Akiyo Projector 2023 Review: Big Picture for Sewists

Last updated on December 28th, 2023 at 10:52 am

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Gone are the days of painstakingly printing, taping, and tracing PDF patterns, or at least they can be with the Akiyo projector! This Akiyo projector review for sewing is here to help you determine if this is the right projector for your space! Could this be the one to light up your workspace and simplify your sewing experience? Let’s find out!

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	Mini Projector with WiFi and Bluetooth, 1080P…	No ratings yet	$65.99 $55.99	Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2024-05-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Overall Thoughts and Impressions

The Akiyo projector for sewing is a very lightweight, budget-friendly projector that produces a large image. These qualities make a great option for the budget-conscious sewist! I recommend at least 50” or 127cm between cutting table and ceiling for mounting this projector.

Throw Ratio and Image Size

Throw ratio is the relationship between the size of a projected image and the distance the projector is from the screen. Lower numbers mean the projector can create a large image in less distance. The throw ratio of the Akiyo projector is about 1.1-1.2. At closer distances, the throw ratio calculated closer to 1.2 and further distances approached a throw ratio of 1.1.

This is a great throw ratio for a projector for sewing in a budget projector!

To estimate the size screen you might have:

Take the distance between the ceiling and the cutting surface minus about 7 inches or 18cm. Then, divide that by the throw ratio of the projector. I’d use both 1.1 and 1.2 so you can see the maximum and minimum sizes.

Throw distance ÷ Throw Ratio = Image Width

This table will also give you an idea of what to expect!

*All dimensions are approximate, actual sizes may vary slightly.

Ease of Calibration

During the Akiyo projector review I was able to successfully calibrate the projector. The entire calibration process was similar to other mini projectors. For a full guide on calibrating a projector for sewing, I recommend checking out this article on mini projector calibration.

Brightness and Contrast

The brightness and contrast are areas where this projector really didn’t impress me, but what can you expect from a budget projector? During the review, I tested the Akiyo projector with about 73.5 Lux lumens compared to about 129 lux lumens for the Vivimage Explore 2 (another leading mini projector for sewing).

This means you really need to have a dark environment to use this mini projector. If you do not have a dark environment, you may want to look at the Sovboi, AAXA P6X or the BenQ 635ST.

Connectivity

The Akiyo projector for sewing has all the connections you can want including HDMI and screen mirroring for iOS (Airplay on all Apple devices) and Android (Android casting can be used with Miracast on computers). If you plan on connecting with an HDMI cable, I recommend purchasing a longer cable since the one it comes with is very short.

• Wireless (iOS and Android screen casting)
• HDMI
• AV
• USB

Phone connections will produce a smaller image size versus when connected to a computer. The screen dimensions are typically constrained by the length of the screen and a smaller height. When I tested using an iPhone, I got an image size of 47.75”x 22.125” instead of 47.75”x26.75”.

Connecting to an iPad and running Affinity Designer is also an option. However, the screen size is limited by the height of the image. I got an image size of 38.5” x 27” when connected to the iPad.

Akiyo Projector Body Design

The Akiyo projector is a very compact projector, weighing under 1 lb. It is about 4”x5”x2”. This makes it a great projector for permanent, temporary, and portable mounts.

However, the cables do exit out of the back of the projector and you will still need to account for about 7” or 18cm from lens to ceiling for mounting. Keystone and focus are manual adjustment wheels found of the side of the projector. The power cable is very short and heavy. Using an extension cord will be necessary for most setups.

Recommendation

The Akiyo projector does make a great projector for sewing if you are able to work in a dark environment. This may mean putting curtains on windows or cutting fabric when it is dark outside.

The Akiyo is a great projector for those looking to start sewing with a projector and minimal cost. Because of the small projector size and lower throw ratio (larger image size), this projector makes a good choice for anyone looking to create a permanent setup or portable setup.

Mount Recommendations

There are several options for mounting this projector. It does fall into the “mini” projector class, which means the lens should be mounted directly above the center of your cutting mat.

If you can mount on the ceiling permanently, this is my preferred setup! Any universal single-point projector mount will work for this projector. I even successfully used a security camera mount.

You can also purchase the custom-made mount in my shop. It is designed to mount the projector close to the ceiling. It is very stable and perfect for sewing projectors!

Buy Mount HERE

Other options include a clamp mount, tension rod, or tripod. Look at your sewing space and decide which works best for you. You can checkout this article on Portable setups for more ideas!

Remember if you choose to take down and setup your projector each time you sew, you will need to “re-calibrate” the projector. If you can keep the projector level to the cutting surface and just “swing” or move it out of the way, this would help re-calibration to go quicker!

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	YiePhiot Mini Ceiling Wall Projector Mount…	No ratings yet	$9.99 $8.99	Buy on Amazon
	2-Be-Best Mini Projector Wall Mount, Angle…	No ratings yet	$9.54	Buy on Amazon
	Overhead Camera Mount Desk Stand, 3-Section…	No ratings yet	$45.98	Buy on Amazon
	LINCO Lincostore 2.5ft to 5ft Adjustable…	No ratings yet	$29.99	Buy on Amazon
	SmallRig 148CM Wall Mount Light Stand Boom…	No ratings yet	$78.99 $74.99	Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2024-05-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Alternative Projectors to the Akiyo

The Yoton Y3-PW is most likely the same projector, but just sold by a different Amazon seller. The Yoton Y3-P is not wireless, so make sure to get the Y3-PW if you want to be able to cast from your device!

Sovboi and Tkisko projectors are other projector options that give you the same image size. They are still compact, but slightly larger than the Akiyo and Yoton Y3-PW projectors. They also have a bit brighter image. But, both the Sovboi and Tkisko projectors do not have keystone correction. This means all adjustments must be made by hand for calibration.

If you are looking for a brighter projector with the same throw ratio, you might want to checkout the AAXA P6X.

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	Mini Projector with WiFi Bluetooth, Portable…	462 Reviews	$80.00 $55.99	Buy on Amazon
	Sovboi Projector, WiFi Mini Portable…	No ratings yet	$99.99	Buy on Amazon
	Mini Projector, Tkisko 5G WiFi 1080P…	625 Reviews		Buy on Amazon
	Worlds Brightest Battery Pico Projector, AAXA…	No ratings yet	$329.99	Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2024-05-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Conclusion

If you are looking for a sewing projector that is affordable, portable, and budget-friendly, then the Akiyo projector is a great option for you! The small size, low price, and large image size make is very desirable for sewing purposes. However, make sure you have a dim environment when sewing for the best experience.

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