Small but powerful projector

From camping trips to portable movie nights, mobile streaming has certainly become more commonplace over the years and has given rise to some great portable projectors from Epson to Samsung and LG. While most setup and use are intuitive, there are some A/V terms to sift through, such as ANSI and ISO lumens, throw distance, laser vs. lamp, etc., which can make choosing a portable projector a confusing undertaking.

I found a small projector from a lesser-known brand called Dangbei that fit my needs. The Atom offers everything I asked for, has a bright display, runs Google TV, has a sleek form factor, and costs under $1,000.

Does not affect portability

There are two design trends currently dominating the projector market. The first is a more “traditional” design that follows the squarer form factor you’d see in a classroom. However, the second one is more “futuristic” and stylish.

It certainly doesn’t look like a projector at first glance, and while it doesn’t have a crazy over-designed base, it’s different but definitely elegant.

The design of Dangbei Atom adopts a hybrid approach, with a tripod, square bottom, round base and fan. It’s also shorter in size and weighs only 2.82 pounds, making it very light. At 7.68 x 7.68 x 1.87 inches, it’s the same size or smaller than many set-top boxes. At first glance, it certainly doesn’t look like a projector, but rather a decorative home accessory with a glossy black plastic coating.

Its smaller size makes it ideal for a variety of home settings. Dangbei launched a larger Mars laser model, delivering something powerful but compromising on design. However, the Atom offers both powers at a reduced weight and size. If you want to place your projector on a tripod to get a better viewing angle, this little powerhouse makes it really easy.

indoor projector

Although the Atom is portable, it does not have an integrated battery. So if you plan on taking your projector outdoors, you’ll need a large, high-performance battery pack (accommodating a two-pin/three-pin plug) or a very long extension cord.

Dynamic sounds and software

Sound on the Atom is provided by two 5W speakers offering Dolby Digital Plus audio, which I found were perfect for bass-heavy action movies, giving explosions a real “oomph”. However, the stereo separation is less impressive and sounds better when paired with a soundbar.

Simple remote control and setup

The Atom’s remote works via Bluetooth, and the setup process is very simple. It has the standard scroll wheel layout popularized by the Apple TV remote, and features a YouTube button, a Netflix button, and a Prime Video button. There’s a button for activating Google Assistant near the top, but it can be a little slow to respond.

In addition, Atom also has complete Google software, and its advantages are obvious from the interface. Previous versions were simpler, and Google TV puts content front and center without having to download an external app first. Aside from some initial Wi-Fi issues, I found the overall setup to be very intuitive and smooth.

If you have a completely new setup and need to adjust focus and keystone, check the options in the Advanced Settings menu.

Impressive lumens and color

The Atom isn’t as bright as a larger projector, but the difference isn’t as big as I first thought. With up to 1200 ISO lumens, it delivers bright and sharp images in most conditions and is even resistant to moderate sunlight. It handles cloudy days with aplomb, but the harsh winter sun proves too much for it. ISO lumens are typically around 0.8 ANSI lumens, which means the Atom outputs around 960 ANSI lumens, which is still a respectable number considering its size and price.

With up to 1200 ISO lumens, it delivers bright and sharp images in most conditions and is even resistant to moderate sunlight.

The Atom can throw from 40 to 180 inches, but after testing, I found 90 inches to be the perfect sweet spot. Anything outside this range means that 1080p resolution will be limited and produce relatively blurry results.

When I watched Gene Stupnitsky’s “No Hard Time,” starring Jennifer Lawrence, the vibrant Hamptons scenery was pleasing to the eye without being overpowering, and the contrast was adequate even though it was still daytime outside. As expected, there’s some grain in shadow areas, but nothing noteworthy. For HDR-enabled content, HDR video is noticeably brighter and has excellent dynamic range.

Atom can handle daylight or challenging lighting conditions.

Looking at competitors, the XGIMI Elfin can only output 600 ISO lumens, which means it is 50% dimmer than the Atom, while the Anker Solar can only output 400 ANSI lumens, which is at a similar level to the Elfin. So where these can only be seen in dark rooms, the Atom can handle daylight or challenging light conditions.

Conclusion: Is Dangbei Atomic worth buying?

The Dangbei Atom is a small, high-quality smart projector that has many advantages, but also some disadvantages. It delivers bright, colorful, and detailed pictures in a small package and at a lower price than some competitors. Add to that powerful software, good sound, and good connectivity, and you have a compelling projector that’s great in its own right.

My main drawback is the lack of USB-C, which is uncommon among projectors, but charging via a standard port would provide extra versatility and help it stand out against more battery-friendly rivals like Anker or XGMI.

Overall, however, this projector is a great addition to the home at a beginner-friendly price point, making it perfect for anyone who wants to give a fun upgrade to movie night.