Aurzen's ZIP Pro enhances its predecessor's features with 1080p and a larger battery

Published Sep 6, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT The below articles are sponsored by one of our partners. Product choices and opinions expressed are from the sponsor and do not reflect the views of the How-to Geek editorial staff. Many portable projectors are still too bulky for everyday carry. Aurzen changed that with the ZIP, the world’s first tri-fold projector. It collapsed to roughly the size of a small stack of cards, making it genuinely pocketable. Now, Aurzen has launched the ZIP Pro, an upgraded version that builds on the original's ultra-compact body. Featuring an all-new proprietary 10.7mm ultra-slim optical engine, it bumps the resolution from 720p to native 1080p. It doubles the brightness to 200 ANSI lumens, making it the smallest projector in its class. Aurzen ZIP Pro: A Full HD projector built for your mobile lifestyle Aurzen ZIP Pro Brand Aurzen Native Resolution 1920 x 1080 ANSI Lumens 200 lumens Projection Technology DLP Connectivity Wi-Fi, AirLink, Miracast, AirPlay (P2P), DLNA, Google Cast Throw Ratio 1.20:1 The Aurzen ZIP Pro packs native 1080p, 200 ANSI lumens, and up to 2.5 hours of battery life into an ultra-compact tri-fold body. It unfolds into an adjustable stand and connects directly to a Nintendo Switch over USB-C, so it'll easily handle gaming as well as big-screen movies wherever you go. Lamp Type LED Ports USB-C1 (PD Charging, S/PDIF), USB-C2 (Video in, USB 3.0) Weight 586g/1.29lbs Power source 38 Wh (2×5,000 mAh) Along with a sharper picture and longer battery life, the new ZIP Pro has faster charging, better image adjustment, and direct USB-C connectivity for the Nintendo Switch. If you're in the market for a new portable projector, here is why the new Aurzen ZIP Pro should be right up your alley: Movies and games look much sharper Credit: Aurzen The move from 720p to native 1080p is the ZIP Pro's biggest upgrade. The original could produce a surprisingly watchable picture in a dark room, but its lower resolution became easier to notice as the image grew. Full HD should preserve finer details and make text look cleaner on a larger picture. Aurzen has also doubled the brightness from 100 to 200 ANSI lumens. That should make the picture easier to see outdoors or in a bright room, so you should not always have to wait for pitch darkness before pressing play. Additionally, the new ZIP Pro can project a large 60 to 80-inch image, enough to turn a campsite or hotel wall into a big screen. Speaking of connectivity, the ZIP Pro works with phones, laptops, and gaming consoles. It supports AirPlay, Miracast, DLNA, and Google Cast, as well as AirLink P2P for screen mirroring without relying on spotty hotel or campsite Wi-Fi. The big addition is the industry’s first direct USB-C projection for Nintendo Switch, letting you play on a much larger screen without a separate dongle. Game Mode keeps response times between 20 and 40ms for snappy, responsive gameplay. The battery can finally last through a full movie Credit: Aurzen Aurzen has equipped the ZIP Pro with a larger 38Wh battery rated for up to 2.5 hours in Eco mode, a full hour longer than the original model. That is enough to cover most movies on a single charge, whether you set it up at a campsite, in the backyard, or in a hotel room. You can press play without first hunting for the nearest outlet or running a cable across the floor. Charging is much faster, too. The new ZIP Pro now supports 65W USB-C charging, increased from 24W, meaning you can get back to your movie or show sooner. Even better, you can plug the projector into a USB-C power bank to enjoy your shows on the go. Credit: Aurzen That said, the larger battery and sharper picture come with a trade-off. At 586g, the ZIP Pro weighs more than twice as much as the 280g ZIP. Its 4.53 x 3.82 x 1.73-inch folded body is better suited to a jacket pocket, handbag, or carry-on than a pocket. Even so, it remains compact for a battery-powered 1080p projector with a built-in stand. The ZIP Pro is easier to set up in awkward spaces Credit: Aurzen The tri-fold design was already the ZIP's best idea. Instead of carrying a tripod or balancing it on books, you could unfold it into a Z shape and adjust the height and projection angle. The ZIP Pro retains that design while adding more control over the picture quality. The Pro adds four-point correction, improving on the original ZIP’s vertical keystone system. Whether you’re in a cramped hotel room, bedroom, or rocky campsite, you can get a perfect picture with minimal adjustments. Additionally, autofocus keeps it sharp, while a gyroscope lets you switch from movies and games to vertical mode for TikToks and YouTube Shorts without large black bars. Unlike many portable projectors, the ZIP Pro adds a Smart Touch Display for checking the battery level, connection status, and virtual controls at a glance. Dual 2W speakers handle everyday viewing, but the standout audio feature is support for two pairs of Bluetooth headphones at once. Two people can enjoy the same movie with private audio, making it ideal for hotel stays, camping trips, or late-night viewing without disturbing anyone nearby. Pricing and availability The Aurzen ZIP Pro is available to preorder for an introductory price of $579.99, a $50 saving from its $629.99 MSRP. With a sharper picture, longer battery life, faster charging, and simpler setup, it is a more capable portable projector for movies, gaming, and travel.