Optoma ml1080st vs. XGIMI elfin vs ANKER nebula mars 3 air vs. SAMSUNG freestyle 2nd gen

You don’t need a home cinema to supersize your viewing. With a portable projector, you can cast gigantic images just about anywhere. Words: Steve May, Photography: Neil Godwin

Portable projection technology is on the move. The latest generation of bijou beamers has liberated the big screen experience thanks to innovative designs and advances in brightness and battery tech.

Whether you’re planning a long overdue road trip, prepping for a big sports weekend, or want to treat the kids to a marathon movie sleepover, portable projectors are changing how and where we can watch.

More brands than ever are pioneering portable projectors with more content choices you can easily play. You no longer need to run aerial cables or drag Blu-ray players outdoors to enjoy a movie.

Like TVs, most projectors are built around familiar smart TV platforms, like Samsung’s Tizen or Android TV. Just download the apps of your choice and stream away. Alternatively, pop a streaming stick into their HDMI input.

So, how do these new portable projectors compare, and what should you look out for?

For comparison, we’ve assembled a quartet of promising newcomers: the Xgimi Elfin, Optoma ML1080ST, Samsung Freestyle 2nd generation SP-LSP3, and Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air. All are quite different but equally versatile. Which one will suit you best?

THEN AND NOW

Portable projectors are nothing new. The first transportable appeared in the Noughties, but they had limited functionality. They weren’t very bright, using nascent LED light engines, and could only run on batteries for around an hour or so.

Today, batteries have far greater capacity, while LED light engines and their laser equivalents boast significant improvements in screen brightness, contrast, and clarity.

The audio has also been upgraded. The old days of thin, tinny sound are largely over. Modern portable projectors have audio systems akin to those used in Bluetooth speakers. They can play loud and have the heft to entertain when out and about—some house multiple drive units, which can create a proper stereo soundstage.

Buyers should look for projectors with a cumulative audio output of 5W or more, ideally with a stereo (or 360-degree) presentation. The ability to function as a wireless Bluetooth speaker is also well worth having.

In our featured group, the Anker Nebula Mars 3 has a 2 x 8W audio output, while the Samsung Freestyle SP-LSP3 has a 5W sound system, albeit one able to create a surprisingly wide soundstage.

Not to be outdone, the Xgimi Elfm has a 2x3W stereo sound system developed by the hi-fi—experts at Harman Kardon. The Optoma falls behind here, offering a 3W mono speaker output that’s best described as functional.

If you’re planning to let the kids have a portable projector for use in their bedrooms, also look for some form of intelligent eye protection; typically, this would be an automatic dimming of the light beam when people are too close to the projector. The Xgimi Elfin is so equipped.

The top three ESSENTIAL PROJECTION ACCESSORIES

Bolster your big-screen experience with these must-have extras

Bottom Line
Spec
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OPTOMA DP-9080MWL PORTABLE 80-INCH SCREEN
Bottom Line
Maximise image quality with this transportable pull-up screen. A durable fiberglass layer and PVC microdots reflect bright, clear images.
Spec
$TBC, optomaeurope.com
2
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AMAZON FIRE TV STICK 4K MAX
Bottom Line
Never miss your favorite shows with this high-spec Amazon HDMI streaming stick. Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Crunchyroll – they’re all there, and more. This UHD stick offers universal HDR support and utilizes Wi-Fi 6.
Spec
$ amazon.com.au
3
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SAMSUNG FREESTYLE CASE
Bottom Line
Protecting your projector from scratches and inclement weather with a rugged travel case makes sense. Featured here is the official Freestyle case from Samsung. IP55 certified for dust and splashes will keep your projector snug as a bug.
Spec
$ samsung.com
optoma ml1080st vs xgimi elfin vs anker nebula mars 3 air vs samsung freestyle 2nd gen

While portable projectors anticipate using a streaming service as their primary content source, they often have physical connectivity to support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. All four of our chosen portable projectors have an HDMI input, which is helpful if you want to hook up a games console or Blu-ray player.

These next-generation beamers are also light – the Samsung Freestyle tips the scales at just 8.83kg – making them easy to move around the house or pack away should you want to take them out and about.

Portable projectors can be mains and battery-powered or just mains-powered. In our group, the Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air and Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 can run off battery-powered Xgimi Elfin, and Optoma needs a wired power supply.

The Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen works off the mains, but it can also be powered by a dedicated Samsung battery case accessory or a standard USB power bank with at least a 50W/20V output. Fully charged, the Nebula Mars 3 Air will last around 2.5 hours.

EASE OF USE

Arguably, the most crucial feature of a portable projector is its ease of use. The last thing anyone wants is a convoluted installation when you’re in the mood for some patio projection.

Thankfully, all portable projectors worth their salt are a doddle to set up. Automatic keystone correction and autofocus are standard features. When setting up a projector at home or out and about, trapezoidal errors are common, caused when the projector isn’t squarely lined up with your target surface. Keystone correction irons out these geometric distortions and squares up the image. Put: if your picture is on the wonk, keystone correction should usually sort things out. But while automatic keystone correction is a boon, manual correction produces better results, so it’s always worth experimenting. Once your image is properly squared up, autofocus will bring the image into sharp relief.

There’s not much difference between models regarding keystone correction, although some offer additional niceties.

The Xgimi Elfm throws in Intelligent Screen Alignment. This is useful if you plan to use a dedicated screen with your projector. The Elfin can detect the edges of the screen and then position its images within the space. It also offers Obstacle Avoidance, adjusting its picture to avoid errant plant pots.

Similarly, the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 sweetens the deal with auto-leveling. If your Freestyle sits on an uneven surface, it’ll balance the frame.

RESOLUTION AND BRIGHTNESS

Full HD resolution is the norm with portable projectors. All our chosen models have a res of 1080p, which is the minimum you should look for if you plan on projecting an image 80 inches or greater. Those that accept

THE BEST PORTABLE PROJECTORS FOR INSIDE AND OUT

Compact beamers to supersize your movies Able to cast huge images from just a few meters, this quartet of compact portable projectors have the power to transform the way you watch movies, stream TV shows, or play games, restrict yourself to the humble TV, when you can turn any wall into a giant display, or stage your drive-in, during balmy summer nights?

The Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air is a powerful portable with a Google TV. Running it a close second for portability is the Xgimi Elfin. The Samsung Freestyle 2nd generation is small and light but is not short on advanced features. Then, the Optoma ML1080ST packs a lot of picture power into a pocket-friendly chassis.

Bottom Line
Spec
BEST HOME CINEMA PROJECTOR
1
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OPTOMA ML1080ST
Bottom Line
The Optoma ML1080ST is the brightest of our portable quartet. It’s a 1200 lumen-light cannon powered by a triple RGB laser light engine. Casting a 100-inch image from 1.5m, it’s the nearest you’ll get to a true home theatre projector in such a diminutive size. It’s very much a domestic model, though, and it requires a main power supply. It also has rather basic audio, so you’ll probably want to partner it with an external sound system.
Spec
$, optomaeurope.com
BEST FAMILY PROJECTOR
2
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XGIMI ELFIN
Bottom Line
Weighing just 0.9 kg, this easily transportable home projector has a cute, rounded, square design, and it can be carried from room to room, casting movies, sports, and kids’ cartoons from its built-in Android OS. Dim the lights, and its 200 ANSI lumens are plenty bright enough. It also has a Harmon Kardon designed 2 x 3W sound system. It’ll throw a 100-inch image from 2.66m and boasts HD R10 compatibility.
Spec
$ xgimi.com
BEST OUTDOORS PROJECTOR
3
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ANKER NEBULA MARS 3 AIR
Bottom Line
With a built-in carry handle and tripod screw, the Mars 3 Air is the kind of projector you can take anywhere. It will throw a 100-inch image at 3m, and battery life is rated at 2.5 hours or up to 8 hours of music. The projector features the Google TV OS, so all the top-tier streaming services are on tap, as well as Chromecast support. The 2 x 8W stereo sound system provides reassuringly noisy icing on the cake. Get that party started!
Spec
$, seenebula.com
MOST VERSATILE PROJECTOR
4
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SAMSUNG THE FREESTYLE 2ND GEN
Bottom Line
This highly versatile compact projector sits on a circular base and can pivot 180 degrees so that you can project onto walls or the ceiling. A 2m throw will give you a bright, 75-inch image. While the Freestyle runs off the mains, you can buy an optional battery pack or use a power bank to go al fresco. Its 360-degree sound is particularly impressive. Smart connectivity comes from Samsung’s excellent Tizen platform.
Spec
$ samsung.com
optoma ml1080st vs xgimi elfin vs anker nebula mars 3 air vs samsung freestyle 2nd gen

All portable projectors worth their salt are a doddle to set up a 4K signal that will downconvert it for display at 1920 x 1080 resolution. For 2160p 4K, you’ll look at more passive and expensive models.

Brightness rather than resolution is crucial to an excellent visual experience with this beamer class, but it presents a challenge for small form factor models. Please take it as read: portable projectors will do their best when used in the dark. But the more ANSI lumens your chosen projector offers, the better.

Portable projectors, LEDs, and laser uses two primary light sources, usually paired with a single-chip DLP device. Both LED and Laser modules offer extended lifespans, 25,000 hours or more, which is effectively the life of the device itself. Performance is generally comparable between the two technologies.

Regarding our quartet, the Optoma is bright 550 ANSI lumens courtesy of its DuraCore Laser light source and unusually supports a wide BT2020 colour gamut. Vibrancybright is the name of here.

The Xgimi Elfin is rated at around 480 ANSI Lumens and uses an LED light engine. The Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air has a light output of 400 ANSI lumens from an LED light source. While the LED-powered Samsung Freestyle SP-LSP3 is rated at just 230 ANSI Lumens, it looks rather brighter.

However, it’s worth remembering that portables tend to appear a little dimmer when they’re running on battery power. So, always take any quoted specification with a pinch of salt.

While most portable projectors are plug-and-play, there will still be the option to tweak with picture presets. Don’t expect to elicit any significant improvements as you hop from one setting to another.

Similarly, don’t get overly excited when you spot HDR (High Dynamic Range) support claims. Portable or otherwise, projectors can’t offer pixel-level control, so they don’t offer an HDR performance comparable to a well-specified HDR TV.

Brightness rather than resolution is crucial to an excellent visual experience

More often than not, projectors will dim down the average picture level when fed an HDR signal in an attempt to accommodate specular highlights. Think of them as HDR Ready rather than HDR Capable. Typically, a regular SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) signal will give you more pleasingly bright and colorful results than an HDR. The Samsung SP-LSP3 is the most HDR-compliant of our four, recognizing HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG sources.

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR PROJECTOR

From image interpolation to upgraded audio, here’s how to elevate your big-screen experience

CHOOSE YOUR SCREEN

Your projector will always look its best when used with a dedicated fabric screen. A transportable screen can be considered the ideal match in a handy carry case. In many cases, a plain white wall will suffice, although they’re rarely as uniformly flat as you might think. If you’re using your projector out and about, you could also consider a low-cost, stable screen. These comprise a blow-up frame that holds a tethered fabric.

MANAGE BRIGHTNESS

Portable projectors are built around modest light sources due to their size and power requirements. There are a few simple rules to follow to maximize brightness. If you project a smaller image, between 70 and 80 inches, it will look brighter than a 120-inch image cast from the same device. Don’t sacrifice visual pop for sheer scale if picture quality is paramount. That said, portables will invariably look better in low-light conditions. If you’re projecting in a fully dark room, you can probably afford to edge up image size without sacrificing too much visual impact.

UPGRADE YOUR AUDIO

All portable projectors have integrated sound systems, some better than others. Mostly, they’ll do the job well enough, but you can always upgrade their audio. An HDMI with ARC (Audio Return Channel) connection allows you to partner the projector with an external sound system, a soundbar, or an AV amplifier.

HIP TO BE SQUARE

Ensure your projector is lined up with your screen to minimize keystone adjustments. Excessive keystone correction can be detrimental to overall image clarity.

CHOOSE YOUR PICTURE MODES

Projectors, like TVs, have picture presets and motion smoothing controls. It often pays to choose the setting with the highest average picture level rather than a dedicated portable cinema mode. Image interpolation can benefit sports, so look for a Smooth setting when prepping for the big game.

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Founded in July 2014, 7Review is a free audio resource for beginners, and we're dedicated to helping you create the ultimate movie-watching experience right at home. We pull insights from top audio magazines and trusted industry sources to bring you well-researched, reliable reviews and tips. Whether you're a home cinema pro or just starting out, we aim to give you the info you need to make the best choices for your setup.

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