BenQ X500i: Specs, Throw Distance & Alternatives
A short-throw 4K gaming projector with a 4LED light source. BenQ rates it at 2,200 ANSI lumens and 16 ms input lag at 4K/60, dropping to 4.2 ms at 1080p/240. It has no lens shift, and its streaming comes from an included Android TV dongle rather than a built-in system.
Is the BenQ X500i right for you?
Good for
- Console gaming at 4K/60 (rated 16 ms)
- High-refresh PC gaming at 1080p/240 (rated 4.2 ms)
- Short-throw placement: 0.69–0.83:1 throw ratio with a 1.2x zoom
- HDR10 and an eARC-capable HDMI port for a soundbar or receiver
What to plan for
- Streaming runs on the included Android TV 11 dongle, not a built-in system
- No lens shift and a fixed 102.5% offset, so the mount or table height has to be right
- 4K is produced by pixel shift, and 4K input is limited to 60 Hz (HDMI 2.0b)
- Manual focus
- LED rated for 20,000 hours in Normal mode (30,000 in Eco)
Based on manufacturer specifications and published reviews (sources below). We don't do hands-on testing.
BenQ X500i specs
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 × 2160, DLP XPR pixel shift) |
|---|---|
| Brightness | 2,200 ANSI lumens (BenQ rating) |
| Display technology | DLP |
| Light source | 4LED |
| Light source life | 20,000 hours |
| Contrast ratio | 600,000:1 (BenQ rating, with light source dimming) |
| Throw ratio | 0.69-0.83:1 |
| Lens shift | None (fixed 102.5% vertical offset) |
| Max refresh rate | 240 Hz |
| HDMI ports | 2 (HDMI 2.0) |
| Speakers | 10 W |
| Weight | 7.9 lb |
How far from the screen?
Lens-to-screen distance for a 16:9 image, calculated from its 0.69-0.83:1 throw ratio. The zoom lets you place it anywhere in the range.
| Screen | Closest | Farthest |
|---|---|---|
| 80″ | 4' 0" | 4' 10" |
| 100″ | 5' 0" | 6' 0" |
| 120″ | 6' 0" | 7' 3" |
| 150″ | 7' 6" | 9' 1" |
BenQ X500i input lag by mode
| Signal | Input lag |
|---|---|
| 4K / 60 Hz | 16 ms |
| 1080p / 60 Hz | 16.7 ms |
| 1440p / 120 Hz | 8 ms |
| 1080p / 240 Hz | 4.2 ms |
Source: BenQ’s published ratings (the 1080p/60 figure is from ProjectorCentral’s listing); we found no independent measurement. Its fastest figure (4.2 ms at 1080p / 240 Hz) is quicker than 77 of the 96 projectors with a lag figure in our input lag database, which lists each model's fastest mode.
BenQ X500i alternatives at a similar price
In-stock 4K projectors priced closest to it on Amazon today.
| Model | Price today | Amazon rating | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ X500i (this one) | $1,499 | 4.1★ | — |
| Epson Home Cinema 3200 4K PRO-UHD 3-Chip Projector with HDR | $1,529 | 4.3★ | — |
| ViewSonic X1-4KPRO UHD 4K Projector for Xbox with Google TV | $1,550 | 4.2★ | — |
| XGIMI HORIZON 20 4K RGB Triple Laser Home Projector | $1,559 | 4.4★ | — |
| LG CineBeam UHD 4K Projector HU70LA - DLP Home Theater Smart | $1,598 | 4.2★ | — |
BenQ X500i head-to-head comparisons
- BenQ X500i vs BenQ X3100i
BenQ’s two 4LED 4K gaming machines — which fits your room?
Where it fits
BenQ X500i FAQ
- How far from the screen should the BenQ X500i be for a 100-inch image?
- Between 5' 0" and 6' 0" from lens to screen, depending on the zoom setting (throw ratio 0.69-0.83:1).
- What is the input lag of the BenQ X500i?
- 4K / 60 Hz: 16 ms; 1080p / 60 Hz: 16.7 ms; 1440p / 120 Hz: 8 ms; 1080p / 240 Hz: 4.2 ms. Source: BenQ’s published ratings (the 1080p/60 figure is from ProjectorCentral’s listing); we found no independent measurement.
- Is the BenQ X500i native 4K?
- No. Its resolution is 4K UHD (3840 × 2160, DLP XPR pixel shift). It builds the 4K image with pixel shifting instead of a native 3840 × 2160 chip or panel.
- Does the BenQ X500i have lens shift?
- No. It has a fixed 102.5% vertical offset and a 1.2x zoom, so the image position is set by where the projector sits.
Sources
Price, stock and rating come from Amazon and update automatically (last checked Nov 14, 2026, 8:00 PM).
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