Most of us love the idea of a massive 100-inch screen for movies or gaming, but we hate the idea of mounting a giant black slab on the wall or dealing with a mess of cables.
That’s where the TCL Projector C1 comes in. It’s a compact, portable projector that promises to give you that cinema experience without the headache. I’ve been testing this little device to see if a $249 projector can actually replace a TV, or if it’s just a novelty.
I spent some time with the C1 in different lighting conditions and setups. Here is my honest take on whether this portable projector is worth your money.
Design & The Gimbal Stand
First off, the design is incredibly smart. The standout feature here is the integrated gimbal stand. It allows you to tilt the projector 285 degrees. I found this super practical—I could point it at a wall or even straight up at the ceiling for a movie night in bed without needing a tripod or a stack of books.
It’s compact, weighing just under 1.8kg, so I could easily carry it from the living room to the garage with one hand. The build feels solid and premium, with a rigid finish that looks great on a shelf. It doesn’t feel like a cheap toy, which is refreshing at this price point.
Setup & Usability
Setting this thing up is ridiculous—in a good way. You literally just put it down, and it does the rest. I was impressed by how fast the auto-focus and auto-keystone correction worked. If I bumped the table, it fixed the image in seconds.
It also has obstacle avoidance. I tested this by projecting near a light switch, and the TCL C1 automatically resized the screen to avoid it. For anyone who hates fiddling with focus wheels and settings menus, this is a game-changer.
Picture Quality & Brightness
Let’s talk about the image. It’s a native 1080p projector, though it can decode 4K signals effectively. In a dark room, the picture quality is genuinely impressive. The colors are vibrant, and the contrast is sharp—watching Avatar or playing Call of Duty looked fantastic on my 100-inch screen.
However, you have to keep your expectations in check regarding brightness. It puts out around 230 ISO lumens. In my experience, as soon as I opened the blinds or turned on a light, the image washed out significantly. This is strictly a dark-room or nighttime device. If you need something for daytime sports viewing with the windows open, this isn’t it.
Software Experience
One of the biggest wins for the TCL Projector C1 is that it runs official Google TV. This means you have the Play Store, YouTube, and—crucially—certified Netflix right out of the box.
I didn’t have to mess around with casting from my phone or buying a separate Fire Stick just to watch Netflix. The interface is snappy, and the remote is responsive. It just works, which is exactly what you want from a “lifestyle” projector.
Sound & Noise
Usually, projector speakers are an afterthought, but the 8W built-in speaker here is surprisingly decent. It supports Dolby Audio, and I found the dialogue clear and the volume loud enough for a bedroom or small living area. You can also use it as a standalone Bluetooth speaker, which is a nice bonus.
Another thing I noticed immediately was how quiet it is. The fan noise sits around 32dB. Once the movie started, I completely forgot the projector was even running right next to me.
Price & Value
At around $249, the value proposition here is insane. You are getting a fully sealed optical engine (no dust spots!), Google TV certification, and a gimbal stand that makes setup a breeze.
Compared to other portable projectors that cost nearly double, the TCL C1 holds its own. It punches well above its weight class.
If you are looking for your first projector or want a portable screen for the bedroom, the TCL Projector C1 is an easy recommendation. It’s convenient, affordable, and delivers a great picture when the lights go down.
For the price, it’s hard to beat the convenience of that gimbal stand. Are you ready to ditch the TV for a projector setup?
