Tag: $50

$20 vs. $120 Portable Projector | Is the Budget Model Worth It?

Looking for a portable projector but unsure if you should grab the cheapest option or invest a bit more? I compared a $20 budget projector (available here) against a more feature-packed $120 projector (currently on sale here) to see how they really stack up.

What You Get Out of the Box

The $20 projector surprised me with its accessories. Inside the box, you get:

  • The projector itself
  • A power cord
  • An AV cable (for older devices)
  • A remote
  • A manual

Despite the price, the $20 unit includes a wide variety of ports: USB, HDMI, AV input, Micro SD slot, Micro USB, and a headphone jack. It’s designed to connect to external drives, laptops, game consoles, or older media players.

The $120 projector, on the other hand, comes with:

  • A larger projector with a swivel base
  • A USB-C charger (big plus)
  • The exact same style of remote as the cheaper model
  • A manual

While the $120 projector has fewer ports (USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, headphone jack), its build quality is noticeably better, and the swivel adjustment is a huge advantage when setting it up.

Setup and Build Quality

Both projectors are easy to set up, but the $120 projector edges ahead in terms of user experience.

The $20 model has buttons on top for power and menu navigation—handy if you lose the remote.

The $120 model requires you to use the remote for everything, but it makes up for that with its smoother design, a more premium feel, and that handy swivel adjustment.

Picture Quality: Bigger Than Expected

At first glance, both projectors deliver surprisingly solid images considering their price points. However:

  • The $120 projector creates a much larger display at the same distance from the wall.
  • It also supports 4K input (downscaled), while the $20 projector maxes out at 1080p.

The picture is sharp on both, but the larger, more immersive screen size of the $120 projector gives it a clear advantage.

Smartphone Compatibility: Dealbreaker for Budget Buyers

This is where the $120 projector really pulls ahead.

The $20 projector does not support direct smartphone connections through its USB port—it only works with external drives. That’s a major limitation if your goal is to stream content from your phone.

In contrast, the $120 projector offers full wireless casting. Connect it to Wi-Fi, tap the cast button on your phone (works like a Chromecast), and you’re ready to stream YouTube or other apps effortlessly.

My Take: Who Should Buy Which?

If you just want something basic for connecting a game console, laptop, or USB drive, the $20 projector is fine and delivers solid video playback for the price (grab it here).

But if you’re looking for wireless casting, easier setup, a bigger screen, and a more portable experience, the $120 projector—especially at its current discount to around $50—is a much smarter purchase. You can find it on sale here.

The above links are amazon affiliate and support me at no extra cost to you.

Final Verdict

For budget buyers who want basic HDMI functionality, the $20 projector works. But if your focus is on convenience, smartphone casting, and a more polished design, the $120 model easily justifies the slightly higher cost—especially given the current sale.

💰 I Tried the World’s Cheapest Smartwatch ($8?!) – Here’s What Happened

Ever wonder if you could stop being lazy and unhealthy without dropping hundreds of dollars? Turns out, you can—even if you’re broke.

Enter the world’s cheapest smartwatch. I paid around $8 for it (you can grab it now for about $20). When I got it, I expected a joke. But what I found actually shocked me.

📦 What’s in the box?

Simple and barebones:

  • The watch itself
  • A USB charger
  • A manual (I think? I didn’t really need it)

Setup was stupidly easy. Faster than some premium watches I’ve tried.

🩹 The Fitbit Killer?

Quick backstory: I used to own a Fitbit. It made my wrist glow red and irritated my skin, then broke way too early. So I assumed this $8 watch would be a disaster. Nope.

This thing is:

  • Way more comfortable than any watch I’ve worn
  • Fully adjustable with a soft, lightweight band
  • Better than even my normal everyday watch
  • No skin irritation at all, even after a week of wearing it daily

🖥 Apple Watch vibes… for $8?!

No, you can’t download apps like on an Apple Watch. But let’s be honest—how many Apple Watch features are you REALLY using anyway?

This is like the stripped-down version of a smartwatch, but it nails the essentials:

  • Tons of default & customizable watch faces (hundreds available via the free app)
  • Display of steps, weather, calories, miles walked, and more—all right on the home screen

⚡ Responsiveness

Swipe in any direction, use the side dial, and everything just works. The response speed? Feels like an Apple Watch. I’m serious. ZERO glitches.

🔥 Feature Bomb

This is where it gets crazy. Here’s just a fraction of what this $8-$20 watch can do:
✅ Step tracking
✅ Distance + calorie counting
✅ Heart rate & blood oxygen monitoring
✅ Stress level tracking
✅ Automatic sleep tracker
✅ Alexa integration
✅ Music control
✅ Phone call support
✅ Flashlight
✅ Full phone notifications (texts, Snapchats, etc.)
✅ Reminders, timers, alarms
✅ Weather forecast
✅ Water drinking plan
✅ Weight tracking
✅ Blood sugar management
✅ Menstrual cycle tracking
✅ V2 Max (I don’t even know what that is)
…and more—all for free, inside the app.

For the price? Mind-blowing.

🧪 Does it actually work though?

I put it to the test. Steps? Accurate. Heart rate and stress level? Matched what I was feeling and doing every time. Sleep tracker? Worked like a charm.

Nothing has glitched or miscalculated after a week of daily use.

🔋 Battery Life Test

I charged it ONCE when I first unboxed it. After 7 full days of wearing it off and on? Still at 78%. WHAT?!
That means you can track your sleep AND your daily steps without worrying about charging it at night or halfway through your day.

🏃 Workout Test

Set a 5-minute outdoor run goal → Ran → Came back → Boom, stats displayed instantly. The app even recommended a 7-hour recovery period based on my data (rude but probably true).

✅ The Verdict

I love this watch. It’s simple, comfortable, and wildly overdelivers for the price. I usually don’t stick with smartwatches because they’re overpriced—but this one? No-brainer. It works, it’s dirt cheap, and it doesn’t come with all the bloat that makes expensive watches annoying.

Honestly, even if this thing cost $100+ I’d still be impressed. At around $20? This is a steal.

👉 Want to grab it too? Here’s the link: Cheapest Good SmartWatch

Go do something you love today—and maybe track it with this watch 😉

Thanks for reading!