The X3100i is an HDR-Pro enabled, 4LED powered, 4K Smart Projector from manufacturer BenQ. Equipped with 30-bit display colours, auto keystone and a built-in speaker system, the BenQ X3100i gaming projector aims to be the go-to option for gamers and moviegoers. With some impressive features, there’s a lot to like about this latest offering from BenQ.
Designed for performance over portability the X3100i is a solid-looking projector. Weighing 15 lbs and measuring 10.7” x 8.4” x 10.2” the X3100i is built as a set-it-and-forget-it projector. Thanks to three mounting threads located under each of the rubber feet, it’s easy to ceiling mount the unit with the appropriate bracket (not included). Otherwise, the X3100i fits comfortably on any flat surface.
As for controls, the X3100i comes with both a series of side panel buttons as well as a remote that controls both the projector and the Google TV attachment (more on this in a moment). Physical zoom and focus are managed via a dial control on the side of the unit, while an additional tilt control dial allows for manual adjustment. Keystone can also be handled manually via the remote or side controls or switched to auto to make things easier to manage. It’s a straightforward design that makes adjusting basic physical settings straightforward.
One thing that isn’t straightforward is how to connect the aforementioned Google Smart TV controller. While the instructions note that there are included cables to connect the device to the projector, there are no notes that the cables are built into the projector and hidden in an actual secret compartment under the X3100i’s outer cover.
“As for controls, the X3100i comes with both a series of side panel buttons as well as a remote that controls both the projector and the Google TV attachment…”
It was a bit frustrating as, even after searching their site, there was no clear indication as to where to install the Google TV device. Thankfully after a bit of instruction from BenQ and a few screws removed, the Google TV connected to the projector with ease. While the process is simple and works exceptionally well, clearer instructions would save users a lot of time trying to figure out how to connect it all.
With that being said, once installed setting up the projector is exceptionally easy. After a few login details are inputted and Wi-Fi is connected the X3100i will provide a list of suggested apps. Once installed, the projector is ready to go. The Google TV experience works quite well and is smooth to operate providing a great TV-watching experience.
“Another impressive aspect of the BenQ X3100i gaming projector is the incredible colour depth.”
Shifting to the viewing experience, this is where the X3100i excels. Powered by a 4LED lighting system, the x3100i is impressively bright and vibrant. Measuring 3300 ANSI lumens, the picture is very bright and still manages to present a clean image in a well-lighted room. The key to this level of brightness is found in the 4LED lighting source. This system uses the traditional 3 LEDS in the form of red, green and blue but also adds a fourth LED to increase the brightness of the other three LEDs. The result is a much more powerful light source without the need for a larger projector footprint.
Another impressive aspect of the BenQ X3100i gaming projector is the incredible colour depth. Boasting both HDR-Pro and 30-bit (1.07 billion colours), there is a lot of colour to go around. In testing, the colour depth presented exceptionally well both on a traditional screen as well as on a white wall. When combined with the aforementioned 3300 Lumens the result is a beautifully projected image on the screen. Thanks to 4K60 support both videos and games look beautiful in action.
The X3100i also produces some impressively low input latency for gaming. At 1080p240 the projector manages an impressive 4.16ms. If you prefer running things at 4K60 you can still expect only 16ms while gaming. In real-world testing, this translates to a buttery smooth gaming experience.
Another impressive aspect of BenQ’s gaming projector is the throw distance. The X3100i is quite adaptable to various room sizes and thanks to the aforementioned tilt dial can easily be adjusted to fit any room setup. When tested in various rooms throughout the office space, the X3100i was easy to set up and project a consistently beautiful image.
“On the note of image quality, the BenQ X3100i gaming projector is designed and built with gamers in mind.”
On the note of image quality, the BenQ X3100i gaming projector is designed and built with gamers in mind. This is evident thanks to a few different and welcome features. The first is a series of preset image profiles that are designed to accommodate a wide range of game genres. Admittedly, it seems a bit gimmicky when first used but after some testing between a few different games on the Xbox, there are notable differences in both the visual and audio profiles. It’s a nice little touch that helps build immersion in the gaming experience.
Another nice feature is the X3100i’s built-in profile saving. Once an external device has been connected, the system will remember that console and its previously configured settings. The next time it’s plugged in, the projector will automatically switch to the appropriate profile when the device is detected. This worked quite well and was very convenient as I could easily swap between my Xbox and Nintendo Switch and have the system automatically adjust the resolution and colour profile without needing to open any menus.
Finally, the X3100i comes equipped with built-in Chromecast making it exceptionally easy to push your favourite content from your phone over to the projector. It works well, requires no additional setup and in testing was fast and responsive. It is worth noting that streaming apps like Prime Video and Netflix aren’t supported (however work natively thanks to Google TV). However, YouTube and Spotify had no issues casting and worked flawlessly.
The X3100i also comes equipped with two 5W chamber speakers that provide built-in audio for the user. With full support for spatial sound, the audio output is decent, providing some solid directional audio. As mentioned, the profiles can be adjusted to fit the genre of the game being played, which is a nice touch. As for overall volume levels, the X3100i did quite well in this department. While it lacked some low-end punch (to be expected), the overall volume and quality were solid.
There is only one minor critique of the audio design though. It comes in the form of speaker positioning. To leverage the spatial sound the projector needs to be in front of the user. This is due to the speaker’s location on the back side of the projector. If the unit is ceiling mounted and placed behind the user, audio becomes unbalanced and muffled.
Thankfully, BenQ has offered a few additional audio options, such as optical out, 3.5mm out, and HDMI return (ARC). All three allow for audio routing to an external sound system, eliminating the need for internal speakers. Audio will automatically route based on connected cables, once again making it exceptionally easy to set up and use.
The BenQ X3100i 4K Gaming projector is an impressive piece of tech. It looks amazing, feels premium to use and offers a lot of features and options for both movie watchers and gamers. This is the type of projector you build a room around, as it provides everything you need for a home theatre setup and then some. While the $2299 price point might feel a bit high for a projector, the mix of 3300 Lumens, HDR Pro and 30-bit colour help the X3100i stand out in the crowd and offer a superior viewing experience for users.
