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Summary
The Dangbei Neo is a decent projector with a number of desirable features including official apps for the likes of YouTube and Netflix. However, there are also some downsides, including a relatively dim 540 lumens of brightness.
If you catch it on sale for around $500, it is worth the money.
There are many reasons topick a projector over a TV, but once you make that decision, you’re then left trying to choose one. There aremany things to consider, and if you’re looking in the lower to mid-range,Dangbei’s Neo smart projectoris one of your options.
Dangbei’s effort is a 1080p, long-throw projector, and it has a lot of positives. However, in this price bracket, you’ll also be making some compromises. I’ve spent a few weeks testing one out and can now tell you what the strengths and weaknesses of this little projector are and if it’s worth spending your hard-earned money on.
Specs as Reviewed
Setup Isn’t Complicated
Setting up the Dangbei Neo isn’t complex at all. As with many projectors, the final size of the image hitting the wall or screen is mostly down to the distance between the Neo and said surface. A throw-distance of around ten feet will get you just shy of 100 inches, and you’ll need even more room if you want to get the full 120 inches this screen is rated for.
If you need some extra space, it’s possible to project from an angle and level things out with the “keystone” feature. The projection will square itself off automatically for the most part, but you can hop into the settings menu and manually adjust each corner if needs be. The remote also has a manual focus button, so it’s easy to sharpen the picture—though in my experience, the auto-focus nailed it every time, and manual focus was not really needed.
The initial setup screen takes care of most major things, like Wi-Fi access and language choice. Everything can be quickly adjusted if you want to use this as a travel projector—and I found I was able to get things going quickly whenever the Dagbei was on the move.
Let’s Talk Apps
Usually, lower-to-mid-range projectors have a pretty limited range of apps available. You can access YouTube and sign into Netflix, but you may have to do so through a low-quality third-party app. These apps can be frustrating to use and greatly hamper your experience. There’s also the question of trusting an app made by a company you’ve never heard of with your login credentials.
The Dangbei Neo doesn’t have these problems. It has an actual, official Netflix app; the same goes for YouTube. While both official apps have their share of critics on app stores worldwide, projector aficionados will appreciate how much better they are than the knockoffs we usually have to deal with.
A Variety of Connections Are on Offer
If streaming services aren’t your thing, or if you’re in an area devoid of Wi-Fi, you’ll be pleased to know there are a variety of ways to connect to the Dagbei and ultimately play media. You can hardwire said internet through an ethernet cable, and an HDMI port is also present if you would like to connect a PC, laptop, DVD player, or most other devices. There are also a pair of USB ports, so if you have media on a flash drive, you can simply plug it in and play. This is particularly handy for outdoor movie nights.
The port options also stretch to audio. The device has an optical audio port, which you can use to connect a high-end audio system should you own one that supports this type of connection. In terms of non-physical connections, the projector has Bluetooth 5.0 support, which means you can cast from a phone even if WiFi is unavailable.
The remote makes navigation very easy and contains a couple of shortcuts you may use to adjust things like focus on the fly. We wouldn’t advise losing said remote as the projector itself only has one button, and there doesn’t appear to be an app you can use to navigate it.
Brightness Could do With a Boost
In terms of picture sharpness, the Dangbei does a great job. Its 1080p output retains quality, even as the screen size exceeds 100 inches. This sets it apart from some of its competitors in its price bracket. The image is sharp enough to enjoy on a light-colored wall, though, for the best experience, you will probably want to get a dedicated projector screen.
A screen will also help you mitigate the Neo’s main flaw. At 500 lumens, it will struggle to overcome the light streaming through your windows in the daytime, and projecting outside before sundown is a wasted effort. During the evening, it does do a good job against ambient light, and a thick set of curtains can make it a useful option during the day.
The brightness issue is common at this price point, and a projector offering the 1,500-2,000 lumens plus you really need for constant, uninterrupted use can cost as much as three times the Neo’s price. The dimmer bulb also saves a bit of energy. But it is still something to consider if you’re shopping for a projector and expecting something you can pop on in the living room, at noon, with the curtains open.
The Speakers Are More Than Enough for Most Setups
Built-in audio has come a long way in the projector world, especially with regard to lower to mid-range devices. The Dangbei is no exception; its audio is on par with a decent TV. For most users, auxiliary speakers won’t be necessary, and you’ll be able to get by with the in-built audio alone.
They’re loud too. Even at around 25% volume, you may overcome things like an air conditioning unit. If you have a multi-room party going, this projector probably has enough oomph to overcome background noise if you’re using it for a movie—or can blare out music at good quality if you want to offer some different tunes in the cinema room.
While it’s easy to overlook the speakers, it can’t be overstated how much of a bonus a good built-in audio setup is on one of these things. Having to connect a soundbar is an absolute pain, and lugging one around with you is borderline out of the question. The audio on offer with the Neo gets a big thumbs up from me.
Portability Is a Plus, but There Are Some Caveats
The Dangbei Neo is small, light, and easily transportable. Its built-in, good-quality speakers also mean you won’t have to pack and struggle to connect any accessories. At home, this means you’re able to attach it to a relatively cheap tripod. Heavier units feel likely to topple, which would be a disaster as these things aren’t designed to land on their heads from four feet up. The Neo felt stable even while screwed onto a fairly cheap, flimsy stand. As anyone who has tried to find a spot for a long-throw projector in a living room will tell you, this is a massive plus.
This is a solid choice if you need to take a projector to a friend’s house for a movie night. It might also be an option for garden parties and outdoor movie nights. The projector’s promotional material even includes a shot of the Neo projecting a movie onto the side of a van and sitting next to a tent.
But this isn’t an outdoor projector. The 500 lumens of brightness the Neo can pump out is fine indoors with the curtains closed and looks great when the lights go out. But it isn’t anywhere near enough for outdoor projection in the daytime. If you’re using this at a garden party, you’ll have to find a shady nook and wait for the sun to start going down.
Another thing that holds the Dagbei back in the travel sense is the lack of a built-in power supply. You’ll either need to find a place with an outside outlet, get a very long extension cord, or lug aportable power stationalong if you really want to use this outside.
So yes, this is a solid option if you can power it and you want to watch something outside after sundown. If you need anything beyond that, you’ll have to pick something specialist.
Should You Buy the Dangbei Neo Smart Projector?
Unfortunately, you don’t get a ton of high-end features with theDangbei Neo Smart Projector. It’s only 1080p, it’s a long-throw projector, and it’s DLP, which is a step above LED in terms of lifespan and power consumption but not at the lofty heights that laser projectors are. Its original MSRP puts it close to $700, which is a very competitive bracket when it comes to projector pricing. There are efforts from the likes of BenQ at that price point offering features like short-throw projection or 2,200 lumens of brightness.
However, the Dangbei Neo is often discounted and can be found for as little as $500 if you catch the right coupons. At this price, it is a very solid option. Its hardware is on par with, or superior to, plenty of $500 projectors – but its software really gives it an edge. It’s hard to express how refreshing native Netflix and YouTube apps are after years of dealing with odd third-party knockoffs on these things.
The brightness side of things really lets the Dangbei Neo down, limiting it to outside use in the evenings and indoor use only when you may put a thick set of curtains between the projection surface and any sunlight trying to sneak in. If you have a darkened spot set aside for your home cinema, the extras may make the Neo worth it, but if you need a general projector that can work in the worst possible conditions, you may have to loosen the purse strings and splash out on something brighter.
