This $400 Portable Projector Has Completely Impressed Me!

I’ve recently moved into a new apartment, but sadly, my television didn’t survive the friendly division of belongings with my roommate. While my studio is larger than previous places, adding a bulky TV didn’t seem to fit the space well.

In my search for a feasible alternative, a startup called Lumi Labs reached out to me about their cutting-edge portable projector, the Lumi Max. I was genuinely surprised by the advancements in projector technology since my college days when I used a subpar unit borrowed from a friend that projected fuzzy images onto my dorm wall.

What I love most about the Lumi Max is its sleek design. Its vertical shape is perfect for limited spaces; it can be easily placed on a shelf or tucked away when not in use. Weighing just over 4 pounds, it’s considerably lighter than many other projectors on the market today. Created by outdoor enthusiasts, it fits conveniently into backpacks, making it ideal for adventures, and it comes with a practical carrying case.

The highlight of the Lumi Max, which just launched this month, is its collaboration with Google. The projector comes pre-installed with Google TV, giving access to over 10,000 apps, more than 700,000 movies and shows, and over 800 free live TV channels right out of the box. Setting it up is simple if you have a Google account, plus it comes with a remote for easy navigation.

In addition to the built-in Google TV, I was impressed by features like autofocus and obstacle avoidance. The Lumi Max can identify objects on the wall—like picture frames or plants—and automatically adjust the projection. With my walls still undecorated, I had plenty of chances to test this out. It even alerted me when my chair was blocking the view, prompting me to move it for an enhanced experience.

The display size is quite remarkable as well, ranging from 40 to 120 inches, featuring 1080p full HD resolution and support for 4K UHD.

Another delightful discovery was the audio quality. The Lumi Max is equipped with dual 5W speakers (totaling 10W) and supports Dolby Audio, allowing for seamless connection to an external sound system for improved audio performance.

With a price tag of around $400, it offers exceptional value given the range of features, especially compared to what I usually pay for a quality television.

Lumi Labs also offers adjustable projector stands for $30 and 100-inch projector screens for $20 on their website. Additionally, the company plans to launch a “Lumi IQ” mobile app featuring an AI assistant, allowing users to control the projector using voice commands.