The catch
BenQ X500i
Some existing mounts become unusable because of its short optical range and lack of lens shift.
Side by side
BenQ X500i vs BenQ X3100i: From about 6–7 ft, X500i fits 120 inches
Quick verdict
If a 120-inch picture has to come from roughly six to seven feet away, the X500i is the one. If you can place it farther back and want more output or vertical lens shift, the X3100i is the one. Published latency figures match at the main gaming formats, which makes room fit the stronger divider.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
The larger projector may be ruled out by a seven-foot shelf
A 120-inch 16:9 image takes about 6.0 to 7.2 feet from lens to screen with X500i and about 10.0 to 13.1 feet with X3100i. From seven feet, X500i fits optically and X3100i does not, and digital correction cannot make up the missing optical width.
Where this comes from
BenQ X500i: Throw 0.69 to 0.83. Screen width 120 × 16 / √337 = 104.59 inches. BenQ X3100i: Throw 1.15 to 1.50. Distance = image width × throw ratio.
The catch
BenQ X3100i
The longer throw takes considerably more room, and it brings no lower listed lag in return.
BenQ X500i
- Why pick it
- Your lens has to be about six to seven feet from a 120-inch screen
- A short throw leaves the projector in front of the main seating
- The catch
- Some existing mounts become unusable because of its short optical range and lack of lens shift.
BenQ X3100i
- Why pick it
- You can put the lens ten to thirteen feet from a 120-inch screen
- Vertical lens shift would help with where the mount goes
- The catch
- The longer throw takes considerably more room, and it brings no lower listed lag in return.
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What this page compares
Gaming and movies on the BenQ X500i or X3100i: work out the room depth each needs and see why the larger model is not always the upgrade that helps.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
120-inch image, lens distance of seven feet
The placement falls only within X500i’s optical range.
- BenQ X500i
- Better fit
- BenQ X3100i
- Not suitable
120-inch image, eleven feet back
That distance is within the optical range of X3100i alone.
- BenQ X500i
- Not suitable
- BenQ X3100i
- Better fit
Paying for the higher tier mostly to get lower listed gaming lag
Both quote the same latency values.
- BenQ X500i
- Good
- BenQ X3100i
- Good
A high mount where optical vertical adjustment is needed
Vertical lens shift is on X3100i, within its installation limits.
- BenQ X500i
- Caution
- BenQ X3100i
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
The larger projector may be ruled out by a seven-foot shelf
A 120-inch 16:9 image takes about 6.0 to 7.2 feet from lens to screen with X500i and about 10.0 to 13.1 feet with X3100i. From seven feet, X500i fits optically and X3100i does not, and digital correction cannot make up the missing optical width.
How we worked this out
BenQ X500i: Throw 0.69 to 0.83. Screen width 120 × 16 / √337 = 104.59 inches. BenQ X3100i: Throw 1.15 to 1.50. Distance = image width × throw ratio.
The whole output upgrade can be used up by a bigger picture
Image area grows by about 56 percent in going from a 120-inch to a 150-inch picture, while X3100i’s rated output is 50 percent above X500i’s. At equal gain and comparable modes, the output increase by itself would not fully preserve light per unit area on that larger screen.
How we worked this out
BenQ X500i: 2,200 ANSI-lumen rating. BenQ X3100i: 3,300 ANSI-lumen rating. (150 / 120)² = 1.5625. This is a geometric illustration. It does not measure screen brightness.
Put the money into installation and light, ahead of lower listed lag
The 4K60 and high-refresh 1080p latency values published for both are the same. If the short-throw room suits X500i, the X3100i premium brings no documented latency advantage at those settings. Its placement controls and output are the useful reasons to move up.
How we worked this out
BenQ X500i: 16.7, 8.3 and 4.2 ms for the listed formats. BenQ X3100i: Identical manufacturer values for those formats. Processing settings still matter.
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 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, 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 lens has to be about six to seven feet from a 120-inch screen
Facts we checked
- Optical throw range: 0.69 to 0.83
- Published output: 2,200 ANSI lumens
- Published input lag: 16.7 ms at 4K60, 8.3 ms at 1080p120, 4.2 ms at 1080p240
- Placement adjustment: Short-throw zoom, no optical lens shift
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
- You can put the lens ten to thirteen feet from a 120-inch screen
Facts we checked
- Range of optical throw: 1.15 to 1.50
- Published output: 3,300 ANSI lumens
- Published input lag: The same three figures
- Placement adjustment: Longer throw with vertical lens shift
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | BenQ X500i | BenQ X3100i | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical throw range | 0.69 to 0.83 | 1.15 to 1.50 | For the same picture size, these ranges never overlap. |
| Published output | 2,200 ANSI lumens | 3,300 ANSI lumens | X3100i is rated for 50 percent more output, which is not a verified 50 percent brighter calibrated picture. |
| Published input lag | 16.7 ms at 4K60, 8.3 ms at 1080p120, 4.2 ms at 1080p240 | The same three figures | Moving to the higher tier does not improve these manufacturer latency claims. |
| Placement adjustment | Short-throw zoom, no optical lens shift | Longer throw with vertical lens shift | Placement by height is what shift helps with. It cannot shorten the room depth required. |
| Streaming | Included Android TV device | Included Android TV device | A streaming route is included in both, so there is no separate purchase to decide. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With BenQ X500i
- In deeper rooms, some rear shelves don't suit the short lens.
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
Your lens has to be about six to seven feet from a 120-inch screen
Go with BenQ X500i. A short throw leaves the projector in front of the main seating
You can put the lens ten to thirteen feet from a 120-inch screen
Go with BenQ X3100i. Vertical lens shift would help with where the mount goes
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 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 X500i
Your lens has to be about six to seven feet from a 120-inch screen
See price & reviews on AmazonBenQ X3100i
You can put the lens ten to thirteen feet from a 120-inch screen
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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