BenQ TK700 review
A 4K projector that treats input lag as the headline specification rather than an afterthought.
A 4K HDR projector built around low input lag, with a high refresh rate mode at reduced resolution for competitive play.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 4K UHD |
| Gaming | Low input lag, high refresh rate mode at reduced resolution |
| HDR | HDR support |
| Light source | Lamp |
| Intended use | Gaming first, film second |
Specifications above come from BenQ's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Input lag low enough that projector gaming stops feeling like a compromise, which is the entire reason this model exists.
- A high refresh rate mode for competitive play, trading resolution for response in the way a gaming monitor does.
- Bright enough to work in a room with some ambient light, which suits how people actually game.
- 4K HDR for the times you do watch a film, so it is not a single-purpose device.
Where it falls short
- Colour and black level are a step behind cinema-focused projectors at similar money. Watching a dark film, this is where the money went elsewhere.
- The high refresh rate mode drops resolution, so you choose between sharpness and response rather than getting both.
- Lamp-based, with the usual gradual dimming and eventual replacement.
- Limited lens shift, so placement is less forgiving than the enthusiast projectors.
What owners report
Gamers consistently report that this is the first projector that felt responsive enough to use for anything beyond single-player, and several describe moving from a monitor to a 100 inch image as a bigger change than any resolution upgrade.
Film watchers are more mixed. Owners who bought it expecting cinematic performance describe the black levels as the disappointment, generally after comparing with a cinema-focused model. Those who bought it knowing what it is rarely raise it.
Who it suits
- Console gamers who want a large image without a large latency penalty.
- Mixed-use rooms where gaming is the majority of screen time.
- Buyers who want 4K on a big screen for around a thousand pounds.
Who should skip it
- Film-first viewers, who should buy a cinema-oriented projector.
- Dedicated dark rooms where black level is the priority.
- Anyone needing flexible placement.
Alternatives worth considering
The same manufacturer's cinema-focused model, with far more accurate colour and better black level. Input lag is higher, which matters for competitive play and not at all for films.
Check price on AmazonA brighter 4LED light source with very low response time and no lamp to replace. More money, and the better long-term buy if gaming projection is going to be a permanent fixture.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Is projector gaming actually viable?
On a projector built for it, yes. Input lag on cinema projectors is often high enough to be felt in anything requiring timing. The TK700 targets low lag specifically, which is what makes a 100 inch gaming image practical rather than merely impressive.
What is the high refresh rate mode?
It runs at a reduced resolution in exchange for a higher refresh rate, the same trade a gaming monitor offers. For competitive shooters that is usually the right choice; for single-player games, 4K at standard refresh generally looks better.
BenQ TK700 or HT3560?
What you do with it decides. Gaming-first, take the TK700 and save money. Film-first, take the HT3560 for the colour accuracy and black level. Our TK700 vs Optoma UHZ50 comparison also covers the laser alternative.
Is it bright enough with the lights on?
For gaming in a room with some ambient light, yes. For a room with open windows and direct sun, no traditional projector is, and an ultra short throw with an ambient light rejecting screen is the category to look at.
Keep reading
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.