If you are looking for an affordable projector to impress your audience and effectively communicate in even well-lit spaces, then you should look at one of these four popular models of projectors. In 2023, over 60,000 units XGA projectors were purchased for businesses and classrooms, as well as for golf simulation. So which models are the best – and how much do they cost? We’ll look at top selling models from brand leaders BenQ and Epson to help you decide using the following criteria:
If you want to see small text on a big screen – you will need both brightness and resolution for a clear, easy to read image. Both XGA and WXGA (Wide XGA) can be used on a traditional 4:3 projector screen, but the WXGA has around 10% higher pixel density than an older XGA on the same screen, even when showing on a traditional 4:3 screen. This is especially important if you are using a projector for a golf simulator, where you may need to adapt to different aspect ratios to fit your screen.
100” Brightness Comparison |
BenQ MX536 |
BenQ MX825STH |
Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 |
BenQ LW600ST |
100” Brightness Comparison Lumen Output | BenQ MX536 4000 ANSI Lumens | BenQ MX825STH 3500 ANSI Lumens | Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 3000 ANSI Lumens | BenQ LW600ST 2800 ANSI Lumens |
100” Brightness Comparison Lens Type | BenQ MX536 Standard Throw | BenQ MX825STH Short Throw | Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 Short Throw | BenQ LW600ST Short Throw |
100” Brightness Comparison Resolution | BenQ MX536 XGA | BenQ MX825STH XGA | Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 WXGA | BenQ LW600ST WXGA |
The biggest difference in popular XGA projectors in the last few years is how long the lamps last. The newest projectors don’t have any lamps – instead using high powered LED’s that can achieve 30,000-hour life. So how long do the lamps last under normal conditions?
By using three LED chips instead of a mercury lamp – the LW600ST has the longest life of all four models with 20,000 hours of life at full brightness. Because the LED stays brighter much longer than any mercury lamp – it is the most cost-effective solution overall, eliminating expensive replacement lamps – and the labor and hassle to change them.
Most mercury lamps last around 6000 hours with full brightness, but BenQ’s SmartEco technology enables the lamps to last much longer without reducing the brightness of the image on the screen. With SmartEco technology, the projector can “look ahead” and adjust the lamp power to reduce brightness in darker scenes. By synchronizing the lamp with the DLP chip, the lamp can adjust the brightness on each frame – saving lamp life when the images that don’t require full brightness on every pixel. SmartEco lamps can last up to 10,000 hours each and can be replaced to extend the life of the projector.
This popular model is less expensive than the others – but uses a mercury lamp that cannot be replaced. The manual says on page 120 that you must replace the projector at the end of 6000 hours. If the lamp fails outside the warranty period, then the projector must be thrown away and recycled.
Lamp Life Comparison |
BenQ MX536 |
BenQ MX825STH |
Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 |
BenQ LW600ST |
Lamp Life Comparison Normal Mode | BenQ MX536 5500 hours | BenQ MX825STH 6000 Hours | Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 6000 hours | BenQ LW600ST 20,000 Hours |
Lamp Life Comparison SmartEco Mode | BenQ MX536 10,000 Hours | BenQ MX825STH 10,000 Hours | Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 N/A | BenQ LW600ST 20,000 Hours |
Lamp Life Comparison Replacement Lamp? | BenQ MX536 Yes | BenQ MX825STH Yes | Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 No | BenQ LW600ST No |
New LED powered projectors are significantly more colorful than traditional mercury lamps, so if you are showing videos, photo’s or using the projector for golf simulation, consider the LW600ST, which delivers an amazing 95% Rec. 709 color. The other models use traditional mercury lamps, so while they are bright – none of them have a Rec. 709 color accuracy specification like you find on a television.
The two most common technologies used in projectors are either DLP technology from Texas Instruments, or LCD technology. While both create good images, the DLP technology used by the BenQ models is based on the same technologies used in digital cinema theaters. The DLP technology used on the BenQ models virtually eliminates the “screen door effect” where you can see the lines between the pixels on the screen by filling over 96% of the pixel space with light. This keeps small text and details visible and easy to read on the screen.
Most people think you can use a projector the same way as you can a TV. With the ability for a lamp to last 20,000 hours, an XGA projector can be a highly effective way to create digital signage or messaging in public spaces like hotel lobbies and car dealerships. But there are significant differences between the most popular models from Epson and BenQ.
First, according to the warranty, the Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 can be damaged by “excessive, continual use” which is not covered under the warranty. The BenQ projectors don’t have any usage limitations – so you can use them as much as you want. Secondly, the Epson projector has a filter that must be regularly cleaned – or the projector will overheat and be damaged. Failure to maintain the projector can void the warranty. The BenQ projectors are designed to work without a filter due to its advanced DLP imaging technology – and does not lose color fidelity over time – which is why DLP is used in Digital Cinema theaters.
All three projectors are quite affordable. As you can see above, the BenQ models are more advanced, are brighter, have better connectivity, longer lasting lamps, and in the case of the MX825STH – a short throw lens. The Epson EX3280 is cheaper.
100” Brightness Comparison |
BenQ MX536 |
BenQ MX825STH |
Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 |
BenQ LW600ST |
100” Brightness Comparison Continuous Use | BenQ MX536 Yes | BenQ MX825STH Yes | Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 No | BenQ LW600ST Yes |
100” Brightness Comparison Filter Free design | BenQ MX536 Yes | BenQ MX825STH Yes | Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 No | BenQ LW600ST Yes |
100” Brightness Comparison Digital Cinema image reliability | BenQ MX536 Yes | BenQ MX825STH Yes | Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 No | BenQ LW600ST Yes |
100” Brightness Comparison Retail Price | BenQ MX536 $569 | BenQ MX825STH $600 | Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 $499 | BenQ LW600ST $899 |
On the surface, it looks like these projectors have a lot in common – similar resolutions, market leading brands, and solid warranty support. But once you get beyond that, you can see there are many other factors – such as how long the lamp will last, how good the picture looks, and how much maintenance is required Also keep in mind that buying disposable projector with a short life will generate significantly more e-waste.