A head-to-head projector comparison to help you pick the right one for your room.
Updated August 20, 2026
Verdict
The BenQ is built around input lag and costs considerably less. The Optoma is a laser model with more brightness, longer life and better all-round film performance. Buy the BenQ if gaming response is the point; buy the Optoma if this is a family projector that also plays games.
Under $2,500
Check BenQ TK700 Gaming Projector Price| BenQ TK700 Gaming Projector | Optoma UHZ50 Laser Projector | |
|---|---|---|
| Light source | Lamp | Laser, about 30,000 hours |
| Input lag | Very low, gaming focused | Low, not class-leading |
| Brightness | Good | Higher |
| Film performance | Decent | Better |
| Running cost | Lamp replacement | None beyond power |
| Price | Much lower | Roughly double |
The table above compares the BenQ TK700 Gaming Projector and the Optoma UHZ50 Laser Projector on light source, input lag, brightness, film performance, running cost and price, and the row that actually decides it is the light source, because the Optoma's laser lasts about 30,000 hours with no lamp to buy while costing roughly double.
Input lag is the delay between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen, measured in milliseconds, and it is the one projector specification that can make a game feel broken rather than merely average.
You are buying it primarily to game on, the room is not a dedicated theatre, and you would rather put the saving toward the screen or the audio.
Check BenQ TK700 Gaming Projector on Amazon
It has to do everything: films at the weekend, sport, and games. The laser source also means it will not need attention for years, which matters for a ceiling-mounted unit.
Check Optoma UHZ50 Laser Projector on Amazon
For competitive gaming, yes, and it is the one specification a projector can be genuinely bad at. For single-player and film it is irrelevant, which is why the answer depends entirely on what you play.
Not at this price. A lamp keeps the entry cost down and if the projector is used a few hours a week the lamp will outlast your interest in the model.
Neither is a high-refresh 4K projector in the way a modern TV is. Check the exact input specification against your console if high frame rate at 4K is a requirement.
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these units side by side. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.