BenQ X500i Verdict

Who it fits

The X500i is for gamers who have already discovered the awkward part of projector ownership: a normal throw distance does not fit the room. Its 0.69-0.83 short-throw ratio lets BenQ target a 100-inch image from about five feet, while still delivering 4K UHD and the same 16.7ms 4K/60Hz input-lag figure used across BenQ's gaming range.

That makes it much easier to justify in a bedroom or compact living room than a standard-throw gaming projector. The compromise is brightness. BenQ rates the X500i at 2200 ANSI lumens, so compared with the 3200-ANSI-lumen TK710, you are paying for room-fit flexibility rather than the highest light output.

Retailer prices

Prices we've recently checked.

We keep retailer prices separate from product fit. Different retailers and marketplace sellers can show different prices, and prices and availability can change. Check the retailer before buying.

Amazon AU

Sold by Just Projectors Australia

$2,597

Checked 7 Oct

PIQSY price context

Not enough price history yet

We don't yet have enough weekly price history to compare this price reliably.

What changes the decision

Does short throw actually solve your room?

The X500i uses a 0.69-0.83 throw ratio and 1.2x optical zoom. In plain English, it can create a large image from much closer to the screen than a conventional projector.

That is the whole reason to choose it. If your sofa, desk or room depth makes a standard-throw projector awkward, X500i solves a physical problem before you even compare picture features. If you have plenty of room and can mount a TK710 comfortably, short throw stops being an advantage and the X500i becomes harder to justify.

How good is it for 4K console gaming?

BenQ publishes 16.7ms at 4K/60Hz, 8.3ms at 1080p/120Hz and 4.2ms at 1080p/240Hz. Those figures make the X500i credible for console and PC gaming, but they should be read with the resolution and refresh rate attached.

For PS5 or Xbox Series X at 4K/60Hz, 16.7ms is the relevant figure. The 4.2ms headline is for high-refresh 1080p PC gaming. If gaming responsiveness is only a minor use case, a family entertainment projector can be simpler; if gaming is central, these specific modes are one of the X500i's strongest reasons to buy.

Will 2200 ANSI lumens suit your room?

The manufacturer rating is 2200 ANSI lumens. That is enough to position X500i as more than a tiny dark-room portable, but it is noticeably below the TK710's 3200-ANSI-lumen figure using the same convention.

If the short-throw room is reasonably light-controlled, the lower output may be an acceptable trade. If you expect frequent ambient light and your room can accommodate standard throw, TK710's brightness advantage becomes more persuasive. The short-throw lens solves distance, not daylight.

Do the smart features and audio reduce setup clutter?

X500i includes smart streaming capability and two 5W speakers, with eARC for external audio. That is useful in a bedroom or compact room because the projector does not have to become the centre of a complicated AV rack.

If you already use a console for streaming and own a soundbar, those built-in conveniences matter less. In that case, judge the X500i almost entirely on short throw, 4K picture capability and latency. The fewer problems the smart layer solves for you, the more closely you should compare it with a brighter fixed gaming projector.

Is the current price really paying for the right thing?

At its current price, the X500i is not a budget projector. What you are primarily buying is a compact-room gaming solution: short throw plus 4K and low-lag modes.

That is good value when another projector would force you into an awkward mount or smaller image. It is poor value if your room already suits standard throw, because you can then prioritise brightness or other features instead. The switch is simple: pay for short throw only when short throw removes a real compromise.

One practical way to decide whether the X500i is worth the money is to mark out the projector position before you buy. If the shorter throw lets you keep the projector in front of the seating area, avoid a ceiling mount or preserve a 100-inch image in a shallow room, you are paying for something you will notice every time you use it. If the TK710 fits in the same room without compromise, spend the money on the features you will actually use instead.

Who should choose something else

• Switch to BenQ TK710 when your room can accommodate standard throw and higher ANSI-rated brightness matters more than short-throw placement.
• Switch to BenQ GP520 when family entertainment, Google TV and automatic room adaptation matter more than gaming-first short throw.
• Switch to XGIMI HORIZON 20 when you want an all-in-one 4K home projector with stronger published 4K gaming latency and wider optical placement adjustment.

The right alternative is the one that removes the compromise you actually care about, not the one with the longest specification list.

PIQSY conclusion

The X500i is a short-throw gaming projector first and a general home projector second.

If a 100-inch gaming image from roughly 1.5 metres solves your room, 4K, 16.7ms 4K/60 gaming and 1.2x optical zoom make a coherent package. If you have enough depth for standard throw, the room constraint disappears—and so does much of the reason to pay for the X500i.