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

Optoma ML300 review: 86 specs compared

Avg. price:~£360Native panel resolution:1280x800ANSI lumens:300Throw ratio:1.51:1Lamp life:20000 hours

Optoma ML300 Review: Compare 86 technical specifications and 7 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

Optoma ML300
6.2/10

Overall score

Score
6.2/ 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 94% of models
Score components

35%

5.4

Technical score

30%

?

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

25%

5.4

Reviews score

10%

?

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

▼Worse than 94% of projectors
6.9

Value for money

Value for money
6.9/ 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
▼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

8.6

Price

▼Worse than 54%
5.4

Technical score

Technical score
5.4/ 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 93% of models
Score components

42%

5.6

Image Quality

22%

5.6

Projection & Lens

12%

5.1

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.7

Audio & Features

8%

4.1

Connectivity

6%

5.7

Design & Power

▼Worse than 93%
5.4

Reviews score

Reviews score
5.4/ 10
✕
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
▼ Worse than 94% of models

5.4

Mark 8.0 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.0

Average grade

20%

8.0

Popularity

Grades by review (7)
6 reviews: 3 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 94%
?

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.

What reviewers say about the Optoma ML300

Based on 5 · 1

Reviewers like the small, light build, long lamp life and handy media playback, but connecting a laptop is a common gripe.
Praised
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Technical Specifications of projector Optoma ML300

Technical score
Technical score
5.4/ 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 93% of models
Score components:

42%

5.6

Image Quality

22%

5.6

Projection & Lens

12%

5.1

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.7

Audio & Features

8%

4.1

Connectivity

6%

5.7

Design & Power

5.4
Reviews score
5.4
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
6.9/ 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
▼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components:

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

8.6

Price

6.9
ANSI lumens
300
Market range: <280 – >4k
This projector reaches 300 ANSI lumens, dimmer than 86.7% of projectors and equal to 2.9% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
3,000:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 3000:1, lower than 63.1% of projectors and equal to 5.6% of projectors.
Native panel resolution
1280x800
This projector uses a native resolution of 1280x800, lower than 73.7% of projectors and equal to 8.2% of projectors.
Output resolution
1280x800
This projector supports output resolution up to 1280x800, lower than 74.8% of projectors and equal to 8.4% of projectors.
Projection technology
DLP
Show more
What reviewers say
Throw ratio
1.51:1
Min throw distance
0.55 m
Market range: <0.5 m – >1.651 m
This projector needs a minimum throw distance of 0.55 m, shorter than 86% of projectors and equal to 0.6% of projectors.
Max projection size
160 inch
Market range: <120 inch – >301 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 160 inch, smaller than 66.4% of projectors and equal to 0.6% 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)
no
This projector does not switch to low-latency mode automatically. 16.1% of projectors offer this.
Variable refresh rate (VRR)
no
This projector does not support variable refresh rate. 1.8% of projectors offer this.
HDMI version
1.3
This projector supports HDMI 1.3, older than 89.8% of projectors and equal to 7.3% of projectors.
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.
Different HDMI ports reach 10.2 and 4.95 Gbps.
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
no
This projector does not connect to Wi-Fi networks. 53.4% of projectors offer this.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
no
This projector does not support Bluetooth. 50.7% of projectors offer this.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Show more
What reviewers say
Smart TV features
no
This projector does not have built-in smart TV features. 43.9% of projectors offer this.
Operating system
none
Android OS
no
This projector does not run Android OS. 19.1% of projectors run Android OS.
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.
Lamp life (eco mode)
20,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers eco-mode lamp life of 20,000 hours, shorter than 39.4% of projectors and equal to 17.9% of projectors.
Eco mode rating.
Operating power consumption
90 W
Market range: <57 W – >390 W
This projector uses 90 W of power, less than 74.3% of projectors and equal to 1.4% of projectors.
Show more
What reviewers say

Optoma ML300 vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • 0.46 m shorter throw distance
    This projector has a lower throw distance than the average projector (0.6 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    0.55 m vs 1.0055 m
  • 10 degrees more vertical correction
    This projector offers more vertical keystone correction than the average projector (40 degrees vs 30 degrees). The average projector offers vertical keystone correction of 30 degrees.
    40 degrees vs 30 degrees
  • Wider color gamut
    This projector has a higher color gamut coverage than the average projector (100% NTSC % vs 99% Rec.709 %). The average projector has 99% Rec.709 % of color gamut coverage.
    100% NTSC % vs 99% Rec.709 %
  • 41.2% higher refresh rate
    This projector has a higher refresh rate than the average projector (120 Hz vs 85 Hz). The average projector has 85 Hz of refresh rate.
    120 Hz vs 85 Hz
  • 1 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    1 vs 0
  • 78.7% lighter weight
    This projector is lighter than the average projector (0.6 kg vs 2.98 kg). The average projector weighs 2.98 kg.
    0.635 kg vs 2.98 kg
  • Memory card slot included
    This projector has a memory card slot, while the average projector does not. 9.4% of projectors offer a memory card slot.
  • 140 W lower power use
    This projector uses less power than the average projector (90 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    90 W vs 230 W
  • Wider color gamut
    This projector has a higher color gamut coverage than the average projector (100% NTSC % vs 99% Rec.709 %). The average projector has 99% Rec.709 % of color gamut coverage.
    100% NTSC % vs 99% Rec.709 %
  • 41.2% higher refresh rate
    This projector has a higher refresh rate than the average projector (120 Hz vs 85 Hz). The average projector has 85 Hz of refresh rate.
    120 Hz vs 85 Hz
  • 0.46 m shorter throw distance
    This projector has a lower throw distance than the average projector (0.6 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    0.55 m vs 1.0055 m
  • 10 degrees more vertical correction
    This projector offers more vertical keystone correction than the average projector (40 degrees vs 30 degrees). The average projector offers vertical keystone correction of 30 degrees.
    40 degrees vs 30 degrees
  • Memory card slot included
    This projector has a memory card slot, while the average projector does not. 9.4% of projectors offer a memory card slot.
  • VGA input included
    This projector supports VGA input, while the average projector does not. 44.1% of projectors support VGA input.
  • 1 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    1 vs 0
  • 78.7% lighter weight
    This projector is lighter than the average projector (0.6 kg vs 2.98 kg). The average projector weighs 2.98 kg.
    0.635 kg vs 2.98 kg
  • 140 W lower power use
    This projector uses less power than the average projector (90 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    90 W vs 230 W
  • 113 mm narrower width
    This projector is narrower than the average projector (184 mm vs 297 mm). The average projector has a width of 297 mm.
    184 mm vs 297 mm
  • 78 mm lower height
    This projector is shorter than the average projector (44 mm vs 122 mm). The average projector has a height of 122 mm.
    44 mm vs 122 mm
  • 86.4% dimmer image
    This projector has lower ANSI lumens than the average projector (300 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    300 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
  • 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
  • 2 bit lower color depth
    This projector has a lower color depth than the average projector (8 bit vs 10 bit). The average projector has 10 bit of color depth.
    8 bit vs 10 bit
  • 27.0% lower review score
    Reviews score
    5.4/ 10
    ✕
    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
    ▼ Worse than 94% of models

    5.4

    Mark 8.0 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.0

    Average grade

    20%

    8.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (7)
    6 reviews: 3 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    5.4 vs 7.4
  • Older HDMI version
    This projector has Old HDMI standard than the average projector (1.3 vs 2). The average projector supports HDMI 2.
    1.3 vs 2
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • 27.0% lower review score
    Reviews score
    5.4/ 10
    ✕
    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
    ▼ Worse than 94% of models

    5.4

    Mark 8.0 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.0

    Average grade

    20%

    8.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (7)
    6 reviews: 3 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    5.4 vs 7.4
  • 86.4% dimmer image
    This projector has lower ANSI lumens than the average projector (300 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    300 vs 2,200
  • 2 bit lower color depth
    This projector has a lower color depth than the average projector (8 bit vs 10 bit). The average projector has 10 bit of color depth.
    8 bit vs 10 bit
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (3000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    3,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 9 earlier release
    This projector was released earlier than the average projector (2012 vs 2021). The average projector was released in 2021.
    January 2012
    2012 vs 2021
  • 0.02 inch smaller DMD chip
    This projector has a lower DMD chip size than the average projector (0.5 inch vs 0.47 inch). The average projector has 0.47 inch of DMD chip size.
    0.45 inch vs 0.47 inch
  • 90 inch smaller image size
    This projector has a lower projection size than the average projector (160 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    160 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
  • Older HDMI version
    This projector has Old HDMI standard than the average projector (1.3 vs 2). The average projector supports HDMI 2.
    1.3 vs 2
  • 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.
    Different HDMI ports reach 10.2 and 4.95 Gbps.
    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 Wi-Fi connectivity
    This projector does not connect to Wi-Fi networks, while the average projector does. 53.4% of projectors offer this.
  • No Bluetooth connectivity
    This projector does not support Bluetooth, while the average projector does. 50.6% of projectors offer this.
  • 80% weaker audio output
    This projector has a lower audio output power than the average projector (2 W vs 10 W). The average projector has 10 W of audio output power.
    2 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
  • 5 dB louder operation
    This projector has a higher audible noise than the average projector (36 dB vs 31 dB). The average projector has 31 dB of audible noise.
    36 dB vs 31 dB
  • 1 dB louder eco mode
    This projector has a higher audible noise in eco mode than the average projector (29 dB vs 28 dB). The average projector has 28 dB of audible noise in eco mode.
    29 dB vs 28 dB
  • 0.5 W higher standby power
    This projector uses more standby power than the average projector (1 W vs 0.5 W). The average projector uses 0.5 W of standby power.
    1 W vs 0.5 W

Video reviews

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

9.0
DragonRiderNetwork
≈ estimated
29/04/2012
Hands-on review · brightness, focus, gaming and design tests
Verdict
Optoma ML300 is a very bright pocket projector that suits most mini home theatre setups, despite some heat and fan noise.
Brand video
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

6.0
uk.pcmag.com
✓ explicit
14/03/2012
Hands-on test · Portable projector
Verdict
The Optoma ML300 is a tiny projector for small dark rooms, with good ports and few rainbows, but blurry text and a fiddly menu hold it back.
8.0
projectorcentral.com
✓ explicit
09/07/2012
Lab test · Pocket LED projector
Verdict
The Optoma ML300 is a light LED projector with crisp small text and good connections, but it washes out in room light and its video is only watchable.
8.0
stereowiseplus.com
≈ estimated
15/03/2012
Hands-on review · Pico projector
Verdict
The Optoma ML300 is a hand-sized presentation projector that works without a laptop, but it is a weak fit for big-screen home theater.
8.0
gamingshogun.com
≈ estimated
11/10/2012
Hands-on review · Portable projector
Verdict
The Optoma ML300 is a light, bright projector for presenters and small rooms, but it runs very hot and cannot run on battery power.
8.0
rangefinderonline.com
≈ estimated
01/05/2012
Hands-on review · Presentation projector
Verdict
The Optoma ML300 is a compact presentation projector that works like any Mac display, but it runs hot and its USB cable does not work with a Mac.
6.0
au.pcmag.com
✓ explicit
15/03/2012
Lab test · Pico projector
Verdict
The Optoma ML300 is small and runs presentations without a laptop, but text looks soft and its menus and USB connection are awkward.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Optoma ML300

  • Highly portable with a compact, lightweight design (approx. 1.5 lbs)
  • Long-lasting LED light source rated for 20,000 hours, eliminating bulb replacements
  • Versatile connectivity options including HDMI, VGA, USB, and a microSD card slot
  • Capable of computer-free presentations via internal memory or external storage
  • Good data image quality with saturated colors and minimal rainbow effects
  • Includes a padded carrying case and remote control

What customers don't like about Optoma ML300

  • Prone to significant overheating and sudden thermal shutdowns during extended use
  • Weak 2-watt built-in speaker with very low volume output
  • Lacks optical zoom, requiring physical movement of the unit to adjust image size
  • Scaling artifacts and sub-par text quality in certain data images
  • Awkward menu system and occasional unreliable USB connectivity
  • Noticeable fan noise, especially in brighter projection modes
  • Requires AC power as there is no built-in rechargeable battery

Verdict

The Optoma ML300 is an ultra-portable DLP pocket projector featuring a native WXGA resolution of 1280x800, 300 ANSI lumens of brightness, and a 3000:1 contrast ratio. Main characteristics include a long-lasting LED light source rated for 20,000 hours, 2GB of internal memory, a microSD slot supporting up to 32GB, and a versatile range of inputs including mini-HDMI, VGA, and USB. Its primary pros are its lightweight 1.4-pound design, computer-free presentation capabilities via the built-in MS Office viewer, and minimal 'rainbow effect' artifacts. However, notable cons include its very low 2-watt speaker volume, the absence of an optical zoom, and a tendency for the unit to run quite hot during operation.

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