Over the last couple months, I tested several affordable 1080p projectors to figure out which ones are actually worth buying in 2025 – for both movie nights and casual gaming.
Here’s my full comparison and rankings based on real-world use in my living room.
📊 Quick Comparison Table (Top Specs That Matter)
How I Tested
I set each projector at a distance giving a 90–110″ image:
🎬 Movies & shows — evening lighting, projection screen 1.1 gain
🎮 Gaming — PS5 + PC 60 Hz titles (Forza, Rocket League, Helldivers 2)
🔊 External Bluetooth speaker when needed
Looked at brightness, focus consistency, latency, noise levels & general usability.
In-Depth Reviews
🥇 1) Aurzen BOOM Air
Best for everyday movie watching & outdoor fun
- Legit Google TV built-in — no streaming stick needed
- USB-C power: works off a power bank (PD 65W+), amazing portability
- Auto focus + auto keystone = almost zero setup
- Solid color & clarity on 90–100″ at night
- Input lag was surprisingly fine for casual gaming
Downsides: 300 ANSI → not for bright rooms
Verdict: The most convenient “grab-and-play” projector in the list.
🥈 2) OWNKNEW Electric Focus
Best brightness per dollar (if you don’t mind adding a streaming stick)
- ~600 ANSI holds up nicely for movie nights
- Electric focus & auto keystone are rare in this price class
- 1080p native + handles 4K input
- PS5 gaming was totally playable in dark conditions
Downsides: No built-in apps, average speakers
Verdict: Great picture performance for the money — just pair it with a Fire TV Stick / Roku.
🥉 3) FUDONI S1 Smart
Best “all-in-one” experience — but brightness varies
- Native 1080p, supports 4K input
- Netflix/Prime/YouTube built-in
- Electric focus + auto keystone + zoom
- Sound is okay for indoors
Downsides: Brightness claims aren’t fully consistent, best only at night
Verdict: If you hate HDMI dongles — it’s the convenient choice.
4) FUDONI Netflix-licensed
Brightest option here (on paper)
- Listings say up to 1500 ANSI — in a dim room it’s noticeably punchier
- Native app support feels premium
- Good for 120″+ screen sizes
Downsides: Still loses to a TV in broad daylight (nature of projectors)
Verdict: Bigger room? Bigger screen? Start here.
5) FUDONI Aurora P4
Budget entry — works only in real darkness
- 1080p native image is clean in a dark room
- Plenty of ports
- Quiet fan
Downsides: Manual focus, basic keystone, no smart OS
Verdict: Simple, cheap, movie-night-only option.
6) Pericat 1080p
Cheapest way to get a projector experience
- Native 1080p
- Comes with a screen, tripod, and carrying bag — nice bonus
- Fine for kids’ movie nights
Downsides: 230 ANSI… requires total blackout
Verdict: Only recommend if you want the lowest possible price.
Final Ranking (Based on Real Use)
| Rank | Model | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ #1 | Aurzen BOOM Air | Best overall experience / portability / Google TV |
| #2 | FUDONI Netflix-licensed | Brightest / best for large screens |
| #3 | OWNKNEW Electric Focus | Best for gaming & movie nights in dark rooms |
| #4 | FUDONI S1 Smart | Very convenient streaming without dongles |
| #5 | FUDONI Aurora P4 | Budget-only, needs full darkness |
| #6 | Pericat 1080p | Works, but lowest performance |
Tips to Get the Best Image
✅ Turn off overhead lighting → huge difference
✅ 90–100″ is the sweet spot for these brightness levels
✅ Use a proper 1.1 gain screen (even cheap ones help a lot)
✅ HDMI for gaming — avoid Wi-Fi casting (latency!)
✅ Add a Bluetooth speaker → instant “mini-theater”
TL;DR
If we ignore marketing claims and look only at real-world usability and picture quality for the money, my choice is:
✅ The best overall in real life — Aurzen BOOM Air
Why this one:
- Truly easy to live with: take it out → turn it on → start watching
- Google TV built-in → Netflix/YouTube/Prime without any streaming sticks
- Auto focus + auto keystone → image is always sharp and aligned
- USB-C power → great for outdoors and portable use (even with a power bank)
- Color and contrast look more premium than its price in a dark room
- Quiet fan, solid build
📌 In short: not the brightest on paper — but the best for everyday home use.
But…
If brightness is your priority (bigger screen / not a fully dark room):
➡️ FUDONI Netflix-licensed
Best for large screens and slightly brighter environments.
If you want gaming + lower price:
➡️ OWNKNEW Electric Focus
Almost as bright as FUDONI, but cheaper — best value per dollar, especially if you already have a Fire TV Stick / console / PC.
Summary Table
| What you need | Best choice |
|---|---|
| “I just want to press play and watch Netflix easily” | ✅ Aurzen BOOM Air |
| Bigger screen & a bit of ambient light | ✅ FUDONI Netflix-licensed |
| Affordable gaming and movie nights | ✅ OWNKNEW Electric Focus |
| Ultra-tight budget | ➖ Pericat / FUDONI Aurora P4 |
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