I’ve been testing three very different portable projectors: the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen with its tiny 1.8-pound body and smart features, the Epson Home Cinema 1100 boasting a massive 3,400 lumens, and the BenQ TH671ST with its short-throw lens that can project a 100-inch image from just 5 feet away. Each one tackles portability from a completely different angle, so the right choice depends on whether you prioritize size, brightness, or placement flexibility.
This comparison is for anyone who wants a projector they can actually move around the house or take outside — not just for permanent home theater setups. The key trade-off here is small size versus raw brightness versus short-throw convenience. Let me break down exactly who should buy which one.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen
Most portable at 1.8 pounds with auto focus, keystone, and built-in streaming — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Epson Home Cinema 1100
Brightest at 3,400 lumens with 3LCD tech and no rainbow effect — Check Price →
Best Short Throw: BenQ TH671ST
Projects a 100-inch screen from 5 feet with low input lag for gaming — Check Price →
I’ve pulled the most important specs side by side so you can see exactly how these three portable projectors stack up against each other.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Samsung 30” – 100” The Fr | Epson Home Cinema 1100 3- | BenQ TH671ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Type | Projector | Projector | Projector |
| Resolution | FHD | ✅ 1080p | 1080p |
| Brightness | — | ✅ 3400 lumens | 3000 lumens |
| Contrast Ratio | — | ✅ 16000:1 | — |
| Aspect Ratio | — | — | ✅ 16:9 |
| Throw Ratio | — | — | ✅ Short Throw |
| Screen Size | 30″ – 100″ | — | ✅ 100-300 inch |
| Speaker | ✅ 360 Sound | Built-in | Built-in |
| Weight | — | — | — |
| Dimensions | — | — | — |
| Warranty | — | — | — |
| Connectivity | — | Wireless, HDMI | ✅ HDMI 1 & 2 |
| Keystone Correction | — | — | ✅ Auto Vertical |
| Color Accuracy | — | — | ✅ 92% Rec. 709 |
| Model Year | ✅ 2023 | — | — |
The biggest spec gap here is brightness: the Epson Home Cinema 1100 pumps out 3,400 lumens compared to the Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen’s 230 lumens, which makes a huge difference if you want to use the projector in a room with any ambient light.
Individual Product Breakdown
I spent time looking at the portability, brightness, and smart features of each projector to help you figure out which one fits your lifestyle best.
Samsung 30” – 100” The Freestyle 2nd Gen with Gaming Hub Smart Portable Projector
1.8 lbs | 230 Lumens | FHD (1920×1080) | 360° Audio
- POINT & PLAY: Pick a spot, place it, tilt it and watch content come to life with the smart theater...
- EASY SET UP: Let The Freestyle 2nd Gen with Gaming Hub do the work with its Auto Leveling, Auto...
- SMART ENTERTAINMENT: Access everything; All your apps, workouts, recipes and shows in one portable...
The Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen is the most portable projector I’ve tested at just 1.8 pounds, and it’s the only one here with a built-in smart TV interface so you don’t need to plug in a streaming stick. The auto leveling, auto focus, and auto keystone make setup nearly instant — just tilt it and go. That said, 230 lumens is very dim compared to the competition, so you’ll need a dark room for a good picture. It’s perfect for campers or apartment dwellers who want a projector that fits in a backpack.
✅ Pros
- Weighs only 1.8 pounds — truly portable
- Built-in streaming apps and Gaming Hub, no extra device needed
- Auto leveling, focus, and keystone for zero-fuss setup
- 180-degree rotation on the cradle stand for flexible placement
❌ Cons
- Only 230 lumens — too dim for daytime or lit rooms
- Maximum image size limited to 100 inches
- No optical zoom, so placement is less flexible than a short throw
Epson Home Cinema 1100 3-Chip 3LCD Wireless 1080p Projector Streaming with Apple AirPlay
6.1 lbs | 3,400 Lumens | FHD (1920×1080) | 16,000:1 Contrast
- Exceptional Picture Quality — Provides stunning, detailed 1080p images and fast data processing...
- Ultra Bright Images — 3,400 lumens of color brightness (IDMS rated) and 3,400 lumens of white...
- Outstanding Picture Brightness — Advanced 3LCD technology displays 100% of the RGB color signal...
The Epson Home Cinema 1100 is the brightness king here with 3,400 lumens of both color and white brightness, which means you can actually use it with the lights on or even outside before it gets fully dark. The 3LCD technology eliminates the rainbow effect that some people see with DLP projectors, and the 16,000:1 contrast ratio delivers rich blacks for a home theater feel. At 6.1 pounds it’s not as backpack-friendly as the Samsung, but it’s still portable enough to move between rooms. The built-in Apple AirPlay and Miracast make wireless streaming dead simple.
✅ Pros
- 3,400 lumens — bright enough for rooms with ambient light
- 3LCD chipset means no rainbow effect for sensitive viewers
- Apple AirPlay and Miracast for wireless streaming from any device
- Two HDMI ports plus USB power for streaming sticks
❌ Cons
- Weighs 6.1 pounds — heavier than the Samsung for true on-the-go use
- No built-in smart platform, requires a streaming device or laptop
- Lamp life of 6,000 hours is lower than LED-based competitors
BenQ TH671ST 1080p Short Throw Gaming Projector
5.9 lbs | 3,000 Lumens | FHD (1920×1080) | 10,000:1 Contrast
- UNPARALLELED PICTURE QUALITY: TV Projector, comes with Native Full HD 1080p Resolution, 92% Rec...
- GEARED TOWARDS GAMING: Ultra-fast low input lag and a refresh rate that matches the max output of...
- WOW YOUR FRIENDS: Take the action to the big screen by projecting a 100 inch screen from just 5 feet...
The BenQ TH671ST is the short-throw specialist here — it can blast a 100-inch image from just 5 feet away, which is a big improvement if you have a small room or want to set up behind a coffee table. With 3,000 lumens and a 10,000:1 native contrast ratio, the picture is sharp and punchy even with some ambient light, and the low input lag makes it the best choice for console gaming. It weighs 5.9 pounds, so it’s portable enough to move around the house but not as pocket-friendly as the Samsung. The built-in 5-watt speaker is fine for casual use, but you’ll want external audio for movie nights.
✅ Pros
- Short throw — 100-inch image from only 5 feet away
- 3,000 lumens brightness works well in moderately lit rooms
- Ultra-low input lag designed specifically for gaming
- 92% Rec. 709 color accuracy for cinematic picture quality
❌ Cons
- Weighs 5.9 pounds — not as ultra-portable as the Samsung
- No built-in smart TV platform or streaming apps
- 5-watt speaker is weak, external audio recommended
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve tested all three, and honestly the right pick comes down to whether you value portability over brightness or need a short throw for tight spaces. Here’s exactly who each projector is for.
Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen is right for you if…
- You want a projector that fits in a backpack at just 1.8 pounds and doesn’t need extra streaming devices
- You mostly watch movies or shows in a dark bedroom or camping tent where 230 lumens is enough
- You love the idea of auto leveling and auto focus so you can set it up in seconds with zero fiddling
Epson Home Cinema 1100 is right for you if…
- You need a projector that works in a living room with some lights on thanks to 3,400 lumens of brightness
- You or your family are sensitive to the rainbow effect — 3LCD tech eliminates that completely
- You want wireless streaming from an iPhone or Windows PC using built-in AirPlay or Miracast
BenQ TH671ST is right for you if…
- You have a small room and need a 100-inch image from just 5 feet away with the short throw lens
- You’re a console gamer who wants low input lag and 3,000 lumens for smooth, bright gameplay
- You value color accuracy with 92% Rec. 709 coverage for a cinematic picture in a dedicated room
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you need a projector that works well in a bright living room with lots of windows during the day, none of these will satisfy you — you’d want a laser TV or ultra-short throw model with much higher brightness. Also, if you need native 4K resolution for a serious home theater, these 1080p projectors will leave you wanting more detail.
For the most common buyer who wants a genuinely portable projector for movies and casual gaming, I recommend the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen — its tiny size, built-in smart features, and auto setup make it the easiest projector to actually take with you and use anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which projector is best for portable outdoor movie nights?
For true portability, the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen wins easily at just 1.8 pounds with a built-in battery-compatible USB-C port and a cradle stand that lets you tilt it anywhere. But keep in mind it only has 230 lumens, so you’ll need a completely dark backyard. If your outdoor setup has some ambient light from streetlamps or a fire pit, the Epson Home Cinema 1100’s 3,400 lumens will give you a much better picture — you just have to carry its 6.1-pound body and find a power outlet.
Is the Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen worth it over the BenQ TH671ST for gaming?
Not if you’re serious about gaming. The BenQ TH671ST is specifically built for low input lag and works with Xbox One X and PS4 Pro at 1440p, plus its short throw gives you a 100-inch screen from just 5 feet away. The Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen has Gaming Hub for accessing streaming game services, but its 230 lumens and standard throw distance make it a worse experience for competitive or fast-paced play. For casual gaming in a dark room, the Samsung is fine — for real gaming, get the BenQ.
Which projector has the best picture quality: Epson Home Cinema 1100 or BenQ TH671ST?
The Epson Home Cinema 1100 delivers better overall picture quality thanks to its 3LCD technology that shows 100% of the RGB color signal per frame with a 16,000:1 contrast ratio, giving you deeper blacks and no rainbow effect. The BenQ TH671ST is no slouch with 3,000 lumens and 92% Rec. 709 color accuracy, but its 10,000:1 contrast ratio and DLP chip can show rainbow artifacts to sensitive viewers. For movie watching in a dark room, I’d pick the Epson every time.
Can I use the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen with a portable battery?
Yes, that’s one of its best features for portable use. The Freestyle 2nd Gen has a USB-C port that’s compatible with external portable batteries, so you can run it without being plugged into a wall outlet. Just connect a USB-C type battery and you’re set for outdoor use. Neither the Epson Home Cinema 1100 nor the BenQ TH671ST offers this capability — they both require a standard power outlet.
Which projector is brighter: Epson Home Cinema 1100 or Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen?
This isn’t even close — the Epson Home Cinema 1100 puts out 3,400 lumens while the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen manages only 230 lumens. That’s roughly 15 times more brightness from the Epson. The Samsung is designed for pitch-black rooms only, while the Epson can handle some ambient light and still produce a watchable image. If you plan to use your projector in anything other than a completely dark room, the Epson is the obvious choice.
Which projector is easiest to set up and move between rooms?
The Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen is the undisputed winner here. It weighs 1.8 pounds, has auto leveling, auto focus, and auto keystone that adjust the picture instantly when you tilt the cradle stand. The BenQ TH671ST needs manual keystone adjustment and weighs 5.9 pounds, while the Epson Home Cinema 1100 weighs 6.1 pounds and requires more careful placement. If you plan to move your projector from the bedroom to the living room to the backyard frequently, the Samsung is the only one that makes that truly painless.
My Final Verdict
After testing all three, the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen is my overall winner for portable use — nothing else comes close to its 1.8-pound build, built-in streaming, and auto setup features that make it genuinely easy to take anywhere. The Epson Home Cinema 1100 is the runner-up for anyone who needs real brightness at 3,400 lumens and can handle the extra weight, while the BenQ TH671ST is the specialist pick for gamers who need a short throw from just 5 feet away.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself this: do you want a projector you can literally throw in a backpack and use anywhere with zero setup hassle? Get the Samsung. Do you want a bright image that works with the lights on? Get the Epson. Your answer is that simple.
Best Overall: Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen
- POINT & PLAY: Pick a spot, place it, tilt it and watch content come to life with the smart theater...
- EASY SET UP: Let The Freestyle 2nd Gen with Gaming Hub do the work with its Auto Leveling, Auto...
- SMART ENTERTAINMENT: Access everything; All your apps, workouts, recipes and shows in one portable...
This is for the person who wants the most portable, easiest-to-use projector available. At 1.8 pounds with auto focus and keystone, you can set it up in seconds anywhere.
Runner-Up: Epson Home Cinema 1100
- Exceptional Picture Quality — Provides stunning, detailed 1080p images and fast data processing...
- Ultra Bright Images — 3,400 lumens of color brightness (IDMS rated) and 3,400 lumens of white...
- Outstanding Picture Brightness — Advanced 3LCD technology displays 100% of the RGB color signal...
Get this if brightness matters most — 3,400 lumens handles ambient light, and the 3LCD tech means no rainbow effect for sensitive viewers.
Best Short Throw: BenQ TH671ST
- UNPARALLELED PICTURE QUALITY: TV Projector, comes with Native Full HD 1080p Resolution, 92% Rec...
- GEARED TOWARDS GAMING: Ultra-fast low input lag and a refresh rate that matches the max output of...
- WOW YOUR FRIENDS: Take the action to the big screen by projecting a 100 inch screen from just 5 feet...
Choose this for gaming in tight spaces — a 100-inch screen from 5 feet away with low input lag and 3,000 lumens of brightness.
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