17 hours ago
Portronics Beem 520 projector review: Big-screen fun on a budget
Rating: 3.5/5
Gamers and movie lovers are once again turning to projectors for that immersive 'cinematic' experience at home. The rise of compact LED projectors – that deliver impressive brightness and resolution without breaking the bank – is adding to this trend.
Among them is the new
Portronics Beem 520
, a smart LED projector that promises vibrant visuals, built-in streaming apps, and portable convenience—all for an affordable price of Rs 6,999.
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We've been using the
Portronics
Beem 520 for a while now, setting it up across different rooms (and even briefly on the balcony) to see how it handles various scenarios. Does it offer solid performance at this budget-friendly price point? Here's what we think:
Design
The Portronics Beem 520 comes bundled with a remote controller and a power adapter. The projector features a cylindrical minimalist design with a soft white finish. This gives it a clean, modern look and has been pleasing to the eyes since we first set it up.
One of the first things we noticed was the built-in telescopic stand, which is a simple yet practical addition. Once we detached the projector's body from the telescopic stand, the speaker grille, as well as the power and other connectivity ports, appeared. The stand's length can be increased, and its base holds the points which can be used for wall or ceiling mounting.
During a weekend movie marathon, the stand made it easy to adjust the angle of projection when switching from projecting onto a living room wall to a white ceiling late at night.
Tiltable head and automatic vertical keystone correction saved time during setup; the image aligned properly even when we quickly placed the projector on a pile of books during an impromptu cricket match watch party.
Despite its plastic build, the device has a decent touch and feel. It also makes the projector light and easy to carry around the house or even take outside. The ceiling-mountable option is a good plus for those who want a fixed setup.
The screen projected by the Beem 520 can also be adjusted manually with the rotatable ring in front og the projector.
Performance
The Portronics Beem 520 delivers native 720p resolution and supports content up to 4K Ultra HD. In real-world use, we projected everything from YouTube music videos to a full 4K Marvel movie trailer, and the visuals were acceptably sharp for the price point, especially when the screen size was kept around 80 inches.
The 2,200 lumens of brightness was good enough even during daytime, and pulling the curtains for darker scenes did enhance the experience.
We tested screen sizes from 62 inches to over 85 inches. At a friend's housewarming, we set it up in their backyard after sunset, projecting onto a white bedsheet clipped to the wall, and the crowd loved the 'DIY drive-in theatre' vibe.
The projector comes with OTT apps like Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, YouTube, and Prime Video. During testing, these worked fine for basic streaming, though the built-in interface sometimes felt laggy. We ended up connecting a Fire TV Stick for a smoother experience during longer watch sessions.
Portronics Beem 520 supports two types of interface, the first one that appears on switching on the device another Desktop option which can be selected from the menu layout of the first one. The latter works similarly to the ones we can find on Android TVs.
Portronics Beem 520 Smart LED Projector Review
Setting up the projector was quite straightforward. It supports auto-keystone correction, so whenever we tilted or repositioned it, the image realigned on its own. This was especially handy when we shifted it from a coffee table to a higher shelf. If the image still looked a bit off, we were able to manually adjust the keystone from the settings with ease. This tweak came in handy while projecting on an uneven wall.
Screen mirroring worked well, too. We tried it on both an Android phone and an iPhone. With Android, the built-in Miracast option got us going in seconds.
For the iPhone, we used the iMotecast app. Just make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. We mirrored a few YouTube videos, and everything played smoothly.
For the best clarity, we found that using the projector in a dark room made a big difference. Watching late at night in our living room brought out the colours and sharpness.
We also recommend placing the projector about five feet above the ground for an optimal viewing angle.
One thing we noticed after a few uses was that dust can build up inside the projector if the environment isn't clean. Since it uses open engine technology, it's best to keep it in a dust-free space.
Also, if it seems to heat up, make sure there's at least two feet of space from the wall to allow proper airflow. Initially, we had it too close to the wall and noticed it running a bit warmer than expected.
With just a little setup and some attention to placement, we found that this projector can deliver a really enjoyable viewing experience, whether you are binge-watching, catching a late-night movie, or streaming casual videos.
The 3W speakers are sufficient for small rooms or late-night viewing. However, when projecting outdoors, we had to pair it with a Bluetooth speaker for louder, clearer sound.
Connecting to Wi-Fi was equally smooth. We simply went into the network settings, selected our Wi-Fi, entered the password, and were ready to stream. We had a Netflix show running within minutes.
Pairing a Bluetooth speaker was also hassle-free. We connected our portable speaker quickly and enjoyed a full movie with solid audio sync.
HDMI and USB ports were tested with a laptop and a USB drive—no compatibility issues there. The Portronics Beem 520 doesn't have a built-in battery, so we kept it plugged in all the time.
While this limits its portability outdoors, it's not a deal breaker. We managed fine with a long extension cord during the backyard movie night.
Verdict
The Portronics Beem 520 Smart LED projector delivers what it promises—big-screen entertainment at an affordable price. The compact size, decent brightness, and built-in apps make it a fun gadget for casual movie nights, watch parties, or even for creating an occasional backyard cinema.
While the app interface and built-in audio have some limitations, the Rs 6,999 price tag makes this a very good value for those wanting a simple projector for home entertainment. It's also better to use it with an external streaming device and Bluetooth speaker for the best experience.
For those who want a fuss-free, portable projector for home or occasional outdoor use, without breaking their bank, the Portronics Beem 520 is worth considering.
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