AAXA BP1 Speaker Projector Review

The AAXA BP1 pico projector comes as a rapid departure from most home cinema, and even portable, projectors. Easily mistaken for a Bluetooth speaker, the BP1 focuses on delivering a lot of value for the money. With a good overall multimedia experience, the AAXA BP1 mini projector packs a lot of features including a shockingly capable speaker system, power bank functionality, long-lasting battery, and of course a projector. It’s a solid choice for a go-anywhere projector. But should you buy one? Learn why this is an excellent party projector in our hands-on AAXA BP1 speaker projector review!

What is the AAXA BP1 Pico Projector – Specs and More

At first glance, it’s easy to confuse the AAXA BP1 for a portable Bluetooth speaker. Of course, that assumption isn’t entirely wrong. The 1.2-pound, 6.8 x 2.6 x 2.4-inch BP1 arrives in a compact form factor that resembles most Bluetooth speakers such as the Anker Soundcore. Beneath its metal mesh grille is a pair of dual 6 Watt speakers. In addition to its music playback abilities, the BP1 works as a projector and a power bank. A built-in 12000mAh battery doubles as a power source for the projector itself and as an external battery pack for juicing up devices such as phones or tablets. The onboard battery lasts for up to 24 hours of music playback and 6 hours of projection use.

The AAXA BP1 100-lumen nHD speaker projector has a native 640 x 360 (360p) resolution. Up to a 60-inch image is recommended. While it’s possible to cast a larger picture, image quality will begin to degrade at a certain point, so it’s best to stick within the recommended limits. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, HDMI, and USB-C which allows for screen mirroring from compatible mobile devices. There’s a full-size USB Type-A header for charging devices, a microSD card TF reader, headphone-out jack, and a manual focus wheel. On top of the unit are multimedia playback buttons for controlling volume as well as navigating the built-in operating system.

AAXA BP1 specs:

• 640 x 360 nHD resolution
• Up to 60-inch image
• Inputs/outputs: 1 x HDMI, 1 x USB Type-C (for screen mirroring), 1 x USB Type-A (for power delivery and multimedia playback), 1 x 3.5mm headphone out jack, 1 x microSD card slot
• 12000mAh battery (up to 24 hours of music playback, up to 6 hours of projector use)
• Power bank functionality for charging external devices
• Bluetooth 5.0
• 12W speaker (6W x 2)
• Dimensions: 6.8 x 2.6 x 2.4 inches
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• In the box: 1 x AAXA BP1 projector, 1 x USB-C to USB-C cable, 1 x micro USB 5V 2A cable, 1 x USB power adapter
• Throw ratio: 1.65:1

AAXA BP1 Speaker Projector Review

The AAXA BP1 is a nifty little projector. At around the same side of a Bluetooth speaker and weighing in at just over 1 lb., the BP1 is extremely portable. Its dual 6W speakers provide rich sound quality. There’s great clarity as well as solid bass response. Boasting 12 Watts total, the built-in speakers are more than enough to fill a small or medium-sized room.

With an nHD resolution of 640 x 360, the AAXA BP1 features a resolution under 480p. What’s more, its 100 lumens of brightness won’t withstand much ambient lighting. Still, the video quality looks crisp and clear with a vivid picture in a completely dark setting.

Video Performance of the AAXA BP1 – A Good Looking Image in a Dark Room

All projectors look best in darker settings. And that’s especially true for lower lumen output projectors. Because of its 100 lumen rating, the AAXA BP1 needs a dark atmosphere for peak performance. In total darkness, the BP1 provides punchy colors with good color reproduction. Its contrast ratio and black levels are pretty decent and, while not cinephile-caliber, image quality is excellent.

Despite the low 360p resolution, the on-screen picture was crystal clear. Streaming media from Netflix, Hulu, and other apps was fantastic. Likewise, physical media displayed perfectly. “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” looked lush streamed from Netflix.

Audiophile-caliber Speakers – AAXA BP1 Speaker Projector Audio Performance

When it comes to audio performance, the AAXA BP1 blows most other projectors out of the water. The dual 6W speakers sound fantastic and can easily fill a small room. As a speaker projector, the BP1 comes in a footprint roughly the same size and shape as most portable Bluetooth projectors like the Anker Soundcore or Tribit XSound Go.

But the BP1’s high-quality mesh grille isn’t just for show. Delivering a whopping 12W of total power, its dual 6W speakers produce gorgeous audio quality. The AAXA BP1 portable speaker projector can get pretty loud while remaining distortion-free. “X” by Kendrick Lamar featuring Schoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, and Saudi from the “Black Panther” played with a shockingly good bass response that shook the room with a commendable low-end without overpowering the vocals. The Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil,” danced with delineated guitars and upbeat vocals. John Lee Hooker’s “One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer” emanated gave equal credence to Hooker’s warbling baritone, bass string plucks, guitar strums, piano key taps, and drum hits. While the video quality looks good, audio performance is where the AAXA BP1 really shines.

The Software Experience

Though it lacks smart features aside from Bluetooth 5.0, the AAXA BP1 includes an onboard operating system (OS). It’s user-friendly and simple to navigate. Changing settings such as switching between different brightness modes works well.

And the built-in media player works flawlessly for displaying videos, music, and photos from the microSD card reader or USB Type-A host. A set of clearly-labeled control buttons on the top of the unit provide seamless navigation, though a remote in the box would have been a nice touch.

Should You Buy the AAXA Technologies BP1?

Ultimately, the AAXA BP1 is a worthy choice for a lot of different use cases. It excels as a speaker and with the projection capabilities, allows for a spontaneous outdoor movie night. The built-in battery is incredibly long-lasting for both music and video. Moreover, power bank functionality makes the BP1 a handy choice for toting around. And its small size coupled with a light weight mean the BP1 is pretty bag- or even pocket-friendly. I threw the AAXA BP1 in the water bottle holder of my backpack where it fit perfectly. Accordingly, the BP1 is a great candidate for backyard movie nights, parties, and tailgates.

Since the BP1 packs a USB-C port for screen mirroring, compatible phones, tablets, and laptops or desktops can send a video signal. My Samsung Galaxy S9+ was instantly recognized and I was able to mirror its screen. While this is useful for multimedia purposes such as streaming video or music, it’s also a neat option for productivity. I fired up a web browser and was able to effectively use my phone as a desktop when paired with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. Thus, the BP1 could be utilized as a sort of portable monitor for on-the-go work.

Unfortunately, the brightness is pretty low at 100 lumens. Similarly, its nHD resolution of 360p is well below even a 480p standard definition resolution. As such, it’s all but unusable during in situations where there’s much ambient lighting. However, despite the low resolution, the image still looked fantastic. Granted, it didn’t have the contrast ratio or black levels of even a budget 4K panel such as my Hisense H8F. But it appeared more than watchable, especially in a dark setting. Keeping the image at or under 60-inches definitely helps the image to not get washed out, and the smaller the image, the better it will handle ambient lighting since the projector will be closer to the screen.

However, a combination of versatility and affordability makes the AAXA BP1 a worthy candidate for both existing projector owners and new users alike. The power bank and Bluetooth speaker capabilities alone make the BP1 a good option for a variety of settings. Add in its projector function, and it’s a well-rounded, cheap little device. Though watching movies and TV shows is an obvious choice, the BP1 has a ton of different potential use cases. I was able transform my phone into a desktop of sorts for writing and editing on the go.

Setting up the BP1 on my coffee table and pointing it at a blank wall, I plugged in my phone and fired up a workout video for a makeshift home gym, no need to add external speakers. Even if you already own a home theatre projector, the BP1 opens the door for a lot of different applications for a go-anywhere projector. You might not want to tote a bulky home theatre projector to a tailgate or risk putting it poolside, but the BP1 is right at home and can even fit in your pockets (cargo shorts, anyone?).

If you need a brighter projector, AAXA’s P6X steps up to 1100 lumens along with a 1280 x 800 high definition resolution, and packs a 15000mAh battery. While it loses the Bluetooth speaker functionality, the P6X can still be used as a powerbank. The BenQ GV1 is a good portable projector with 200 ANSI lumens, a 480p resolution, plus a Bluetooth speaker mode. Xgimi’s Halo boasts a full HD 1080p native resolution, 3D support, and a slew of premium features, albeit at over four times the cost of the BP1. EliteProjector’s MosicGO is an ultra-short throw projector that sports a battery, doubles as a powerbank, and offers low input lag, but retails for a much higher price than the BP1.

AAXA BP1 Portable Pico Projector Review – Final Thoughts

There’s a lot to like about the AAXA BP1. It comes with a large built-in battery that not only powers up the projector itself but also provides power deliver for juicing up external devices such as phones and tablets. In addition to its projector functionality, the AAXA BP1 features an amazing pair of 6W speakers that challenge many dedicated Bluetooth speakers. The resolution is pretty low, and the brightness means you’re limited to a 60-inch screen and projecting in mostly dark environments.

Whether you’re searching for a portable projector for backyard movie nights, a device to use as an monitor for on-the-go productivity, a powerbank, or Bluetooth speaker, the AAXA BP1 can do it all. It’s just as comfortable projecting the latest blockbuster or streaming your favorite jams as it is morphing into a makeshift monitor while pointed at a wall, or becoming a home gym for displaying workout videos.

Your turn: What portable projectors do you recommend?