The catch
BenQ TK705i
More throw distance is required, and that can rule it out of a shallow room.
Side by side
BenQ TK705i vs BenQ TK705STi: STi fits 120 inches from about 7 ft while i adjusts farther back
Quick verdict
A shelf behind the sofa, or any spot where you need to adjust zoom, points to the TK705i. A lens that has to sit about seven feet from a 120-inch screen points to the TK705STi. Published brightness and 4K/60 latency are the same on both, so the room layout is the only reason to switch.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A ten-foot shelf takes one full-width fit off the table
The TK705i can produce a 120-inch image optically from ten feet. From that same position, the fixed-lens STi makes roughly 172 inches before digital reduction. If the shelf cannot move, choose the TK705i.
Where this comes from
BenQ TK705i: 120-inch 16:9 width = 104.59 inches. Its 1.0 to 1.3 throw needs 8.72 to 11.33 feet. BenQ TK705STi: Fixed throw 0.8. At 120 inches distance, image diagonal = 120 / 0.8 × sqrt(337) / 16 = 172.13 inches.
The catch
BenQ TK705STi
When a shelf or ceiling mount cannot move, the fixed lens leaves less freedom.
BenQ TK705i
- Why pick it
- A 120-inch screen sits nine to eleven feet from your shelf
- You can resize the picture with optical zoom and still keep the whole image
- The catch
- More throw distance is required, and that can rule it out of a shallow room.
BenQ TK705STi
- Why pick it
- The lens will be about seven feet from your 120-inch screen
- With a short throw, the projector stays in front of the sofa
- The catch
- When a shelf or ceiling mount cannot move, the fixed lens leaves less freedom.
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What this page compares
Which of the BenQ TK705i and TK705STi fits a real living room? Compare 120-inch placement, shelf flexibility, console response and the space you need around the seats.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A shelf fixed ten feet from the screen
From here, the TK705i gets to 120 inches optically. The STi would have to move forward or digitally shrink its larger picture.
- BenQ TK705i
- Better fit
- BenQ TK705STi
- Caution
A shallow room where the lens sits at seven feet
The TK705i needs more distance to reach the stated 120-inch target. The STi is close to the position it requires.
- BenQ TK705i
- Not suitable
- BenQ TK705STi
- Better fit
A console game running at 60 frames per second
With the same published 4K/60 lag, there is no basis to call either one faster.
- BenQ TK705i
- Similar
- BenQ TK705STi
- Similar
A PC game that needs to run above 60 Hz
The manufacturers' current scan ranges contradict each other, and the listed timing tables do not settle the higher-refresh mode you would need. Confirm it before you buy.
- BenQ TK705i
- Caution
- BenQ TK705STi
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
A ten-foot shelf takes one full-width fit off the table
The TK705i can produce a 120-inch image optically from ten feet. From that same position, the fixed-lens STi makes roughly 172 inches before digital reduction. If the shelf cannot move, choose the TK705i.
How we worked this out
BenQ TK705i: 120-inch 16:9 width = 104.59 inches. Its 1.0 to 1.3 throw needs 8.72 to 11.33 feet. BenQ TK705STi: Fixed throw 0.8. At 120 inches distance, image diagonal = 120 / 0.8 × sqrt(337) / 16 = 172.13 inches.
A short lens can bring the cables into the room
At its shortest 120-inch placement, the STi saves about 1.7 feet compared with the TK705i. That can clear a shallow room, but the power cable may end up across a walking route. Putting it on a front console or in a ceiling position is a better plan than trailing a lead across the family floor.
How we worked this out
BenQ TK705i: Minimum 120-inch distance is 8.72 feet. BenQ TK705STi: 120-inch distance is 6.97 feet. Difference is 1.74 feet. Neither is battery-powered.
Pay for the lens you need and not for a gaming upgrade
Both publish 5 ms at 4K/60, which leaves lens placement as the main deciding factor for that format. Their US specification pages and shared manual disagree about the broader scan range. When a source has to run above 60 Hz, confirm the exact model and input timing before you buy. Neither 120 Hz support nor an absolute 60 Hz ceiling has been established.
How we worked this out
BenQ TK705i: 5 ms at 4K/60. The US page lists 23 to 60 Hz, while the manual lists a 23 to 120 Hz scan range and timing tables only up to 60 Hz. Higher-refresh support remains unconfirmed. BenQ TK705STi: 5 ms at 4K/60. The US page lists 23 to 60 Hz, while the manual lists a 23 to 120 Hz scan range and timing tables only up to 60 Hz. Higher-refresh support remains unconfirmed.
Option A
BenQ, TK705i
TK705i
Aimed at a shared living-room movie and console setup, this compact Google TV projector has optical zoom and a low-lag 4K/60 mode.
- Best for
- A 120-inch screen sits nine to eleven feet from your shelf
Facts we checked
- Lens distance for 120 inches: About 8.7 to 11.3 ft
- Resizing from one shelf: 1.3x optical zoom
- Console response: 5 ms at 4K/60, manufacturer claim
- Streaming and sound: Google TV and two 8W speakers
Option B
BenQ, TK705STi
TK705STi
With the short-lens TK705, a smaller room gets Google TV and low-lag 4K gaming, as long as the furniture can sit at its fixed throw distance.
- Best for
- The lens will be about seven feet from your 120-inch screen
Facts we checked
- 120-inch lens distance: About 7.0 ft
- Resizing from one shelf: Fixed lens
- Console response: 5 ms at 4K/60, manufacturer claim
- Streaming and sound: Google TV and two 8W speakers
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | BenQ TK705i | BenQ TK705STi | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120-inch lens distance | About 8.7 to 11.3 ft | About 7.0 ft | The distances here are optical ones for a 16:9 image. Leave extra room for the body, cables and ventilation. |
| Resizing from one shelf | 1.3x optical zoom | Fixed lens | The TK705i can resize the picture without being moved. When the STi uses digital shrink, it works with less image area. |
| Console response | 5 ms at 4K/60, manufacturer claim | 5 ms at 4K/60, manufacturer claim | A short lens does not mean faster response. Neither model is specified for 4K/120. |
| Streaming and sound | Google TV and two 8W speakers | Google TV and two 8W speakers | For the supported built-in apps on either model, a separate streamer is not needed. |
| Published brightness | 3,000 ANSI lumens | 3,000 ANSI lumens | Calibrated picture quality and daytime contrast cannot be settled by the source rating. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With BenQ TK705i
- Without a built-in battery, you can't use it outdoors away from an outlet.
With BenQ TK705STi
- The US page gives 23 to 60 Hz. The shared manual gives a 23 to 120 Hz scan range but input timing tables that stop at 60 Hz. Support for higher refresh is still unconfirmed, so check the exact model and input mode before you buy.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
A 120-inch screen sits nine to eleven feet from your shelf
Go with BenQ TK705i. You can resize the picture with optical zoom and still keep the whole image
The lens will be about seven feet from your 120-inch screen
Go with BenQ TK705STi. With a short throw, the projector stays in front of the sofa
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the home projectors we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ TK705i |
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| BenQ TK705STi |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
BenQ TK705i
A 120-inch screen sits nine to eleven feet from your shelf
See price & reviews on AmazonBenQ TK705STi
The lens will be about seven feet from your 120-inch screen
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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