ASUS ZenBeam L2 Portable Projector: 1080p, 960 lumens, built-in battery

The ASUS ZenBeam L2 is a portable LED projector that combines a Full HD image, a 10W speaker, a built-in battery and an Android TV box in one unit. It is meant for people who want a screen they can move from room to room, take to a meeting or set up in the garden without a pile of separate devices. Here is what its specs mean in practice.

What 960 lumens and 1080p mean

Lumens measure how much light the projector puts out. At 960 lumens, the L2 is a bright portable model, which typically works best in a dim or dark room. In a bright room, any projector of this class will look washed out unless the picture is small. Native 1080p means the image has 1920 x 1080 pixels, a sharp match for most films, games and presentations. ASUS adds that it is 4K compatible, which means it accepts a 4K signal, though the picture shown is still Full HD.

Auto keystone and auto focus

When a projector sits at an angle to the wall, the image becomes a trapezoid. Keystone correction squares it up. ASUS says the L2 corrects horizontally and vertically on its own, and that it focuses automatically. For a projector you move often, that saves time at each setup. Digital keystone correction can slightly reduce sharpness, so placing the projector as square to the screen as you can still helps.

Built-in streaming

The ZenBeam L2 includes a Google-certified Android 12 TV box, with the usual streaming apps available to install. It also has a built-in Bluetooth speaker with voice assistant support, and it supports Chromecast, so you can cast from a phone without extra hardware.

Connections and battery

The listing names HDMI, one USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt mode, a separate USB-C for charging and a USB Type-A output (5 V/1.5 A). That covers laptops, consoles and streaming sticks. The built-in battery is rated at about 3.5 hours by the brand. As with any battery estimate, brightness and volume affect how long it really lasts.

Design and carrying

It measures roughly 6.8 x 5.2 x 5.2 inches and weighs 3.5 lb. ASUS highlights a leather carrying handle and a blue and charcoal finish, and a storage bag is included. There are 26 picture modes, which the brand suggests for different uses from presentations to home entertainment.

Who it suits

It suits renters and small spaces, travellers who give presentations, and families who want a movie screen for the living room or yard. It is less suited to well-lit rooms or to people who need a very large picture in daylight.

What to check before you buy

• Room light: think about where you'll use it and how dark it can get.
• Throw distance: check the manual for how far from the wall you need to be for your preferred picture size.
• Surface: a plain light wall or a screen gives a better result than a textured one.
• Apps and accounts: confirm that the streaming services you use are available on the Android TV box.
• Power: if you plan to use it on battery, keep the charger nearby for longer sessions.

The short version

• A portable 1080p LED projector rated at 960 lumens.
• Auto keystone and auto focus.
• Android 12 TV box, Bluetooth speaker (10W) and Chromecast support.
• HDMI, USB-C and USB-A connections.
• Built-in battery rated at about 3.5 hours; 3.5 lb with a carrying handle.

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