What we liked
- The attractive design and high-quality finish
- The practical optional stand
- The soft images and accurate colors
- The smooth menu navigation
- The stereo image and clear voices
- The good overall value for money
We would have liked
- More precise automatic settings
- Higher brightness for bright rooms
- Finer highlight management for HDR content
- Greater precision in 4K
- More bass
- A backlit remote control
Our expert’s opinion
The BenQ TK705i is a highly versatile 4K LED projector, designed for simple, enjoyable everyday use. Its meticulous design, elegant finish and well-thought-out optional stand make it easy to integrate into any living room. The integrated Google TV interface provides smooth use, complemented by responsive navigation and direct access to the main streaming services. The picture impresses with its softness and accurate colors, in keeping with a cinematic aesthetic, while the audio provides clear and well-spatialized reproduction. We also appreciate the presence of a true motorized optical zoom, more flexible and precise than the digital zooms of some competitors.
The TK705i can still be improved in certain areas: its automatic settings lack precision with projection screens, the brightness shows its limits in bright environments, and HDR management would have benefited from more ambitious processing, particularly in the highlights. We also noted that the definition was perfectible in fast-moving scenes, and that the bass was limited. Also, the remote control doesn't have backlighting.
Despite these reservations, the BenQ TK705i offers a solid price/performance ratio, ideal for those looking for a 4K LED projector that's easy to install, enjoyable for both cinema and gaming, and complete enough to become the heart of a living room dedicated to entertainment, all for under €1,500.
With its refined design, integrated Google TV and LED light source, the BenQ TK705i aims to transform the living room into a genuine entertainment space. We put it to the test in real-life conditions to evaluate its performance, ease of use and behavior with movies, TV series and video games. Here’s our full analysis.
Presentation
The BenQ TK705i is a 4K UHD projector with an LED light source designed to offer a versatile projection solution for both living rooms and gaming rooms. It is part of the brand’s latest generation of “i” projectors, all-in-one models with direct integration of the Google TV environment to offer a comprehensive connected experience.
Capable of projecting in 4K UHD resolution (3840 × 2160) via emulation (DLP XPR), the BenQ TK705i projector delivers pictures measuring up to 3 meters in diagonal, while supporting HDR10 and HLG content. Its LED source, rated for a lifespan of 20,000 to 30,000 hours, enables regular use without the hassle of future lamp replacement.
The light path features a motorized 1.3x optical zoom, doubled by a 0.8-1.0x digital zoom, with keystone correction and automatic image adjustments, facilitating installation.
In terms of connectors, this BenQ projector features two HDMI 2.1 inputs, one of which is Audio Return+ (eARC) compatible, for transmitting sound to a soundbar or AV receiver. A versatile USB-C port can be used to power or display the signal from a compatible external device (DisplayPort 1.4) as well as play multimedia files. There’s also a trigger output allowing you to turn an electric projection screen on and off at the same time as the projector.
Thanks to Google TV, the BenQ TK705i projector provides access to the main streaming platforms and a wide catalog of apps, as well as offering voice search via the included remote control. Integrated Wi-Fi 6 provides an optimized network connection for high-resolution content, while Bluetooth makes it easy to connect accessories such as speakers or gaming controllers.
This BenQ projector is designed for easy installation, either on a piece of furniture or on a compatible stand. Its compact size and external power supply make it easy to integrate into a variety of home environments. The TK705i is designed for versatile use: family entertainment, 4K streaming, video games thanks to ALLM compatibility, and projecting sporting events onto a large screen.
Key specifications
- 4K UHD resolution (DLP XPR interpolation)
- LED light source with long lifespan
- Integrated Google TV, Netflix certification
- 2 HDMI 2.1 inputs (one eARC)
- USB-C port (power + video display + multimedia)
- WiFi 6
- Bluetooth remote control with voice control
- HDR10 / HLG compatibility
- ALLM and low latency for gaming
Included accessories
The BenQ TK 705i projector comes in a compact box alongside an external power supply, a remote control and a quick-start guide. For this test, the brand also sent me the BenQ ST30 stand, sold separately and in a pack with the projector.
Good point: the manufacturer has made an effort to eliminate polystyrene and limit the use of plastic, with packaging using mostly cardboard.
Test conditions
I tested the projector in the Son-Vidéo.com store in Nantes, first on a white wall, then in a dark room equipped with a white Lumene 1.0-gain projection screen. To obtain a 100″ (2.5m) image, I set up the projector on a coffee table about 2.5m from the screen. The sources used included a Panasonic DMP-UB820 UHD Blu-ray player and a PlayStation 5, connected via an AudioQuest HDMI cable.
During our test, the automatic installation proved effective on a white wall, with generally well-calibrated image geometry. On the projection screen, however, the settings proved more approximate. The alignment with the black borders lacked precision and required manual intervention to achieve perfectly aligned framing.
My impressions
A visual identity designed for the living room
The BenQ TK705i projector has an elegantly understated look. Its silver finish and fabric front panel give it a touch of refinement that blends discreetly into modern interiors. The build quality instills confidence, with the individual components precisely assembled.
However, it still has a plastic chassis, which is well made but a notch below what some competitors offer, such as the XGIMI Horizon S Pro or the Hisense C2, both of which are more premium in this price range. Nevertheless, this helps to keep the price down.
The base accommodates three adjustable screw feet, handy for placing the projector on a table or finely adjusting the tilt. And for more discerning users, the BenQ ST30 table stand, simple to install thanks to its ¼ inch screw thread, offers precise rotation, tilt and locking once the ideal position has been found.
Modern connectivity for streaming and gaming
All the connectors are grouped together on the back of the device, offering immediate accessibility. There are two ALLM-compatible HDMI 2.1 ports, including one with Audio Return+ (eARC), for easy connection to a soundbar or AV receiver. There’s also a headphone connector for playing video games or watching movies without disturbing those around you.
The USB-C 3.0 port plays several roles: media playback, DisplayPort Alt (DP 1.4) display from a computer or handheld console, and even simultaneous powering of the latter, making it a real asset for gamers.
A trigger port completes the package, useful for automating the operation of a motorized screen or activating an AV receiver when the projector is switched on.
The only real shortcoming is the absence of an Ethernet port. You’ll need a robust, stable home Wi-Fi connection to take full advantage of 4K HDR streams from streaming services thanks to the projector’s WiFi 6 controller.
Functional and complete remote control… but no backlighting
The supplied remote control follows the classic layout of Android models: Home button, central navigation, Google Assistant, volume control and direct access to YouTube, Netflix and Prime Video. BenQ adds a few useful features: a zoom button (+/-) and a screen adjustment shortcut, useful for temporary installations.
Out of the box, the remote control operates by infrared, which means you have to point at the projector. Once paired via Bluetooth, control becomes much more comfortable, as it is no longer necessary to point it at the device.
We only regret the absence of backlighting, a notable shortcoming in a dark room. It’s also a shame that it isn’t rechargeable.
Native Google TV: finally simple to use and comprehensive
Unlike other BenQ models requiring a separate QS02 module, the TK705i integrates Google TV directly. The result: simpler installation, a more consistent interface and a smoother user experience.
The Netflix certification, sometimes problematic on certain projectors, is present, allowing you to enjoy 4K HDR content on this platform, as well as on all competing streaming services, with peace of mind. The interface is responsive, with no perceptible latency, menus that are pleasant to browse and quick access to apps.
Picture: a smooth, natural cinema image, but with a few limitations
The BenQ TK705i 4K projector delivers an image that stands out for its soft, natural cinema-like look, typical of LED technology, which avoids the excessive saturation seen in some laser models. Colors appear accurate, and skin tones are rendered realistically.
We used several 4K HDR discs for this review, including the Spears & Munsil Ultra HD Benchmark disc, Top Gun: Maverick to test the light dynamics and speed of action scenes, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for color richness, and the Race for Glory HD Blu-ray to evaluate the legibility of textured scenes in particular.
In light environments, the overall brightness was sometimes a little low: contrast dipped and the picture lost depth. The projector came into its own in the dark room. The image became denser, the colors more vivid and the contrast thicker, offering a much more captivating result.
With very detailed or complex content, sharpness shows its limits. The fast-moving shots of Top Gun: Maverick and the stylized flat tints of Across the Spider-Verse revealed a slight lack of sharpness and precision, compared with more high-end models. In addition, blacks remained more dark gray than truly deep, which limited perceived dynamics.
HDR management could be improved. Lowlights were well rendered, with appreciable legibility, but some highlights tended to clip, resulting in overexposed whites in the most vivid scenes.
There was some judder during the tracking shots and stylized animations of Across the Spider-Verse, but sparingly activating the MEMC made movements smoother, without an excessive camcorder effect.
Despite these limitations, the BenQ TK705i projector offers performance in line with what’s available in this price range. For better optical precision, more ambitious HDR and significantly deeper blacks, you’ll have to aim for much more expensive models. The TK705i is therefore a very good compromise to enjoy an affordable cinema experience.
My recommended picture settings
Here are the settings that provided the best balance with HDR content, in a dark room.
| Picture mode | HDR10 |
| Brightness | between 50 and 55 |
| Contrast | between 48 and 50 |
| Saturation | 50 |
| Hue | -5 |
| Sharpness | 8 |
| HDR | activated |
| DNR | low |
| MPEGNR | low |
| Adaptive luma control | normal |
| Local contrast adjustment | high |
| Color enhancer | low |
| Gamma | dark |
| MEMC | low (deblur: 4 / judder reduction: 4) |
Gaming: exemplary responsiveness, ideal for new-generation consoles
Tested with Gran Turismo 7 on the PS5, the TK705i delivered a smooth image, with excellent responsiveness. The feeling of speed was there, and control remained precise. Thanks to the HDMI 2.1 ports and ALLM mode, this projector is ideal for fast gaming, with a low input lag and stable display. Fans of next-generation consoles will be delighted.
Clear, broad sound, but limited bass
The integrated audio system delivered a clean reproduction, with good stereo imaging for films and series as well as video games. Voices were clear, which is always appreciated on a projector.
The bass, on the other hand, lacked depth and foundation. This is hardly surprising: as is often the case with this type of device, the user will gain enormously in terms of immersion with a soundbar or separate audio system, which is easy to integrate thanks to Audio Return+ compatibility (HDMI eARC).
Who is the BenQ TK705i projector designed for?
The BenQ TK705i projector is aimed at those who want to enjoy a simple and accessible 4K HDR cinema experience, without complex installation or additional equipment thanks to integrated Google TV. It’s particularly suited to users with a living room or another room that they can make dark, as it is in this setting that its smooth image and accurate colors are at their best.
New-generation console gamers will also find it a serious ally, thanks to the responsiveness of the HDMI 2.1 inputs and impressive fluidity. Finally, it’s an ideal solution for those looking for a versatile, well-equipped projector, without aiming for the more expensive models offering more ambitious HDR rendering and much deeper blacks.
📝 Expert advice
To get the most out of the BenQ TK705i projector, make sure the room is slightly dark: this is when its soft, natural cinema-like image quality really comes into its own. If you're using it with a screen, don't hesitate to manually adjust the framing for perfect geometry, as the automatic settings can sometimes lack precision.
In HDR, adjusting the brightness and contrast a little preserves more detail in the highlights. Finally, for greater sound immersion, the addition of a soundbar or separate audio system via HDMI eARC will provide a significantly better experience, particularly regarding the low frequencies.
BenQ TK705i compared with the Xgimi Horizon S Pro
Compared to the Xgimi Horizon S Pro, the BenQ TK705i projector boasts a softer, more natural cinema reproduction, with accurate colors and well-balanced skin tones. The Xgimi takes a more spectacular approach thanks to its hybrid laser/LED light source: dynamics are more pronounced, and the image appears visually brighter and sharper, even if the brightness is lower on paper. This technology enhances fine detail and provides more pronounced depth, whereas the BenQ favors a more subdued, natural picture.
The Xgimi also boasts faster, more precise automatic settings, making installation and framing easier, whereas the BenQ may require more manual adjustments. But it makes up for it with a true motorized optical zoom, absent from the Xgimi, enabling the image size to be adjusted without distorting the picture or moving the projector.
BenQ TK705i compared with the Hisense C2
Compared to the Hisense C2 projector, the BenQ TK705i retains a softer, more cinematic approach, with accurate colors and a natural rendering that’s particularly pleasant in a darkened room. It also stands out for its motorized optical zoom, a function absent on the Hisense model. The latter adopts a more vibrant signature thanks to its triple laser light source: the image gains in colorimetric intensity and dynamics, providing a more pronounced impression of depth. This is ideal for users seeking a more spectacular image, ideal for animation, concerts or highly colored content. The BenQ, on the other hand, will appeal to those who prefer a more subdued picture that’s more neutral and less accentuated, truer to cinematic intentions.
Frequently asked questions about the BenQ TK705i
Yes, thanks to integrated Google TV, Netflix and the main streaming platforms are available natively, with no external module required.
It can be used occasionally in a bright environment, but is at its best in a dark room, where colors and contrast are more convincing.
Yes, with its HDMI 2.1 inputs, ALLM mode and smooth image, it’s perfect for new-generation consoles.
No. It is comprehensive and responsive, but lacks backlighting, which can be a problem in a dark room.
Yes, the Audio Return+ (eARC)-compatible HDMI port lets you output sound to a soundbar or AV receiver.
They are effective when projecting onto a white wall, but may require manual adjustment for perfectly accurate framing on a screen.
Yes, the USB-C port can display video signals, power certain devices and play media files.
Operating noise remains quite low for an LED projector, and is discreet during a film or game. The manufacturer claims a maximum sound level of 30 dBA.
