BenQ X500i
The short-throw version of BenQ's gaming formula: a 4K (XPR) 4LED DLP projector rated at 2,200 ANSI lumens whose 0.69–0.83 throw ratio fills a 100-inch screen from about 5 to 6.5 feet, so it fits bedrooms and apartments where a long-throw projector cannot. BenQ quotes about 16 ms at 4K/60Hz and 8 ms at 1440p/120Hz, RTINGS scored it 7.7 for gaming, and Expert Reviews reported no noticeable lag playing 4K/60 PS5 games. It includes Android TV and the same TreVolo speakers as the X3100i, but it is 1,100 lumens dimmer.
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Our Verdict
The pick for small rooms: its 0.69-0.83 short-throw lens fills 100 inches from about 5-6.5 ft, where the Optoma UHD38x needs roughly twice the distance. It shares the X3100i's 4LED engine, Android TV and fast modes (about 16 ms at 4K/60, 8 ms at 1440p/120), and Expert Reviews found no noticeable lag on PS5. It ranks third because its 2,200 lumens trail the X3100i by 1,100 and the UHD38x by 1,800, at a higher price than the Optoma.
Score Breakdown
Pros & Cons
Pros
- •Short-throw lens: about 100 inches from roughly 5–6.5 ft, the only pick here built for small rooms
- •Fast game modes: about 16 ms at 4K/60Hz and 8 ms at 1440p/120Hz (BenQ); Expert Reviews found no noticeable lag on PS5
- •4LED light source rated for 20,000 hours and Android TV included
- •Auto game-mode detection when a console is connected
Cons
- •2,200 ANSI lumens is 1,100 fewer than the X3100i, so it needs a darker room
- •About $1,499, $500 more than the brighter Optoma UHD38x
- •The current Amazon offer is from a third-party seller (Adorama) with limited stock
Specifications
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160, DLP XPR) |
| Rated Brightness | 2,200 ANSI lumens |
| Light Source | 4LED |
| Light Source Life | 20,000 hours |
| Input Lag at 4K/60Hz | About 16 ms |
| Fastest Game Mode | 1080p/240Hz at about 4.2 ms; 1440p/120Hz at about 8 ms |
| Throw / Placement | Short throw (0.69–0.83); 100 in from about 5–6.5 ft |
| HDR Formats | HDR10, HLG (BenQ HDR-PRO) |
| Smart Platform | Android TV (included), AirPlay and Chromecast casting |
Quick Answers
What is the resolution of the BenQ X500i?
BenQ X500i resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160, DLP XPR).
What is the rated brightness of the BenQ X500i?
BenQ X500i rated brightness: 2,200 ANSI lumens.
What is the light source of the BenQ X500i?
BenQ X500i light source: 4LED.
What is the light source life of the BenQ X500i?
BenQ X500i light source life: 20,000 hours.
What is the input lag at 4k/60hz of the BenQ X500i?
BenQ X500i input lag at 4k/60hz: About 16 ms.
What is the fastest game mode of the BenQ X500i?
BenQ X500i fastest game mode: 1080p/240Hz at about 4.2 ms; 1440p/120Hz at about 8 ms.
What is the throw / placement of the BenQ X500i?
BenQ X500i throw / placement: Short throw (0.69–0.83); 100 in from about 5–6.5 ft.
What is the hdr formats of the BenQ X500i?
BenQ X500i hdr formats: HDR10, HLG (BenQ HDR-PRO).
Who is the BenQ X500i for?
It suits pS5 gaming in bedrooms, dorms and apartments, setups where the projector sits on a coffee table or shelf behind the couch, players who want 120Hz modes from a compact unit. It is not the right pick for bright living rooms, buyers who want the biggest picture per dollar, dolby Vision viewers.
Is the BenQ X500i worth buying?
The short-throw version of BenQ's gaming formula: a 4K (XPR) 4LED DLP projector rated at 2,200 ANSI lumens whose 0.69–0.83 throw ratio fills a 100-inch screen from about 5 to 6.5 feet, so it fits bedrooms and apartments where a long-throw projector cannot. BenQ quotes about 16 ms at 4K/60Hz and 8 ms at 1440p/120Hz, RTINGS scored it 7.7 for gaming, and Expert Reviews reported no noticeable lag playing 4K/60 PS5 games. It includes Android TV and the same TreVolo speakers as the X3100i, but it is 1,100 lumens dimmer. It ranks #3 in our Top 5 Projectors for PS5. The pick for small rooms: its 0.69-0.83 short-throw lens fills 100 inches from about 5-6.5 ft, where the Optoma UHD38x needs roughly twice the distance. It shares the X3100i's 4LED engine, Android TV and fast modes (about 16 ms at 4K/60, 8 ms at 1440p/120), and Expert Reviews found no noticeable lag on PS5. It ranks third because its 2,200 lumens trail the X3100i by 1,100 and the UHD38x by 1,800, at a higher price than the Optoma.
Who Is This For?
Best For
- PS5 gaming in bedrooms, dorms and apartments
- Setups where the projector sits on a coffee table or shelf behind the couch
- Players who want 120Hz modes from a compact unit
Not For
- Bright living rooms
- Buyers who want the biggest picture per dollar
- Dolby Vision viewers
Where to Buy
Appears In
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Customer Reviews
Alternatives to Consider
BenQ X3100i
BenQ
BenQ's flagship 4K gaming projector: a 4LED, 0.65-inch DLP (XPR 4K) unit rated at 3,300 ANSI lumens, with a 1.3x zoom and vertical lens shift for flexible placement. For a PS5 it runs 4K/60Hz at about 16.7 ms and drops to roughly 8 ms at 1080p/120Hz, and RTINGS scored it 8.1 for gaming, calling it a great gaming projector if you value both speed and image quality. Android TV is included and the TreVolo speakers support eARC passthrough. Its weak spot is contrast in near-dark scenes, and it is the most expensive pick here.
Optoma UHD38x
Optoma
The long-running value pick for console gaming: a 4K (XPR) DLP lamp projector rated at 4,000 ANSI lumens, the brightest in this list, with 16.7 ms input lag at 4K/60Hz and an Enhanced Gaming Mode that reaches 4.2 ms at 1080p/240Hz. Retail and review sources consistently cite it as a strong PS5 match because it handles both the console's 4K/60 and 1080p/120 output. At about $999 it delivers the same 4K/60 lag as the BenQ X3100i for roughly $800 less; the trade-offs are a lamp that needs replacing, no built-in streaming apps and a long throw distance.
Nebula Cosmos 4K SE
Nebula (Anker)
The movie-first, set-and-forget option for a PS5: a 4K projector with Anker's HybridBeam LED-plus-laser light rated at 1,800 ANSI lumens, Dolby Vision, Google TV with licensed Netflix built in, and automatic focus, keystone, screen-fit and obstacle avoidance. A carry handle makes it easy to move between rooms. For gaming it is merely adequate: TechRadar measured 18.5 ms in Game Mode Extreme but 35 ms in the standard game mode, and it is the dimmest projector in this list.
BenQ TH575
BenQ
The budget way to put a PS5 on a 100-inch screen: a 1080p DLP lamp projector rated at 3,800 ANSI lumens, with 16.7 ms input lag at 1080p/60Hz in its Enhanced Game Mode and a 15,000:1 contrast rating. RTINGS called it decent for casual 1080p gaming and noted its contrast gives games decent depth in a dark room. The compromises are real: it cannot accept 4K or 120Hz signals, HDR looks washed out, colors are muted out of the box, and there is no smart platform.