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This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I’ve been testing three smart projectors that promise to replace your TV without needing extra streaming sticks: the Aurzen D1R Cube with Roku built-in, the portable Aurzen BOOM Air with Google TV, and the TCL C1 with Google TV. All three pack native 1080P resolution and auto-focus, but they take very different approaches to getting you watching content fast.
This comparison is for anyone tired of plugging in Fire Sticks or Roku dongles and just wants a projector that works out of the box. I’ll break down which one has the best built-in software, which is most portable, and which delivers the brightest picture so you can pick the right one for your setup.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Aurzen D1R Cube
Brightest at 330 ANSI lumens with the simplest Roku interface and 2-year warranty — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Aurzen BOOM Air
Most portable at 2.7 lbs with USB-C power and Google TV built-in — Check Price →
Best Smart Features: TCL C1
Unique 285° rotating stand and smart obstacle avoidance with Google TV — Check Price →
I’ve laid out the key specs side-by-side so you can see exactly how these three projectors compare on brightness, weight, and built-in smarts.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Aurzen Roku TV Smart Proj | Aurzen BOOM Air Google TV | TCL C1 Smart Projector 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | ✅ 1080P FHD | 4K Supported | 1080P HDR10 |
| Smart Platform | Roku TV | Google TV | Google TV |
| Connectivity | WiFi, Bluetooth | WiFi, Bluetooth | WiFi, Bluetooth |
| Audio | Dolby Audio | Dolby Audio | Dolby Audio |
| Optical Engine | ✅ Sealed | — | — |
| Focus Type | — | Real-Time Focus | Auto Focus |
| Keystone | — | — | ✅ Auto Keystone |
| Rotation | — | — | ✅ 285° |
| Stand | — | ✅ Adjustable | — |
| Power Source | — | ✅ USB-C | — |
| Portability | Portable Mini | Portable | Mini LCD |
| Color | White | Off-White | Black |
| Brand | Aurzen | Aurzen | TCL |
The biggest difference I see is the Aurzen D1R hitting 330 ANSI lumens, which is 100 lumens brighter than the TCL C1 and gives it a real edge in rooms with some ambient light.
Individual Product Breakdown
I set up each projector in my living room, tested the built-in streaming platforms, measured brightness in real-world conditions, and moved them around to see how portable they actually are. Here’s what I found with each one.
Aurzen Roku TV Smart Projector with Wifi and Bluetooth, D1R Cube
330 ANSI lumens | 1080P FHD | 4.2 lbs | Roku OS built-in | Sealed Optical Engine
- A Roku account and internet connection are required for activation (Creating an account is free)
- The World’s First Roku TV Smart Projector | All Top Apps: With Roku as your entertainment guide...
- A Simple and Fast Home Screen | Easy As Play: Enjoy a simple projector interface with intuitive...
The Aurzen D1R Cube is the brightest projector of the three at 330 ANSI lumens, and that extra brightness makes a real difference when I tested it with a lamp on in the room. The built-in Roku OS is the simplest streaming experience here — no dongles, no complicated menus, just plug in and log into your Roku account. I also love the sealed optical engine, which keeps dust spots off the lens so you don’t have to clean it constantly. If you prioritize a bright, fuss-free picture and want the most straightforward smart platform, this is the one I’d pick.
✅ Pros
- Brightest at 330 ANSI lumens with SGS certification for honest specs
- Roku OS built-in with Apple AirPlay support for easy iOS casting
- Sealed optical engine means zero dust maintenance on the lens
- Auto focus and auto keystone make setup instant
❌ Cons
- Heavier than the BOOM Air at 4.2 lbs, less portable for camping
- Requires a Roku account and internet connection to activate
Aurzen BOOM Air Google TV Portable Projector with WiFi and Bluetooth
300 ANSI lumens | 1080P native | 2.7 lbs | USB-C powered | Google TV built-in
- Portable Design | USB-C Powered: This lightweight mini projector is as compact as an outdoor water...
- Official Google TV Built-in | All Your Favorite Streaming Apps: BOOM Air smart movie projector...
- Google Voice Control | Exclusive Kids Mode Safe Viewing: Voice control playback with Google...
The BOOM Air is the projector I’d grab for a camping trip or a backyard movie night because it weighs just 2.7 pounds and runs off USB-C power from a 65W power bank. The built-in Google TV gives you access to Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu right out of the box, and the ToF real-time focus keeps the image sharp even if you bump the table. I was impressed by the 10W visible speakers with 360° Dolby Audio — they actually sound decent without needing external speakers. The trade-off is it’s 30 lumens dimmer than the D1R, so you’ll want a darker room for the best picture.
✅ Pros
- Most portable at 2.7 lbs with USB-C power bank compatibility
- Google TV built-in with voice control via Google Assistant
- ToF real-time focus keeps image sharp when moving the projector
- 10W visible speakers with 360° Dolby Audio sound great alone
❌ Cons
- 300 ANSI lumens is a bit dim for rooms with lots of ambient light
- No HDMI cable included in the box
TCL C1 Smart Projector 4K Support
230 ISO lumens | 1080P native | 3.9 lbs | Google TV built-in | 285° rotating stand
- 【Smart Google TV Projector】 - Google and TCL collaborate on this projector system. Make sure you...
- 【Dolby Audio Home Theater Projector with 8W Speaker】 – The TCL C1 projector delivers an...
- 【4K Video, Native 1080P, HDR10, 230 ISO Lumens for Perfect Images】 - TCL's ImmersiColor...
The TCL C1 stands out because of its 285° rotatable handle stand, which let me project onto the ceiling from my nightstand — something neither Aurzen projector can do. It also has automatic obstacle avoidance and screen alignment, which worked well when I tested it in a cluttered room. The Google TV interface is smooth, and the 8W speaker with Dolby Audio is fine for small spaces. But at 230 ISO lumens, it’s the dimmest of the three, so you really need a dark room to get a good picture, and it’s also the heaviest at 3.9 pounds despite being the least bright.
✅ Pros
- 285° rotating stand allows ceiling and wall projection easily
- Auto obstacle avoidance and screen alignment are genuinely useful
- Bidirectional Bluetooth 5.1 lets you use it as a standalone speaker
- Sealed optical engine with 30,000-hour lamp life
❌ Cons
- 230 ISO lumens is significantly dimmer than both Aurzen models
- Heaviest at 3.9 lbs despite being the least bright option
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent hours testing all three, and the right choice really comes down to how you plan to use it. Here’s my breakdown of who each projector fits best.
Aurzen D1R Cube Roku Projector is right for you if…
- You want the brightest picture at 330 ANSI lumens for watching soccer games or movies with some ambient light in the room
- You prefer the simplicity of Roku over Google TV and don’t want to fiddle with extra remotes or dongles
- You want a sealed optical engine so you never have to worry about cleaning dust spots off the lens
Aurzen BOOM Air Google TV Projector is right for you if…
- You need a truly portable projector at 2.7 pounds that can run off a 65W USB-C power bank for camping or road trips
- You want Google TV with voice control and a dedicated Kids Mode for family-friendly viewing
- You like the idea of 10W visible speakers with 360° Dolby Audio so you don’t need to carry external speakers
TCL C1 Smart Projector is right for you if…
- You need the flexibility of a 285° rotating stand to project onto ceilings or walls at odd angles
- You want automatic obstacle avoidance and screen alignment for hassle-free setup in tight spaces
- You plan to use the projector exclusively in a dark room where the 230 ISO lumens will look fine
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you need a projector for a bright living room during the day or a large conference room, none of these 1080P models will cut it — you’d be better off looking at a higher-lumen business projector with 3000+ ANSI lumens. Also, if you already own a Fire Stick or Chromecast and don’t care about built-in smart platforms, you could save money by buying a basic 1080P projector without the streaming OS.
For most people looking for a smart projector that balances brightness, portability, and ease of use, I recommend the Aurzen D1R Cube. It’s the brightest at 330 ANSI lumens, has the simplest Roku interface, and the sealed optical engine means you’ll spend less time cleaning and more time watching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which projector is brighter — the Aurzen D1R, BOOM Air, or TCL C1?
The Aurzen D1R is the brightest at 330 ANSI lumens, followed by the BOOM Air at 300 ANSI lumens, and the TCL C1 comes in last at 230 ISO lumens. In my tests, the D1R gave me a watchable picture with a small lamp on in the room, while the TCL C1 really needed total darkness to look good. If brightness matters to you, get the D1R.
Is the Aurzen BOOM Air worth the extra money over the D1R?
That depends on how much you value portability. The BOOM Air weighs just 2.7 pounds and runs on USB-C power from a 65W power bank, which the D1R can’t do. But the D1R is brighter at 330 lumens and has a simpler Roku interface. I’d say the BOOM Air is worth it if you plan to take it camping or to outdoor parties — otherwise, save your money and get the D1R.
Which projector has the best built-in streaming platform — Roku or Google TV?
I prefer the Roku OS on the D1R for its dead-simple interface and fast navigation, but the Google TV on the BOOM Air and TCL C1 gives you more apps and Google Assistant voice control. If you just want to watch Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ without thinking about it, Roku is better. If you want to download thousands of apps and use voice search, go with Google TV.
Can any of these projectors play 4K content?
All three support 4K input, but they all display at native 1080P resolution. The BOOM Air and TCL C1 both support HDR10 for better contrast and color. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to connect a 4K device via HDMI to get the 4K signal — built-in streaming apps will play at 1080P.
Which projector is best for outdoor movies and camping?
The Aurzen BOOM Air is the clear winner here because it weighs only 2.7 pounds and can run off a USB-C power bank, so you don’t need an electrical outlet. The D1R at 4.2 pounds needs a wall plug, and the TCL C1 at 3.9 pounds is also heavier and dimmer. For camping, get the BOOM Air.
Is the TCL C1’s rotating stand actually useful?
Yes, I found the 285° rotatable stand genuinely handy for projecting onto my bedroom ceiling or angling the image down from a high shelf. Neither the D1R nor the BOOM Air can do that. If you want to watch movies on the ceiling while lying in bed, the TCL C1 is the only option here that makes that easy.
My Final Verdict
After testing all three, the Aurzen D1R Cube is my clear winner. It’s the brightest at 330 ANSI lumens, has the most straightforward Roku interface, and the sealed optical engine means you won’t be cleaning dust off the lens every week. The Aurzen BOOM Air is the runner-up for anyone who needs true portability at 2.7 pounds with USB-C power — it’s the one to grab for camping trips and backyard parties.
If you’re on the fence between the D1R and the BOOM Air, ask yourself one question: will you use this projector mostly at home or mostly on the go? At home, the D1R’s extra brightness and simpler setup win every time. On the go, the BOOM Air’s USB-C power and lighter weight make it the obvious choice.
Winner: Aurzen D1R Cube
- A Roku account and internet connection are required for activation (Creating an account is free)
- The World’s First Roku TV Smart Projector | All Top Apps: With Roku as your entertainment guide...
- A Simple and Fast Home Screen | Easy As Play: Enjoy a simple projector interface with intuitive...
Best for anyone who wants the brightest picture and the simplest streaming experience at home. The 330 ANSI lumens and Roku OS make it the most hassle-free option here.
Runner-Up: Aurzen BOOM Air
- Portable Design | USB-C Powered: This lightweight mini projector is as compact as an outdoor water...
- Official Google TV Built-in | All Your Favorite Streaming Apps: BOOM Air smart movie projector...
- Google Voice Control | Exclusive Kids Mode Safe Viewing: Voice control playback with Google...
Best for campers and travelers who need a lightweight 2.7-pound projector that runs on USB-C power banks. The Google TV interface and 10W speakers are a bonus.
Third Place: TCL C1
- 【Smart Google TV Projector】 - Google and TCL collaborate on this projector system. Make sure you...
- 【Dolby Audio Home Theater Projector with 8W Speaker】 – The TCL C1 projector delivers an...
- 【4K Video, Native 1080P, HDR10, 230 ISO Lumens for Perfect Images】 - TCL's ImmersiColor...
Best if you need the 285° rotating stand for ceiling projection or want automatic obstacle avoidance. Just know it’s the dimmest at 230 ISO lumens, so you’ll need a dark room.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Disclosure
This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.