If you are looking into traveling by plane with a projector, you probably have a good reason to do so.
Perhaps you have a business presentation, speak to a large group, or look to have an outdoor movie night once you reach your destination.
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Can you take a projector on a plane?
The short answer is yes; you can travel by plane with your projector. The size of projectors has decreased significantly in the last ten years, making the possibility of traveling with them much more manageable.
There are not any airline restrictions on traveling with a projector domestically or internationally.
But there’s a catch: You need to give some deep thought on if the risk/reward is worth it!
Things to Consider when flying with a projector:
1. How expensive is the projector?
Some of the high-end 4K projectors can be quite pricey. As you know, when you fly by plane, there are many variables that you can’t control with your luggage.
If you check your bags, you lose all control over who would be handling your bags. My wife and I purchased an expensive stroller a few years ago and decided to check it before boarding our flight.
When we reached our destination, the stroller became so deformed that we had to file a complaint with the airline to get a replacement.
2. Carry-On vs. Checked Luggage
If you are leaning on bringing your projector with you on your flight, you should evaluate all of the luggage you plan to bring with you. Because projectors are so fragile, you want to carry them on the flight.
If possible, the best case situation is to store it in the overhead luggage area or under your seat.
With that being said, since you usually are only allowed to bring one carry-on bag, you will have to determine if you have enough storage space for the other items that you usually carry on when you fly.
3. What is the size of the projector?
Do you have an old large projector that takes up a ton of space? If you are over the size limits for carry-on luggage, I would consider if the risk of bringing the projector is worth it.
4. Are you bringing a projector screen with the projector?
If you are planning on bringing a projector screen in addition to the projector, I think you need to evaluate if the headache will be worth it in the end.
Several airlines still charge for checked luggage, so when you factor in the cost of bringing the equipment with the risk of the equipment getting damaged, it is easy to have second thoughts about lugging all the gear along.
5. Can you rent a projector on the road?
One of our favorite ideas is to rent a projector once you get to your final destination. Think about the peace of mind you will have in not toting around all of that expensive equipment with you.
Most major cities have projector rental options that are very reasonable. In a city like Phoenix, AZ, you can rent a projector, monitor, and microphone for an affordable daily rate.
Options if you elect to travel with your projector:
If renting a projector doesn’t make sense for your needs and you want to move forward with flying with it, purchasing a heavy-duty case is critical.
Projectors have delicate electronic components inside them, and one bad drop can easily shatter something internally and break the projector.
Projector Case Options:
Projector cases are broken down into hard shells and soft-shell cases. We recommend a hard shell case due to the fragility of projectors and the crazy things that can happen at the airport.
Check out a few of our favorites:
- Pelican 1200 Case with Foam
- Pelican cases are kept watertight through the use of a tongue and groove fit and a polymer o-ring.
- Pelican cases come standard with an Automatic Pressure Equalization Valve which releases built up...
- Pelican's Pick N'Pluck foam lets you customize the interior.
Last update on 2023-03-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
What We Like: The Pelican brand is one of the top brands in protective cases across many industries. The cases are waterproof, durable, and come with Pick N’ Pluck foam that can be cut to size to fit most projectors.
What We Don’t Like: Pelican cases are known for their durability, but with such durability comes a fairly heavy case that can weigh over 5lbs.
- Casematix Travel Case
- Hard Shell Protection: The CASEMATIX Projector Carry Case provides protection against impacts,...
- Shock-Absorbing Foam Interior: In addition to this case's hard shell exterior it features a...
- Easy-to-Carry with Spacious Interior: This compact case measures only 16" x 13" x 6" and features a...
Last update on 2023-03-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
What We Like: This hardshell case has customizable foam, which means you can customize the shape to fit your projector to ensure a snug fit. There is also a slot for power cords, HDMI Cables, and a sleek, low-profile design.
What We Don’t Like: There have been some complaints about the latches breaking over time. So if you are planning on traveling with this case frequently, it may not be the best fit.
- co2crea Hard Travel Case
Last update on 2023-03-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
What We Like: This hardshell case is a great value and fits most standard mini projectors. It also has a padded carry handle which makes it easy to tote around the airport.
What We Don’t Like: This is a hardshell case but does not come with foam, so the risk of the projector sliding around is relatively high. This case is best only if you can keep a close eye on it during your travels.
Buy a Travel Projector
If you travel frequently and need your projector, it is probably smart to purchase a mini projector that you can bring with you on the road.
This way, you can leave your existing projector set up at home where you know it is safe and sound, and then have a travel projector with a designated travel case and accessories.
Think of this as having a desktop and laptop computer for work on the road. Some of the higher-end projectors are too fragile to be flying with and are meant to be stationary.
A couple of our favorite affordable mini projectors:
- AuKing Mini Projector
- ★【AuKing 2023 Upgraded Projector】With latest 7500 Lumens and 1080p Full HD resolution...
- ★【Huge Screen & Long Bulb Life】170 inch large projection screen brings an immersive viewing...
- ★【Low Noise & Dual Stereo Speakers】Thanks to advanced noise reduction technology, the fan...
Last update on 2023-03-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
What We Like: The Auking mini projector is compatible with many different devices: phones, laptops, and tablets. It also has a variety of connection ports for HDMI and USB cables.
We Don’t Like: Some customer complaints about the projector bulb burning out close to the one-year mark.
- ManyBox Mini Projector
- 【Superior watching experience】 This mini projector equipped with 2000: 1 contrast ratio,...
- 【Big size screen】 The projection size varies from 36" To 150" With 3ft to 12ft projection...
- 【Built-in dual speakers and Fan built-in dual speaker system provides excellent high sound...
Last update on 2023-03-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
What We Like: This projector has a 4500-lamp life and has full 1080P HD.
What We Don’t Like: It does not work with iPhones.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a good idea of whether you want to bring your projector on your flight or not.
If you have the right case, it is certainly doable.
If you have a very expensive projector, the risk is not worth the reward so go ahead and rent a projector when you reach your final destination!
Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.