BenQ W2720i 4K HDR
Why this one: The point where 4K projection gets genuinely cinematic without flagship money: factory-calibrated color, real HDR handling, and a sharp 100"+ picture that costs less per inch than any TV technology. Reviewers consistently call it the affordable 4K that looks like cinema.
What it beat: Budget 1080p projectors (fine for casual movie nights, visibly soft at 100"+) and $3,500+ laser flagships whose gains need a dedicated theater room to appreciate.
Tighter budget? BenQ TH575 (~$499) — the honest budget answer for occasional backyard-movie duty; or Epson Home Cinema 3800-class refurbs.
BenQ's lamp/LED engines have strong longevity records and the boring failure mode — gradual brightness loss over years, not sudden death. Buy from authorized dealers only: projector warranties are dealer-chain sensitive.
Common concerns (3)
- Room reality check — projectors need light control; in a bright living room a Mini-LED TV beats any projector at this price.
- Total cost — add a screen (~$150–300) and think about audio: the built-in speakers are placeholders (see soundbars).
- Lamp life? — Rated ~4,000–15,000 hrs by mode: years of movie nights before brightness fades noticeably.