The Asus ZenBeam E1 portable mini projector is an exceptional projector with an aluminum sleek and compact build. The projector is built to deliver TV-sized images and fit in your pocket like your phone. It has a sliding lid that protects the projector’s lens from scratches.
However, the main complaint expressed by most customers is the lack of a USB input port. Another downside is its low brightness which can be quite a challenge when using the projector in environments with a lot of ANSI lumen.
However, if portability is your main concern, this projector is ideal.
Here’s the deal:
This isn’t another awesome projector review. We’ll go through everything, including real user reviews. Keep reading this article to discover the good and bad of owning the Asus ZenBeam E1 portable mini-projector.
Quick Take
The Asus ZenBeam E1 portable projector has a 4-star rating on Amazon from 44 real user reviews, which is “Great”. Some of its features beyond portability include having a built-in speaker and battery.
The speakers produce decent sound quality, and the battery can power the projector for five hours after a single charge. In addition, its lens is built to last for at least 30,000 hours.
Asus includes a carrying bag for this projector which is quite ingenious because the bag allows you to carry the projector safely. You’ll also get a HDMI cable, a power adapter & AC plug, and a quick guide + warranty card.
The Asus ZenBeam E1 portable mini-projector produces a brightness of 150 ANSI lumens. Asus should work on the projector’s brightness because it is low. It would also be best for them to improve this projector’s contrast ratio.
Low brightness poses a challenge when projecting images/videos/presentations in a room with a lot of ambient light because the projection appears washed out. An improved contrast ratio enables you to view brighter whites and darker blacks. In other words, it enhances image display.
The Asus ZenBeam E1 projector’s mechanical design allows you to mount the projector on a projector tripod stand. You can also mount it on a ceiling should the need arise. Here’s a summary of its pros and cons:
Pros
Cons
Asus ZenBeam E1 Projector Alternatives
| Projector | Need | Why do we think its better |
| Anker Nebula Mars II Pro | Better image quality & brightness | The Anker Nebula Mars II Pro is a portable projector that is considerably brighter than the Asus ZenBeam E1 projector. It also has a better native resolution which guarantees a better image display. Unfortunately, you’ll have to chip in more cash to buy this projector. |
| ViewSonic M1+ | More I/O ports | The ViewSonic M1+ is another portable projector that has more I/O ports compared to the Asus ZenBeam E1 projector. The ViewSonic M1+ projector has the following connectivity ports: HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, and MicroSD. |
Asus ZenBeam E1 Features
Here’s a breakdown of the Asus ZenBeam E1 portable mini-projector features:
| Features | Specifications |
| Projection technology | DLP with LED light source |
| Brightness | 150 lumens |
| Contrast ratio | 800:1 |
| Dynamic contrast ratio | 3500:1 |
| Resolution | 854 x 480p (native), 1920 x 1080p (max. Input resolution) |
| Throw distance | 0.5m – 3.7m @ 16’’ – 120’’ |
| Throw ratio | 1.4:1 |
| Built-in battery | 6,000 mAh – up to five hours (max.) |
| Built-in speaker | 2W x 1 Asus Sonic Master audio |
| I/O ports | HDMI, MHL |
| Lamp life | 30,000 hours |
| Keystone correction | ✓ |
| Unique mechanical design | Aluminum body builds with tripod and ceiling holes available for mounting. |
| Accessories | Carrying bag, HDMI cable, adapter & AC plug, and warranty + user’s manual. |
Design and Build
This projector is ideal for you, especially if your main focus is portability. It weighs about 307 grams (0.7 lbs) and is exceptionally light. This projector’s body has the following dimensions: 110mm x 83mm x 29mm – you can fit it in your pocket, literally.
As you read at the beginning of this review article, the Asus ZenBeam E1 projector has a compact design with a solid aluminum body build. Portable projectors must have a solid body build to withstand the scrapes and bumps that must come with travel.
Fortunately, Asus provides a carrying bag that should minimize projector body damage. This projector also has a sliding lid, which protects its lens during travel. It has a single 2W Asus Sonic Master audio speaker that produces decent sound quality.
The Asus ZenBeam E1 projector’s built-in 6,000mAh battery also enhances its portability. This battery can power the projector for five hours which is quite long – you can watch several episodes of your favorite show or at least two movies.
One of the best features of this projector is how it doubles as a power bank. The powerful 6,000mAh battery can help you recharge your phone, which is beneficial if you’ve gone camping and your phone has run out of battery.
Asus does not provide a remote control for this projector. With that in mind, you’ll have to sit near the projector to control it easily. The projector has control buttons at the top to enable easy access.
Luckily, the projector does not produce irritating fan noise, which may ruin your entertainment experience.
The Asus ZenBeam E1 portable projector uses three colors to communicate with you its status. Let’s have a look:
| Solid Green | Solid Red | Blinking Red & Green |
| The projector is connected to a power source. The projector is on battery mode, and the battery has a>25% charge. You are using the projector as a power bank (running in power bank mode). | The projector is running on battery mode, and the battery has <25% charge. | Check the projector’s temperature. If the projector’s temperature is too high, it will automatically lower its brightness. The projector may shut down to avoid overheating should the overheating continue. |
Performance and Picture Quality
Most customer reviews suggest that the Asus ZenBeam E1 projector has satisfactory performance. We think that its performance is excellent considering its size and purpose. Here’s why:
Connecting this projector to external storage, e.g., your smartphone will automatically scale up its resolution from 480p (native) to 1080p. It has a good image display, according to most customers.
However, they stated that the projector is ideal for use in environments where ambient light is controlled. Its low ANSI lumen output makes projections appear washed out in environments with a lot of ambient light.
Check this out:
If you need better image quality and are on a budget, consider the slightly more expensive Anker Nebula Mars II Pro projector. It offers a better image quality display because it has a higher ANSI lumen output (500 ANSI lumens) and a better native resolution (720p).
Aside from image quality display, the Asus ZenBeam E1 portable projector has an excellent keystone correction. Keystone correction is essential in any projector as it does away with image distortion by adjusting the viewing angle.
It is essential to note that this projector has an excellent outdoor performance. Most customers reviewed it as one of the most outstanding portable outdoor projectors.
Our Verdict on the Asus ZenBeam E1 Portable Projector
The Asus ZenBeam E1 portable mini-projector is one of the best pocket projectors in the market today. Its sleek and compact design with a solid build makes it for travel. It can also help you charge your smartphone because it doubles as a power bank.
You will undoubtedly enjoy watching your favorite movies and series as the projector has a built-in battery and speaker. The battery can power the device for up to five hours, and the 2W Asus Sonic Master audio speaker produces decent sound.
Its long-life lamp can last up to 30,000 hours, meaning you’ll only be replacing something for a while. Unfortunately, using this projector in bright environments can be challenging as its ANSI lumen output is low.
Before buying this projector, you should be certain of optimal conditions, as it will produce washed-out projections in brighter environments. In addition, a single HDMI input port is also a downside that cannot be ignored.
Click here to take a look at the current price over at Amazon.
The single input port can be pretty frustrating to most users who’d like to connect multiple external storages simultaneously, e.g., a thumb drive for watching movies and a smartphone for charging.
Generally, the Asus ZenBeam E1 portable mini-projector is ideal for people who want a portable projector.
