Wanbo Vali 1 review – Affordable 1080p projector with 200° gimbal and premium features
Wanbo Vali 1 is the newest projector from Wanbo, and it comes with some really smart and useful features. Wanbo is not a new name on our site, we already reviewed the Wanbo X5 Pro before, and I was very impressed with how well it worked. Now, they have sent us the Vali 1, which looks even more interesting.
The Wanbo Vali 1 comes with a special 200° gimbal stand that makes it easy to place the projector anywhere. It also comes with an official Android 11 stick, so you can enjoy a smart TV experience. The projector has a clear 1080p native resolution, which is very bright with 900 ANSI lumens, and it’s also Netflix certified. The best part is that it comes at a very good price, so it’s great for people who want quality without spending too much.
Unboxing
The Wanbo Vali 1 comes in a clean white box, with the projector’s image on both the front and back along with Wanbo branding and main features of the project.
As I opened the box, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Wanbo had also included an ALR screen with the projector. This was a thoughtful addition, as an ALR screen is very important for better image quality in bright rooms—so thank you to Wanbo for taking care of that as well.
Inside, the projector is placed safely in a soft white plastic sleeve to protect it from scratches. There is also a small separate box that includes the remote control, power cable, an extra dust filter, and the instruction manual. The remote is the same as the one Wanbo usually provides—simple and easy to use. Overall, everything inside the box was packed safely and securely. The projector arrived without any damage, showing that Wanbo took good care with the packaging.
Wanbo Vali 1 – Pricing
| Wanbo Official Website | $239.0 with ALR Screen ( at the time of review ) Click here to buy |
You can grab the Wanbo Vali 1 for just $229.0 using the coupon code “VALI1_ENOS” at checkout.
Wanbo Vali 1 – Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Overview | |
| Product Name | Vali 1 |
| Product Color | White |
| Product Weight | 2.8 Kg |
| Product Size | 254 × 188.8 × 227.6 mm |
| Display & Picture | |
| Display Technology | LCD |
| Brightness | 900 ANSI Lumens |
| Physical Resolution | 1920 × 1080 (Full HD) |
| Lens | 3 Pcs aspherical pure glass lens |
| Projection Features | |
| Zoom Function | 50% – 100% |
| Projection Ratio | 1.35:1 |
| Projection Size | 40 – 130 inches |
| Projection Distance | 1.2 – 3.9 metres |
| Intelligent Features | |
| Keystone Correction | Auto |
| Focus Adjustment | Auto |
| Obstacle Avoidance | Auto |
| Screen Alignment | Auto |
| Audio & Connectivity | |
| Speaker | 6W × 2 |
| Cavity Volume | 500CC |
| Noise Level | ≤28 dB/m |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Dual Band 2.4/5 GHz |
| Ports | |
| HDMI | 1 |
| USB | 1 |
| AUX (3.5mm) | 1 |
Wanbo Vali 1 – A closer look
The Wanbo Vali 1 comes with a sturdy plastic body and a stylish design that gives it a premium look. The Wanbo Vali 1 weighs 2.8 kg and measures 254 × 188.8 × 227.6 mm in size. On the front, you’ll see the main coated projection lens, a camera, and an IR receiver. These are neatly placed within a border that features black and white lining, which adds a touch of elegance to the overall appearance.
To keep the lens safe, Wanbo includes a rubberized protection cover that helps protect it from dust and scratches when the projector is not in use. This lens cover is specially made for the Wanbo Vali 1 and helps avoid damage like friction or marks during everyday use, which also helps extend the lens’s life.
Looking at the right side, there are grills on both the top and bottom in a honeycomb design. The top grill hides a removable dust filter that can be easily taken out, cleaned, and reinstalled. This filter protects the projector from dust while allowing clean air to flow inside, keeping the device clean and dust-proof. Wanbo also provides an extra dust filter in the box, which is a nice bonus. The bottom grill on the same side holds a 6W speaker with a 500CC sound chamber that gives good sound.
The power plug is smartly placed inside the gimbal stand at the bottom, which is a thoughtful move by Wanbo, as putting it on the back would have caused problems during rotation. This placement helps avoid cable tangling and keeps everything neat.
On the left side, the design continues with matching grills. One of these grills is half closed, and you’ll notice a “Wanbo | Made in China” branding at the centre. These grills are used to push out hot air, meaning the cool air enters from the right side through the filter, and the warm air exits from the left side.
At the back, you’ll find the power button, another IR receiver, a headphone jack, an HDMI ARC port, a USB port, and another 6W speaker for fuller sound.
Turning the projector over, the gimbal stand has four rubber feet to keep it stable on flat surfaces and also includes a standard mounting hole for ceiling or tripod mounting.
Overall, the build quality of Wanbo Vali 1 is excellent. The gimbal stand feels solid and well-made, and it rotates easily without needing much force. You can point the projector in any direction—whether towards a wall or the ceiling—making it very flexible. You can even lift the projector by holding the stand, which shows how strong and reliable the design really is.
Wanbo Vali 1 – Performance and features
The Wanbo Vali 1 projector runs on Android TV 11, and I have already completed the setup. It was quick and easy. Turn it on, answer a few questions, and it’s ready to go. Voice control works well too. Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube Music come preloaded, but you can also download tons of other TV apps from the Play Store as per your choice.
At startup, the projector automatically activates ASA, which uses Smart ASA 3.0 Tech – this includes auto-focus, obstacle avoidance, and auto keystone for a perfect image without any effort. I set up the Vali 1 with ALR screen that came along with projector and projected 85 inch screen. The projector can project the screen sizes from 40 to 130 inches while keeping the picture quality sharp and clear. depending on how far you place it, from just 1.2 metres up to 3.9 metres away.
The Wanbo Vali 1 may look small, but it has strong features inside. It gives 900 ANSI lumens brightness, which makes the picture bright and clear. The native resolution is 1080p Full HD, so everything looks sharp. The contrast ratio is 3000:1, which helps in showing deeper blacks and better colour.
I played a few YouTube videos in Full HD to check colour and detail, and without changing any settings, the picture looked amazing — sharp, vibrant, and not overexposed. I tested it in a dark room, and the results were truly impressive.
The colours popped nicely, and even the darker scenes looked clear without losing detail.
The 900 ANSI lumens brightness truly surprised me. In a dark room, the picture was already stunning, but even with one out of two room lights turned on, it held up impressively well. Except for a few dark scenes, everything else looked bright and totally watchable, and for such a price, the results were truly amazing!
Wanbo Vali 1 comes with a dedicated Game Mode, which, when turned on, improves responsiveness and reduces input lag, reduces latency and improves overall gaming performance. As a gamer, I couldn’t miss the chance to try it out — I played Forza Horizon 5 on a 100-inch screen, and honestly, the experience was incredible. Racing on such a big screen felt next level and totally immersive!
Wanbo Vali 1 – Sound and Connectivity
The Wanbo Vali 1 delivers impressive audio through its dual 6W speakers housed in a 500cc sound chamber. The sound is clear, loud, and has a decent amount of bass – more than you’d expect from a compact projector. You also get a range of sound modes this time, including Movie, Standard, Gaming, and Music, so you can easily switch based on what you’re watching or playing.
For connectivity, Wanbo Vali 1 gives you both wireless and wired options. It has Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi, so you can easily connect your devices without cables. If you like using wires, it also has one HDMI port, one USB port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
In my case, I connected my gaming PC to the projector using the HDMI port, and it worked great. I also connected my laptop to show a quick presentation — no issues at all. For movies, I just plugged in a USB drive and started watching videos directly. Super easy.
Enos Tech Verdict
Wanbo really surprised me with the Vali 1. From unboxing to using it daily, the whole experience felt premium and smooth. Setting it up took just a few minutes — thanks to the smart ASA 3.0 tech, it handled auto-focus, keystone, and screen fitting all by itself. I didn’t have to do anything! When I tested it in my dark room, the picture was sharp, colourful, and full of life. Even with one light on, the 900 ANSI lumens performed way better than I expected. For this price, it honestly felt like I was watching something on a much more expensive projector.
Sound was another surprise. The built-in speakers are loud and clear. And with modes like movie, gaming, and music, you can choose what sounds best for your content. I connected my gaming PC using HDMI and enjoyed Forza Horizon 5 and other my favorite games on a 100-inch screen — game mode really made it smooth to play. I also used USB to watch a movie, and it played without any issues. The 200° rotating gimbal stand is not just stylish, it’s very useful too. You can tilt the projector anywhere, even to the ceiling, and it stays stable.
If you want a smart, stylish, and powerful projector that doesn’t break the bank — Wanbo Vali 1 is a brilliant choice.
