BenQ X300G review: Portable 4K powerhouse projector

I nonetheless keep in mind the primary time I ever noticed a private projector. It was within the early 2000s and I used to be only a child then. My dad purchased dwelling one after getting a bonus at work, and shortly sufficient we had been immersed within the Matrix Reloaded watching large mechs do battle in all 100-inch glory. The sensation at that second was unimaginable. Let me say then, the BenQ X300G, nearly rivals that have, that feeling, however in a uniquely totally different means.

I’ve spent a whole lot of time testing projectors and displays over the previous few years. I’ve even been concerned within the high quality management and design of some of them too. I stay and breathe the stuff, so belief me after I say, the X300G is an excellent projector. The picture high quality alone, notably for a small type issue 4K unit is simply exemplary. Out-of-this-world even. It doesn’t undergo from a few of the latency artefacts you get on different transportable models both, in truth, I can safely say, it’s nearly assuredly one of many greatest gaming projectors on the market right this moment.

There’s one minor caveat to that assertion, nonetheless, and that’s the pricing. BenQ’s positioned this factor at an astounding $1,800, or £1,500 RRP. It’s not low cost, even Benq’s personal X500i pips it to the posts relating to affordability, and that’s troublesome.

However why do you have to get a projector? What’s it about this stuff that makes them so palpable? Nicely, it’s a fancy determination, that’s for certain. Let’s face it, projectors aren’t ever going to interchange a few of the greatest gaming screens on the market, they’re simply not. In case you’re in love with utilizing a 21:9 ultrawide on your gaming wants, then that’s not about to go away any time quickly, and nor ought to it.

No, that is all about that gaming-den, or going to your bud’s place, and chucking a 110-inch 4K projection on the aspect of his home (you are able to do that with this). It’s a premium product, a halo providing, for these trying to take their gaming setup to absolutely the max. Or add a little bit of flash to their dwelling workplace. It serves a completely totally different objective and is one thing you’ve along with a good monitor setup, not regardless of.

BenQ X300G Specs:

Design

The X300G type of blurs the road between the X500i and the X3100i. It’s successfully a micro model of the latter. Nonetheless fairly boxy and sq., however far smaller in its total look. It lacks the in-depth connectivity that each of these premium mounted choices have, however you do achieve that far smaller type issue consequently.

The general aesthetic is beautiful. The crisp black and white plastic panelling provides it a massively contrasted look. The entrance plate with its intricate gloss end is sharp and attention-grabbing, and the orange accents littering the edges of it deliver the entire look collectively. Curiously when powered on it even has its lighting. With two rear “vent” “-like buildings shining a vivid orange, amplifying these refined accents dotted right here and there. It’s not that distracting both, so don’t fear about it taking the sting away from what it’s displaying.

Talking of air flow, the X300G is aptly cooled too. Its inside followers aren’t notably noisy, which is spectacular given the chunky projection tech at work. They nonetheless do a superb job of maintaining all of it chilled. There’s loads of air flow on each side as effectively.

On high, you’ll discover identifiable OSD buttons, together with a joystick to assist navigate the menus, and the ability button too. The X300G additionally comes with its personal distant, just like the X500i and the X3100i, which is an excellent slick white affair once more, with black buttons lit up with white LED backlighting, making it notably simple to manage issues at the hours of darkness.

I/O is considerably restricted. You solely get a single HDMI 2.0, USB 2.0 and USB C / DisplayPort out, however once more, that may be considerably forgiven, given the scale of the factor. What’s mildly extra irritating nonetheless is the dearth of any unplugged capability, even at 1080p. In contrast to the XGIMI Halo+, until you’ve bought energy, the X300G simply ain’t going to show. There’s no inside battery right here in any respect sadly, which does make it a little bit of a bummer if you considered taking it on tenting holidays or wherever even mildly distant. However then, given how tight the latencies are, and the refresh charge and determination on supply, that’s maybe unsurprising, as a further battery would significantly enhance the X300G’s dimension.

Nonetheless, it is a matter, and it might be much less of 1 if it wasn’t for the truth that the X500i can be a contact cheaper than this, whereas nonetheless offering comparable projection high quality, and a considerably bigger I/O, whereas not being notably bigger.

Options

Much like its X500i and X3100i cousins, the X300G additionally packs in an absolute arsenal of further tech to assist hold issues dialed in. As commonplace after all you get that 3LED bulb, delivering a formidable 4K60 decision, together with choices for 2560×1440 at 120 and 1080p at 240Hz as effectively. Response time is greatest at 1080p, driving an impressively low 4.16ms whereas 4K will sluggish you all the way in which right down to a chugging 16ms, though that’s just about the norm for 4K projection at this level.

On high of that, BenQ’s additionally slid in some auto keystone tech, permitting it to align itself with its projection floor, from a reasonably beneficiant angle. Which means you’ll be able to set it off to the aspect of what you’re displaying on. Plus there’s an auto-focus function too. Each of which you’ll be able to manually tweak as effectively.

BenQ’s additionally added a reasonably hefty speaker system to the X300G, with twin 8W audio system, and a novel, “passive radiator” that, in response to BenQ stabilizes air stress modifications throughout compression and dispersion phases (principally makes the bass notes smoother). I’ll get extra onto that in somewhat bit, however it’s a good resolution for an impressively small unit like this.

As for brightness, effectively that tops out at simply 2,000 lumens or so, rather less than the X500i, though it was a lot crisp sufficient throughout my testing. Moreover, the life-cycle on this needs to be pretty respectable, once more with the standard 20,000 hours anticipated, or 30K in eco-mode.

On high of that BenQ’s additionally included a Google TV dongle on this unit too. It’s fairly a novel implementation. In contrast to the XGIMI Halo+, which has it built-in as commonplace, all of BenQ’s present top-tier fashions function Google TV, sort of as an added further, which it’s a must to set up your self. This normally includes eradicating a rear panel, then haphazardly attaching a micro-HDMI and micro-USB energy cable to the dongle, after which stuffing it out of the way in which.

Within the case of the X300G, that is the perfect implementation I’ve seen so removed from this vary, and it’s loads sturdier and safer than in a few of the different fashions. Once more, why that is an added further, reasonably than simply being constructed into the mannequin, nonetheless, is somewhat curious. I can solely assume variance in market area compatibility is responsible right here.

Efficiency

I’ve been testing the X300G now for somewhat over three weeks, working it by its paces in all method of content material I might throw at it. From gaming on the Swap to PC to having fun with a little bit of Netflix, YouTube and extra, and I can safely say it’s a wonderful factor to witness. Simply having that 4K decision on somewhat tiny field like that, is excellent.

I sometimes do a stress check of every of these projectors, by working them in opposition to a darkish grey wall, to see how they honest on the brightness entrance, and the X300G did outstandingly effectively, with little or no coloration desaturation. Throw it in opposition to a white wall, nonetheless, and naturally, these pigments explode by comparability.  On a grey wall it’s very a lot akin to an ordinary monitor, which is a severely spectacular feat.

In case you get any type of 4K HDR content material up on it, it’s only a dream to take pleasure in and actually is outstanding. In-game, whether or not that’s Zelda, Baldur’s Gate 3, or Cyberpunk, it’s only a lovely factor to take pleasure in. If you’re planning on utilizing a PC although, I might extremely suggest dropping right down to 1440p at 120 Hz. It’s only a lot smoother to run, and also you don’t undergo from fairly the identical latency lag as you do at 4K. 4K’s nice for leisure functions, however for actual aggressive gaming, that 16ms latency is simply less than par.

Now sound. It’s okay, and the built-in audio system are alright, nonetheless sarcastically (provided that air radiator factor BenQ has patented), it does wrestle on the bass entrance, notably in comparison with one thing just like the X500i which is leaps and bounds forward. Finally to get probably the most out of it you’re going to desire a devoted soundbar, and one which’s ideally Bluetooth at that, which is a little bit of a ache given, you recognize that is meant to be a transportable unit.

Google TV setup as effectively is excellent simply on a aspect be aware. Preliminary setup simply includes you signing in in your telephone, which mechanically detects the system within the space (which shall be acquainted to you should you’ve ever arrange a Google Residence hub on an Android system), after which it transfers over your login particulars on your apps, and also you’re completed.

As I touched on earlier, the one main draw back is the dearth of any type of battery. It simply doesn’t have something, which is an actual disgrace, and a missed alternative. The one factor that basically makes it transportable is its small type issue, and that auto-adjusting keystone (which to be honest is on each different mannequin anyway). That’s fairly a disgrace actually, because it mars an in any other case flawless product.

Ought to You Purchase?

• Sure: If you’d like a wonderful 4K media expertise
• Sure: In case you don’t thoughts gaming at 1440p
• Sure: In case you take pleasure in vibrant colours and simple setup
• No: If you wish to take this someplace with out energy
• No: If you’d like a sub $1,000 projector

Much like BenQ’s different 4K gaming projector choices, the X300G doesn’t disappoint. Its excellent coloration depth, and crisp decision makes it an absolute dream relating to 4K leisure. That stated, it’s severely dear and struggles to distinguish itself from its cheaper X500i sibling.

Alternate options

If devoted PC gaming is your factor, I extremely suggest ultrawide gaming displays, notably OLED panels to scratch that itch. One thing like Alienware’s AW3423DWF is a severely robust choice on that entrance.

Verdict

On the floor, BenQ’s X300G is an exceptionally well-built 4K gaming projector. Colour vibrancy completely pops, and the decision is excellent (and the latency isn’t dangerous both). I/O is somewhat on the low aspect nonetheless, and the dearth of another portability options exterior of “it’s small” does detract from that total transportable label, nonetheless.

Nonetheless, it has some superior tech behind it, and the inclusion of Google TV right here additionally makes it extremely versatile. The one downside? Competitors from BenQ’s different projectors just like the X3100i (solely barely costlier however way more potent) and the X500i (barely cheaper, and simply pretty much as good).