AAXA P6X Pico Projector Review

Don’t judge a projector by its size. The small, unassuming AAXA P6X pico projector comes in a tiny package. But the compact P6X is capable of producing big results. Boasting a bright image, long-lasting battery, and unique features such as a power bank for juicing up external devices, the AAXA P6X is one of the best portable projectors on the planet.

What is the AAXA P6X?

The AAXA P6X is a pico projector, or a small, portable, battery-operated projector. Clocking in at a mere 1.8 pounds, the P6X is extremely lightweight. Its massive 15000mAh battery doubles as a power source for the projector itself as well as a charger for external devices. The built-in battery delivers a whopping four hours of usage in Eco mode. An Osram LED light source provides near-instant boot-up time alongside a lengthy 30,000 light source life span. The native WXGA 1280 x 800 resolution looks crisp and vivid, while the 1100 LED lumens (plugged in, 1000 LED lumens on battery) are more than enough for most situations. The P6X can accept a maximum resolution of 1080p which will be downscaled to 1280 x 800. I had no issues whatsoever playing 1080p content from a variety of sources including streaming services and Blu-rays. A 1.2:1 throw ratio lets you achieve a 100-inch image from about 8 feet and 6 inches away, with a maximum recommended screen size of 160-inches in dark room.

Connectivity is excellent. For inputs, the AAXA P6X features an HDMI input composite A/V port, USB host, headphone-out jack, and microSD card slot. Additionally, you’ll find a focus wheel, DC power barrel jack connector, and onboard keypad for operation. A switch lets you select from three different modes: on, off, and charge. In the box, you’ll find a remote control, composite AV cable, wall charger, and user manual.

AAXA P6X specs:

• 1280×800 (WXGA) native resolution (accepts a max. 1080p resolution image)
• 1100 LED lumens (plugged in)/1000 LED lumens (on battery)
• 1.2:1 throw ratio (100-inch screen from 8′ 6″ away from the screen, max. recommended image size of 160 inches in a dark room)
• 2000:1 contrast ratio
• Manual focus
• Manual vertical digital keystone
• 30,000-hour light source
• 4.0 Watt mono speaker
• DLP LED projector with Osram LED lighting technology
• 15000mAh battery with up to 4 hours of use in eco mode, doubles as a battery bank for charging external devices such as phones and tablets
• Dimensions: 6.25 in x 6.2 in x 1.85 in
• 1.8 lbs.
• I/O: 1 x HDMI in, 1 x composite A/V in, 1 x 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, 1 x USB 2.0 header, 1 x microSD card slot
• In the box: remote control, composite AV cable, wall charger, user manual

AAXA P6X Pico Projector Review – Connectivity and Operating System

The P6X features a good set of inputs and outputs. On the front, you’ll find a microSD card slot. Moving around to the side, there’s a 19V DC barrel jack connector, composite AV input, 3.5mm headphone out jack, HDMI input, manual focus wheel, and a switch to toggle between its three modes of on, off, and charge. There’s a simple operating system with a few different options including an onboard media player, input selector, brightness options, and settings. While the AAXA P6X is portable, it lacks Wi-Fi or streaming apps built-in, Similarly, you won’t find Bluetooth wireless technology baked in.

I had no trouble playing movies and music or viewing photos through the onboard media reader. Both the microSD card slot and the USB host worked just fine for reading external media drives. There are three main brightness presets: Bright, Standard, and Eco. Bright is only available while plugged in.

P6X Pico Projector Video and Audio Quality

Image quality on the AAXA P6X is exceptional. Because of its small size, the P6X is pretty unassuming. But video looks incredible. While the 1100 LED lumens (plugged in) or 1000 LED lumens (on battery) aren’t the brightest, the picture was visible even with some ambient lighting. I was still able to make out the on-screen image even with some sun shining through the blinds and a few lights on.

However, as is the case with every projector, you’ll achieve a better image in a darker room. With little to no ambient light, movies looked gorgeous. I preferred the Bright image preset which produced punchy colors. Even in Standard or Eco and operating on battery, colors are vivid. I didn’t experience any rainbow artifacting. The rainbow effect tends to plague DLP projectors like the P6X, but I wasn’t aware of any RBE.

Videos such as movies, TV shows, and sports look solid. The colors in Dario Argento’s “Suspiria” really pop. “Kong: Skull Island” was stunning on my 120-inch screen. Its landscape scenery jumped off the screen with a lifelike quality. While I wasn’t able to test input lag, anecdotally speaking it’s probably around 30ms or so, and unlikely over 50ms. I noticed no perceptible lag while playing Red Dead Redemption. Casual gaming should work just fine.

The built-in speakers are more than adequate. The 4.0W mono speaker can get loud enough to fill a small room, but it’s nothing to write home about. Granted, it’s best to pair a good soundbar or surround sound system with a projector for sound big enough to match the screen. Bluetooth wireless would have been a nice touch for sending audio to a Bluetooth speaker, though the 3.5mm headphone jack allows for wired connectivity or a Bluetooth transmitter.

In addition to an HDMI input, the AAXA P6X features an analog composite AV input. I hooked up a Nintendo GameCube as well as a VCR, and while non-high-definition video sources might not look great blown up over 100 inches, legacy connectors are really useful. It was a total retro treat watching the Steve Miner-directed “Warlock” in all of its VHS glory on a 120-inch screen.

 

PowerPoint presentations, text documents, and web pages display wonderfully. As such, the P6X is equally as comfortable in the living room as it is in the board room. While you’ll get the best experience using a dedicated projector screen, even shining the P6X onto a blank wall resulted in a totally watchable image for a spontaneous movie night anywhere.

Should You Buy the AAXA P6X?

There’s a lot to like about the AAXA P6X. Sporting a pleasing mix between power and portability, the P6X is a versatile pico projector that can handle movies and gaming with the same prowess as displaying PowerPoint presentations and office documents. It’s compact, lightweight, and features a massive 15000mAh battery that doubles as a power bank for charging phones and tablets. As such, the AAXA P6X is a great portable projector for throwing backyard movie nights.

Audiovisual quality is outstanding. While the speakers leave a bit to be desired, that’s true of virtually all projectors, and nothing that can’t be solved with an external speaker. Connectivity is excellent with both digital and analog inputs. Autofocus and auto keystone would have been nice, especially since the P6X is intended for portable use. Since you’ll likely be moving the projector around a lot, auto keystone and autofocus would let you get set up a bit quicker. Still, it’s fairly easy and painless to get the P6X properly focused and keystoned.

Even in the brightest mode, the fans do kick in some but aren’t overpowering at all. Image quality should satiate all but hardcore cinephiles that demand the utmost in image quality. Its 2000:1 contrast ratio isn’t the highest, but black levels and contrast are still really good. With its 1280×800, the P6X doesn’t have a native 1080p resolution. Yet, the image looks crisp and clear. For 4K, AAXA offers its 4K1 projector, or there’s the AAXA M6 1080p projector.

AAXA P6X Pico Projector Review – Final Thoughts

If you’re in the market for a good, cheap portable projector that’s capable of meeting your entertainment and business needs alike, the AAXA P6X is a fantastic choice. It’s small and easy to tote around. The onboard operating system is simple to navigate, and its built-in media player works well. Connectivity is excellent, and video looks amazing. Lack of Bluetooth and smart functionality is somewhat disappointing, though a dedicated streaming box is a better choice for watching Netflix, Hulu, and other apps. Auto keystone and autofocus would have been nice, though manual focus and keystone isn’t challenging or a dealbreaker. Amenities such as the ability to use the P6X as a powerbank offer a lot of value to the tiny yet mighty AAXA P6X. Overall, I like the go-anywhere capabilities of the P6X and its versatility in handling all sorts of media, from presentations and office/classroom use to movie watching and gaming.