Tdoo Projector

[Sourn Sanneh]

Packingthis nifty Samsung projector on camping trips is like taking a television along with you. The Freestyler is very convenient to use - it has a streamlined set-up process, features several built-in streaming apps and smart features, and neatly fits into your backpack. It can produce impressive Full HD images at up to 100 inches in size, and its audio quality is fantastic, thanks to a powerful 360 built-in speaker with smart assistant support. Although some reviewers said they had to take manual control of the auto keystone feature sometimes, for the most part, the device delivered in picture quality, connectivity and smart features.

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Yes, but with some significant caveats. Generally speaking, the easiest way to stream to these is by using a streaming stick connected to their HDMI inputs, which does work. These projectors don't have built-in apps, despite their marketing images implying otherwise. Don't expect to be able to mirror your phone's screen and watch Netflix that way. There are copy-protection restrictions that make this unlikely to work.

Technically, yes, anything with an HDMI connection should work. That said, it's worth noting that with the exception of the Hision and AuKing, these are extremely dim projectors. You won't be able to see much, if anything, with the lights on. Even with the lights off, a 50-inch image will still be hard to see.

Yes and no. You technically don't need a screen. Any smooth, flat surface will work. A screen will improve the image, as they typically have no texture, and many can reflect back more of the light toward where you're sitting and less elsewhere. This means the projector will seem a little brighter. That said, a screen isn't going to make a $35 projector look like a $3,500 projector or probably even a $350 projector. If you have the budget to add a screen, you're probably better off getting a better projector now and saving up for a screen later.

The AuKing M8-F is a sort of "best of the worst" option in the sub-$100 category. It's by no means what I'd call good, but against some pretty abysmal competition, it's decidedly not bad. Its light output, contrast ratio and color are all as good, if not better than the other ultra-budget projectors we tested.

Saying the Hision is one of the best projectors in this roundup is a little misleading. It is one of the least bad projectors in this roundup. It can create a watchable image, mostly, and is bright enough to get that image to roughly at least TV-size. It's even 1080p resolution. Thus end the superlatives, such as they are. The AuKing M8-F's image is a little better, and it's a little cheaper, but both are far better than the other options below.

The Hision is not particularly bright, in the ballpark of mini and portable projectors. The contrast ratio isn't much worse than some projectors we've reviewed, though that isn't saying much. It's surprisingly loud. The uniformity is bad, making the center of the image noticeably brighter than the edges.

It also had some bugs. Well, one bug. Literally. Forever entombed between the image sensor and the lens, it appeared as an ovoid splotch of darkness a few dozen pixels wide near the middle of the image. Charming.

Here's where I mention that pricing on all of these ultracheap projectors varies quite a bit, sometimes from day to day. If the Hision costs more than $100 when you read this, it's an even worse value. For around $250 the Vimgo P10 and AAXA P8 are both brighter and far more watchable, and definitely worth saving for in my opinion.

Bottom line: The Hision and AuKing are definitely better, but if either is significantly more expensive when you read this, the Meer makes a solid runner-up if you simply can't save up for a better cheap projector.

The MissYou YG300 is very bad. It's unquestionably the worst projector, and probably the worst display, that I've ever seen. The image is a smeary, joyless mess of washed-out colors and sadness. The color red is barely a suggestion. It puts out enough light to imperceptibly brighten a shoebox. Every one of its 23 lumens -- the lowest I've ever measured -- seems to struggle their way to the screen, then resent being there. Reviewing the YG300 made me question my life choices as a projector reviewer.

The projectors above, except perhaps the Hision and AuKing, look worse than pretty much any modern Tv, no matter how cheap. You definitely need to recalibrate your expectations for what you're getting here. I've used the word "watchable" a lot in this guide which is somewhere between generous and Olympic-grade hyperbole. Here are a few key reasons why:

In every measurable way, spending $150 more will get you a vastly superior product. The best cheap projectors we've reviewed are substantially brighter, better looking, more accurate and more detailed. I hate recommending anyone pay more for something, but in this case, it's well worth it. Unless you're considering these as a disposable toy, I'd advise getting something else or saving up and getting something better.

I'm all for spending as little as possible to get something cool, or at least useful. We've reviewed several inexpensive projectors recently that aren't bad for the price. The ones in this roundup are decidedly not good, even for the price. They're exceptionally dim, so they can't create a very large image, and it would be generous to call their color and contrast "marginal."

What do you get with slightly more expensive projectors, starting at around $250? Picture quality is an obvious one, in terms of resolution, detail and color, most noticeably. Spending even a little bit more gets you significantly more light output, which means the picture is easier to see and you can create a larger image as well. Some have built-in batteries so they can work completely wirelessly. Lastly, many more expensive projectors have built-in streaming. This means no external device is needed to watch Netflix.

If you're considering one of these $100-ish projectors to have on hand for the kids to occasionally watch a show in a room without a TV, the TV is absolutely a better option. It will be easier to use, easier to watch, and can be seen with the lights on. It's not even that different in price. We recently spotted a deal on a 32-inch TV with streaming built in for $100. It's less portable, for sure, but infinitely more useful.

If you were considering these projectors for something inexpensive and portable for camping, the Meer and MissYou can technically run off a battery. Even then, they're even dimmer if you can believe it. Don't expect to create an image much larger than the smallest of TVs. If it doesn't break your budget, something like the AAXA P8 is way brighter, or the Anker Mars II Pro which is good all-around for a bit more.

Yes, but with some significant caveats. Generally speaking, the easiest way to stream to these is by using a streaming stick connected to their HDMI inputs, which does work. These projectors don't have built-in apps, despite their marketing images implying otherwise. Don't expect to be able to mirror your phone's screen and watch Netflix that way. There are copy-protection restrictions that make this unlikely to work.

Technically, yes, anything with an HDMI connection should work. That said, it's worth noting that with the exception of the Hision and AuKing, these are extremely dim projectors. You won't be able to see much, if anything, with the lights on. Even with the lights off, a 50-inch image will still be hard to see.

Yes and no. You technically don't need a screen. Any smooth, flat surface will work. A screen will improve the image, as they typically have no texture, and many can reflect back more of the light toward where you're sitting and less elsewhere. This means the projector will seem a little brighter. That said, a screen isn't going to make a $35 projector look like a $3,500 projector or probably even a $350 projector. If you have the budget to add a screen, you're probably better off getting a better projector now and saving up for a screen later.

As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000-mile road trips, and more. Check out Tech Treks for all his tours and adventures.

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While TV's reign supreme in the home entertainment ecosystem, with more advanced features like OLED, oversized screens, and even transparency, nothing replicates the movie theatre experience quite like the projector.

Projectors have come a long way, and they're not just used in classrooms anymore. With indoor and outdoor options, projectors are popular alternatives or supplements to traditional TV screens and entertainment setups, and can provide crisp viewing on a much grander scale.

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