Optoma UHL55 Projector Review: A Budget-Friendly 4K LED Option for Home Theaters?

First Impressions​

The Optoma UHL55 presents a compact and modern design that is visually appealing and practical for various setups. It has a solid build quality and is lightweight enough to be considered portable, making it suitable for both home use and taking to different locations. The projector’s clean lines and minimalist aesthetic allow it to fit seamlessly into most home entertainment setups. However, its size, while manageable at around seven pounds, is slightly bulkier than some ultra-portable alternatives, but it comes with a carrying strap and a backpack case, enhancing its portability.

Introduce​

Parameter
Optoma UHL55 Projector​
Picture​
OptomaUHL55Projector.jpg
Reference Price​
Recommended Uses​
Gaming​
Built-In Media​
UHL55 projector, power adapter with cable, HDMI cable, Bluetooth remote, quick start guide and warranty card​
Highlight
Voice assistant compatible: Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility enable intuitive voice control for powering on and off, changing volume, changing input source and controlling the USB media player.Noise Level:28 dB
Ultimate room-to-room projector: The UHL55's portable size makes it easy to carry anywhere; a removable handle and Backpack are included with purchase for safe, easy transport
Stream Netflix and more: smart TV apps and downloadable apps via Optoma marketplace enable internet streaming capabilities from your favorite streaming services including Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Firefox and more
Built-in Bluetooth speaker: connect portable devices to the UHL55 and take advantage of the excellent room-filling audio system via Bluetooth
Hdr compatible: HDR10 technology with dci-p3 wide color gamut support displays everything in the rec. 2020 colors to match Television and Film quality; also Providing brighter whites, deeper blacks, and greater color depth
Variety of inputs: connect with most media players, gaming consoles, PCs, Macs, and mobile devices with input options such as HDMI 2. 0 inputs with HDCP 2. 2 support, HDMI 4K, USB, VGA, and more

Display​

Parameter
Optoma UHL55 Projector​
Screen Size​
30 Inches - 200 Inches​
Throw Distance​
2.6 Feet - 17.4 Feet​
Contrast Ratio​
250000:1​
Native Resolution​
3840 x 2160​
Brightness​
1500 Lumen​
Display Type​
LCD​
Picture Enhancement​
XPR UHD, HDR10, PureColor, PureMotion, DLP​
Viewing Experience
The picture quality delivered by the UHL55 is impressive, especially given its price point. It boasts vibrant colors and sharp 4K resolution, making for an engaging viewing experience, particularly in darker environments. With 1500 LED lumens, the projector performs decently well in low-light conditions, but struggles in brightly lit rooms. Many users have noted that while it excels in color saturation, the brightness level may not satisfy those looking to watch content in full daylight. The projector also has a tendency to wash out dark scenes, which can detract from the overall viewing experience during such settings.

Features​

Parameter
Optoma UHL55 Projector​
Video Encoding​
H.265​
LightSource Life​
15000 Hours​
Controller Type​
google_assistant, amazon_alexa​
Control Method​
Voice​
Lamp Wattage​
125 Watts​
Wattage​
8​
Connectivity Technology​
USB​
Hardware Connectivity​
VGA, USB​
Compatible Devices​
Smartphone, Tablet​
Other Features​
Auto focus and auto keystone for easy place and play, Compact voice-assistant compatible projection​
System Experience
Setting up the UHL55 was straightforward, although some initial configurations may require a bit of effort, particularly regarding app installations and remote control configurations. The projector features an Android-based operating system which allows for sideloading apps via the Optoma TapCast app, a unique aspect that opens up a broader range of software options compared to typical Android TV setups. However, it lacks native support for some popular apps, and the limited selection in the Optoma app store can be a drawback. The auto-focus feature is somewhat hit-or-miss depending on distance, and users may need to rely on manual adjustments for optimal results.

User Feedback​

Pros:
• Excellent picture quality with vibrant colors and sharp 4K resolution.
• Lightweight and portable design, easy to transport.
• Quiet fan operation and decent built-in speakers.
• Ability to sideload apps expands functionality beyond the native app store.
• Good value for the price, especially during sales.

Cons:
• Limited native app selection with compatibility issues.
• Brightness may not be sufficient for daytime viewing.
• Autofocus feature is unreliable beyond short distances.
• Some users report issues with remote control responsiveness.
• No audio return channel (ARC) support for HDMI ports.

Overall Impression:
Overall, the Optoma UHL55 stands out as a commendable option for those seeking an affordable 4K projector with smart features. Despite its limitations in brightness and app compatibility, it offers exceptional image quality for its price, particularly in controlled lighting environments. While the projector presents some quirks, such as a somewhat clunky user interface and minor issues with autofocus, its strengths in picture quality and portability make it a worthwhile investment for casual viewers and home theater enthusiasts alike. Given its competitive pricing—especially when discounted—the UHL55 is a solid choice for anyone looking to enhance their viewing experience without breaking the bank.
 

eat_a_burrito

New member
3.5 stars
- UHL55 only has a fixed zoom lens
- Smart features are kinda meh
- Picture quality is pretty good right away
- At $749, it's not a bad buy!
 

wilson-bentley

New member
Awesome product with a killer price-to-performance ratio! Just docked a star because it doesn't have horizontal keystone adjustment.
 

DealsFishman

New member
Bought it from S. Korea and Amazon got it to me super quick! It was supposed to arrive by the end of the month, but I got it a week and a half early.

And the project? Just awesome!
 

DealsFishman

New member
I got this about 8 months ago and I don't use it much. But when I turn it on, my skin starts itching. Not sure if it's some kind of radiation. Also, it shows green dots when I start it up, but that goes away after a few restarts. The picture quality is pretty good, though!
 

NetworkingJesus

New member
This is a budget-friendly 4K LED projector. The picture quality is decent, but it’s a bit dim, so you'll need to keep the lights down for movie time. The sound is just okay, but it gets loud enough. It's super portable, so you can easily move it around the house!
 

mvppaulo

New member
Half the apps are a bust, and the only way to cast is by mirroring from your phone, which makes your phone useless. The picture and sound are great, but the OS is a joke. Alexa barely works—1 in 10 tries—and the controls are super limited. You have to hook it up with HDMI, but honestly, it's just not worth it. I've seen $50 projectors that are way better!
 
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