digital images or videos that you can view on your phone, tablet or computer screen.
What can you use an art projector for?
Artists are creative people. They find many uses for their art projectors. Some of the most common uses are:
- Projecting an image or other guide onto a wall for painting a mural
- Tracing or copying an image
- Displaying Artworks
- Creating Multimedia Art Installations
- Displaying videos or animations
- Creating mood lighting
- Displaying photographs and running slide shows
What different kinds of art projectors are there?
Before you buy a new projector, figure out what you want to use it for. It can be used for tracing. Or maybe you want to show your digital artwork in art galleries. There are different projectors that work best for these different situations.
Digital and LED projectors are easy to use. They are great for projecting images on walls and murals. Digital projectors can also be used as movie players for entertainment purposes.
Opaque projectors are used to enlarge smaller images on a larger scale. You can draw a smaller image and then use the projector and project the image onto a wall. This is good for things like murals or big paintings.
Digital Projector vs Opaque Projector?
Digital projectors are easy to operate and often used for videos, animations, and movies. Opaque projectors make it easier to enlarge or enhance photos or sketches onto walls or canvases. Digital projectors are more modern and is a great choice for graphic designers and video editors. You can display images and videos on a digital projector by connecting your phone or laptop to it. However, digital projectors can get expensive so it’s best to know what are your you trying to accomplish with this new projector and stick to a budget.
If your budget is a bit more limited, an opaque projector is easy to maintain and fix. Artists can quickly print their sketches to fit the projector’s opening. Once done, they can enlarge their designs easily.
Conclusion
Choosing the right digital projector for your needs is a daunting task. We hope that this blog post has been helpful in breaking down some of those decisions and ultimately helped you find the perfect device for your home or office space.