BenQ has quite a few appealing true 4K projectors in their catalogue that are both well-built and surprisingly affordable. Looking at the BenQ TK810 vs TK850, either one of them could make a very appealing home theater projector. So what’s the difference between them—and which one is the better unit?
There’s no simple answer to that question. While the BenQ TK850 has an overall better picture quality, the BenQ TK810’s wireless features make it the more convenient options for many users. >>> Check current price on Amazon
Curious to learn more? Let’s dig into the details.
BenQ TK810 vs TK850 Side by Side:
| BenQ TK810 | BenQ TK850 | |
|---|---|---|
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| Resolution | 4K ultra HD | 4K ultra HD |
| Brightness (Lumens) | 3,200 | 3,000 |
| Contrast Ratio | 10,000:1 | 30,000:1 |
| Zoom | 1.1x manual | 1.3x manual |
| Throw Distance | 3.5' - 32.3' | 3.2' - 24.6' |
| Screen size | 30” – 300” | 30”-300” |
| Wireless Networking | YES | NO |
| Speakers | 5.0 Watts | 2 x 5.0 Watts |
| Price | Check on Amazon | BHPhotoVideo.com |
Brightness
A lamp brightness of 3,000 lumens or more is recommended if you want to use your projector for lights-on viewing. Both of these projectors reach this benchmark, though the BenQ TK850 just barely hits the mark. With the BenQ TK810, you’ll get a 3,200 lumen lamp. That’s not a huge difference, but it’s enough to be noticeable if your projector needs to compete with natural light from windows in your viewing area.
Brighter projector: BenQ TK810
Picture Quality
The picture quality on the BenQ TK810 is fairly high. A 4K resolution and broad color gamut pair with the bright lamp for balanced, vibrant images for all kinds of content. It also supports 10-bit color depth for 4K content, with motion enhancement to prevent blurring on-screen.
As high as the picture quality is on the TK810, though, it’s even better with the BenQ TK850. It has features like Dynamic Iris technology to enhance the contrast, along with factory-calibrated color that uses the DCI-P3 color space. Dedicated picture modes for sports and movies are the icing on the cake.
Better picture quality: BenQ TK850
Wireless Connectivity
If you already have a smart home theater, you want a projector that can fit into that set-up easily. The BenQ TK810 will do that for you. Along with a voice control remote, it has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and an on-board Android operating system. This isn’t just great news for smart theater owners but also anyone who doesn’t want to worry about wires when connecting speakers and content sources.
Better wireless connectivity: BenQ TK810
BenQ TK810 vs TK850: Full Reviews
BenQ TK810
Let’s start with the basics. This true 4K projector provides spectacular detail and clarity in the on-screen image. The color is just as incredible, with a color gamut that spans 92% of Rec. 709 for realistic and accurate hues. With a lamp brightness of 3,200 lumens, you’ll get those same vibrant colors in any lighting conditions.
Where the BenQ TK810 really stands out from the rest, though, is its wireless connectivity. Along with the standard array of wired connection options, you can wirelessly cast content from your phone or tablet without installing any special software. For many apps, you can watch content right on the projector, too. It comes with an Android operating system so you can watch content from apps like YouTube and Netflix without any extra steps.
Controlling the TK810 is easy, too. The included remote has a voice control option. You can also turn your phone into a remote through the BenQ Smart Control app—a super-handy option, if you have the tendency to lose remotes.
Our only minor issue with the TK810 is that the sound quality of its speaker is fairly low. It has a single 5-watt chambered speaker installed. That’s okay if you’re just watching TV, but for immersive sound you’ll want to connect an external sound source. The good news is you can do that wirelessly, too, since it supports Bluetooth 4.0 for audio.
Pros
- HDR10 and HLG support with motion enhancement
- Wireless casting for content
- Bright lamp works well in brightly-lit rooms
- Control on your device through the BenQ mobile app
- Android operating system built in
- Compatible with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Cons
- Weaker, lower-quality sound
- Contrast ratio isn’t as high
BenQ TK850
For straight image quality, the BenQ TK850 is arguably the best projector you can get in this price point. This starts with the design of the lens, which uses an all-glass 10-element array to maximize its native 4K resolution.
From there, the internal technology is what really impressed us. It has a DCI-P3 color space that gives you the same vibrant, realistic hues you’d see in a movie theater. The contrast ratio is high, too, so you’ll get the same detail and clarity in dark areas of the screen. While it’s not quite as bright as the TK810, its 3,000 lumen lamp is still bright enough to compete with ambient lighting. Dedicated picture modes for sports and movies further optimize the picture to your content.
You’ll also appreciate how easy it is to set up the BenQ TK850. The lens has a 1.3x zoom that’s easy to focus. It also comes with both lens shift and keystone correction, very helpful in aligning the image if you can’t install the projector directly head-on to the screen. Related comparison: BenQ TK810 vs HT3550
Pros
- 10-element lens array maximizes brightness and image clarity
- High contrast ratio for better black levels
- Cinema-quality color calibrated at the factory
- Dedicated Sport and Cinema modes
- Zoom and lens shift make installation easier
Cons
- No built-in operating system
- No Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capability
What’s the Bottom Line?
The decision here comes down to what’s more important for you: picture quality or wireless connectivity. Both of these projectors are high-quality, durable devices that will serve you well in the long term. They also both have true 4K resolution, so even on the TK810 the picture quality will be higher than you’ll find on most projectors and TVs. >>> Find on Amazon
No matter which way you go, either one of these projectors will be a great value for the price. We hope this review has helped you figure out which one is the right choice for your home theater!