Last updated on March 6th, 2025 at 10:39 am
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If you’ve been searching for a lightweight, ultra-portable projector for sewing, the Aurzen Zip Tri-Fold Projector might just be the perfect fit. This projector was designed with portability and connection ease in mind. It is a compact projector that offers a cordless, hassle-free experience, making it an excellent choice for those who need a flexible and mobile setup. I recently had the opportunity to test the Zip Tri-fold projector, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on its performance and usability.
Ditch the cables and bulk with this TINY, portable, battery-powered projector. Perfect for sewing due to ease of use and portability. Available for pre-order at a discount (Ends Soon!). Ships to many countries!
First Impressions: Small but Mighty
When the Aurzen Zip Tri-fold projector arrived the packaging was exquisite. It really has a high-end luxury feel to it. I knew it was small, but I really was shocked with just how small and lightweight this projector is—it literally fits in your purse! This is a game-changer for sewists who don’t have a permanent sewing space, travel frequently, or the hobby room space is at a premium. The portability factor alone sets it apart from traditional ceiling-mounted projectors and bulky ultra-short throw projectors.
The Aurzen Zip Tri-fold Projector is battery-operated, meaning no tangled cords to worry about. It also eliminates the need for a Wi-Fi connection since it sends its own signal, allowing easy pairing with your phone or computer. These features make it incredibly user-friendly, especially for sewists who aren’t tech-savvy.
The projector doesn’t come with an operating system and the home screen immediately directs you to connecting with your device. I was able to easily connect to my devices without the need for entering a WiFi password or connecting the projector to the internet. It can screen mirror as easily as a click of a button!
Mounting and Calibrating for Sewing
The Zip Tri-fold projector is designed for portability and ease of connecting, but how does that transfer to sewing? I first noticed that the projector didn’t have a screw mount hole on the bottom and assumed this would be an issue for setting up for sewing. However, I quickly found that the lightweight and portable size made it easy to use phone mounting solutions that I already had around my sewing room. I quickly connected it to a clamp mount with a phone holder attachment at the top. I also used the custom projector sewing mount with a phone holder attachment and it worked beautifully. A tripod can work well for mounting this projector too.
Later, I learned that you can get an accessory called the MagPlay that connects magnetically to the projector and the other side is a vacuum suction that can connect to walls, mirrors, and windows. With the MagPlay, it should be quick and easy to setup the projector almost anywhere you can imagine!
Like other projectors that have an auto-keystone feature, you will need to turn off that feature. The auto-keystone feature interferes with the way Pattern Projector calibrates your projector. You can turn off the auto keystone in the projector menu settings. Make sure to restart the projector once this feature is turned off. Once this feature was turned off, I was able to complete the drag and drop calibration of the image in Pattern Projector quickly and easily. I was ready to project a pattern within 5 minutes!
Image Size for Sewing
The next big question you should ask for sewing, is what size image you will get for sewing. If you are familiar with throw ratio, the throw ratio of this projector is 1.1. I’ve included a table below with the approximate size image you should get at given distances. Although this projector can focus in as little as 1.98ft (0.6m) and go up to 6.33 ft (1.93m), I recommend mounting this between 36″ (91 cm) and 65″ (165 cm) from your cutting mat for the best experience. I tested this projector both at 37.75″ and 60″ lens to table. The image was very clear at both distances. The further you can place the projector from your cutting mat, the larger the image will be. But, don’t plan on placing it more than the maximum of 6.33 ft (192 cm) for focusing.
| Distance (lens to table) | Image Width Size (inches) | Image Width Size (cm) |
| 36″ (91cm) | 32.7″ | 83 cm |
| 40″ (101.6cm) | 36.4″ | 92.5 cm |
| 50″ (127cm) | 45.5″ | 115.6 cm |
| 60″ (152cm) | 54.5″ | 138.4 cm |
Pros: Why Sewists Will Love the Aurzen Zip Tri-fold Projector
✅ Ultra-portable: Lightweight, compact, and fits in a purse—ideal for those on the go. This projector weighs only 0.62 lbs. (280g) and folds up smaller than my phone. It is 3.25”x3.25” and about 1” thick when folded.
✅ No cables needed: Runs on battery power for a completely cordless experience. The projector can run in either Boost or Eco mode for brightness. In eco mode, you should be able to get about 1.5 hours of run time on the battery. Which isn’t long enough for a movie, but is plenty of time for cutting out most sewing projects.
✅Easy connectivity: Connects seamlessly to phones and computers without requiring a Wi-Fi network. The connection to your device works similarly to Bluetooth for your airpods. Just turn on the projector and select screen mirror or cast on your device. The projector name will appear and you can select and connect. If your phone does go to screen saver, you will need to connect again.
✅ Flexible mounting options: Use a standard phone holder or opt for the MagPlay Dual-sided mount to attach it to windows, mirrors, and walls. I had a phone holder for my tri-pod and clamp mount that I used in my initial testing. I also connected a phone mount to the custom projector mount sold here at ProjectorSewing.com. But, there is also a MagPlay mount that says it can connect to windows, mirrors, and walls. It looks like mounting it practically anywere wouldn’t be an issue.
✅ Decent image clarity and quality: This projector has a 1280×720 pixel native resolution and the lens offers exceptional clarity. I admit I wasn’t expecting much from such a small lens. However, I found the text and lines are very clear and easy to read with this projector. You should expect a much better and clearer image with the Zip than with a budget projector such as the MagCubic HY300.
✅ Throw ratio of 1.1: The ideal mounting height for sewing with the Zip is between 36”-65”. Most mini projectors have a throw ratio between 1.2-1.5. The throw ratio of 1.1 is a good number for sewing. But, you should still plan on mounting this above your sewing table or mat. The further you can put the projector from the mat, the larger your image will be. The minimum distance I would place this projector is 36” (91cm) above your cutting mat. The maximum I’d recommend is around 65” because you start to loose clarity and brightness needed for sewing. See the chart below for the estimated screen size at each distance:
✅ Worldwide shipping: Available for preorder with delivery to the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Spain, Australia, France, and more! Check their website for more details on where they ship.
Cons: What to Consider Before Buying
➖ Battery life: Lasts only 1.5 hours in standard mode, and even less in bright mode—so you may need to keep a charger handy. I found that it took close to 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery. So, it’s a good idea to always re-charge the projector after using. That makes it ideal for sewists that are setting up and taking down the projector for sewing sessions anyway.
➖ No streaming capabilities: Due to the size of this projector, it doesn’t come with a built-in operating system. You must connect the projector to another device and screen mirror. Due to copyright, you will not be able to cast Netflix, Hulu, or Prime on this projector. You can bypass the streaming limitations by getting the Wireless HDMI streaming dongle that will allow you to stream content from Apple TV, Nintendo, and other devices.
➖ Best used in dim lighting: Like many projectors, it performs best in a dark or dimly lit room. I found the image was significantly better in a dim room. Even light from one window made the pattern lines in the image hard to see. Of course, if using programs like Pattern Projector, you can thicken the pattern lines to help them become more visible. The projector features state it has 100 ANSI lumens. This held true in testing, which gave me about 69 ANSI lumens in Eco mode and about 95 ANSI lumens in Boost mode.
➖ No screw hole for mounting: Unlike most other projectors, it doesn’t have a standard mount screw on the bottom. This projector was designed to be placed on a table. However, you can use a phone mount or get the accessory mount MagPlay to mount it just about anywhere.
➖ No remote control: You’ll need to turn on the projector by pressing the power button on the device. There is an app called the Aurzen Hub app that can control the volume, menu, and focus once the projector is on. The app can also power off the projector. So, you will need to have the projector within reach when you are first powering it on, then you can use the app if you need to adjust anything. I found that most of the time I didn’t need to touch the projector for sewing besides turning it on and off.
➖ Price: While it offers unique features and is truly innovative, some sewists may scoff at the price. It is not a “budget” projector. The compact size, battery, ease of connection, and clarity of image will come at a higher price. You will need to decide if the portability and features are worth it for you.
➖Speakers: The speakers are not needed for sewing, so I wasn’t going to put this in a con. For the size of the projector, I was actually impress with how loud the speakers did get. But, if you do plan on watching shows or videos with this projector, the speakers were not very loud. I’d recommend connecting to a Bluetooth speaker or earbuds for a better sound experience.
Tips for Getting the Best Experience
- Turn off auto keystone for accurate calibration when using Pattern Projector software.
- A USB-C cable is provided for charging. Remember to charge the projector after each long use. The USB-C can also be plugged into a power bank or the wall for longer use.
- Consider mounting options: The MagPlay Dual-sided mount is a great accessory for flexible placement. But, anywhere you have a phone mount, you can use this projector too.
Ditch the cables and bulk with this TINY, portable, battery-powered projector. Perfect for sewing for ease of use and portability. Available for pre-order at a discount. Ships to many countries!
Final Thoughts: Is the Aurzen Zip Projector Worth It?
For sewists who prioritize portability and convenience, the Aurzen Zip Tri-fold Projector is an innovative solution. Its lightweight design, battery-powered operation, and easy connectivity make it a standout choice for those who don’t want a bulky or permanently mounted setup. The screen mirroring from my phone and computer where both quick and simple without the need to be tech-savvy. While it does have some limitations, such as battery life and the need for a dim room, these trade-offs may be well worth it for sewists who need a truly mobile projection solution.
If you’re interested, you can preorder now and take advantage of a discount on Kickbooster before the official release in March. This could be the perfect tool to elevate your sewing setup!
Would you consider switching to a projector like the Aurzen Zip for your sewing projects? Let me know in the comments!
Ditch the cables and bulk with this TINY, portable, battery-powered projector. Perfect for sewing for ease of use and portability. Available for pre-order at a discount. Ships to many countries!