Finding the ideal all-in-one portable projector often involves balancing various features. It requires a blend of image and sound quality, battery life, and responsiveness, all within an affordable and compact design. TCL’s PlayCube manages this balance effectively, making its $800 price point justifiable for a 1080p projector.
This TCL PlayCube, featuring Google TV, has proven to be a versatile and enjoyable device. Its small size and adaptability allow for quick setup, day or night, in various locations.
TCL PlayCube Overview
The TCL PlayCube is a portable projector designed for convenience. It offers a 3-hour battery life in its brightest mode and features a clever twisting design for easy image placement. While bright for its size, some drawbacks include occasional sluggishness, unusual standby power behavior, and mono, somewhat muddy sound. The projector is available for approximately $617 at Amazon (with an on-page coupon) and $750 at Best Buy.
The PlayCube’s 90-degree rotating design, inspired by the Rubik’s Cube, allows users to angle the image over obstacles without needing a tripod. It can also be mounted on a tripod via a threaded connector or flipped onto its back for ceiling projection. Standard automatic adjustment modes are included, such as focus, keystone correction, obstacle avoidance, screen detection, and eye protection.
A notable feature of the PlayCube is its brightness. At 750 ISO lumens, it is exceptionally bright for a portable device that fits in the palm of a hand, measuring 149.8 x 96.6 x 96.6mm (5.90 x 3.80 x 3.80 inches) and weighing 1.3kg (2.7 pounds).
The projector is bright enough for daytime viewing when lumens are focused into a 30-inch display, or for a 100-inch projection at night. It does not include color-adaptation technology like Samsung’s Freestyle+ projector, so surface colors may influence the palette, but the image remains highly watchable.
An NFL game streamed via the DAZN app at night.
Daytime viewing is possible even in bright conditions.
The projector can project over obstacles without a tripod.
Projected onto a surface at night with reduced volume.
The PlayCube’s single 5W speaker provides adequate audio, filling a room despite lacking stereo separation, fullness, warmth, and detail. Music can sound thin, and action scenes may produce a muddled soundscape, though still enjoyable. Volume levels above 60 percent can become uncomfortably harsh, but even at 20 percent, it is sufficiently loud for outdoor use without disturbing neighbors.
For enhanced audio, headphones or self-powered speakers can be connected via the audio jack or Bluetooth. The projector can also function as a Bluetooth speaker, which disables the lamp but not the fan. The fan operates at 27dB when measured at one meter, which is quiet for a projector but audible during silent moments.
Outdoor movie nights are ideal with this projector.
The projector also works when placed flat.
Battery performance from the 66Wh battery has shown inconsistency but performed well in recent tests. TCL claims up to three hours of runtime, with tests confirming three hours and one minute in the brightest mode while streaming a 2-hour and 50-minute film. USB-C power banks can extend runtime. A full recharge from zero takes 104 minutes with a 65W USB-C charger.
Fluctuations in battery life were observed over several months, potentially due to TCL’s power management in standby mode. A short press of the power button puts the projector to sleep, allowing it to wake in under 30 seconds. However, the fan periodically activates in standby, consuming energy. This issue was more pronounced in warmer climates and resolved in milder temperatures, possibly aided by a firmware update.
A full shutdown, achieved by a long press of the power button, prevents phantom power drain in standby. Boot-up takes about 80 seconds, but this can be reduced by disabling some automatic screen adjustment features.
The user interface can sometimes be sluggish, a common trait among battery-powered projectors. Google TV may take a moment to respond to remote commands, and automatic image adjustments can be slow to activate. Despite this, these features are beneficial, even if obstacle avoidance is occasionally inconsistent. Manual fine-tuning options are available.
TCL states the PlayCube is “designed specifically for camping projection.” This makes it suitable for mobile lifestyles. Priced at $799.99, the TCL PlayCube offers a combination of brightness, battery life, and portability that is hard to find for less. The Xgimi Halo+ is a comparable option at a similar price, offering improved stereo sound in a larger package but with shorter battery life. The Halo+ is currently available for $449, presenting a compelling alternative.
