Great picture, clever, affordable: The Dangbei MP1 Max is a flexible top projector

With the MP1 Max, Dangbei offers a laser LED projector that offers a lot for a relatively low price. In practical tests, it delivers a very good, bright image and proves to be versatile and extremely flexible.

Laser projectors are advancing rapidly, with devices becoming increasingly better and more affordable. There's also a lot happening in the upper mid-range segment, as the Anker Nebula X1 recently impressively demonstrated on ntv.de. Another exciting newcomer is the Dangbei MP1 Max, which is even more affordable at around €1,900. ntv.de put the projector to the test to see what it's capable of.

The projector comes in a sturdy carrying case made of EPP rigid foam, which means it doesn't require a permanent stand. Its compact and lightweight dimensions of 246.7 × 296 × 230 mm and 5.6 kg make it particularly compact for a projector in its class.

Sophisticated stand

The MP1 Max also proves to be extremely flexible in its location. The high-quality workmanship throughout features an integrated stand that allows it to be tilted continuously by 135 degrees and rotated by 360 degrees. This allows the projector to be set up almost anywhere; all it needs is a flat surface. It also has a thread on the bottom that allows it to be screwed onto a tripod.

If the projector isn't projecting the image directly onto a wall or screen, that's not a problem either. It not only focuses the image automatically, but also compensates for keystone distortion, adjusts the image size to fit projection surfaces, and automatically avoids obstacles on the wall. Manual adjustments are possible, but this wasn't necessary in our testing.

Quickly set up

After turning it on for the first time, you'll initially only have a sharp image; all other settings can only be adjusted after setup. But you don't have to stare at a distorted trapezoid for long; it's all done in just a few minutes.

The Dangbei MP1 Max comes with Google TV built in, offering largely the same capabilities as a smart TV. If you don't want that, you can also use it as a pure projector. If you already have a Google account, scan a displayed code with your smartphone and then follow the instructions.

Smart with many possibilities

During setup, you can install Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video, among others. The included remote control also has dedicated buttons for launching the apps directly. RTL+ , media libraries, games, and many other applications can be found in the App Store.

For game consoles, Blu-ray players, and other playback devices, you'll find two HDMI 2.1 inputs on the back, one of which is eARC-capable. There's also a USB-A port and a jack for headphones or speakers. You can also connect accessories such as soundbars via Bluetooth (5.2 LE) or stream content from smartphones or other devices to the projector via Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6).

The image produced by the Dangbei MP1 Max, which uses a laser-LED combination via a 0.47-inch DMD chip, doesn't disappoint either. According to the specifications, it's supposed to deliver up to 3100 ISO lumens of brightness.

Bright display, but economical

One should be cautious with such manufacturer specifications, but for its price range, the brightness of the MP1 Max is impressive. In our test, even the Eco mode was sufficient for an undarkened room without direct sunlight. The projector consumed around 110 watts, compared to around 150 watts in standard mode. You can also set it to maximum performance, but the fan makes a roaring noise, and the picture doesn't really improve. Otherwise, the cooling system is practically inaudible, even close to the projector.

Normally, you can leave the brightness to the automatic setting, which does a reliable job. This allows you to enjoy movies with HDR10 or HDR10+ even in darkened rooms. The MP1 Max impresses not only with good contrast, but also with bright, yet realistic colors. We liked the Standard mode best in our test, and the Movie mode is also very pleasant in the dark.

Suitable for gaming

Additionally, the special game mode has proven itself in combination with a PlayStation 5, enabling the projector to deliver smooth motion without blurring and other issues with low latency and refresh rates of up to 240 Hz at Full HD resolution. However, the device cannot meet the highest gaming demands.

In our test, no interference was detected even in standard mode with action movies in 4K resolution, which the Dangbei MP1 Max upscales from HD resolution using AI (pixel shifting). This is also common with much more expensive devices.

Projections look good up to 150 inches diagonal. The projector achieves its highest quality at 100 inches, which corresponds to a distance of 2.7 meters from the projection surface. It shouldn't be placed any closer than 1.7 meters, as the image will then be 40 inches.

Good sound, expert settings

Good to know: Those familiar with the settings will find a surprising number of fine-tuning options in the expert settings. Among other things, you can adjust colors, white balance, and local contrast, as well as select the color space.

The sound from the two integrated 12-watt speakers is better than that of many TVs and is perfectly adequate for quick viewing. However, even though the projector supports Dolby Audio and DTS:X, it's worth connecting a soundbar or other external speakers.

Conclusion

Overall, the Dangbei MP1 Max offers excellent value for money. It projects a good image with comparatively high brightness. With Google TV and ample connectivity options, it's versatile, and its clever stand and compact size make it flexible and portable.