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 big mechs do battle in all 100-inch glory. The sensation at that second was unimaginable. Let me say then, the BenQ X300G, virtually rivals that have, that feeling, however in a uniquely completely different approach.

I’ve spent a number of time testing projectors and screens over the previous few years. I’ve even been concerned within the high quality management and design of some of them too. I reside and breathe the stuff, so belief me after I say, the X300G is an impressive 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 endure from a few of the latency artefacts you get on different moveable models both, in reality, I can safely say, it’s virtually assuredly one of many greatest gaming projectors on the market right this moment.

There may be one minor caveat to that assertion, nevertheless, and that’s the pricing. BenQ’s positioned this factor at an astounding $1,800, or £1,500 RRP. It isn’t low cost, even Benq’s personal X500i pips it to the posts in terms of affordability, and that’s troublesome.

However why must you get a projector? What’s it about this stuff that makes them so palpable? Properly, it’s a posh 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. For those who’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 facet of his home (you are able to do that with this). It’s a premium product, a halo providing, for these seeking to take their gaming setup to absolutely the max. Or add a little bit of flash to their dwelling workplace. It serves a wholly completely different objective and is one thing you’ve along with an honest monitor setup, not regardless of.

BenQ X300G Specs:

Design

The X300G form 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 because of this.

The general aesthetic is gorgeous. 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 perimeters of it carry the entire look collectively. Curiously when powered on it even has its lighting. With two rear “vent” “-like buildings shining a shiny 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 inner followers aren’t notably noisy, which is spectacular given the chunky projection tech at work. They nonetheless do a superb job of holding all of it chilled. There’s loads of air flow on either side as properly.

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, much 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 midnight.

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 dimensions of the factor. What’s mildly extra irritating nevertheless is the dearth of any unplugged capability, even at 1080p. Not like the XGIMI Halo+, except you’ve received energy, the X300G simply ain’t going to show. There’s no inner 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 anyplace even mildly distant. However then, given how tight the latencies are, and the refresh fee and backbone on provide, that’s maybe unsurprising, as an extra battery would enormously enhance the X300G’s dimension.

Nonetheless, it is a matter, and it could 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 related projection high quality, and a considerably bigger I/O, whereas not being notably bigger.

Options

Just like its X500i and X3100i cousins, the X300G additionally packs in an absolute arsenal of extra tech to assist preserve issues dialed in. As customary in fact you get that 3LED bulb, delivering a powerful 4K60 decision, together with choices for 2560×1440 at 120 and 1080p at 240Hz as properly. Response time is greatest at 1080p, driving an impressively low 4.16ms whereas 4K will gradual you all the best way all the way 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. That means you may set it off to the facet of what you’re displaying on. Plus there’s an auto-focus function too. Each of which you’ll manually tweak as properly.

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 strain adjustments throughout compression and dispersion phases (principally makes the bass notes smoother). I’ll get extra onto that in somewhat bit, but it surely’s an honest resolution for an impressively small unit like this.

As for brightness, properly 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 ought to be pretty first rate, 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. Not like the XGIMI Halo+, which has it built-in as customary, all of BenQ’s present top-tier fashions function Google TV, form of as an added further, which you need to set up your self. This often 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 best way.

Within the case of the X300G, that is the most effective implementation I’ve seen so removed from this vary, and it’s quite a bit sturdier and safer than in a few of the different fashions. Once more, why that is an added further, fairly than simply being constructed into the mannequin, nevertheless, 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, operating it by its paces in all method of content material I may throw at it. From gaming on the Change to PC to having fun with a little bit of Netflix, YouTube and extra, and I can safely say it’s a ravishing factor to witness. Simply having that 4K decision on somewhat tiny field like that, is excellent.

I usually do a stress take a look at of every of these projectors, by operating them in opposition to a darkish grey wall, to see how they truthful on the brightness entrance, and the X300G did outstandingly properly, with little or no shade desaturation. Throw it in opposition to a white wall, nevertheless, and naturally, these pigments explode by comparability.  On a grey wall it’s very a lot akin to a typical monitor, which is a significantly spectacular feat.

For those who 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 all the way down to 1440p at 120 Hz. It’s only a lot smoother to run, and also you don’t endure 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, nevertheless satirically (provided that air radiator factor BenQ has patented), it does battle on the bass entrance, notably in comparison with one thing just like the X500i which is leaps and bounds forward. In the end to get essentially the most out of it you’re going to need 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 conveyable unit.

Google TV setup as properly is excellent simply on a facet be aware. Preliminary setup simply includes you signing in in your cellphone, which mechanically detects the gadget within the space (which will likely be acquainted to you for those who’ve ever arrange a Google House hub on an Android gadget), after which it transfers over your login particulars on your apps, and also you’re finished.

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 moveable is its small type issue, and that auto-adjusting keystone (which to be truthful 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: In order for you a ravishing 4K media expertise
• Sure: For those who don’t thoughts gaming at 1440p
• Sure: For those who take pleasure in vibrant colours and simple setup
• No: If you wish to take this someplace with out energy
• No: In order for you a sub $1,000 projector

Just like BenQ’s different 4K gaming projector choices, the X300G doesn’t disappoint. Its excellent shade depth, and crisp decision makes it an absolute dream in terms of 4K leisure. That mentioned, it’s significantly expensive and struggles to distinguish itself from its cheaper X500i sibling.

Alternate options

BenQ X500i. Its extra conventional type issue, breadth of ports, and barely superior picture high quality make it a tempting choose. Notably because it’s at a cheaper price than the X300G. Though the X300G doesn’t maintain any punches, it’s not excellent, and missing that I/O plus any type of portability exterior of “it’s small” simply doesn’t give it sufficient of an edge to outcompete its personal projector household.” data-logo=”https://www./wp-content/websites/pcgamesn/2024/05/benq-x500i-lens.jpg” data-gamename=”” data-affmerchant=”” data-affprevprice=”” data-affprice=”” data-affctatext=”Learn our evaluate” data-afflink=”https://www./benq-x500i-review” data-affmessage=”Community N Media earns affiliate fee from qualifying gross sales.” data-widget-type=”star”>

XGIMI Halo+ is your subsequent greatest choose. It’s tremendous simple to arrange, with potent shade accuracy, and a reasonably cheap battery life that’ll internet you 2.5 hours.” data-logo=”https://www./wp-content/websites/pcgamesn/2024/05/xgimi-gaming-projector-hero2.jpg” data-gamename=”” data-affmerchant=”” data-affprevprice=”” data-affprice=”” data-affctatext=”Learn evaluate” data-afflink=”https://www./xgimi-halo-review” data-affmessage=”Community N Media earns affiliate fee from qualifying gross sales.” data-widget-type=”star”>

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

Verdict

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

Nonetheless, it has some superior tech behind it, and the inclusion of Google TV right here additionally makes it extremely versatile. The one drawback? 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).