BenQ X3100i vs Optoma UHD38x
BenQ X3100i (#1, best overall) vs Optoma UHD38x (#2, best value): in our Projectors for PS5 scoring the BenQ X3100i totals 8.9/10 and the Optoma UHD38x 8.7/10, the BenQ X3100i leading on Smart Features & Audio and Room Fit & Setup and the Optoma UHD38x on Value and Brightness.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| BenQ X3100i | Optoma UHD38x | |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160, 0.65-inch DLP XPR) | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160, DLP XPR) |
| Rated Brightness | 3,300 ANSI lumens | 4,000 ANSI lumens |
| Light Source | 4LED | Lamp (240W) |
| Light Source Life | 20,000 hours | 4,000 hours bright mode; up to 15,000 hours Dynamic |
| Input Lag at 4K/60Hz | About 16.7 ms | About 16.7 ms |
| Fastest Game Mode | 1080p/240Hz at about 4.2 ms; 1080p and 1440p/120Hz at about 8.3 ms | 1080p/240Hz at about 4.2 ms (Enhanced Gaming Mode) |
| Throw / Placement | Standard throw, 1.3x zoom, 40–60% vertical lens shift | Standard throw, 1.1x zoom; about 13.1 ft for a 120-inch image |
| HDR Formats | HDR10, HLG (BenQ HDR-PRO) | HDR10, HLG |
| Smart Platform | Android TV (included), AirPlay and Chromecast casting | None (use a streaming stick or the PS5 apps) |
| Price | Check price → | Check price → |
How they differ in real use
Built from our projectors for ps5 scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the BenQ X3100i and the Optoma UHD38x made our Top 5 Projectors for PS5, at #1 (best overall) and #2 (best value). The most complete PS5 projector: it matches the Optoma UHD38x's 16.7 ms at 4K/60Hz and adds an 8 ms 1080p/1440p 120Hz mode, while its 4LED light source (20,000 hours) removes the lamp replacements the UHD38x and TH575 need. Its 1.3x zoom and vertical lens shift make it far easier to place than the Optoma, and it is 1,100 lumens brighter than the BenQ X500i. RTINGS scored it 8.1 for gaming. It costs about $800 more than the UHD38x, which is why the Optoma takes Value. The best price for real 4K PS5 gaming: about $999 buys the same 16.7 ms 4K/60Hz lag as the X3100i, a 4.2 ms 1080p/240Hz mode, and 4,000 ANSI lumens, the brightest rating in this list. It ranks below the X3100i because it uses a lamp, has no lens shift or smart platform, and needs about 13 ft for a 120-inch image, and above the X500i because it is 1,800 lumens brighter for about $500 less.
We score projectors for ps5 on Gaming Responsiveness (25%), Picture Quality (20%), Brightness (15%), Room Fit & Setup (15%), Smart Features & Audio (10%) and Value (15%). On that basis the BenQ X3100i totals 8.9 out of 10 and the Optoma UHD38x 8.7. The widest gap is Value, where the Optoma UHD38x scores 9.5 against 7 for the BenQ X3100i: gaming performance, picture and running costs (such as lamp replacements) per dollar at the current Amazon price. Smart Features & Audio also separates them: 9 for the BenQ X3100i versus 6 for the Optoma UHD38x. The Optoma UHD38x claws back ground on Brightness.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160, 0.65-inch DLP XPR) on the BenQ X3100i versus 4K UHD (3840 x 2160, DLP XPR) on the Optoma UHD38x; Brightness: 3,300 ANSI lumens on the BenQ X3100i versus 4,000 ANSI lumens on the Optoma UHD38x; Light Source: 4LED on the BenQ X3100i versus Lamp (240W) on the Optoma UHD38x; Light Source Life: 20,000 hours on the BenQ X3100i versus 4,000 hours bright mode; up to 15,000 hours Dynamic on the Optoma UHD38x; Fastest Game Mode: 1080p/240Hz at about 4.2 ms; 1080p and 1440p/120Hz at about 8.3 ms on the BenQ X3100i versus 1080p/240Hz at about 4.2 ms (Enhanced Gaming Mode) on the Optoma UHD38x; Throw / Placement: Standard throw, 1.3x zoom, 40–60% vertical lens shift on the BenQ X3100i versus Standard throw, 1.1x zoom; about 13.1 ft for a 120-inch image on the Optoma UHD38x. They match on Input Lag (4K/60Hz).
Check current pricing at the merchant links below. Owners praise the BenQ X3100i for fast in every PS5 mode: about 16.7 ms at 4K/60Hz and about 8 ms at 1080p/120Hz (BenQ; consistent with PCGamesN and Projector Reviews) and 3,300 ANSI lumens from a 4LED light source rated for 20,000 hours, so there is no lamp to replace; the most common complaint is contrast in near-dark scenes trails dedicated home-theater projectors (RTINGS). Owners praise the Optoma UHD38x for 4,000 ANSI lumens, the highest brightness rating here, so it copes best with some room light and 16.7 ms at 4K/60Hz and 4.2 ms at 1080p/240Hz in Enhanced Gaming Mode, matching projectors that cost far more; the most common complaint is lamp light source, rated 4,000 hours in bright mode (up to 15,000 in Dynamic/Eco), so a replacement lamp is a running cost.
BenQ X3100i
- Fast in every PS5 mode: about 16.7 ms at 4K/60Hz and about 8 ms at 1080p/120Hz (BenQ; consistent with PCGamesN and Projector Reviews)
- 3,300 ANSI lumens from a 4LED light source rated for 20,000 hours, so there is no lamp to replace
- 1.3x zoom plus vertical lens shift make it the easiest pick here to place on a shelf or ceiling mount without keystone distortion
- Game modes for FPS, RPG and sports titles, plus Android TV and AirPlay/Chromecast casting included
- Contrast in near-dark scenes trails dedicated home-theater projectors (RTINGS)
- About $800 more than the Optoma UHD38x, which matches its 4K/60 input lag
Optoma UHD38x
- 4,000 ANSI lumens, the highest brightness rating here, so it copes best with some room light
- 16.7 ms at 4K/60Hz and 4.2 ms at 1080p/240Hz in Enhanced Gaming Mode, matching projectors that cost far more
- About $999 on Amazon, the lowest price for a 4K projector with 120Hz-capable game modes in this list
- HDR10 and HLG support for PS5 HDR games
- Lamp light source, rated 4,000 hours in bright mode (up to 15,000 in Dynamic/Eco), so a replacement lamp is a running cost
- No smart platform: streaming needs a separate stick or the PS5's own apps
- Long throw (about 13 ft for a 120-inch image) and no lens shift, so it needs a deep room
Which should you buy?
The BenQ X3100i is the better fit for PS5 owners who want 4K/60 and 120Hz modes with the best overall picture and dedicated game rooms or home theaters with a ceiling mount; it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Smart Features & Audio and Room Fit & Setup. The Optoma UHD38x is the better fit for PS5 owners who want 4K/60 gaming for about $1,000 and rooms with some ambient light, and the stronger choice if Value and Brightness matter more to you than the overall score. The BenQ X3100i is a poor fit for budgets under $1,000; the Optoma UHD38x is a poor fit for small rooms under about 12 ft deep.
Choose the BenQ X3100i if
- PS5 owners who want 4K/60 and 120Hz modes with the best overall picture
- Dedicated game rooms or home theaters with a ceiling mount
- Buyers who never want to replace a lamp
Skip it if
- Budgets under $1,000
- Very small rooms where a short-throw lens is needed
Choose the Optoma UHD38x if
- PS5 owners who want 4K/60 gaming for about $1,000
- Rooms with some ambient light
- Players who already stream through the console
Skip it if
- Small rooms under about 12 ft deep
- Buyers who want built-in Netflix and YouTube
Common questions
Is the BenQ X3100i better than the Optoma UHD38x?
In our Projectors for PS5 ranking the BenQ X3100i scores higher overall, 8.9 to 8.7, with the biggest advantage in Value. The Optoma UHD38x is stronger on Value and Brightness, so it is the better pick if those matter most to you.
What is the main difference between the BenQ X3100i and the Optoma UHD38x?
The headline spec difference is Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160, 0.65-inch DLP XPR) on the BenQ X3100i versus 4K UHD (3840 x 2160, DLP XPR) on the Optoma UHD38x. In use, the gap that matters most is Value (7 vs 9.5 in our scoring): gaming performance, picture and running costs (such as lamp replacements) per dollar at the current Amazon price.