The Optoma ML750ST offers excellent picture quality and works in surprisingly small spaces, which makes it the ideal way to bring that cinema feeling to your home or apartment.
If you’re looking for the best mini projectors to improve your home entertainment system without taking up a ton of space, then the Optoma ML750ST is a great choice. Unlike some mini projectors though, the Optoma isn’t just aimed at the home cinema audience - it’s a fantastic little projector if you need something for the office, allowing you to give professional slide presentations without the need for a bulky, expensive setup.
As a compact projector, the Optoma ML750ST is suitably dinky. It measures 4.1 x 4.2 x 1.5 inches and weighs 0.8 pounds. Its vented black siding complements the durable white plastic on the top, and an adjustable leg on the bottom lets you adjust the projection angle for large screens.
Optoma ML750ST review: Video and audio quality
The Optoma ML750ST’s specifications make it an excellent choice for both home and business users. The projector touts a native resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, and it can upscale video content to 1080i. Its excellent benchmark performance was confirmed in our hands-on testing.
We used the ML750ST to view a variety of high-definition videos in dark and light environments, and those with ambient light and image quality fared quite well in both settings. Fine on-screen details were rendered in clear focus, and even on high brightness settings, color levels remained consistent and didn’t appear washed out.
One of the main advantages of the Optoma ML750ST is its short throw ratio i.e. the distance the projector needs to be away from the surface it is projecting onto. The Optoma ML750 has a very short throw ratio of just 0.8/1, which means it’s ideally suited to small rooms where you simply don’t have the space for a conventional projector. It works under 6 feet away from the projection surface and still offers a 100-inch display area.
Mini projectors rarely have what we’d call great audio, and you’re usually better off sourcing an external audio system to boost your experience. With that said, the audio output of the Optoma ML750ST is more than sufficient. True audiophiles will find that it lacks a bit when it comes to bass and low-end definition, but the speakers are clear and loud enough for watching movies.
Optoma ML750ST review: Performance
During long test sessions using the power adapter, we never had problems with the projector’s fan. Even at peak usage, the fan maintained steady performance at a low whirr. Especially when you use it for movie watching, its ability to stay quiet is a plus. The included carrying case provides ample protection when you’re on the go, and it even has a tethered rubber bulb cover. It’s a nice added touch that further protects the projector from fingerprints, scratches and damage.
As with most high-end mini projectors, the Optoma ML750ST doesn’t have an internal battery, so you have to keep it within reach of a wall power outlet. This means that while it’s small and easy to move around, it isn’t a truly on-the-go projector so you won’t be able to take it out into the garden without a power extension or other external power source.
Optoma ML750ST review: Connectivity
The Optoma ML750ST has the standard connectivity options, and it even boasts an integrated document reader, which is useful in office settings. You can display common file formats, such as PDFs and DOCs, from a USB drive, so you aren’t obligated to connect to a laptop. This is ideal if you’re giving a presentation at work.
The Optoma houses its ports on its backside, and the selection includes HDMI, USB, 3.55mm audio output and a microSD slot. As with most business-centric mini projectors, the Optoma doesn’t support Bluetooth devices or out-of-the-box wireless mirroring, which is an inconvenience for home users. For that functionality, you have to purchase the optional USB dongle from Optoma.
Optoma ML750ST review: Price and warranty
The Optoma ML750ST is more expensive than many of the mini projectors that we’ve reviewed, with prices ranging from $569 to $622 depending on which retailer you choose. The standard MSRP is $599.
Optoma offers a one-year warranty on the ML750ST. You can also get troubleshooting assistance from the company via live chat, email and phone agents. There is also a large and helpful online support section.
Should you buy the Optoma ML750ST?
If you’re looking for a mini projector that can function well with limited space, then the Optoma ML750ST is our top pick. It’s light, compact and easy to set up and the short throw ratio means it will work in relatively small spaces. The image quality is excellent for a projector in this price range too.
It’s not suitable for all users though. Audiophiles will find the speakers a little flat, and the lack of battery means that it’s not a truly portable mini projector as you’ll need an external power source to get it up and running.
