Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen vs. LG CineBeam Q: Portable Projectors
Instead of staring at your phone and tyring to take in a movie on a tiny screen, blow up your entertainment with a portable projector that's designed to go wherever you roam. The two we're comparing today are popular choices by some of the biggest brands in entertainment—but which one reigns supreme? Maybe you're taking yours camping, are hoping to use yours in the basement, need something for the office conference room or are heading off to college and want to replace a classic TV screen with something a little more flexible. Both the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen and LG CineBeam Q are impressive ... but they both have their strengths and weaknesses. Read on to see which is right for you.
Image Quality: Who Wins Best Picture?
Let's start with what everyone cares about the most: the image quality. In truth, neither of these portable projectors will measure up to a pro-level model that's designed for a home cinema. They're not supposed to; they're designed for flexibility, The light output, resolution and overall quality will be dialed down. Instead, we're pitting the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen and the LG CineBeam Q against each other when it comes to image quality.
The LG CineBeam Q and the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen are both designed to be used in the dark or in dim spaces; neither can battle back ambient light or sunshine. The LG CineBeam Q does push past the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen, though when it comes to brightness: The CineBeam Q is equipped with 500 lumens, while the Freestyle has only 230 lumens. Next up, picture clarity. Here, the LG projector wins again with the ability to play 4K video. Meanwhile, the Samsung model can operate at full 1080p HD—neither of them disappoints, but one of them is a step ahead.
Color and contrast are incredibly important in any watching experience too, especially for a projector, even a portable one. The LG CineBeam Q brings beautiful and detailed color to any viewing experience thanks to the 3-channel RGB laser inside. RGB ... it's why reds, greens and blues look their best; you'll see 154% of the DCI-P3 color gamut in vivid detail. Impressive color contrast is here as well. This projector has a 450,000: 1 contrast ratio that gives watchers impressively detailed colors and rich blacks, no matter what you're watching. In comparison, the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen is built with HDR and HDR support for impressive contrast. HDR, or high dynamic range, is the perfect way to see detail in both dark scenes and bright ones. You'll have no trouble knowing what's going on with this expanded range of brightness. And since this little projector supports HDR as well, it can render all kinds of HDR content and make it look great—whether you're pointing it at the ceiling or the wall.
Finally, screen size. Depending on your use case, you may want a large screen or a small one. Both LG and Samsung thought of this, and both projectors feature adjustable screen sizes. The LG CineBeamQ can throw an image between 50-120 inches large, while the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen keeps things on the smaller end with a 30-100 inch "screen". It's up to you whether you'd like a bigger or smaller screen. In some instances, maybe a 30-inch display would fit better, like in smaller spaces where you sit closer to the wall. But if you're taking it outdoors and using it outside, you'll likely want a larger display.
So, based off of the screen alone, which projector is better? The Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen is beloved and has had a full redesign, but the LG CineBeam Q is hard to beat, especially with 4K resolution and 3-channel RGB laser. Its boosted 500 lumens makes it easier for users to see what they're watching, though both miniature projectors are definitely designed to be used in dark spaces and can't go up against ambient light. Don't count the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen out yet, though: there's lots more that makes this projector an incredible choice ... especially for those hoping for the most portable option on the market.
Portability: Can You Take Them Anywhere?
No. You can't take either of them everywhere, but there's one that's much more portable than the other. The Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen can connect to a portable battery (sold separately) to play anywhere. However, the LG CineBeam Q must be plugged into a consistent power source, like a wall outlet. That means that while this miniature projector is technically portable in that it can move from room to room, it still needs to be plugged in. The Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen can instead connect to a portable battery. They'll both work well indoors, and with the right outdoor cable you'll be able to use the model by LG in the backyard. But if you're camping outdoors or need to unplug, the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen is the correct choice for your needs.
Setup: Which Makes it Easier?
When it comes to projectors, setup isn't as simple as with a classic TV. With a television, you plug it in and it looks its best (most of the time). But with a projector, you have to fiddle with things like positioning, angle and more, all to make sure the picture isn't warped. Both of these mini projectors are designed with intelligent tech that helps users get their picture aligned with the backdrop (no matter what that might be). With the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen, Auto Leveling keeps the screen horizontal. Meanwhile, Auto Focus sharpens blurry lines and Auto Keystone keeps an eye on all the angles to maintain a 16/9 ratio. The result is a clear, pristine image that users don't have to work hard to achieve.
Next, the LG CineBeam Q. This portable projector is also designed with automatic focusing tech; just place it where you want to watch, then see it automatically adjust with Auto Screen Adjustment and Auto Focus. Off-center images shift to fit your space all while Auto Focus sharpens what you see. And with that sharp 4K quality, everything you see will look its best
Both of these portable projectors are designed with "place and play" features, so which one is best when it comes to a quick set-up? We're going to call it a tie and say that both are packed with extremely convenient ways to line up your picture, whether you're streaming shows, watching movies or even playing video games. They'll look their best on either of these projectors.
Audio: Is There Quality Sound in a Small Package?
Could such small electronics make enough noise to bring you the entertainment you need? The answer is a bit complicated. The engineers at LG and the specialists at Samsung had a difficult design problem when it came to these models: they're small, so you won't get the kind of audio you might find in a soundbar. Instead, you'll be working with the internal speakers on these relatively small projectors. In truth, both have been described as average, with the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen ranking better than the LG CineBeam Q. That's thanks to the projector's 360 Degree Sound, where spacious audio and a bit of bass make the difference—and set the Freestyle ahead of its competitor.
If you're hoping for more volume and better audio (which you'll need if you're watching or playing in an open space like the outdoors or a basement), connect to a Bluetooth speaker to add better sound quality. But in a smaller space with the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen, you might not need an additional speaker at all.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, HDMI & More
Speaking of connectivity, these little entertainment centers can function on their own via Wi-Fi, connect via Bluetooth, and they even have the occasional wired connection. You may want to connect via cords, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to show off other devices or play games. But these devices have their own smart connectivity, too. The LG CineBeam Q is designed with LG's webOS and can connect to the internet on its own. With webOS, you can connect to streaming platforms like Netflix and Apple TV, all without any need for wires or Bluetooth. You can also cast from your own devices, like via iOS/MacOS with Apple AirPlay 2 or ScreenShare on Android. Anything your phone can see, you can blow up on-screen.
The Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen projector easily connects to your Wi-Fi as well, giving you access to your apps, recipes, workouts and even games with Smart Entertainment. This pick is even equipped with Gaming Hub, the perfect spot for you and your friends to have some fun while playing games you love in an immersive environment. Just like with the LG CineBeam Q, you can screen share from your mobile devices as well ... whether they run on iOS or Android.
Then there are the classic ways to connect—wired ports. These are important for anyone looking to play gaming consoles or connect a Blu-ray player to their projector. While these mobile entertainment hubs aren't necessarily meant for this kind of hardware, some might want to connect this way. The LG version has a single HDMI input port, while the Samsung model has an HDMI Micro. HDMI is popular, making it the better choice for anyone hoping to connect to hardware. Meanwhile, the Micro-version is smaller and used less often. These are sometimes used for smaller electronics. That being said, gamers and those who watch traditional film might prefer a proper HDMI input, like the one you'd find on the LG CineBeam Q. However, if you're not planning on hooking anything up to your projector, this may not factor into your decision at all.
Price: Are They Affordable?
The LG CineBeam Q and Samsung The FreeStyle 2nd Gen are both affordable options when compared to many traditional projectors. At the time of posting, the LG Cinebeam Q retails at $997.99, and the Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen sells for $797.99 (though it's currently on sale for $597.99). Those are large differences in price, and they can explain some of the differences in visual quality between the LG and Samsung. If you choose the LG, that extra money is going towards better visual quality in both brightness and 4K definition.
Which Should I Choose?
Depending on what you prioritize and what your budget is, one of these is better for you than the other. The Samsung model is the most budget-friendly option, but it's also easy to connect to, has a better speaker than the LG version, and is much more portable thanks to the optional external battery. Meanwhile, the LG version is a couple of hundred dollars more and must be plugged into a main line ... but with that being said, the LG CineBeam Q shines much brighter and brings 4K definition anywhere you go. They are both great at connecting to Wi-Fi and can easily be set up, even resizing images on their own with no help from you.
If 4K image quality and a colorful picture are the most important aspects to you, choose the LG CineBeam Q. If portability is the main reason you're looking for a projector like this in the first place, then the Samsung model is perfect for you instead. If you're still on the fence, we can help you choose. Call our experts at 800-860-3577 to talk to our in-house specialists—we've got decades of experience and are attuned to the latest technology. And to read up more on projectors, explore our projector buying guide. Good luck, and have fun with all of the new ways to enjoy your favorite media.
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