Introduction
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your bedroom into a personal cinema, but your budget holds you back, the Salange HY320 Projector might be your ticket. Compact, surprisingly capable, and priced under $120, this mini projector promises more than just pixels on a wall—it offers a doorway into cozy movie nights, spontaneous backyard screenings, and even learning sessions for kids. But is it all just hype or does it truly deliver?
Let’s take a closer look.
Feature Analysis
On paper, the Salange HY320 checks a lot of boxes. But real-world performance is where a budget projector proves its worth. Here’s what you get:
- Native Resolution: 1920×1080 (True Full HD). No upscaling tricks here—images are crisp and text is readable even at 100 inches.
- Brightness: Advertised 20,000 lumens, but in reality it outputs around 250 ANSI lumens, which is expected at this price point.
- Contrast Ratio: Officially 10,000:1, though actual perceived contrast is closer to 1500:1. Good enough for general viewing, especially animations and bright scenes.
- Auto Keystone Correction: Vertical only, but it works fast and helps align your image with little hassle.
- Operating System: Built-in Android 11.0 allows app installs, direct streaming, and screen mirroring.
- Connectivity: Dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, USB, HDMI, 3.5mm audio out—check ✔️
- Speaker: Mono 3W—okay for podcasts or cartoons, but a Bluetooth speaker will make your experience far better.
- Size & Weight: Only 0.52kg and fits in one hand—portable enough for a backpack.
Despite lacking optical zoom and autofocus, the digital zoom and Android interface compensate well for casual users.
User Scenarios
This projector isn’t just about specs—it’s about where and how it fits into your life. Here are some of the ways it shines:
Home Movie Nights
Transform any blank wall into a cinema. The HY320 projects up to 130″, but the sweet spot is around 80-100 inches in a dark room. Watching a movie like Interstellar or The Grand Budapest Hotel feels magical with the lights off and popcorn in hand.
Casual Console Gaming
Connect your PS5 or Nintendo Switch via HDMI and enjoy your favorite titles in a big-screen format. The input lag is tolerable for casual play (think Animal Crossing or Minecraft), but not recommended for twitchy FPS games.
Portable Learning or Presenting
Educators, tutors, or trainers can carry this anywhere. Its small size and Android OS make it perfect for impromptu presentations—even in classrooms or co-working spaces.
Backyard Cinema
Pair it with a foldable screen or hang a white sheet, and you’re ready for a backyard movie night under the stars. Just wait till after sunset, and you’re golden.
Kids’ Entertainment
Install YouTube Kids, turn on Baby Shark or science cartoons, and let the little ones enjoy. The LED light is eye-safe, and the remote makes it easy to control from afar.
The HY320 excels in low-light environments but requires adjustments for brighter spaces.
Product Assessment
Let’s dive deeper into its performance, starting with the essentials:
Image Quality
- Crisp native 1080p is the star of the show here.
- Real brightness (~250 ANSI lumens) works well in dark spaces. Ambient daylight washes out the image.
- Colors are surprisingly vivid for this price. Edges lose a bit of focus, but center sharpness is excellent.
Sound Quality
- The internal speaker gets the job done—but barely.
- No bass, limited volume. Great for bedtime stories or quiet viewing, not for party vibes.
- Bluetooth 5.0 saves the day—connect your JBL, Bose, or even a cheap soundbar for dramatic improvement.
Smart OS Experience
- Android 11 opens the door to streaming freedom.
- YouTube and Netflix come pre-installed, and apps like VLC or Spotify can be sideloaded.
- No Play Store, but alternatives like APKPure or Aptoide work just fine.
Build & Portability
- At just over half a kilo, it’s lighter than most tablets.
- The rotating base is genius—angle your projector up to the ceiling or wall effortlessly.
- The matte plastic casing isn’t premium, but it’s functional and doesn’t heat up excessively.
Heat & Noise
- Fan noise is whisper-quiet, hovering around 25 dB.
- Passive cooling works well for short sessions (1-3 hrs), with no overheating issues noted in tests.
