Best in Class – Under $1000 Special 4K Capable Home Theater: AAXA 4K1

Overall, I count this projector as home entertainment, not the higher-end or more image-quality performance of home theater projectors. Typically, pocket projectors are not bright – usually offering 300 to 750 lumens, 1,000 tops. This AAXA, on the other hand, claims a very impressive 1,500 lumens – if only it delivered. The projector measured at max brightness, almost half of claim – only 720 lumens in what it calls “Boost” mode, a mode others might call full power, Bright mode, etc.

Despite the lower lumen count, the 4K1 came across as brighter than the lumen count would have you think. Some of that is due to the optical effect associated with solid state light engines like LED. If you are “into” that, check out Dave’s full review of the 4K1. Dave’s the former and long time product manager at the recently defunct InFocus – once the United States’ largest projector manufacturer. He’s got to know and understand those finer points.

The 4K1 produces a reasonably sharp image (a little edge softness – expected). Out of the box color definitely needs improvement. Unfortunately, we rarely calibrate an under $1000 projectors and didn’t do this one, but it has color controls so that I expect that those who want even better color can get it out of this projector.

It’s got a media player built in too. The 2-watt speaker system provides basic sound but you can output the audio to a larger system. Brightness is fine for a large image in a dark room, despite the small size of the 4K1. That 700 plus lumens we measured at “Boost” brightness (full power), translates this way: To fill a typical 100” diagonal screen in a darkened room (i.e. a movie theater or your own cave) is only about 450 lumens. The extra lumens available lets you tackle some ambient light.

Overall, an impressive small portable projector with basic 4K capabilities. Most 4K capable projectors today can support 60fps and HDR, but if you want really portable and lightweight, none are as small or light. The AAXA 4K1 is an innovative projector with its 4K capabilities from a pocket and pico projector manufacturer that, from our experience, produces a number of impressive small projectors. It isn’t as fully supporting of the latest in 4K, but you won’t find anything right now, that does 4K with HDR that sells for as little as this AAXA.

Nice projector – would love to see HDR added, in a future model, or (however unlikely) via a firmware upgrade. Get your tote bag and take it with you!

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AAXA 4K1 Review