The Yaber K3 is a finances sensible projector that provides 1080p decision, 1600 ANSI lumens brightness and built-in entry to streaming providers resembling Netflix and Disney Plus. Whereas it delivers good sound and a Google TV sensible interface for reasonable, its image high quality is inconsistent and there are a number of different points with it as effectively.
A sensible projector such because the Yaber K3 for $599 / £569 is a tempting prospect, particularly when it could possibly mild up 40-200-inch screens. And whereas it’s not as effectively featured because the best projectors, built-in Wi-Fi and first rate built-in audio system are laborious to search out at this worth vary. However a number of the K3’s different predominant options resembling its auto keystone correction and processing are sluggish and sometimes irritating to make use of. Avid gamers can even be higher off trying elsewhere.
The K3’s image high quality is a really blended bag. It shows pure colours and stable sufficient element at occasions and places in an honest displaying with sports activities. However distinction is weak and black ranges are washed out. The K3’s image high quality was by no means going to compete with the best 4K projectors, however even in contrast with a number of the best portable projectors, such because the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2, the K3’s image struggles.
The place the K3 excels is its sound, because the built-in JBL audio system are punchy and highly effective, particularly at this finances worth vary. Whereas one of many best soundbars continues to be advisable, some gained’t discover the necessity to add one, particularly for informal viewing.
Essentially, the Yaber K3 is for many who are searching for a wise projector at an inexpensive worth for the occasional film night time. Whereas it packs as a lot as it could possibly into its budget-friendly body, it’s not fairly the discount finances gem it may have been.
Yaber K3 projector assessment: Worth & launch date
- Worth: $599 / £569 (roughly AU$942)
- First accessible: September 2024
The Yaber K3 is a 1080p sensible projector that follows on from Yaber’s K2 collection. The K3 is priced at $599 / £569 (roughly AU$942 with direct trade), placing it on the finances finish of the projector spectrum in direct competitors with transportable projectors such because the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 (additionally a 1080p sensible projector) which has an ordinary worth of $749 / £649.
Since its launch in September 2024, there have been some reductions on the Yaber K3, with costs falling to $499 / £465 throughout gross sales occasions. That is much like the reductions the Samsung Freestyle receives, because it’s frequently priced at $549 / £499 throughout gross sales occasions.
Yaber K3 projector assessment: Specs
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Display screen sizes supported: |
40-200-inches |
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Brightness (specified): |
1600 ANSI Lumens |
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HDR assist: |
N/A |
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Optical know-how: |
LED, DLP |
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Good TV: |
Google TV |
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Connections: |
HDMI x2, 3.5mm, USB |
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Dimensions: |
11.4 x 12.7 x 6.1 inches (290 x 3232 x 154mm) |
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Weight: |
11.2 kilos (5kg) |
Yaber K3 projector assessment: Design & options
- 1600 ANSI lumens
- Google TV sensible interface
- Good cloth grill however cumbersome elsewhere
The Yaber K3’s cloth entrance grill provides it a barely extra premium look than its finances worth would recommend, however elsewhere it seems somewhat plain and oddly cumbersome trying. It measures 11.4 x 12.7 x 6.1 inches (290 x 3232 x 154mm) and requires a mains energy provide with no battery choices. There’s additionally a noticeable quantity of fan noise after prolonged viewing intervals.
The K3 has a specified 1080p decision and 1600 ANSI lumens brightness. It has a 1.2:1 throw ratio and matches screens from 40-200 inches. Auto and handbook keystone adjustment and object detection rely amongst its options, however I usually discovered that auto keystone was irritating and sometimes didn’t calibrate appropriately to the Optoma 80-inch transportable display screen I used to be utilizing for my exams. Handbook keystone correction can solely be carried out through the Yaber homepage and never whereas watching content material – one other facet I discovered irritating.
Regardless of its finances worth, it makes use of Google TV as a wise TV interface. This offers entry to a number of the best streaming services together with Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus. For connections, it has two HDMI ports, one USB-A port, a 3.5mm audio output and Bluetooth wi-fi.
The K3 has a surprisingly strong built-in speaker system for such a finances projector, with twin 15W JBL audio system totaling 30W of energy.
No gaming options are included on the K3. For these searching for a gaming projector, you’re higher off with one thing just like the BenQ X300G.
Yaber K3 projector assessment: Image & sound high quality
- Inconsistent image high quality
- Respectable sufficient colours
- Surprisingly punchy sound
For my testing, I used an Optoma 80-inch, 1.0 acquire matte white projection display screen. I first started by taking brightness measurements utilizing a colorimeter, and the K3 yielded outcomes of 109 nits and 93 nits in Commonplace and Pure image modes respectively, placing it above 4K transportable projectors such because the LG CineBeam Q (which yielded 60 nits in Filmmaker Mode).
Shifting on to important viewing, I first checked out an HD stream of Star Wars: The Final Jedi on Disney Plus, specializing in the throne room struggle scene. Colours had been pure sufficient, however they lacked any type of dynamic punch. Characters’ pores and skin tones additionally appeared washed out, even in probably the most correct Pure image mode (although there wasn’t a substantial amount of distinction between the assorted image modes). The identical was true for La La Land on Blu-ray, which confirmed pure colours but additionally inaccurate textures, though in some scenes particulars had been extra refined than I’d anticipated.
Subsequent, I watched a Blu-ray of The Batman to check black ranges and distinction. Whereas principally acceptable, I discovered some scenes tough to observe attributable to restricted brightness (specifically the opening crime scene investigation) even in blacked-out viewing circumstances. In brighter scenes, particulars had been clear and correct sufficient, however there was a grey wash over the display screen and textures nonetheless appeared fuzzy.
One space the place the K3 did effectively was with sports activities. Watching soccer matches in Sports activities mode, the motion was clean and correct sufficient that the video games had been watchable, although it gained’t beat extra premium projectors.
Whereas the K3’s image is common, its built-in sound is surprisingly good. Outfitted with a JBL speaker system totaling 30W of energy, the K3’s sound is punchy, detailed and clear. Watching the Batmobile chase sequence in The Batman, the sound of swerving automobiles was precisely offered, with a robust sense of route. The rumble of the Batmobile’s engine had a hefty quantity of bass and loads of energy, particularly for small built-in projector audio system.
Even La La Land’s dynamic, jazzy rating was offered with actual readability, with a superb steadiness between the horns, strings and vocals all through. Whereas the JBL speaker’s soundstage is restricted by its measurement, it’s nonetheless surprisingly efficient for a built-in speaker at this worth vary.
- Image and sound high quality: 3/5
Yaber K3 projector assessment: Worth
- Good projector for a finances worth
- Cheaper than most transportable projectors
- General efficiency is irritating
The $599 / £569 Yaber K3 is sweet worth for these searching for an inexpensive projector that gives entry to streaming providers through the Google TV sensible platform. It isn’t going to beat extra premium projectors and will even wrestle towards a number of the greatest transportable projectors, however for these searching for an informal projector, the K3 is a budget-friendly possibility.
Sadly, shortcomings within the K3’s image high quality and a few frustrations with setup resembling keystone correction maintain it again from being a finances gem. You’ll need to make some sacrifices, significantly with sound, on different transportable projectors such because the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2, however the Freestyle is probably going to offer you a extra constant expertise for the same worth.
Ought to I purchase the Yaber K3 projector?
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Attributes |
Notes |
Score |
|---|---|---|
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Design and options |
Google TV sensible interface and cloth grille, however problematic keystone options and sluggish software program |
3/5 |
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Image high quality & sound high quality |
Punchy built-in sound plus good brightness and pure colours however inconsistent in each facet with image |
3/5 |
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Worth |
A sensible projector at an inexpensive worth, however equally priced protable projectors in all probability a greater different |
3.5/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally contemplate
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Yaber K3 |
Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen |
Xgimi MoGo 3 Professional |
LG CineBeam Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Worth: |
$599/£569 |
$799/£549 |
$449 / £429 / AU$1,099 |
$799/£749 |
|
Display screen sizes supported: |
40 to 200 inches |
30 to 130 inches |
40 to 200 inches |
50-120 inches |
|
Brightness (specified): |
1600 ANSI lumens |
230 ANSI lumens |
450 ANSI lumens |
500 ANSI lumens |
|
HDR assist |
N/A |
HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
HDR10, HLG |
HDR10, HLG |
|
Optical know-how: |
LED |
LED, DLP |
LED, DLP |
RGB laser DLP |
|
Good TV: |
Google TV |
Tizen |
Google TV |
webOS |
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Connections: |
HDMI 2.0 x2, 3.5mm x1, Ethernet x1 |
Micro-HDMI, USB-C (energy) |
Micro-HDMI, USB-A, USB-C (energy), Bluetooth 5.1 |
HDMI, USB-C (show, energy) |
How I examined the Yaber K3 projector
- Examined with an Optoma 1.0 acquire, matte white 80-inch display screen
- Examined utilizing Blu-ray, streaming sources
- Measurements taken utilizing Portrait Shows’ Calman calibration software program
To check the Yaber K3 projector, I first used excessive definition and customary definition sources together with Blu-ray and streaming. I examined the K3’s image high quality, analyzing shade, distinction, black ranges, element and movement. I additionally evaluated its built-in JBL sound utilizing the identical reference scenes from films and TV reveals.
I used a colorimeter, check sample generator and Portrait Shows’ Calman color calibration software to file measurements for brightness, distinction ratio and shade and grayscale accuracy.
The projector was primarily examined in pitch-black circumstances in our testing room at TechRadar and in addition in full ambient mild settings to see the way it dealt with brighter viewing environments.