BenQ X500i True 4K UHD HDR 4LED Projector Review

Review Summary

The BenQ X500i is a gaming projector designed to meet the demands of today’s high-performance consoles, aiming to bring a theater-like experience to your living room with 4K UHD quality, HDR support, and low input lag. After thoroughly testing this projector across a range of media and gaming platforms, here’s our take on its strengths, limitations, and ideal use cases.

Design and Build Quality

From the moment we set it up, the X500i impressed with its sleek and modern aesthetic, blending well in a home theater setup. The projector’s build is solid, with a premium matte white finish that resists fingerprints and feels robust enough to withstand regular adjustments. Measuring 366 x 118 x 244mm and weighing in at about 3.6kg, it’s compact enough for a shelf or coffee table setup, and with its short throw lens, it only needs minimal space to deliver a full, immersive display.

We appreciated the easy-to-navigate controls and responsive remote, which makes accessing settings a breeze even in darker environments. The BenQ QS02 Android TV dongle is neatly integrated within the projector, giving access to popular streaming services without the need for additional hardware, which is a welcome feature for those who want an all-in-one setup.

Image Quality and Brightness

The X500i is powered by a 4LED light engine that delivers up to 2200 ANSI lumens. In our testing, this brightness level worked best in dimly lit rooms, as brightly lit spaces did impact image clarity and color vibrancy. However, in optimized lighting, the projector’s image quality was nothing short of impressive. The 4K UHD resolution, combined with HDR10 and HLG support, offered vibrant colors with good contrast, and we found it covered around 84% of the DCI-P3 color spectrum, which made colors feel deep and realistic across various content.

One of our highlights was the projector’s handling of HDR content. In movie scenes with high contrast and bright highlights, such as explosions or night scenes, the X500i managed to retain detail and depth that made the viewing experience engaging. Gaming visuals looked sharp and responsive, with the projector offering a noticeable improvement in color and detail compared to standard HD models. However, we did notice some mild dimming in very bright rooms, so ideally, this projector is best suited for controlled lighting.

Gaming Performance

The X500i is clearly designed with gamers in mind. It boasts a low input lag of as low as 4.2ms at 1080p/240Hz and around 16ms at 4K/60Hz, putting it on par with high-end gaming monitors. Testing it on both PS5 and Xbox Series X, we found gameplay to be smooth and responsive, with no visible lag in fast-paced titles like Call of Duty and Forza Horizon. For those who switch between different game genres, the projector includes dedicated gaming modes for FPS, RPG, and sports, which automatically adjust settings to optimize visual detail and response time.

Connectivity and Smart Features

The BenQ X500i includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and two HDMI 2.0b ports that support up to 4K at 60Hz. This setup makes it compatible with most current-gen consoles and PCs. The Android TV dongle provides access to streaming apps, and with Chromecast and Apple AirPlay built-in, it was easy to cast content from our smartphones without any noticeable lag. However, the HDMI 2.0b ports do limit it slightly for those hoping to connect multiple 4K/120Hz devices simultaneously, so this is worth keeping in mind for advanced setups.

Audio Quality

The built-in 10W speaker system provides adequate sound for casual viewing, but for a more immersive experience, we connected it to a soundbar, which elevated the audio to match the projector’s impressive visual output. We recommend pairing it with external speakers if you’re aiming for that full cinema or gaming immersion, as the internal speakers are best suited for smaller rooms or non-action-heavy content.

Overall Score: 4.5/5

The BenQ X500i True 4K UHD HDR 4LED Console Gaming Projector is an impressive addition to any home theater, especially for gaming enthusiasts. It delivers crisp, detailed visuals, low input lag, and vibrant color reproduction that brings games and movies to life. While its brightness may fall short in brightly lit rooms, its performance in controlled lighting environments is excellent, offering a near-cinematic experience.

For those who want both premium gaming features and smart streaming capabilities in a compact, stylish package, the BenQ X500i is a solid investment. It comes at a higher price point but provides quality that justifies it, especially for serious gamers or movie lovers. If you’re setting up a dedicated gaming or home theater space, this projector combines functionality, aesthetics, and performance beautifully.