What is the enhancement in ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 portable LED projector? Its built-in 6000 mAh battery provides 3 hours of video projection or 12 hours of audio playback. With 300 LED lumens output and 720p native resolution, its short-throw lens projects a 40″ image from a distance of 1 meter and up to a 120″ image at 3.2 meters. Know about more features in ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 portable LED projector review.
In the box
- LATTE L1 projector
- Carrying bag
- HDMI cable
- Power cord & adapter
- Remote Control
- Warranty card
- Quick Start Guide
Pros & Cons – ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 portable LED projector
PRO
- Elegant design
- Resolution 720p
- Brightness 300 lumens
- carrying pouch
- 10 watt Harman Kardon Speaker
- Android-based Aptoide TV
Cons
- Manual focus
- Only 720p native resolution
- proprietary power adapter
- Remote is IR
- No Google Play Store
ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 portable LED projector Specs
- Native resolution: 720p HD(1280 x 720 pixels)
- Maximum resolution input: 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels)
- Lightsource: LED
- Bulb Lifespan: 30000 Hours
- Contrast Ratio: 400:1
- Colour Gamut: 120% of sRGB
- Throw Ratio: 1.2:1
- Projection Distance: 0.8-3.2m
- Projection size: 30-120 inches
- Zoom: Fixed
- Focus: Manual
- Speakers: 2x 5W by Harman/Kardon
- Ports: HDMI (x1) and USB-A (Power output 5V/1A)
- Networking: WiFi and Bluetooth
- Battery Capacity: 22Wh ( up to 3 hours video projection)
- Accessories: Soft carry bag with wrist strap, charger, remote control
ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 portable LED projector Price comparison
The typical UK price for the Latte L1 is £399.99 from Amazon UK and $399.99 from US online retailers.
The ViewSonic M2e is a 1080p native LED projector with a 1000 (LED Lumens) lamp and USB-C connections, all for £551.04 in the UK or $559.99 in the US. Admittedly that price doesn’t include a battery, but the specification of the device is better in almost every respect.Advertisement
Another alternative is the Anker Nebula Capsule II Projector, a device that bears some similarity to the Latte in form factor. It offers 200 ANSI lumens, 720p resolution, Android TV and 2.5-hour battery life for video. That device can be found for as little as £379.99 in the UK and for around $430 from a US online retailer.
Compare ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 portable LED projector vs ASUS E1
| ZenBeam Latte L1 | ASUS E1 Projector | ASUS F1 Projector | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1280 x 720 (HD) 1920 x 1080 (max) | 854 x 480 (WVGA) 1920 x 1080 (max) | 1920 x 1080 |
| Image Brightness | 300 lumen | 150 lumen | 1200 lumen |
| Dimensions | 5.2 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches | 4.3 x 3.2 x 1.14 inches | 19.5 x 11.9 x 4.5 inches |
| Weight | 2.87 lbs | 0.70 lbs | 8.1 lbs |
| Image Contrast Ratio | 400:1 | 3500:1 | 3500:1 |
| Display Technology | DLP | DLP | |
| Connectivity | HDMI, USB-A, WiFi, Bluetooth | HDMI, MHL | HDMI, VGA, USB |
| Portability | 6000 mAh | 6000 mAh | |
| Projection Distance | 2.6 ft ~ 10.5ft | 1.6ft ~ 12.1ft | 1.8ft ~ 12.1ft |
| Tripod Hole | ✓ |
ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 portable LED projector
Build
ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 portable LED projector comes with nice matte box with latte stencils. On the bottom there’s the tripod hole and some rubber non-slip material to keep the projector steady on the table. There cylindrical shape it helps it stand out from the competition as well as the choice to opt for a fabric cover rather than having the entire body made of plastic.
Design
ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 portable LED projector has dimension of 5.16 x 3.54 x 3.54 inches, and weighs only 1.29 pounds. While it is designed to sit on a coffee table, a tripod compatible threaded hole on the base allows it to be inverted with a ceiling mount. Top buttons consist of Power, Menu, Bluetooth, Home, Back, Up/Down, Left(Volume Down), Right(Volume Up)
Connectors
Inputs include the charging power line, USB and full-size HDMI, all around the bottom rear edge. On the side is an air vent for cooling, and nearer the top is the focus wheel, infra-red remote sensor, and lens assembly.
Display
To get a 40inch screen size we need to set the projector at about 1 meter away and so far this is the sweet spot for this latte projector. ASUS gave the range from 0.8 meters to 3.2 meters to get 30inch to 120inch.
There’s a focus wheel on the side to adjust the focus and it’s quite responsive and I’m able to focus with ease. To make sure the projection is aligned we can use the auto keystone and auto aspect ratio. One feature is the ability to choose the wall colour, there’s 4 colours to choose. So far I have only tested on my white walls and it’ works great.
Resolution
The Native resolution of ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 portable LED projector is 1280 x 720 HD but can support up to FullHD 1920 x 1080. The picture looks crisp and clear. With the Aptoide app, you can enjoy favourite TV shows like 4K Smart TVs.
Brightness
ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 portable LED projector produces 300 lumens brightness. Image is vibrant and good enough for dark rooms. The image is so clear that even you can see the tiny hair of animals. It is good for projecting games from your smart phone.
Audio
The audio is powered by 2 x 5W speakers which are by Harmon Kardon. ASUS has partnered which Harmon Kardon since 2016 for their range of devices and which allows this projector to utilise the technology. The speaker compensates for the acoustic surroundings for better sound penetration and takes into account heat dissipation to ensure the best audio performance at all times.
Battery life
The Latte has a 6000mAh battery that will grab you 3 hours of video playtime, which is about the same as most portable projectors, if not a little longer. It’ll last you a movie or two, but don’t settle in for a series binge unless you’re going to leave the charger in. As a speaker, the battery will last you a solid 12 hours.
Aptoide TV app
There’s Aptoide TV app pre-loaded into this projector and it is able to install some apps like Android TV but the collection of apps are limited and it’s not the same as Google Play Store. If this could be Android TV Certified it would be a better experience. Disney+ app doesn’t work but Netflix and YouTube works fine.
ASUS ZenBeam Latte L1 portable LED projector alternative
LG CineBeam HU80KSW
SPECIFICATIONS
- 4K capability: Yes
- HDR: Yes
- Speakers: 2 x 7W
- Brightness: 2500 lumens
- Lamp life: 20,000 hours
- Contrast ratio: 150,000:1
- Max image size: 150in
- HDCP 2.2: Yes
- Connectivity: HDMI (x2), USB (x2), 3.5mm, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Miracast
- Streaming apps: Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer
REASONS TO BUY
+One-box, truly portable system
+Impressive 4K HDR picture
+Easy to build a system around
REASONS TO AVOID
-Lacks a little detail
-Motion could be better
-Built-in speakers only adequate
One of the most feature-complete projectors you’ll ever find, the LG CineBeam is a really fascinating box of tricks. It may not be the finest on this list in terms of pure picture quality, but it presents a very decent 4K HDR image from a larger array of sources – both smart and local – than any other here. And for that, we commend it.
It’s blessed with LG’s excellent webOS platform, which means direct access to all your video apps over Wi-Fi, and its Miracasting and Bluetooth abilities make for easy and intuitive ad-hoc connections to whatever mobile device you’d like to play back from. These can provide external sound, too.
So is it expensive? Maybe. But for those who want the flexibility to throw a movie up on their wall whenever and however they choose, it’s just the ticket, with decent sound and a very solid picture as well. One of the best outdoor projectors you can buy.
