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Optoma ML1080 Review

Ryan Hansen Avatar
Updated Feb 15, 2024 3:59 PM

True Score

71
72
2

Experts

75
294

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Expert Rankings

The Optoma ML1080 projector is great for home or on-the-go use. It has impressive color accuracy but lacks digital keystone correction or support for lens shift adjustment.

$823.17

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Optoma ML1080 is an entry-level home theater projector announced in 2023. The Full HD projector offers a 1200-lumen brightness output, and like most top-tier projectors, it features a motorized focus for hassle-free adjustments. It also has a 1.2:1 throw ratio that translates to a throw distance of up to 2.66m for a 100” image size, and with a 30,000-hour lamp life, the laser projector is ideal for maintenance-free, long-term use.

The projector boasts 95% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut for sharp and vivid color reproduction, and it can also display HDR and HDR10 content. Setting it up is also relatively straightforward thanks to features such as Auto Keystone and Auto Focus, and it can also be used to display images in any orientation.

Best For

  • Golf Simulator

  • Mini

  • Outdoor

  • Under $1000

Consensus

our Verdict

Praised for its compact size and portability, the Optoma ML1080 home theater projector is an eco-friendly release that uses an RGB laser light source for color-accurate images out-of-the-box thanks to its 95% coverage of the DCI P3 color gamut (Which ranks in the top 30% of our certified tested Projectors). Features such as Manual Keystone (+_ 40 degrees) and Auto Focus make it very easy to install, and its 1200-lumen brightness output is quite impressive for a projector of its size.

The ML1080 also displays HDR and HDR10 content, and its laser light source has a service life of up to 30,000 hours without any maintenance needed. However, it doesn’t have digital keystone correction or support for lens shift adjustment.The projector’s 3,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio enables it to deliver deep black details, and it also has a low

ReasonS to Buy

  • Impressive brightness rating
    • The Optoma ML1080 projector offers a 1200-lumen output, which is excellent for home and business use. Its brightness rating earns it a top 50% standing compared to other alternatives in its category.

  • High image quality
    • Images on the ML1080 are sharp and vivid courtesy of its 95% coverage of the DCI P3 color gamut, which places it in the top 20% of projectors in its category.

    • The projector’s 3,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio also allows for deep and dark black and shadow detail, and its support for HDR and HDR10 content makes for a vivid viewing experience.

Reason to Avoid

  • No support for digital keystone correction
    • The ML1080 does not have digital keystone correction.

  • No support for lens shift adjustment
    • The ML1080 doesn’t have any support for lens shift adjustment.

Optoma ML1080 Specs

3D Ready3D ReadyNo
Aspect RatioAspect Ratio16:9
BrightnessBrightness1200 Lumens
Contrast RatioContrast Ratio3,000,000:1
DepthDepth5.3"
Digital KeystoneDigital KeystoneYes
Display TechnologyDisplay TechnologyDLP
HDRHDRHDR10, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG)
HeightHeight2.6"
Integrated SpeakersIntegrated SpeakersYes
Light SourceLight SourceLaser
Light Source LifeLight Source Life30,000 hrs
Max DistanceMax Distance104.6"
Max Screen SizeMax Screen Size100"
Min DistanceMin Distance62.75"
Min Screen SizeMin Screen Size59.84"
Noise LevelNoise Level28 dB
PortablePortableYes
Refresh Rate60 Hz
ResolutionResolution1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Smart FunctionalitySmart FunctionalityEco-Friendly, Energy-Saving
Sync TechnologySync Technology
TV TunerTV TunerNo
ThrowTypeThrowTypeShort Throw
VRRVRRn/a
Video InputsVideo InputsUSB
WeightWeight2.2 lbs
WidthWidth6.18"
Yes

All Specs

Test Results

Color Gamut % (BT.2020)105
SDR Brightness (Lumens)586
Input Lag (ms)25

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    Product Comparison

    Optoma ML1080 Review

    True Score

    71
    81
    90
    72

    Ranking

    #

    27

    /

    30

    #

    12

    /

    30

    #

    4

    /

    30

    #

    26

    /

    30

    Market Context

    The Optoma ML1080 is an entry-level home theater projector announced in 2023. The Full HD projector offers a 1200-lumen brightness output, and like most top-tier…

    The Optoma ML1080 is an entry-level home theater projector announced in 2023. The Full HD projector offers a 1200-lumen brightness output, and like most top-tier projectors, it features a motorized focus for hassle-free adjustments. It also has a 1.2:1 throw ratio that translates to a throw distance of up to 2.66m for a 100” image size, and with a 30,000-hour lamp life, the laser projector is ideal for maintenance-free, long-term use.

    The projector boasts 95% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut for sharp and vivid color reproduction, and it can also display HDR and HDR10 content. Setting it up is also relatively straightforward thanks to features such as Auto Keystone and Auto Focus, and it can also be used to display images in any orientation.

    The Optoma ML1080 is capable of projecting images that are up to 100” in size, while the Optoma UHZ50 is only able to project images…

    The Optoma ML1080 is capable of projecting images that are up to 100” in size, while the Optoma UHZ50 is only able to project images up to 34.1” in size. However, the UHZ50 has a higher brightness rating of 3000 lumens compared to the ML1080, which is rated at 1200 lumens. The UHZ50 is also capable of a higher 4K output resolution compared to the ML1080’s 1080p output quality. Here’s our Optoma UHZ50 review if you’d like to find out what else the projector has in store.

    Samsung LSP9T’s 2800-lumen brightness rating makes it superior to the Optoma ML1080, which is rated at 1200 lumens. The Samsung projector also has a higher…

    Samsung LSP9T’s 2800-lumen brightness rating makes it superior to the Optoma ML1080, which is rated at 1200 lumens. The Samsung projector also has a higher 4K native resolution compared to the ML1080’s 1080p resolution, and lastly, the LSP90T has a 120” maximum projection size, which is slightly bigger than the ML1080’s 100” image size. Feel free to learn more about the Samsung projector in our Samsung Premier LSP9T review.

    The Epson LS800 has a 4000-lumen brightness output, which is more powerful than the Optoma ML1080 with its 1200-lumen output. The Epson projector is also…

    The Epson LS800 has a 4000-lumen brightness output, which is more powerful than the Optoma ML1080 with its 1200-lumen output. The Epson projector is also capable of a larger 150” image size, while the Optoma ML1080 is limited to 100”. The LS800 also boasts a higher 4K output resolution than the ML1080’s full HD, but the ML1080 has motorized focus for more convenient adjustments, which the LS800 does not. Still, you can check it out in our Epson LS800B review.

    3D Ready

    No

    Yes

    Yes

    No

    Aspect Ratio

    16:9

    16:9

    16:9

    16:9

    Brightness

    1200 Lumens

    3000 lumens

    2800 Lumens

    4000 Lumens

    Contrast Ratio

    3,000,000:1

    2,500,000:1.

    2,000,000:1

    2,500,000:1.

    Depth

    5.3"

    10.43"

    14.5"

    13.4"

    Digital Keystone

    Yes

    Yes

    Yes

    No

    Display Technology

    DLP

    DLP

    DLP

    3LCD

    HDR

    HDR10, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG)

    Yes

    HDR10, HDR10+, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG)

    Yes

    Dig Deeper

    Optoma UHZ50 Review →

    Samsung Premiere LSP9T Review →

    Epson LS800B Review →

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    Score Card

    E

    Expert Score

    72

    *.75

    We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

    C

    Customer Score

    75

    *.25

    We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

    True Score

    71

    Expert Scores

    • Projector Reviews
      73.55

      Category Trust Rating

      NR
      The Optoma ML1080 is an ultra-compact RGB laser full HD 1080p projector that retails for… Read More

      By:

      Phil Jones
    • Projector Central
      61.35

      Category Trust Rating

      72.5
      The Optoma ML1080ST short throw and its longer throw sibling break new ground by being… Read More

      By:

      Nikki Kahl