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Photo: Gerd Blank
Whether you want to watch films, play video games or cheer for the European Football Championship - the following applies: the bigger the picture, the more intense the experience. No wonder that today's televisions now take up a large part of the wall of the room. At the same time, the image quality is getting better and better. However, the size has one disadvantage: a huge television is not particularly mobile. Once it has found its place, it stays there - even if you don't use it. I didn't feel like looking at a black spot anymore, I prefer white walls. And if I want to watch a film, I can use it as a screen replacement for a projector.
In the development of projectors, one can see two directions: Either the picture is getting better, or the devices are getting smaller. And sometimes you're lucky and get both. It is important to me that the projector is mobile and easy to use. It should work well in the apartment, but it should also be usable when camping - preferably without a real screen. And the picture should not be neat only in complete darkness. I like to use smart features and operation without a power connection is an advantage.
It is clear to me that such a mobile projector cannot keep up with current 4K televisions in terms of image quality.
But that doesn't bother me for mobile use.
Of course, a perfect picture is great, but the fun of looking together is more important to me than a high pixel density and optimal lighting.
I am also a child of the VHS generation.
For the younger ones: The VHS system was for video cassettes on which copies of copies were sometimes stored.
I'm not unpretentious, just realistic on a day-to-day basis.
Of course, a projector should be fun for a long time, be it at a private open-air cinema or at a game night with friends.
For this reason I tried four current projectors that promise a good price-performance ratio.
Here are the products at a glance
BenQ
GV1
small projector with long neck (RRP € 390)
ViewSonic M2e
No battery but still mobile (RRP 620 euros)
Nebular Solar Portable from Anker
Smart down to the last detail (650 euros)
Asus
ZenBeam S2
projector based on the minimum principle (RRP 450 euros)
That's how we tested
Processing:
How good is the processing?
Setup and operation:
How quickly can you get started - and what are the benefits?
Value for money
: is
it worth buying?
BenQ GV1
The projector convinces first and foremost with its extraordinary design, because the performance values are rather mediocre. In terms of brightness, the LED light source only emits 200 ANSI lumens. In order to get a good picture, the surroundings have to be very dark. You can completely forget the use in daylight, because you can only see a light spot on the wall, you can hardly see anything of the image content. But if it is dark, the GV1 can score with a decent picture, even if only in a resolution of 480p, so far from Full HD or even 4K. Theoretically, a screen diagonal of up to 100 inches is possible, but I would only recommend this size if the demands on color depth and contrast are really low. With 50 to 60 inches you are well served,To do this, the projector must be placed about two meters from the wall on which the image is to appear. The picture cannot be set really sharp with the manual rotary knob. But although the picture is not perfect, it is completely sufficient for a bit of gaming on the Nintendo Switch. You can also watch a film with it - if you watch it primarily because of the content and not because of its visual finesse.
The GVI also has a few highlights to offer: With the articulated joint below the light unit, you can move the upper part of the projector and thus change the projection angle. You don't have to worry about distortions, because the projector has an automatic keystone correction on board. The battery lasts up to three hours and is charged either via the mains plug or via the USB-C port. The latter is also used to connect feeders. An HDMI adapter is also included. Only a USB-C input is minimalist and fits the style of the projector, but you can't even connect a smart TV stick from Amazon or Google and supply it with power at the same time. On the other hand, the idea that the built-in loudspeaker can also be used as a Bluetooth box is quite funny. But you shouldn't do that,because the sound is reminiscent of a can phone. I would rather go the other way around and output the sound to external speakers via Bluetooth.
Smart features are also on board.
An Android derivative acts as the operating system, but one from the Stone Age and without the Play Store for current apps - with annoying consequences.
A couple of streaming services can be installed indirectly via WLAN, but they don't work.
Theoretically, the content can be mirrored on a smartphone, but due to the protection of rights this does not work with films and series from Netflix & Co. Entertainment content must be output via cable, which significantly weakens the mobile character.
At least you can plug in a USB-C storage medium and play your own content with the built-in media player.
Conclusion
Nice design and easy operation: The projector could be a lot of fun despite the mediocre picture and sound.
But at least the installed streaming services should have worked for that.
So the device looks a bit half-baked.
If you can live with the restrictions, only use external players anyway and rely on a small pack size, you can confidently access it.
ViewSonic M2e
The M2e from ViewSonic gives a completely different picture - and that already on the outside. Instead of being tall and slim, the projector stays flat. And instead of just a USB port, there are additional inputs for HDMI, USB and SD cards. This variety is supplemented by the option of sending content to the device wirelessly. And these are displayed by the LED projector with 1,000 ANSI lumens, quite brightly in full HD. Even in dim light and a diagonal of around 80 inches, the picture can still be seen clearly and with a lot of color. I consider the maximum 100 inches specified by the manufacturer to be sensible only under optimal conditions. The automatic focusing is really successful. No hand has to be lent to focus here.Image size and position of the projector in relation to the screen can be quickly adjusted using the tidy menu. The wireless connection to the WLAN router is also quick and easy. If you want, you can install a free app and control the projector with your smartphone instead of the remote control. However, I would only recommend this if it cannot be found at the moment.
The integrated speakers from Harman Kardon sound quite passable despite their small size and even with the fan noise as background sound. But we would still recommend using external speakers or Bluetooth headphones for real cinema sound.
I really liked the file management: If external data storage media are connected, the films stored there can be played directly, because the M2e understands pretty much every common format. As with the GV1 from BenQ, an Android derivative functions as the operating system, even here without the Google app store. Nevertheless, many current apps are available indirectly. However, that does not mean that the software will always work in full. Films and series from Amazon Prime ran without any problems in the test, with Netflix both navigation and playback were unhealthy. And with Disney +, which was very cumbersome to install, I only saw the start page, and it was not possible to call up films. If you want to stream, you should therefore access external players - and you can do this without any problems.
It is annoying that the projector lacks a battery.
The M2e must be connected to the power supply for operation.
It only came into the test field because, according to ViewSonic, it can also be operated with a power bank.
As it turned out, however, this does not work with a good standard battery, but only if it has a high output power of at least 45 watts (15V / 3A).
In addition, the projector should then be operated in energy-saving mode, which in turn affects the light output.
Conclusion
Despite its small dimensions, the M2e is a very good and easy to connect projector.
The image quality is great, sharp and without distortion even in not completely dark rooms.
The sound, which is pleasing despite the small speakers, is absolutely sufficient for presentations in the office or for a movie evening with children.
The projector weakens when streaming via installed apps, but otherwise it shows almost everything in good quality.
Despite the supplied carrying case, I would choose a different projector for on the go, mainly due to the lack of a battery - or take a very long extension cable with me.
Anker Nebular Solar Portable
The Anker hip flask could look like a cousin of the M2e, the differences lie in the details. It starts with the light intensity: The Nebular Solar Portable achieves a brightness of 400 ANSI lumens, which ensures good results even in surroundings that are not completely darkened. In daylight you can safely leave the device switched off. The projector reaches up to 120 inches, which I only recommend in perfect conditions such as darkness and a screen. Under normal circumstances, however, 80 inches in good Full HD quality are easily possible. For this, the distance between the projector and the screen is around two meters. If the angle is not quite perfect due to the setup, the keystone correction ensures a straight image. And thanks to the automated focusing, the result is razor-sharp. The sound is fineif you want to quickly show a YouTube video during a presentation. For movie nights, on the other hand, you should use external speakers.
In addition to a USB-C input, the Solar also has USB-A and HDMI. Film files can also be saved on external data storage media, so the projector recognizes pretty much every format. Android TV is used as the operating system; the test device has version 9 on board. This allows access to thousands of apps, including streaming services and games. In contrast to the other two devices, you can not only install the apps, but also use them. This makes the projector a really smart companion, because no additional feeders are required on the go. Only a connection to the Internet has to be established, but this can also be the smartphone's hotspot if the data volume is sufficient.
According to the manufacturer, the battery lasts up to three hours, but two hours are realistic at full power.
But the runtime can be extended via USB-C and an external power bank with high power output.
This creates a high degree of flexibility on the go.
It's just a shame that Anker doesn't include a carrier bag at the hefty price.
Conclusion
The Nebular Solar Portable offers everything you can expect from a mobile and smart projector.
It is easy to connect, the software is up-to-date, and the selection of apps is large.
A little more light intensity would be fine, the sound could also use more volume - which would certainly have a negative impact on the battery life.
The good projector does not do well on the go, but also gives a good picture at home.
We just have to talk again about the price.
For the money you can now get a more powerful projector, even if it may lack the mobile capabilities.
Asus ZenBeam S2
There is a very small cinema for the finale: the ZenBeam S2 is downright tiny compared to the other projectors presented. Nevertheless, performance and features are not saved here. Instead of smart technology, Asus relies primarily on optimized hardware. The light output is quite high with 500 ANSI lumens. Even in surroundings that are not yet completely dark, a pleasant picture is beamed onto the wall - but not in HD quality, but only in 720p. This is definitely enough for spontaneous use, but despite the small dimensions, there would have been a bit more in it. Under optimal conditions, the S2 should nevertheless achieve a screen diagonal of up to 120 inches. And indeed: In the test, I was able to project a huge blob of light onto the white wall.But inevitably the intensity drops significantly with this image size. In addition, you rarely find perfect conditions on the go, so smaller diagonals are much more advisable. Setting up the image is simple, because the projector itself does most of the work - including automatic keystone correction. The small built-in stand is a bit silly. It makes more sense to screw on a small tripod right away.
Despite the small size, you hardly miss a connection with the projector. In addition to USB-C, there is also one for USB-A and one for HDMI on the back. Even headphones can be connected by cable so that you don't have to endure the sound from the built-in loudspeaker. That's a good thing, because it sounds almost as bad as small PC speakers that are only used for system sounds. Smartphones or tablets can be connected directly by cable, but your own content can also be transmitted wirelessly. But that's about it with smart functions, because the projector is a pure player without apps. That sounds like a disadvantage at first, but it prevents disappointment at the end of the day. After all, I don't even have to try to get an app up and running.The Asus ZenBeam S2 may not be able to do everything, but what it can does, it does really well - and above all for a long time. Because the built-in battery lasts up to 3.5 hours under optimal conditions. The highlight: If you want, you can even use it to charge your smartphone. And the flashing light function is very funny, for example to guide friends to the right place in the park on a summer evening.
Conclusion
At just under 500 grams, the projector is light enough to be a constant companion when traveling.
The tiny thing lacks smart features and an app store, but all important players can be plugged in.
In terms of resolution, the projector weakens; Full HD would have been desirable here.
The battery is powerful for this, and it can also be used as a power bank for the smartphone if required.
Overall, the Asus ZenBeam S2 is a very good choice for mobile use.
