6 Best Van Conversion Projectors in 2024: Ranked & Reviews

High-quality van conversion projectors for travelers.

By using a van conversion projector, you can watch movies whenever you go, whether you are on holiday or traveling on a work assignment. As they are lightweight and portable, you can easily connect them to your laptop, smartphone, or an SD card with recent movies and TV shows.

Such projector models deliver the high image quality and often come with an in-built speaker. You can also connect them to wireless speakers to enjoy a voluminous sound when watching movies in your Sprinter van.

When selecting the best van conversion projector, I mostly paid attention to the portability of these devices. Portable projectors are easy to set up.

Besides, you can quickly move them from one place to another. To make the right choice, you also need to pay attention to the resolution, the type of projector, the brightness of the image and the connection type supported by the projector. A good model should also be fitted with powerful speakers.

Resolution: 854x480 | Contrast Ratio: 500:1 | Brightness (Lumens): 120 | Screen size: 24" - 100"

First off, let me just say that this van conversion projector is a great option for those on a budget. It's not quite HD, but it offers a lot of options that are lacking in competing pocket projectors that cost more than this one.

One of the best things about the M1 Mini is its excellent sound quality. The built-in Harman Kardon speakers are top notch and really make a difference when watching movies or TV shows. Plus, it's very small and lightweight, making it easy to transport and set up in your van.

One other issue I noticed is that this cheap projector does tend to get quite warm after extended use. So just be aware of that if you're planning on using it for long periods of time.

Resolution: 1280x800 | Contrast Ratio: 20,000:1 | Brightness (Lumens): 700 | Screen size: 17" - 100"

Optoma ML750 features all the qualities you might want in a van conversion projector and also has other added benefits like built-in speakers and its convenience to hook up to your TV. The built-in speakers are excellent when watching movies at home, or in a place with surround sound.

It features a great quality and compact design that will fit easily on your dash. Its slim design is perfect for those who want a small projector under $300 but don't need super high quality. Also, it is extremely easy to connect to your devices.

But, as with any product, there are some disadvantages to the ML750. First of all, it has a low lumen count, so it's not the brightest projector out there. This means that it's best used in low-light conditions, and may not be ideal for use during the day or in brightly lit areas. Additionally, it has a relatively short battery life, providing only 3-4 hours of runtime.

Resolution: 1280x720 | Contrast Ratio: 600:1 | Brightness (Lumens): 200 | Screen size: 10" - 100"

This projector for van life is a game-changer for anyone who loves to watch movies and TV shows on the go. It's super lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry in your backpack or other bag. Plus, it has a battery that lasts for up to 4.5 hours, which is enough to watch two movies back-to-back.

One of the things I love about this projector under $500 is that it has a high throw ratio, which means you can get a large image without having to be very close to the screen.

It can display images and videos up to 100 inches in size with a brightness of 200 lumens. The built-in 8W speaker is also pretty impressive and is perfect for watching movies and television.

Now, let's talk about some downsides to this model. While the image quality is pretty decent, it does have a low native resolution. So, while online movies and YouTube videos work well, don't expect to get the same crystal-clear image you would from a more expensive projector.

Resolution: 856x480 | Contrast Ratio: 3500:1 | Brightness (Lumens): 150 | Screen size: 10" - 150"

Let me start off by saying that this mini projector is a game-changer for movie nights on the road. It's small, lightweight, and easy to use, making it a perfect addition to any sprinter van conversion.

It can display a 100-inch image from just 4 feet away, making it perfect for projecting movies onto the side of your van or onto a cheap sheet or poster board. Plus, it has Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, USB and HDMI inputs, and it's powered by Android, so you can download all your favorite apps directly onto the projector.

However, there are a few drawbacks to this van conversion projector that I should mention. One of the main issues is the fan noise, which can be a bit irritating at times. Additionally, the picture quality can diminish quickly in bright areas, so it's best to use it in a dark environment.

Resolution: 854x480 | Contrast Ratio: 120,000:1 | Brightness (Lumens): 250 | Screen size: 24" - 100"

The ViewSonic's M1 is a portable van conversion projector that has a great picture and sounded great too. It is a superlative portable projector. It has a built-in multimeter, so you can easily find out exactly what voltage you're using for your system, how many pixels your display is using, etcetera.

It has a built-in battery so no need to buy extra, and it has great speaker quality. But it doesn't stop there. Not only can it project great pictures right from your computer screen, it can also be used as a desktop replacement, so you no longer need to carry around a big screen.

Now, let's talk about some of the disadvantages. One of the main issues I found was the fan noise, which can be distracting when watching a movie or game. Another downside is that it's not a true 4K projector, and the picture quality is not the best. But, for the price, it's a decent budget-friendly option.

Resolution: 1920x1080 | Contrast Ratio: 2,000:1 | Brightness (Lumens): 600 | Screen size: 24" - 120"

One of the biggest advantages of the AAXA P7 is its small and portable size. It's the world's smallest 1080P projector with a built-in rechargeable battery that can run for up to 90 minutes on a single charge.

Another great feature of this projector for van life is its high-quality video and sound. It uses advanced optical technology and Texas Instruments fifth-generation DLP imager to deliver native 1080p resolution at a fraction of the size and power consumption of traditional projectors.

And the built-in media player lets you play back videos, pictures, and music from a USB stick, micro TF card, or wireless server.

But it's not ideal for longer viewing sessions. And the projector can take a bit of time to set up and get the focus just right. Moreover, it comes with a manual keystone correction, which may require some adjustments to ensure a squared-off image.

Here, I'm going to share some influential specs and characteristics to consider when choosing a projector for your van conversion project. Happy projecting!

Type. When making your choice, check whether your projector for van life is a short-focus or a long-focus one. The former is better suitable for a van since they are designed for small rooms. You need to set up a short-focus projector at a distance of 0.5-1.5 meters from the projection surface.

It’s better to mount a projector directly above the projection surface. This way, it will be placed above the viewers and won’t get into their line of sight.

Brightness. This is one of the most important specs to consider when buying a van conversion projector. The brighter the image, the better it will look on your screen. But keep in mind that ambient lighting can affect brightness, so you might need to consider that when choosing a projector.

Resolution. A higher resolution means a clearer image, but also a higher price tag. So, consider your budget and how much detail you want in your projected image.

Contrast ratio. This measures how well black and white areas are displayed on the screen. A high contrast ratio means better detail and easier viewing in well-lit environments.

Screen. If you project an image on a flat and light surface, it will be brighter and sharper. You can also use a white sheet of paper and project an image on it. However, it will be less bright since the light will pass through the material.

To make the most out of your projector, you can use special projection screens. They are pretty affordable. Besides, you can set them up in a few moments. They are made of opaque, reflective material. Such screens could be matte or white, which allows them to reflect the light.

Speaker capacity. If a van conversion projector comes with an in-built mono speaker, it will be more portable. Before making your choice, make sure to measure the size of the room where you are going to put a projector. For a small room, you need to purchase a 2-16W projector to get a nice sound.

Temperature and noise. A cooling system of a projector should be powerful enough to dissipate heat produced by the lamp. Short-focus projectors are fitted with cooling systems that deliver a seamless performance even when air intakes and exhaust ports are too close to the wall or other surface.

It makes them suitable for small rooms. Some projectors for Netflix support a special mode that allows you to use them at high altitudes, for instance, when you are in the mountains. Keep in mind that when you use this mode, it might result in higher noise levels.