ViewSonic PX748 vs BenQ X500i vs Optoma UHD38x vs LG HU70LAB: Four good budget native 4k projectors

Introduce​

ViewSonic PX748-4K Projector​

SUPERSIZED MOVIES AND GAMES come to life on a high brightness 4000 Lumens 4K UHD projector, which boasts a high contrast ratio and advanced visual features. Vibrant and clear, the image quality remains strong in various lighting conditions, enhancing every film and game with stunning depth and clarity.

NEXT-LEVEL GAMING on the big screen is more accessible than ever with a 4.2ms low input lag and a remarkable 240Hz refresh rate. This setup ensures gameplay is smooth and responsive, minimizing motion blur and delay for sharp, precise action during every session.

EASY SETUP features like a 1.3x optical zoom, anti-warping stabilization, and automatic horizontal and vertical keystone correction facilitate quick, simple adjustments. The projector adapts effortlessly to both flat and curved surfaces, allowing for a perfectly aligned display in diverse environments without extensive setup or calibration.

BenQ X500i Projector​

Dive into the capabilities of the BenQ HDR-PRO 4K Projector, tailored for an enhanced gaming experience. This 4K gaming projector emphasizes precision and vibrancy in displaying each pixel, setting a high standard for gaming projectors. It is engineered to deliver detailed visuals in game scenarios, offering a clear depiction of every scene.

Experience responsive gameplay with zero latency. The projector offers a low response time of just 4ms at 1080p running at 240Hz, facilitating a sync between your actions and what’s displayed without noticeable delay.

Designed with a 0.69~0.83 short throw ratio and digital zoom, the BenQ HDR-PRO is suitable for smaller spaces, such as bedrooms. It allows for large image projection in areas where space is limited, making it a versatile choice for varied room sizes and setups. Whether you’re setting up a gaming station or a compact home theater, this projector adjusts to the dimensions of your environment to maximize the visual experience.

Optoma UHD38x Projector​

Experience LAG-FREE GAMING with the projector's ultra-fast 240Hz refresh rate that ensures blur-free visuals and unmatched smoothness. Combined with an Enhanced Gaming Mode, the projector achieves a rapid 4.2ms response time at 1080p and 16ms at 4K UHD, marking it as one of the projectors with the lowest input lag available in the 4K category. This setup guarantees that every frame is rendered with precision, crucial for fast-paced gaming where every millisecond counts.

The projector is also HDR & HLG COMPATIBLE, enhancing the viewing experience with brighter whites and deeper black levels. This capability, supported by HDR10 and HLG technologies, allows for a more dynamic range of colors and greater contrast, bringing images and videos to life with vivid detail and depth.

For versatility in viewing environments, the projector offers an ULTRA-BRIGHT output of 4,000 lumens. This high brightness level makes it suitable not just for home theaters, family rooms, or gaming spaces but also for outdoor use, such as backyard movie nights. Enjoy clear, vibrant images under various lighting conditions, ensuring a quality viewing experience wherever you choose to set up.

LG HU70LAB Projector​

The ceiling-mountable HU70LAB projector features a screen size that can extend up to 140 inches, displaying content in 4K UHD resolution. Utilizing XPR technology, it achieves an impressive 8.3 million pixels (3840 x 2160), delivering a resolution four times that of Full HD. This allows for remarkably clear and detailed imagery.

Incorporating wheel-less LED technology, the projector uses a 4-channel LED system, separating RGB colors and including Dynamic green. This approach not only enhances color richness and depth but also addresses and mitigates common issues found in other projectors, such as the discoloration typical of LCDs and the rainbow effect seen in some DLP models.

Remote Focus is another feature that enhances user convenience, offering an improved 1.25x zoom capability. This allows for detailed zooming in on specific areas of the screen. The adjustment can be made easily with the LG Magic Remote, enabling screen size modifications without the need to physically move the projector. This setup is particularly advantageous for fixed installations where accessibility might be limited.

Side-by-Side Comparison​

Basic​

Parameter	ViewSonic PX748-4K Projector​	BenQ X500i Projector​	Optoma UHD38x Projector​	LG HU70LAB Projector​
Thumbnail​
Color​	White​	White​	White​	Black​
Price​	$989.99​	$1499​	$1199​	$999.99​
Recommended Uses​	Gaming​	Education, Home Cinema, Gaming​	Gaming​	Home Cinema​

Display​

Parameter	ViewSonic PX748-4K Projector​	BenQ X500i Projector​	Optoma UHD38x Projector​	LG HU70LAB Projector​
Actual Display​
Screen Size​	30 Inches - 300 Inches​	N/A - 300 Inches​	33 Inches - 300 Inches​	N/A - 140 Inches​
Throw Distance​	0.75 Meters - 9.76 Meters​	4.9 Feet - 10 Feet​	4 Feet - 32 Feet​	8.9 Feet - 11.2 Feet​
Contrast Ratio​	12000:1​	3000:1​	1000000:1​	16:9​
Display Resolution​	2160 Pixels​	3840 x 2160 Pixels​	3840 x 2160 Pixels​	3840 x 2160 Pixels​
Native Resolution​	3840 x 2160​	3840 x 2160​	3840 x 2160​	3840 x 2160​
Brightness​	4000 Lumen​	2200 Lumen​	4000 lumen​	1500 Lumen​
Display Type​	DLP​	LED​	DLP​	DLP​
Picture Quality Enhancement​	-​	HDR-PRO​	UltraDetail technology​	XPR Technology​

Features​

Parameter	ViewSonic PX748-4K Projector​	BenQ X500i Projector​	Optoma UHD38x Projector​	LG HU70LAB Projector​
Video Encoding​	-​	HEVC (H.265)​	H.264 or H.265 (HEVC)​	HEVC (H.265), AVC (H.264)​
Lamp Wattage​	240 Watts​	-​	240 Watts​	3 Watts​
Light Source Life​	4000 Hours​	20000 Hours​	10000 Hours​	30000 Hours​
Controller Type​	Switch​	Button Control​	Button Control​	Remote Control​
Control Method​	Remote​	-​	Remote​	Voice​
Mount Type​	Ceiling Mount​	Tabletop Mount​	Ceiling Mount​	Tabletop Mount​
Special Feature​	-​	-​	-​	-​

Connectivity​

Parameter	ViewSonic PX748-4K Projector​	BenQ X500i Projector​	Optoma UHD38x Projector​	LG HU70LAB Projector​
Connectivity Technology​	USB, Ethernet, USB 2.0 Type A, HDMI​	HDMI​	USB, HDMI​	Bluetooth, USB, HDMI​
Hardware Connectivity​	USB​	HDMI​	USB​	USB, HDMI, 3.5mm Audio​
Compatible Devices​	Personal Computer​	Gaming Console, Xbox, PS5, Switch​	Gaming Console​	-​

Measurements​

Parameter	ViewSonic PX748-4K Projector​	BenQ X500i Projector​	Optoma UHD38x Projector​	LG HU70LAB Projector​
Dimensions L x W x H​	12.2"L x 8.7"W x 4.3"H​	14.1"L x 9.6"W x 4.6"H​	10.6"L x 12.4"W x 4.6"H​	12.4"L x 8.3"W x 3.7"H​
Item Weight​	2.8 Pounds​	11 Pounds​	8.8 Pounds​	7.1 Pounds​

Why Pick It​

ViewSonic PX748-4K Projector​

Setting up this projector is straightforward, and it offers versatility in terms of mounting options, making it adaptable to various spaces.

It suits my needs perfectly, allowing me to project a clear image onto a 110" screen from about 10 feet away. I've opted for a ceiling mount, which optimizes the throw distance and viewing angle for daily use. For audio, I connect to a soundbar via the 3.5mm jack for regular TV watching. When I switch on my receiver, it seamlessly takes over the audio output, shifting it from the HDMI to the surround sound speakers, enhancing the audio experience when necessary.

However, integrating this projector with my Xfinity remote has been challenging. Despite trying numerous codes, I've yet to enable the power on/off functionality, although I managed to get the volume control working. Adjusting the screen settings can also be a bit tedious; the focus and zoom controls are particularly stiff, complicating the process of fine-tuning the image.

Additionally, the fans can become noticeably loud, especially when the lamp setting is on "Normal". This could be distracting, depending on the ambient noise level of the environment.

BenQ X500i Projector​

4K HDR movies display impressively on the BenQ x500i, contributing positively to its performance in home theater setups. While the built-in speakers are adequate, using a full audio system enhances the auditory experience significantly. The projector employs 4LED technology for sharp image quality, and it conveniently eliminates the need for bulb replacements, boasting an impressive 30,000-hour lifespan.

Though the x3000i model tends to capture more reviews and limelight, the x500i holds its own as a compact and lighter alternative, sharing many of the same technical specifications. It offers low input lag, with 16ms in 4K mode and an even lower 4ms in Native 1080P, catering well to gamers and anyone requiring swift response times. While it shows a slight reduction in color accuracy within the DCI-P3 Color Space, the difference is subtle and likely imperceptible to most users.

A drawback to consider is the Rainbow Effect (RBE), which becomes noticeable in scenes with high contrast. This effect is less pronounced in 4K mode compared to 1080P. For those sensitive to this phenomenon, it's an important factor to weigh when considering this projector.

Optoma UHD38x Projector​

This projector offers excellent value, delivering impressive picture quality at a competitive price. However, after light usage over a period of two years, a pixel issue developed, leading to a costly $1,000 quote for replacing the DMD chip, as it fell outside the warranty period.

The brightness level is commendable, holding up well even in environments with ambient light. The projector offers a variety of adjustment options, catering to different viewing needs. It's important to use a high-quality cable, especially for longer distances—I opted for a 25-foot cable to ensure strong signal integrity, crucial for maintaining true 4K resolution.

A minor drawback is the remote control's functionality, which requires precise alignment with the projector's sensor for operation. This can be slightly inconvenient, but typically it's only a concern when turning the device on or off, since most adjustments are made during the initial setup.

LG HU70LAB Projector​

The projector operates quietly, with the fan noise barely noticeable, even when positioned close by. However, it does have limitations with brightness, struggling to perform well in daylight. For optimal viewing, it requires at least a dimly lit room, as too much ambient light diminishes the picture quality significantly.

Installation flexibility is a plus; it can be easily placed on a table, though ceiling mounting is ideal to keep it unobtrusive and secure. Proper alignment is crucial—ensure it's horizontally centered at the lens for sharp focus, since it only offers vertical keystone adjustment.

For those considering an entry-level projector, this model offers good value for its price point. In future, upgrading to a laser projector could be beneficial for those needing a unit capable of handling brighter environments.

Despite the satisfactory image quality, setting up the projector for an even and undistorted display proves challenging. Numerous attempts to adjust the keystone and physically repositioning the unit have not resolved issues with its unusual projection angle and the notably uneven black borders around the image, which detracts from the viewing experience.