Roku’s first smart projector gives you a giant screen for a small price

Roku is looking to make it on the big screen. The company has just launched its first-ever smart projector, the Aurzen Roku TV Smart Projector D1R Cube, that projects up to 150 inches.

Small size, reasonable price, high convenience

A familiar equation for Roku

The D1R Cube is built in collaboration with Aurzen, a brand that has quietly carved a niche for compact projectors that don’t feel cheap. Weighing just 4 pounds, this little cube is small enough to toss in a backpack but big enough to beam an image from 40 inches to 150 inches on a wall or screen.

Unlike most entry-level projectors, the D1R Cube doesn’t make you choose between relative portability and smart features. It comes with the full Roku TV OS baked in, meaning you get the same slick interface you’d find on Roku-powered TVs, plus instant access to thousands of streaming apps and Roku’s own 500+ free live TV channels. The package includes a Roku remote, but you can also control it using Roku’s mobile app — or go hands-free with Google Assistant, Alexa, or Siri.

Roku didn’t skimp on ecosystem support, either. The D1R Cube plays nicely with Roku’s wireless speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers, allowing you to build a true Roku-powered home theater without running cables across the room. Built-in dual 5W speakers (Dolby Audio certified) are here for quick setups, and there’s also a 3.5mm jack, HDMI, and USB ports if you want to go wired.

Projection quality should be solid for the price point, with a 1080p resolution and 330 ANSI lumens of brightness. Features like autofocus and auto-keystone correction make setup painless, and a built-in kickstand plus tripod mounting thread give you options for screen positioning. Just keep in mind that this isn’t a battery-powered projector; you’ll need a power outlet nearby, which limits its true portability.

The Aurzen Roku TV Smart Projector D1R Cube is available now in the U.S. for $250 on Amazon, and there’s a $70 coupon that brings it down to $180. Aurzen’s website also sells a matching 120-inch rollable screen ($26.99) and vertical stand ($46.99) for those who want a complete out-of-the-box theater setup.

With the D1R Cube, Roku is doing what it does best: taking a category dominated by Google TV and Android-based options and giving it the simple, polished Roku treatment. If you’ve been waiting for a projector that feels like a Roku TV on the go, this might be the one to beat.