Yaber K3 projector review: an affordable smart projector that delivers good sound but sub-par picture quality
The Yaber K3 is a budget smart projector that offers 1080p resolution, brightness of 1600 ANSI Lumens, and built-in access to streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus. Although it conveys good voice and Google The cheaper TV smart interface, inconsistent picture quality, and there are several other problems.
Smart projectors like the Yaber K3, priced at $599/£569, are an attractive prospect, especially when it can light up a 40-200-inch screen. Although its characteristics are not as good as Best projectorbuilt-in Wi-Fi and nice built-in speakers are hard to find in this price range. However, other key features of the K3, such as its automatic Keystone correction and processing, are also dull and often frustrating. Players will also be better at finding other places.
The image quality of the K3 is a very mixed bag. It sometimes shows natural colors and enough detail and performs well in sports. But the contrast is very weak and the black level is washed away. K3’s image quality will never be with Best 4K projectorbut even with some Best portable projector,For example Samsung Freestyle Gen 2, K3 pictures struggle.
What the K3 is good at is its sound, as the built-in JBL speakers have powerful and powerful features, especially in this budget price range. And one of them The best speakers Still recommended, some people won’t find that one needs to be added, especially for casual viewing.
Fundamentally, the Yaber K3 is suitable for those looking for smart projectors at affordable prices for occasional movie nights. Although it packs as much as it can into a budget-friendly framework, it’s not the bargaining gem that would have been possible.
Yaber K3 Projector Review: Price and Release Date
- Price: $599/£569 (approximately $942)
- First available: September 2024
The Yaber K3 is a 1080p smart projector, and the Yaber K2 series is both carried out. The K3 costs $599/£569 (approximately AUD 942 on the direct exchange), putting it at the end of the budget of the projector spectrum, directly with the portable projector (e.g. Samsung Freestyle Generation 2 The standard price for (also a 1080p smart projector) is $749/£649.
Since its release in September 2024, the Yaber K3 has had some discounts, with prices falling to $499/£465 during the sales event. This is similar to the discounts received by Samsung Freestyle, as it is often priced at $549/£499 during sales activities.
Yaber K3 Projector Review: Specifications
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Supports screen size: |
40-200 inches |
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Brightness (specified): |
1600 ANSI lumens |
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HDR support: |
N/A. |
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Optical technology: |
LED, DLP |
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Smart TV: |
Google TV |
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connect: |
HDMI X2, 3.5mm, USB |
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aspect: |
11.4 x 12.7 x 6.1 inches (290 x 3232 x 154mm) |
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weight: |
11.2 lbs (5kg) |
Yaber K3 Projector Review: Design and Features
- 1600 ANSI lumens
- Google TV smart interface
- Beautiful cloth grill, but bulky elsewhere
The Yaber K3’s fabric front grill has a slightly higher appearance than the premium look at the budget price, but it looks a bit simple and clumsy elsewhere. It measures 11.4 x 12.7 x 6.1 inches (290 x 3232 x 154mm), requires a power supply with power supply and no battery option. After the extended viewing period, there is also a lot of fan noise.
The K3 has a specified 1080p resolution and a brightness of 1600 ANSI lumens. It has a 1.2:1 throw ratio, which fits 40-200-inch screens. Automatic and manual cornerstone adjustments and object detection are in the number between their features, but I usually find the automatic cornerstone frustrating and often don’t calibrate properly the Optoma 80-inch portable screen I use for testing. Manual Keystone correction can only be done through the Yaber homepage, not while watching content – another aspect of my frustration.
Despite its budget price, it uses Google TV as a smart TV interface. This provides access to certain The best streaming service Includes Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus. For connection, it has two HDMI ports, a USB-A port, a 3.5mm audio output and Bluetooth wireless.
The K3 has a surprisingly powerful built-in speaker system that can be used in such budget projectors, while the dual 15W JBL speakers total 30W.
The game features are not included on K3. For those looking for a gaming projector, you’d better choose something like Benq X300G.
Yaber K3 Projector Review: Picture and Sound Quality
- Inconsistent picture quality
- Enough color
- Unexpected sound
For testing, I used an Optoma 80-inch, 1.0 gain matte white projection screen. I first used a colorimetric table for brightness measurements, and K3 produced 109 and 93 columns in standard and natural picture modes, respectively, put it on 4K Portable projectors, e.g. LG Cinebeam Q (produces 60 NITs in film producer mode).
Continuing with critical viewing, I first checked the HD stream Star Wars: The last Jedi On Disney Plus, focus on the battle scene in the throne room. The colors are natural enough, but they lack any dynamic impact. Even in the most accurate natural picture mode, the character’s skin tone is washed away (although there is no big difference between the various picture modes). The same is true La La Land It shows natural colors on blue light, but also inaccurate textures, although in some scenes the details are more refined than I expected.
Next, I saw a blue light Batman Test black levels and contrast. While most acceptable, I found some scenes difficult to watch due to limited brightness (i.e., opening crime scene investigation). In brighter scenes, the details are clear and accurate, but there is a gray wash on the screen and the texture remains blurred.
One area where K3 performs well is sports. Watch football in sports mode, smooth and accurate, and can watch the game, although it won’t beat more advanced projectors.
Although the K3’s pictures are average, its built-in sound is surprisingly good. The K3’s sound is equipped with a JBL speaker system with a total power of 30W, which is powerful, detailed and clear. Watch the Batmobile Chase Sequence Batmanprecisely presents the sound of a curved car and has a strong sense of direction. The rumble of the Batmobile engine has a lot of bass and enough power, especially for small built-in projector speakers.
even La La LandA good balance is achieved across the corner, string, string and vocals, showing a vibrant jazz score. Although the scale of the JBL speakers is limited by their size, it is still surprising for built-in speakers in this price range.
- Picture and sound quality: 3/5
Yaber K3 Projector Review: Value
- Smart projector with budget price
- Cheaper than most portable projectors
- Overall performance is frustrating
The $599/569 Yaber K3 is a good value for those looking for an affordable projector that can provide streaming services via Google TV Smart Platform. It won’t beat more premium projectors and may even fight some of the best portable projectors, but for those looking for casual projectors, the K3 is a budget-friendly option.
Unfortunately, the drawbacks of the K3’s image quality and some frustration with settings like Keystone Correction prevent it from becoming a budget gem. You have to make some sacrifices on other portable projectors like the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2, especially on sound, but freestyle will likely give you a more consistent experience for a similar price.
Should I buy a Yaber K3 projector?
|
property |
notes |
grade |
|---|---|---|
|
Design and Function |
Google TV smart interface and fabric grille, but problematic Keystone features and slow software |
3/5 |
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Picture quality and sound quality |
Strong built-in sound plus good brightness and natural colors, but inconsistent with the picture in every way |
3/5 |
|
value |
A smart projector at a reasonable price, but a similarly priced matching projector may be a better choice |
3.5/5 |
If…buy it
if…
Consider it too
| Header Unit – Column 0 |
Yaber K3 |
Samsung freestyle second generation |
XGIMI MOGO 3 PRO |
LG Clobeam Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
price: |
$599/£569 |
$799/£549 |
$449 / £429 / au $1,099 |
$799/£749 |
|
Supports screen size: |
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 support |
N/A. |
HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
HDR10, HLG |
HDR10, HLG |
|
Optical technology: |
Lead |
LED, DLP |
LED, DLP |
RGB laser DLP |
|
Smart TV: |
Google TV |
Thyssen |
Google TV |
Webos |
|
connect: |
HDMI 2.0 x2, 3.5mm x1, Ethernet x1 |
Micro-HDMI, USB-C (Power) |
Micro-HDMI, USB-A, USB-C (Power), Bluetooth 5.1 |
HDMI, USB-C (display, power supply) |
How do I test a Yaber K3 projector
- Tested with Optoma 1.0 Gain, Matte White 80-inch Screen
- Using Blu-ray, Flow Source Test
- Measurements using Calman calibration software for portrait display
To test the Yaber K3 projector, I first used HD and standard defined sources, including Blu-ray and streaming. I tested K3’s image quality, analyzing color, contrast, black levels, details and movement. I also evaluated its built-in JBL sound using the same reference scenes in movies and TV shows.
I used color chart, test pattern generator and portrait display’ Kalman color calibration software To record measurements of brightness, contrast and color, and grayscale accuracy.
The projector is mainly tested in the dark conditions in our test room in Techradar and in the complete ambient lighting settings to see how it handles a brighter viewing environment.
