Updated by Tomas Lindgren. Picks from our main list, re-sorted for iPhone owners.
Get the Aurzen D1R Air: AirPlay through Roku, official Netflix on the projector itself, and native 1080p for under $200. For battery use, the MoGo 4 Laser casts from iPhone apps over Google TV. Don't rely on screen mirroring for Netflix; copy protection usually blocks it.
Three ways: AirPlay on Roku-based projectors, casting from apps on Google TV models, or an MFi HDMI adapter into the HDMI port. Plain screen mirroring often blacks out streaming apps because of copy protection.
No DRMAurzen's ZIP listing on what its built-in mirroring can show
On projectors with licensed Google TV, Roku or Samsung Tizen, yes. On plain Android boxes and mirroring-only models, often not: copy protection blocks mirrored Netflix, and some projectors can't install the official app at all.
Can't be mirroredKodak's own Luma 150 listing about Netflix and Hulu
Battery models usually last about 2.5 hours, which covers one movie. USB-C models have no battery but run from a power bank, as long as it delivers 65 W or more over USB-C PD. Phone-sized banks won't start them.
65 Wminimum USB-C PD for the D1R Air (Notebookcheck) and BOOM Air (listing)
Best for iPhone overall
Roku supports AirPlay, so photos, videos and many apps go straight from the iPhone, and Netflix runs on the projector itself.
| Spec | Listing says | Independent sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | 300 ANSI lumens, SGS-certified to ANSI/ISO 21118 | Certified by SGS at Aurzen's request; no public lab measurement yet |
| Resolution | Native 1080p | Native 1080p LCD (Android Authority launch report) |
| Streaming | Roku TV built in, AirPlay | Roku's own operating system, so Netflix and the big apps are official (CGMagazine, AndroidGuys) |
| Power | USB-C powered | Runs from a USB-C power bank with 65 W or more PD output (Notebookcheck) |
Sources: CGMagazine, Aurzen D1R Air review (2026); AndroidGuys, EAZZE D1R Air review (June 2026); Home Technology Review, D1R Air review (Aug 2026); Notebookcheck, D1R Air launch report (May 2026); Amazon listing data, Oct 25, 2026. Full review: on the main list.
Price band on Amazon, Oct 25, 2026: $100 to $250. Prices change daily.
Check today's price on AmazonBest on battery
Google TV lets you cast from YouTube and other iPhone apps that show the cast button, and the battery means no outlet on the patio.
| Spec | Listing says | Independent sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | 550 ISO lumens, triple laser | RTINGS bought and measured it in 2026 and calls it a solid bedroom projector; its numbers are for members |
| Resolution | 1080p | Native 1080p DLP (RTINGS) |
| Streaming | Google TV, 10,000+ apps | Google TV built in (RTINGS) |
| Power | Up to 2.5 hours on battery | Laurent Willen measured a little over 40 W in standard mode |
Sources: RTINGS, XGIMI MoGo 4 Laser review (2026); Expert Reviews, XGIMI MoGo 4 Laser review (March 2026); Laurent Willen, XGIMI MoGo 4 Laser test (2025); Amazon listing data, Oct 25, 2026. Full review: on the main list.
Price band on Amazon, Oct 25, 2026: $250 to $500. Prices change daily.
Check today's price on AmazonBest for the bedroom
BenQ's listing names AirPlay alongside Chromecast, and the ceiling stand suits watching from bed.
| Spec | Listing says | Independent sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | 500 ANSI lumens, laser | Rated by BenQ; reviewed by What Hi-Fi? and Gamereactor, not publicly measured |
| Resolution | 1080p, 4K signal supported | Native 1080p DLP (Projector Central spec page) |
| Streaming | Google TV with Netflix, AirPlay, Chromecast | Google TV with Netflix, per BenQ's launch release |
| Power | Not in the bullets | No battery listed; plan on an outlet |
Sources: What Hi-Fi?, BenQ GV50 review; Gamereactor, BenQ GV50 review (May 2025); BenQ launch release (Aug 2024); Adorama spec sheet; Amazon listing data, Oct 25, 2026. Full review: on the main list.
Price band on Amazon, Oct 25, 2026: $250 to $500. Prices change daily.
Check today's price on AmazonBest pocket option
Mirrors an iPhone directly without Wi-Fi. Fine for photos and your own videos; copy-protected streams won't show.
| Spec | Listing says | Independent sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | 100 ANSI lumens, SGS-certified | Tom's Guide and The Verge reviewed it; Projector Central ranks it in its 2026 pocket projector top 10 |
| Resolution | Native 720p, 1080p input | Tom's Guide lists 720p as its main limit |
| Streaming | Mirroring with no Wi-Fi needed | Mirroring doesn't carry copy-protected video (The Verge, and the listing says so) |
| Battery | Up to 1.5 h in eco mode, 5000 mAh | Tom's Guide calls the battery life short |
Sources: Tom's Guide, Aurzen ZIP Tri-Fold review; The Verge, Aurzen Zip review; Projector Central, Aurzen ZIP model page (2026); Notebookcheck, Aurzen Zip Pro review (Oct 17, 2026); Amazon listing data, Oct 25, 2026. Full review: on the main list.
Price band on Amazon, Oct 25, 2026: $250 to $500. Prices change daily.
Check today's price on Amazon
Honest about its specs, very dim, and expensive for what it is. Fine for tracing in a dark room.
Data check: in our Oct 25, 2026 data, the HAPPRUN H1 scores higher (37 vs 28) and costs less.
Sources: Amazon listing data, Oct 25, 2026.
Price band on Amazon, Oct 25, 2026: $100 to $250. Prices change daily.
Check today's price on Amazon| Method | Works with | Netflix and other paid apps | Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPlay | Roku-based projectors such as the D1R Air; projectors that list AirPlay, like the BenQ GV50 | Use the app on the projector instead; it's licensed | Same Wi-Fi network |
| Casting | Google TV projectors (MoGo 4 Laser, BOOM Air, Elfin Flip) | Apps with a cast button hand off to the projector | Same Wi-Fi network |
| HDMI adapter | Any projector with HDMI in | Some apps block video over adapters | MFi Lightning or USB-C to HDMI adapter |
| Screen mirroring | Budget and pocket projectors | Usually blocked (Kodak and Aurzen listings say so) | Projector's mirroring mode |
Roku Streaming Stick Plus (4K, HDR10+)
Budget projectors without licensed apps become easy with a stick. It also fixes the Netflix problem on Android and mirroring-only models.
What to look for: Check that the stick and your projector's power or USB ports don't block each other.
Under $100 on Amazon, Oct 25, 2026.
Check today's price on AmazonNimble Champ Pro, 20,000 mAh, 65 W
USB-C projectors such as the D1R Air and BOOM Air won't start on a phone-sized bank. At 20,000 mAh, our calculator puts runtime around 1.4 hours for a 45 W projector.
What to look for: 65 W USB-C PD output, plus a 5A E-marker cable for USB-C projectors.
Under $100 on Amazon, Oct 25, 2026.
Check today's price on AmazonMFi-certified Lightning and USB-C to HDMI adapter
For projectors without AirPlay, this is the wired route. Some streaming apps block video over adapters; a stick avoids that.
What to look for: MFi certification for Lightning, and a charging port so your phone doesn't die mid-movie.
Under $100 on Amazon, Oct 25, 2026.
Check today's price on AmazonUse AirPlay if the projector runs Roku (D1R Air) or lists AirPlay (BenQ GV50), cast from apps on Google TV models, or plug in an MFi Lightning or USB-C to HDMI adapter. Mirroring apps on budget projectors are the least reliable route.
Copy protection blocks mirrored streams from many apps. Open Netflix on the projector itself (licensed apps) or plug in a streaming stick. The Aurzen ZIP and Kodak Luma 150 listings both warn about this.
Yes. AirPlay and casting work the same from an iPad, and USB-C iPads use a USB-C to HDMI adapter. As a mini projector for iPad presentations, keep the iPad charging through the adapter's pass-through port.
iPhone 15 and later use USB-C; older models use Lightning. An MFi adapter that has both, plus a charging port, covers every iPhone in the house.
AirPlay needs both devices on the same network. Without Wi-Fi, use a wired adapter, or a projector like the Aurzen ZIP that creates its own direct mirroring link.
With AirPlay the sound goes to the projector. For private listening, pair Bluetooth headphones to the projector itself if it supports audio out, as the HAPPRUN H1 and BOOM Air do.
Look for licensed Google TV, Roku or Samsung Tizen. In our ten that's the MoGo 4 Laser, Elfin Flip models, D1R Air (Roku), BenQ GV50 and BOOM Air. Projectors running plain Android usually can't install the official Netflix app; a $50 streaming stick fixes that.