LG'snewCineBeam Q Projector embodies niche usability: it's a portable, high-end 4K projector with practical features and a clever design. I recently had a chance to go hands-on with the Q at LG's headquarters and was impressed with how easy the projector was to set up, its image quality, and its responsiveness as I moved it around the room.

Also:The best outdoor projectors you can buy: Expert tested

The CineBeam Q projector is essentially a solid cube with a metal arm that fully rotates around the device, allowing you to position it however you want, or be used as a carrying handle. Unlike other projectors I've seen, which are always bulky and awkward, the Q is designed to be moved around and placed on your coffee table, bookshelf, or any other piece of furniture that offers a good vantage point.

Once it's set up, you can point the Q projector anywhere (even at the ceiling, if you want) and there's no noticeable lag or wait period; the image adjusts, focuses, and straightens in near real-time.Thisauto keystone capability -- being able to resize and auto-adjust anywhere you can point it -- is what makes the Q truly portable.

Also: The 5 best portable projectors: Entertainment anywhere

In terms of image quality, the Q projects a crisp, clear image at 4K (UHD) resolution (3,840 x 2,160) and a 3-channel laser RGB light source. It's not as bright as a TV, obviously, but the ability to adjust the picture size and have a viewing party on your patio or rooftop is the tradeoff here, as with any projector. Do keep in mind, though, that the more light you have in your surroundings, the less vivid the projector's image is going to look.

Regarding the picture size, the Q can expand to a maximum screen size of 120 inches, or a projection distance of around 10 feet. A screen size this big along with an impressive 4K resolution is what mimics that home theater experience, with one major caveat: the sound quality. The Q comes with a built-in speaker that leaves something to be desired.

In my hands-on demo with the product, I hooked up the Q to a Bluetooth speaker (which was very easy to do, by the way), and this instantly transformed the sound experience from lackluster to something that felt actually cinematic. In fact, I would even go so far as to say that the projectorreallyneeds some kind of speaker or soundbar companion to really be worth it. Its built-in speaker just doesn't cut it.

Also:Your Roku TV will be unusable if you don't agree to the company's new terms

Another thing I would have liked to see in the Q would be the ability to go cordless with a chargeable battery. Part of using a projector is taking the experience to places you can't bring a TV, and being tethered to a power outlet does make the Q significantly less portable. The tradeoff, compared to other projectors, however, is the better image quality.

Finally, the Q's on-board UI, which is essentially the same as any LG smart TV, is fairly intuitive. Connecting to Bluetooth devices or navigating to your different apps such as Hulu, YouTube, or Netflix is as easy as firing up the remote (just make sure you point the remote at the device, not the projected image -- that's a wall).

's buying advice

LG's CineBeam Q Projector is not trying to compete with the other$500 projectors on the market right now, firmly occupying the niche of a high-end projector with 4K image quality and a superior screen auto-adjustment feature. If you're looking for a projector that offers excellent image quality and embraces portability (and you're not using it for camping), the Q is a premium choice.

The CineBeam Q is not yet available, but it will be on preorder soon. According to LG's website, you can get$100 off during the preorder phase if you sign up ahead of time. My advice is to hold off until preorders actually begin, so you can see exactly what offers and promotions LG is packaging with the projector. Other retailers may match or compete with their own deals, too.

Featured reviews

LG showed me its retro-themed projector and it's even better than I expected

How I optimized the cheapest 98-inch TV right now to look and sound amazing

The Blink Mini 2's weather resistance makes for a worthy Wyze Cam competitor

I tried LG's new Gram Pro laptops, and they beat my MacBook Air in 3 ways

This$350 Android phone nearly made me forget about the flagships

• LG showed me its retro-themed projector and it's even better than I expected
• How I optimized the cheapest 98-inch TV right now to look and sound amazing
• The Blink Mini 2's weather resistance makes for a worthy Wyze Cam competitor
• I tried LG's new Gram Pro laptops, and they beat my MacBook Air in 3 ways
• This $350 Android phone nearly made me forget about the flagships