Sit back and watch with a smart projector: AOPEN QH12a Projector review

One of the advantages that quality smart TVs have over projectors is that they usually have an operating system (OS) that allows them to be used for much more than just watching television, but the AOPEN QH12a appears to close the gap. Compared to a standard projector that can only replicate what it's connected to, this oddly-shaped device has an OS of its own, allowing it to make use of apps such as YouTube and Spotify without needing to connect to anything else.

The QH12a can still act as a typical projector, using HDMI or another connection to display its contents wider onto a wall or ceiling. However, the real draw here is the OS. If you don't watch much television by itself and tend to prefer other features such as streaming, this projector might be an alternative to your TV.

That's a lofty goal, so before going any deeper, it's best to raise a few questions. What's it like to actually use this projector? What are its strengths, weaknesses, and unique quirks? And is it worth your money? We're here to answer those questions and more.

We've had one of our tech experts, Kyle Purves, test the AOPEN QH12a projector. They're well-versed in what makes for quality viewing, so they know what to look out for in a projector like this. Paying close attention to the QH12a's features and ease of use, they are now very familiar with where it succeeds and falls short, and and are ready to share their findings.

All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.

User Experience

Overall design

Whereas some projectors are built short and wide, and others are tall and thin, the QH12a is cube-shaped. It's a striking design choice and one that I do find myself quite liking. It means that it's neither too large nor too wide, and combined with its reasonable weight, it keeps it portable. There is a small strap attached to it, but I found little use for it.

The ports sit opposite the lens, with connections available for HDMI, AUX, AV, and USB, as well as the power connector. That's a very practical set of options, ensuring you should always be able to pair the QH12a up with a device through some method. There's also Bluetooth compatibility.

Controls and set up

Sitting atop the projector is a set of controls. The most notable ones are the power on/off and directional inputs. This allows you to navigate through menus without needing a remote, although I did struggle to get a consistent response from the "OK" part. It's a nice design inclusion but far from the best method.

For much more practical controls, use the included remote. It requires two AAA batteries (not included), but then it's ready to use. I much preferred using the remote to control the projector. As long as it was pointed in the general area, it was very responsive.

Alongside the usual button inclusions such as directions, volume and input, there are also controls for other functions. The focus buttons are fantastic, and I will discuss these more later. There's also a mouse mode for the remote, which allows you to turn on a cursor if you prefer to navigate like that. It can be handy for the occasional app, but I found it to be more cumbersome than just using the directional inputs.

Menu navigation

With the OS being one of the most unique aspects of the QH12a, I was very interested in seeing how it would be in practice. After all, if it was clunky and cumbersome to navigate, then it would only serve as an obstacle that gets in the way of the projector's functions. Thankfully, this is not the case, as I found the OS to be intuitive to use.

If you're familiar with a smart TV OS, then the QH12a will feel similar. The homepage displays the most notable apps, such as streaming services like YouTube or Prime Video, with labels at the top to help refine what type of app you're looking for. It's easy to use and simple to navigate, so there's no learning curve. Plus, it all runs very smoothly as well, with minimal lag between input and action, so browsing is never a slog.

Focus and picture quality

While I was initially doubtful of the image quality that a projector could produce, I was very impressed by the QH12a. With a 1280 x 720p resolution, it's able to maintain an HD output, so it will feel like a great improvement over other standard-definition projectors. It's not too uncommon for modern TVs and monitors to manage a 2K or 4K resolution, but the HD picture from this device is still a cut above its peers. Videos and shows were visually solid without needing to tweak any settings in a menu.

One setting you will need to adjust is the focus, but the remote is cleverly designed to include that as a pair of buttons. The F+ and F+ controls allow you to zoom the focus in and out, so no matter how far away you have the projector from a surface, you'll be able to get an image that is clear and distinct. This was especially handy for me, as I tended to move the projector between multiple rooms and setups, so I appreciated that there was never a struggle to get the focus right.

The 135 lumens brightness is okay for the most part, although I did find it a bit limiting for the range of the projector. The focus works for distances that the brightness struggles with, so unless you have a plain, preferably white wall to use it on, you might find it to be a bit dark at times. That all said, the brightness is still good enough in most cases, and the instances where I thought the QH12a was dim were fairly few and far between.

I also want to note that while you can point the QH12a at a ceiling, it tends to display a message complaining about the angle. Combined with the placement of the power cable, it is likely not designed for vertical viewing, but it is still possible if you ignore the message.

Sound and speakers

The speakers in the QH12a are not the most impressive on paper, sporting about a 3W output, but in practice, I found them to be more than sufficient. Compared to a TV or even a smartphone's speakers, the sound quality occasionally comes across as a bit tinny, but it rarely bothered me.

Considering most projectors don't come with built-in speakers, I wasn't expecting much from them. As such, I was pleasantly surprised by how decent they actually were. Both dialogue and music were easy on the ears. Don't expect audio brilliance, but for a projector, it performs better than it needs to.

Any downsides?

Despite the strengths of the QH12a, it has some rather apparent flaws, and none are more obvious than its power supply cable. Unlike other smaller designs that can hold a charge, this projector needs to be plugged in at all times. While that's fine for plenty, the included cable here is very short, and I was frequently struggling to get the projector elevated to a decent height because of it. If you don't have access to a socket right next to where you want to place it, it will likely be an ordeal trying to get it working at a decent angle.

A lesser yet still notable issue is the fans. It's natural that a device of this size running an OS would need a cooling system and that it would make some noise, but it can be a distraction at times. It never brought me out of what I was watching, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was more disruptive for others.

Despite the efforts of the fans, the QH12a still runs quite hot. Even after just ten or so minutes, I could feel a difference on the surface it was on, so I advise keeping it off soft surfaces such as carpet.

Price and competition

At £129.99, I would say that the QH12a is fairly priced. Even with its handful of faults, the overall projector is still excellent value for money. It may be a bit pricier compared to a standard projector, but when you factor in the OS and the compact size, the fact that the QH12a is the price that it is becomes quite impressive.

A similarly sized projector would be the Nebula Capsule Air. It's another smart projector, although it runs Google TV OS and has a battery life that sets it apart. The familiar OS, more portable design, slightly better audio, and the fact it isn't limited by a cable are fantastic, but the trade-off is that it costs about £400.

That's why, even though the QH12a has some flaws, I can't fault it too much. The steep price increase to get a device with a few improvements makes the value-for-money of this projector all the more apparent.

Who is it for?

If I were to name any demographic for the QH12a projector, it would have to be students. Student flats often have blank walls that aren't supposed to have anything put up on them, so the projection space shouldn't be an issue. Plus, the relatively portable size of the cube means they can take it to another space, whether that's the living room or a bedroom. It's also a lot more budget-friendly compared to a TV, so that's bound to be appealing.

Of course, all of the above doesn't exclusively apply to students, so if any of it sounds like it matches your case, then the QH12a will be perfect for you too.

Would we recommend it?

Yes, we would recommend this, so long as the issues don't outweigh the benefits for you. This is not a replacement for a TV, but if you don't foresee yourself getting much use out of standard TV watching, then it makes for a great little alternative with a reliable OS that's easy to navigate. Getting it set up at an ideal angle may be annoying, but the focus change helps smooth that out. It's not a perfect device, but it's a very solid projector that we imagine will appeal to plenty.

Other projector options

Who tested it?

Kyle Purves is a tech writer for What's The Best who often reviews various kinds of tech products and devices. From audio gear like headphones and speakers to screen-based electronics such as monitors and TVs, they're familiar with what to look for when it comes to the fine details of tech. They're always sure to point out the key strengths and shortcomings of anything they review.

How was it tested?

I tested the QH12a's abilities by changing up the environment and angle I used it in, as well as the content and method I used to watch content with it. From screening on a ceiling to testing it near a wall while sitting on the floor, I was able to push the limits of focus. I primarily used it for YouTube, but I also tested its audio capabilities by treating it as a speaker and listening to music. I also experimented with the various connections, but running the OS by itself was my preferred method in the end.

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Kyle Purves is a Tech Writer and Reviewer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.

They’re well-versed in reviewing a variety of tech products, with a soft spot for speakers and earphones. They’re also no stranger to hunting down the best savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside of work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, listening to Japanese noise rock, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults to be free at the same time is easier said than done.

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