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 ML500 review: 86 specs compared

Avg. price:~£330Native panel resolution:1280x800ANSI lumens:500Throw ratio:1.4:1Lamp life:20000 hours

Optoma ML500 Review: Compare 86 technical specifications and 5 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

Optoma ML500
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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ 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

â–¼Worse 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

8.8

Price

â–¼Worse 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

42%

5.2

Image Quality

22%

5.7

Projection & Lens

12%

6.0

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.7

Audio & Features

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

5.7

Design & Power

â–¼Worse 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ 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%

8.1

Average grade

20%

7.5

Popularity

Grades by review (5)
4 reviews: 2 with a printed score, 2 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.
â–¼Worse 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
  • optoma-ml500
  • optoma-ml500
optoma-ml500
optoma-ml500
Where to buy
    N/A~ £330
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 ML500

Based on 3 · 2

Reviewers agree colours look rich and vivid, though the picture lacks sharpness and fine detail.
Praised
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Technical Specifications of projector Optoma ML500

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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components:

42%

5.2

Image Quality

22%

5.7

Projection & Lens

12%

6.0

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.7

Audio & Features

8%

4.0

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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components:

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

8.8

Price

6.9
ANSI lumens
500
Market range: <280 – >4k
This projector reaches 500 ANSI lumens, dimmer than 77.5% of projectors and equal to 3.3% 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
1.4:1
Min throw distance
0.5 m
Market range: <0.5 m – >1.651 m
This projector needs a minimum throw distance of 0.5 m, shorter than 87.1% of projectors and equal to 3.2% of projectors.
Max projection size
180 inch
Market range: <120 inch – >301 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 180 inch, smaller than 64.1% of projectors and equal to 1.3% 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)
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
?
Max HDMI bandwidth
?
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
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
120 W
Market range: <57 W – >390 W
This projector uses 120 W of power, less than 65.2% of projectors and equal to 2.3% of projectors.
Show more

Optoma ML500 vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • 0.51 m shorter throw distance
    This projector has a lower throw distance than the average projector (0.5 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    0.5 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.
    Via combined AV input.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB ports
    This projector has more USB ports than the average projector (2 vs 1). The average projector has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • 63.1% lighter weight
    This projector is lighter than the average projector (1.1 kg vs 2.98 kg). The average projector weighs 2.98 kg.
    1.1 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.
  • 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
  • 0.51 m shorter throw distance
    This projector has a lower throw distance than the average projector (0.5 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    0.5 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
  • 1 more USB ports
    This projector has more USB ports than the average projector (2 vs 1). The average projector has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • 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.
    Via combined AV input.
    1 vs 0
  • 63.1% lighter weight
    This projector is lighter than the average projector (1.1 kg vs 2.98 kg). The average projector weighs 2.98 kg.
    1.1 kg vs 2.98 kg
  • 110 W lower power use
    This projector uses less power than the average projector (120 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    120 W vs 230 W
  • 79.5 mm lower height
    This projector is shorter than the average projector (42.5 mm vs 122 mm). The average projector has a height of 122 mm.
    42.5 mm vs 122 mm
  • 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.
  • 77.3% dimmer image
    This projector has lower ANSI lumens than the average projector (500 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    500 vs 2,200
  • 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ 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%

    8.1

    Average grade

    20%

    7.5

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    4 reviews: 2 with a printed score, 2 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
  • 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ 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%

    8.1

    Average grade

    20%

    7.5

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    4 reviews: 2 with a printed score, 2 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
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • 77.3% dimmer image
    This projector has lower ANSI lumens than the average projector (500 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    500 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
  • 10 earlier release
    This projector was released earlier than the average projector (2011 vs 2021). The average projector was released in 2021.
    2011 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
  • 70 inch smaller image size
    This projector has a lower projection size than the average projector (180 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    180 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
  • 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.
  • No headphone jack
    This projector does not have a 3.5 mm audio jack, while the average projector does. 84.4% of projectors offer a 3.5 mm audio jack.
  • 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

Video reviews

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

9.0
Picopros
≈ estimated
23/09/2011
Hands-on demo · cable TV, sports and room-light tests
Verdict
Optoma ML500 is a clear recommendation for its price, with strong image and colour, but the built-in speaker falls short for serious movie sound.
9.5
Picopros
≈ estimated
21/09/2011
Full review · image quality, brightness and sound tests
Verdict
Optoma ML500 delivers great image and sound for the money and is a strong choice for home offices and home entertainment.
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded
Shop video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

8.0
projectorcentral.com
✓ explicit
14/02/2012
Lab test · Portable projector
Verdict
The Optoma ML500 is a light, quick-setup projector that shows presentations from memory, but small text looks soft and it has no zoom.
7.0
uk.pcmag.com
✓ explicit
18/10/2011
Lab test · Portable business projector
Verdict
The Optoma ML500 is a light, portable projector that shows presentations without a computer, but video rainbows limit it to short clips.
6.0
projectorreviews.com
≈ estimated
06/08/2013
Image quality test · Compact projector
Verdict
The Optoma ML500 shows truer yellows and reds and watchable video, but its text looks fuzzy, so it suits video more than office documents.
9.0
uk.pcmag.com
≈ estimated
16/05/2014
Review · Business projector
Verdict
The Optoma ML500 is a small, portable business projector with rich colors and long-life LED light, though video suits only short clips.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Optoma ML500

  • High portability with a lightweight 2.5-pound design and compact footprint roughly the size of a book.
  • Long-lasting LED light source rated for up to 20,000 hours, eliminating the need for frequent and costly bulb replacements.
  • Strong connectivity options including HDMI, VGA, USB, and an SD card slot for PC-free presentations.
  • Saturated and vibrant color performance, particularly for data images and business presentations.
  • Quick setup time, often taking less than a minute from unboxing to projection.
  • Decent audio output from the built-in 2-watt speaker, capable of filling a small conference room.

What customers don't like about Optoma ML500

  • Presence of scaling artifacts and fuzziness in small text, even when projecting at its native 1280x800 resolution.
  • Visible 'rainbow artifacts' in video content, which may be distracting for sensitive viewers.
  • Loud cooling fan noise that some users found intrusive during operation.
  • Lack of an optical zoom lens, requiring users to physically move the unit to adjust image size.
  • Limited vertical and horizontal lens shift, making placement flexibility more difficult compared to full-sized models.
  • Reports of reliability issues over time, including potential heat-related damage and specific daily usage limitations in the warranty.

Verdict

The Optoma ML500 is a compact, 2.5-pound ultra-portable DLP projector featuring a native WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution and 500 ANSI lumens of brightness. It utilizes a long-lasting LED light source rated for up to 20,000 hours, eliminating the need for expensive lamp replacements. Key characteristics include its 3000:1 contrast ratio, 2GB of internal memory, and a built-in media player that supports PC-free presentations of Microsoft Office files via USB or SD card slots. Main pros are its lightweight design, diverse connectivity—including HDMI, VGA, and S-video—and surprisingly decent 2-watt audio for its size. However, notable cons include the lack of an optical zoom, forcing users to manually position the unit to adjust image size, and the occasional appearance of rainbow artifacts or scaling issues during video playback.

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