Want a screen far bigger than most TVs, without the TV price tag? A budget gaming projector can give you that, but many projectors are built for slideshows and movies, and their delay can make fast games feel sluggish.
This guide compares six budget-friendly projectors from BenQ, Optoma, ViewSonic and NexiGo. We look at what each manufacturer lists for brightness, input lag, resolution and throw distance. A projector is sometimes called a “beamer” in parts of Europe, so if you searched for a gaming beamer, you are in the right place. We have not tested these products ourselves, and the guide says so wherever it matters.
Based on published specifications, the BenQ TH685P is the best all-around pick here because it lists 3,500 lumens and 8.3 ms of input lag at 1080p/120 Hz. The Optoma HD146X is the brightest on paper, and the BenQ TH671ST suits small rooms.
What Makes a Projector Good for Gaming?
A gaming projector needs three things at once: low input lag, enough brightness for your room, and a picture size that fits your space. Input lag is the delay between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen.
Lag is measured in milliseconds. One frame at 60 frames per second lasts about 16.7 ms, so a 16 ms figure means roughly one frame of delay. One frame at 120 fps lasts 8.3 ms, and one frame at 240 fps lasts 4.2 ms. That is why the lowest lag numbers on spec sheets usually come with a high refresh rate attached.
| What to check | Why it matters | What to look for | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input lag | The delay between your button press and the screen | The mode and refresh rate printed next to the number | ⭐ Check first |
| Brightness (ANSI lumens) | Room light washes out a dim image | More lumens for lit rooms; fewer are fine in a dark one | High |
| Resolution and refresh rate | Sharpness and smoothness | Which resolution and refresh rate the low-lag mode uses | High |
| Throw ratio | How far back the projector must sit | The distance needed for your screen size | Room-dependent |
| HDMI inputs | The HDMI version can limit some signal modes | HDMI version and number of ports | Check before buying |
Projector or Gaming TV?
A projector gives you a much bigger image than a TV, but a TV is simpler to use in a bright room. The trade-off is size against convenience.
A projector also needs a suitable wall or screen, a place to sit, and ideally a room you can darken. Lamp-based models such as most picks here use a lamp that has a rated life and eventually needs replacing.
Console players (PS5, Xbox, Switch)
Look for a gaming mode and a lag figure at 1080p/60 or better. The five DLP models here list a 1080p/60 figure. Only the BenQ TH685P and TH671ST list a 1080p/120 lag figure, and the ViewSonic PX701-4K lists 240 Hz. We have not verified console-by-console compatibility, so check each projector’s manual for your console’s output mode. A good controller helps too: see our best controllers for PC gaming.
PC and laptop players
A PC can send higher refresh rates, so match your output to the mode the projector lists. If you play on a laptop, check its HDMI output too. Our guide to budget gaming laptops under $1,000 covers laptops that can drive an external screen.
Small rooms and shared spaces
Standard projectors need roughly 8 to 12 feet for a 100-inch image. If you do not have that, the short-throw BenQ TH671ST lists about 5 to 6 feet.
Quick Comparison Table
| Product | Brightness (listed) | Input lag (listed) | Best For | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ TH685P Best Overall | 3,500 lm | 8.3 ms at 1080p/120 Hz | 120 Hz console and PC play | Amazon → |
| Optoma HD146X Bright Rooms | 3,600 lm | 16 ms at 1080p/60 Hz | Lit rooms, 60 Hz play | Amazon → |
| BenQ TH585P | 3,500 lm | 16.7 ms at 1080p/60 Hz | Simple 60 Hz setup, 10W speaker | Amazon → |
| BenQ TH671ST | 3,000 lm | 16.7 ms at 1080p/60 Hz | Small rooms (short throw) | Amazon → |
| ViewSonic PX701-4K 4K Input | 3,200 lm | 4.2 ms at 1080p/240 Hz (setting on) | High-refresh PC play, 4K input | Amazon → |
| NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) | 700 lm (rated) | No official figure | Casual play in a dim room | Amazon → |
← Scroll to see full table →
Evidence basis: This is a research-based guide. GameVexo has not bought, handled or tested these projectors. Every figure comes from manufacturer pages, spec databases, retailer listings or named third-party reviews, as noted in the text.
What came from documentation: Brightness, resolution, throw ratio, zoom, lamp life, HDMI versions and speaker sizes come mainly from BenQ’s US spec page for the TH585P, Optoma USA’s HD146X page, BenQ’s TH671ST specifications, ViewSonic’s PX701-4K spec sheet and its product page.
Independent evidence: Some figures come from spec databases such as ProjectorCentral’s pages for the TH685P, TH671ST and HD146X. NexiGo details come from Amazon’s listing, a spec database and a third-party review. We do not claim to know how every database figure was produced, and none of it is GameVexo measurement.
How picks are chosen: We compared listed brightness, input lag with its test mode, refresh rate, throw ratio, HDMI inputs, warranty and how clearly the maker documents each figure. “Budget” here means models that sit below premium 4K gaming projectors. We did not verify current prices, so check Amazon. Labels such as “Best Overall” are editorial judgment from these criteria, not sales or popularity data.
Update note (October 2026): We added the BenQ TH585P and TH685P, left out the ViewSonic PX701HD because ViewSonic’s documents list conflicting input-lag figures, and corrected how we describe the PX701-4K’s lag.
These two tables turn the listed numbers into decisions: what each lag figure applies to, and how far back each projector must sit for a 100-inch picture.
| Product / Topic | Listed lag and condition | Source / basis | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ TH685P | 8.3 ms at 1080p/120; 16 ms at 1080p/60; 33 ms at 4K/60 (downscaled) | BenQ figures as listed by ProjectorCentral | The low number needs a 120 Hz signal. 4K input adds lag. |
| Optoma HD146X | 16 ms at 1080p/60 | Optoma USA; ProjectorCentral | About one frame at 60 Hz. |
| BenQ TH585P | 16.7 ms at 1080p/60 | BenQ US spec page | Exactly one frame at 60 Hz. |
| BenQ TH671ST | 16.4–16.7 ms at 1080p/60; 8 ms at 1080p/120 | BenQ; ProjectorCentral | Fast for its age, with the same HDMI 1.4a limit noted above. |
| ViewSonic PX701-4K | 4.2 ms at 1080p/240 with the fast-input setting on; 37 ms on the spec sheet | Amazon listing text; ViewSonic spec sheet | The best case is a 1080p mode, not 4K. The sources disagree on the default. |
| NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) | No official figure; one reviewer reported about 20 ms after a 2023 update | Third-party review; unverified | Do not assume gaming-grade lag. |
| Product | Distance for a 100-inch 16:9 image | Basis | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ TH671ST | 5.0–6.0 ft (1.5–1.8 m) | Throw ratio 0.69–0.83:1 | Fits small rooms. |
| BenQ TH685P | 8.2–10.6 ft (2.5–3.2 m) | Throw ratio 1.127–1.46:1 | The most flexible of the standard-throw models. |
| Optoma HD146X | 10.7–11.8 ft (3.3–3.6 m) | Throw ratio 1.47–1.62:1 | Needs about 11 to 12 feet. |
| BenQ TH585P | 10.9–12.0 ft (3.3–3.7 m) | Throw ratio 1.5–1.65:1 | Needs about 11 to 12 feet. |
| ViewSonic PX701-4K | 10.9–12.0 ft (3.3–3.7 m) | Throw ratio 1.5–1.65:1 | Needs about 11 to 12 feet. |
| NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) | Not verified | No throw ratio found | Check NexiGo’s manual before buying. |
Distances are GameVexo calculations: a 100-inch 16:9 screen is about 87.2 inches wide, and distance equals throw ratio times screen width. Each range reflects the projector’s zoom. This is arithmetic from listed specs, not a measurement.
Product Breakdowns (Research-Based)
BenQ TH685P
Lists 8.3 ms of input lag at 1080p/120 Hz, 3,500 lumens and HDR support
The TH685P is a 1080p DLP lamp projector built around a gaming mode. BenQ lists 8.3 ms of input lag at 1080p/120 Hz, 16 ms at 1080p/60 Hz and 33 ms at 4K/60 Hz, where the 4K signal is downscaled to 1080p. That spread matters. The headline number needs a 120 Hz signal, and not every console game runs at 120 Hz.
Brightness is listed at 3,500 ANSI lumens, with HDR10 and HLG support and 95% Rec.709 color coverage. The 1.127–1.46:1 throw ratio and 1.3x zoom give more placement freedom than the 1.1x zooms on the HD146X and TH585P. The sources we checked list a 5W speaker, so most players will want external audio.
- 8.3 ms listed at 1080p/120 Hz
- HDR10 and HLG support listed
- Widest zoom and throw range of the standard-throw models here
- The Amazon listing advertises a 3-year warranty
- 4K input is downscaled to 1080p
- The 5W built-in speaker is the weakest audio spec in the BenQ group
- No built-in streaming apps listed (BenQ sells a separate Android TV model, the TH685i)
This is our pick for players who want one projector for a console and a PC and can send a 120 Hz signal. If you only play at 60 Hz, the TH585P or HD146X may suit you just as well. This is a research-based recommendation from published specifications, not a hands-on test.
🔗 Pairs well with: our guide to a PC build for gaming and streaming
🛒 See BenQ TH685P on Amazon →
Optoma HD146X
3,600 lumens and a 16 ms gaming mode
The Optoma HD146X lists 3,600 lumens, the highest brightness of the six projectors here. Optoma lists 16 ms of input lag in its Enhanced Gaming Mode, which is about one frame at 60 Hz, and ProjectorCentral lists that figure for 1080p/60. The sources we found list video modes up to 1080p/60, so treat this as a 60 Hz projector.
Optoma quotes lamp life of 4,000 hours in Bright mode, 10,000 in Eco and up to 15,000 in Dynamic mode, so the long-life figure does not apply at full brightness. A Game Display Mode brightens shadows in dark scenes, and HDMI-Link lets one remote control connected devices. A retailer lists a 1-year warranty.
- Highest listed brightness of the six (3,600 lumens)
- 16 ms listed, about one frame at 60 Hz
- Game Display Mode for dark scenes
- Optoma lists 25,000:1 contrast
- No 120 Hz mode in the sources we checked
- Needs roughly 11–12 feet from the screen for a 100-inch image
- The 15,000-hour lamp figure applies only to Dynamic mode
- No built-in streaming apps; the listed speaker is 5W
Pick this if your room is not fully dark and you play at 60 Hz. Check that your Amazon link opens the new Optoma HD146X, because renewed and bundle listings of this model also exist.
🔗 Pairs well with: our guide to the best controllers for PC gaming
🛒 See Optoma HD146X on Amazon →
BenQ TH585P
3,500 lumens, 16.7 ms at 1080p/60 and a 10W speaker
BenQ’s own US spec page lists the TH585P at 3,500 lumens with 16.7 ms of input lag at 1080p/60. Game is one of the eight picture modes listed. BenQ lists two HDMI 1.4a inputs, a 1.1x zoom and a throw ratio of 1.5–1.65:1.
The built-in speaker is rated 10W, double the 5W listed for the HD146X and TH685P. Lamp life is listed as 4,000 hours in Normal mode, 8,000 in SmartEco, 10,000 in Eco and 15,000 in LampSave. Retail sources describe a digital vertical lens shift, while BenQ’s spec page lists vertical keystone adjustment of ±40 degrees.
- Clear, official US spec page
- 10W speaker listed
- 3,500 lumens listed
- The Amazon listing advertises a 3-year warranty
- Only a 1080p/60 lag figure is listed, with no 120 Hz mode
- No HDR mode appears in BenQ’s picture-mode list
- HDMI 1.4a inputs only
- No built-in streaming apps
A plain, well-documented 60 Hz projector. Compared with the TH685P it gives up the 120 Hz mode and HDR but adds a louder speaker. Make sure your link opens the TH585P and not the older TH585, which is a separate Amazon listing.
🔗 Pairs well with: our guide to the best Ethernet cables for PC gaming
🛒 See BenQ TH585P on Amazon →
BenQ TH671ST
A short-throw lens that lists a 100-inch image from about 4.9 feet
The TH671ST is the one short-throw projector on this list. With a throw ratio of 0.69–0.83:1, BenQ lists a 100-inch image from about 4.9 feet (1.5 m), where the standard-throw models here need roughly 8 to 12 feet. It lists 3,000 lumens and about 16.7 ms of input lag at 1080p/60.
ProjectorCentral’s spec page also lists 8 ms at 1080p/120. The projector was released in November 2017, and its connections show its age: two HDMI 1.4a inputs, one with MHL. B&H notes it has no built-in streaming apps. BenQ lists lamp life of 4,000 hours in Normal mode and up to 15,000 in LampSave.
- 100-inch image from about 4.9 feet
- Lag listed at both 1080p/60 and 1080p/120
- Vertical keystone of ±40 degrees and a 1.2x zoom
- ProjectorCentral lists a 3-year warranty
- A 2017 design with HDMI 1.4a inputs only
- 3,000 lumens is the lowest of the 3,000-plus models
- No HDR and no built-in streaming apps
Choose it when distance, not brightness, is your limit. Because the design is older, compare it with the TH685P before you buy.
🔗 Pairs well with: our guide to budget gaming laptops under $1,000
🛒 See BenQ TH671ST on Amazon →
ViewSonic PX701-4K
A 4K UHD projector whose 4.2 ms mode applies at 1080p/240 Hz
The PX701-4K is the only 4K model here. ViewSonic describes a DLP chip with XPR technology that produces 3840×2160 pixels, and a review quoted on ViewSonic’s own store page mentions a 0.47-inch chip. XPR is a pixel-shifting method, so the image is built from a smaller chip rather than a panel with 8.3 million separate pixels.
The 4.2 ms figure comes with conditions. The Amazon listing says to switch it on in advanced settings and set the refresh rate to 240 Hz, and 240 Hz is a 1080p mode. ViewSonic’s own spec sheet lists 37 ms. Treat 4.2 ms as a best case for high-refresh 1080p play, not a 4K figure. One retailer says the model has been replaced by the ViewSonic LX720-4K, so check availability.
- 4K UHD input with HDR and HLG decoding
- 240 Hz refresh rate listed
- Horizontal and vertical keystone of ±40 degrees
- Powered USB-A port for a streaming stick
- The 4.2 ms mode applies only at 1080p/240 Hz
- ViewSonic’s spec sheet lists 37 ms
- List prices have been higher than the 1080p models here; check today’s price
- May be superseded by a newer model
Worth a look only if you will actually send it a high-refresh signal and want a 4K image. For most budget buyers, a 1080p model with a clear low-lag mode is the simpler choice.
🔗 Pairs well with: our guide to a PC build for gaming and streaming
🛒 See ViewSonic PX701-4K on Amazon →
NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3)
A low-cost 1080p LCD projector with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 20W speakers
The NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) is the odd one out. It is an LCD projector rated at 700 ANSI lumens, far below the 3,000-plus lumens of the DLP models. Amazon’s listing describes native 1080p, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, 20W speakers and compatibility with a TV stick, which suggests streaming apps come from a stick rather than the projector.
We found no official input-lag figure. One reviewer reported about 20 ms after a 2023 firmware update, and another found the lag noticeable in fast games. We could not verify the Bluetooth version, color-calibration claims or a game-mode lag figure, so we leave them out. Treat this as a casual, dim-room pick.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth listed
- 20W speakers listed
- Native 1080p listed, with 4K input
- Costs far less than the DLP models here at typical listings (check Amazon)
- Rated 700 lumens, so it needs a dim room
- No official input-lag figure; lag reports come from reviewers
- Streaming needs a separate stick, per the Amazon listing
Pick it for casual play, movies and a first projector in a room you can darken. If fast games matter, move up to one of the BenQ or Optoma models with a documented lag figure.
🔗 Pairs well with: our guide to the best controllers for PC gaming
🛒 See NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) on Amazon →Buying Guide — What to Look For
Four things decide whether a budget projector suits you. Check them in this order.
Input lag, and the mode behind it
Aim for about one frame of delay at the refresh rate you play at: roughly 16.7 ms at 60 Hz or 8.3 ms at 120 Hz. Then check whether the figure needs a special setting, as the ViewSonic PX701-4K’s does.
Brightness for your room
ANSI lumens are a maker’s rating, and real output can differ. If you play with lights on, favor the 3,000-plus lumen models. A 700-lumen projector such as the NexiGo needs a dim room. Single-chip DLP projectors can also show brief rainbow-colored flashes to some viewers, while LCD models like the NexiGo do not use that design.
Resolution and refresh rate
For most budget players, 1080p is the simple choice. 4K only helps if you send it 4K, and the PX701-4K’s fastest lag figure applies at 1080p, not 4K. Pick the resolution and refresh rate you will really use.
Throw distance and placement
Use the table above to see how far back each model must sit for a 100-inch picture. If your room is short, the TH671ST is the only short-throw model here. Also count HDMI ports and versions before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict — Which Should You Buy?
Pick by your room and refresh rate. Choose the BenQ TH685P if you can send 120 Hz, the Optoma HD146X for lit rooms at 60 Hz, and the BenQ TH671ST if space is tight. These picks come from published specifications, not hands-on testing.
| If You Need… | Best Pick | Key Spec (listed) | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | BenQ TH685P | 3,500 lm / 8.3 ms at 1080p/120 | Amazon → |
| Bright rooms | Optoma HD146X | 3,600 lm / 16 ms at 1080p/60 | Amazon → |
| Straightforward 1080p | BenQ TH585P | 3,500 lm / 10W speaker | Amazon → |
| Small rooms | BenQ TH671ST | Short throw: 100″ from about 4.9 ft | Amazon → |
| 4K input, higher budget | ViewSonic PX701-4K | 4K UHD / 4.2 ms at 1080p/240 | Amazon → |
| Casual play, dim room | NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) | 700 lm rated / Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Amazon → |
Tell us your room size and console or PC in the comments, and compare today’s prices on Amazon before you buy. 👇
