W4100i

I would go with the w4100i as a good option for home theater and a little bit of gaming. For more toward the gaming side, go for the TK710. If your space allows it, I would actually choose the LS9000 over any of these and it's at a reasonable price. If you can reach it, the ls12000 is absolutely phenomenal. Best for $1000 - eBay refurbished Benq Ht3550 Best for $1500 - ebay refurbished Benq HT4550i Best for $2000 Gaming - Benq tk710. If you are more toward movies but have a 2000 budget, go for the Benq  W2720i Best for $2500 - refurbished Epson 5050ub Best for $3000 - Benq W4100i Best for $4000 - Epson ls9000 Best for $4500 - Epson LS11000. It would be a tough call between this and the ls9000 because 11000 has more lumens but 9000 has better contrast. Best for $5000 - You can probably find a Native 4K Sony XW5000es Best for $6000 - Epson LS12000, Benq W5800, or Sony XW5000es if you can't find it for $5000 I am like you too and want Laser. But Benqs LED is amazing and I would choose it over 90 percent of laser projectors. Unless you choose the Benq HT3550, I wouldn't consider lamp in 2025.

Oh sorry, I didn't specify but the prices I put are in USD. I overlooked your budget, but let me give you some advice. If you want to go strictly under $2500, nothing can beat a 5050ub refurbished at that price point. What I would do is get a LS11000 refurbished at $3,100 USD which comes with a 2 year warranty because it's Epson refurbished, and that is the best bang for your buck. If you feel more comfortable, go with the Benq w4100i for $3000 which has a LED light source which I love. It won't be as good as the LS11000, but it will be more compact and better for short ceilings. It does have more lumens, but for a 110 inch screen, you won't need those lumens unless the lights are fully on. What I would do in my honest opinion, is just get a 100 or 98 inch tv. I was about to do that to my home theater, but I had space to upgrade to 120. If you can get 115+ then go projector. 

BenQ W4100i is a pretty great projector. I'd definately put that on the list and the price is considerably lower than $4k. Also, I've had great customer service experiences with them. I came from a similar 1080p Epson and the difference is astonishing. It is easily more projector than I could ever need.

I have a BenQ W4100i and an SI Slate 1.2 and am more than happy with a 140" picture. Would I like to do something fancier, maybe a Bragi CinemaScope or a bunch of lasers? Sure, but whatever. I don't let my 16 year old drive the Ferrari either, but it would be lost on him anyways. Everyone in the house uses this setup. It plays TV and movies and YouTube. It is great.

The new triple laser projectors (Valerion Pro2, Hisense C2 Ultra, JMGO N3) have gotten really close to the Epson and JVC level. The gap isn't huge anymore. **Valerion Pro2** – best value. \~$2,700, RTINGS #1, amazing contrast for dark rooms. **Epson LS12000** – $4,500+, 3LCD (no rainbow), motorized lens. Reliable but not better contrast than the Valerion. **JVC NZ500** – $6k+, best blacks, but you're paying a lot for that last bit of performance. **JMGO N3** – wait for real reviews before buying. For 10-12ft seating and 120-150 inches, most long-throws work fine. The zoom range is nice but not essential. If you want best value, Valerion. If you want no rainbow effect ever – Epson. If money doesn't matter – JVC. [I have the top projector options here](https://medium.com/@dejan-k/projector-vs-100-inch-tv-2026-d0b6e18c3c14) – might help narrow it down.

Valerion goes a bit deeper into black, better contrast. BenQ has more natural colors and is a bit brighter. Both are great, honestly.

Honestly, don't overthink it. DVD players aren't really a thing in projectors anymore. Just grab any cheap DVD player from Argos or Amazon for £20-30 and plug it in. Same for speakers, built-in ones are weak, but you can connect a soundbar or a Bluetooth speaker you probably already own. For a living room with windows, you want something bright. The Anker Nebula X1 is probably your best bet, it's around £2,500, super easy to set up (self-aligns, no ceiling mount), and works fine with some daylight. If that's too much money, look at the BenQ W4100i – cheaper, still great, but you'll need to mount it or put it on a shelf. I put together a comparison [**here**](https://medium.com/@dejan-k/projector-vs-100-inch-tv-2026-d0b6e18c3c14) with all the top options and what each one is good for. Happy to answer any other questions – I was clueless too before I bought mine.

Dark basement, 7.5ft ceiling mount – you're in a good spot. Under $2k, look at the **Epson HC 3800** (\~$1,600). Solid for movies and hockey, fine for gaming. If you can stretch to $2,350, the **BenQ W4100i** is noticeably better – better contrast and colors. At 12x14ft, you can do 100-120 inches easily. [Here's a comparison of the top options](https://medium.com/@dejan-k/projector-vs-100-inch-tv-2026-d0b6e18c3c14) – worth a look.

You're right, BenQ has no WiFi. But just plug in a Fire Stick or Chromecast. That's what most people do anyway. Epson 3800 is solid and simpler. No shame in that. BenQ has better contrast and colors for movies. Epson is easier. Can't go wrong either way. 👍Its on you.

None of those projectors have native 4k resolution The cheapest projector which is a very good option that is native 4k is the Sony VPL-HW 5000ES. I would not recommend it right now due to panel degradation and manual controls at that expensive price point. For a $3,000 price point, don't buy projectors like the Hisense or short throws that have no lens shift. Keystone is BAD IF and only IF your ceilings are at a good height where this projector won't hang too low, then go for the XGIMI Horizon 20 MAX. Also if you plan to place it on a table/not mount it this is a good option. If you don't want that, the number 1 projector I am recommending due to the deal right now is the Epson LS11000. I can't justify why the LS12000 (Slightly upgraded model), is so expensive. Nevertheless, the LS11000 is a great projector with lots of flexibility and at a decently decreased price point NEVER utter the words Optoma lol The newer version of the HT4550i is the W4100i. I like Benq for Home theater, but the fan noise is quite high. I would NOT spend $3000 on the W4100i, instead a GREAT option would be to buy the $1,300 refurb HT4550i from Ebay. This is the best bang-for-your-buck option and is amazing Again, projector lens shift is SO useful, so the only Valerion I would consider would be the MAX 99.99999999% of home theater projectors can project 120 inches +, that is not a good question. The other percent is a cardboard toy. Even the cheapest projectors can probably do 150 if all lights are off I don't like ultra short throw, my opinion is that you will regret if you buy it. Many things need to be perfect for it to work out well. $1,300 refurb HT4550i from Ebay would be the best option as it has 3d support and is very affordable so you can put budget elsewhere If your space permits, then you could go for the XGIMI, but I wouldn't because for half the price I can get a projector that's as good or better refurbished. Consider the Benq W2720i also but I wouldn't go with it

Epson 5050ub or Benq W4100i both for exactly $3000 IF you can spring for it, I'd go for the Epson LS1000 at $3,799.99, or even better, the LS9000 at $3,999.99 These two projectors both DON'T have 3D, so if you're interested in that, go with either the 5050ub or W4100i Also, the difference between the LS9000 and LS11000 is not just that the 11000 has 300 more lumens. The epson "Pro cinema Line" like the LS9000 have epson's UB technology, which means that they have better black levels. The 5050ub, while not in the "pro cinema line" still has this as per the name. The LS11000 does NOT. This essentially means that yes, in black levels, the cheaper Epson 5050ub WILL beat the Epson LS11000. But..... at least for me, the slight increase in black levels doesn't justify having a bulb-based projector in 2025. The Epson LS11000 has a great laser system that I would take any day over the 5050ub. (each bulb for the 5050ub is quite expensive) Here are my rankings in terms of practicality from lowest to highest 5050ub --> W4100i --> LS11000 --> LS9000 Here are my rankings for Picture Quality W4100i = 5050ub = LS1000 --> LS9000 The reason that I put 3 projectors equal to each other is because they all have their own strengths, and it is up to you to decide which one would fit you best. For example, if you had a larger screen, I would go with the W4100i because it is really bright with still having Great picture quality. As I said before, if you like 3D (which a lot of people do, but I don't), then both the LS11000 and 9000 don't have this feature. Now.... what would I choose. Personally, If I brought my budget up, I would get either the LS11000 or LS9000 (Depending if I need the extra brightness of the 11000 or not) For most cases, though, I would go with the LS9000 due to its updated processor. For your original $3000 budget, if I went 128 inches or less, I would go with the 5050ub and accept the fact that I'd have to replace bulbs. If I went greater than 128, I would go with the Benq W4100i. I just love that Epson has motorized lens controls instead of manual like Benq, although Benq's picture is still amazing. As always, if less than 110 inches, just get a 98-100 inch tv if you can fit it to your location Screen: If you could send pics of setup, I could help you choose the screen that would fit it best. I would recommend from this brand. [https://www.amazon.com/STR-169135-WAB-Silver-Ticket-Cinema-Projector/dp/B00DGW15NU/ref=sr\_1\_1?adgrpid=186195495323&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-yj0K7HyxyowTE1geUOnKLJmYxZ7rvlDk5sAOL8LIBcKKO\_PK50-DV0iowdnrMqEoA7VRzO3LlXb90deFXWmKox8ZkEt42eE7rTh2Tv5\_MMcWS-CWaQtajh-1DGYU5ghFF7KfaOkQA2s\_ac\_wLnnn3iIrdLavHVShk1KOSwzb5Y.e7eEZx83imHP7ZmMkwZvGro89PjuqXJfXkSPyCvl4Ns&dib\_tag=se&hvadid=779670249503&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9024587&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=4942747731622494611--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4942747731622494611&hvtargid=kwd-851485877401&hydadcr=7466\_13183999\_2061416&keywords=silver%2Bticket%2Bscreen%2Bamazon&mcid=3535ff67b77d340db16219e2dbe83334&qid=1764275348&sr=8-1&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/STR-169135-WAB-Silver-Ticket-Cinema-Projector/dp/B00DGW15NU/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=186195495323&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-yj0K7HyxyowTE1geUOnKLJmYxZ7rvlDk5sAOL8LIBcKKO_PK50-DV0iowdnrMqEoA7VRzO3LlXb90deFXWmKox8ZkEt42eE7rTh2Tv5_MMcWS-CWaQtajh-1DGYU5ghFF7KfaOkQA2s_ac_wLnnn3iIrdLavHVShk1KOSwzb5Y.e7eEZx83imHP7ZmMkwZvGro89PjuqXJfXkSPyCvl4Ns&dib_tag=se&hvadid=779670249503&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9024587&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=4942747731622494611--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4942747731622494611&hvtargid=kwd-851485877401&hydadcr=7466_13183999_2061416&keywords=silver%2Bticket%2Bscreen%2Bamazon&mcid=3535ff67b77d340db16219e2dbe83334&qid=1764275348&sr=8-1&th=1) Go with a Chief RPMAU mount if you're mounting. You will regret anything else

Correction: The W4100i is $2,699.99 so I would get it over the 5050ub for any screen size unless you plan to mount very off center, in which you would need the huge lens shift of the 5050ub. The W4100i has amazing lens shift, but the 5050ub has HUGE lens shift for off-center applications. But once again, both LS projectors will beat this, but those don't have 3D and don't have nearly as many lumens as this. You should use this website for determining throw distance: [https://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm](https://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm)

Benq w4100i is on sale for $2699. Just grabbed one myself!

I just upgraded to a Benq w4100i with a grey 0.8 gain screen. I have never seen a better large picture in private ever. I work as a cinematographer and I’m very sensitive to colors because of that if that tells you anything.

I feel the same about old premium projectors as I do old luxury cars. The price of entry will be cheap but the price of upkeep is NOT. Lamps for a JVC run $500. Old Sony SXRD panels degrade to the point they may have lower contrast than brand new budget models. Plus old home theater projectors tend to be much dimmer. I recently reviewed the $3000 BenQ W4100i, a $3000 4K 4LED DLP. In another time that projector would have been considered a light canon. By today’s standards it’s lumen output is roughly average with what we’re seeing on the market at that price.

For what you paid this is a fantastic deal. At its retail price of $3300 I would not recommend. The motorized lens is amazing and this still has some of the best contrast at its price point. The problem is: it’s 6 years old. In tech that’s a lifetime. It’s still using lamps, it’s not true 4K, it’s HDR tone mapping is several generations behind at this point. Hell— it doesn’t even switch to HDR automatically. At this point for $3000+ you can do a better. The BenQ W4100i is $3000 and has 2 way lens shift. It’s a manual lens not motorized but the BenQ has a solid state 4LED light source, HDMI 2.1 with ALLM, true 4K resolution, dynamic tone mapping for HDR and even features Android TV built in. I’m using one now and despite the lack of iris (blacks can’t get as black) it still has the better image owing to that HDR tone mapping. Then there’s the new Xgimi Horizon Max. Also available for $3000. Reviews are limited right now to a handful of influencers but the buzz is super positive. This model has motorized 2 way lens shift and a fairly insane lumen rating of 5700 from a tri-laser light engine (doubt that’s usable lumens but it’s still going to be a light canon in it’s usable modes). It’s basically a full fat home theater projector masquerading as a lifestyle projector complete with built in sound system and google Tv.

You need more lumens. The good news is just about anything will be brighter than the HT3550. That projector was excellent in its day but even in its day it was known for being dim. Real world you’d be lucky to get 1000 lumens from that projector. Btw, 1000 real world lumens is a lot. The issue is all these manufacturers embellish their lumen spec. Example: the BenQ W4100i I reviewed recently is fabulously bright. Bright is 1700-1800 lumens. BenQ rates the 4100i at 3200 lumens. That number is nonsense. Unfortunately since everyone is fibbing you can’t very well say your projector is 1800 lumens because then no one will buy it. They’ll buy the ‘4000’ lumens projector that only actually puts out 1300 lumens in a color accurate mode. Fun fact: this is why as soon as you get to the expensive projectors like the Sony 5000ES and JVC NZ500 the lumen rating suddenly decrease. It’s not that these are in any way dimmer— it’s just the higher end gear is more realistic about their specs. :)