The catch
BenQ X500i
It has higher published 4K/60 latency, and its USB-C power tops out at 5W.
Side by side
BenQ X500i vs BenQ TK705STi: TK705STi has lower 4K60 lag, X500i has verified 1080p240
Quick verdict
A high-refresh PC, or a short shelf that calls for optical zoom, points to the X500i. For 60 Hz console games and simple Google TV streaming, the TK705STi is the better fit, provided its fixed lens works with your screen. It is also the newer model, with lower manufacturer-listed lag at 4K/60. The X500i is the narrower choice, justified when you need its documented 1080p/240 mode, since higher-refresh support on the TK705STi is still unconfirmed.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Some shelves fit both, others do not
From seven feet, both lenses can frame a 120-inch 16:9 image. From six feet, only the X500i comes close to that target, and the TK705STi would produce about 103 inches. Measure the lens position before you treat the two as interchangeable.
Where this comes from
BenQ X500i: 120-inch distance from 0.69 to 0.83 throw = 6.01 to 7.23 feet. BenQ TK705STi: 0.8 throw gives 103.28 inches diagonal at six feet.
The catch
BenQ TK705STi
Optical zoom is something it gives up. Support for higher refresh is still unconfirmed, whereas the X500i positively documents 1080p/240.
BenQ X500i
- Why pick it
- Your competitive PC games run at 1080p/240
- A 1.2x zoom gives you some room to move around a short-throw position
- The catch
- It has higher published 4K/60 latency, and its USB-C power tops out at 5W.
BenQ TK705STi
- Why pick it
- You game at 4K/60 and want streaming built in
- At 4K/60, BenQ specifies 5 ms against 16.7 ms
- The catch
- Optical zoom is something it gives up. Support for higher refresh is still unconfirmed, whereas the X500i positively documents 1080p/240.
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What this page compares
Setting up a small gaming room? See when optical zoom and 1080p/240 outweigh 4K/60 latency and built-in Google TV on the BenQ X500i versus the TK705STi.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Esports on a PC at 1080p/240
This exact mode is documented for the X500i. Higher-refresh support on the TK705STi is still unconfirmed, because the manufacturer scan ranges conflict.
- BenQ X500i
- Better fit
- BenQ TK705STi
- Caution
A 120-inch screen with a seven-foot table
This geometry works, roughly, for both optical designs. Leave space behind the chassis.
- BenQ X500i
- Good
- BenQ TK705STi
- Good
A six-foot table fixed in place
Here the X500i can come close to 120 inches, while the STi makes a smaller image from the same position.
- BenQ X500i
- Better fit
- BenQ TK705STi
- Caution
Console games at 60 Hz along with streaming
When its fixed lens fits, the STi has the edge with built-in Google TV and a lower claimed 4K/60 lag.
- BenQ X500i
- Good
- BenQ TK705STi
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
Some shelves fit both, others do not
From seven feet, both lenses can frame a 120-inch 16:9 image. From six feet, only the X500i comes close to that target, and the TK705STi would produce about 103 inches. Measure the lens position before you treat the two as interchangeable.
How we worked this out
BenQ X500i: 120-inch distance from 0.69 to 0.83 throw = 6.01 to 7.23 feet. BenQ TK705STi: 0.8 throw gives 103.28 inches diagonal at six feet.
Lower input lag and higher refresh each solve a different problem
Published 4K/60 lag is 11.7 ms lower on the STi. At 240 Hz the X500i can take a new 1080p frame every 4.17 ms, compared with every 16.67 ms at 60 Hz. The two figures measure different stages, so folding them into an invented overall response score would be misleading.
How we worked this out
BenQ X500i: 16.7 ms at 4K/60. At 240 Hz, one source-frame interval is 1000 / 240 = 4.17 ms. BenQ TK705STi: 5 ms at 4K/60. At 60 Hz, one source-frame interval is 1000 / 60 = 16.67 ms.
The choice shifts when a desk doubles as a movie station
The STi's listed USB-C power ceiling is six times higher, which suits a compatible low-power source on a cluttered desk. Look up how much power the source device itself needs. A gaming laptop that needs 65W or more still keeps its charger.
How we worked this out
BenQ X500i: USB-C DisplayPort and 5V/1A power, equivalent to 5W. BenQ TK705STi: USB-C DisplayPort and up to 30W. 30 / 5 = 6, without implying six times the charging speed.
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 X500i
Does not work with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the manual-table lens range is about 6.01 to 7.23 ft. You entered 9.50 ft. Optical fit only: use the 1.2x optical zoom, level square placement at the fixed image height, body/cable space, 50 cm wall clearance and free airflow. No optical lens shift. For image quality, BenQ recommends the manual’s non-gray table rows. Test the actual image before mounting. Digital correction adds no optical range.
BenQ TK705STi
Check this one yourselfWe do not have a complete verified lens range for this exact model.
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, X500i
X500i
This short-throw 4LED gaming projector puts a big image in front of a desk or sofa without taking up the full depth of the room.
- Best for
- Your competitive PC games run at 1080p/240
Facts we checked
- 120-inch lens distance: About 6.0 to 7.2 ft
- Optical adjustment: 0.69 to 0.83 throw, 1.2x zoom
- Gaming format: 4K/60 or up to 1080p/240
- Published 4K/60 lag: 16.7 ms
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
- You game at 4K/60 and want streaming built in
Facts we checked
- 120-inch lens distance: About 7.0 ft
- Optical adjustment: Fixed 0.8 throw
- Gaming format: 4K/60 documented, higher-refresh support unconfirmed
- Published 4K/60 lag: 5 ms
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | BenQ X500i | BenQ TK705STi | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120-inch lens distance | About 6.0 to 7.2 ft | About 7.0 ft | Near seven feet, both work. From closer in, the X500i also manages a larger image. |
| Optical adjustment | 0.69 to 0.83 throw, 1.2x zoom | Fixed 0.8 throw | A small table or ceiling mount can vary more in position with the X500i. |
| Gaming format | 4K/60 or up to 1080p/240 | 4K/60 documented, higher-refresh support unconfirmed | Decide by the exact input format. The TK705STi's conflicting scan ranges do not set a universal refresh ceiling. |
| Published 4K/60 lag | 16.7 ms | 5 ms | The figures come from the manufacturers and are not an independent head-to-head result. |
| Streaming | Included QS02 Android TV device | Built-in Google TV | Neither requires buying a separate streamer for its supported apps. |
| USB-C power | 5V/1A, up to 5W | Up to 30W | A compatible device can draw more power from the STi, but 30W will not run every laptop under load. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With BenQ X500i
- In deeper rooms, some rear shelves don't suit the short lens.
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
Your competitive PC games run at 1080p/240
Go with BenQ X500i. A 1.2x zoom gives you some room to move around a short-throw position
You game at 4K/60 and want streaming built in
Go with BenQ TK705STi. At 4K/60, BenQ specifies 5 ms against 16.7 ms
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 X500i |
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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 X500i
Your competitive PC games run at 1080p/240
See price & reviews on AmazonBenQ TK705STi
You game at 4K/60 and want streaming built in
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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