Portable projectors are a hot trend in 2025, and most of them feature an adjustable gimbal stand for flexibility in projection. Electronics brand Yaber’s T1 Pro portable projector has been a popular contender in this league, featuring a 180-degree rotating gimbal stand. This design not only enhances viewing angles but also allows for easy placement on walls or ceilings without the need for extra mounts, making it a versatile and user-friendly option. We had the opportunity to review this popular model, so keep reading if you are considering this one for your versatile entertainment needs.
Design and Build
The Yaber T1 Pro arrived safely, packaged in a cardboard box, with each item securely wrapped in plastic. Inside, there was a US-compliant power cord, which meant I needed to buy a compatible adapter. The projector needs to be plugged into a 100V-240V AC wall socket, so it cannot run on a standard power bank, which is the biggest disappointment. It is a portable projector that you can easily move around your home, but it cannot go on backpacking trips, as it would require a high-powered station with AC outputs. The box includes a vent filter cleaning kit, remote control, and user manual.
In terms of design, I liked the 180-degree rotating gimbal stand that lets you tilt the projector to project on walls or ceilings without additional mounts, while keeping the lens and mechanisms protected during travel or when the projector is not in use. Each unit is made of a base, a projector unit, and an arm that makes the rotation functionality possible.
The projector comes in a locked position, and you have to press the button on the arm to unlock it. Thereafter, it will pop up so you can tilt it to the desired angle. Make sure the Yaber logo faces the screen, as tilting it any other way could cause hardware damage, so it is best to read the instructions beforehand. Since the base is lighter than the projector unit, even an accidental push can easily tip it over, so be wary of positioning it near the ends of a table. When you’re done enjoying the content, simply bring it back to the original position and press down to lock it safely.
The Yaber T1 Pro features a vertical cylindrical form factor with rounded corners that will take less space than standard horizontal projectors. Measuring 4.17 x 4.57 x 9.69 inches and weighing 2.76 lbs, it felt a bit bulky to me, but you can carry it around easily with the included silicone and nylon strap. The projector is made from plastic and comes in a light color for a simplistic look. The air filter is located on the side, and the IO ports are located on the top near a lighted power button. The speaker is housed in the base, which is also a great design feature. The projector does heat up after prolonged use, but there is a heat sink on the top for active cooling.
Ease of Setup
One of the T1 Pro’s biggest strengths is its user-friendly setup. You only need to place it stably on a flat surface, and it allows for plug-and-play functionality. When I first started the projector, it prompted me for a one-time initial configuration that included selecting the language and connecting with my Wi-Fi network. The Yaber T1 Pro automatically adjusts focus, corrects keystone, and aligns the screen perfectly. If you move it accidentally, it restarts the setup process to keep the image sharp and properly positioned.
The Yaber T1 Pro projector offers both Auto and Manual focus modes. It uses an auto-focus camera to keep the picture clear, but also lets users manually adjust focus at any time via the remote. Additionally, the projector supports automatic and manual correction of tilted images. As for the image size and throw ratio, we have put it nearly 10-12 feet away from the wall to get an impressive 100-inch projection. It can also be mounted on a tripod or ceiling.
Display and Image Quality
This projector features an LED light source that shines through an LCD panel to create the image. This provides 1080p Full HD resolution support, and 220 ANSI lumens brightness, making it capable of performing best in dark environments. If you are using it in daylight conditions, the image quality looks washed out. The projector offers a 40 to 120-inch image size range, which should be optimal for any kind of multimedia entertainment.
The T1 Pro features advanced auto-focus, keystone correction, and intelligent screen alignment, ensuring a perfectly rectangular and crisp image every time it is powered on. The projector includes intelligent object avoidance, detecting obstacles like chairs to automatically adjust the image placement.
I first tested the projector on a light yellow wall in a nearly dark room, and it delivered great color accuracy with a sharp, rectangular image perfectly aligned with the wall plinths. The auto-setup worked effortlessly this time. However, when I tried it on a plain white wall, the auto-setup produced a slightly angled image with corners that were not parallel to the plinths, so I used the four-point correction to adjust the corners. I believe this was due to the wall’s angle. As an experiment, I also projected onto Bringnox smart window blinds. During auto-setup, the left and right edges aligned well with the blind’s edges, but the top and bottom edges were slightly off balance.
Regarding the overall picture quality, the Yaber T1 Pro performs remarkably well for its price. It handles HD as well as 4K UHD content without visible distortion and lag. While fast-moving scenes can cause some eye strain, it is a common issue with projectors in this range. I noticed even the smallest details clearly when watching scenes from the Joker movie. The same held for sports and car racing videos, with no blurry edges. However, bright, high-luminance scenes, like a winter expedition by Outdoor Boys, appeared slightly washed out. This was likely due to the projector’s limited contrast ratio and brightness in scenes with a lot of white or reflective surfaces. With HDR10 support, dark scenes looked good, though some details were hard to see in very dim parts of the image.
When projecting on a large screen, there was some blurriness in the upper left corner, possibly due to the lens not keeping the entire image sharp. The projector offers several picture modes – standard, hi-bright, vivid, sports, and cinema – that can be changed from the home screen or while playing content. There is also a custom mode where you can adjust brightness, contrast, and other settings to your liking. Colors tend to be slightly muted, especially in bright rooms, causing a washed-out look. The image shows minimal banding and pixilation, but the lower contrast ratio means blacks can appear flat or grayish, especially in dark scenes.
Audio Experience
Equipped with an 8W Dolby Audio speaker using TurboSonic acoustic tech, the T1 Pro delivers immersive surround sound from its compact form. This includes a vented duct design intended to improve low‐frequency (bass) reproduction and reduce distortion, but the deep bass felt not as strong as external speakers, and you will not be able to feel the thump.
One thing that really impressed me was the wide audio perception. It genuinely felt like watching a movie in a theater. I was surprised when a helicopter scene played, and the sound appeared to come from above. However, the audio clarity dipped when I raised the volume above 50 percent. The sound quality improved significantly when I connected my Sony 2.1 external speakers via the 3.5mm jack.
User Interface and Controls
Yaber has equipped the T1 Pro with a Linux-based operating system that’s preloaded with certified apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video that connect effortlessly via Wi-Fi 6. There is no access to the Google Play Store, but you can still download many apps using the built-in Netrange store. A web browser is also included, and there are some basic built-in games.
One thing I found frustrating is that you can only access the full projector settings from the home screen. From there, you can connect to Wi-Fi and adjust all picture and audio settings. When watching content on YouTube or Netflix, you have to keep the initial picture size as it is – you can’t change the image size or use the four-point correction feature. That said, some basic picture and audio settings are still accessible via the remote’s settings button during playback.
The projector comes with a remote control that offers quick access to image adjustments and streaming apps. However, it is important to keep the remote safe, as there are no manual control buttons on the projector. The remote includes a dedicated button to start the image setup anytime, allowing manual orientation adjustments if needed. One downside is that the remote does not have backlit buttons, making it difficult to use in the dark. Another drawback is that it lacks voice command search, so finding content requires manually typing each word, which can be tedious. But if you have signed in to your account, you can rely on the suggested content feed to easily access your favorite shows and movies.
Smart Features and Connectivity
The projector features 2.4+5G Wi-Fi for seamless streaming and connection to your home network. It supports Bluetooth 5.4, enabling wireless connections to headphones or external speakers. There are also HDMI, USB-A ports, and a 3.5mm jack to connect streaming sticks, gaming consoles, or external speakers.
The companion mobile app for Android and iOS allows you to share your phone’s screen, cast media, and control the projector directly from your mobile device. We tried the screen-casting feature, which worked smoothly using the Galaxy Samsung S24 and also the iPhone 16 Pro. There was no lag at all, and the menu was surfed just like it was done on a phone screen.
The projector also features mood lighting, which is a smart design move by Yaber. Instead of separate lights, it uses the projection light for colorful ambient illumination. You can also use it as a Bluetooth speaker, but the projector must remain open and tilted toward the wall, which means you will still see the Galaxy screen saver consuming energy.
Performance in Real Life
In typical home conditions, the Yaber T1 Pro provided a good balance of brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. It comes with presets like standard, hi-bright, cinema, vivid, and sports to tweak visuals to your liking. The built-in sound and wireless features enhance the viewing experience, making it a solid choice for movies in darker rooms. The fan sound is quite noticeable at the start, but it was non-intrusive while playing the content at a decent volume.
Comparing the Competition
The Yaber T1 Pro and XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro are both compact, smart portable projectors with native 1080p resolution, HDR10 support, and auto-focus and keystone correction features. The MoGo 3 Pro does offer better brightness and smart features, but its price can be an issue for many people. In contrast, T1 Pro is a great choice for those looking for a budget-friendly option with easy setup and good portability.
Price and Value
With a retail price around $160, the Yaber T1 Pro provides exceptional value for its feature set and image quality, standing out as one of the best affordable portable projectors of 2025.
Pro and Cons
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Compact design
- Gimbal stand
- Ideal for dark rooms
- Price
Cons:
- Fan noise is noticeable, especially at lower volumes
- Settings accessed only from homescreen
- No image zoom option when playing content
- Limited bass response
- Not ideal for daylight viewing
- No battery option
- No voice search
Final Word
The Yaber T1 Pro’s standout feature is its easy setup with a gimbal stand that allows projecting at different angles. It is perfect for anyone who frequently moves the projector between rooms, like from the living room to the bedroom. It offers great plug-and-play entertainment without a high price. Its weaknesses show up mostly in bright rooms, with very large screen sizes, or if you expect deep cinema-level bass.
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