The TOPTRO projector is currently on sale at Amazon and has a built in speaker, auto focus and Google TV
There’s no denying that watching something – be it a film or a football match – feels so much more special when it’s watched on a big screen. For those of us who enjoy that cinema feeling at home but don’t want to spend thousands on a 98-inch telly, a projector is an easy alternative that is far less detrimental to our bank balance.
In a bid to emulate this dreamy set-up, I decided to invest in an Amazon projector I’d spotted on sale (after doing some extensive research), and it’s transformed my watching habits. Not to mention, my football-mad husband has unlocked a new way to watch games – and it’s pretty epic. With the World Cup in our midst, it’s the perfect way to support and cheer on favourite teams in style – particularly for watch parties.
I was tempted to go for something budget, in a bid to save money, but I decided to invest in the TOPTRO Smart 4K Projector, which is currently on sale for £199.99 from £229.99. There’s a way to get even more off by using an Amazon Prime voucher, which knocks a further 30% off. This drops the price down to £149.99, and all shoppers need to do is check the box to say ‘Voucher price’.
With some impressive reviews that had me hooked, I had high hopes for this little device – spoiler: I was proven right. Firstly, while it’s not as compact as some models – like the Philips NeoPix 150 Full HD Projector from Argos for £149.99, which comes with 180-degree rotating stand allows for effortless projection on virtually any flat surface, or the FERGUSON FERP720P Mini Projector from Curry’s, which is slightly cheaper at £69.99 from £99.99 – it is small enough to not take up too much space on a table or shelf, measuring at 19.4L x 15.8W x 14.1H centimetres.
It is portable – although it needs a mains plug-in – and can be placed on any surface, but those wanting a more secure stand can attach the projector to a wall with its wall mount.
Shop the TOPTRO Smart 4K Projector
£229.99
£149.99
Amazon
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The TOPTRO Smart 4K Projector is on sale at Amazon.
The model comes with built-in Google TV and Google Assistant for Voice Control that is compatible with Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and more and is so easy to set up. All shoppers need is a Google account to access the apps. Additional apps like NOW and Disney+ can also be added into the mix at no extra cost (provided you have an account, of course). Although for those who don’t want to do this, the device is compatible with high-speed wireless streaming for iOS, Android phones and laptops.
The projector is also built on a sturdy stand and features a 90-degree rotation to project onto the ceiling. What’s more is that it has auto-focus, which is automatically applied when powering it up, great for ensuring the screen is as crisp as possible, and it can also detect when there are any obstacles in the way and resize the screen, which is pretty nifty.
While the auto-focus usually works every time, sometimes it can be a little off and leave the screen blurry. But fear not – thankfully, there’s a way to manually focus the screen on the remote that the projector comes with and takes just a few seconds. Shoppers also don’t need to buy a separate projector screen, as it works perfectly well on a white wall or even a bed sheet (for a DIY screen – see the image below in my garden).
Its sound is also crisp and clear when played through the device’s own speakers, which makes watching sports and films brilliantly immersive. Although for those with separate speakers, it does have the ability for Bluetooth connection. This also means Bluetooth headphones can be connected – this is the setting we’ve used most when using the projector outside, as it means we aren’t disturbing our neighbours but still enjoying a high definition, cinematic experience.
With ‘true 1080P’ and 4K decoding, the TOPTRO TP3 4K Projector’s picture is vibrant and sharp, too – more so than I expected. Although I will forewarn that, when using outside, it’s best to wait until the sun is basically down, otherwise you’ll struggle to see the screen completely, as we did until about 9:30pm. For indoors, ensure to have pretty thick curtains or blackout blinds for the best experience.
I’m not the only one pleased with this gadget, as the TOPTRO projector has a 4.7-star rating and over 400 reviews, with comments like: “I’m really happy with this projector and honestly wasn’t expecting it to be this good. The picture quality is clear and bright, and colours look sharp. You don’t even need a projector screen, as it also works well on plain walls. It was very easy to install and adjust, and the focus works well across the whole screen.
“The sound is decent for a built-in speaker, but it also connects easily to external speakers if you want better audio. I’ve used it for films and TV, and it’s been great every time – it genuinely feels like a mini home cinema. Overall, this projector has exceeded my expectations. “
Someone else raved: “Okay, I’ve tried a few ‘budget’ projectors before, but the TOPTRO TP3 is in a completely different league. If you’re looking to upgrade your movie nights without a massive headache, this thing is a total win. Why is it a game-changer? Google TV is built in.
“This is the best part. No more messing around with HDMI cables or plugging in a Fire TV Stick just to get Netflix to work. It’s got the actual, official Google TV system, so it’s super smooth, and all the apps (Netflix, YouTube, Prime) just work right out of the box.”
They added: “The ‘Laziness’ Factor: The setup is basically magic. You turn it on, and it uses AI to focus itself and fix the screen shape automatically. It even detects stuff on your wall (like a light switch) and shrinks the picture to fit the empty space. It’s perfect for anyone who hates fiddling with settings.
“The stand rotates 90 degrees, so I’ve been projecting movies straight onto my ceiling. It’s the ultimate way to binge-watch in bed… I don’t have a giant living room, but this thing still gives me a massive 100-inch screen from just a few feet away. It’s bright, the colours pop, and the 4K support makes everything look crisp.”
For when the projector isn’t in use, it comes with a screen cover, a brush and a cloth for removing any dust. Shop the TOPTRO Smart 4K Projector at Amazon.
