The Yaber T2 Plus is The Best Portable Projector Around

Yaber sent over their new Yaber T2 Plus 1080p 120-inch portable projector. This product is more than your typical portable projector as it has a rechargeable battery inside of it that lets you watch TV for two and a half hours before it needs to recharge. The same battery can power audio output using the impressive JBL speaker for up to 18 hours. So this isn’t just a portable projector, it is also a great portable speaker.

The Yaber T2 isn’t just functional, it is also quite stylish and looks impressive in almost every setup. The device’s cream shell and fabric finishes make this one of the most stylish projectors I have reviewed. But there’s a lot I want to test so let’s first get to the unboxing.

Watch the Yaber T2 Plus Review Below

Before I start, there’s also a Yaber T2. The difference between the T2 Plus and the T2 is that the T2 Plus comes with the additional Google TV dongle. If you buy the T2, you can purchase the dongle separately. I just say go for the T2 Plus because the dongle makes a huge difference when it comes to content.

Unboxing the Yaber T2 Plus, you’ll get various boxes packed with different accessories. In one box there’s the remote. It features some streaming buttons and will be used to operate the Google TV dongle which is also included in the same box. This dongle plugs into the back of the Yaber T2. There’s also a right-angle adapter which can be used to keep the dongle from sticking out at the back. Much neater, I must say.

The Yaber T2 uses a figure-8 power cable which is obviously included in the box. You’ll also get an HDMI cable if you want to connect the unit to something else. A gaming console, for example. I test the unit on the Nintendo Switch later on. Yaber has also included a cleaning cloth for cleaning the lens. I recommend using this cloth or other microfiber cloths to avoid scratching the glass. Lastly, you’ll get the Yaber T2 in the box.

There’s a lot to talk about when it comes to the design of the Yaber T2. It is a cool-looking product. Yaber has managed to make this device stylish and considering it is also portable, this is quite an achievement.

The front of the Yaber T2 features a large IR blaster and Time of Flight Sensor which is used to measure the distance between the wall and the device. It sends light out and measures how long it takes to bounce back. As a result, that determines the automatic screen sizing and focus.

Above that there are some vents for cooling. Above that, you’ll find the lens. It comes with a plastic cover that keeps it protected from dust. I recommend always putting this back on when you’re done with it. Around the lens, there’s a stylish gold accent with some specs etched into it.

Keep in mind that this lens is also completely sealed. So it is protected from dust and other nasty things you might come into contact with when using it outdoors. Of course, it is not waterproof so don’t spill your drinks over it by accident.

Around the lens, there’s a nice fabric finish that wraps around the unit right to the back. There’s also a JBL logo boasting the Yaber T2’s incredible speaker system.

The same vents can also be found at the back. You’ll also find all the ports at the back and the IR sensor for the remote. There’s also a USB Type-A port, HDMI 2.0 port with ARC support, audio jack combo port and ethernet port. Yaber has also included an LED light at the back that indicates the power level. Blue means it is fully charged by red means it is charging. I will get to the charging times and all that in a bit.

A few more things to mention. On the top, there’s the power button and an NFC section. This is used for NFC casting. The bottom of the device then features a 3.5mm screw port so you can also mount this on a stand ceiling mount. There’s also the power port which is found on the side near the bottom. A nice spot because the cable is low to the ground.

Lastly, there’s the handle that doubles up as the stand for the projector. It can be rotated from the top to the bottom. It is easy to rotate and the rubber handle helps keep the grip on whatever surface it is on. Keep in mind that if you angle the projector up, the unit automatically adjusts the image but more on that in a bit.

Setting up the Yaber T2 takes a few minutes. I plugged it in, turned it on and I was welcomed to the Yaber automatically adjusting the picture to the current wall. This unit can go up to 120-inches in size and it depends on your distance ratio to the wall. I quickly connected it to my Wi-Fi, upgraded the firmware and downloaded the app on my iPhone.

Speaking of the app, the Yaber T2 lets you screen mirror over Wi-Fi and NFC through the app. This is helpful if you are outdoors without Wi-Fi. You use the app to connect your phone to the device and screen mirror that way.

The built-in Yaber menu includes the expected options. I could access files which are stored on a USB drive, choose my HDMI port, select a theme for the menu style, access the Bluetooth speaker and fiddle with the settings. These menus are easy to navigate around and likely made this way so people can easily pick up the remote, change the input and connect their phone to the Bluetooth.

The settings menu provides enough freedom to tweak the system’s output. You can access the sizing and focus through this menu or the tab on the home screen. There are also options to tweak the manual size and focus of the screen. I could also turn off and on obstacle avoidance.

Picture settings include colour options and brightness. I could change the colour temperature here too. I could also zoom in on the picture and change the scale which is the aspect ratio.

Sound settings include different equaliser presets. There are no manual toggles here. You have to choose one mode. You can’t increase bass and treble separately, for example. So you’ll need to listen to what sounds the best to you.

I don’t want to go into too much detail when it comes to the dongle. It is a Google TV dongle and when plugged in, you can select the HDMI port on the Yaber T2 and experience everything it has. This means all the apps like Netflix and Disney Plus. You can also install your own apps. This is likely the best way to consume content on the device. Of course, if you don’t get the dongle, you can always plug in your own media box.

Using the Yaber T2 Plus on the battery lowers brightness to 60%. You can still increase that up to 100% but the battery will die faster. Keep in mind that 60% brightness is where you’ll get the two and a half hours of life out of this. Anything higher and it will cut it shorter. At 100%, for example, the unit runs for just over an hour. Again, this is all depending on your use. The speaker volume and the content you watch all contribute to the energy use on the device.

This projector is bright for a portable unit. Yaber says it boasts 450 ANSI Lumens and they weren’t lying. On 100% brightness, it delivers just that. Image quality was decent across everything I tested. Granted this is a 1080p projector but it looks great. Images were sharp and details weren’t lost to blurred edges.

The 450 ASNI Lumens are bright but this Yaber T2 won’t be very useful in broad daylight. Pure dark environments are the best here but in dim rooms, you’ll still be able to watch content. Just as long as you are in a somewhat dim room.

The JBL speakers on this unit are quite powerful. They pack a punch and sound great. Honestly, they are likely better than 98% of all TV speakers I have tested in the past. They will help with all the entertainment here. Be it music playing or TV watching. I can see myself simply taking the Yaber T2 outside during braais to act as a music source when I have friends over. That is how great this speaker is.

There’s a lot to love about the Yaber T2. It is an impressive little unit that honestly, does more than just act as a projector. Its sound system means you always have a speaker around for social events, its great battery life means you can turn your home into a cinema during loadshedding, and power outages and its great picture quality means it doesn’t compromise on the image.

I wanted to show off this unit by playing some Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with friends. Of course, I had to have my Switch nearby so it isn’t the most portable set-up. However, once all wired up, we had an awesome time. If you get used to plugging in a gaming console, you can turn movie nights into gaming nights too. Put some blankets on the grass, grab a sheet and you’re good to go. The Yaber T2 really unlocks this potential.

Overall, I loved this little device. From its great speaker system that can be used alone to the bright projector, it offers a lot of value. I didn’t think I needed a portable projector in my life until I started using this. I then made excuses to set it up whenever possible and get friends around to enjoy movies and games. It became part of the furniture, essentially.

The Yaber T2 Plus is available from the Yaber website from $349. Follow this link to find out more on the official site here.