The FIFA World Cup is fast approaching on June 11, and that means the soccer fans among you are probably looking for the best way to experience the biggest sporting events of the year.
If you’re on the hunt for a way to watch kickoff on the big screen, then you might be considering a portable or coffee table projector. Both of these categories have the advantage of being compact enough to easily carry from one to another, while boasting a larger screen size than a standard TV. The only difference is that the portable projector has a built-in battery, while the coffee table model does not.
But which is the best projector to choose? We’ve handpicked three projector models that meet slightly different needs, so there’s something for everyone.
Whether portability or image quality is top of mind, we’ve got you covered.
The best is cheap
It’s fair to say that when we first had the Wanbo Vali 1 in our test room, we weren’t expecting greatness from an affordable model. That’s because it was launched at a jaw-droppingly low price (£270 / $279 / AU$499) and is available cheaply now in the UK on Amazon for £229.
Despite its low cost, the Wanbo model exceeded our expectations. It’s not a perfect projector, but it delivers a natural and pleasing image.
We say in our review that, if we look Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes: “Within the first few minutes, as our monkey characters wander through the green forest and out into the open trees, the gamepad presents a wonderfully balanced image that doesn’t jump out too bright or dull.”
The built-in speakers aren’t as impressive, but they still deliver clear dialogue. Regarding the view of the World Cup and the atmosphere of the crowd, we recommend using a different speaker to get the best experience.
You can tilt the body up to 200 degrees, so that the image is reflected on the screen, ceiling or wall (we strongly recommend investing in a screen to get the best image quality from the hardware). It offers a large screen size of 180 inches as well.
There is no battery built into the board, so you will need access to the mains. As for streaming, it comes with Android TV built-in (more on that later). The projector itself is easy to carry, weighing about 2.8kg. It also sports a white, round body and a single large lens that creates a design that looks realistic.
If you’re looking for a projector that will deliver a big-screen experience on a budget, the Wanbo Vali 1 is a great choice.
A practical priority
For those who want to take their viewing experience on the go, the Xgimi MoGo 4 offers a portable design that’s perfect for your time.
It comes with a built-in battery and claims to offer 2.5 hours of battery life. That figure only works in Eco mode, which reduces image brightness, so it’s not ideal for outdoor viewing.
That means it offers wireless convenience without being connected to mains. You can project an image up to 120 inches without image distortion, and the automatic tilt and focus features make it easy to set up.
In terms of design, the Xgimi projector is incredibly compact. It measures 21 x 10 x 10cm (hwd), about the size of a large water bottle. That makes it easy to fit in a bag when you’re on the go. Google TV comes built-in, and setting up and running the projector takes a matter of minutes.
There is a small remote that hangs from the body of the projector so you don’t have to keep track of things. This remote keeps things very minimal with only volume controls, a D-pad for menu navigation and a back button. You can also use a wider remote control that offers additional navigation features.
Although more expensive than the Wanbo model, the MoGo 4 is still a budget-friendly projector, coming in at £509 / $499.
But how does it actually work? When we had it in our test room, the Xgimi MoGo 4 delivered a sharp and punchy picture. Although its vibrations can be harsh at times and the movements can appear messy, the overall image is easy to look at and maintains a natural balance.
4K is a high-end entry-level
If your budget can stretch a bit more, then there’s an award-winning 4K projector model perfect for your gaming needs. Enter the Hisense M2 Pro, which received a five-star review when we had it in our test room.
It is currently available for £899 / $1299, which is more expensive than the models above. But that’s worth it for its 4K resolution (with pixel shift) and premium-feeling design.
The M2 Pro sports a silver box-like body with a round glass lens on the front and speakers on the sides. The hinged stand is fastened to the floor, making it easy to adjust the angle of the picture. There is also a standard cable adapter on the base, which opens up possibilities for mounting the projector on the ceiling.
Like the Xgimi model, you’ll get Google TV built in to give you access to select streaming services. You can push the screen up to 200 inches, and auto-key and auto-focus are available.
Regarding its image performance, we call it “one of the best players we’ve seen in its category” in our review. That’s thanks to its sharp image, warm skin tones and well-handled dark details.
Its built-in 2.0 speaker system provides enough clarity and separation to keep voices and background noise separate enough for comfortable viewing, but it loses composure with loud, busy audio.
Apart from this, Hisense is a smart 4K projector that takes movies and sports matches to the next level.
The streaming puzzle
While all of the projectors on this list (and most of those in the portable or coffee table market) come with a smart platform built in, there are other considerations when it comes to watching the World Cup.
In the UK, all shows will be split between BBC iPlayer and ITVX. If you want 4K coverage, the BBC says there will be a similar UHD option but we don’t know how many that will cover.
If you are based in the US, you can watch platforms like Fox Sports and YouTube TV.
Each streaming platform has slightly different offerings when it comes to native app support. Google TV, for example, tends not to include BBC iPlayer, but ITVX is often available. This varies from individual model to model, but it has been our thing for the models on this list.
Fortunately, there are ways to do this, such as streaming from your phone or laptop. This will allow you to view content on a larger screen, but it comes with its own issues, such as high latency. That means you couldn’t hear the cries or groans of your neighbors before you saw the ball hit the back of the net.
Another option is to use a streaming stick with missing apps support. Our best budget recommendation right now goes to the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Generation), which offers a wide range of streaming support, including ITVX and BBC iPlayer. You can currently buy the radio for £70 at Argos in the UK.
There’s even a cheaper Amazon Fire Stick HD for £40 on Amazon, but we’re yet to review this. If its performance is similar to its more serious sibling, however, it has the potential to be the right choice.
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Here is our review of Hisense M2 Pro