Head-to-head · Best 4K Home Projectors Under $1000

BenQ GP520 vs InFocus IN116xv Projector DLP WXGA 3800 Lumens 3D Ready HDMI Projector

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

InFocus IN116xv Projector DLP WXGA 3800 Lumens 3D Ready HDMI Projector comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.9 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about users needing high contrast and brightness — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #4 in Best 4K Home Projectors Under $1000

BenQ GP520

3.9

$299

The BenQ GP520 stands out as one of the brightest budget 4K projectors available, delivering 2,000 lumens of brightness ideal for daytime viewing or well-lit rooms. PCMag's M. David Stone praised its full 4K UHD resolution and HDR10 support, while TechRadar noted its solid picture quality and smart Android TV integration. However, reviewers also pointed out limitations in contrast ratio and built-in audio quality. This projector is best suited for users seeking a bright, versatile 4K solution in moderate lighting conditions, though those wanting premium dark scene performance or immersive sound should consider higher-end models.

Strengths

— Delivers excellent brightness with 2,000 lumens, making it suitable for well-lit environments
— Features full 4K UHD resolution with HDR10 support for sharp, vivid images
— Includes built-in Android TV with Google Play Store for streaming apps and smart functionality

Watch-outs

— Limited contrast ratio of 1,000:1 may affect dark scene quality in low-light settings
— Built-in speakers are basic and lack audio quality for immersive experiences

$299 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best 4K Home Projectors Under $1000

InFocus IN116xv Projector DLP WXGA 3800 Lumens 3D Ready HDMI Projector

4.6

$469

The InFocus IN116xv delivers exceptional value with its 3,800 lumens brightness, 26,000:1 contrast ratio, and impressive 15,000-hour lamp life in economy mode. Reviewers praised its compact design and portability, making it ideal for educational and business settings. However, the projector is discontinued, which may limit long-term support and replacement availability. While it offers solid performance for its price point, users seeking extended bulb life or advanced features like lens shift may want to consider alternatives.

Strengths

— High brightness of 3,800 lumens (ANSI) for clear projection in well-lit environments
— Ultra-long lamp life up to 15,000 hours in economy mode
— Excellent contrast ratio of 26,000:1 for vivid image quality

Watch-outs

— Discontinued by manufacturer as of November 2021, limiting future support and replacement parts
— Uses a 195W metal halide bulb with only 6,000 hours full life, shorter than some competitors

$469 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

BenQ GP520

The BenQ GP520 delivers 2,000 lumens brightness, which is less than the ViewSonic PX701-4K and InFocus IN116xv but still outperforms the JMGO N1S 4K and XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K in terms of overall value and smart functionality. While it lacks the contrast of the InFocus IN116xv, it offers built-in Android TV, which the ViewSonic PX701-4K and XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K do not, making it a more versatile smart home option.

InFocus IN116xv Projector DLP WXGA 3800 Lumens 3D Ready HDMI Projector

The InFocus IN116xv offers the highest brightness at 3,800 lumens, surpassing the ViewSonic PX701-4K and BenQ GP520, and provides the best contrast ratio of 26,000:1, which the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K and JMGO N1S 4K lack. However, its discontinued status and shorter bulb life compared to the ViewSonic PX701-4K make it less ideal for long-term use, while the JMGO N1S 4K offers better portability.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	BenQ GP520	InFocus IN116xv Projector DLP WXGA 3800 Lumens 3D Ready HDMI Projector
Brightness	2,000 lumens	3,800 Lumens (ANSI)
Resolution	4K UHD	1280x800 WXGA
Contrast	1,000:1	26,000:1
Lamp Life	5,000 hours	15,000 hours (Eco)
Weight	4.5 kg	5.5 lbs
Input Lag	16.7 ms	—
Connectivity	HDMI, D-Sub, USB	HDMI, VGA, Composite, S-Video, Audio In/Out

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