Last updated on October 24th, 2023 at 10:48 am
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Are you frustrated looking for a recommended sewing projector that is actually available in the UK? Have you tried other links for sewing projectors, but found them only available in the US?
Look no further! I have compiled a list of the best sewing projectors in the UK that I can recommend for sewing based on experience and descriptions!
But, first, make sure a mini projector is the right projector type for your sewing setup!
If you have less than 52 inches (132cm), a short throw or ultra short throw projector might be your better choice!
What is a Mini Projector?
Mini projectors are small, portable projectors that project images onto any surface. They can be used for home or office and typically weigh under 5 lbs (2.2 kg). There are a wide range of mini projectors that are relatively cheap to buy. In fact, most mini projectors cost less than or equal to the cost of the printer you are currently using to print PDF patterns on!
Mini” projectors are among the most popular projectors used by those who projection sew. These projectors are mounted from the ceiling directly above your cutting surface. It is a good idea to have about 132cm-157cm of height between your cutting surface and ceiling. This height will give you enough room to mount your projector pointing down and still have enough distance to create an image size around 60cmx90cm. Mini projectors are relatively lightweight, weighing around 2-4 lbs. Most “mini” projectors that are used have a throw ratio between 1.2 and 1.7
Our Top Pick for Mini Projectors Available in the United Kingdom
For those in a hurry, here is the top pick for best sewing projector in the UK. If you want to learn more about how we come up with our list and for alternatives, keep reading below.
The Akiyo is the favorite budget-friendly mini projector for sewing. With a throw ratio of about 1.2, this projector will create a decent image size. We recommend having at least 132 cm from table to ceiling. This distance will give you an image size of about 60cm x 90cm. This projector can connect to phones, tablets, and computers using HDMI or Wi-Fi. (This is the same model as the Yoton PW3, different seller.)
Throw Ratio of Mini Projectors
Mini projectors are relatively lightweight, weighing around 2-4 lbs. Most mini projectors that are used have a throw ratio between 1.2 and 1.7.
The lower the throw ratio, the larger your image will be at a set distance.
You can also calculate the image size given the throw ratio of your projector. Take the distance you have from ceiling to cutting surface and subtract about 8 inches (20 cm) and divide it by the projector throw ratio. The 8 inches is about the average distance that a mounting takes up on mini projectors.
Example: I have 165cm between my ceiling and cutting surface. If the projector that I want to buy has a throw ratio of 1.24, I can use the following equation to see what the longest side of the image will be (horizontal).
165cm-20cm=145cm 145cm divided by 1.24 (throw ratio of the Sovboi projector)= about 117cm
In this example, I would get an image with a horizontal throw of 117cm.
165cm-20cm=145cm 145 cm divided by 1.4 (Throw ratio of the Vankyo Leisure 470)= about 104 cm
In this example, by only changing the projector, I get an image size the is 13 cm smaller in width.
How to Choose a Mini Projector on Amazon
Buying a mini projector on Amazon in the United Kingdom can be difficult. The product specs on home projectors listed on Amazon are rarely standardized.
The listings can also be very misleading and sometimes very confusing!
So, how do you work through the sea of information to find a projector that works well for sewing?
Take my advice, get a projector that you already know will work! Why go through the headache of buying and returning projectors when you can get one that you know will work the first time?!
Here at ProjectorSewing.com, we physically hand test the projectors that we recommend! We have tested dozens of projectors and know what makes a projector good for sewing!
Some of these projectors have been tested in the US, others are not available in the US, but seem to be great candidates and worth a try! The best sewing projectors recommended have been tested for sewing! If a projector has not been tested, we will state that!
Here are some of the things to look for in a good projector candidate for sewing.
720p NATIVE RESOLUTION
Make sure you find the native resolution and not the “supported resolution”. Most Amazon projectors will advertise “1080p resolution”. However, this is misleading because that just means they can play a 1080p video. Low-resolution projectors (below 720p) can often cause aspect ratio issues, with a few exceptions.
Brightness
Cheap Amazon projectors are typically listed as having so many “light source” lumens or “LED Lumens”. These projectors cannot typically compete with the brightness of the incandescent bulbs of the more expensive projectors, so don’t be confused by their “brightness” ratings.
Mini projectors do not use the standard ANSI lumens when measuring their brightness. According to Benq, you can convert LED lumens to ANSI lumens by dividing it by 2.4. (1000 LED Lumens = 417 ANSI lumens). You can also convert light source lumens by multiplying it by 0.04-0.06. (10000 light source lumens=60 ANSI lumens)
Contrast Ratio
In our research, we have found that the contrast ratio does make a big impact on the visibility of pattern lines. Look for projectors with higher contrast ratios.
Throw Ratio
Rarely will the cheap mini Amazon projectors list a “throw ratio”. And when they do, I have often found that they are not accurate anyway. Often they will show an image with a distance and diagonal screen size. This is helpful to give you an idea, but again is not always accurate.
Do pay attention to the minimum throw distance. This is the lowest distance that the projector will be able to focus. You will not be able to use the projector unless you have AT LEAST that amount of “throw distance” between your cutting table and projector.
Most mini projectors are around 1.3-1.5 throw ratio. They will give you about a 24”x36” (60cmx90cm) image size with the recommended distance of 62” (157cm) between ceiling and cutting table.
Best Sewing Projectors in the UK: Our List of Favorites
The Akiyo is the favorite budget-friendly mini projector for sewing. With a throw ratio of about 1.2, this projector will create a decent image size. We recommend having at least 132 cm from table to ceiling. This distance will give you an image size of about 60cm x 90cm. This projector can connect to phones, tablets, and computers using HDMI or Wi-Fi. (This is the same model as the Yoton PW3, different seller.)
Yaber V2: Tried and Tested UK Sewing Mini Projector
The Yaber V2 has been a long time favorite ceiling mounted projectors for sewing. With a throw ratio of about 1.29, this projector will create a decent image size in the recommended ceiling to table distance.
| Features of the Yaber V2 | |
|---|---|
| Native Resolution | 720p |
| Lumens | 7500 (300-450 ANSI Lumens) |
| Contrast Ratio | 6000:1 |
| Connections | WiFi and HDMI available |
| Tested | Yes |
| Recommended Distance | 62″ or 157 cm |
Elphas
Elphas has many models of projectors, although I did not see a model number list for this one, it should be a great budget-friendly choice for sewing! This projector will not be very bright, so it is best used in a darker room. Great for those who sew at night or have blackout curtains!
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Throw Distance | 3 feet (91cm) |
| Lumens (not ANSI) | 7500 |
| Contrast Ratio | 7000:1 |
| Connections | WiFi and HDMI available |
| Native Resolution | 1080p |
| Budget-Friendly | Yes |
Visspl V30
Possibly one of the brightest listed mini projectors is the Visspl V30. It touts 15000 Lux Lumens or 480 ANSI Lumens. It also has a fun 4-point keystone correction. So, you can get the tiniest adjustments needed to fix your calibration. Remember physical movements of the projector are best and save digital keystone corrections for very last!
This projector does have a slightly higher minimum focus distance of 3.9 feet (119cm). Make sure you have the height clearance for a focused image.
| Features of Visspl V30 | |
|---|---|
| Native Resolution | 1080p |
| Lumens | 15000 (about 480 ANSI Lumens) |
| Contrast Ratio | 15000:1 |
| Minimum Focus | 3.9 Feet (119cm) |
| Connections | Wifi and HDMI available |
| Keystone | 4-point keystone correction |
| Additional Accessories | Tripod and screen for movies |
| Extra | Office Suite included in projector, most likely not useful for sewing |
Clokowe GC003 1080P Projector
The Clokowe projector is available in 2023, but has not been tested for sewing. However, we looked at specs, and it looks like a great option for sewing. If you try it out, we’d love to see pictures!
The Clokowe GC003 projector has a native resolution of 1080p. Also supporting a clearer pictures is 8000:1 contrast ratio and 9000 LUX brightness.
The Clokowe projector can connect to your device using WiFi and HDMI, among other connections.
The body design is not ideal for sewing, but not a deal breaker. All the cables will exit out the back of the projector.
This is a budget sewing projector choice at around 100 pounds.
| Features of Clokowe GC003 | |
|---|---|
| Native Resolution | 1080p |
| Lumens | 9000 Lux Lumens |
| Contrast Ratio | 8000:1 |
| Connections | Wifi and HDMI available |
| Budget Friendly | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | unknown |
| Budget Friendly | Yes |
Giaomar Projector
We got excited when we saw the Giaomar projector, because it has a similar design to a great mini projector recommended in the US. However, upon closer inspection it was not the same, but still a great option!
This projector has been successfully used by members of the sewing community.
| Features of Giaomar | |
|---|---|
| Native Resolution | 1280x720p |
| Lumens | 7500 |
| Contrast Ratio | 9000:1 |
| Connections | Wifi and HDMI |
| Weight | only 650g |
| Minimum Distance | 1.5 m |
| Budget Friendly | Yes |
WiMiUS S26 Projector
Want a newer projector with all the necessities for sewing? Then give the WiMiUs s26 projector as try! This projector has higher rated lumens and contrast than the popular Acrojoy projectors popular in Canada and the US.
It also has 4-point keystone correction is 50 degree correction. Most mini projectors only have 15 degrees of keystone correction. Image being able to fine-tune your calibration with just a push of a few buttons!
This is also one of the few mini projectors that state the throw ratio of 1:39.
Want to show Microsoft Office files and Adobe PDF files on the go without a computer? The WiMiUS S26 can do that! However, we do not think this would be useful for patterns as we need to access layers and zoom for calibration purposes.
| Features of WiMiUS S26 | |
|---|---|
| Native Resolution | 1080p |
| Lumens | 9800 |
| Contrast Ratio | 15000:1 |
| Connections | WiFi and HDMI available |
| Keystone | 4-point keystone correction of 50 degrees |
| Throw Ratio | 1.39 |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.23m |
| Budget Friendly | More than other mini projectors on list |
WiMiUS S25 Projector
The WiMiUS S25 projector is the older version of the WiMiUS S26. It has the basic features needed for sewing, but may come at a reduced price.
| Features of WiMiUS S25 | |
|---|---|
| Native Resolution | 720p |
| Lumens | 7000 |
| Contrast Ratio | 8000:1 |
| Connections | WiFi and HDMI available |
| Minimum Distance | 112 cm |
| Budget Friendly | Yes |
Nebula Capsule 3 Laser
This one is a bit more expensive. But, if you are looking for a powerful battery-operated projector, then this might be it!
I recommend this one if you have a portable setup. You will need to periodically take it down and charge the battery.
This is a native 1920×1080 resolution projector. It is best used on a computer or device that has a native resolution of 1080p or more.
However, don’t purchase this one until you have looked at short-throw projectors that fall into the same price range. You can often get a larger image with a short-throw projector. It just depends which features are more important to you!
| Features of Nebula Capsule 3 Laser | |
|---|---|
| Native Resolution | 1080p |
| Power | 2.5 hour battery |
| Lumen | 300 ANSI Lumen |
| Throw Ratio | 1.2 |
| Light Source | Laser |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Throw Distance | 0.7m-3.2m |
| Extra Feautes | Auto Focus and Auto Keystone |
| Budget Friendly | No |
Others recommended but unable to find at the time of this article or out of stock: Apeman LC350, Apeman LC550, Bomaker S5
Conclusion
Finding the right projector for your sewing room can feel overwhelming! This list is a great way to jump in a just get started! If you purchase one, we’d love to hear about it and see pictures!
Don’t forget to come back when you are read to calibrate your projector for sewing! Until then, see you later!
