Here we are all about Android TV, and how Android TV boxes and sticks can help you cut the cable cord and stream all the content you want from the Internet, direct to your TV. But what if you want more than that? What if you want the full cinema experience?
You can do that too with Android TV. All you need as an Android TV projector. These are projectors that run off the Android operating system, which means you can download apps from the Google Play Store, including apps such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, and stream directly to your projector.
But as is always the case with all technology, you need to find the right projector. You need something with the hardware to give you that cinema-level image and sound quality, and the software to make streaming your favorite content quick and easy.
We have put together a list of the three best Android TV projectors currently on the market and why they are so good. We have also compiled a complete buying guide so you know exactly what you look for when assessing an Android TV projector.
Best Android TV Projectors Reviews
Anker Nebula Cosmos Home Entertainment Projector
Artlii Play Android TV Projector
XGIMI MOGO Pro Mini Portable Projector
If you are looking for the absolute best projector on the market, and you aren’t scared off by a hefty price tag, then this option from Anker Nebula is excellent. It is not a portable projector—it is a machine you install in your home for a home cinema experience.
It delivers 1080p picture quality, which you will find is standard for smart projectors, with HDR10 and 900 ANSI Lumen for the best possible picture and visibility. The projector also has the ability to tell when you are watching non-HDR content and upscale it, so even your older content looks renewed.
The large size of the projector means that it can have speakers built in, delivering true audio with Dolby Digital Plus.
The projector runs the Android TV 9.0 operating system, letting you stream content natively, or you can mirror content from another device as needed. It is compatible with pretty much everything from smartphones to gaming consoles to Blu-ray players.
If you are looking for the best possible Android TV projector, this option from Anker Negula is basically a smart TV, but with that unique cinematic experience you only get with a projector.
If you are looking for a quality projector at a bargain price, then check out this option from Artlii. The picture quality is not as good as the other options on this list, at 1280x720p when playing via its native apps, but it can show up to 4K if you connect it to an external player that can deliver that. It has built-in 300cc speakers, or connect to your speakers via Bluetooth.
The projector runs Android 9.0 and supports native entertainment apps including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and much more. You can download anything you want from the Google Playstore. Again, you can mirror your smartphone or other devices via Wi-Fi as well.
When it comes to getting your image perfect, there is 45-degree 4D keystone correction available, which is controllable via your remote control if you decide to mount your projector somewhere out of reach.
This is not a top-end model, but if you are looking for something affordable, you won’t find better.
About the size of a smartphone but a bit chunkier, this projector delivers a full 1080p HD image, accessing 1080p FHD content via its native apps, and is capable of supporting 4K if partnered with the right streaming device.
The picture quality is pristine with 300 ANSI Lumens brightness, which is much higher than standard, and 10,000+ points autofocus and 40+ degree correction for the best possible projection quality. Connect speakers via audio cable or Bluetooth.
The projector runs on Android TV 9.0 Pie, which is upgradable and allows you to access the Google Play Store, Google Assistant and voice control, and integrate with all your other smart home devices.
Use the native apps, or mirror your smartphone, computer, or gaming console via Wi-Fi. However, bear in mind that copyrighted content from the likes of Netflix and Hulu cannot be mirrored onto the projector using screencast.
This is a great option if you are looking for something top quality and highly portable if you know you will be carrying it with you.
Android TV Projector Buying Guide
While we have shared with you our three favorite options on the market, if you are thinking about buying an Android TV projector, there are hundreds of models out there to choose from. So let’s have a look at the main “must-have” features for an Android TV projector so you can assess any model.
1080p Native Picture Quality
When you are buying an Android TV box, you are going to be looking for something that supports 4K so you can make the best use of your 4K TV. But the projector market is a bit different.
You will be hard pressed to find a projector that streams from its native apps in greater than 1080p, but this is certainly what you should be going with over 720p, unless budget is a concern.
Some projectors will allow you to stream 4K with other compatible devices, such as a Fire Stick 4K plugged in, but not from your native apps.
Android 9.0 Pie
If you are buying a new Android TV projector, you should really go with something that is operating on Android 9.0 Pie, which is the operating system specifically designed for Android TV. This means that it works better in the more restricted TV environment and prioritizes streaming tasks over other functionality for the best possible performance.
We wouldn’t recommend going for anything with an earlier operating system, and you might also want to look for something that has an upgradable operating system, to future-proof your investment.
Native Apps
You might be thinking that you won’t need a whole bunch of native apps on your projectors. You have Netflix on your smartphone and can just mirror the content from there. Wrong. You will find that you are unable to mirror copyrighted content, like that provided by Netflix and Amazon Prime, onto your projector. Their apps block this kind of activity.
This means that in order to use these streaming services on your projector, you are going to want to use the native apps that are available via the projector’s smart software.
For a list of the best apps that you will want to download onto your Android projector, read our list of the best Android TV apps.
Home Cinema vs Portability
As a general rule, your bigger projectors are going to offer better picture and sound quality, but these are designed to be installed in one place, to create that cinematic experience in one location. Small, portable projectors will generally have slightly lower specs.
And an important difference is that a chunky projector will often have pretty good speakers built in, though you can connect to others. A portable projector will probably require connecting to separate speakers to get any kind of decent sound. Always look for options that allow you to connect your speakers via Bluetooth.
Decide what you want to use your projector for, and where, and then choose a style that suits your needs.
FAQs Android TV Projectors
Can I Watch TV On My Projector?
You can watch TV on your projector if it has an HDMI input cable (or is a smart projector). If your projector has the required port, you can make your projector smart in the same way as your TV, by plugging in an Android TV box. This will allow you to stream content, or connect to live TV applications that are available through the Google Play Store.
Learn More
Is There A Projector App For Android?
The best app for sending content from your Android device to a projector will depend on the type of software the projector is running. But it is usually simple to share content from your smartphone to your projector if they are linked to the same Wi-Fi network.
Can You Watch Netflix On A Projector?
You can watch Netflix on a projector, but not via screen mirroring. Netflix, and a variety of other media streaming services, blocks this functionality to avoid the illegal display of their content. This is one of the reasons to get an Android TV projector, as you can access this content via the projector’s native apps.
The Verdict
If you love the home cinema feel of a projector, but you love the functionality of your smart TV too, it is possible to get the best of both worlds. An Android TV projector is basically a smart projector that allows you to access all the same apps as you would on your smart TV.
Have you used an Android TV projector? Do you have any tips for others interested in the technology? Share your knowledge with the community using the comments section below.
