Summary
Your puny gaming monitor is no match forBenQ’s X500i projector.
The BenQ X500i achieves a minimum 4ms of latency and a 240Hz refresh rate.
The build quality is great, as you’d expect.
Andrew Heinzman / How-To Geek
The plastic feels substantial and doesn’t make any creaky noise when pressed.
However, I was surprised by this projector’s size.
At 14.4 inches wide and 9.6 inches long, it made my coffee table look comically small.
The BenQ X500i achieves a minimum 4ms of latency and a 240Hz refresh rate. It’s one of the few gaming projectors to match the quality of a proper gaming monitor, though its noisy operation and short throw distance may be a turn-off for some.
Setting up the X500i is a simple affair.
And, because the X500i lacks any lens shift capabilities, keystone correction isn’t available in low-latency mode.
A solid selection of ports line the projector’s backside.
The BenQ X500i achieves a minimum 4ms of latency and a 240Hz refresh rate. It’s one of the few gaming projectors to match the quality of a proper gaming monitor, though its noisy operation and short throw distance may be a turn-off for some.
BenQ did not include an ethernet port, as streaming is handled by an external Android TV dongle.
All things considered, the X500i’s internal speakers sound pretty decent.
They fill the room and have some bass.
Andrew Heinzman / How-To Geek
You’ll encounter distortion or rattling at high volumes, but that’s to be expected.
If you’re willing to spend $1,700 on a projector, you should really buy someexternal speakers.
Even a cheap $100 soundbar will be substantially better than the projector’s built-in speaker system.
Andrew Heinzman / How-To Geek
Unfortunately, the X500i is a bit noisier than I expected.
All pixel-shifting mechanisms makesomenoisethis mechanism is just abnormally loud.
Switching to 1,440p/120Hz bumps the latency to 8ms, and you’ll experience 16ms of latency at 4K/60Hz.
Andrew Heinzman / How-To Geek
This is the kind of performance you’d expect from a gaming monitor, not a projector.
It’s fantastic, to say the least.
And because the X500i projects at 2,200 ANSI lumens, it’s bright enough to use during the day.
By default, the X500i automatically adjusts its video configs to match your input source.
The Cinema mode had the opposite problemit was too orange.
Thankfully, you’re able to adjust these prefs to taste.
There are also several HDR configs on the X500i, including HDR10, HDR-RPG, HDR-FPS, and HDR-SPG.
I don’t believe that HDR is essential (or very noticeable) on a consumer-grade projector.
Just know that you cannot play games in low-latency mode when keystone correction is enabled.
Note that this projector exhibits a mild rainbow effect.
The effect is really only noticeable when viewing dark content in a very dark room.
A Simple Backlit Remote Control
The BenQ X500i remote control is perfect.
Some streaming devices, such as the BenQ Android TV dongle, can be controlled from this remote.
That’s why it has navigation, home, and microphone keys.
BenQ includes an extra remote for the streaming dongle, but the extra remote is only needed during setup.
I guess they use similar IR codes.)
You’ll also find a control panel on the top of the X500i.
All Hail the Android TV Dongle!
A projector or TV should run on reliable software that’s meant to last a lifetime.
BenQ clearly shares my opinion.
Installing this streaming dongle is a bit of a hassle.
But you’re left with a clean and cleverly-integrated streaming solution that can be upgraded in the future.
The BenQ X500i is rated for up to 20,000 hours of use in full-power mode.
I see this as a major selling point for the X500i and other projectors in BenQ’s gaming lineup.
I tossed the extra remote back in the box and didn’t find a reason to pull it out.
I’ve got just two gripes.
And I don’t understand why BenQ chose to build a male HDMI jack into this projector.
Why isn’t it just a normal HDMI port?
Should You Buy the BenQ X500i?
As far as gaming projectors go, theBenQ X500iis hard to beat.
Its input lag, resolution, and refresh rate are similar to that of a gaming monitor.
But you gotta do a bit of math before purchasing the X500i.
This is a short-throw projector, meaning that it needs to sit relatively close to your screen or wall.
Consider buying a long-throw projector if the X500i’s throw distance is too short for your taste.
Pricing may also be a concern.
