AAXA P8 Review

The AAXA Technologies P8 is proof that size doesn’t matter. As a pico projector, the P8 produces a big image that’s bright and high-quality for its class. Additionally, this pint-sized smart projector packs Android onboard for streaming capabilities. While its Android implementation isn’t perfect, and serious home theatre enthusiasts won’t be wowed, the P8 delivers big results despite its small stature. But should you snag one? Find out in our hands-on AAXA P8 projector review!

AAXA P8 Smart Mini DLP Projector Overview

The AAXA P8 is a palm-sized pico projector that features Android 10 onboard. Clocking in at 3.9 x 3.4 x 1.4 inches and 0.6 pounds, the P8 is small and ultra-portable. There’s a 960 x 540 qHD resolution and 420 LED lumens of brightness, allowing an image up to 200 inches. A whole host of inputs and outputs include a full-size HDMI input, a USB-A header for connecting flash drives, a microSD card slot, and a USB Type-C jack that supports phone mirroring. Additionally, you’ll find Wi-Fi and Bluetooth baked in.

AAXA P8 Portable Projector Specs

• Native qHD (960 x 540) resolution
• 420 LED lumens
• Compatible screen sizes: 16-200 inches
• Android 10 built-in
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1x HDMI, 1x USB Type-A, 1x USB-C, microSD card slot
• Projection technology: DLP
• Light source: LED
• Lamp life: 30,000 hours
• Dimensions: 3.9″ x 3.4″ x 1.4″
• Weight: 0.6 lbs
• Image adjustments: Vertical keystone
• In the box accessories: 1x tripod, 1x remote, 1x power supply, user guide, P8 pico projector

AAXA P8 Review Verdict

The AAXA Technologies P8 is a neat smart projector that boasts Android built-in. As such, it’s capable of streaming from a variety of apps, such as YouTube. Its 430 LED lumens of brightness hold up shockingly well, even with a modest amount of ambient light. Granted, as with all projectors, its image will look better the darker the atmosphere.

There’s a 960 x 540 qHD resolution that, despite not being high-definition, looks pretty crisp. Movies like “21 Bridges” and “Raya and the Last Dragon” look good even blown up to 120 inches or larger. Its sub-1 pound weight and tiny 3.9″ x 3.4″ x 1.4″ footprint make the P8 extremely portable.

Because of the slew of inputs like an HDMI port, USB-C jack, USB-A host, and microSD card slot, it’s easy to access content through a variety of means. For instance, you can connect Blu-ray players, game consoles, and computers via the HDMI input. Using the USB Type-C, you can mirror smartphone and tablet screens. The microSD card slot USB-A host let you playback audio and video files or view office documents using Android apps and the P8’s built-in software utilities.

Unfortunately, the AAXA P8’s Android implementation isn’t great. Since there’s no Google Play Services support, many apps, including Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+ don’t work. Since Google Chrome comes pre-installed, there’s a workaround using web apps, but the easiest solution is just plugging in an Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Roku streaming device.

While brightness is decent at 430 LED lumens, the low 960 x 540 qHD resolution falls well below 1080p or even 720p high-definition. As such, the P8 works great for viewing office documents or casual movie watching. Home theatre will be disappointed in the AAXA P8’s color accuracy and contrast, although it’s solid for casual viewers. Despite its super portable form factor, the P8 lacks a battery, so you’ll still need a wall outlet or portable power station handy. Overall, the AAXA P8 is a nifty smart portable projector that delivers a lot of functionality without breaking the bank.

AAXA P8 Design and Build

The AAXA Technologies P8 arrives in a small chassis smaller than a soda can. It measures just 3.9″ x 3.4″ x 1.4″ while weighing 0.6 lbs. In front, you’ll find its lens.

Around back, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack, full-size HDMI input, on/off switch, and DC 12V power socket.

Around the right-hand side of the unit, you’ll find ventilation.

On the left side of the P8, there’s a microSD card slot, USB Type-A host, USB-C jack, and a manual focus wheel.

On top of the projector, you’ll find physical controls for navigating the on-screen display (OSD) menu.

Underneath, you’ll find a set of four rubberized feet to keep the projector elevated when sitting on a table or other surface, as well as a threaded tripod mount.

AAXA P8 Picture Quality

Picture quality from the AAXA P8 is pretty solid, especially when displaying a colorful image. Animated content like “Raya and the Last Dragon” looked lush on the P8. Live-action videos such as “21 Bridges” and “Thor: Love and Thunder” appeared crisp.

Colors and contrast are on par for the average budget-priced portable projector. While the P8 is good for watching films and television shows, it’s better for casual viewers or on-the-go use rather than for a dedicated home cinema.

AAXA P8 Audio Quality

Although you’ll get better sound quality from a soundbar, surround sound system, or Bluetooth speaker, the AAXA P8’s onboard speaker is shockingly loud. It was able to fill a small to medium-sized room easily. Thankfully, there’s Bluetooth built-in so you can wirelessly transmit audio from the P8 to a soundbar or speaker.

AAXA Software Experiences, Features, and Ease of Use

With its Android operating system (OS), the AAXA P8 can stream from a variety of apps. Sadly, most mainstream Android apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus won’t work since the P8 lacks Google Play Services. There’s no Google Play Store access, although you can download Android applications using the Aptiode app store or via sideloading.

The menu system is fairly easy to navigate, and you can pick various settings like brightness, color temperature, and keystone. Navigating the AAXA’s software is fairly intuitive, although you’ve got to dig into a few different sub-menus to access streaming apps or display settings.

AAXA P8 vs. The Competition

AAXA also offers the P300 Neo, which lacks Android but steps up to a 720p resolution, adds a built-in battery, and features nearly the same brightness with 420 LED lumens.

The Anker Nebula Capsule MAX is a good 200 ANSI resolution smart projector with an onboard battery and 720p resolution. While brightness is a bit low, the high-definition resolution and battery make the Capsule MAX a great contender.

For nearly double the price, AAXA provides its M7 native 1080p projector. While there’s no smart streaming OS, the M7 gives you 1200 LED lumens, a whopping 15000mAh battery, and a full-resolution HD image.

XGIMI’s MoGo Pro is an excellent projector that sports a native 1080p resolution, exceptional Harman Kardon speakers, and Android TV 9.0 baked in, albeit at almost twice the cost of the AAXA P8.

AAXA P8 Review: FAQs

AAXA P8 Review – Final Thoughts

The AAXA P8 brings a lot to the table, including a surprisingly bright image, Android ecosystem, and extreme portability, all bundled in an incredibly affordable price tag. Its Android streaming experience leaves a bit to be desired, there’s no built-in battery, and the qHD resolution is fairly low. Still, especially for the price, the P8 is a phenomenal value. For casual watching like outdoor movie nights or a kid’s birthday party, viewing office documents, and even an effects projector, the AAXA P8 is a fantastic choice.