How to Choose Your First Gaming Projector

Looking for your first gaming projector? Congratulations! Let’s help you find the right gaming projector that fits your needs and budget.

Why a Gaming Projector Instead of a Monitor?

The difference between monitor and projector gaming can feel like night and day. The most obvious difference is screen size. Maxing out around 32 inches wide - monitors are fine for most gaming – but the relatively compact screen makes it difficult to lose one’s self in gameplay, or say, a movie. Small screen size can also be a detriment to split-screen multiplayer gaming. If these problems frustrate your gameplay, then a bigger screen could be the solution you're looking for.

Another key consideration is speed. Previous generation gaming projectors were slow - offering low refresh rates and higher latency (input lag). Today's gaming projectors offer a substantially faster and more immersive experience. Every model on this list has a max input lag of only 16 ms (approx 1 frame of gameplay). The TK700 can even be set for just 4ms of input lag - meaning fast response times are no longer exclusive to gaming monitors. Projectors are becoming incredibly fast and responsive.

This article reviews three gaming projectors offered by BenQ and compares them by ease-of-use, color accuracy, speed, price and screen size.

Best 1080p for Bright Rooms – TH585P

If you’re new to projector-based gaming and trying to decide if it is right for you, we recommend starting with a bright, budget-friendly option like the TH585P - an excellent choice for one’s first gaming projector. At 3500 ANSI lumens and 1080p resolution, the TH585P offers an excellent combination of high brightness and crisp resolution, and even includes dedicated gaming modes to further enhance the appearance of your gameplay.

First time projector buyers will also appreciate the TH585P’s remarkable flexibility and overall ease of use. The TH585P sets up in seconds - transforming almost any space into a private gaming arena. This model maximizes available space with a range of throw distances - for big-screen entertainment in tight quarters. TH585P’s digital vertical lens shift has adjustable projection height - allowing users to manually adjust the vertical position of the image. Auto 1D keystoning further simplies the process of tailoring the image onto the projector screen.

For further information on these calibration settings, also be sure to check out our projector terminology guide.

Best 1080p for Dark Rooms – HT2050A

The HT2050A excels as a highly versatile home entertainment and gaming projector. In the tradeoff between brightness and color accuracy, the HT2050A is slightly less bright than the TH585P but offers slightly improved color accuracy (96% of Rec 709 spectrum) making the HT2050A better suited to darker spaces with less ambient light to shine through.

While the HT2050A is not quite a bright, it offers more versatile connection and input/output options than the TH585P. You’ll notice that in addition to HDMI and USB Type A, the HT2050A also offers component, PC, RS232, and even mini-USB connectors.

Finally, the HT2050A is also quite versatile and easy to install. Its throw ratio is such that you can cast a 100 inch screen from only 8.5 feet away, making it suitable for all but the tinest spaces. Other standard features like 2D keystoning and Vertical Lens Shift mean the user can position the projector at angles to the wall and still enjoy a perfectly placed image.

4K Gaming in Bright and Dark Spaces – TK700

While 1080p remains a strong choice for enjoyable projector gaming experience, some gamers will want to experience the immersive feeling of gaming in 4K – for whom we highly recommend the TK700. The TK700 combines the color accuracy of HT2050A, the brightness of TH585P, all in stunning True 4K resolution.

The innovative TK700’s professionally-designed gaming engine with unprecedented low input lag and 16ms response time provides an unrivaled true 4K gaming experience. Feel the difference and triumph in real time during fast-paced FPS games where reaction time is critical.