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AKASO 874801 Projector

$239.99 at Amazon.com

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SUMMARY: AKASO’s 874801 is a palm-sized DLP projector whose appeal lies in extreme portability rather than image punch. Real-world testing shows the unit performs acceptably only in dark spaces and at short throws, making it a niche tool for hobbyists who need a quick, precise beam on small surfaces—think royal-icing templates or craft stencils. Wireless casting is limited by DRM, audio is basic, and firmware is frozen at launch, but the device still satisfies makers who value footprint above cinematic heft.

Best Used For: cookie decorating, cake art, and other close-range tracing tasks in a dark or dim kitchen is required

Released: 2018

Brand: AKASO

Specification	Details
Brightness	50 ANSI Lumens
Resolution	Native 854x480px DLP (1080P is downscaled)
Contrast Ratio	~300-400:1
Throw Ratio	1.15:1
Min/Max Throw Distance	1.6-10ft (advertised)
Lamp Life	20000 hours
Connectivity	HDMI 1.4, USB-A 2.0, Micro-USB OTG, Micro-SD, 3.5 mm audio, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Miracast/AirPlay
Keystone Correction	Auto ±30° vertical
Zoom Lens	Digital Zoom
Input Lag	>100 ms
Audio Output	Twin 1 W speakers + 3.5 mm jack
Aspect Ratio	16:9/4:3
Weight (kg)	0.21 kg
Lens Shift	Not available
Controller Type	IR remote + capacitive top buttons
Noise Level (dB)	~32-34 dB
Size of Projection	15-80 inches recommended

Highlights

The AKASO 874801 Projector enters market as a legacy pocket-class DLP whose real-world performance differs sharply from its launch-era marketing. Designed around a 0.3-inch DLP imager, the unit’s native 854 × 480 px chip quietly replaces the “1080 P” headline that dominates reseller pages. Enthusiast tear-downs and FCC photos confirm the lower resolution, explaining why subtitles and UI elements soften once image size passes roughly 60 inches.

An advertised 50 ANSI-lumen output once sounded competitive, yet owner tests with entry-level lux meters land nearer the 40–45 lm bracket. That difference appears modest on paper but proves decisive in practice: the picture holds contrast only in blackout rooms or at tracing distances, making the beam unsuitable for patio movie nights before the sun drops.

Where the projector shines—literally—is in cookie decorating and craft tracing. Bloggers report the short 1.2:1 throw can cast a crisp 12-inch template from just 30 cm, with full brightness landing on white icing or canvas. In this niche, low lumens are a non-issue and the featherweight 0.46-lb body turns long baking sessions into painless overhead work.

Connectivity splits into two personalities. Physical ports—HDMI 1.4, USB-A, micro-SD, 3.5 mm audio—behave flawlessly. By contrast, wireless Miracast/AirPlay succeeds only with DRM-free clips; Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video refuse to mirror, leaving owners to rely on an HDMI streaming stick. The omission of Bluetooth audio further dates the hardware against 2024 pico rivals shipping BT 5.x as standard.

The built-in 4 000 mAh battery is sold as “up to 2.7 h,” but field timing at full brightness seldom exceeds 90–110 minutes. Eco mode stretches runtime closer to two hours yet costs precious lumens. Recharging through a micro-USB port takes nearly three hours at 5 V ⎓ 2 A, underscoring the projector’s late-2010s electrical pedigree.

Automatic vertical keystone (±30°) exists in firmware but rarely benefits image fidelity. Reviewers find the routine hunts nonstop against bright backgrounds, softening edges each time it re-samples the frame. Disabling keystone, then physically squaring the chassis on a micro tripod, consistently restores lost detail and eliminates the distracting focus pump.

Audio support is courtesy of dual 1 W speakers whose tonal balance matches budget smartphones: clear mids, papery highs, negligible bass. Maximum SPL hovers around 72 dB at one metre—adequate for a quiet study yet drowned by modest ambient chatter. Most users prefer the 3.5 mm line-out into powered speakers, an external Bluetooth puck, or headphones.

Fan acoustics lack an official figure, but side-by-side tests with meter-verified 32 dB desk fans place the AKASO in the same noise band. The single centrifugal blower spins at a fixed RPM, producing a soft, continuous hum that fades under normal dialogue but dominates silent slideshows. Location matters: table-top projection keeps the fan beside the audience, while ceiling mounts push it overhead and away.

Optical flexibility is limited. A fixed 1.2 : 1 throw ratio means every inch of image width demands an extra 1.2 inches of distance. Combined with zero lens-shift and no optical zoom, the projector must sit on-axis and at the correct height. Digital zoom (100 → 75 %) merely crops pixels, surrendering sharpness already scarce at WVGA.

Longevity headlines quote a 30 000-hour LED life; reality check studies on comparable RGB modules reveal noticeable blue-channel fade around 10 000 hours (~13 years at 2 h nightly). While the diodes rarely fail outright, gradual chromatic drift forces periodic recalibration or acceptance of a warmer, desaturated palette as service hours accumulate.

Input latency, unlisted in AKASO literature, is flagged by rhythm-game hobbyists as “over 100 ms,” rendering fast-twitch titles impractical. Casual console gaming remains viable provided expectations align with turn-based or slower genres. Competitive esports players should steer toward low-lag LED or laser models rated under 30 ms.

Hardware updates ceased in 2019, and AKASO support confirms that no new firmware will ship. Consequently, codec compatibility, Wi-Fi security patches and interface refinements remain frozen at launch quality, widening the gulf between the 874801 and modern Android-TV pico alternatives launched in 2024–2025.

Price erosion on competing picos exposes an uncomfortable truth: the 874801 still retails around $239.99, matching AKASO’s own WT50, which doubles brightness, adds Bluetooth and ships with Android 9.0. Brands such as XGIMI and Anker likewise field brighter, sharper micro projectors for similar money, squeezing the 874801 into an ever-narrower craft-centric niche.

Durability proves mixed. The hard-coated front lens resists fine scratches, yet the glossy ABS shell gathers hairline marks within days of travel. A bundled neoprene sleeve mitigates scuffs in backpacks, but long-term owners recommend an aftermarket hard case if the unit will live among camera lenses or metal tools.

Aesthetic restraint may appeal to minimalists: the chassis wears a matte-black top, mirrored logo and single status LED, avoiding the gamer accents that dominate budget projectors. Capacitive touch keys glow white only on press, preserving stealth during bedtime cartoons or astrophotography overlays.

Bottom-line assessment: The AKASO 874801 Projector delivers bona-fide portability and craft-table convenience, but objective limitations—sub-HD resolution, sub-50 lm brightness, dated connectivity and fixed optics—lock the experience to small, dark environments. As 2025 introduces brighter, smarter and similarly priced pico competition, the model now best suits decorators, illustrators and travellers prioritising footprint above cinematic muscle.

Amazon Price History

Date	Price (USD)
2025-07-06	239.99
2025-07-07	239.99

Since 2025-07-06

Auto Product Comparison

Product	AKASO 874801 Projector	WiMiUS K9 Projector	TMY Y1 Projector	JMGo N1S 4K Projector
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Price	$239.99 at Amazon.com	$233.97 at Amazon.com	$73.99 at Amazon.com	$999.00 ~~$1,299.00~~ at Amazon.com
Brand	AKASO	WiMiUS	TMY	JMGo
Check Details		Check Details	Check Details	Check Details
Brightness	50 ANSI Lumens	500 ANSI Lumens	~300-400 ANSI lumens	1100 ISO Lumens (advertised)
Resolution	Native 854x480px DLP (1080P is downscaled)	Native 1080p (1920x1080), supports 4K (downscale)	Native 1920x1080; 4K input downscaled to 1080P	3840x2160 (4K)
Contrast Ratio	~300-400:1	~1000:1 - 5000:1	~1000:1 - 2000:1	1000000:1 (dynamic), 1600:1 (native)
Throw Ratio	1.15:1	1.33:1	1.2-1.5	1.2:1
Min/Max Throw Distance	1.6-10ft (advertised)	1.5m-9m (50-300 inches)	1.5m to 6m	1.58m-5.3m (60''-200'')
Lamp Life	20000 hours	20000 hours	15000 hours	30000 hours
Connectivity	HDMI 1.4, USB-A 2.0, Micro-USB OTG, Micro-SD, 3.5 mm audio, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Miracast/AirPlay	WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 2xHDMI, 2xUSB, Ethernet, audio out	WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI, USB, etc.	HDMI 2.1, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Keystone Correction	Auto ±30° vertical	6D automatic	Auto correction, likely ±15 degrees	Automatic, vertical only
Zoom Lens	Digital Zoom	Digital zoom 50%-100%	Digital zoom (50%–100%)	Fixed, no optical zoom
Input Lag	>100 ms	Not specified	Not specified	17ms at 1080p/60
Audio Output	Twin 1 W speakers + 3.5 mm jack	20W speakers, Dolby Audio support	Built-in speakers, Bluetooth	10W (2 x 5W) Dolby Audio
Aspect Ratio	16:9/4:3	16:9, 4:3, Auto	16:9	16:9
Weight (kg)	0.21 kg	2.3 kg	1.6kg	2 kg
Lens Shift	Not available	Not available	not available	not available
Controller Type	IR remote + capacitive top buttons	Remote Control	remote control	remote control
Noise Level (dB)	~32-34 dB	Not specified	40 dB	26 dB
Size of Projection	15-80 inches recommended	50-300 inches	up to 300 inches	60''-200''
Connectivity	HDMI 1.4, USB-A 2.0, Micro-USB OTG, Micro-SD, 3.5 mm audio, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Miracast/AirPlay	WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 2xHDMI, 2xUSB, Ethernet, audio out	WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI, USB, etc.	HDMI 2.1, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi