The need for perfect presentation anytime and anywhere has brought towards the development of smaller projection devices. During the past decade the projectors have started becoming smaller and smaller in size, providing the ability to perform a presentation on the go. Through this development many sizes of projectors came along, most notably pico and pocket. Now, the pico and pocket or palm-top sizes of projectors do cause some of confusion, mainly because of their similar size. Pocket projectors are not really suitable for your pocket, as the term is mainly metaphoric because of the size of around 5 x 5 inches.
Pico projectors on the other hand are comparable to the mobile phones when it comes to size and weight. If you are in the need of a small projector, you should definitely consider buying a pico projector. It really is easier to carry around a small device that can be used for projecting, rather than a bulky projector. These devices are usually considered to be perfect for business trips where you can whip one out at a moments notice and showcase your presentation to potential business partners. It does not have to be about business also, as some gamers use these projectors to enhance mobile gaming experience.
When it comes to pico projectors, choosing the right one can be tough, as it is the case with any kind of electronic equipment. The research and features that you want in a pico projector can take a lot of time; not to mention the comparison of products which can be a grueling task. That is why we have done your research for you, and after twelve products, we have come up with the best four pico projectors that will suit most of the users needs.
There are a lot of pico projectors out there, and during the last two months we have tested most of them in various ways. Starting with various surfaces for projection and different lighting conditions, ranging from a dark room to a brightly lit outdoors. Another aspect that we have incorporated in our tests was the projecting distance or its maximal reach. You will be amazed with the finds, as some of these small devices can really crank it up in that department.
Here are some of the features that you should look into when purchasing a pico projector:
- Resolution
- Projection distance
- Contrast and aspect ratio
- Brightness
- Picture quality
- Device compatibility (e.g. PC, Mac)
- Connections (e.g. VGA, HDMI, USB, etc.)
- Price
Pico Projectors
Best Pico Projector – Optoma PK320
Optoma is a company that revolutionized the field of small projectors and that being said, the fact that our best pico projector choice was made by them is not as surprising. The Optoma PK320 has awesome performance and features that will simply amaze you.
PROS:
The native projecting resolution of this device is 854 x 480 pixels, which is not really the best resolution on the market, as some pico projectors can go up to 1024 x 600. The maximum size of the image is an another story, because this projector has the maximum image size of 150 inches with aspect ratio of 16:9, which is the largest possible image size on the market and it enables you to reproduce an image similar in size to your normal projectors. PK320 has a maximum projection distance of a whopping 235 inches. The contrast ratio between the lightest and darkest point is 3000:1, another one of the leading points when it comes to the Optoma PK320. Add to this contrast ratio the brightness of 100 Lumens and you have yourself a picture that is very bright and can even be spotted in mild sunshine, which is an another great feature for such a small device.
The quality of picture that PK320 produces is amazingly crisp and clear, which enhances the opportunities that you can gain from this pico projector. With 2 GB of internal storage memory, you can easily store your files on PK320 and project them without any additional devices. Device is compatible with PC and Mac, plus it has the remote control what makes it a lot easier to use the projector. The various connections for the PK320 include VGA, mobile device connections, composite audio/video cable, micro USB and mini HDMI connections. Plus, there is a micro SD card slot where you can plug in your micro SD card and either transfer data or project from it. The price is reasonable as such devices cost a lot more, and if you compare its features, the the Optoma PK320 turns out to be the best pico projector on the market.
CONS:
The PK320 product has no real cons, except maybe that it needs to be plugged in the electrical socket to get the best brightness level.
That being said, the price you pay for it is well worth, as this pico projector is definitely best one out there. Mainly because of the features, connections and the excellent performance that it displays.
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Best Buy Pico Projector – FAVI E3-LED-PICO
Favi E3 might look like a surprising addition to this list, but it is an excellent pico projector that is almost on par with the Optoma PK320. This excellent product by Favi has amazing features and excellent performance that will leave a satisfactory smile on your face.
PROS:
E3 has a maximum resolution of 854 x 480, just like the PK320, and a maximal image size of 110 inches with the aspect ratio of 16:9. This size is considered as the industry standard for the past few years. With the contrast ratio of 1000:1 it might not be the sharpest display that you get, but this shouldn’t be the reason to pass on this device. With an above average picture quality and the biggest lamp life of 30 000 hours, this device is definitely a best buy pico projector. The E3 is compatible with PC and Mac and has the remote control ability, just like the PK320. The connections that this device is able to establish are very varied and they include the standard VGA and mobile connection, composite AV and your standard USB and HDMI connection, with the addition of micro SD card slot. The internal memory is just 0.031 GB of space, but this is not a disadvantage as most pico projectors have smaller quantities of internal storage or none whatsoever. The performance of this machine is generally good, when you consider the image size and the sharpness, plus all of the connections that you are able to establish with this device.
CONS:
The only real con of the Favi E3 is the brightness level, which comes up to 50 Lumens. It might not be the best brightness level out there but still gets the job done properly. Another thing is the exclusion of micro USB and mini HDMI connections, which really comes in handy, especially when connecting the projector to smaller devices.
The price is similar to the Optoma PK320 which is obviously a lot better in terms of performance and image size.
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Bestseller Pico Projector – AAXA P4 P4X
AAXA is a well-known brand when it comes to pico projectors and the P4 is a product that supports this statement. The AAXA P4 is a really popular device to people who buy and use pico projectors, and we are going to present you some of the features that will prove that this is a bestselling device.
PROS:
With resolution of 854 x 480, just like the Optoma PK320 and Favi E3, the AXXA P4 brings out the best out of your presentations. Maximum image size comes up to 100 inches and the aspect ratio is 16:9, which makes this projector a decent addition to our list. The picture quality comes very near to the performance of PK320, as it is very crisp and clear, thanks to the contrast ratio of 2000:1 and brightness of 80 Lumens. P4 is also very lightweight, as it weights only 6.4 OUNCES. We were amazed by how light it is, as you almost do not notice it in your pocket. The internal memory of AAXA P4 is 2 GB, which allows you a lot of space to put your music, videos and all other files necessary for your perfect portable presentation. The connections included with P4 are your standard VGA and mobile device connections, composite AV, micro USB and standard USB connection, with the addition of micro SD card slot. The performance overall is good and this device is definitely on par with the Favi E3, but there are some minor setbacks.
CONS:
The biggest setback when it comes to the P4 is the exclusion of any kind of HDMI connection, which taking into consideration the development of modern video reproduction should be a standard in these kind of devices. The life of the projector lamp is only 15 000. This might not sound that bad, but it is the lowest life span when it comes to standard pico projectors. Another minor setback is the maximum distance of projection which is about 80 inches.
The AXAA P4 is a really popular pico projector, which is to be expected when consider the mid-price range and the high performance levels of this device. That being said, it is a definite bestseller.
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Cheapest Pico Projector – Optoma EP-PK-101
With Optoma being one of the biggest names on the market, it is understandable that they would produce pico projectors of any kind and shape. Let us introduce to you their low-budget addition to the family: Optoma EP-PK-101. This projector is indeed meant for those who are on a small budget therefore we did not expect great things about this projector. Nevertheless, it proved us wrong in several instances.
PROS:
This little device has an astounding maximum image size of 60 inches and a projecting distance up to 100 inches, which is the same as in AAXA P4.
These two features might not sound astounding, but they are since this is a very small projector with weight of just 4 ounces. The PK-101 only has one connection available (two if you count the jack for the micro USB through which the device is powered) the standard composite AV input. With contrast ratio of 1000:1 and 20 000 hours of lamp life, this device can produce amazingly good and bright projections on almost any kind of surface.
CONS:
There are some obvious drawbacks when it comes to this projector. The first one would be the lack of any other connection than he composite AV one. EP-PK-101 is nowhere near the bigger brother PK320 with the performance or features. That being said, you should consider that this was one of the first pico projectors out there, therefore it is understandable that it is not good as others on the list.
Still, the price on PK-101 is excellent, considering how much are the other products on this list worth. PK-101 might not be the state of the art pico projector, but it still gets the job done dutifully and will not fail you if you are in need of a quick portable presentation. PK-101 is the cheapest pico projector out there and is an excellent choice for people with on a lower budget.
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Conclusion
There are a lot of aspects that need your attention before buying a portable projection device. We have taken upon ourselves to test a certain number of devices and do the selection for you, in order to save your valuable time and money. The best pico projector out there has to be the Optoma PK320, as it has the best performance in all aspects and the best possible features that you can look for in a portable projector. If you, for some reasons, don’t want the PK320, then you should consider getting the FAVI E3. Its level of performance is almost on par with the named best pico projector. That being said, E3 has a bit lower brightness level and the exclusion of some connection options that the PK320 has. The most popular pico projector and a bestseller is the AAXA P4. It comes surprisingly near the performance of PK320 and E3 and it is a trusted product by many. Still, the exclusion of HDMI connection and the longevity of the lamp separates it from the first two devices. If you are on a really low budget, then your option would be Optoma EP-PK-101, as it is the cheapest pico projector on the market. This projector only has one AV connection and the performance is not that great, so you are better off by saving some extra bucks and going for the bestseller.
