The BenQ X500i is a short-throw 4k HLG/HDR10/HDR10+ 4LED projector primarily marketed as a gaming projector. Still, it offers a plethora of features for watching movies, many of which come with the projector's bundled QS02 streaming dongle. The dongle supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, casting capabilities with Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay, and support for Google Assistant and Google Voice Search.
Otherwise, the projector has two HDMI 2.0b ports with support for 4k @ 60Hz or 1080p @ 240Hz. It has one extra internal HDMI 2.0b port that's reserved for the included Android TV 11 QS02 dongle, but can also be used with other devices. Due to its short-throw capabilities, it projects a 60-inch image at a distance of about three feet and up to 120 inches at a distance of 6 to 7.2 feet. Finally, the projector has an integrated 10W speaker system.
Our Verdict
The BenQ X500i is very good for watching movies, as long as you stick to dark rooms. It's just not bright enough to look good in rooms with many lights. Once the lights are dimmed, the projector looks impressive due to its great contrast ratio, wide color gamut, and nearly perfect image accuracy right out of the box. It also comes with an impressive list of features, including HDR10+ support, thanks to its included QS02 streaming dongle.
- Great contrast for deep blacks in dark rooms.
Wide color gamut in the Rec. 709 color space.
- Nearly perfect pre-calibration accuracy.
- The included QS02 streaming dongle has many wireless and streaming features.
Bright enough to look solid in dim rooms.
- Not quite bright enough to pop in rooms with a few lights.
Not quite as colorful in the wider Rec. 2020 color space.
Contrast is only mediocre in very dark scenes compared to other projectors.
The BenQ X500i is a solid gaming pick. It accepts 1080p @ 120Hz and 240Hz with low latency, so inputs feel snappy for action games and racers. At 60Hz, the delay is still comfortably low for most players, making it optimal for single-player titles. Competitive esports folks may still prefer a faster flat-panel, but for big-screen play, the X500i feels responsive; just feed it 120Hz or 240Hz whenever you can. It also projects a good-looking image, as it's very accurate out of the box, is quite colorful, and has great contrast for late-night gaming sessions. Its brightness is alright; still, you'll want to dim the lights for the best possible image quality.
- Great contrast for deep blacks in dark rooms.
Wide color gamut in the Rec. 709 color space.
- Nearly perfect pre-calibration accuracy.
Supports a ton of different resolutions with decent input lag.
Bright enough to look solid in dim rooms.
- Not quite bright enough to pop in rooms with a few lights.
Not quite as colorful in the wider Rec. 2020 color space.
Contrast is only mediocre in very dark scenes compared to other projectors.
The BenQ X500i's brightness is decent. It's bright enough for dim rooms, but it washes out if you turn too many lights on. It does have fantastic brightness uniformity, but you'll see some vignetting if you look closely enough.
Bright enough to look solid in dim rooms.
- Not quite bright enough to pop in rooms with a few lights.
The BenQ X500i's contrast is great overall. It performs exceedingly well in bright content compared to other projectors, but it's mediocre in darker content. Still, its contrast never looks bad, and it holds up well in most scenes.
- Great contrast for deep blacks in dark rooms.
Contrast is only mediocre in very dark scenes compared to other projectors.
Changelog
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Updated Jan 30, 2026:
We've modified the text in our Brightness and Native Contrast text boxes as a result of our latest test bench. We've also added Brightness and Contrast performance usages in the Verdict section.
- Updated Jan 21, 2026: We've converted the review to Test Bench 0.11, which renames our Contrast test to Native Contrast, and adds a Sequential Contrast test box. We also added new Brightness and Contrast performance usages in Our Verdict. See the 0.11 changelog.
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Updated Nov 24, 2025:
Added a link to the Best Projectors For Gaming recommendation article in the Popular Projector Comparisons section of this review.
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Updated Oct 23, 2025:
We've added Imaging, Optics, Noise, Supported Resolutions, HDR Format Support, 3D, Input Lag, and Audio Passthrough boxes as a result of our latest test bench. We've also added a Gaming usage in the Verdict section.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The BenQ X500i doesn't have any variants, but it's part of BenQ's 'Immersive Gaming Series,' alongside other products such as the BenQ X3000i, the BenQ X3100i, and the BenQ TK700STi. All of these projectors are marketed primarily as gaming devices, but they all have advanced capabilities for watching movies.
| Model | Light Source | Processing | Throw & Zoom | HDR Formats | HDMI Audio Return | Max Game Refresh (native 1080p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X500i | 4LED | 4K XPR (DLP) | Short-throw 0.69–0.83; manual zoom | HDR10, HLG | eARC | 240Hz |
| X3000i | 4LED | 4K XPR (DLP) | Long-throw 1.15–1.50; 1.3× manual zoom | HDR10, HLG | eARC | 240Hz |
| X3100i | 4LED | 4K XPR (DLP) | Long-throw 1.15–1.50; 1.3× manual zoom | HDR10, HLG | eARC | 240Hz |
| TK700STi | Lamp | 4K XPR (DLP) | Short-throw ~0.9–1.1; manual zoom | HDR10, HLG | eARC | 240Hz |
Our unit was manufactured in May 2024; you can check out our unit's label for more information.
Popular Projector Comparisons
The BenQ X500i is a very good projector, particularly for those seeking a versatile short-throw unit. The included BenQ QS02 dongle is packed with features, and the projector can also project images at a short distance due to its short-throw capabilities. It's also a good option for gamers due to its 1080p @ 120Hz and 240Hz capabilities. The X500i is part of BenQ's Bedroom/Living Room series alongside the BenQ TK700STi; they're similar projectors, but outside of its lower peak brightness, the X500i is better in every way, as it has better contrast, is much more accurate, and has a wider color gamut. If you don't need streaming or gaming features, you could consider the Epson Home Cinema 3800 instead, as it's much brighter than the BenQ, but it's not a short-throw unit, so it needs to be placed much further away from the wall or screen than the BenQ. Ultimately, anyone looking for a short-throw projector that can do it all should consider the BenQ X500i.
Check out our recommendations for the best 4k projectors, the best gaming projectors, and the best projectors for home theater. If you're specifically shopping for a short-throw projector, look up the best short-throw projectors instead.
The BenQ TK700STi and the BenQ X500i are both part of BenQ's 'Immersive Gaming' series and share many similarities. Still, aside from the TK700STi's higher peak brightness, the X500i is the better product overall thanks to its much better contrast, wider color gamut, and superior pre-calibration accuracy. Plus, the X500i comes with the newer QS02 dongle, which has more features than the older QS01 dongle that comes with the TK700STi.
The BenQ X3100i is a higher-end model than the BenQ X500i and is better overall. The X500i does have some minute advantages, such as slightly better contrast and pre-calibration accuracy, but they can't overcome the X3100i's edge in brightness and colors. The X500i is a short-throw projector; this makes it easier to place closer to your screen than the X3100i. They both come with the advanced QS02 streaming dongle, giving them identical streaming and wireless features. If you're planning to use the projector solely in a dim or dark room, you might not need the extra brightness of the X3100i, but if you hope to use it in a brighter room, the X3100i could be worth the extra money.
The BenQ X500i is much more expensive than the BenQ TH671ST, but it also outperforms it in every way. They're short-throw projectors with an identical throw ratio, meaning that they can both be placed at the same distance from the wall or screen. Still, the X500i is a bit brighter, has better contrast, and is more accurate out-of-the-box. The X500i also has more features for gamers and comes with the advanced QS02 dongle, giving it a well-rounded set of streaming/wireless features. In comparison, the TH671ST doesn't come with a dongle and doesn't have any wireless features or a smart OS as a result.
The BenQ X500i is better than the BenQ HT2060. They're similarly sized, and they both have auto vertical keystone correction with slightly adjustable feet, giving them equal portability. When it comes to image quality, however, the X500i has the edge due to its much wider color gamut, better accuracy, and slightly higher brightness, although the HT2060 does have the better contrast. The X500i also projects a sharper image overall due to its pixel shifting technology, and can do so at a shorter range due to its short throw capabilities, while the HT2060 is limited to native 1080p, with a longer projection range. Finally, the X500i comes with the BenQ QS02 smart dongle, while the HT2060 doesn't have a smart OS, requiring you to buy a dongle separately.
We've independently bought and tested over 60 projectors, and we've published all the detailed results for each so you can decide which one to buy. These have all been tested under the same standardized methodology, allowing you to compare them side by side. We still have all these projects in our lab so we can continually go back and compare them to ensure our reviews are still accurate. All our test methodology is also public on our website, so you can validate the results yourself.
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Test Results
This BenQ X500i's peak brightness is decent. It's easily bright enough for dim rooms, but not for moderately lit rooms; keep the lights off for the best viewing experience. Its brightness uniformity is excellent, although its corners are a bit dimmer than the rest of the image.
The table below shows how bright the projector gets in its uncalibrated Picture Modes. It's definitely brighter in the 'Bright' mode, but at the cost of underwhelming colors. Still, it can be a useful mode if you're in a very bright room.
| Picture Mode | White Light Output (WLO) | Color Light Output (CLO) |
|---|---|---|
| Bright | 1,565 lm | 987 lm |
| RPG | 956 lm | 944 lm |
| FPS | 974 lm | 997 lm |
| SPG | 974 lm | 979 lm |
The BenQ X500i's native contrast is great overall. Like almost all projectors, its contrast ratio is highest in very dark scenes and drops as scenes get brighter. Still, compared with other projectors, it's relatively mediocre in very dark content, so near-blacks don't look as deep as the best home theater models. In brighter and mixed scenes, it performs extremely well, keeping strong separation between elements, which helps it look punchy for sports, TV, and gaming. Still, if you're looking for even better contrast, consider the cheaper BenQ HT2060.
The BenQ X500i has a great color gamut, although not in the suggested Cinema picture mode, as Cinema clamps the color gamut to the Rec. 709 color space. However, the projector achieves a wide color gamut when set to the 'FPS' picture mode. The projector covers almost all of the Rec. 709 color space used with SDR content, leading to a very pleasant SDR viewing experience, and does an okay job with the wider Rec. 2020 color space.
The BenQ X500i has truly fantastic pre-calibration image accuracy, as it's almost perfectly calibrated right out of the box. Its white balance is nearly perfect, with most colors only barely overrepresented in grays. Its gamma is almost right on target, with only brighter scenes being a tad over-brightened. Colors are mostly exactly as they should be, with minor color mapping issues in yellows, cyans, and blues. Finally, the color temperature is right on the 6,500K target.
The BenQ X500i has a full-color calibration mode and a 2-point white balance calibration. Still, there's no need to use these modes as the projector's default calibration is nearly perfect, and you're likely to make it worse by trying to fix its extremely minor issues. Purists can give it a shot, but otherwise, leave it at the default.
The BenQ X500i uses an LED bulb as its light source, so you likely won't ever have to worry about replacing it; the manufacturer claims the bulb lasts anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000 hours, depending on the selected eco mode. It's not a true 4k projector, as it uses pixel shifting to create a higher-resolution image. This offers better quality than a pure 1080p projector but isn't as good as a native 4k projector. It has a 1.2x optical zoom, allowing you to adjust the projection distance without moving the projector.
This is a short-throw DLP with manual optical zoom, a manual focus, and auto keystone correction. Here are some typical 16:9 throw distances:
- 70" image: 3.5–4.2 ft from the screen
- 80": 4.0–4.8 ft
- 90": 4.5–5.4 ft
- 100": 5.0–6.0 ft
- 110": 5.5–6.6 ft
- 120": 6.0–7.2 ft
- 130": 6.5–7.8 ft
- 150": 7.5–9.0 ft
The BenQ X500i is a mid-size but relatively lightweight projector without an integrated battery, so you must plug it in. The projector has auto keystone correction, but only on the vertical axis, so you must center it horizontally. It also doesn't have autofocus, so you must manually adjust that to get the clearest image possible. Its feet are slightly adjustable, and it comes with a set of extra extender feet to increase the vertical angle of the projector. Finally, the projector has a 10W speaker system.
At maximum brightness, the BenQ X500i's fan is audible up close, but from seating distance it blends under dialogue and effects, especially if your volume isn't too muted.
The projector two easily accessible HDMI 2.0 ports, one with eARC support, and has one extra HDMI port behind the top cover reserved for use with the bundled QS02 Android TV Dongle. The dongle supports Chromecast and AirPlay, as well as Bluetooth 5.0. The dongle also has Wi-Fi 6 support and supports HDR10+. The USB port on the projector itself is a service port that you can use for power delivery.
If you need a USB data port for a USB key, for example, you can use the dongle as a USB reader; you can connect USB devices to the dongle, and the projector will recognize them. Or, you can use the projector's USB-C port as a data port instead. The USB-C port has DP Alt Mode capabilities, so you can use it to directly project content from a connected compatible device to the projector.
The projector's native resolution is 4k XPR (pixel shift 4k). It accepts 4k @ 60Hz and scales cleanly, supports 1080p @ 120Hz and 240Hz for high-frame-rate gaming, and exposes 1440p @ 60Hz/120Hz in the EDID but downscales them to 1080p.
The device's input lag is good at 120Hz but excellent at 240Hz; competitive gamers who play on PC should definitely stick to 240Hz if they can. At 120Hz, the projector has more latency than you'd expect, but it's still responsive enough for most people. It's also decent at 60Hz, whether at 4k or 1080p, so single-player gamers will be happy with this unit's responsiveness overall. These measurements are with Auto Game Mode 'On,' and the Picture Mode set to 'RPG.'
The BenQ X500i includes HDMI eARC, so you can run a single HDMI from the projector to a soundbar/AVR and get full-bandwidth audio back. It supports Dolby Atmos over Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD 7.1, DTS-HD MA 7.1, DTS:X, and LPCM via Dolby MAT; optical S/PDIF also carries Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 for legacy gear. There's something for everyone, regardless of whether you want to watch content through streaming or if you have an extensive physical media collection. For the best results: set audio to Audio Return+ (or your AVR's eARC mode) and choose Raw+ (object-based) on the projector.
3D is supported with compatible DLP-Link glasses. It works with Frame Sequential, Frame Packing, Top-Bottom, and Side-by-Side formats.
This projector runs the Android TV 11 smart interface on its included QS02 dongle and is fully cast capable through Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay. The dongle also supports Google Voice search and Google Assistant. Plus, unlike the QS01 dongle previously included with some of BenQ's other projectors, the QS02 dongle natively supports Netflix. The projector also has a 10W speaker system.