I recently moved to a new apartment, and unfortunately the TV wasn’t cut during the split of a friendly roommate. Although my studio is not as sloppy as my previous living situation, I still felt it was unrealistic to me to have a bulky TV in the living area.
In search of the right alternative, a startup called Lumi Labs contacted us about testing a new portable projector, the Lumi Max. From the moment I didn’t box it, I was impressed when I struggled with how far I was from college and the filthy stuff I had crossed from a friend who projected a stupid video onto the walls of my dorms.
One thing I appreciate about the Lumi Max is its compact design. It stands vertically and is perfect for small spaces. It can be easily placed on a shelf or hidden when not in use. It weighs over 4 pounds and is significantly lighter than many other projectors on the market. The founder is an avid camping enthusiast and is designed to fit perfectly into your backpack, making it convenient to travel and set up in an outdoor setting. Additionally, it comes with a carrying case.
A standout feature of Lumi Max, which became available earlier this month, is its partnership with Google. The projector runs on Google TV by default and has access to over 10,000 apps, over 700,000 movies and TV shows, and over 800 free live TV channels. If you already have a Google account, the setup is easy and includes a remote for easy navigation.
Beyond the built-in Google TV, other features like autofocus and obstacle avoidance caught my attention. Lumi Max recognizes wall objects, such as wall paintings, plants, shelves, and can automatically adjust image placement. I didn’t have any art on the wall yet, so I had a blank canvas to work with. However, it warned me when the chair got in the way and was able to easily reposition for the best viewing experience.
The display size is also impressive: 40-120 inches, coupled with 1080p full HD resolution and 4K UHD compatibility.
Another comfortable surprise was the sound quality. Lumi Max features two 5W speakers (delivering a total audio output of 10W) and also includes Dolby audio support. Therefore, you can connect it to an external sound system to enhance audio performance.
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The price is around $400, which makes a lot of sense, especially considering the array of features offered, especially when compared to what I spend on a regular quality TV.
Lumi Labs sells adjustable projector stands on its website for $30 and $20 with 100-inch projector screens. The company is also planning to launch a “Lumi IQ” mobile app featuring AI assistants, allowing users to control the projector via voice.
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