NothingProjector NP One Smart : Test and Review
Published on: 28-06-2025 / Modified: 28-06-2025
I don't test many entry-level LCD projectors because sometimes I feel like I'm repeating myself like a parrot. I've just finished testing the Etoe Whale Pro, which ended in disappointment because the projector gave up the ghost before the end of the test. When NothingProjector asked me to test the NP One Smart, I wasn't too keen because I'd already tested similar projectors such as the Formovie Xming Episode One. What made me decide to test it anyway was that it's the first projector from the NothingProjector brand. Up until now, they've only sold screens, and I've never been disappointed by their quality. The second reason is that this projector is sold at the ridiculous price of 199€... If it's at least as good as the Formovie Xming, it's going to put a big slap in the face of all the entry-level LCDs to be found on Aliexpress or other sites of this type
Where to buy
The NothingProjector NP One Smart is available on the official NothingProjector website:
NothingProjector One Smart
It will probably also be available on Amazon.
Manufacturer web site:
https://nothingprojector.com?sca_ref=4432668.8PzggJJTbn
Price NothingProjector NP One Smart
Not yet available / testedTimeline
June 25, 2025: receipt of NP One SmartJune 28, 2025: test begins, full test available one week later
Why this projector?
Not yet available / testedUnpacking
The box for the NothingProjector NP One Smart video projector is pretty basic, containing the essentials you need. Obviously, there's the projector, neatly packaged, a transformer and power cable, a remote control (supplied without batteries, 2x AAA) and a manual. The box doesn't give away the fact that this is a projector for under €200
Operating system
This projector runs on Google TV and that's a very good thing, because it's the best operating system for projectors. It offers an experience designed to be controlled by remote control or voice, and streaming applications are very well integrated into the interface. So you can search across multiple apps and browse catalogs in a more unified way. Netflix is natively compatible, so you won't have to install an unofficial app to be able to watch your favorite series
Google TV also offers a wide range of image settings, and while this probably won't be the most exciting feature for the average person, these settings will give you better image quality and give you another reason to buy this projector rather than another low-cost LCD projector.
Finish
The NP One Smart has the same format in every respect as the Formovie Xming Episode One I tested last year. It also bears a striking resemblance to a Wupro projector whose name I've forgotten. I think that from a technical point of view, these projectors are more or less the same.
This projector measures 17 cm in height, 14 cm in depth and 11.5 cm in width. This means it's discreet enough to take with you wherever you go. If it were equipped with a battery, it would undoubtedly compete with XGIMI's Mogo range. It weighs in at 1268 grams. With its reduced dimensions and featherweight, this projector is sure to travel from room to room or with you on the move.
The optical compartment is huge, and as this is an LCD projector, you won't have the usual problems present on entry-level LED projectors. No grid effect and no rainbow effect. On the other hand, sharpness is likely to diminish around the periphery of the image, but I'll come back to this point later in the test.
On the top, there's just one button to switch the projector on. You won't be able to use the projector without a remote control
On the sides, there are large openings in the projector's secondary color. These openings are not decorative; their purpose is to evacuate heat from the projector. This type of projector often uses a lamp that generates quite a lot of heat, so it's necessary to dissipate the heat with fans and vents of this type. The integration of these grilles is quite aesthetic, a far cry from the car grille-type grilles found on some other entry-level projectors.
Sound is diffused on both sides, I haven't received the technical specifications, we're probably on a 2x10 watt or less configuration here
On the rear, there's a large grill for heat management, a reminder of the brand with the secondary color and connectivity limited to the minimum with an HDMI port, a USB-A port, a headphone output and a power port
The remote control is basic but does the job. The buttons have enough relief to make repeating easy
Projection room
My projection room is rectangular, 4.6m by 2.9m (height 2.2m). I have two projection walls, one white wall 2.9m wide with just white paint with a possible 4m setback. I then have a 133 inch ALR screen on another wall with a possible setback of 2.8m. I mainly use the ALR screen except when the layout or type of projector is not suitable for this situation.Battery autonomy
This projector is not fitted with a battery, and as it is powered by a dedicated power cable, it is not possible to charge it with a USB battery either.Power consumption
Not yet available / testedOperating noise
Not yet available / testedImage quality
Not yet available / testedColorimetry
More explanations on colorimetry
Measuring color fidelity (colorimetry) is not a subjective question, it is something completely measurable. This measurement is carried out with a device (colorimeter, spectrometer, ...) which measures the difference between the real color and the displayed color. This difference is expressed in delta E (abbreviation: dE). A dE greater than 3 indicates a deviation perceptible to the human eye.
The dE must therefore be as low as possible but projectors rarely have a dE lower than 3 out of the box. They are often between 5 and 10, only a calibration can correctly adjust the colors.
For a perfect calibration, you must call a professional. I give you my parameters which correspond to my situation. These settings might work for your situation but it is not a guarantee, so take them as an indication of the direction to follow.
Not yet available / tested
Brightness
More explanations on brightness
The brightness for a projector is absolutely crucial. The brightness is measured in ANSI lumens and the values provided by the manufacturer are very often higher than reality.
I measure the brightness with a lux meter and I convert my measurements into ANSI lumens in relation to the projection surface. You thus obtain a real value.
A video projector, even if it is bright, cannot compete with a television. The contribution of light (natural or artificial) will have the effect of drastically reducing the contrast of your image. With a brightness lower than 1000 ANSI lumens, the projector must be used in total darkness.
Not yet available / tested
Sharpness
Not yet available / tested
Contrast
More explanations on contrast
Contrast (on/off) is used to measure the difference between white and black. This measurement gives an indication of the ability of a projector to produce a good rendering in dark scenes.
A contrast lower than 500:1 should be considered as a very low contrast and the consequence will be especially visible in dark scenes where you will lose details. This is less of a problem for sports, bright films or even cartoons.
A low contrast ratio does not mean that a projector is not usable, you just have to be aware that for films like Aliens, dark scenes will no longer allow you to distinguish details.
Not yet available / tested
Motion compensation
More on Motion Compensation (MEMC)
Many projectors use a frequency of 60 Hz, which means that they broadcast 60 frames per second. Many films were designed to broadcast 24 frames per second. This means that for each second, the film does not have enough frames to fill the 60 frames broadcast by the projector.
This most often results in a jerkiness in the image. Some projectors are able to attenuate this jerkiness with a motion compensation system (also called MEMC). If you abuse this compensation, you will get what is called the 'soap opera' effect which makes the image a little artificial like the TV series of the 80s.
Not yet available / tested
Image size and projection distance
More explanations on the projection distance
The projection distance determines the size of the image and the size of the image is determined by the projector's throw ratio. If a projector has a throw ratio of 1.2, it will have an image width of 83 cm with possibly a gray border.
The distance also plays a role in the brightness because the brightness decreases with the square of the distance. A projector placed at 4 meters will therefore lose 4 times more brightness than a projector placed at 2 meters.
Keystone image correction does not modify the projection cone, it resizes the image inside the projection cone. This means that in the event of a significant correction, you will see a large gray border appear around your image.
Not yet available / tested
Screen choice
Not yet available / tested
Audio quality
More explanations on audio quality
I use several types of music tracks to illustrate the sound quality of the projector but the rendering will always be limited by the recording device. Since I always use the same device, you will be able to compare the difference on the same basis.
I regularly use well-known songs protected by copyright to illustrate the sound quality of a video projector. It therefore sometimes happens that YouTube decides to block my videos for these reasons. In this case, you can listen to the soundtracks directly on YouTube and hope that YouTube has not completely blocked my channel.
Not yet available / tested
Video games
More explanations video games
To be able to play in good conditions with a projector, the latency must be low. Latency is the reaction time between pressing a button on your controller and the reaction on the screen, this latency is expressed in milliseconds and is also called 'input lag'.
I measure this latency with a specialized device. To be able to play fast-paced FPS-type games online, you need to obtain a latency of less than 30 ms. For games where the reaction time is less important, a latency of less than 100ms should be suitable for most situations.
I generally test ShadowRunner from Geforce Now on my Nvidia Shield except when this is not possible. I'm not used to playing with a controller, so I'm not very good at it, but the point is to show the projector's ability, not mine.
Not yet available / tested
Encoutered bugs
Not yet available / testedALR/CLR Projection screen
Are you looking for a good ALR/CLR screen for your projector? I may have what you need:ALR/CLR NothingProjector Screen
Test / Review conclusion
Not yet available / testedStrengths
Not yet available / tested
Weaknesses
Not yet available / tested
LAURENT WILLENHead of myself on this blog
I share my passions on my blog in my free time since 2006, I prefer that to watching nonsense on TV or on social networks. I work alone, I am undoubtedly one of the last survivors of the world of blogs and personal sites.
My speciality? Digital in all its forms. I have spent the last 25 years working for multinationals where I managed digital teams and generated revenues of over €500 million per year. I have expertise in telecoms, media, aviation, travel and tourism.
Questions/Comments