BenQ HT3550 vs TK700: Which Projector is Right for Your Home Cinema Setup?

[Hardon Williams]

Introduce​

Parameter	BenQ HT3550​	BenQ TK700​
Picture​	​	​
Price​	$749.99​	$1099​
Recommended Uses​	Home Cinema​	Home Cinema, Gaming​
Highlight​	10-ELEMENT LENS ARRAY: all-glass lens for optimal light penetration, sharpness, color, and clarity AWARD WINNING PROJECTOR: Highly Recommended - Projector Central June 2019, Best of Awards - HometheaterHiFI 2019 INSTALLATION FLEXIBILITY: 5% vertical lens shift, short throw, 1.3x zoom for 100” at 8.2ft INDUSTRY LEADING WARRANTY: 3-year limited parts and labor coverage, US-based customer service DLP TECHNOLOGY: used in 90% of cinemas and all digital IMAX theaters, offers longer lasting and sharper images TRUE 4K PROJECTOR: 3840 × 2160 resolution with 8.3 million pixels, superior clarity compared to HD or 2K​	Models: TK700, TK700STi Throw Distance: TK700: 100"@8.2ft, TK700STi: 100"@6.5ft Resolution & Latency: 4K HDR, 16ms@4K/60Hz, up to 4ms@1080p/240Hz Audio Features: eARC, Dolby Atmos, 7.1-Channel Audio, Game Sound Mode Color Performance: 96% Rec. 709, 3200 ANSI lumens, black detail enhancement Compatibility: Consoles (PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S), Google Stadia, external audio systems​

Side-by-Side Comparison​

Display​

Parameter	BenQ HT3550​	BenQ TK700​
Screen Size​	30 Inches - 200 Inches​	60 Inches - 3200 Inches​
Throw Distance​	25.05 Feet - 2.5 Feet​	2.5 Meters - 5 Meters​
Contrast Ratio​	30,000:1 (w/ Dynamic Iris)​	16:9​
Display Resolution​	4K UHD (3840 x 2160)​	3840 x 2160 Pixels​
Native Resolution​	4096 x 2160​	3840 x 2160​
Brightness​	2000 Lumen​	3200 Lumen​
Display Type​	DLP​	DLP​
Picture Quality Enhancement​	HDR-PRO​	-​

Features​

Parameter	BenQ HT3550​	BenQ TK700​
Video Encoding​	HEVC​	MP4​
Lamp Wattage​	245 Watts​	5 Watts​
Light Source Life​	4000 Hours​	4000 Hours​
Controller Type​	Iris​	Remote Control, Button Control​
Control Method​	Remote​	Remote​
Mount Type​	Tabletop Mount​	Tabletop Mount, Ceiling Mount​
Noteworthy Features​	Short Throw​	Built-In Speaker, Digital Keystone Correction, Auto Focus, 4K support, 3d-Ready​

Connectivity​

Parameter	BenQ HT3550​	BenQ TK700​
Connectivity Technology​	USB, HDMI​	HDMI​
Hardware Connectivity​	HDMI, Micro USB 2.0 Type A​	HDMI, USB 2.0 Type A​
Compatible Devices​	Television, Gaming Console, Laptop, Smartphone, Tablet​	Laptop, Gaming Console, Speaker​

Measurements​

Parameter	BenQ HT3550​	BenQ TK700​
Dimensions L x W x H​	14.96"L x 10.35"W x 5"H​	12.28"L x 9.69"W x 4.33"H​
Item Weight​	9.2 Pounds​	6.8 Pounds​

Conclusion​

Product	PROS AND CONS​
BenQ HT3550​	Pros: • Bright, clear, and sharp 4K image quality • Excellent black levels and superior contrast compared to previous models • High image-quality-to-value ratio justifies the price Cons: • Strong rainbow effect, especially in bright images • Inability to set a default input on startup; defaults to Chromecast • Non-user-replaceable light source, which could be a concern in the long run • Known firmware issue causing freezing at startup, requiring unit to be sent in for updates Overall Impression: The BenQ HT4550i offers impressive image quality that stands out in the 4K projector market. While it has notable pros like brightness and contrast, the significant cons, particularly the rainbow effect and firmware issues, raise concerns about its long-term usability. Despite these drawbacks, the projector's visual performance may still make it a worthwhile choice for those prioritizing image quality, though potential buyers should be cautious of the noted limitations.
BenQ TK700​	Pros • Great value for money • Excellent image and color quality • Impressive performance even after 1400+ hours of use • Supports HDR10 and HDR Game modes with vibrant colors and deep blacks • Minimal latency and blurriness in games • Easy to set up and scale to various screen sizes • Great for group viewing experiences Cons • Fast mode disables keystone correction • May not satisfy the most discerning home cinema enthusiasts • Occasional power issue reported after limited use Overall Impression This projector delivers excellent performance for both gaming and movie watching, making it a great choice for casual users and social gatherings. While it has some limitations for home cinema purists, its value, quality, and reliability make it a solid investment for most users.