Review of Aurzen Zip: Ambitious Concept, Yet Fails to Deliver
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The Aurzen Zip, hailed as the "world's first tri-fold projector," offers a unique design, making it one of the most portable projectors available. However, a closer look reveals that it comes with certain trade-offs.
Priced at $400, the Aurzen Zip is not a budget-friendly option. Yet, when opened, it measures just 3.3 x 3 x 1 inches and weighs less than 0.6 lbs, making it small enough to fit into a back pocket. This portability comes at a cost, as the Zip has a battery life of around 45 minutes under Turbo mode and just over an hour on Eco mode.
One of the significant drawbacks of the Aurzen Zip is its low brightness level. This makes it unsuitable for use in well-lit environments. At around five or six feet, the Zip can project around 70 inches, but at the cost of screen clarity and brightness. To compensate for the low brightness, the Zip's fans are very loud, almost immediately after turning it on. Unfortunately, the built-in speakers are underpowered and are often overpowered by the loud fans.
Mirroring content from a phone to the Aurzen Zip has little to no latency, making it an ideal companion for on-the-go entertainment. However, there is some latency when using the Zip as a second screen for a computer. The setup process is straightforward and easy to use.
In comparison, other compact mini-projectors like the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser, Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen, and Arovia Splay offer better brightness, battery life, and sound quality.
The Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser, for instance, features autofocus and automatic keystone correction for easier use and runs on battery for portable use. It also offers vibrant colors and decent built-in speakers, considered better than expected for its size.
The Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen is praised for its great picture quality and the option to use a battery pack for extended outdoor use, implying strong battery life and portability.
The Arovia Splay offers 285 lumens brightness in projector mode, which may be brighter than the Aurzen Zip, with a battery life of up to 4 hours at lower brightness and built-in stereo speakers that provide good audio overall for a portable design.
In summary, while the Aurzen Zip's novel design and ease of use are appreciated, its lackluster battery, poor sound, and low brightness make it hard to justify the high asking price. For those seeking a more balanced compact projector, the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser, Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen, and Arovia Splay are strong contenders that surpass the Aurzen Zip in brightness, sound, and battery capabilities while remaining compact and portable.
[1] Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Review: A Portable Projector with a Laser Light Source
[2] Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen Review: A Compact and Portable Projector
[3] Arovia Splay Review: A Portable Projector with a Rugged Build and Ultra-Short Throw
[4] Aurzen BOOM air and EAZZE D1G: New Models from Aurzen with Improvements
[5] Portable Projectors: A Comparison of the Best Compact Mini Projectors for 2025
- In the future, potential buyers may want to consider other portable projectors like the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser, Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen, and Arovia Splay, which provide better brightness, battery life, and sound quality compared to the Aurzen Zip.
- Gizmodo's review of the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser highlights its autofocus and automatic keystone correction, making it easier to use, as well as its vibrant colors and decent built-in speakers, features that the Aurzen Zip could improve upon.
- Smart-home devices and portable gadgets enthusiasts might find interest in the reviews of various compact mini-projectors, such as the Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser, Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen, and Arovia Splay, as these devices promise better performance and user experience in the future.
