Key Points
- Smart projectors incorporate advanced technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for media streaming.
- Portable smart projectors often have lower image quality compared to larger commercial projectors.
- The VACASSO Smart Movie Projector has a noisy cooling fan that can affect the viewing experience.
- The VACASSO Smart Movie Projector has a short battery life and a one-year warranty.
- Alternative smart movie projectors include the BIGASUO 1080p Outdoor Projector, Anker Nebula Solar Portable HD Smart Projector, XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro 1080p Portable Mini Projector, and Anker NEBULA Capsule Mini Projector.
Compact portable movie projectors are all the rage. It seems like everyone wants to cart a small movie projector along to show videos or images. Many go no further than the backyard. Product quality has improved, making these small devices a good investment for on-the-go entertainment or portable business presentations. The VACASSO Smart Movie Projector is a popular choice due to its affordable price and “smart” features — but is it the smartest choice?
What to Know About Smart Movie Projectors
What is a “smart” movie projector? The original term SMART was an acronym that meant “self-monitoring, analysis, and reporting technology.” It described maintenance tech for computer hard drives. Now it’s used to describe previously static items that incorporate advanced technologies to interact with the internet and other devices. We have smartwatches, smart homes, smart car features, smart security elements, smart glasses, smart keychains, and smart innovations in education, healthcare, and agriculture.
Smart projectors incorporate this by featuring Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity so users can enjoy media from smartphones, apps, firesticks, and other sources. Many also include “intelligent” or “automatic” features that improve the viewing experience without any user input or actions. Image quality is high on the list of “must-haves” for these compact projectors, so most have long-life bulbs, respectable lumens for brightness, and high-pixel image quality.
Reasons to Avoid the VACASSO Smart Movie Projector
The VACASSO Smart Movie Projector is one of many compact, portable projectors for entertainment, gaming, and business. Your specific application will determine what you need in a portable projector. Before rushing out to order one, review some notable reasons to avoid this particular product.
Limited Picture Quality
Portable smart projectors are not high-end commercial video projectors. They cannot replace a large OLED TV in your home theater setup. Small, mobile projectors typically cannot offer the same brightness and image quality as larger models or televisions.
Many models like the VACASSO Smart Movie Projector claim to provide 4K image quality. Unfortunately, the actual image quality is much lower than a commercial projector found in classrooms or business boardrooms. Portable movie projectors must sacrifice something to achieve their small size, and this tends to be image quality. Decent viewing up to 1080p is the norm, but you will sacrifice clarity, sharpness, and high-definition ranges for the sake of easy portability and reduced weight.
Reduced Image Brightness
The most impressive smart movie projectors cannot compete with larger commercial models on image brightness. Many even recommend using it in dark or dim environments for the best picture. Indeed, portable movie projectors are often portrayed in use outdoors at night in advertising images. Using the VACASSO Smart Movie Projector in daylight or in a well-lit room will produce poor image quality. Your audience will have trouble viewing your movie or presentation.
Image brightness also impacts the size of your audience. The projector must be situated somewhat close to the viewing surface or screen and a poor picture will not accommodate many viewers. Travelers making important business presentations need a smart movie projector that can project a large, bright, clear image. This will make the best impression on your audience.
©pkproject/Shutterstock.com
Noisy Operation
The VACASSO Smart Movie Projector is compact and portable and boasts commendable brightness and viewing quality; however, this demands a powerful cooling fan. This fan is quite noisy according to several reviewers on the product’s Amazon page. How will this affect your viewing experience?
If your business presentation is in an enclosed space, you will notice the noise. You will be forced to speak louder or crank up the volume so your audience can hear the soundtrack. This can create an awkward or even uncomfortable ambiance in the room that could harm your overall impression. An outdoor movie presentation may not be affected as much. Turning up the sound can drown out the fan noise, but too much volume with smaller portable projectors typically degrades the sound quality.
Short Battery Life
Compact portable projectors rely on built-in rechargeable batteries for their anywhere-on-demand use. Sadly, many like the VACASSO Smart Movie Projector have a limited battery life that affects its use. Viewing time is affected even more when using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections. Most portable projectors can still be used while plugged in and charging, but this reduces their portability and convenience.
Users must also consider how long the battery lasts between charges when the projector is stored or being transported. If you pack the projector in your equipment case or bag and bring it along on a business trip, you will likely need to charge it to full capacity before use. Do not plan to arrive, set up your equipment, and start your presentation; you could be embarrassed when your projector dies and leaves you without critical visual media.
Short One-Year Warranty
Improvements in mini-projector technology should trigger companies to offer substantial quality and service guarantees on their products. Some smart movie projectors do come with two or even three-year warranties. Longer warranties indicate that the manufacturer has confidence in their product and its reliability.
The VACASSO Smart Movie Projector only has a one-year warranty. Such a short warranty on a compact projector with so many features is a definite red flag. If you plan to use your smart movie protector frequently, you may need to research the options further.
Must-Know Facts About the VACASSO Smart Movie Projector
- A VACASSO Smart Movie Projector is not a replacement for a higher-quality commercial projector or an OLED TV.
- The VACASSO Smart Movie Projector’s LED display produces only limited picture quality and image brightness, especially if used in daylight or well-lit spaces.
- The VACASSO Smart Movie Projector has a noisy cooling fan that necessitates higher sound volumes.
- The battery life of a VACASSO Smart Movie Projector is limited. It is also affected when using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections or during storage.
- The VACASSO Smart Movie Projector only offers a one-year warranty when many similar models offer two- and three-year warranties.
Alternatives to the VACASSO Smart Movie Projector
What are some alternative smart movie projectors that could better suit your needs or preferences for leisure viewing or business use? Here are some recommendations.
The BIGASUO 1080p Outdoor Projector
- 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution
- Max 8000L brightness and 280 ANSI
- 100-inch screen included
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Equipped with dual 5W stereo speakers
- HDMI, AV, and USB ports
The BIGASUO 1080P Outdoor Projector combines all the top features to make this compact outdoor projector a great choice. Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity allows you to enjoy all your favorite shows. Relax and enjoy high-end viewing with exceptional quality video and sound or pop your favorite movie into the built-in DVD player. You know you are buying quality with BIGASUO’s 90-day money-back guarantee and impressive three-year service warranty.
Anker Nebula Solar Portable HD Smart Projector
- 1080p Full HD
- 400 ANSI lumens
- 4K supported
- Autofocus
- Keystone correction
- Built-in stand
- 3-hour battery life
- Indoor/outdoor
The Anker Nebula Solar Portable HD Smart Projector is an exceptional choice for both indoor and outdoor viewing. With a resolution of up to 4K, this smart projector provides commendable image quality and boasts up to 200-inch images at 1080p. The built-in rechargeable battery lasts up to three hours on a single charge. Users can choose from over 5,000 apps for entertainment or stream content directly from their smartphones. Recreate the sights and sounds of your favorite movie theater with this portable smart projector.
XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro 1080p Portable Mini Projector
- 1080p resolution
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Android TV 11.0
- 400 ISO lumens
- 2 x 8W speakers
- Supports 4K
- Auto Focus
- Object avoidance
- Screen adaption
We recommend the XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro 1080P Portable Mini Projector for users on the go who need a compact projector they can take anywhere. This mini projector has large projector features like Screen Adaptation, Object Avoidance, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, three-dimensional Dolby Audio built-in speakers, and fully automatic keystone correction and autofocus for unparalleled image quality.
Anker NEBULA Capsule Mini Projector
- 100 ANSI-Lumen
- Powerful 360° Speaker
- 100-inch picture with 854 x 480 (16:9) resolution
- 4 hours of playback time
- Supports HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and screen mirroring
The Anker NEBULA Capsule Mini Projector is the ultimate compact option for a portable smart projector. It is your pop-up home or travel theater that is the size of a soda can! All you need is a smartphone and this incredible mini-projector to enjoy video, sound, and hours of fun. This tiny smart projector packs a range of features into a small unit that fits easily into your bag or pocket. Enjoy a reliable 854 x 480 resolution with 100 ANSI lumens and a built-in bulb rated at 30,000 hours of life.
Reasons You May Still Want to Buy a VACASSO Smart Movie Projector
The VACASSO Smart Movie Projector can still be a brilliant option for the right application. It includes notable features like 4K support, automatic vertical correction, both wired and wireless multi-device connection, touchscreen adjustments, a wireless remote, 1920 x 1080 display resolution, and auto trapezoid correction for the best viewing experience. Users will not sacrifice image quality for projector size in close and dim environments. Plus, Amazon Prime members can purchase this portable smart projector for under $200.
Great Alternatives to the VACASSO Smart Movie Projector
| The BIGASUO 1080P Outdoor Projector |
| The Anker Nebula Solar Portable HD Smart Projector |
| The XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro 1080P Portable Mini Projector |
| The Anker NEBULA Capsule Mini Projector |
- $129.98Buy Now
- 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution
- Max 8000L brightness and 280 ANSI
- 100-inch screen included
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Equipped with dual 5W stereo speakers
- HDMI, AV, and USB ports
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/02/2023 03:14 pm GMT - $499.99Buy on Amazon
- 1080p Full HD
- 400 ANSI lumens
- 4K supported
- Autofocus
- Keystone correction
- Built-in stand
- 3-hour battery life
- Indoor/outdoor
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/02/2023 03:17 pm GMT - $509.99Buy on Amazon
- 1080p resolution
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Android TV 11.0
- 400 ISO lumens
- 2 x 8W speakers
- Supports 4K
- Auto Focus
- Object avoidance
- Screen adaption
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/02/2023 03:17 pm GMT - $289.99Buy Now
- 100 ANSI-Lumen
- Powerful 360° Speaker
- 100-inch picture with 854 x 480 (16:9) resolution
- 4 hours of playback time
- Supports HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and screen mirroring
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/02/2023 03:23 pm GMT
Summary Table
| Reasons to Avoid the VACASSO Smart Movie Projector |
|---|
| Limited Picture Quality |
| Reduced Image Brightness |
| Noisy Operation |
| Short Battery Life |
| Short One-Year Warranty |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock.com.
