BenQ X500i

BenQ X500i

$$ Mid-rangeTrending Down$1499.00

tldr; 4LED short throw with built-in Chromecast and HDMI eARC - flexible placement but insufficient lumens for 150"+ screens.

$1499.00 on Amazon

Sentiment Breakdown

28%Positive
Positive
28%
Neutral
66%
Negative
6%
Based on 460 Reddit opinions

Strengths & Weaknesses

Each axis shows what % of Reddit comments are positive about that topic. Higher = more praise.

Key Features

  • 4LED Light Engine: 4K BenQ HDR-PRO, Experience games in stunning clarity & detail, this 4K gaming projector showcases every pixel with precision & vibrancy. The Best Gaming Projectors on the market. Brighter and longer-lasting than lamp projectors with rich color.
  • 4.2 ms Low Latency + 240 Hz Refresh: Experience gaming with zero latency with response times as quick as 4ms (1080p@240Hz). Ultra-responsive gaming with smooth motion.
  • Short Throw Design: 0.69~0.83 short throw and digital zoom for large image projection in confined space. 100" screen from ~6.5 ft, ideal for small gaming spaces.
  • Android TV Built-In: Enjoy endless entertainment with this tv projector, Google-Certified Android TV. Effortlessly cast from iPhone/iPad/Mac, Android, & PC devices using AirPlay & Chromecast. Stream Netflix, Prime, YouTube right out of the box.
  • TreVolo Audio + Game Sound Mode: Immerse yourself in breathtaking 7.1-channel and Dolby Atmos audio with support for eARC and S/PDF connectivity. Tuned sound for FPS, RPG and cinematic content.
  • ⚖️ 4LED light source - no rainbow effect
  • 📐 Short throw capability for tight spaces
  • ?? Built-in Chromecast and HDMI eARC

Sentiment Over Time

50%75%100%Apr '25Jun '25Aug '25Oct '25Dec '25Jan '2691% (Apr '25) - 29.9 comments72% (May '25) - 21.9 comments100% (Jun '25) - 13.3 comments70% (Jul '25) - 11.3 comments100% (Aug '25) - 5 comments62% (Sep '25) - 8.6 comments50% (Oct '25) - 5.6 comments100% (Nov '25) - 10.3 comments80% (Dec '25) - 10 comments50% (Jan '26) - 1 comments

Historical Price Data

BenQ X500i
$1500$1800$2100Apr '25May '25Jul '25Aug '25Sep '25Nov '25Dec '25Jan '26Mar '26Apr '26Low: $1492.3Current: $1493
BenQ X500i
All-time low: $1411.77(2024-04)
$39 below 90-day avg

What Redditors Actually Say

What Redditors Say

Best praise vs top criticism for BenQ X500i

Best Praise
+5 pts
In that group— unless you need to compete with a lot of ambient light the X500i will have the best picture quality. It has one of the highest native contrast specs of any 4K projector and color is excellent. It’s also a true short throw. The TK700STi would be my second choice. It’s very bright so will do better on larger screens or rooms with some lights on. But it’s lamp and the color won’t be as good. See my review here: https://www.avsforum.com/threads/benq-tk700sti-review-owners-thread-4k-hdr-low-lag-short-throw-gaming-projector.3198258/ Of those models the X300G would be my last pic. It’s a great projector for what it is: a small semi-portable with easy setup. It will have better picture quality that the 700 But its lumen output is limiting.
r/projectors
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Top Criticism
+2 pts
Here is the first problem I noticed. Between the BenQ TK700Sti and X500i, those are short throw projectors that will give you around 180"-200" with about the 10 feet of space you have. Unless you want to ceiling mount or place on a coffee table, but you have kids from what I recall, so wall mounting is best which will allow you to adjust the distance to a degree. As far as the X500i, I don't recommend it. It doesn't have enough brightness for gaming. Colors where frequently off. However, it does have great input lag. Out of the box it's a great projector, but after a week or so you'll notice the flaws. Biggest one being color accuracy. The TK700Sti, I owned it some years ago and thought it was great. Also a great gaming projector, but uses a bulb which you'll have to replace and can get dim overtime. I do like BenQs, but I feel there are better options. I've owned about 12 - 15 projectors and the one that gave me the most joy was the Dangbei Mars Pro. The picture is absolutely stunning!!! Great color accuracy and great picture that allows for lights on viewing due to its laser capabilities!!!! You don't need a projector screen at all, but if you do, I can recommend a gray screen that helps with lights on viewing even more for under $50. The Dangbei originally retailed for over $2,000, but with discounts from Amazon, I got mine for $1,200. The dangbei also has MEMC/Frame Interpolation Technology that gives you that extra clear and smooth video play. You're not going to get that from 90% of BenQ projectors. The Dangb Mars Pro also allows blows out any dust collected in the projector with a push of a button from the home screen. Something I've never seen before. Definitely go with the Dangbei Mars Pro and Amazon will give you a 30 day return window if you don't like it. Forgot to mention, the Dangbei is trash as a smart projector, so for the sound and smart capabilities, I have the Roku streambar pro hooked up to mine. Beautiful amazing sound and picture!!!
r/hometheater
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13 more quotes available below

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the BenQ X500i worth buying?
4LED short throw with built-in Chromecast and HDMI eARC - flexible placement but insufficient lumens for 150"+ screens.
What do Redditors love about the BenQ X500i?
Redditors highlight: ⚖️ 4LED light source - no rainbow effect. 📐 Short throw capability for tight spaces. ?? Built-in Chromecast and HDMI eARC.
What are the downsides of the BenQ X500i?
Some criticisms include: "Here is the first problem I noticed. Between the BenQ TK700Sti and X500i, those are short throw projectors that will give you around 180"-200" with about the 10 feet of space you have."
How accurate are these ratings?
Our sentiment analysis is approximately 80-85% accurate compared to manual review. Products with more mentions (BenQ X500i has 460) tend to have more reliable scores.

460 Reddit opinions analyzed • Last updated 4/16/2026