BenQ Projectors

BenQ Projector Buying Guide 2026

Decide quickly – which BenQ projector is right for you? For streaming in the living room, the W2720i with Android TV; for the dark cinema room, the W5850i with a laser light source; for gaming, the X3100i with up to 240 Hz (at Full HD). In business, the LH650 laser projector with 4,000 ANSI lumens leads the way, while the LU series with up to 6,000 ANSI lumens is ideal for lecture halls and auditoriums. All the details are in the tables below.

A quick overview: which BenQ series for which application?

BenQ categorizes its product range using letter abbreviations – those who know them can find the right series more quickly. The overview below explains the abbreviations, while the table underneath organizes all series from the living room to the lecture hall by application.

In short: For the living room, the W2720i is the starting point – those who want more light reserve and a better image should choose the brighter W4100i. In business, the LH650 is the entry-level model; depending on the equipment, resolution, or short-throw requirements, you can move on to the LW, LU, LK, or ST series. For wireless meeting presentations, BenQ InstaShow is the easy addition – and our expert advice is always available to help you choose the right series.

How much brightness do I need? The required light output depends primarily on the room lighting:

Which BenQ projector is right for the living room, home cinema, and gaming room?

The home cinema question comes down to three points: ambient light, distance, and frame rate. A typical consultation case from this spring: a sports bar with ambient light and a 120-inch screen – instead of a living room model, the TK710 with 3,200 ANSI lumens and a laser light source was chosen, because the brightness reserve with the lights on makes the difference.

In short: For ambient light, the brightness reserve counts (TK710), in the dark cinema room, the image tuning of the W series, for gaming, the frame rate of the X series. The GV models are deliberately devices for the darkened room and the spontaneous movie night with 500 ANSI lumens. The cross-manufacturer comparison of all 4K models is bundled in our category 4K Projectors.

Experience shows that home cinema beginners underestimate the image size: those who have seen 100 inches once rarely want to go back. Therefore, plan the projector screen together with the projector right away, then image size, viewing distance, and brightness will be correct from the start.

Which BenQ projector for office, conference room, and classroom?

For presentation rooms, the guideline is: around 4,000 ANSI lumens carry a 100-inch image even with the room lights on. The lamp models of the M series are the budget-conscious entry, the laser models of the L series pay off over their lifespan because replacement lamps and replacement dates are eliminated. Those who want to compare beyond BenQ will find the cross-brand selection in the categories Business Projectors and Laser Projectors.

In short: For the classic meeting room, the LH650 is the long-lasting standard choice, for the classroom the short-throw laser of the LH-ST series. Both work with a laser light source – low maintenance and predictable for years.

For the pure short-throw selection across all manufacturers, it is worth looking into our category Short Throw Projectors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which BenQ projector is best for home cinema?

For the living room, the W2720i (2,500 ANSI lumens, streaming entry with Android TV) and the brighter W4100i (3,200 ANSI lumens, larger lens shift for flexible setup) are the strong duo in their respective price classes. One class above – for the highest image quality in the darkened room, whether dedicated home cinema or sophisticated living room – stand the W5800 and the W5850i: 4K UHD, laser light source, and HDR10 with tone mapping for stable image quality over 20,000 operating hours. For sports evenings with the lights on, the TK710 with 3,200 ANSI lumens is also worth it.

BenQ W series or TK series – which is better?

The W series is designed for color-accurate home cinema tuning in the darkened room: calibrated colors, high contrast, the top models (W5800, W5850i) with a laser light source. The TK series is the brighter 4K all-rounder for the living room with ambient light – models like TK705i or TK710 deliver 3,000 to 3,200 ANSI lumens and score where it is not completely darkened. In short: W for the dark cinema room and maximum image fidelity, TK for the brighter everyday living room.

What do the series abbreviations mean for BenQ projectors?

The class is in the starting letter – W and TK for home cinema, X for gaming, GV and GP for portable lifestyle devices, M for business lamp models, L for laser and installation; the overview above explains all series. More important for the model choice are the suffixes: An "ST" always means short throw (large image from a short distance), "UST" ultra-short throw (directly in front of the wall). In the L series, LU and LK additionally form the bright installation class.

Are BenQ projectors suitable for gaming?

Yes, the X series belongs to the fastest gaming projectors on the market: X3100i and X500i achieve up to 240 Hz at Full HD, with the X500i reacting with around 4.2 ms input lag. The short-throw projector TK705STi also plays at a very fast level with 5 ms input lag. In addition to pure speed, X3100i and X500i bring real gaming extras – such as a configurable FPS crosshair, which can be permanently overlaid on the image and makes aiming easier in shooters. How the X series fares against other brands is shown in the category Gaming Projectors.

Which BenQ projector is suitable for golf or driving simulators?

The ST-Series short-throw laser projectors: LH830ST, LH835ST and LH860ST (Full HD, 4,000 to 5,000 ANSI lumens), as well as LK830ST and LK835ST in 4K UHD. Short throw prevents the player's shadow from falling on the screen, while the simulation mode and laser light source are designed for long training sessions. For high-end golf simulators, the 4K laser specialist Aurora BR9708 is worth a look: its RGBRGB color wheel without a white segment delivers particularly rich, natural green tones – ideal for displaying grass. Thanks to the interchangeable lens system with optional lenses, it can also be precisely adapted to the cabin size and projection distance. We regularly advise on simulator projects regarding the projection surface and room planning.

Which BenQ projector do schools choose for the classroom?

For classrooms, the short-throw laser projectors of the LH-ST series are recommended, such as the LH835ST (Full HD, 4,000 ANSI lumens, Auto Screen Fit): short throw means the teacher does not stand in the light beam, the laser light source remains low-maintenance for years, and the image is legible even without darkening the room. As a budget-friendly entry point, the lamp-based short-throw models MX825STH (XGA) and MW826STH (WXGA) remain popular. For lecture halls and auditoriums, switch to the brighter BenQ projectors of the LU series from 5,500 ANSI lumens.

How long does a BenQ laser projector last?

The laser light sources of the L series are designed for 20,000 to 30,000 operating hours – without lamp replacements and with a total lifespan that can be calculated from the start. The brightness decreases only slowly, significantly more gradually than with lamp-based models, whose lamps are usually replaced after a few thousand hours. This makes laser the predictable choice for daily use in businesses and schools.

Are the BenQ classics W700 or W1070 still available?

Both home cinema classics have been discontinued for years – their role is now taken over by the current W series: the W2720i as the entry-level streaming model in the range, followed by the brighter W4100i and the laser models W5800 and W5850i. If you continue to use your existing equipment, you will find suitable replacement lamps for many older models in the shop. And when you switch, we will be happy to tell you which current BenQ succeeds your classic in terms of image and features.

Buy BenQ projectors at Beamer-Discount

A great image is created by the interplay of the projector, projection surface, and installation. Our expert advisors plan your BenQ setup as a complete system – from a home cinema with a suitable screen to a lecture hall installation with signal routing and mounting, tailored to the room, lighting conditions, and budget.