Comparing Two Top-Rated BenQ Projectors: Which Between the W2720i and X3100i Offers a Superior Watching Experience?
In the realm of high-end projectors, the BenQ W2720i and BenQ X3100i stand out as two exceptional options. Each caters to a different audience, offering unique features and performance nuances.
Design and Features
The BenQ W2720i is an LED-lit DLP projector, boasting a lifespan of up to 30,000 hours. It features a broad HDR support including HDR10+, offering 90% DCI-P3 and 98% Rec 709 color coverage. The projector comes with factory calibration and Filmmaker Mode for colour accuracy, and it is equipped with a built-in Android TV smart platform, making it a strong all-around home theater projector with good image fidelity and smart features.
On the other hand, the BenQ X3100i employs a 4LED light system, enhancing green light and brightness. Designed with gaming in mind, it boasts very low input lag (down to 4.2 ms at certain refresh rates). The X3100i supports 1440p gaming resolutions and includes Dolby Vision alongside standard HDR formats. It comes bundled with an Android TV streaming stick, making it more compact due to its LED design.
Picture Quality
The W2720i delivers excellent color accuracy and broader HDR format support, along with factory calibration and Filmmaker Mode that ensure faithful reproduction of film content. In contrast, the X3100i produces slightly higher peak brightness thanks to its 4LED lighting system, with strong color vibrancy bolstered by its enhanced green LED. It supports Dolby Vision, which can offer superior dynamic HDR performance compared to HDR10+.
Sound Quality
The W2720i has robust built-in audio capable of filling a large room, including Dolby Atmos sound passthrough via HDMI ARC. The X3100i, while having good integrated sound, likely requires external sound systems for a more immersive audio experience (some reviews note the lack of native sound in similar models, but the bundled Android TV stick supports streaming audio).
Summary
| Aspect | BenQ W2720i | BenQ X3100i | |------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | Light Source | LED lamps, 30,000 hours | 4LED system with extra pump LED | | Brightness | ~2500 lumens | Slightly higher peak brightness | | Color & HDR | 90% DCI-P3, 98% Rec 709, HDR10+ | Dolby Vision, HDR10, focus on vivid color and brightness | | Calibration | Factory calibrated + Filmmaker Mode| Factory settings but optimized for gaming | | Gaming Features| Standard input lag | Very low input lag, gaming modes, 1440p support | | Connectivity | 3 HDMI ports (1 ARC), USB ports, optical out, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Android TV | Similar but bundled Android TV streaming stick included | | Sound | Decent built-in, Dolby Atmos passthrough | Good but likely needs external sound for best experience | | Target Use | Home theater, film enthusiasts | Gamers and general entertainment |
These differences make the W2720i more suited for cinema accuracy and smart home use, while the X3100i targets gamers needing low latency with strong color and brightness. Sound quality is decent on both, but gaming-focused users may lean towards external speakers with the X3100i for the best experience.
The BenQ X3100i, with its more sophisticated built-in audio system featuring Bongiovi DPS audio processing, is slightly more expensive compared to the BenQ W2720i. The W2720i, being more affordable, is the better choice for most users seeking maximum versatility. For gaming enthusiasts who also appreciate quality movie projection, the X3100i justifies its premium. Both projectors use DLP's XPR technology to achieve a 4K effect without native 4K resolution.
In the mid-market price range, the BenQ W2720i and BenQ X3100i are two of the best projectors available, with the W2720i being more affordable at $2599 / £1999 / AU$3299 and the X3100i being slightly more expensive at $2399 / £2099 / AUS$3599. The X3100i is 12% brighter than regular 3LED setups and claims to cover 100% of the DCI-P3 range, with BenQ stating the 4LED system produces 20% 'bolder' colors than regular lamp projectors. The W2720i has minor whiteouts in HDR peaks, an average built-in sound system, and no Game preset. The X3100i has a distinctive design with a cubic shell and crisp, living room-friendly white finish, along with four specialist gaming presets, HDMI 2.0b connections supporting 4K at 60Hz and 1080p at 120Hz, ALLM switching, eARC for passing 7.1 and lossless Dolby Atmos soundtracks, and digital zoom and an on-screen crosshair option.
- The BenQ W2720i, an LED-lit DLP projector, offers a built-in Android TV smart platform for a smart home theater experience, while the BenQ X3100i, equipped with a 4LED light system, boasts low input lag and gaming-focused features.
- The W2720i, with its factory calibration and Filmmaker Mode, guarantees faithful reproduction of film content, while the X3100i, featuring Dolby Vision, offers superior dynamic HDR performance.
- For audio, the W2720i has robust built-in audio that can fill large rooms, while the X3100i, with integrated sound, may require external speakers for an immersive audio experience.
- The BenQ W2720i, designed for home theater and film enthusiasts, is more suited for cinema accuracy and smart home use, making it a better choice for most users seeking maximum versatility.
- On the other hand, the X3100i, with its sophisticated built-in audio system and gaming-focused features, targets gamers needing low latency with strong color and brightness.
- The BenQ W2720i, priced at $2599 / £1999 / AU$3299, is more affordable compared to the BenQ X3100i, which is slightly more expensive at $2399 / £2099 / AUS$3599. However, the X3100i offers 12% higher brightness than regular 3LED setups and claims to cover 100% of the DCI-P3 range.
