Updated 26 Oct 2026
Is the TCL A1s Projector worth it?
No — the picture is too dim and dull.
The built-in handle doubles as a tilting stand, it's light, it runs Google TV and it sets itself up with autofocus, auto keystone and obstacle avoidance. The picture lets it down: it's dim even in a dark room, blacks look grey, colours are muted and too cool, motion is choppy and the fan is loud. There's no battery, zoom or lens shift.
Good to know
- Dim even in a dark room.
- Grey blacks and muted, cool colours.
- Loud fan.
- No battery, zoom or lens shift.
- Handle doubles as a tilting stand
- Google TV built in
- Quick automatic setup
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Get it if…
- It's for occasional kids' films in a dark room.
- You want Google TV in a small box you can carry.
Skip it if…
- You want a picture that looks good.
- You want to use it away from a socket: there's no battery.
- You'll game on it: input lag is high.
More on the TCL A1s
How we reached this verdict
RTINGS rates it bad for home cinema and poor for gaming: poor brightness, sub-par contrast, dull and inaccurate colour, choppy motion, a loud fan and high input lag. It rates it good for portability, thanks to its small size, handle, carry case and automatic setup tools.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: RTINGS, TCL (specs), RTINGS, Expert Reviews, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 26 Oct 2026How we decide