OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Projectors Methodology v3.0
Projectors Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Projectors Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Projectors Methodology v3.0

HP MC450 review: 86 specs compared

Avg. price:~£130Native panel resolution:1280x720ANSI lumens:188Throw ratio:0.9:1Lamp life:20000 hours

HP MC450 Review: Compare 86 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

HP MC450
6.9/10

Overall score

Score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 70% of models
Score components

35%

5.7

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

▼Worse than 70% of projectors
7.8

Value for money

Value for money
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 87% of models
Score components

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

▲Better than 87%
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components

42%

5.1

Image Quality

22%

5.9

Projection & Lens

12%

5.9

HDMI & Gaming

10%

6.4

Audio & Features

8%

6.1

Connectivity

6%

6.7

Design & Power

▼Worse than 85%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.8.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of projector HP MC450

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components:

42%

5.1

Image Quality

22%

5.9

Projection & Lens

12%

5.9

HDMI & Gaming

10%

6.4

Audio & Features

8%

6.1

Connectivity

6%

6.7

Design & Power

5.7
Reviews score
7.8
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 87% of models
Score components:

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

7.8
ANSI lumens
188
Market range: <280 – >4k
This projector reaches 188 ANSI lumens, dimmer than 95.9% of projectors and equal to 0.1% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
?
Native panel resolution
1280x720
This projector uses a native resolution of 1280x720, lower than 82.1% of projectors and equal to 6.4% of projectors.
Output resolution
1280x720
This projector supports output resolution up to 1280x720, lower than 83.4% of projectors and equal to 5.8% of projectors.
Projection technology
LCD
Show more
Throw ratio
0.9:1
Min throw distance
0.8 m
Market range: <0.5 m – >1.651 m
This projector needs a minimum throw distance of 0.8 m, shorter than 69.8% of projectors and equal to 4.9% of projectors.
Max projection size
90 inch
Market range: <120 inch – >301 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 90 inch, smaller than 98.8% of projectors and equal to 0.3% of projectors.
Zoom ratio
N/A
Motorized zoom
no
This projector does not have motorised zoom. 14.8% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Input lag
?
Auto low latency mode (ALLM)
?
Variable refresh rate (VRR)
no
This projector does not support variable refresh rate. 1.8% of projectors offer this.
HDMI version
?
Max HDMI bandwidth
10.2 Gbps
Market range: <10.2 Gbps – >48 Gbps
This projector supports HDMI bandwidth up to 10.2 Gbps, lower than 51.2% of projectors and equal to 46.5% of projectors.
Show more
N. of HDMI ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This projector has 1 HDMI port/s, fewer than 54.2% of projectors and equal to 42.9% of projectors.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This projector connects to Wi-Fi networks for streaming. 46.7% of projectors offer this.
Wi-Fi version
?
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This projector supports Bluetooth for speakers and headphones. 49.4% of projectors offer this.
Bluetooth version
5.2
This projector supports Bluetooth 5.2, more modern than 87.1% of projectors and equal to 7.4% of projectors.
Show more
Smart TV features
yes
This projector has built-in smart TV features. 56.2% of projectors offer this.
Android TV built in.
Operating system
Android 14
Android OS
yes
This projector runs Android OS. 81% of projectors run Android OS.
Android 14
Dedicated smartphone app
no
This projector does not come with a dedicated smartphone app. 36.8% of projectors come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Remote control
yes
This projector includes a remote control. 1.5% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Light source type
led
This projector uses led light source technology, more advanced than 33.6% of projectors and equal to 39.9% of projectors.
Laser light source
no
This projector does not have a laser light source. 26.8% of projectors offer this.
Lamp life
20,000 hours
Market range: <3.5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 20,000 hours, shorter than 35.2% of projectors and equal to 25.8% of projectors.
LED light source life.
Lamp life (eco mode)
?
Operating power consumption
40 W
Market range: <57 W – >390 W
This projector uses 40 W of power, less than 94.9% of projectors and equal to 0.7% of projectors.
Show more

HP MC450 vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • Supports auto keystone correction
    This projector corrects keystone distortion automatically, while the average projector does not. 36.9% of projectors offer this.
  • 8 dB quieter operation
    This projector has a lower audible noise than the average projector (23 dB vs 31 dB). The average projector has 31 dB of audible noise.
    23 dB vs 31 dB
  • Supports smart TV apps
    This projector has built-in smart TV features, while the average projector does not. 43.9% of projectors offer smart TV features.
    Android TV built in.
  • Advanced focus control
    This projector offers more advanced focus control than the average projector (motorized vs manual). Typical projector: manual.
    motorized vs manual
  • Supports voice commands
    This projector supports voice commands, while the average projector does not. 36.1% of projectors support voice commands.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This projector supports AirPlay, while the average projector does not. 40.3% of projectors offer this.
  • 0.21 m shorter throw distance
    This projector has a lower throw distance than the average projector (0.8 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    0.8 m vs 1.0055 m
  • 190 W lower power use
    This projector uses less power than the average projector (40 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    40 W vs 230 W
  • 5.08x cheaper
    HP MC450 is cheaper than the average projector (£130 vs £660).
    £130 vs £660
  • 11.7% better value for money
    HP MC450 has a higher value-for-money score than the average projector (7.76 vs 6.9).
    7.76 vs 6.95
  • 4 more recent release
    This projector was released more recently than the average projector (2025 vs 2021). The average projector was released in 2021.
    September 2025
    2025 vs 2021
  • Supports auto keystone correction
    This projector corrects keystone distortion automatically, while the average projector does not. 36.9% of projectors offer this.
  • Advanced focus control
    This projector offers more advanced focus control than the average projector (motorized vs manual). Typical projector: manual.
    motorized vs manual
  • 0.21 m shorter throw distance
    This projector has a lower throw distance than the average projector (0.8 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    0.8 m vs 1.0055 m
  • Motorized focus
    This projector supports motorized focus, while the average projector does not. 45.6% of projectors support motorized focus.
    Remote-controlled electronic focus.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This projector supports AirPlay, while the average projector does not. 40.3% of projectors offer this.
  • Supports Miracast mirroring
    This projector supports Miracast, while the average projector does not. 46.4% of projectors offer this.
  • Supports smart TV apps
    This projector has built-in smart TV features, while the average projector does not. 43.9% of projectors offer smart TV features.
    Android TV built in.
  • Supports voice commands
    This projector supports voice commands, while the average projector does not. 36.1% of projectors support voice commands.
  • Android OS built-in
    This projector features Android OS, while the average projector does not. 19.1% of projectors feature Android OS.
    Android 14
  • 8 dB quieter operation
    This projector has a lower audible noise than the average projector (23 dB vs 31 dB). The average projector has 31 dB of audible noise.
    23 dB vs 31 dB
  • 190 W lower power use
    This projector uses less power than the average projector (40 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    40 W vs 230 W
  • 73.2% lighter weight
    This projector is lighter than the average projector (0.8 kg vs 2.98 kg). The average projector weighs 2.98 kg.
    0.8 kg vs 2.98 kg
  • 205 mm narrower width
    This projector is narrower than the average projector (92 mm vs 297 mm). The average projector has a width of 297 mm.
    92 mm vs 297 mm
  • 91.5% dimmer image
    This projector has lower ANSI lumens than the average projector (188 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    188 vs 2,200
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1280x720 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1280x720 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (1280x720 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1280x720 vs 1920x1080
  • 160 inch smaller image size
    This projector has a lower projection size than the average projector (90 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    90 inch vs 250 inch
  • 1 fewer HDMI ports
    This projector has fewer HDMI ports than the average projector (1 vs 2). The average projector has 2 HDMI ports.
    1 vs 2
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (led vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    led vs laser
  • 91.5% dimmer image
    This projector has lower ANSI lumens than the average projector (188 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    188 vs 2,200
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1280x720 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1280x720 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (1280x720 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1280x720 vs 1920x1080
  • 29.4% lower refresh rate
    This projector has a lower refresh rate than the average projector (60 Hz vs 85 Hz). The average projector has 85 Hz of refresh rate.
    60 Hz vs 85 Hz
  • No 3D video
    This projector does not support 3D video, while the average projector does. 55.4% of projectors support 3D video.
  • No 3D glasses support
    This projector does not display 3D with glasses, while the average projector does. 54.4% of projectors offer 3D with glasses.
  • 160 inch smaller image size
    This projector has a lower projection size than the average projector (90 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    90 inch vs 250 inch
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • 43.3% lower HDMI bandwidth
    This projector has a lower HDMI bandwidth than the average projector (10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps). The average projector has 18 Gbps of HDMI bandwidth.
    10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps
  • More outdated HDCP support
    This projector supports an older HDCP version than the average projector (1.4 vs 2.2).
    1.4 vs 2.2
  • 1 fewer HDMI ports
    This projector has fewer HDMI ports than the average projector (1 vs 2). The average projector has 2 HDMI ports.
    1 vs 2
  • No RS-232 control
    This projector does not support RS-232 control, while the average projector does. 50.6% of projectors support RS-232 control.
  • 70% weaker audio output
    This projector has a lower audio output power than the average projector (3 W vs 10 W). The average projector has 10 W of audio output power.
    3 W vs 10 W
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (led vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    led vs laser
  • 4 dB louder eco mode
    This projector has a higher audible noise in eco mode than the average projector (32 dB vs 28 dB). The average projector has 28 dB of audible noise in eco mode.
    32 dB vs 28 dB

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Overview video
Shop video

Third-party reviews

What customers like about HP MC450

  • Ultra-compact and lightweight design, making it highly portable for travel or dorm use.
  • Short throw ratio (0.9) allows for a large screen size in very small rooms.
  • User-friendly smart interface with built-in streaming apps and voice control support.
  • Flexible connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, AirPlay, and HDMI.
  • USB-C Power Delivery (PD) support allows it to be powered by compatible power banks.
  • Good value for money compared to higher-end home theatre setups.

What customers don't like about HP MC450

  • Native resolution is limited to 720p, which may appear blurry compared to true 1080p models.
  • Built-in speaker quality is relatively weak and lacks rich audio depth.
  • Limited brightness (approx. 188–260 ANSI lumens) makes it difficult to use in rooms with ambient light.
  • Battery life may be insufficient for watching full-length movies without a power source.
  • Lack of motorized focus or advanced lens shift makes precise alignment more difficult.
  • Potential for inconsistent focus where either the centre or the edges of the image remain slightly blurry.

Verdict

The HP MC450 is a portable LED LCD projector featuring a native resolution of 1280 x 720 (720p HD) with 1080p compatibility and a brightness of approximately 188 ANSI lumens. Designed for compact spaces, it boasts a short-throw ratio of 0.9:1, allowing it to project a 70-inch screen from just 1.4 metres away, with a maximum image size of up to 90 inches. Key pros include its ultra-portable lightweight design (0.8 kg), built-in smart TV capabilities with preloaded apps, and versatile connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and USB-C Power Delivery (45W) for power bank support. Main cons involve its relatively low brightness which requires a dark room for optimal viewing, the lack of an optical zoom, and integrated speakers that some users find insufficient for large spaces.

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