The catch
BenQ W4100i
Minimum throw is unchanged, and published gaming latency is slightly higher.
Side by side
BenQ W4100i vs BenQ X3100i: Neither fixes a shallow room, W4100i shifts sideways
Quick verdict
Sideways offset, or several connected sources that complicate installation, favor the W4100i. A centered gaming setup where the X3100i’s lower published latency does the job favors that model. The throw range is identical, so neither one fixes a room that is too shallow.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A shelf off to the side can matter more than a small latency gap
An alignment problem that vertical shift cannot solve can be solved by horizontal shift. The W4100i’s published 4K/60 latency is just 1.2 ms higher. In a family room with a doorway next to the screen, optical alignment may be the more useful difference.
Where this comes from
BenQ W4100i: Horizontal shift up to 15 percent at its specified vertical position. 17.9 ms at 4K/60. BenQ X3100i: Vertical shift, 16.7 ms at 4K/60. Difference 1.2 ms.
The catch
BenQ X3100i
A shared room can get complicated by the lack of horizontal shift and fewer external HDMI sockets.
BenQ W4100i
- Why pick it
- A doorway or ceiling joist pushes the lens off to one side
- Optical horizontal shift spares you digital correction
- The catch
- Minimum throw is unchanged, and published gaming latency is slightly higher.
BenQ X3100i
- Why pick it
- Your lens can line up with the screen’s horizontal centerline
- You mostly game at high refresh
- The catch
- A shared room can get complicated by the lack of horizontal shift and fewer external HDMI sockets.
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What this page compares
Movies and games on the BenQ W4100i or X3100i? Compare off-center shelves, source connections and the small latency gap, while keeping room fit in view.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A doorway that pushes the shelf sideways
Look at the combined-axis limits of the W4100i. X3100i has no horizontal optical shift.
- BenQ W4100i
- Better fit
- BenQ X3100i
- Caution
A competitive-gaming setup that is centered
Published latency for the specific format is lower on X3100i.
- BenQ W4100i
- Good
- BenQ X3100i
- Better fit
A console, a disc player and an eARC soundbar all staying connected
The extra external socket is on the W4100i. Check the full signal path.
- BenQ W4100i
- Better fit
- BenQ X3100i
- Depends
A 120-inch screen with a nine-foot shelf
At minimum optical throw, about ten feet is needed on both.
- BenQ W4100i
- Not suitable
- BenQ X3100i
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
A shelf off to the side can matter more than a small latency gap
An alignment problem that vertical shift cannot solve can be solved by horizontal shift. The W4100i’s published 4K/60 latency is just 1.2 ms higher. In a family room with a doorway next to the screen, optical alignment may be the more useful difference.
How we worked this out
BenQ W4100i: Horizontal shift up to 15 percent at its specified vertical position. 17.9 ms at 4K/60. BenQ X3100i: Vertical shift, 16.7 ms at 4K/60. Difference 1.2 ms.
A soundbar takes up a source connection
Even with eARC in use, the W4100i keeps two external HDMI sockets free for a console and a disc player, and its streamer has a separate internal connection. For the X3100i, check whether a receiver, switch or soundbar input is needed to keep both external sources connected.
How we worked this out
BenQ W4100i: Three external HDMI inputs with eARC on HDMI 2 and internal QS02. BenQ X3100i: Two external HDMI inputs plus included streamer.
The cinema model does not work in a shorter room
Both need about 10.0 to 13.1 feet from lens to screen at 120 inches, so a nine-foot shelf is still outside both optical ranges. Horizontal shift changes alignment and not minimum distance.
How we worked this out
BenQ W4100i: 1.15 to 1.5 × 104.59 inches / 12 = 10.02 to 13.07 ft. BenQ X3100i: Same optical throw range.
Plug in your numbers
Will either projector work in your room?
This checks hard limits only. Personal preferences are left out of the math.
BenQ W4100i
Check this one yourselfWe do not have a complete verified lens range for this exact model.
BenQ X3100i
Does not work with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the calculated lens range is about 10.02 to 13.07 ft. You entered 9.50 ft.
Measure distance from the lens to the screen. The math assumes a 16:9 picture and uses the verified throw range for each exact model.
Option A
BenQ, W4100i
W4100i
For a more settled room installation, this home-cinema 4LED projector offers optical lens shift, three external HDMI inputs and an included streaming dongle.
- Best for
- A doorway or ceiling joist pushes the lens off to one side
Facts we checked
- Optical placement: 1.15 to 1.5 throw with horizontal and vertical shift
- External HDMI: Three external inputs plus internal QS02
- 4K/60 latency: 17.9 ms, published
- 1080p/240 latency: 6.5 ms, published
Option B
BenQ, X3100i
X3100i
This 4LED gaming projector delivers rich color with low latency, wide resolution support, Android TV and a generous vertical shift range.
- Best for
- Your lens can line up with the screen’s horizontal centerline
Facts we checked
- Optical placement: 1.15 to 1.5 throw with vertical shift
- External HDMI: Two external inputs plus included streamer
- 4K/60 latency: 16.7 ms, published
- 1080p/240 latency: 4.2 ms, published
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | BenQ W4100i | BenQ X3100i | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical placement | 1.15 to 1.5 throw with horizontal and vertical shift | 1.15 to 1.5 throw with vertical shift | Sideways alignment is what the W4100i adds, and the throw is no shorter. |
| External HDMI | Three external inputs plus internal QS02 | Two external inputs plus included streamer | Work out the console, disc player and soundbar connections as a group. |
| 4K/60 latency | 17.9 ms, published | 16.7 ms, published | A 1.2 ms difference in the specification is a weak reason to live with a poor room layout. |
| 1080p/240 latency | 6.5 ms, published | 4.2 ms, published | These figures hold only for the stated source format. They are not 4K/240. |
| Light engine | 4LED, 3,200 ANSI lumens | 4LED, 3,300 ANSI lumens | A small rated difference like this does not establish measured movie-mode output. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With BenQ W4100i
- HDMI 3 takes a 4K/120 signal but shows it at 1080p/120, so this isn't a 4K/120 projector.
With BenQ X3100i
- In independent testing, dark-scene contrast was weaker, and 1440p input was noted as being downscaled internally.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
A doorway or ceiling joist pushes the lens off to one side
Go with BenQ W4100i. Optical horizontal shift spares you digital correction
You can put the lens on the screen’s horizontal centerline
Go with BenQ X3100i. You mostly game at high refresh
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 W4100i |
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| BenQ X3100i |
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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 W4100i
A doorway or ceiling joist pushes the lens off to one side
See price & reviews on AmazonBenQ X3100i
Your lens can line up with the screen’s horizontal centerline
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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