A head-to-head projector comparison to help you pick the right one for your room.
Updated August 20, 2026
Verdict
The Epson is the better projector for a dedicated dark room: three-chip 3LCD means no rainbow artefacts, and its optical lens shift and motorised zoom make it far easier to place. The BenQ is a four-LED design with excellent colour coverage, a smaller body and Android TV built in. Buy the Epson for a light-controlled room and a big screen; buy the BenQ for colour accuracy, convenience and easier living with in a normal room.
$2,500+
Check Epson Home Cinema 5050UB Price| Epson Home Cinema 5050UB | BenQ HT4550i | |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | 3-chip 3LCD | Single-chip DLP, 4LED |
| Rainbow artefacts | None, by design | Possible, some viewers see them |
| Lens shift | Wide optical, powered | Limited |
| Zoom and focus | Motorised, with lens memory | Manual |
| Light source life | Lamp, needs replacing | LED, around 20,000 hours |
| Smart platform | None built in | Android TV built in |
| Best for | Dark rooms, large screens, flexible placement | Colour accuracy, smaller rooms, simpler setup |
The table above compares the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB and the BenQ HT4550i on imaging, rainbow artefacts, lens shift, zoom and focus, light source life and smart platform, and the difference that actually decides it is placement, wide powered lens shift with motorised zoom and lens memory on the Epson against limited shift and manual zoom and focus on the BenQ.
Lens shift moves the projected image up, down or sideways by moving the lens itself rather than digitally distorting the picture, which is what lets a projector sit off-centre from the screen without losing sharpness.
You control the light, you want a screen well over 100 inches, or the projector has to go somewhere awkward. The powered lens shift and zoom memory are the features people miss most when they do not have them.
Check Epson Home Cinema 5050UB on Amazon
You want the light source to outlive the projector, you are sensitive to lamp dimming over time, or the room doubles as a living space and you would rather not add a separate streaming box.
Some people do and most do not. It is a single-chip DLP characteristic and sensitivity varies between individuals. The four-LED light source reduces it compared with a colour wheel, but it cannot be eliminated the way a three-chip design eliminates it.
The Epson, in a dark room, thanks to its dynamic iris. That advantage narrows considerably as soon as there is ambient light, because room reflections raise the floor faster than any projector can lower it.
It matters over time. A lamp dims gradually and eventually needs replacing, which is a real running cost. LED holds output far longer. Against that, the Epson starts brighter on a large screen, so the right answer depends on screen size as much as on the light source.
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.