BenQ TK860i Smart Projector: Is 4K HDR Streaming Enough to Outshine Your Home Theater Experience?

[Stone_The_Rock]

When it comes to home theater projectors, the BenQ TK860i positions itself as a promising contender in a crowded market. But is it really the game-changer it claims to be, or just another device riding the 4K wave? With its promise of HDR streaming, built-in Android TV, and vibrant LED colors, it raises the question: can a projector truly replace traditional TVs in our homes?

In this review, we’ll dive deep into its features, from the much-lauded HDR-PRO technology to the flexibility of installation options. We’ll explore whether the TK860i can deliver on its promise of cinematic quality in a way that justifies its price point. Join me as we dissect the reality of this smart projector—does it elevate your viewing experience, or is it just a flashy gadget that falls short of expectations?

Spec​

Parameter	BenQ TK860i Smart Projector​
Picture​	​
Reference Price​	​
Recommended Uses​	Gaming​
Built-In Media​	Adaptor, User Manual, Remote​
Highlight​	TRUE 4K PROJECTOR-OPTIMIZED UHD and HDR: HDR-PRO technology exclusive Local Contrast Enhancer and Tone Mapping for perfect details in dark and bright scenes. 8.3 million Pixels give awe-inspiring 3840 x 2160 image quality and deliver incredible clarity and crisp defined cinematic details. CERTIFIED-ANDROID TV ENTERTAINMENT: This TV Projector comes with endless Android TV with Netflix pre-loaded, brings you all TV shows and movies up to 4K HDR UNIVERSAL CONNECTIVITY: Supports HDMI 2.0b (HDCP 2.2)*, WIFI, SPDIF, eARC for 7.1 channel and Dolby Atmos audio pass through. Whether you use It as a tv projector or a projector for gaming, this 4K projector can meet all your needs. INSTALLATION FLEXIBILITY: Vertical lens shift, 2D keystone, and 1.3x zoom lens enable more flexibility to be set up in a limited space or ceiling mounted in your bedroom or living room. 3 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY: industry leading limited parts and labor coverage; our US-based customer service team is here when you need it.
Screen Size​	300 Inches - 300 Inches​
Throw Distance​	4.3 Feet - 8.2 Feet​
Contrast Ratio​	Dynamic Contrast​
Maximum Resolution​	3840 x 2160 Pixels​
Native Resolution​	3840 x 2160​
Brightness​	3300 Lumen​
Display Type​	LED​
Picture Enhancement​	HDR-PRO​
Video Encoding​	H.264 or H.265​
LightSource Life​	20000 Hours​
Controller Type​	Remote Control​
Lamp Wattage​	240 Watts​
Wattage​	10 watts​
Connectivity Technology​	HDMI​
Hardware Connectivity​	HDMI​
Compatible Devices​	Television, Gaming Console​
Other Features​	Built-In Speaker, Auto Screen Alignment, 3d-Ready, Wi-Fi Ready​
L x W x H​	19"L x 15"W x 7.7"H​

System Experience​

Setting up the projector was surprisingly straightforward, and I genuinely appreciated how much lighter it was compared to my old Sanyo 1080P model. It was a relief to mount it without too much hassle, although I did have to invest in a new mount since my previous one wasn’t compatible. I found a good option on Amazon for under $40, which felt reasonable. The initial experience was mostly positive, but I did run into some minor annoyances as I tried to configure everything perfectly in my space.

Viewing Experience​

The picture quality has really exceeded my expectations, especially given how bright it is even with some ambient light in the room. While I wouldn't say it matches the liquid clarity of high-end 4K TVs, I've still enjoyed watching movies and gaming in a large format. I recently streamed a Marvel film, and I was pleasantly surprised at how good it looked. There are some moments where the image can glitch briefly, which took me out of the experience, but overall, the quality has been quite satisfying.

Other Experience​

I’ve had my fair share of struggles with the Android TV dongle that came with it. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked consistently, and I’ve had to deal with frustrating issues like it defaulting at startup, which made me disable it altogether. I prefer using my Apple TV for streaming since I don’t rely on Wi-Fi for media. I also encountered some fan noise that was noticeable during quiet scenes, but I’ve found it to be much quieter than my old Sanyo, so it’s a mixed bag for me.

Conclusion​

Pros:
The bright picture is definitely a standout quality, and I love how it performs even when there’s light in the room. The sound is decent, though I did end up connecting it to a Denon soundbar for an improved audio experience. I also really appreciated the seamless integration with my Harmony remote, which made controlling everything much easier. Overall, when it comes to value for the price, it feels like a solid choice for my home theater setup.

Cons:
On the downside, I was pretty disappointed with the Android TV dongle and the lack of an Ethernet port. It felt like a missed opportunity, especially since I prefer wired connections for reliability. Additionally, the occasional image glitch is a bit annoying, and I did experience some trouble with the HDMI inputs not communicating properly with my devices, which was frustrating. Finally, the fan noise, while not unbearable, can be distracting during quieter moments in films.

Overall Evaluation:
In summary, I’m enjoying my experience with this projector, even with its quirks. The picture quality and brightness have impressed me, making it a great addition to my movie nights and gaming sessions. However, the issues with the Android TV dongle and some of the connectivity problems have marred what could have been a flawless experience. I’m hopeful that with more use, I can navigate these challenges, but I’m also considering how long I want to deal with these technical hiccups.

 

[Critical-Test-4446]

So, I did a bit of digging and found this gem that’s perfect for movie nights and gaming on my PS5! Seriously, the video and audio quality are off the charts! I don’t think I'll ever need to step foot in a theater again!

 

[yodathekid]

So, we gave the reset a shot, but no luck at all. Looks like our Android TV stick might be toast. I reached out to seller support, but ended up chatting with a robot that didn’t really help. Fingers crossed someone sees this review and gets back to me—maybe then I’ll have a happier story to share!

 

[Interesting-Permit19]

Man, it’s super bright, but honestly, that’s where the good stuff ends. The colors are way off, and they just keep getting worse. And don’t even get me started on their customer service—it's a nightmare! They’ve been dragging their feet on my refund request. If you’re a gamer, forget it! You can’t even play without the screen being perfectly centered on the wall, or else you’ll deal with all kinds of lag. Total bummer!

 

[MsPippiton1117]

Honestly, this projector is pretty awesome! The colors are vibrant, the image quality is sharp, and it’s super bright. Just a heads up though, the sound isn’t the best—definitely not what you’d want to rely on. Also, mine has this weird little glitch that shows up out of nowhere for a second, kinda looks like an old-school film strip messing up. I haven't figured out what's causing it, but honestly, it’s not a dealbreaker for me. Overall, I think it’s a solid buy, and I’m hoping it sticks around for a few years!

 

[wilson-bentley]

Hey there! Just wanted to share that we're totally loving our new projector! We ditched the big screen TV and now it’s just us and the projector, paired with our Apple TV. No more TV or cable for us – we’ve got our own awesome home theater vibe going on. It’s been a game changer!

 

[Fit_Acanthisitta_475]

So, I got this open box item, and let me tell you, it was a total letdown. First off, the remote had batteries already in it—like, seriously? And the cables? They were all over the place, not even packed right. I had watched a bunch of unboxings before buying, so I thought I knew what to expect, but nope! It was a hot mess. Oh, and to top it all off, it screeches like a banshee when I turn it on. Just my luck, right?