BenQ X3100i review: a top-tier gaming projector

Okay, let’s be clear right here, the BenQ X3100i is a beefy unit, coming in at 272 x 213 x 259mm (10.70 x 8.38 x 10.20 inches) it’s not precisely a small field, even by projector requirements. It lacks the slime-line look we’ve seen because the humble PJ’s conception that’s. As a substitute, we’re greeted with a chunky cuboid block, a little bit of a beast. Now, admittedly it must be, to pack in all that {hardware} and cooling assist, or not less than that’s the belief, however nonetheless, it makes it tough relating to contemplating the place precisely you’re going to put this factor to get the perfect image out of it. 

Why? Nicely if you wish to mount the Benq X3100i in your ceiling, you possibly can, it’s attainable. However given its girth, in the event you’ve received low ceilings, or are significantly tall, it represents a possible hazard once you’re strolling concerning the room. The second drawback lies with the place every thing is positioned. I/O ports, cables, and tuning dials are, properly, in all places. The lens-shift dial is correct on the highest of the unit. The main target rings are on the perimeters (helpful sufficient), subsequent to an OSD menu answer, however take a look on the rear I/O and also you’ll discover the kettle lead for the ability provide is positioned on the underside, with the remainder of the ports (HDMI, SPDIF, USB and many others) all on the very prime.

In case you do ceiling mount it, as a result of that lens shift dial is on the “prime” of the X3100i, you successfully should flip the complete factor (which once more it has assist for, the truth is, that is the one technique to ceiling mount it), however as soon as extra you’re caught with that rear I/O drawback. Plug in multiple or two gadgets, plus the kettle lead, and instantly you’re going to have ugly cables dangling out of your ceiling, requiring some good cable administration to tidy it up. Lower than supreme. The perfect place for the X3100i is on a shelving unit on the alternative aspect of the room to your projection display screen.

Dimension points apart, the X3100i is a strong piece of design. It’s crisp and clear. There’s a pleasant mixture of white and black plastics, cuboid monogram patterns on the entrance, that gorgeous 4K lens, and naturally good air flow throughout. Its delicate design decisions make it feel and look like a premium unit, with out including extra weight to it, and it reveals. There have been some minor panel-gap points on my first overview unit, though this has been chalked as much as delivery errors, and my alternative unit was totally high quality. As soon as raised, BenQ recognized the issue and rapidly remedied it.

As I discussed, there’s additionally loads of air flow on this factor too, with a number of mesh cutouts and followers all through the projector’s shell, none of that are significantly audible when in use, which is actually an enormous win.

So then, let’s discuss baseline stats. The X3100i packs in a 4K HDR 4LED lens, that produces 3300 lumens, with a 600,000:1 distinction ratio. It’s successfully equal to an ordinary 10-bit show, (packing in 1.07 billion colours), and has an anticipated working lifetime of as much as 20,000 hours (2.28 years continuous utilization) in its regular mode, or as much as 30,000 hours in its numerous eco modes.

For the extra monitor-savvy people on the market, the large speaking level goes to be the resolutions, related “refresh charges” and the enter lag that comes together with it. You’ll be able to successfully run the X3100i at three separate resolutions, with various enter lag latencies, and framerates for all of them. You, in fact, have the HDR showpiece with 4K at 60 fps with a 16.7ms response time, then there’s 1440p at 120Hz, with an 8.3ms enter latency, or 1440p 60Hz, with 16.7ms, and lastly, three separate 1080p resolutions, clocking in at 240, 120, and 60 Hz respectively, once more that includes latencies of 4.2ms 8.3ms and 16.7ms as properly.

There’s additionally some good integration with an Android TV field you possibly can embed instantly into the unit if you wish to flip it into a sensible projector extra akin to a TV than a conventional PJ or perhaps a gaming monitor. You do this by eradicating the highest panel, after which putting in the included Android TV dongle into an inside HDMI and Micro-USB cable concurrently. There’s additionally a distant to assist with management as properly, nevertheless, you possibly can’t remotely management the main focus or shift dial sadly. They’re not motorized.

So then, what’s it like to make use of the X3100i? Truthfully, for these uninitiated on the earth of gaming projectors, it’s an absolute deal with. Chuck this factor on a 100-inch display screen, or perhaps a white wall, and also you’re going to have a heck of a time in-game. The 4K decision is tremendous crisp, it doesn’t matter in the event you’re taking part in Farmville, Complete Conflict, Elden Ring or simply binge-watching YouTube content material.

I examined the X3100i throughout a number of titles (Stardew Valley and Complete Conflict being the first ones), at a throw distance of 4 meters, and was by no means not impressed throughout the entire process.

When dialed in, colour accuracy was extremely spectacular, vibrant, and punchy, even with out HDR mode enabled in Home windows, and there’s an absolute smoothness to the X3100i due to the truth that it’s not possible to get ghosting on it. This does include caveats, nevertheless. To get probably the most out of it you’re going to desire a absolutely darkish room to make the most of it. It’s successfully all about the place you utilize this, and utilizing it within the day, though attainable, doesn’t pack the identical vibrancy as in the event you have been to do the identical on a desktop monitor. It simply can’t match the vibrancy of an LCD. That’s additionally a specific drawback once you come to darker scenes and leisure, as you simply can’t get the identical depth on the blacks as you’ll say with an OLED show or perhaps a strong IPS or VA unit.

Enter lag, even at 4K at 16.7 ms by no means felt significantly noticeable. Sure, you’re not going to be topping scoreboards in Valorant with this factor, in comparison with one thing like a 120 Hz OLED with 0.1ms response instances, but it surely’s nonetheless a clean and forgiving expertise, significantly in the event you’re taking part in much less intense RPGs or RTS titles in your lounge consoles or gaming PC.

And that’s the factor. You’ll be able to’t take a look at BenQ’s X3100i such as you would a typical gaming monitor. Evaluating it to one thing like an Alienware AW3423DWF OLED is a little bit of a entice. They each serve very totally different functions and supply very totally different gaming experiences. In BenQ’s case, it’s designed for that lazy, sit-on-the-couch, gaming-with-buddies situation, or binge-watching content material. You need the perfect specs since you need the perfect leisure, however you’re not right here to competitively do something. The ergonomics are all improper for that, the display screen’s nonetheless too distant, and the enter lag is just too excessive, however that’s high quality. That stated, you’ll respect the hyper-rich element and colour, and having that (let’s be sincere pretty common) latency gained’t be sufficient to interrupt your immersion in 99% of video games anyway.

Nonetheless, the perfect gaming screens and TVs on the market present much more versatility and arguably higher worth for cash. Moreover given what dimension choices we’ve got out there as of late, significantly with the likes of Samsung’s Ark gadgets, and a number of the phenomenal sizes of TVs now out there, at considerably much less price, it’s a difficult suggestion nonetheless.

• Sure: If you need among the best gaming projectors on the market
• Sure: In case you’re searching for one thing you possibly can stream content material to as properly
• Sure: In case you’re extra of an informal gamer than a professional gamer
• No: In case you’ve received restricted house at residence
• No: If you wish to ceiling mount it

On the planet of gaming projectors, the BenQ X3100i is a king amongst kings. Regardless of its awkward dimensions and I/O design flaws, Its potent colour accuracy, snug latency, and spectacular decision guarantee it’s a gaming expertise you’ll always remember.

That stated, this can be a luxurious choose. A purchase order you’re shopping for as a result of you have already got a great gaming setup on your PC, and also you need one thing you possibly can increase your gaming setup or room into. This isn’t your subsequent day by day driver, however then it isn’t designed to be.

In case you’re solely enthusiastic about shopping for a strong gaming projector, the 2 largest counter-arguments in opposition to the BenQ X3100i are going to be its worth and its dimension. If the scale isn’t that off-putting and you want what BenQ has accomplished right here however the worth is an excessive amount of, its predecessor the X3000i is obtainable pretty commonly at $300 cheaper than this present unit, much more throughout seasonal gross sales. Albeit that comes at the price of barely decrease lumens and distinction ratios respectively.

Alternatively, one thing like BenQ’s TK700STi is much more reasonably priced and options comparable gaming modes and response instances too. Alternatively, you might choose up Epson’s Residence Cinema 3200 4K 3LCD projector for nearer to $1200 however with a much more slimline design (and admittedly it doesn’t fairly have the identical image punch because the X3100i)

In case you’re not bought and desire a monitor choose as an alternative, the Alienware AW3423DWF OLED is half the worth and a significantly extra aggressive allrounder.

It is perhaps solely a slight improve on the X3000i BenQ launched again in 2022, however the X3100i nonetheless ticks all the proper bins and produces among the best gaming projector experiences cash should buy. It’s not flawless, its cumbersome dimension and odd I/O format makes it difficult to ceiling mount, so undoubtedly take into account that earlier than you resolve to tug the set off.