For a college student, nothing rivals the experience of watching movies on a big screen, therefore, investing in the best dorm room projector is indispensable.
To make your shopping easier, we have presented some of the best dorm room projectors.
Best Projector for Dorm Room Reviews
- Best Overall: GooDee Mini Projector
- Runner Up: ViewSonic M2 1080p Portable Projector
- Affordable: AuKing Mini Projector Portable Video-Projector
1. GooDee Mini Projector
This mini projector allows college students to stream content from smartphones, laptops, and USB devices.
Versatile connectivity and an easy-to-use interface keep you entertained in your dorm room.
The distinctively designed model is sleek and compact allowing you to take it anywhere you want.
Resolution – The projector supports 1920*1080 resolution to project a clear, crisp image on a 60″ screen.
Portable – This popular projector measures 5.33. 92.36 inches and weigh approximately 0.59 lbs. It is exactly the size of a 6.5-inch smartphone, easy to carry everywhere.
Multi-Input Interface – It has several ports including HDMI, USB, Micro SD card, audio, and AV interface for seamless connection to different multimedia devices.
Speaker – It has a high-quality integrated speaker sufficient for the dorm room needs.
Pros
- 30000 hours of lamp life
- Advanced cooling system for heat dispersion
- 24/7 customer support
- Bridgelux technology is safer for the kids
Cons
- A bit dim
2. ViewSonic M2 1080p Portable Projector
Despite its small size, the device is packed to the brim with advanced features for power and performance.
The portable package is not pocketable but small enough to fit in a backpack.
The setup is easy with many image alignment features. This uniquely designed projector deserves another look.
Resolution – It comes with a 1920 x 1080p Full HD native resolution and 1200 lumens brightness to deliver better performance in terms of projection.
Sound – Integrated dual Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers deliver room-filling audio. Besides the in-built speakers, it supports Bluetooth connections for external devices.
Color Accuracy – It is fine-tuned to cover 125% of Rec.709 color space for improved picture quality and vivid, lifelike color reproduction.
Easy Setup – Horizontal/Vertical keystone correction and autofocus makes it easy to set up in no time.
Pros
- Aptoide UI
- HDR content support
- Wide range of connectivity
- 30000 hours of LED lamp life
- Image adjustment features
Cons
- No built-in WiFi but requires a WiFi dongle
3. AuKing Mini Projector Portable Video-Projector
It is quite an underrated projector that keeps you entertained when in your crib. This affordable and reliable projector will make your dorm room lively and worth coming back to after classes.
The portable design is extremely lightweight and compact, perfectly complements the limited dorm room space.
Resolution – It supports 1080p display resolution along with a 2000:1 contrast ratio and projects 35% brighter images as compared to projectors of similar specifications.
Connectivity – It features a VGA jack, HDMI, and AV input to connect TV Stick, Laptop, DVD, PS3, Xbox, TV box, and others.
Lamp – The long-lasting lamp has an extended light hours of 55000 which equates to over 15 years when used for 5 hours a day.
Screen – It supports multiple projection sizes between 32” to 170” from the distance of 1m to 5m.
Pros
- Embedded dual audio speaker
- Adjustable keystone correction and focus wheel
- Mini size
- Multiple devices support
Cons
- Audible
4. GooDee Upgraded Native 1080P Video Projector
This projector does not just look elegant but is loaded with features and image optimization technologies.
It is one of the bestseller projectors of the company for all the right reasons. This GooDee projector is brighter and more efficient with improved design.
Resolution – It comes with a 1080p supported resolution, 3000:1 contrast ratio, and produces 80% brighter images than similar projectors.
Speaker – Embedded dual stereo speakers (3W) with SRS Sound produce loud, crisp, and clear sound with no buzz.
Screen – The viewing or projection size ranges from 44″ to 230″ within the distance of 4.9ft-18ft. The recommended projection size is 98″ from a 10ft distance.
Connectivity – It has multiple input interfaces such as 2x HDMI, 2x USB, VGA, and AV ports to connect iPhone, Android smartphones, TV Box, Fire Stick, Chromecast, PC, laptop, speakers, Xbox, DVD player, PS3/PS4, and USB stick.
Pros
- 50,000 hours lamp life
- Fast heat dissipation with advanced cooling technology
- Multidirectional projection
- Adjustable foot pads to adjust the height
- Designed with installation mounts
Cons
- No zoom control
5. TOPVISION WiFi Portable Projector
This compact yet high-quality projector is a perfect fit for college dorms.
It has numerous features to brag about like 1080p supported resolution, Android and iOS compatibility, advanced cooling system, and long-lasting lamp.
Besides all, it supports both wired and wireless connections. The WiFi projector is easy to set up and small enough to be carried in a backpack.
Resolution – Supports 1920x1080P and 3000:1 contrast, it is upgraded to 5500 Lux and 45% brighter than ordinary projectors of similar specifications.
Screen Mirroring – Simply set up a one-time WiFi connection and connect any device at any time without hassle. It offers wireless freedom without the need for pricey adapters.
Speakers – It comes with 3W HiFi stereo speakers with an SRS sound system for better audio and restoring every detail.
Connectivity – The overhead projector is equipped with VGA, USB, HDMI, AV, SD, and audio output to get content from computers, monitors, televisions, PS4, DVD players, etc.
Read Complete Review: Topvision 1080p Projector
Pros
- 80,000 hours of lamp life
- Dual fan cooling system
- Supports both wired and wireless connections
- Affordable
Cons
- Projected images are blurry at the edges
6. HOMPOW 5500L Movie Projector
Compatible with a lot of gadgets, this HOMPOW projector is perfect for the college setup.
It supports TV sticks, PC, notebooks, USBs, TV boxes, gaming consoles, and others to provide entertainment through different sources.
Set up the projector in the dorm and stream videos with ease.
Resolution – It supports 1920x1080P high resolution and has a brightness of 5500 Lux. High brightness and 3000:1 contrast ratio project a brighter and crisp image on the screen.
Input Interfaces – It features multiple slots or ports to connect multimedia devices such as a mini SD card slot, composite video in, VGA, HDMI, and 2 USB ports.
Low Noise – The advanced fan cooling technology efficiently dissipates heat quickly to minimize power consumption. The upgraded fan does its job quietly.
Lamp – The lifespan of a projector stands at 50,000 hours, therefore, may not need a replacement for approximately 30 years.
Pros
- 50-176 inches HD large projection
- Versatile ports for a wide range of connectivity
- Designed with a height/tilt adjuster
- Minimal noise
Cons
- Not so loud in-built speakers
7. Meer Mini Projector
Last but not the least, this projector is all over the place thanks to its extreme portability and convenience of use.
A college student does not have to spend all his pocket money to shake things up in the dorm room.
It is considered the best cheap projector thanks to the reasonable pricing.
Resolution – The native resolution is 480272 and supports 19201080 for decent picture quality. 400 lumens brightness and 800:1 contrast ratio are enough for the dorm room.
Portable – It is a pocket-sized projector that measures 11.9cmx8.6cmx4.8cm and weighs only 0.29 kgs.
Powered by Power Bank – It is not powered by a rechargeable battery but needs to be connected to a 5V/2A power source like a wall charger or a power bank.
Connectivity – The multi-port interface features USB, HDMI, AV, SD, and Audio to allow connection with a smartphone, TV Stick, PS4/PS5, X-Box One, tablet, laptop, and others.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact size
- Easy control buttons on the projector
- Projection display from 24″ to 60″
- 20000 hours lamp life
- Integrated stereo sound
Cons
- Low brightness lumen ratings
Things to Consider When Buying a Dorm Room Projector
Lightweight and Compact – Every college student is struggling with space as dorms are not known for being spacious.
Therefore, the size of the device matters, a good projector would not accommodate much space in already small living arrangements.
A dorm room projector should be compact, lightweight, and portable.
Sleek
Today, the devices are more stylish and sleek and college students value modern designs in compliance with the current trends. It should have the right finishes and stunningly appealing looks.
Native Resolution
A college student should pay more attention to the native than the supported resolution.
The native resolution is the precise resolution that would be projected on the screen.
High-resolution projectors typically fall in the high price range, a 720p projector would be adequate for the dorm room.
Projectors have varying prices from cheap to expensive according to the features and technologies used in the construction.
Cheap projectors have poor construction and limited features within an affordable price range of $60 to $70.
A college student may not be able to invest in a high-end projector, therefore, look for the maximum features at a reasonable price.
Brightness
Brightness remains the most critical aspect to consider when shopping for a projector for a dorm room, home theater, or office use.
The lumen rating should also be determined by the lighting conditions of the dorm room.
To project in ambient lighting, a projector needs to have higher brightness and the dorm room needs to be made darker if the projector has lower ratings.
Choose a considerable brightness level that does not restrict viewing.
Compatibility
College students do not have enough devices to connect to the projector, mostly USBs, cellphones, and laptops.
Therefore, even if the projector does not have wide connectivity, it must allow connection with the commonly used devices.
College students are living on tight budgets and can not afford lamp replacements every year or so.
The longevity of a projector largely depends on the lamp life. Invest in a projector that has a longer lifespan that works even after finishing college.
Conclusion
The best projector for dorm rooms should be judged on affordability, reliability, and size. These aforementioned products provide the best theatrical experience without compromising on performance.
