BenQ GV32 projector review: A portable alternative to your traditional TV

Pros:

Cons:

Price: Rs 49,990

Rating: 4.2/5

Long before televisions became the centre piece of our living rooms, projectors, the familiar beam of light cutting through a dark room and throwing moving images onto a distant wall, was already captivating audiences. Over time, TVs became sharper, slimmer, and far more convenient, pushing projectors into a niche corner of the market.

But, now the trend is back. With modern hardware, smarter software, and better optics, today’s projectors are far more versatile than the bulky classroom machines many of us remember. They’re portable, connected, and increasingly designed for everyday entertainment. The BenQ GV32 is one such device that tries to bring the projector back into the mainstream.  

After using the BenQ GV32 for about a month, I found myself thinking something I didn’t expect to say: maybe I don’t need a TV anymore. There, I said it. Over the past few weeks, I watched movies, cricket matches, and random YouTube rabbit holes almost exclusively on the GV32. My television and tablet barely got any attention.

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So what makes this projector so compelling? Let’s break it down.

BenQ GV32 projector review: What I liked about it

Easy to set up: The first thing you notice about the BenQ GV32 is just how simple and easy it is to set up. There’s no complicated process here. Plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, sign into Google TV, and you’re essentially ready to go. Within minutes, you’re browsing Netflix or YouTube like you would on a smart TV.

The projector itself has a set of buttons mounted on top for navigation. A small joystick helps adjust projections while a toggle bar lets you reposition the image. But honestly, you’ll probably end up using the remote most of the time.

The remote is thoughtfully designed and includes dedicated buttons for Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video. It also supports voice search, so if you’re too lazy to type, you can simply speak into the remote and search for what you want to watch.

From day one, the GV32 felt incredibly easy to live with. Setup took only a few minutes, and navigating the interface quickly became second nature.

A thoughtful design: One of the most impressive aspects of the GV32 is the stand and rotating frame design.

The projector sits inside a circular rotating frame that allows you to tilt it smoothly up or down. This means you can easily switch between projecting on a wall or even the ceiling without wrestling with the device.

The hinge has just the right amount of resistance, firm enough to stay stable but flexible enough that you can adjust it with one hand. Paired with automatic autofocus and keystone correction, the projector quickly adapts to almost any surface you point it at.

In practice, this flexibility becomes a huge part of the GV32’s appeal. Whether you’re sitting upright watching a show or lying down in bed, the projector adjusts without much effort.

LED projection and 1080p visuals: I was lucky enough to review the projector during the cricket World Cup season, which meant I ended up watching every match on it. And honestly, it was a great experience.

The GV32 offers 1080p LED projection, and the picture quality is impressive for a portable projector. While it’s not going to rival a premium 4K television quality, the image is sharp enough to comfortably enjoy sports, movies, or TV shows.

During cricket matches, the motion looked smooth, and I could easily track every boundary and wicket without any distracting blur.

But the real test came when I watched some of my favourite Harry Potter films on it.

Those movies feature plenty of dark scenes, which makes them a good benchmark for brightness and contrast. The GV32 handled them surprisingly well. Blacks and greys looked balanced rather than washed out, and darker scenes remained visible instead of turning into muddy shadows.

I placed the projector in my bedroom and projected the image onto the side wall. The result? A large cinematic screen experience that felt far more immersive than my tablet or laptop. The colours across scenes looked vivid and lively, adding to the sense that you were watching something closer to a mini theatre than a small device.

Audio: Portable projectors often struggle with audio. Many deliver thin, tinny sound that forces you to connect external speakers. Thankfully, the GV32 avoids that problem.

It features a 2.1 speaker setup, and the difference is noticeable. Dialogue comes through clearly even at lower volumes, and there’s enough bass to avoid the hollow sound many compact projectors suffer from.

For my bedroom setup, I rarely pushed the volume beyond 50–60 percent. Even at those levels, the audio remained loud, crisp, and immersive.

Late-night viewing was particularly convenient. I could hear dialogue clearly without cranking the volume high enough to disturb my toddler sleeping in the next room.

Another neat feature is that the GV32 can double as a Bluetooth speaker when the screen is off. It might not replace a dedicated speaker system, but it’s a useful bonus that reinforces the idea of the projector being a compact media hub.

Smart features that make life easier: The GV32 runs Google TV, which means most streaming apps are already built in.

This is important because it eliminates the need for casting or additional streaming sticks. Once you sign into your accounts, your watchlists and recommendations sync automatically.

In my case, that meant my usual Netflix and YouTube suggestions showed up immediately, making the transition from TV to projector almost seamless.

Connectivity options are fairly straightforward but adequate. You get HDMI port for laptops or gaming consoles, USB-A and USB-C ports, built-in Chromecast, Screen mirroring, and bluetooth connectivity.

All of this ensures the projector can easily fit into an existing entertainment setup.

BenQ GV32 projector review: Things which felt like limitations

While the GV32 is marketed as a portable projector, it is a bit bulkier than expected.

It’s not something you’ll casually toss into a bag and carry around the house. Once I set it up in my bedroom corner, I rarely moved it. Part of that is also because it needs to be connected to its power adapter.

Which brings us to the biggest limitation: no built-in battery. For a device positioned as portable, the lack of battery support is noticeable. The projector must remain connected to a power source.

Yes, it supports power banks, which helps somewhat. But it still doesn’t fully solve the portability issue. If you were planning to use it outdoors for a backyard movie night or lawn party, you’ll probably need a reliable power setup. That said, inside the house, it performs beautifully.

Verdict: Is BenQ GV32 worth it?

The BenQ GV32 manages to do something quite rare, it makes a projector feel practical for everyday use at a sub-Rs 50,000 price segment.

Between the easy setup, flexible design, solid 1080p visuals, and surprisingly good speakers, it offers a genuinely enjoyable viewing experience. Add Google TV into the mix, and you get a device that behaves more like a smart TV than a traditional projector.

It isn’t perfect. The lack of an internal battery limits its portability, and the device is slightly bulkier than expected. But if you’re primarily planning to use it indoors, especially in a bedroom or small living space, the GV32 can easily replace a TV for many people.

For binge watchers, sports fans, or anyone who enjoys the idea of turning a wall into a massive screen, the BenQ GV32 is a compelling option.

And yes, after a month of using it, my television is still feeling a little neglected.