As an Apple user and an artist, I realize the value of not just the best projectors for artists, but specifically the best art projectors for using with iPhone and iPad.
And since we’re talking about ultra-portable mini projectors here, I thought I’ll put together a list of the best mini projectors you can get for use with your iPhone and iPad.
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I will present these projectors in order of price, from the least to the most expensive, and if you are in a hurry, here are quick highlights:
For Outdoor Movies Night, FHD 1080P Mini Projector, Smart Projector with Automatic Keystone Correction, Android TV 9.0, 5000+ Apps, WiFi Bluetooth, Home Entertainment
700 ANSI Lumens 1080P FHD Portable Outdoor Movie DLP Projector, Android TV 9.0 Smart Mini Projector, 3 Hrs Battery Life, Auto Focus Dolby Audio Home Theater 4K Supported WiFi Projector
WiFi Mini Projector, 9000 Lumens Video Projector w/ Tripod, HD 1080P & 240" Display Supported, Portable Movie Outdoor Projector Compatible with TV Stick, HDMI, VGA, TF, AV, USB, iOS and more
Ultra Mini Portable Projector | WiFi, Bluetooth, Smart TV Remote & Built-in Speakers | Includes Tripod Stand | USB & Wall Charger Included | HMDI Port
Table of Contents
The mini projector is as cool a bit of gear as you could possibly hope for – tiny, powerful and super useful for artists.
You can use them to display your art, animations or videos, to present your work to clients or others, to work on your pieces and see them with great clarity, to create incredible multi-media art installations, or to watch Netflix when you are too tired to hold up a brush or push a mouse around.
And when you’re done you can stick them in your pocket – literally – and be on your way! Ok, they don’t all fit in your pocket, but they will at least fit into your pack, and it is so nice to have a portable, high quality projector that you can take and use anywhere and everywhere!
I will try to answer the following questions:
Do mini projectors work with Apple?
What is the best iPhone projector?
What is the best mini projector to use with an iPad?
Who makes the best mini projectors for iPad and iPhone?
What is the best mini projector overall for Apple?
What is the best affordable mini projector for iPhone and iPad?
What is the smallest mini projector for Apple?
What can I use a mini projector for?
What are the advantages of a mini projector?
What is a Mini Projector?
As you might have already figured out, a mini projector is a projector that is, well, small, or mini.
And we’re talking really, really mini here – small enough to easily fit into a pocket, or at least a bag or a backpack, or even a palm and to sit anywhere unobtrusively – so that people are captivated by the projected image quality and forget completely about the tiny thing that’s projecting it.
Because of their size, mini iPhone projectors have a lot of advantages – above and beyond their amazing portability, that is:
- They can fit pretty much anywhere, and so can be used in lots of different places in your home, office or studio
- They are easy to stow away and take up very little storage space.
- The best mini projectors can be quite affordable, especially considering their quality.
- They use very little electricity, and are usually battery powered and rechargeable for added portability and convenience.
- And they are very easy to set up and use.
Truly portable, delightfully simple and often surprisingly inexpensive, the best mini projectors are an essential part of the working tool kit of lots of commercial and fine artists, serious amateurs and art students, and you will probably find a thousand unexpected uses for yours.
What Can You Use a Mini Portable Projector For?
Again, artists are often really surprised by just how useful a good mini projector is, and how often they actually use theirs. The most common uses include:
- Displaying art – in your studio, for a client, pretty much anywhere or any time
- Tracing artwork
- Painting murals
- Working on art pieces – seeing, evaluating and revising smaller pieces in much larger detail
- Editing photographs with great precision
- Creating, reviewing and editing videos and animations
- As a part of a multi-media or video art installation
- Projecting artwork, infographics and other visuals in sales or investor meetings
- Watching movies and videos
- Boring friends and neighbors with travel pictures – who needs a slide projector?
I personally use projectors all the time, to work on and evaluate my own art and to show it to others. For me having a simple tool just for that, and one that is so easy to move around and set up, makes the small price well worth it.
But I also have found lots of other uses for my portable mini projector, and one of my favorite is to project images by other artists onto the wall and really allow myself to observe and appreciate their art.
I also do this with scenes from nature, with art photographs and with lots of other images, and it all helps me gain inspiration, get new ideas and really just enjoy the beauty, with really clear image quality on a large scale.
What Does a Mini Portable Projector Need to be iPhone and iPad Compatible?
One way to ensure full Apple compatibility (or full compatibility with really any device these days) is with Bluetooth.
And so it would be great if all of the best mini projectors included Bluetooth capability, but strangely not that many of them do.
But while Bluetooth does ensure total compatibility with iPhone and iPad, and is a pretty slick way to go, there is actually a much more simple and reliable method, and that is to use the Apple Lightning or USB-C adapter and the correct cable to connect with the projector’s HDMI port.
I will include a few Bluetooth mini projectors, but I would rather focus on more important factors like portability, picture and sound quality, design and ease of use, and overall material and build quality, and consider wireless a nice feature to have but not necessary.
Rest assured, though, that every one of our recommendations will have the required HDMI cable, so that not only are they totally and easily compatible with any Apple portable device, they will also project images from that device in the highest quality possible.
Please note that for iPhone, you will need an HDMI to Lightning cable. The Belcompany Lightning to HDMI Cable is inexpensive, comes in a nice 2 meter length and works great.
How Can You Find the Best Portable Projectors for iPhone and iPad?
As I began doing research for this article I realized just how many different small projectors there are on the market today.
Even narrowing it down to just portable projectors, there is an overwhelming number of models and manufacturers, and making the right choice seems an impossible task.
So I’m happy to have the opportunity to help cut through the confusion and help you find the best portable projector for Apple iPhones and iPads.
I have used a lot of different mini projectors, as have my colleagues in the art world, my friends and my students. And so I am going to draw on my own experience, the information and recommendations I get from others, and also, very selectively, the reviews and user experiences from verified customer reviews on Amazon and elsewhere.
In this way, from a selection of seemingly thousands of choices, I have put together a list of the lucky seven best mini projectors for iPhones and iPads.
All of them can also be considered excellent general use art projectors for any artist or crafter, regardless of the kind of computer, tablet or phone you are using, and all of my recommendations will work great on all the popular platforms, including Windows and Android, but we are really focusing on mini projectors that work easily and flawlessly with Apple.
So let’s get right into it, with this buyer’s guide for the best mini projectors for use with Apple iPad and iPhone!
Overview: Best Mini Projector for iPhone and iPad in 2022
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- XGIMI MoGo Pro Portable Projector
- Wemx DICE Portable Mini Projector
- Acrojoy C202 1080P Mini Projector with Tripod
- VUU Ultra Mini WiFi Bluetooth Portable Projector
- Artsea 1080P Portable Mini Projector
- KODAK Luma 150 Ultra Mini Pocket Pico Projector
- Anker NEBULA Capsule Max, Pint-Sized Wi-Fi Mini Projector
For Outdoor Movies Night, FHD 1080P Mini Projector, Smart Projector with Automatic Keystone Correction, Android TV 9.0, 5000+ Apps, WiFi Bluetooth, Home Entertainment
700 ANSI Lumens 1080P FHD Portable Outdoor Movie DLP Projector, Android TV 9.0 Smart Mini Projector, 3 Hrs Battery Life, Auto Focus Dolby Audio Home Theater 4K Supported WiFi Projector
WiFi Mini Projector, 9000 Lumens Video Projector w/ Tripod, HD 1080P & 240" Display Supported, Portable Movie Outdoor Projector Compatible with TV Stick, HDMI, VGA, TF, AV, USB, iOS and more
Ultra Mini Portable Projector | WiFi, Bluetooth, Smart TV Remote & Built-in Speakers | Includes Tripod Stand | USB & Wall Charger Included | HMDI Port
1080P Supported 4500L Portable Projector for Outdoor Movie, LED Pico VIdeo Projector for Home Theater, Phone Projector Compatible with HDMI, USB, TV, Laptop, iOS and Android
Built in Rechargeable Battery & Built in Speakers, 1080P Support Portable Wireless LED DLP Movie & Video Travel Projector, Connects to iPhone and Android
200 ANSI Lumen Portable Projector, Native 720p HD, 8W Speaker, Movie Projector, 100 Inch Picture, 4-Hour Video Playtime, Home Entertainment
Lowest Price but Highly Recommended!
1080P Supported 4500L Portable Projector for Outdoor Movie, LED Pico VIdeo Projector for Home Theater, Phone Projector Compatible with HDMI, USB, TV, Laptop, iOS and Android
At a Glance:
- Resolution: Native Resolution: 800 x 480; 1920 x 1080 Supported
- Brightness: 4500 Lumens
- Apple Connectivity: HDMI
- Size: 9 x 8 x 5 inches
- Weight: ~2 pounds
- Power Source: AC power
Though not as tiny as some of the other recommendations, this Artsea 1080P projector is still quite small and easily portable, and feels solid enough to move around without problems – definitely not the case for so many other cheap mini projectors.
The Artsea mini projector also has remarkably good picture and sound quality, and can project an image in projection screen size of up to 100 inches with great brightness and contrast.
It’s not the ideal choice for outdoor use, though, and certainly doesn’t have the dazzling picture of more expensive units, but this is a fantastic projector for the price, and an amazing value!
For wired connectivity to your Apple iPhone or iPad, make sure to also get the Belcompany Lightning to HDMI Cable or uni USB C to HDMI Cable.
Best Value Mini Portable Projector for iPhone and iPad
WiFi Mini Projector, 9000 Lumens Video Projector w/ Tripod, HD 1080P & 240" Display Supported, Portable Movie Outdoor Projector Compatible with TV Stick, HDMI, VGA, TF, AV, USB, iOS and more
At a Glance:
- Resolution: Native Resolution 1280 x 720
- Brightness: 9000 Lumens
- Apple Connectivity: HDMI, Airplay Wireless Mirroring
- Size: 7 x 6 x 3 inches
- Weight: ~2 pounds
- Power Source: AC
For a bit of a jump up in price (about a hundred dollars more expensive than the Artsea above) you will get a pretty significant improvement in picture and sound quality, nearly twice the brightness and much quieter operation in the Acrojoy C202 mini projector.
The beautiful, vivid and accurate colors and excellent detail and crisp images alone make the C202 a great affordable choice for the typical Apple user, and for artists, crafters and other creative types, and the wireless operation (using a wifi network) makes screen mirroring a snap.
Plus it comes with a surprisingly nice and stable mini-tripod, along with accurate keystone correction, which make the Acrojoy super useful for working artists.
Overall, the Acrojoy C202 is a well built and reliable mini projector, with great wired and wireless connectivity with Apple iPhones, iPads and Macs.
The beautiful sound and picture make this seem like a much more expensive unit, and its smaller size and quiet operation make it super versatile.
For wired connectivity to your Apple iPhone or iPad, make sure to also get the Belcompany Lightning to HDMI Cable or uni USB C to HDMI Cable.
Ultra Mini (Pico) iPhone Projector
Built in Rechargeable Battery & Built in Speakers, 1080P Support Portable Wireless LED DLP Movie & Video Travel Projector, Connects to iPhone and Android
At a Glance:
- Resolution: Native 854 x 480 Resolution, Supports 4K Resolution
- Brightness: 200 ANSI Lumens
- Apple Connectivity: HDMI, Bluetooth, Airplay Wireless Mirroring
- Size: 3 x 3 x .87 inches
- Weight: ~1 pound
- Power Source: AC, Rechargeable Battery
- Other: Micro SD Card slot
When we break the 200 dollar barrier we gain at least four very important things:
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Ultra-Mini Size (Pico Projectors)
- Rechargeable Battery
- The Kodak Name
Indeed this is a iPhone projector that lives up to the legendary Kodak brand name, with brilliant design and engineering, superior material and construction quality, and almost unbelievably great picture quality for its tiny size.
In fact, though this little Kodak Luma 150 Pico projector does not have the brightness of larger units, the contrast, colors and resolution are so good that it can be much easier to see than lower quality projectors.
And it is so tiny that you literally won’t be able to tell it is in your bag or pack. What is more, compared to the full size LED projectors, this one has builtin rechargable battery.
With a full battery charge and Bluetooth connectivity, this is an incredibly portable, versatile and useful product.
Amazingly small and light, with a vivid and lifelike picture and great connectivity options, this Kodak Luma 150 ultra-mini Pico projector is one of the best values I know, and a great choice for use with any Apple mobile device.
For wired connectivity to your Apple iPhone or iPad, make sure to also get the Belcompany Lightning to HDMI Cable or uni USB C to HDMI Cable.
Smallest iPhone Projector
Ultra Mini Portable Projector | WiFi, Bluetooth, Smart TV Remote & Built-in Speakers | Includes Tripod Stand | USB & Wall Charger Included | HMDI Port
At a Glance:
- Resolution: 1080 HD Native Resolution: Supports 4K
- Brightness: 350 ANSI Lumens
- Apple Connectivity: HDMI, Airplay Wireless Mirroring
- Size: 2 x 2 x 2 inches
- Weight: ~1 pound
- Power Source: USB Rechargeable Battery
Officially the smallest unit in this buyer’s guide for best iPhone projectors, the Vuu Ultra Mini may also be the coolest because it’s like a palm projector.
With amazingly good image quality – not as good as some of the larger, more expensive projectors, but remarkable considering the sized and the price – and at least respectable sound quality, this is not just the tiniest package, but the whole package as well.
And speaking of whole packages, in addition to HDMI and Bluetooth connectivity and Airplay mirroring, the Vuu also comes with a tripod stand, usb cable and wall charger and a remote control for even greater usability. It can display images up to 120 inches in width with great contrast and brightness, and can run up to 6 hours on a single charge.
Again, we can’t really compare the tiniest of ultra mini projectors to normal sized products, or even to larger portable projectors, but in terms of performance, fit and finish, material and build quality, design and usability, the Vuu is not just the smallest projector on our list, it is the best ultra mini I have ever found for iPhone and iPad, and is very highly recommended.
For wired connectivity to your Apple iPhone or iPad, make sure to also get the Belcompany Lightning to HDMI Cable or uni USB C to HDMI Cable.
Superb Performance iPhone Projector
200 ANSI Lumen Portable Projector, Native 720p HD, 8W Speaker, Movie Projector, 100 Inch Picture, 4-Hour Video Playtime, Home Entertainment
At a Glance:
- Resolution: Native Resolution: 1280 x 720
- Brightness: 200 ANSI Lumens
- Apple Connectivity: HDMI, Airplay Wireless Mirroring
- Size: 3 x 3 x .87 inches
- Weight: ~1 pound
- Power Source: AC, Rechargeable Battery
I struggled a bit with whether or not I should include this Anker Nebula mini projector in my list of best palmtop projectors for iPhone and iPad – for its somewhat premium price, it does not have Bluetooth connectivity with Apple mobile devices, and only offers HDMI wired connection and Airplay wireless screen mirroring.
I finally realized, though, that the Nebula Capsule Max does work flawlessly with iPads and iPhones with those connection methods, and is one of the finest mid-priced portable mini projectors on the market today.
Really stunning picture quality, great sound, superior auto keystone and focusing and absolutely first class material quality, fit and finish, construction and long term reliability.
The first thing you notice with the Anker Nebula Capsule Max is the unique and beautiful design, but even that is quickly eclipsed by the viewing experience – the vivid, deeply saturated and ultra-accurate colors, the incredibly depth and detail, the life and energy, the immersive sound. But over the long run I think the most impressive things about the Capsule Max would be the overall quality, the thoughtful and intelligent design and the real usefulness it would have for any working artist.
A really premium digital mini portable projector, the Anker Nebula Capsule Max is, despite somewhat limited connectivity, one of the best projectors available for iPad and iPhone, and one of the best projectors overall anywhere near this price level.
For wired connectivity to your Apple iPhone or iPad, make sure to also get the Belcompany Lightning to HDMI Cable or uni USB C to HDMI Cable.
My Favorite Mini iPhone Projector
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For Outdoor Movies Night, FHD 1080P Mini Projector, Smart Projector with Automatic Keystone Correction, Android TV 9.0, 5000+ Apps, WiFi Bluetooth, Home Entertainment
At a Glance:
- Resolution: Full HD 1080p
- Brightness: 300 ANSI Lumens
- Apple Connectivity: HDMI, Bluetooth, Airplay Wireless Mirroring
- Size: 7 x 7 x 10 inches
- Weight: ~2 pounds
- Power Source: AC, Rechargeable Battery
We are reaching higher price levels – just over 500 dollars – with this really superb XGIMI MoGo mini portable video projector, but the increase in price is totally worth it given the improvement in sound and image quality alone.
This is a tricky area, though, because in terms of printed specifications so many of these projectors seem to have, or should have, the exact same brightness, contrast, color gamut and high resolution.
But with this particular machine, with such precision in engineering and construction, superior power supply, superb lenses and digital filters, the improvement is quite obvious, and quite rewarding – especially to artists and visually oriented people.
If you are doing serious work on your art, or showing to clients, these are important considerations, and the MoGo is an excellent choice.
And if sound is your thing, the MoGo has incredible stereo sound, with plenty of power and built-in Harman Kardon speakers, DTS and Dolby Audio.
Other features include precise manual and automatic focus and keystone correction, great rechargeable battery life, 3D support and more.
Full compatibility with iPhone, iPad and other Apple devices is ensured with HDMI outs, Bluetooth connectivity and Airplay through your wifi network.
The biggest of all the products in this buyer’s guide for the best mini projectors for iPhone and iPad, this is a substantial unit, not quite as portable but seriously overbuilt and reliable.
It is also my favorite of all the projectors on this buyer’s guide – not for its looks or size, but for the brilliant and beautiful picture and fantastic sound, the great design and usability, and the superior overall quality.
The XGIMI MoGo Pro Portable Projector is one of the best projectors for Apple you can get, a great choice for commercial and fine artists and serious art students, and highly recommended!
For wired connectivity to your Apple iPhone or iPad, make sure to also get the Belcompany Lightning to HDMI Cable or uni USB C to HDMI Cable.
Best Overall Mini Projector for iPhone and iPad
700 ANSI Lumens 1080P FHD Portable Outdoor Movie DLP Projector, Android TV 9.0 Smart Mini Projector, 3 Hrs Battery Life, Auto Focus Dolby Audio Home Theater 4K Supported WiFi Projector
At a Glance:
- Resolution: Full HD 1080p
- Brightness: 700 ANSI Lumens
- Apple Connectivity: HDMI, Bluetooth, Airplay Wireless Mirroring
- Size: 6 x 5 x 6 inches
- Weight: ~2 pounds
- Power Source: AC Power, Rechargeable Battery
Quite small but heavier than you might expect, the Wemax Dice 700 is a substantial projector, overbuilt and high quality in every way.
It is, despite its heft, quite portable, and sports one of the coolest and most useful physical designs I’ve ever come across.
Nice looks aside, this is also a premium product in terms of performance, with full high definition video and fantastic sound quality, featuring Dolby Digital Plus audio and plenty of power.
The DICE also has the best auto keystone and focusing – nice for videos and movies and a wonderful feature for working on art, drawing and tracing, painting murals and lots of other tasks.
For the working commercial artist, fine artist, art student, crafter, videographer or any other creative person, this is the real choice, with such brightness, contrast, color fidelity and intensity, perfect geometry, and incredible high resolution and detail – not just from what the specifications suggest, but also due to the exceptional optics and circuitry and precision engineering and construction.
A truly next-level mini projector, the Wemax DICE is the equal of many full sized units – even ones costing a lot more – and is a superb performer and a nearly perfect art tool.
With its beautiful performance, complete connectivity and superior material and construction quality, it is easily the best mini projector for iPhone and iPad.
For wired connectivity to your Apple iPhone or iPad, make sure to also get the Belcompany Lightning to HDMI Cable or uni USB C to HDMI Cable.
Thanks so much for reading my latest article – The Best Mini Projectors for Your iPhone and iPad: A 2021 Buyer’s Guide – and please check out my website – Art Side of Life – for more buyer’s guides, articles, tutorials, artist interviews and tons of other resources for commercial artists, fine artists, art students and beginners, crafters and anybody else exploring their own creative side!
If you are looking for a bigger projector to display your artworks, have a look at Best Art Projector for Tracing Artworks
Looking for a Light box for tracing your artworks? Then check this article: Best Light Box for Tracing in 2022
