If you’ve never been sure about using a projector for cookie decorating, you’re going to want to give them a try after reading these reviews for the best projector for cookie decorating.
These devices are truly fascinating. I also included a cookie projector stand in my reviews for the best projector tripod stand. That’s a helpful accessory that frees your hands and offers complete stability at the height that you want.
There are also a few cookie projectors that come with their own stand so that’s really nice and helpful
Table of Contents
Best Projectors for Cookie Decorating Reviews
I will absolutely just focus on reviewing the best projectors for cookie decorating. Nevertheless, it’s quite hard choosing a favorite because pretty much all the models I’ve selected are truly awesome.
I will also tell you how well these devices work for watching movies or for entertainment in general.
I should tell you right from the start that they won’t offer the most impressive images when it comes to projecting on a 60-inch, 80-inch or 100- inch screen but it’s still going to be interesting to analyze their capabilities as a home theater projector.
Still, the focus is definitely going to be on how helpful they are for cookie decorating.
By the way, these devices are also called pico projectors.
Pico or pocket projectors are just a bit larger than smartphones. It’s amazing what these tiny devices can do, especially when it comes to elevating your decorating skills. You’ll be able to match professionals with your creativity.
1. Aaxa LED Pico: The Best Projector for Cookie Decorating
This is of those pico projectors that led me to come across some beautiful pictures of cookies decorated with its help.
One person had the most wonderfully colored cookies with all sorts of different shapes and messages written across in different styles. They were just lovely, as beautiful as stickers. The reviewer mentioned that this Aaxa pico is a game changer in cookie decorating.
The other person who has posted a picture of cookies decorated with this Aaxa had some really hilarious desserts. I laughed when I saw them but I was still impressed with how beautiful they were.
That reviewer described this device as being amazing. Plus, this reviewer is actually the owner of a bakery, which is awesome, and mentioned that this Aaxa surpassed their wildest expectations. That’s the best endorsement.
You can load your images on a flash drive, connect it to the Aaxa and then you’re ready to have some fun. It’s very easy to use.
Price
I absolutely have to talk about its price first because it’s so affordable. I’m impressed with the low price for this best projector for cookie decorating from AAxa.
I also recommended it in my reviews for the best projectors under 150 dollars. That’s how affordable it is.
Dimensions
It’s very small: 4.25 x 2.36 x 0.7 inches. It will fit in your pocket.
Brightness
We get a 25 lumens brightness. It’s not the most impressive feature.
Don’t expect this model to be impressively bright. You’ll need to decorate in darker conditions.
It definitely projects nice, bright images in darker rooms.
Resolution
It’s quite impressive that it has a 1280 x 720 pixels native resolution. I wouldn’t have necessarily expected that from such an affordable device.
This projector has the highest native resolution from all my recommendations. It’s impressive.
The HD resolution is certainly one of its top features.
If you’re using a screen that is not larger than 60 inches, the images are good enough that you can watch movies or TV.
It can also work for presentations if the environment is not too bright.
Moreover, there are plenty of reviews from people who have used this Aaxa as a portable projector for camping with awesome results. It’s quite versatile, even if it’s cheap.
Battery life
It comes with a lithium ion battery that promises to deliver 100 minutes of operation. Some users even mention that the battery can last for about 2 hours. That’s really good.
There are a couple of things you have to pay attention to.
If you want continuous operation, a USB charger with 5V/2A output is required.
On the other hand, 5V/1A USB chargers can only be used to charge the battery.
Moreover, the battery doesn’t charge when it is in operation. In this respect, it doesn’t work as the rest of our devices with batteries, like phones, tablets or laptops.
Thus, if you want to use it continuously and not on battery, you need a USB charger with 5V/2A output.
LED projector
This is a LED projector that delivers about 15,000 hours of use. That’s a lot of hours of cookie decorations.
It also uses LCoS chip technology for better image quality.
Connections
We have a variety of ports: mini-HDMI, USB stick, micro USB, headphone, AV.
You can recharge via the micro USB port by using your phone charger. You can also use a powerbank.
It can work as a media player for formats like AVI, MP4, and JPG.
There’s also a built-in speaker but you can connect an external speaker if you’re watching movies and you want better audio quality.
2. Kodak Luma 150 Pico Projector
Even before writing this article, I was aware that this Kodak could be an awesome recommendation as the best projector for cookie decorating.
When I started to seriously research it, I came across an image from someone who has used it for decorating cookies. That image was really impressive and the creativity displayed convinced me that this projector is worth the money.
Well, it also made me crave some cookies that are just a bit too pretty to be eaten. But that hasn’t stopped me before.
The person who took that picture mentions that the Kodak Luma 150 doesn’t have to be far from the table to give a clear image, which is wonderful. Let’s see what other specs it has.
Price
It’s not exactly the cheapest but I guess the price can be considered affordable. It depends on your budget.
The manufacturer describes it as ideal for meetings, presentations, and more. It also works for viewing slides, photos or videos.
Dimensions
3.9 x 3.9 x 0.89 inches. It’s a small square.
It weighs just 7.75 oz.
Brightness
It has a really decent 60 ANSI lumens brightness. That’s certainly good to see.
It works with a DLP chip, which is nice for image sharpness but it doesn’t have the best contrast ratio among different chip technologies.
However, the 1,000:1 contrast ratio for this Luma 150 doesn’t sound bad at all. That’s good for those who want to use it as a home theater projector.
Resolution
I’m not exactly impressed with the low resolution: 854 x 480 native resolution.
It has a 16:9 aspect ratio.
It can play 1080p content but still, the native resolution is low.
I find it impressive that Kodak mentions that the Luma 150 can be used to display on a screen up to 120 inches. That’s just too big for such a small device, with such a low native resolution.
I would think that smaller screens are much more suitable for pico projectors in general. 60 or 80-inch screens are the most suitable.
Battery life
When it’s fully charged, it can run for up to 2.5 hours. That’s a good battery life for an extended decorating session.
When you receive this Kodak 150, you’re advised to connect it to the charger (it’s included) and allow it to fully charge, which will take about 3 hours.
You should always use the original charger.
You can leave it plugged in while using it because the battery life might not be enough for all of your activities.
Connections
Unlike cheaper projectors, this Kodak Luma 150 allows a wireless connection, it’s Wi-Fi enabled. You can connect your smartphone wireless via your network. The same goes for tablets or laptops. You can use Airplay or Miracast for instant screen sharing.
The ports are: Audio, USB, HDMI, DC, microSD slot.
We also get a battery indicator. There’s a focus wheel, too.
It includes a HDMI cable and a USB charging cable. That’s really nice and I’m glad to see that they thought of these details given the slightly more expensive price tag. A tripod stand would have been nice.
A 1.5 W speaker is also built-in.
3. Akaso Focus Portable Mini Projector
I got a bit emotional when I saw a picture of the cookies decorated with this Akaso projector. The image accompanied a review from a cookie designer. That’s a lovely job title. The picture is a beautiful image of a dog, a work of art.
The cookie designer mentions that with the help of this device she can do whatever her heart desires. She also mentions that the projector is very bright so you won’t have to work in the dark. The audio is very clear, too.
While researching this model as the best projector for cookie decorating, I also discovered that it was used by an artist to enlarge their sketches for murals and large pieces. And what beautiful art that person creates, wonderful. The reviewer mentions that this one has a long battery life and it’s great for watching YouTube videos, too.
Price
This is a pretty expensive projector for decorating cookies. Still, it’s absolutely great if you can afford it.
I should tell you right now that Aaxa LED Pico Projector, which is my first recommendation, offers the best value for money. If you have your sights set on more expensive models, like this Akaso, you should compare them to Aaxa before making your final decision.
Dimensions
5.51 x 2.71 x 0.61 inches. Another very small model, just on the longer side.
It weighs just 0.46 pounds.
Brightness
This is nothing surprising, 50 ANSI lumens. However, there is a review from a cookie designer who mentions that this projector is very bright and you won’t have to work in the dark.
We can conclude that, although the numbers are not the highest, people are very satisfied with the actual performance. That’s what truly matters.
Resolution
It has a low native resolution: 854 x 480 pixels (480p). It can play full HD movies so the max resolution is 1080p.
The Akaso Focus Portable Mini Projector can display on a screen as big as 150 inches although I think that 80-inch screens are more appropriate for pico devices.
It’s a LED device and the manufacturer mentions that it has a 30,000 hours life. That’s surely a lot and pretty much the highest it can go. Most LED devices will guarantee around 20,000 hours.
Battery life
It can play movies for about 2 hours without charging.
However, you’re most likely going to end up using it while it’s charging. Use the USB charging cable that’s included.
Connections
It can connect wirelessly to smartphones, laptops, tablets, although the 7.1 Android OS is a bit outdated. For example, you won’t get the latest apps for streaming services like Netflix.
We have the usual ports: HDMI, USB, earphone, micro SD, DC.
It includes some nice accessories: tripod stand, USB charging cable, HDMI cable, remote control. I love the inclusion of a tripod stand. It’s good for cookie decorating but it’s also nice if you want to take it camping, you want to watch movies outdoors or indoors.
4. Vamvo Ultra Mini Portable Projector
I discovered a picture of cookies decorated for a graduation. Gorgeous cookies decorated with this Vamvo projector.
Another image had some even more impressive decorated cookies, the theme being various sports. So pretty. The reviewer mentions that the only downside is the short battery life. But it works decently for HD movies.
Price
I have to mention the price first because this is kind of expensive. I recommend getting it if you find it on sale. If it has a good discount, it’s quite decently priced.
Still, it’s not the cheapest option as the best projector for cookie decorating.
Dimensions
5.7 x 3.2 x 0.9 inches. It’s a bit longer but still narrow and thin.
It weighs just 0.6 pounds.
Brightness
Vamvo describes it as ideal for small meetings, gatherings, classrooms or business environments. It can also work for playing movies.
But it’s definitely a good choice as an awesome projector for decorating cookies, albeit a bit expensive.
The manufacturer also claims that it’s 30% brighter than other models. It’s certainly bright, although I couldn’t find any info on the number of ANSI lumens that their light-emitting diode is capable of.
The life of this Vamvo is estimated at 20,000 hours. It’s a LED.
Resolution
800 x 480 pixels resolution. I think that’s too low for this price tag. Even if it’s a projector under $300, I still find it to be a bit too pricey.
It has a 16:10 aspect ratio.
It supports 1080p content so it can play Full HD movies.
Vamvo mentions that the ideal screen size is 80 inches. For this size, an ideal sharp image can be achieved from a 5 feet distance.
Battery life
5,200 mAh battery to ensure 2 hours play time without a charge.
You can also use it while it’s charging, there’s a power cable included in the package.
Connections
This is another pico projector that allows wireless connectivity for iOS and Android devices. It also works for laptops and tablets. However, many reviews complain about the fact that the wireless function is pretty much useless. I think we can discount this possibility for connecting our devices.
The featured ports are: HDMI, USB, Audio, SDCard, DC as power interface.
There’s also a focus wheel.
The nice fact is that it includes a mini tripod, a power cable, and even a remote control (battery not included).
5. Magnasonic LED Pico Projector
I couldn’t find any images of cookies decorated with this pico but there are several user reviews who mention that this is wonderful for cookie decorating. I’m still a bit disappointed that I couldn’t see any images because I love seeing what people create with their desserts.
Price
It’s just slightly more expensive than my first recommendation from Aaxa.
Overall, Magnasonic LED Pico Projector is an affordable device but, as you’re going to see, it doesn’t have impressive specs at all. I’m a bit disappointed.
Dimensions
3.9 x 3.0 x 0.5 inches. Magnasonic describes it as the world’s smallest DLP mini projector.
It weighs just 0.28 pounds.
Lamp life is estimated at 20,000 hours.
Brightness
25 lumens brightness. That’s very low.
Resolution
640 x 360 resolution. 16:9 aspect ratio.
At this resolution, I wouldn’t say that it’s very good for movies.
It will accept input up to 1080p.
This is the lowest resolution from all the models that I reviewed in this article. That’s quite disappointing.
It’s a projector that can display only on screens up to 60 inches in size. It’s still enough if you want to use it for entertainment. 60-inch screens are also cheap.
You can project from 1.5 to 9.5 feet away.
The contrast ratio is decent: 1,100:1.
Battery life
2 hours battery life. However, I’m not so sure of that considering that it only has a 2,100 mAh battery.
You can use it while it’s charging.
Connections
The ports are: HDMI, micro-HDMI, micro USB, Audio. Not a big choice but good enough.
There’s no card reader slot.
The accessories that come with it are nice: protection bag, HDMI cable, micro-HDMI adapter, and tripod. It’s really nice to see that there’s a tripod included.
It also includes a 1 W speaker.
6. PVO LED Pico Projector
If what you’re looking for is the cheapest projector for cookie decorating, then this one from Pvo might be it for you.
The price is under $100, it certainly doesn’t get cheaper than that. I also recommended it as one of the best projectors for Halloween because people use it to display those kind of special effects, too.
Someone actually took a picture of cookies decorated as dogs. If that’s not enough to consider this device, then what is? Still, let’s talk about some specs.
There are certainly a lot of people who get this PVO pico for their children so it can also work both as a cookie decorating device and as an entertainment projector for children.
The user who used this model for decorating cookies mentioned that the projector will need to be a minimum 34 inches from the table.
That can be achieved with a good tripod stand for pico projectors but you’ll have to do some maneuvering for powering up this model since it doesn’t come with a built-in battery.
Design
It’s a bit more bulky than the models that I reviewed until now but it’s compact and lightweight.
Its dimensions are: 5.63 (L) x 3.78 (W) x 2.13 (H) inches.
It only weighs 0.70 pounds.
The design certainly indicates that this is a projector geared towards kids, it’s bright and nice.
Resolution
The native resolution is nothing impressive, it’s 800 x 480 pixels. However, it does support full HD videos and movies.
Connections
It has a lot of ports: HDMI, micro USB, U Disk, Audio, Micro SD, and AV.
You can connect a flash drive if it’s easier to put the pictures on it or connect it to laptops, PCs, DVD players, cable box, streaming devices, smartphone, etc.
The simplest way to connect most of your source devices is via the HDMI port with a HDMI cable. It’s very easy to use.
It has a tiny internal speaker but I highly advise you to use an external speaker/system if you’re going to get this model for entertainment purposes. It will complete the whole experience.
No built-in battery
It doesn’t come with a built-in battery but I won’t view it as a con since the price is so cheap.
If the power source is not close to your work table, you can power it from your phone or a powerbank, etc.
It can also be powered by a mobile phone charger via the micro USB port.
When I wrote my reviews for the best projector for camping, I didn’t include this PVO LED Pico Projector because I focused on devices with higher specs but I can totally see it working for outdoor activities, too. Especially for those who are looking to spend under $100.
Best Projector for Cookie Decorating Buying Guide
The first thing I did when I started looking for the best projector for cookie decorating was to search for pictures of cookies that people have decorated with the help of that particular device.
I only decided to review the projectors that came with such pictures. And they were all so beautiful, looking ready to be displayed in professional bakeries. Maybe even more beautiful than what we find in most professional bakeries.
I was amazed to see what people can create. The projector used deserves some praise but I think that the people who put in all the work deserve the absolute praise for their creativity and mastery. Even now, as I write about it, I’m still impressed.
Thus, my advice is to look for these kinds of testimonies when looking for the best projector for cookie decorating.
Only after that did I look at specs. Those were secondary in this case.
In terms of specs, you should look for
- brightness – the large majority of pico projectors definitely display the best images in dark rooms but some models will work quite nicely in ambient light, too
- resolution: you’ll mostly get around 480p resolution, which is a bit low for enjoying movies at their best but there is an exception with a HD 720p resolution, which is quite impressive
- battery life – you’ll get about 2 hours on average
- connections – all models feature a wide array of ports and inputs, there’s no worry in this area, no matter which model you end up choosing
- some models, like Vamvo Ultra Mini Portable Projector, Magnasonic LED Pico Projector, and Akaso Focus Portable Mini Projector also come with a tripod, which is great
- portability – all are pico projectors, which means that they can fit in a pocket so there’s absolutely no worry about portability when it comes to choosing the best projector for cookie decorating
Best projector for cookie decorating FAQs
Let’s answer some questions that belong to our search for the best projector for cookie decorating.
1. How to decorate sugar cookies without a projector?
There are multiple guides on how to decorate cookies with royal icing. There are also multiple YouTube videos that illustrate how we use icing to decorate our cookies. However, if you want to do elaborate designs, I strongly recommend using a projector to project that image and then we trace on the cookie according to our projected image. Thus, if you want to create simple designs, that can be done without a projector with royal icing. On the other hand, if you want to decorate them with more complex designs, I absolutely thing we need a projector for cookie decorating.
2. How do you project images for cookie decorating?
You need to transfer your images to your PICO projector. Some will include a card reader slot or you can load your images on a flash drive. Next we need to align our image with our cookie. You might need a cookie projector stand or some support that holds the projector directly above your cookies so that it projects the image directly onto your cookie in the needed dimension. When the projector projects your image onto the cookie it will look like the cookie is already decorated. Of course, to complete that job we need to pipe the image or the written message or whatever decoration we’re trying to do. Even if a cookie projector makes our job easier because we only have to trace the contours and fill in the design with the designed colors, icing still requires skill and patience. It’s not easy. It’s kind of like our coloring cooks when we were children but harder.
3. Which projector is best for cookie decorating?
My top recommendation as the best projector for cookie decorating is the Aaxa LED Pico, followed by the Kodak Luma 150 Pico Projector and the Akaso Focus Portable Mini Projector.
