Ultra-low lag projectors with a dedicated gaming picture image preset.
Projectors in this category are good options for gaming enthusiasts, particularly teens and competitive gamers who play to win. These players seek an edge over opponents and value ultra-fast input lag and contrast levels to help them suss out any competitors lurking in the shadows.
The BenQ X500i is a 4LED, 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160p) 0.65" DLP short-throw gaming projector. The X500i is one of three projectors in the company’s 2024 X-series 4K gaming projectors. The X500i offers a BenQ-rated 2,200 ANSI lumens of brightness, displays vibrant colors that cover 84% of the DCI-P3 color space, and supports super low latency gaming with speeds as low as 4.2 ms (1080p 240Hz). The X500i fully supports HDR for gaming, HDR10, and HLG content, all at an MSRP of $1,699.
The X500i keeps the same high-performance 0.65-inch DMD found in the company's other 2024 X-series gaming projectors. This larger Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) allows the X500i to display a 600,000:1 dynamic contrast for improved black levels and shadow details. This larger DMD also supports 1440p 120 Hz games from popular consoles like the Microsoft X-Box series X and S without the need to upscale to 4K 60 Hz.
The X500i is a gaming-optimized home entertainment projector packed with many powerhouse features. BenQ has added Cinematic Sound, which utilizes MAXXAudio DPS dynamic enhancement and a symmetrical speaker placement design. This gives users a lifelike 3D audio experience to help them tune out distractions and pull them deep into the game.
The BenQ TK710 is a 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160p) projector with 3,200 ANSI lumens of brightness. It uses a blue laser phosphor light source and can reproduce up to 95% of the Rec.709 color gamut, displaying a range of content, including HDR10.
Like many of the company's 2024 home entertainment and gaming projectors, the TK710 has a high-performance 0.65-inch DMD. This larger Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) allows the TK710 to display a 600,000:1 dynamic contrast with laser dimming, improving black levels and shadow details.
With 3,200 ANSI lumens, high brightness and contrast, 95% Rec.709, and HDR compatibility, this projector works well in light and dark movies and gaming rooms. With low input lag and specialized HDR game modes, it provides stunning images and fast-paced gaming for an immersive experience.
This new projector features 4K UHD laser-enhanced with a 20,000-hour light source life. The TK710 and TK710STi each have a low input lag of 16.7ms (4K@60Hz) and 4.2ms (1080p@240Hz), making them ideal for gaming on the big screen.
The ViewSonic PX706HD is a short-throw projector and is designed specifically for gaming
Price
$785
Brightness
3000 ANSI lumens
Resolution
1920 x1080
Light Source
Lamp
Light Source Lifespan
4000 hours (Lamp Saving Mode)
Inputs
HDMI x 2, USB Type-C
Gaming
Input lag 16ms
Portability – size
5.9 lbs
Portability – power
No battery
Portability – smart
No smart features
Sound
5-Watt mono speaker
ViewSonic claims the PX706HD has an input lag of 16ms, and it measured close to claim – 16.4ms. This is about as good as it gets with projectors! Acceptable lag times range from 16ms to 50ms, with 50ms or a little bit higher being acceptable to all but the most hardcore, high-speed gamers. 33ms to 40ms is pretty good. The ViewSonic measured at 33ms without 3X Fast Input on, which translates to just over one frame behind on a 30fps game, and 2 frames on a 60fps game. That’d be fine for most people, but if you’re a serious gamer, you’ll want to turn on 3X Fast Input before starting up your gaming session to get that 16.4ms lag.
In addition to being ideal for gaming, the PX706HD has some other notable special features. It weighs less than 6 lbs and would easily fit in a backpack. This is useful for if you want to pack up your projector and bring it over to a friend’s place for a gaming or movies so that they can enjoy the big screen experience. It’s also 3D ready, so if you want to pop in a 3D movie, you can do that, too. You’ll just want to pick up a couple pairs of DLP Link Active Shutter 3D Glasses, which can be found online for under $30 a pair. The projector has PC-free presenting via PCs, Macs, and smartphones, so projecting your vacation photos and videos, or even a presentation at school or work, will be super easy on this ViewSonic.
The NOMVDIC P1000 is a short-throw, RGB triple-LED, 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160p) gaming projector that retails for $1699. It features a Texas Instruments 0.65" DLP DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) and boasts a manufacturer-rated brightness of 2,300 ANSI lumens. Its RGB LED light source allows for the display of vibrant colors, covering up to 125% of the Rec.709 color gamut.
The P1000 aims to provide an immersive 4K UHD gaming and home entertainment experience. The P1000 delivers super-low-latency gaming, with speeds as low as 4.2 ms at 1080p 240 Hz. The NOMVDIC P1000 fully supports HDR formats, including HDR10 and HLG.
It features a Harmon Kardon Dolby and DTS sound system that, based on initial impressions, performs on par with many mainstream RGB LED projectors we've reviewed.
The P1000 is NOMVDIC's only 4K gaming projector and the second 4K model I've reviewed from the company. Based on its design, features, and price, the P1000 fits neatly into the Lifestyle projector category.
4K@60fps: 16.7ms 1080p@60fps 16.7ms 1080p@120hz: 8.9 ms 1080p@240fps: 4.2ms
Sound
10-watt internal speaker
As a gaming projector, the Optoma UHD35 core components operate at much higher levels of performance than a standard projector. Some of the key differences include the projector's refresh rate, low input lag, and the ability to produce superior contrast. This level of performance provides the gamer with the ability to identify objects in the extreme ranges of bright and dark or to keep from getting killed by another player. Projectors like the UHD35 are optimized to work better with gaming consoles and high-performance gaming computers. This better performance is a result of being able to display a higher dynamic range of colors, higher resolution, and much faster refresh rates. Put simply, gaming projectors do more than offer a bigger and better television screen, they offer performance at a level that, until recently, was only available by owning a high-performance gaming display.
As with its previous UHD projector offerings, Optoma is focusing heavily on both the input lag rating of the Optoma UHD35 and its 4K cinema performance. When it comes to gaming, Optoma publishes a specification of 4.2ms vs the UHD50X input lag of 15.7 milliseconds in Advanced Gaming mode. This lamp-based DLP projector uses a Texas Instruments .47 DMD imager with TI's proven pixel-shifting technology. This technology allows the Optoma projector to display true 4K resolution onscreen by using a single mirror to create multiple pixels of data, faster than the human eye can see.
Optoma says they want their users to be able to immerse themselves in a world of Ultra HD gaming, live sports, TV shows, and movies. The UHD35, like its predecessors, is designed to deliver impressive cinema-quality images, all with 3,600 Lumens of brightness (manufacturer claim).
