The Best Mini Compact LED Projector Systems for Schools, Classrooms & Learning Spaces

Li-ling Ooi Classroom Technology, Hardware, Projectors, Technology 0

The technology for projector systems have come a long way since the early days of blindly bright light-bulb OHPs (Over-Head Projectors) and the heavy weights of the mounted projectors. Advancement in technology has not only brought size down, but the significant cost savings on the new modern compact LED projectors make it the perfect solution for education.

With no bulbs to replace, these tiny sometimes pocket-size projectors can produce very bright projections. That’s not all, the compact LED projectors make frequent use and maintenance a breeze. Bright enough to project on a smooth white wall, the small compact size of these projectors, mean that they can also be very easily stored away when not in use.

With built-in batteries that last at least a few hours and on-board operating system means that these can be taken on school day trips, or longer camp experiences with the ability to support and reinforce learning. Most come with memory card slots, so with sufficient preparation, a laptop may even be unnecessary.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Best LED Projectors for Schools, Classrooms and Learning Spaces

Below is a list of what we think are the best mini project systems that would work in schools, classrooms and other extended learning spaces.

Optoma ML750ST Short Throw LED Projector – AUTHOR’S FAVOURITE, HD, MEDIA PLAYER, SHORT THROW
Optoma ML750 Portable DLP LED Projector – HD, MEDIA PLAYER
Dell M115HD Mobile LED Projector – HD, MEDIA PLAYER
Philips PPX4835 Pocket LED Projector – HD, BATTERY POWERED
ASUS P3B WXGA LED Projector – HD, BATTERY POWERED
Philips PPX3414 Pocket LED Projector – BATTERY POWERED
Asus S1 WVGA LED Projector – BATTERY POWERED, SHORT THROW
Optoma ML1500 Ultra Slim Portable LED Projector – HD
Asus P2E WXGA LED Projector – HD, SHORT THROW
Crenova XPE470 Mini LED Video Projector

Let’s take a closer look at each of the projectors.

1. Optoma ML750ST Short Throw LED Projector – AUTHOR’S FAVOURITE, HD, MEDIA PLAYER, SHORT THROW

The ultra-compact Optoma ML750ST short-throw LED projector delivers an ultra-bright image for road Warriors and power-users. The ML750ST packs the power and performance of a full sized projector in the palm of your hand. The ML750ST boosts an impressive 700 ANSI lumens, 20,000:1 contrast ratio with razor sharp focus, auto Keystone and Rec709 color accuracy.

The benefit of short throw setup mean you can get 50-inch diagonal image from only 32 inches away, that’s just a little over a foot. The LED light source is rated to last over 20,000 hours greatly reducing the need to buy or replace the LED lamp.

Resolution: 1280 x 800 WXGA HD resolution –HD
Aspect Ratio: 16:10
Contrast: 20,000:1
Brightness: 700 lumens with LED light source to last over 20,000 hours – BRIGHT
Connectivity: HDMI/MHL connectivity, HDCast Pro Device Mirroring, Multimedia Playback.
Throw Distance: 1.4 – 11.3 feet – ULTRA SHORT THROW
Projected screen size: 24.8 – 199.9-inch – BIGGEST PROJECTED IMAGE
Size & Weight: 4.2 x 4.1 x 1.5 in, 0.88lb (12.3 x 5.7 x 11.3 cm ; 422 grams)
Other features: HD Cast Pro device mirroring (Android, iOS, Windows devices) and multimedia playback (music, pictures and videos)

2. Optoma ML750 Portable DLP LED Projector – HD, MEDIA PLAYER

Present your best wherever you go with the ultra-compact Optoma ML750 portable LED projector. The power and performance of a full sized projector on the palm of your hand. Delivering an impressive 700 ANSI lumens and 10,000:1 contrast ratio, with razor sharp focus and magnificent color accuracy. The Optoma ML750 will make your presentations more impactful than ever before. Designed for traveling professionals, the palm-sized Optoma ML750 weighs less than one pound. Has built-in Media player and Office Viewer for completely PC-Free presentations. HDMI and MHL connectivity for direct from mobile device presentations. Its LED light source is rated to last over 20,000 hours so you can present with confidence. Never a bulb to buy or replace.

Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels WXGA 3D Ready – HD
Aspect Ratio: 16:10
Contrast: 10,000:1 ratio
Brightness: 700 Lumens with LED light source to last over 20,000 hours – BRIGHT
Connectivity: HDMI/MHL connectivity, Built-in Office Viewer for PC free presentation
Throw Distance: 1.8 – 10.6 feet with ratio 1.5:1
Projected Size: 17.0 – 100.0-inch
Size & Weight: 0.4 kg

3 Dell M115HD Mobile LED Projector – HD, MEDIA PLAYER

Take your presentations wherever you choose with the Dell Mobile Projector M115HD using its built-in 1GB internal memory. With the built-in 1W speaker means your audio-visual presentation is totally self-contained.The HD projector is bright, colourful and crystal-clear with DLP and BrilliantColor technology for clarity and colour accuracy. High contrast makes image crips and beautiful.

Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels WXGA – HD
Aspect Ratio: NA
Contrast: 10,000:1
Brightness: 450 Lumen from LED light source with long lifecycle up to 30,000 hours on normal mode
Connectivity: VGA, HDMI, USB input, 1GB internal memory and PC free presentation (Adobe PDF, PowerPoint, Word, Excel with built in Office and Multimedia Viewer)
Throw Distance: 3.18 ft ~ 8.48 ft (0.97m ~ 2.58m)
Projected Size: 30-Inch to 80-Inch
Size & Weight: 4.1 x 4.1 x 1.4 inches (104mm x 105.3mm x 36.5mm), 12.8 ounces (360 grams)

4. Philips PPX4835 Pocket LED Projector – HD, BATTERY POWERED

The PPX4835 from Philips is a powerful 350 lumens pocket projector with a 720p HD resolution for crystal clear pictures and high contrast. The HDMI/MHL interface enables you to connect the device of your choice like notebooks, tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices. Thanks to the possibility of a 150″ (381 cm) screen size it has never been so easy to do business presentations. No matter where you are, the internal battery and the keystone correction will give you the flexibility you deserve. And with the integrated power bank function you can also charge your mobile devices and enjoy full independency.

Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixel 720p – HD with keystone correction
Aspect Ratio: NA
Contrast: NA
Brightness: 350 Lumens
Connectivity: HDMI, USB, 3.5mm stereo input, 1 x 3W speaker
Battery: 3 hours on full charge
Throw Distance:
Projected Size: Up to 150-inch
Size & Weight: 5.91 x 5.91 x 4.13 inches (L x W x H), 12 ounces

5. ASUS P3B WXGA LED Projector – BATTERY POWERED, HD, MEDIA PLAYER, SHORT THROW

The brightest portable projector in existence, the ASUS P3B features a WXGA (1280×800) resolution ultra-short-throw LED projection system for dazzling visuals. With robust inputs, including wireless, and a 12000mAh battery that doubles as a power bank, the P3B is not only the brightest, but also the most versatile portable projector.

Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels native resolution with auto keystone correction – HD
Aspect Ratio: NA
Contrast: NA
Brightness: 800 Lumens with Advanced DLP technology 30,000 hour LED lifespan – BRIGHT
Battery: 12,000mAh capacity for 3 hours of cable free projection
Connectivity: HDMI/MHL, VGA, microSD reader with support for multimedia file playback, USB, Built-in ASUS Sonic Master enhanced-2W speaker for authentic sound reproduction
Throw Distance: Ultra Short Throw 1:1 ratio – ULTRA SHORT THROW
Projected Size:
Size & Weight: 10.1 x 11.7 x 3.2 inches

6. Philips PPX3414 Pocket LED Projector – BATTERY POWERED

This small and light pocket projector can easily be connected to various gadgets and SD card or a USB stick to access your digital content. The addition of an integrated media player makes this PicoPix independent of other mobile devices.

Resolution: 854 x 480 pixels
Brightness: 140 Lumens
Battery: up to 2 hours
Connectivity: mini HDMI, micro USB, SD Card slot, 4GB internal memory, premium 1W speaker with 3.5mm stereo input.
Projected Size: 12-inch up to 120-inch
Size & Weight:

7. Asus S1 WVGA LED Projector – BATTERY POWERED, SHORT THROW

A palm-sized projector weighing only 0.75lbs at a height of 1.18-inches, the ASUS S1 LED projector features a built-in rechargeable battery that provides up to 3 hours of projection time that can also be used to charge mobile devices over USB. The S1 has a 1.1:1 short-throw lens that projects a 41-inches diagonal image at a distance of one meter. Housed in an aluminum chassis with a sleek concentric-circle finish, and features an HDMI/MHL port, a USB port (for charging) and an ASUS Sonic Master-enhanced speaker, making the S1 the perfect sidekick for both professional and personal projection.

Resolution: 854 x 480 native resolution
Contrast: 1000:1
Brightness: 200 lumens from Advanced DLP technology with 30,000 hour LED lifespan
Battery Capacity: 6000mAh for up to 3 hours of projection time, doubles as a power bank to charge mobile devices
Connectivity: 2 x HDMI with MHL, USB port for charging only. Built-in ASUS Sonic Master enhanced-speaker for authentic sound reproduction
Throw Ratio: 1:1 – SHORT THROW
Projected size: 30” – 100”
Size & Weight: 110.5 x 30.7 x 102 mm, 342 grams

8. Optoma ML1500 Ultra Slim Portable LED Projector – HD

The ML1500 has an ultra-slim portable profile. The LED projector is powerful, lightweight, portable and capable of projecting vibrant HD ready images up to an impressive 100-inch. Weighing only 1.4kg, the projector is supplied with a carry bag for ease of transport.

Packed full of features, the ML1500 incorporates a media player, native office viewer and built-in speakers with SRS WOW audio processing. It also includes an SD card slot, USB connection and optional wireless capabilities providing you with ultimate flexibility. This makes the ML1500 perfect for viewing and sharing Microsoft Office and Adobe PDF files, photos and videos.

Using the latest “Lamp-free” technology for exceptional colour fidelity, reliability and longevity, the Optoma LED ultra-slim portable projector is your perfect entertainment and business partner. The Projector is 3D Ready, with compatible 3D content typically used for 3D educational or 3D design and modelling systems.

Resolution: WXGA 1280 x 800 with ±40° Vertical (Auto) Keystone – HD
Aspect Ratio: 16:10 Native, 16:9 and 4:3 compatible
Contrast: 20,000:1
Brightness: 1500 LED Brightness (with 20,000 hours LED life) – perceived equivalent ANSI lumen brightness – BRIGHT
Connectivity: HDMI, VGA (YPbPr/RGB), Composite, Audio In 3.5mm, Audio Out 3.5mm, SD card slot, 2 x USB-A reader/wireless, micro USB. 6W stereo (2 x 3W) SRS WOW HD Audio
Throw Distance: 0.52 m to 3 m (1.4:1 ratio)
Projected Size: 17.24-inch to 99.49-inch (0.44m to 2.53m)
Size & Weight: 270 x 170 x 42mm

9. Asus P2E WXGA LED Projector – HD, SHORT THROW

The P2E operates at a brightness of 350 ANSI lumens, giving you professional-grade projections that benefit from outstanding colour clarity and detail. DLP projection technology ensures sharper images and clearer text and, thanks to an HD (1280 x 800) output, the projected image is exactly what you see on your notebook or PC.

The P2E has a short throw ratio (1.1:1) that gives you a 42″ diagonal image from a distance of 1m. Move the projector back to 3m and the projected image can be up to 120″ diagonal; almost 4x that of a 32″ TV. An Auto Keystone Correction feature ensures you get projections by detecting the P2’s orientation and automatically correcting distorted images from angled projections.

Resolution: HD 1280 x 800 visuals with auto keystone correction, correcting distorted image from angled projections. – HD
Contrast: 3500:1
Brightness: 350 lumens-rated long-life (30,000 hrs) LED light source
Short throw projection for 42–inch images from just 1 metre. 120-inch in 3m – SHORT THROW
Connectivity: Built-in HDMI/MHL, mini VGA, earphone out and speaker.
Size and Weight: 14.2 x 13 x 3.5 cm, 502 grams
Quick setup with instant on/off capability and auto keystone correction.