Handbag-sized laser projector with battery and Google TV: Etoe Dolphin 2 review

RGB lasers aren’t entirely uncommon in the price range up to $1,000, but they aren’t standard either. Packaged in a housing as compact and stylish as that of the Etoe Dolphin 2, however, this technology is definitely something special.

In practice, the projector was quite enjoyable—though primarily in a darkened environment. In such conditions, it delivers a thoroughly respectable picture. Unfortunately, the sound quality lags significantly behind, though this is not uncommon. In addition to Google TV, the built-in battery also stood out positively in our test, although it only lasts about an hour at full brightness. However, with a 100-Wh power bank, you can easily watch a two-hour movie on the go.

Overall, the Etoe Dolphin 2 offers an interesting package that, thanks to its compact design, enables XXL entertainment at an attractive price—for example, while camping, at a hotel, or in your own bedroom.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the Etoe Dolphin 2 is $1.043. It is available directly from the manufacturer, as well as from various retailers.

Is it the “Flipper” of portable projectors? Or will it sink in our test? The Etoe Dolphin 2 not only offers a compact handbag-inspired design but also exciting features such as an RGB laser, Google TV, and a rechargeable battery. Read on to find out how well the Dolphin 2 performed in our hands-on test.

Of course, we already knew before the test that the Dolphin 2 from Etoe was a compact projector. But when we first unboxed it, we were still pleasantly surprised—not only by its compact dimensions (approx. 19 x 18 x 6 cm) and low weight of just around 1.3 kg, but also by its stylish design.

The reference to handbags in the headline is no coincidence. Not only does the Etoe Dolphin 2 fit into (almost) any handbag, but its cream-colored faux-leather covering also makes it look very stylish. It comes packaged in an equally compact carrying case that also holds the accessories. In addition to the standard remote control—for which the manufacturer unfortunately did not include the two required AAA batteries—the package also includes an approximately 1-meter-long USB-C cable and a 100-watt USB-C power adapter.

This already indicates that the Etoe Dolphin 2 is likely to be energy-efficient in operation. But more on that later in our review. First, let’s focus on the technical specifications, which include a 54 Wh (5,000 mAh/10.8 V) battery. This battery is designed to provide up to two hours of use without an external power source. More on that later as well.

For image projection, the manufacturer uses a 0.23-inch DMD chip (DLP) and an RGB laser as the light source. According to the manufacturer, this setup can deliver up to 800 ANSI lumens for an image measuring 20 to 120 inches, with a throw ratio of 1.2:1. For audio output, Etoe uses two 5-W speakers. In addition to a 3.5-mm audio, the rear panel features HDMI 2.1 with eARC, USB 2.0, and USB-C for power, while dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1 provide wireless connectivity.

It features a quad-core processor with 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. This powers Google TV, which could run a bit more smoothly at times. Thanks to the widely used and mature operating system found in many projectors, setup is simple and straightforward. After holding down the power button on the back for a few moments, the projector turns on. The first step is to pair the remote control (after inserting the batteries), and then the familiar Google TV setup process begins.

After selecting your language and country, you can scan a QR code to conveniently complete the next steps on your smartphone. This allows you to log in to your Google Account and connect to Wi-Fi quickly, without having to fiddle with the remote control. After that, the process continues on the screen or wall. Next come the usual terms of service, a series of settings, and the selection of apps to install. The Dolphin 2 was ready for testing in about 15 minutes.

Thanks to Google TV, owners of the Etoe Dolphin 2 benefit from voice control via Google Assistant, which also has its own button on the standard black plastic remote control. Even more important is likely access to the well-stocked app store, which offers all kinds of apps, including popular streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube, each with its own dedicated button. Google Cast is also available for wireless streaming, alongside Miracast and AirPlay.

RGB laser technology inherently promises a wide color gamut (110% BT.2020), high brightness, and a long service life (30,000 hours). However, here it is housed in the compact enclosure of a projector costing about $1,000. Expectations should therefore not be too high.

The 800 ANSI lumens represent a solid level of brightness compared with other projectors in this price and product class. In practice, this is enough to produce a respectable Full HD image in a dark or dimmed environment. During the day, however, even at the highest brightness setting, the Dolphin 2 quickly reaches its limits depending on the lighting conditions in the room. The image then appears quite pale or is barely visible. In sunlight, its output is insufficient—though that was to be expected. Consequently, this compact model is best suited for use in the evening.

The projector has two built-in 5-watt speakers with support for Dolby Digital (Plus). As might be expected given the limited space inside the housing, the sound quality is modest. It might be enough for quickly catching up on the news or watching a light TV series. For an action-packed movie, however, it clearly lacks bass and dynamics.

Fortunately, there are various options for external audio solutions. In addition to the 3.5-mm jack, eARC via HDMI is also available. If you’re looking for a portable projector with better audio quality, check out the Nebula P1 (available on Amazon) from Anker. In our test, it scored points for its two detachable stereo speakers, among other features.

As mentioned earlier, the Etoe Dolphin 2 is powered via USB-C. In addition to the included USB-C power adapter, the projector can therefore also be powered by a power bank or a power station, for example when on the go. The only requirement is that the power source provides sufficient power. We measured power consumption at the adapter at just under 50 W at maximum brightness. At minimum brightness, it was just under half that. Measured directly at the projector’s USB-C port, the figures were a few watts lower in each case due to conversion losses in the power adapter. This means a 100-Wh power bank is sufficient for a two-hour movie, even at maximum brightness.

Alternatively, thanks to its built-in 54-Wh battery, the projector can also be operated completely independently of an external power source. The manufacturer specifies up to two hours of battery life. How long the device actually lasts depends, of course, on the settings—primarily the brightness. In our hands-on test, the Etoe Dolphin 2 lasted just over an hour while streaming at full brightness. That is enough for an episode of a series, but not for a movie. Here, too, reducing the brightness and using local playback extend the runtime. Since power consumption at minimum brightness is only about half as high, the promised two hours are possible—though with a dark picture.

About five minutes before the battery ran out, a notification window popped up—though it was in French instead of the selected German language. Unfortunately, we could not find any other battery indicator. There is a “Battery” menu item in the settings, but unfortunately there is nothing behind it. Charging with the included power adapter takes under 2.5 hours.

We measured the fan noise at around 32 dB from a distance of 1 m. A continuous rushing noise can be heard, but it is not particularly loud and quickly fades from notice while watching a movie.