Dangbei Atom Projector review: Big picture, small projector

Projectors are inherently space-saving devices and are great to have in dorms, apartments, and other smaller living spaces. Mounting a TV is tiring, and it's difficult to manage when you're renting the wall it's on.

Dangbei was founded in 2013 and has been specializing in projectors since 2019.

Dangbei Atom Projector - Design

Out of the box, the Dangbei Atom comes with a remote control (batteries not included), power adapter, power cable, microfiber cloth, and manual. Installation is straightforward, with the most inconvenience coming from finding batteries for the remote.

The Atom is a bright laser projector with 1200 ISO Lumens at max brightness. You can enjoy movies and television throughout the day and night, and the automatic brightness adjustment helps keep the screen visible and sharp if the lights are suddenly turned on and off.

As with other smart projectors, the Atom enjoys being able to autofocus, change corners through auto keystone adjustment, and detect and avoid obstacles. Sometimes, the auto keystone won't always work how you want it to, but manual adjustment afterward is simple.

You can also zoom in up to 50% of the original picture size, which depends on how far you have the projector away from your wall or viewing surface.

Due to its size, the Atom only has 1 USB-A port, an HDMI for inputs, and a 3.5mm for audio output. It also packs two Dolby Digital speakers on the sides of the projector.

The projector is around the size of a textbook and weighs around 3 pounds, which makes it wonderful for moving around when cleaning or making adjustments.

Dangbei Atom Projector - Specs

Dangbei Atom Projector - Use

Dangbei has moved on from using their own OS and got licensing to use Google TV, avoiding the potential extra cost of consumers getting a streaming stick to make the most of the experience.

The Atom is a light and portable projector, easily fitting in a backpack or tote. Dangbei sells a custom carrying case if you bring it around often.

They also have a stand, which makes adjustment a lot easier. A small projector doesn't have a lot of height and may need some angling to get a good picture on your wall.

You can also repurpose your laptop stand, which is a good temporary fix.

The Atom requires up to ~17 feet to take advantage of its full 180-inch projection size. Dangbei recommends ~5 feet for 60 inches and ~10 for 120 inches, so plan out your setup before purchasing.

I kept my Atom on top of my dresser ~11 feet away from the wall, using the stand to angle it downward. This ensured that the picture was maximized while also being well-aligned on the wall.

As for our listening experience, the built-in Dolby Audio speakers are well-balanced for their size. If you want to fill a living room, you will need an external speaker bar or system.

As mentioned, the autofocus feature simplifies the process of quickly activating the Atom and enhancing image quality before use. However, you can disable autofocus upon startup for an even faster turn-on time.

As bright and small as the Atom is, we haven't encountered any heat-related issues. Dangbei reports it has a 30,000-hour light source lifespan, which shows the difference between a laser and a lamp-based projector.

Dangbei Atom Projector - Projection experience done right

With automatic screen features, portable size, and a large picture, the Atom can be powerful in nearly any space. You can connect your console or streaming device to it for game or movie nights, and even without it, you can still enjoy a lot of media with Google TV.

I recommend an external speaker for bass or a dedicated projector background for a maximized experience, but I have a few complaints about what the hardware and software accomplish.

Dangbei Atom Projector Pros

• Easy to set up anywhere
• Great projection and picture features
• Improvements in software and UI

Dangbei Atom Projector Cons

• Audio limitations due to size
• Accessories are extra
• Limited HDMI input

Rating: 4 out of 5

Where to buy the Dangbei Atom Projector

The Dangbei Atom Projector is available on the Dangbei store for $699.00, and Amazon for $899.00.