BenQ HT2050A vs Epson 2150

Both BenQ and Epson are names you should consider when you’re shopping for affordable, high-quality home theater projectors. You can compare the BenQ HT2050A vs Epson 2150 as similar entries in the two companies’ catalogues.

Either of these projectors will give you a great bang for your buck. While we think most people will find the BenQ HT2050A (>>> Check price on Amazon) better-suited to their needs, the image quality of the Epson 2150 definitely makes it a strong contender. We’ll break it down in more detail below.

BenQ HT2050A vs Epson 2150 SIDE BY SIDE

	Benq HT2050a	Epson 2150
Measurements	4.80" x 15.00" x 10.90"	4.80" x 12.20" x 11.20"
Resolution	1920x1080	1920x1080
Brightness (Lumens)	2,200	2,500
Contrast Ratio	15,000:1	60,000:1
Input Lag	16ms	28ms
Throw Distance	4.4' - 25.1'	4.7' - 29.0'
Image Size	40.39" - 300.03"	29.96" - 300.00"
Built in Speakers	10.0 W	10.0 W
Price	Check on Amazon BHPhotoVideo.com	Check on Amazon

Set-up and adjustment

Both the Epson 2150 and the BenQ HT2050A are user-friendly—if you can use a standard TV, you can use these projectors. The BenQ has a shorter throw ratio, as well as a zoom and 2D keystone adjustment. It also has a larger maximum screen size. This makes it the more versatile projector, one you can use in small rooms or for massive screens at outdoor movie nights.

Better option: BenQ HT2050A

Image quality

The image quality is high with both these projectors. The Epson 2150 edges ahead of the BenQ HT2050A with its higher brightness and better contrast ratio. The image is noticeably sharper on the Epson, and the quality of detail in black portions of the screen is especially impressive. The use of 3LCD display technology in the Epson also eliminates common display problems like the rainbow effect, giving you a smooth, realistic picture.

Better option: Epson 2150

Build and Performance

Both the Epson 2150 and the BenQ HT2050A are relatively compact and lightweight. From the outside, there’s not much difference between them. The lamp on the Epson is more durable and will generally give you longer useful life. (Learn more about projector lamps durability here). When it comes to performance speed, however, the BenQ is the winner, with an ultra-low input lag that makes it great for gamers.

Better option: BenQ HT2050A

Full Reviews: BenQ HT2050A vs Epson 2150

BenQ HT2050A Full HD Home Theater Projector

In many ways, the BenQ HT2050A is an ideal home theater projector. It’s easy to integrate into any home theater set-up, and that flexibility is its main selling point. It’s great for both watching movies and playing games. The input lag of 16ms is among the lowest in the industry and translates to no noticeable delay between what you do and what you see.

The BenQ HT2050A also offers flexible connection options. It gives you more than just the HDMI port you’ll find on most projectors. You still get 2 of those, but you can also connect through USB or use direct video or PC inputs. This means you can still use older content sources without a lot of hassle.

Last but certainly not least, the BenQ HT2050A is versatile when it comes to the set-up. With enough distance, the screen can get up to 300”—more than twice the maximum image size of the Epson 2150. The inclusion of both vertical and horizontal keystone adjustment, as well as a 1.3x zoom. In layman’s terms, this means you don’t have to center the projector on the screen to get a good image. This gives you a lot more flexibility in your room layout and makes it a great choice for cramped or oddly-shaped spaces.

The BenQ HT2050A ticks all the boxes in our mind when it comes to a great home theater projector. It combines a user-friendly interface with high image quality and offers it all for an excellent value.

Pros

• 2D keystone adjustment
• Low input lag makes it perfect for gaming
• One-time plug and play set-up
• Better value
• Large maximum screen size
• Flexible connection options

Cons

• No on-board mirroring or wi-fi
• May experience some rainbow effect

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Epson 2150 Home Cinema Wireless Projector

If you’re looking for the best picture quality for your money, the Epson 2150 is right up your alley. The image from this projector is absolutely stunning, noticeably sharper and more vibrant than other projectors in the under-$1,000 price point. Find a full list of best projectors under $1,000 here.

The high contrast ratio is the main reason the picture from the Epson 2150 is so great. The lamp produces about 2,500 ANSI lumens, plenty for a room with low to moderate ambient light. It’s equally bright for whites and colors, too, with no hotspots or rainbow effect thanks to the 3LCD technology used inside.

The Epson 2150 is also one of the few mid-price projectors to come with built-in wireless connectivity. You can mirror content from Android and Windows devices easily, streaming content straight to your projector with no extra dongles or set-up.

You won’t get quite as much placement flexibility from the Epson 2150 as you do with the BenQ HT2050A. The longer throw ratio makes it less suitable for small spaces. While it does have a zoom and vertical keystone adjustment, the lack of horizontal keystone control does restrict your set-up options.

Ultimately, the Epson 2150 is your ideal projector if the quality of the image is your primary consideration. In that regard, it outperforms the BenQ HT2050A.

Pros

• No rainbow effect
• Easy to set up straight from the box
• High contrast ratio for a sharp, detailed picture
• True to life, cinema-quality color accuracy
• Wireless connectivity
• Long lamp life

Cons

• Higher price point
• Not as flexible in terms of set-up

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User impressions

Users rave about both of these projectors in the majority of reviews. Both get high marks for picture quality and ease of use, as well as important metrics like usability and reliability.

The main complaint against both the BenQ HT2050A and the Epson 2150 comes from users with a lot of ambient light to contend with. Neither of these projectors has high enough lamp brightness for well-lit rooms and will likely look washed out.

So which projector should you buy?

For our money, the BenQ HT2050A is the best overall option. (>>> Check current price on Bhphotovideo) While the picture quality on the Epson 2150 is slightly higher, the flexibility of the BenQ gives it a leg up.

The wireless compatibility on the Epson is a nice feature if you want to mirror your screen. Since you can do the same thing with a $40 wireless dongle, though, we wouldn’t consider that feature alone worth the difference in price.

The truth is these are both great projectors. Whichever one you buy, you’ll get years of movie watching enjoyment. We hope this review has helped you choose the perfect one for you!

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING:

• BenQ HT2050a Review: http://projectortop.com/benq-ht2050a-review/
• BenQ TH685 vs HT2050A
• Epson 2250 vs BenQ HT2050A
• BenQ HT2050A vs TH585 Comparison