Affiliate disclosure: this post contains affiliate links (Awin). If you buy through them, SiftGuide may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and specs come from the NothingProjector store on October 16, 2026 and can change; check the product page before you buy. We have not lab-tested these projectors.
Shopping for a home projector gets confusing fast: every listing quotes a different kind of “lumens”, resolution claims mix native and “supported” 4K, and prices range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. This guide compares four smart projectors sold by the NothingProjector store, from $329 to $1,175, and explains which specs actually change what you see on the wall.
The four projectors at a glance
| Projector | Price (Oct 16, 2026) | Resolution | Brightness (as listed) | Light source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formovie Xming Page One | $329 | 1080p | 500 CVIA lumens | LED/LCD |
| Formovie P1 Pocket Laser | $699 | 540p | 250 ISO lumens | Laser (ALPD) |
| Xiaomi Laser Projector 3 (4K) | $869 | 4K | 1000 CVIA lumens | Tri-color laser |
| Dangbei Mars Pro (4K) | $1,175 | 4K UHD | 1800 ISO lumens | Laser (ALPD) |
What actually matters when you compare projectors
- Brightness, and which “lumens”. ISO and CVIA lumens are standardized measurements and are broadly comparable to each other. Be skeptical of very large “lumen” numbers without a standard named next to them. For a dark room, around 300 to 500 ISO/CVIA lumens can work; with some ambient light, look for 1000 or more.
- Native resolution. “Supports 4K” often means the projector accepts a 4K signal and downscales it. Look for native 1080p or true 4K in the specs.
- Light source. Laser light sources usually keep their brightness longer and turn on instantly; LED and LCD models are cheaper and often quieter.
- Throw ratio and image size. The throw ratio tells you how far back the projector must sit. A 1.2:1 ratio needs about 1.2 meters of distance for each meter of image width.
- Built-in streaming. A projector with licensed Netflix and Google TV saves you a streaming stick and avoids app compatibility problems.
- Auto setup. Auto focus, keystone correction and obstacle avoidance matter if you move the projector often.
The picks, in order of price
Formovie Xming Page One: $329
Best for: a first smart projector on a budget. The Page One is an LCD projector running Google TV with certified Netflix, so you don’t need a streaming stick. The store lists native 1080p, 500 CVIA lumens, a 2000:1 contrast ratio, a 40 to 120 inch image, Dolby Audio speakers tuned by Boston Acoustics, automatic focus and keystone correction, 2GB RAM / 16GB storage, dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0.
At 500 CVIA lumens it is best in a dim or dark room. LCD projectors at this price are a sensible way to get a large, sharp image for movies and casual gaming.
Check the current price at NothingProjector
Formovie P1 Pocket Laser: $699
Best for: carrying between rooms or on trips. The P1 is a very thin pocket projector with an ALPD laser light source. The listing gives 250 ISO lumens, 540p resolution with HDR10, a 1.2:1 throw ratio, a 40 to 100 inch image, electric focus, vertical keystone correction, a laser life of 25,000+ hours, FengOS, 2GB/16GB and HDMI 1.4, USB 2.0 and headphone ports.
Note the trade-off: 540p and 250 lumens are modest, and it costs more than the Page One. You pay for the size and laser light source, not for picture sharpness. Choose it only if portability matters most.
Check the current price at NothingProjector
Xiaomi Laser Projector 3 (4K): $869
Best for: a 4K living-room projector under $900. Xiaomi’s Laser Projector 3 uses a 0.47-inch DMD chip for 4K output up to 120 inches and a tri-color laser light source rated at 1000 CVIA lumens with 110% BT.2020 color coverage and 1600:1 contrast. It adds MEMC motion smoothing, dual 8W speakers with Dolby Audio, an integrated gimbal with 130° of tilt, and ToF laser sensing plus an HD camera for automatic image adjustment.
The built-in gimbal makes ceiling or angled projection easy without a separate mount. Check which streaming apps are supported in your region before you buy.
Check the current price at NothingProjector
Dangbei Mars Pro (4K): $1,175
Best for: brighter rooms and big screens. The Mars Pro is a 4K UHD laser projector (ALPD) with HDR10 and HLG, listed at 1800 ISO lumens and screens up to 200 inches. It has auto focus, auto keystone, screen fit and obstacle avoidance, dual 10W speakers with Dolby Audio and DTS-HD, 4GB RAM / 128GB storage and a game mode with 60Hz and latency down to 20 ms.
It is the brightest of the four here, so it is the one to consider if you can’t make the room fully dark or want a very large image.
Check the current price at NothingProjector
Which one should you choose?
- For a dark bedroom or a first projector, the Formovie Xming Page One gives native 1080p and built-in Netflix for the least money.
- If you need something that fits in a bag, the Formovie P1 is the portable option, but accept its lower resolution and brightness.
- For a 4K living-room setup under $900, the Xiaomi Laser Projector 3 has the strongest spec sheet for the price.
- If the room can’t be fully darkened or you want a 150 inch or larger image, step up to the Dangbei Mars Pro.
Before you buy
Measure the distance from where the projector will sit to the wall or screen, and check it against the throw ratio. Confirm that the store ships to your country and check its warranty and return terms on the product page. A plain white wall works to start, but a proper screen improves contrast noticeably, especially in brighter rooms.
