The affordable mini projector segment is filled with numerous products with similar specs, making the task of choosing one quite overwhelming. We recently got our hands on the Clokowe T08, which is a portable LED projector that caters to your entertainment needs. Priced at $100, it seeks to offer the most bang for your buck. On paper, it gets the basics right. It can deliver 720p footage, supports all the major casting standards, comes with a remote control, and offers automatic keystone correction. We used it for a week to watch movies, TV, and live sports. Here is our in-depth review of the Clokowe T08 LED mini projector.
Read Also: Is Mobile Gaming the Peak of the Gaming Industry Development: What’s Next?
In This Article
Clokowe T08 Mini Projector review: Design
Inside the Clokowe T08 retail package, you will find the mini projector, a remote control, a power cable, an HDMI cable, a user manual, and a quick start guide. The remote control needs 2 AAA batteries to function. These batteries have not been provided in the box.
The T08 mini projector has dimensions of 4.69 x 5.28 x 8.6 inches. Its tube-like design makes it easy to tuck away in your luggage or backpack while travelling. The circular platform uses two hinges to hold the device. Adjusting the position of the projector requires no effort whatsoever. The front and rear ends of the projector are covered with a mesh grille. The area surrounding the lens up front is used as an air inlet. The fan at the rear expels the warm air out of the device. Even when it is running at full force, the sound created by this fan does not amount to a distraction.
The rear panel of the projector houses the power button, an HDMI port, a 3.5mm headphone port, a USB port, and the power input. There are no media controls on the projector. The only way to control the playback is through the remote. A 3W speaker is integrated into the device, and you can also pair it with your home speaker via a 3.5mm headphone jack (not included in the box) or a Bluetooth connection. There is a scroll wheel up top to focus the image on the screen.
Once propped up on a flat surface, the Clokowe T08 mini projector can be rotated up to 180 degrees. Automatic keystone correction ensures that you always get a rectangular picture on the screen. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even point the projector to the ceiling. The build of the device is all plastic but it does not feel flimsy at all. Weighing just over 500 grams, you can easily carry it around with you. Even though we didn’t test it for any falls, the device can take a few knocks.
Clokowe T08 Mini Projector review: Performance
Setting up the Clokowe T08 is as easy as it gets. Since it does not have an internal battery pack, it requires an external power source. Once the power cable has been plugged in, you need to press and hold the power button for 3 seconds to start the projector.
There are three ways you can go about connecting the projector to your device. The easiest is an HDMI connection using the cable provided in the box. If your device does not have an HDMI port, you can wirelessly cast its display using Miracast (Android), AirPlay (iOS), or DLNA (Windows). Lastly, you can connect a USB drive directly to the projector and play the content within it.
Screen mirroring from your Android/iOS/Windows device requires connecting the projector to your home WiFi network first. The Bluetooth connection only supports audio output and not video input. The projector’s interface is simple and accessible, making it easy for the user to connect their device and carry out the basic functions.
The Clokowe T08 offers a maximum projection display size of 200 inches, but while reviewing the device, we found a 100-inch display size to be ideal. The picture quality loses some detail when you push the display size to 200 inches. Once you have placed the projector at an optimum display from the screen, you can use its manual scroll wheel to focus the image.
The native resolution on offer here is 720p. While it is a far cry from 4K resolution, we were happy with the image quality, especially when you take the price of the projector into account.
The colour richness and contrast levels produced by the projector were very good. We did notice a little blurriness around the edges, but it did not prove to be a distraction while watching videos. We were quite surprised by the lack of any perceptible latency. After playing a couple of Call of Duty Mobile sessions, were happy with how the T08 performed.
The 3W speaker on the projector is certainly not up to the task, but given it is a portable projector, we can let this one slide. The audio output is coarse and low in intensity. Luckily, you can connect your headphones or speakers using a 3.5mm audio jack or a wireless Bluetooth connection. It goes without saying, but you need to create a pitch-dark environment to enjoy the footage projected by this device. The image brightness isn’t powerful enough to overcome the daylight seeping in through a window.
As we mentioned earlier, the Clokowe T08 offers automatic keystone correction, which means no matter the angle of the projector, it will cast a perfect rectangle display on the screen. You can also manually control the keystone from the device settings. The projector settings also let you change the aspect ratio and offer multiple projection modes.
Read Also: Capture Button on the iPhone 16 series likely to offer zoom adjustment
Verdict
At $100, the Clokowe T08 Mini Projector is a good buy. While it may not cast a 4K display, it is ideal to watch live sports, TV, and movies in your living room. Its portability is another factor that works in its favour. You can easily carry this device around with you, without it being a hassle. Its compact size also ensures that you don’t have to keep it in one room of the house. The connection settings let you wirelessly cast your phone or laptop’s display on the screen while using a Bluetooth connection to use your headphones or speaker system as the audio output. A brighter display would have been ideal, but if you are able to manage the lighting conditions in your room, it won’t be an issue.
Clokowe T08 Mini Projector: Pros
- Good image quality
- Price
- Portability
Clokowe T08 Mini Projector: Cons
- Audio quality needs improvement
