The picture quality is impressive, but the BenQ W4100i performs best in a dark room rather than bright spaces. Unlike the considerably more expensive Titan Noir Max, it also lacks a dynamic iris for enhanced contrast.
Best Budget Home Cinema Projector
The BenQ W4100i costs significantly less than our other recommended home cinema projectors, making its feature set particularly impressive. After testing several projectors over the past few months, this affordable model has become one of my top choices thanks to its fast setup, low input lag, and useful entertainment features.
Although it uses the older Android TV operating system, the setup process is simple. I asked the built-in Google Assistant to begin the installation, and the projector was ready within minutes. Its dark gray design is understated, while the analog controls on top make it easy to adjust the focus and projection distance.
At this price, the BenQ W4100i is not designed to compete with premium home cinema projectors such as the Hisense XR10. It supports the older Rec.709 color gamut standard and delivers up to 3,200 lumens—well below the Titan Noir Max’s 7,000-lumen rating.
However, the BenQ W4100i offers several appealing features. A dedicated motion mode can produce smoother playback while matching the 24p frame rate commonly used for movies. Gamers can also increase the refresh rate to 240Hz, making this projector an excellent choice for low-latency gaming. During testing, controller inputs appeared almost instantly, even in fast-paced battle scenes.
BenQ’s reliance on a separate streaming dongle for its operating system is less convenient, particularly if one of the HDMI ports is needed for a Blu-ray player or another source. Even so, the BenQ W4100i stands out for its affordable price, easy installation, and responsive gaming performance.
Source: www.wired.com