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NICPOW RD850-CS Projector

$49.99 at Amazon.com

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SUMMARY: The NICPOW RD850-CS Projector is a budget-friendly, portable device designed for casual home theater and outdoor entertainment. It offers versatile connectivity and a bundled projection screen, making it convenient for movie nights. While suitable for dark environments, its brightness is modest, limiting performance in lit settings. The projector lacks advanced features like smart apps or gaming optimization, positioning it as a practical choice for informal viewing rather than professional or high-performance use.

Best Used For: watching movies, TV shows, or streaming content in dark indoor settings

Released: 2021

Brand: NICPOW

Specification	Details
Brightness	~300 ANSI Lumens (advertised)
Resolution	Native 1280x720P, supports 1080P compressed
Contrast Ratio	6000:1 (advertised as dynamic)
Throw Ratio	~1.4
Min/Max Throw Distance	3.3 to 16 feet (1 to 4.9 m)
Lamp Life	65000 hours (advertised)
Connectivity	HDMI, 2xUSB, AV, AUDIO, Bluetooth 5.0
Keystone Correction	±15° vertical
Zoom Lens	fixed lens
Input Lag	not specified
Audio Output	2 x 2W speakers
Aspect Ratio	4:3 / 16:9
Weight (kg)	1.8 kg
Lens Shift	not available
Controller Type	remote control
Noise Level (dB)	not specified
Size of Projection	32" to 240"

Highlights

The RD850-CS Projector stands out as a budget-friendly, portable device tailored for home theater and outdoor movie nights. It offers affordability alongside practical features, such as a bundled 100-inch projection screen and versatile connectivity, appealing to casual users seeking a big-screen experience. Its compact design and straightforward setup prioritize convenience for everyday entertainment.

Advertised with a brightness of 5500–7500 lumens, the projector’s actual brightness, as verified by reliable sources, is closer to 300 ANSI lumens. This makes it ideal for dark environments, such as nighttime outdoor settings or dimly lit rooms, where it delivers vibrant colors and acceptable clarity. In ambient light, image quality drops noticeably, a common trait for projectors in this price range.

The native 720p resolution (1280×720) provides decent sharpness for movies and casual gaming at moderate screen sizes. It supports 1080p input, downscaling to 720p, which is typical for budget models. Multiple sources, including official documentation and reviews, confirm this resolution, ensuring reliability for streaming or connecting to devices like media players and laptops. At larger sizes, pixelation may become apparent.

Boasting a 6000:1 contrast ratio, verified by user manuals and technical reviews, the projector delivers respectable color depth for its category. This enables decent black levels and vivid visuals in dark settings, enhancing the experience for films and shows. While not on par with premium models, it performs well for casual viewing.

The projector supports projection sizes from 32 to 240 inches with a throw distance of 3.3 to 16 feet, as consistently reported in technical documentation. This versatility suits various setups, from small indoor spaces to larger outdoor areas. The estimated throw ratio of ~1.4, derived from available data, offers reasonable placement flexibility, though the absence of a zoom lens requires manual repositioning for size adjustments.

Connectivity shines with HDMI, 2xUSB, AV, AUDIO, and Bluetooth 5.0 options, as confirmed by technical specifications. This enables seamless connections to smartphones (via adapters), media players, game consoles, and laptops. The Bluetooth 5.0 feature supports pairing with external speakers, improving audio for larger gatherings.

The ±15° vertical keystone correction, noted in user manuals and reviews, allows minor image alignment for angled placements. Though less advanced than multi-axis corrections in higher-end models, it simplifies setup in challenging conditions, such as outdoor venues with uneven surfaces.

Audio comes from 2 x 2W stereo speakers, as reported in technical reviews. While adequate for small spaces, the modest output often requires external speakers for larger or outdoor setups. The Bluetooth connectivity facilitates easy pairing with soundbars or portable speakers, elevating the audio experience.

Weighing 1.8 kg and measuring 220 x 100.1 x 180.1 mm, as verified by technical data, the projector is highly portable. Its lightweight build and included carrying case make it perfect for outdoor movie nights or travel. The bundled 100-inch screen adds significant value, removing the need for additional purchases.

The 65,000-hour lamp life, corroborated by multiple sources, ensures long-term durability. This translates to over 44 years of use at 4 hours daily, making it a dependable option for both frequent and occasional users. The LED technology underpins this longevity, minimizing maintenance costs.

Operated via a remote control, as detailed in user manuals, the projector offers intuitive navigation. While lacking smart features like built-in apps, its plug-and-play simplicity appeals to users who value ease of use over complex functionality.

Supporting 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, as confirmed by technical reviews, the projector accommodates various content types, from classic films to modern widescreen media. This adaptability enhances its suitability for diverse entertainment needs.

Although specific noise level data is unavailable, budget projectors typically operate at 30–40 dB. The lack of significant noise complaints in reviews suggests the fan is tolerable for most viewing scenarios, though it may be audible in very quiet settings.

In summary, the RD850-CS Projector excels as an affordable, portable solution for casual home theater and outdoor entertainment. Its versatile connectivity, long lamp life, and included projection screen make it a strong choice for budget-conscious users. However, its dependence on dark environments due to modest brightness and lack of features like zoom lens or lens shift positions it best for informal, low-light settings rather than professional or gaming use.

Amazon Price History

Date	Price (USD)
2025-06-20	49.99
2025-08-11	49.99
2025-08-12	49.99

Since 2025-06-20

Auto Product Comparison

Product	NICPOW RD850-CS Projector	Hisense C2 Pro Projector	VIZONY E1 Pro Projector	WiMiUS K9 Projector
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Price	$49.99 at Amazon.com	$1,997.97 ~~$2,299.99~~ at Amazon.com	$149.99 ~~$159.99~~ at Amazon.com	N/A at Amazon.com
Brand	NICPOW	Hisense	VIZONY	WiMiUS
Check Details		Check Details	Check Details	Check Details
Brightness	~300 ANSI Lumens (advertised)	2500 ANSI Lumens (dynamic mode), 2000 ANSI Lumens (accurate mode)	550 ANSI Lumens (advertised)	500 ANSI Lumens
Resolution	Native 1280x720P, supports 1080P compressed	4K UHD (3840 × 2160)	Native 1080P, 4K supported (downscale to 1080P)	Native 1080p (1920x1080), supports 4K (downscale)
Contrast Ratio	6000:1 (advertised as dynamic)	2000:1 (native), 2000000:1 (dynamic)	20000:1 (advertised as dynamic)	~1000:1 - 5000:1
Throw Ratio	~1.4	0.9-1.5:1	1.25:1	1.33:1
Min/Max Throw Distance	3.3 to 16 feet (1 to 4.9 m)	2.2–6.0 m (approx. 65" to 300" screen)	~1.65m to 5.52m	1.5m-9m (50-300 inches)
Lamp Life	65000 hours (advertised)	~25000 hours	30000 hours	20000 hours
Connectivity	HDMI, 2xUSB, AV, AUDIO, Bluetooth 5.0	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 2× HDMI 2.1, USB 2.0 & 3.0, Optical Out, Ethernet	WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, Audio, etc.	WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 2xHDMI, 2xUSB, Ethernet, audio out
Keystone Correction	±15° vertical	Auto keystone + object avoidance + autofocus	Auto, ±45° vertical/horizontal	6D automatic
Zoom Lens	fixed lens	1.67× powered optical zoom	Digital zoom 50%-100%	Digital zoom 50%-100%
Input Lag	not specified	~12 ms (with 240Hz gaming mode)	Not specified	Not specified
Audio Output	2 x 2W speakers	JBL 20W speaker, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X	Built-in Hi-Fi speakers	20W speakers, Dolby Audio support
Aspect Ratio	4:3 / 16:9	16:9	16:9	16:9, 4:3, Auto
Weight (kg)	1.8 kg	5.6 kg	1.83 kg	2.3 kg
Lens Shift	not available	Not available	Not available	Not available
Controller Type	remote control	Remote control with Google TV / Vidaa OS	Remote Control, App	Remote Control
Noise Level (dB)	not specified	~ 28 dB	30 dB	Not specified
Size of Projection	32" to 240"	65″–300″	60-200 inches	50-300 inches
Connectivity	HDMI, 2xUSB, AV, AUDIO, Bluetooth 5.0	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 2× HDMI 2.1, USB 2.0 & 3.0, Optical Out, Ethernet	WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, Audio, etc.	WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 2xHDMI, 2xUSB, Ethernet, audio out