TCL A1s Review: The Portable Projector That Gets the Basics Right

By Editorial Team | April 2026

The TCL A1s is the rare portable projector that feels designed for real life, not spec-sheet bragging. It wins on simplicity: Google TV is built in, Netflix actually works properly, and the handle-and-stand design makes setup far less annoying than the usual portable projector routine.

Our pick: TCL A1s

TCL A1s — £333.00

This is the projector to buy if you want a fuss-free bedroom or small-room movie setup and you do not want to bolt on extra streaming boxes. Our score: 7.3/10. The appeal is not that it beats every rival on raw image quality; it is that it removes the usual friction and still gets the important stuff right. You turn it on, pick an app, and watch.

Why it works:

• Native 1080p gives you a properly sharp Full HD image for films and streaming, so it does not look like a toy.
• Google TV is built in, with officially licensed Netflix support, so you can skip the awkward workaround that cheaper projectors often force on you.
• Dual 8W speakers with Dolby Digital audio are strong enough for casual viewing, which means you can use it without immediately budgeting for a soundbar.
• Auto focus, keystone correction, screen alignment, and obstacle avoidance take most of the pain out of moving it from room to room.

The honest trade-off: 600 ISO lumens is fine for dark rooms and evening viewing, but it is not a daylight machine, and there is no battery.

If that sounds like your use case, buy the TCL A1s.

Best upgrade: XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro — around £400

The upgrade buys you a better-known rival in the portable projector category with strong streaming credentials and a little more headroom for people who care about getting the nicest all-round portable cinema setup for around this price. TechRadar currently places it among the better portable options, and it is the kind of step up that makes sense if you want a more polished premium mini-projector experience and do not mind paying more for it.

Worth it if: you want a slightly better portable projector and are happy to spend extra for a more established rival rather than the cheaper convenience-first route.

Best budget pick: TCL A1

TCL A1 — around £295

The cheaper TCL A1 gets you into the same general idea for less money, and that matters if you mainly want a simple projector for occasional movie nights. The trade-off is exactly what you would expect at the lower price: less brightness and fewer refinements than the A1s, so you are buying convenience on a tighter budget rather than the better-balanced model.

Worth it if: you want the cheapest straightforward TCL streaming projector and can live with a more compromised picture.

How we chose

We focused on the things that matter most for a portable streaming projector: image sharpness, usable brightness, built-in smart TV support, audio quality, and how much setup hassle you have to endure every time you move it. We also checked current rivals and pricing to make sure the alternatives were real, available, and relevant to buyers in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

Is the TCL A1s good for daytime use? No. 600 ISO lumens is enough for darkened rooms, but daylight and bright living rooms will wash it out.

Is £333 too much for this projector? Not if you want built-in Google TV and proper Netflix support without adding extra boxes. If you only care about image brightness, spend the money elsewhere.

Does it need a lot of maintenance? No — TCL quotes a 30,000-hour light source life and a sealed optical path, so this is built for low-fuss ownership rather than constant tinkering.