BenQ TH575i Projector review: Big screen entertainment without premium price tag

In the current rush towards increasingly advanced display technologies such as AMOLED and OLED, we often overlook projectors and their remarkable journey over time. From being a heavy machine for screening on special occasions to compact and portable devices, projectors have come a long way.

The BenQ TH575i is one such projector that brings nostalgic experiences into the modern era. It is portable, handy, and so simple to use that you'll get the hang of it within minutes.

After using the BenQ TH575i for a month, I was finally able to catch up on every series I had left for a better day. My laptop and TV sat in the corner collecting dust throughout the month, while the TH575i worked overtime offering a great viewing experience.

Here's what makes the projector a compelling prospect

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Ease of Use

The BenQ TH575i is so easy to use that even my parents, who sometimes find it difficult to operate their phones, got the hang of it quickly.

It's easy to set up too. All you have to do is find a wall to project on and adjust the zoom and focus dials to get a clear picture. It hardly takes any effort—just a couple of minutes of fiddling to achieve a sharp projection. Once that's done, it only takes a few more minutes to sign in, and voila—you can start watching all your favourite content.

One of the biggest advantages of the Google TV interface is its familiarity. If you've used an Android device before, you'll instantly feel at home. Adjusting brightness, connecting to Wi-Fi, pairing Bluetooth devices, and navigating through settings all feel intuitive.

The projector itself has a minimal design. It isn't cluttered with navigation buttons or unnecessary additions. Instead, it features a clean layout, with a ventilation section and cooling fins around the body to keep the lens and internals cool. While placing it, make sure these vents aren't obstructed, as that could cause the projector to run hotter than intended.

The remote is backlit—a thoughtful touch since projectors are usually used in dark rooms. Its familiar layout makes it easy to operate. Dedicated Netflix and YouTube buttons further improve accessibility, and if even that feels like too much effort, the built-in voice search works surprisingly well. Simply speak into the remote, tell it what you want to watch, and you'll be enjoying your favourite shows within moments.

The projector comes with a screw-out chin stand for elevation adjustment. I found it a little too flimsy for repeated use. Once unscrewed, the stand rattles back and forth quite a bit. The TH575i feels more suited to a ceiling mount than tabletop placement. While using it on a table doesn't affect performance in any way, the chin stand felt somewhat precarious, especially considering the weight of the lens above it.

What We Liked

The TH575i is no ordinary projector. BenQ has optimised it to deliver remarkably low input lag compared to most other projectors on the market. According to its specifications, the projector offers a response time of just 16.7 ms while displaying 1080p at 60Hz, making it suitable for smooth gameplay. If you're displaying a live feed directly, it enhances the experience even further.

If you're buying a projector for the first time, always pay attention to its ANSI lumen rating, as it determines the brightness the projector can achieve. If you plan to use it frequently during the daytime, it's important to choose one capable of producing higher brightness levels.

The TH575i is rated at 3,800 ANSI lumens, and it produces a bright, vivid image, especially at night. Personally, I felt it was somewhat overkill for smaller rooms. It is much better suited to living rooms, meeting rooms with large facades, or naturally well-lit spaces. A 3,800 ANSI lumen projector is no joke—it can comfortably handle large boardrooms and heavily sunlit environments. The presence of the DLP DMD chip further polishes off its projection capabilities.

The presence of M5 mounting screws at the bottom also makes ceiling installation much easier. The projector comes with multiple preset viewing modes, allowing you to optimize the picture for different content without having to tweak the settings manually.

Sports Mode

Sports Mode is designed to enhance live sporting events with optimized color tuning. It delivers vibrant pitch greens, natural-looking skin tones, and crisp image detail, ensuring every pass, tackle, and celebration looks vivid. The balanced picture also remains clear and enjoyable even in brightly lit rooms.

Game Mode

For gamers, Game Mode enhances visibility in darker scenes, making it easier to spot opponents hiding in the shadows. Improved shadow detail is paired with rich, vibrant colors, helping you react more quickly while maintaining an immersive visual experience.

Cinema Mode

Cinema Mode prioritizes accurate color reproduction, deeper contrast, and natural tones to present movies as filmmakers intended. The result is a more immersive viewing experience with lifelike visuals and enhanced depth across every scene.

3D Mode

When paired with compatible content, the Full HD 3D Mode transforms your living room into a personal cinema. It adds convincing depth and realism to movies, creating a more immersive viewing experience from the comfort of your couch. (Requires compatible 3D content and 3D glasses.)

Smart Connectivity Features

The TH575i runs on Google TV, which means most popular streaming applications are already installed. This makes the transition from a smart TV or another streaming device seamless. Simply sign in, and all your favourite recommendations are ready to continue from where you left off.

If Google TV isn't enough, you also have HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A connectivity through the bundled Chromecast, enabling screen mirroring and Bluetooth connectivity. The wide range of connectivity options helps the projector fit effortlessly into your entertainment setup.

The presence of Auto Vertical Keystone automatically corrects image alignment, making it easy to project a properly squared image from different angles. The 1.1x zoom also provides greater flexibility across a range of throw distances.

BenQ TH575i: Features That Need Improvement

Audio

The TH575i has a pair of built-in speakers, which certainly help its portability, but the audio quality leaves room for improvement. They're adequate for a small room, but if you plan to use the projector in a larger space, we would recommend pairing it with an external speaker or soundbar.

One issue I encountered during my review involved Bluetooth audio. While my earphones connected without any problem, adjusting the volume proved frustrating. I often had to dive into the settings menu, and even then the volume changes wouldn't always register properly. Perhaps this was specific to my earphones, but I experienced a similar issue with a Bluetooth speaker as well, forcing me to use the physical volume controls on the speaker itself.

That said, I would strongly recommend using a soundbar or external speakers to get the most out of the projector.

Fan Noise

To keep the internals and projector lamp cool, the internal fan works tirelessly. Even with such robust cooling, the projector can become slightly warm to the touch after prolonged use. The gentle hum of the fan is noticeable in smaller rooms, and the vents on the right side expel fairly hot air, so it's worth placing the projector with adequate clearance.

To maintain the projector lamp at the correct temperature, the TH575i also has a mandatory cool-down period. Even if you accidentally switch it off with the remote, you'll have to wait before turning it back on again. After shutdown, the fan continues running for a short while to cool the internals.

If you're using the projector in a small room, it can noticeably increase the room's temperature. During my testing, I often had to turn up the air conditioner to maintain a comfortable environment.

I wouldn't consider these issues deal-breakers, but they reinforce the idea that the TH575i is better suited to larger living rooms or meeting spaces rather than compact bedrooms.

Another minor complaint is the power cable. The supplied cord is simply too short for convenient placement. Even in my bedroom, I had to rely on an extension cable. If you're planning to buy the TH575i, I'd highly recommend investing in a quality extension cord as well.

Verdict

The BenQ TH575i is one of the best projectors you can buy under 60 K. It retails for around 56,500. Its exceptionally bright projection and low input latency make it an excellent choice if you're planning to move beyond your television for entertainment. It delivers an enjoyable viewing experience, held back only by its average built-in speakers, noticeable fan noise, and a rather short power cable.

If you're planning to buy the projector, BenQ also offers a projection distance calculator on its website. I highly recommend using it before making your purchase, as it will help you determine the ideal placement and get the best possible viewing experience.