Can I use my projector with a tripod?

Amber Stefanson | October 21, 2025

Short answer: yes!

Many of our projectors come with tripod threads built-in, meaning that you can use them with any standard photography tripod.

Doing this makes it so easy to adjust the height of your projector. For anyone who's ever tried stacking books to get their projector at the right height, tripods are a total game-changer. Not only are they way sturdier than a stack of books; they make the projector work in your space even if your furnture isn't the perfect height.

In this article, I’ll go over this and all the other reasons why you might want to use a tripod with your projector.

I’ll also cover which NexiGo projectors are compatible with a tripod, what types of tripods there are, and what alternative solutions you can try if your projector isn’t compatible with photography tripods.

Watch the Video Walkthrough

Are you more of a visual learner? Feel free to watch the video walkthrough, or keep scrolling for the deep-dive.

Why use a projector tripod?

Traditionally, you would place your projector on a table, shelf, or ceiling mount. However, all these options have their drawbacks. What if you rent and you can't drill holes in the wall or ceiling? What if you're planning to upgrade your projector (or home, or furniture) and you don't want to lock yourself in to one of these traditional, permanent setups? 

Tripods are great projector stand alternatives, especially since they're easy to adjust, pick up, and move around.

Raise the height of a projector without a table

With a traditional setup, you put your projector on a table that's a fixed height and then mount your screen to match that height.

With a tripod, you can raise and lower your projector in seconds. That way, you can make your projector fit your space, not the other way around. You can mount your screen at a height that's convenient to you, without needing to get the perfect table to make everything line up.

Use the clips or twist locks to adjust the height of your tripod

Set up a projector without buying new furniture (temporary & outdoor setups)

Projector tripods are lightweight and portable, which makes them great for temporary setups.

For example, a tripod is a go-to solution you’re watching outside or somewhere new where you don’t have permanent furniture. No need to tote around a table or box to keep it on.

Outdoor projector setup with a tripod

Try out creative projector uses (baking, painting, tracing)

Tripods can also open up a lot of cool ways to use your projector.

On our Instagram, we’ve used it for decorating cupcakes, sketching for a painting, cutting out sewing patterns, and more. We also have a tutorial for how to use an overhead tripod for tracing reference images for paintings and drawings.

We even partnered with artist Sydney Prusso, who used one of our NexiGo PJ40 projectors to get started on one of her famous murals.

Are projector tripods stable?

Projector tripods are stable enough for most long-throw projectors, but they may tip over if you have a UST projector (which may weigh up to 30 pounds!) If you're unsure whether a tripod can handle the weight of your projector, you can always weigh down the bottom of your tripod with sandbags. There's usually a hook at the bottom of the center column for this exact purpose.

Types of Tripods

Even if your projector isn't compatible with a standard photography tripod, there are other types of tripods that you can try. There are three types of tripods for projectors: standard, overhead, and tray-style projector tripods. 

Every long-throw projector is compatible with at least one of these tripods, so keep reading to figure out which one you need.

Standard (Use a projector on a camera tripod)

Also known as a photography, standard, or universal tripod, this style of tripod can be used with any projector that has a 1/4" thread on the bottom. They’re lightweight, easy to adjust, and often inexpensive, making them a great choice for portable theaters.

Standard tripods screw into the bottom of your projector

Overhead (Project onto the ceiling with a tripod!)

For even more versatility, you can get an overhead tripod. Generally, these projectors work the same as a standard tripod, but if you extend the center column, you can convert it into an overhead tripod.

This enables you to project straight up (at the ceiling) or straight down (onto a table). Projecting straight up can be great for setting the vibe with dynamic mood lighting or for comfortably watching movies in bed.

Project onto your walls or ceiling for gentle mood lighting

Project onto your ceiling for movie nights in bed

Projecting down onto a table is perfect for tracing designs onto paper or decorating cookies.

Project a reference image onto paper to trace it

Project designs onto cookies or cupcakes and fill them in

Whichever route you go, just make sure you weigh down the back of your tripod. Otherwise, your projector could tip over and break!

You can hook a sandbag onto the other end of the tripod arm, but a tote bag full of books or heavy household items works just as well.

Tray-Style Projector Tripods (If your projector doesn't have a tripod thread)

Another option is to get a tripod designed specifically for projectors. These tripods feature a flat tray with a small lip, making it easy to keep your projector level without fear of it slipping off.

This style of projector is convenient because the tray can usually tilt forward and backward to raise and lower the projection. However, it won’t tilt side-to-side. This makes it easier to keep your projector level and avoid distortion.

These tray-style tripods are also the only solution for projectors that don’t have a tripod thread.

Projectors sit safely on top of the tray

Which NexiGo projectors can be used with a tripod?

Before you go out and buy a projector tripod, it's important double check for projector tripod compatibility.

Compatible with all tripods

The following projectors have tripod threads on the bottom, so they can easily be used with any type of projector tripod, including standard and overhead tripods. If you have one of these projectors and you can’t find the tripod thread, it may be hidden under the projector feet or the serial number sticker.

• TriVision Ultra
•  Nova Mini
• PJ30 Ultra (discontinued) 
• PJ10 (discontinued) 
• PJ06 (discontinued) 
• PJ01 (discontinued)

Compatible with tray-style tripods only

The following projectors don’t have tripod threads, so you can’t use them with standard or overhead tripods. You can, however, use the lightweight projectors on this list with a tray-style projector tripod.

• PJ40 Pro 
• PJ40 Ultra 
• PJ40
• PJ30 (discontinued) 
• PJ20

Not compatible with tripods

The following projectors are not compatible with any tripod type due to their weight and ultra-short throw.

• Aurora Pro MKII 
• Aurora Pro 
• Aurora Lite 
• Aurora (discontinued)

If you have one of these projectors, don't worry! There are still plenty of alternatives if you need a height-adjustable mounting solution for your UST projector.

Tripod Alternatives

What if you want all the perks of using a tripod with your projector, but your projector isn’t compatible? There are other things you can try. These solutions can bring the same height adjustment as tripods, but in some cases with less of the same portability.

Projector Riser Stand (Aurora Pro)

Motorized trays like the NexiGo AS200 and NexiGo AS400 trays are a great option for ultra-short throw projectors like the Aurora Pro and Aurora Pro MKII. These trays can be extended outward, so you can get a larger and/or higher screen even if your furniture isn't the perfect height.

They even sync to your projector. So when you turn on your UST projector, the tray leaps into action and extends to its most recent position. Then, when you turn off your projector, the tray retracts.

Aurora Pro is lifted by the AS400 lifting-sliding tray

If you have some carpentry skills, you can even build your tray into your media console for an ultra-sleek finish. Or even if you don't, with a little searching you can find a media console that can fit your projector inside. That's what the winner of our Aurora Home competition did, and the result is stunning.

The built-in setup that won a free projector

Gimbal Stand (Nova Mini)

If you have the NexiGo Nova Mini, the gimbal stand is a great alternative to a tripod. You can tilt the projector up or down to raise or lower the screen. Any resulting distortion, you can fix with automatic keystone correction. And since it's so small, it's easily the best way to mount a projector in a small room.

Our gimbal stand is specially designed for the Nova Mini

The gimbal rotates 360°, so you can angle it up at the ceiling to watch movies in bed or create a galaxy of stars above you.

Wall or Ceiling Mount (Any Projector!)

Ceiling mounts are another adjustable option for if you don’t have the floorspace for a projector. These mounts can drill into your ceiling or wall for a permanent setup with fewer cables to trip on.

Adjustable mounts can drill into your wall or ceiling

Desktop Riser (Any Projector!)

Bigger than a tripod but more portable than a table, a desktop riser is a unique solution for portable UST setups. It's a great budget-friendly projector stand solution. We used this in our studio for a long time before we got a media console, and it was perfect for our needs. 

You can adjust the height up and down. You can collapse it and carry it under an arm. And it’s designed to handle much more weight than a standard tripod. Sometimes it's the out-of-the-box solutions that work the best!

Desktop risers can support the weight of an Aurora Pro

Can you use a projector on a tripod?

All of this to say, no matter what projector you have, there's a way to mount it that will make it work with your setup. You don't need to buy special furniture or ceiling mounts. With a standard tripod, a tray, or even a desktop riser, you can easily set your projector up at the perfect height, and take it on the go too! 

For more helpful tutorials, please check out our Instagram and YouTube. We post how-to videos there every week. Also consider subscribing to our newsletter for the latest news and tech tips. If you sign up here, we'll also include a free DIY guide for setting up your projector for different craft projects.

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