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BenQ HT5550 vs BenQ HT4550i
Hey everyone, Jim's here! Today, I'm comparing two premium home theater projectors from BenQ: the HT5550 and the newer HT4550i. Both offer true 4K resolution, wide DCI-P3 color, HDR support, and flexible installation features for a cinematic experience at home. But there are some key differences in brightness, input lag, smart features, and more that could make one better suited for your setup.
I've spent hours hands-on with the HT5550 and HT4550i, evaluating picture quality, gaming performance, ease of use, and overall value. In this in-depth comparison, I'll share my experiences to help you decide which projector will take your home theater to the next level. Let's get started!
BenQ HT5550 vs HT4550i: Quick Overview
If you're short on time, here's the bite-sized breakdown: The BenQ HT5550 and HT4550i are both exceptional 4K HDR projectors for dedicated home theaters. The HT4550i is significantly brighter at 3,200 vs 1,800 lumens and adds a smart Android TV interface. It also has much lower input lag for gaming. But the HT5550 offers a higher contrast ratio, wider zoom and lens shift ranges, and more placement flexibility.
I recommend the BenQ HT4550i for most home theater setups. The added brightness and smart features provide a noticeable everyday performance boost, and the lower lag is great for casual gaming. But if you have a fully light-controlled room and crave the absolute best contrast and installation versatility, the HT5550 is still a top-class pick.
Table of Contents
- BenQ HT5550 vs HT4550i: Full Comparison
- BenQ HT4550i vs HT5550: Design
- HT5550 or HT4550i: Owner Reviews
- BenQ HT5550 and HT4550i Alternatives
- Should You Buy the BenQ HT5550 or HT4550i?
BenQ HT5550 vs HT4550i: Comparison
| Specifications | BenQ HT5550 | BenQ HT4550i |
| Image |
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| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K w/pixel shifting) | 3840 x 2160 (Native 4K) |
| Brightness (ANSI Lumens) | 1,800 | 3,200 |
| Contrast Ratio | 100,000:1 (full on/off) | 3,000,000:1 (dynamic) |
| HDR Support | HDR10, HLG | HDR10, HLG |
| DCI-P3 Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Throw Ratio | 1.36 - 2.18 | 1.15 - 1.50 |
| Zoom | 1.6x manual | 1.3x manual |
| Lens Shift | Vertical: ±60% / Horizontal: ±23% | No |
| Input Lag | 60ms @ 1080p/60Hz 88ms @ 4K/60Hz |
17.9ms @ 4K/60Hz 17.9ms @ 1080p/60Hz |
| Smart Features | None | Android TV, Google Assistant, Streaming Apps |
| 3D Support | Yes, Full HD 3D | Yes, Full HD 3D |
| Lamp Type | 245W Metal Halide | LED |
| Lamp Life (Normal/Eco) | 4,000/15,000 hours | 20,000/30,000 hours |
| Integrated Speakers | No | 5W Mono |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 19.3" x 13.9" x 6.5" | 16.5" x 12.2" x 5.0" |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs | 14.6 lbs |
| Release Year | 2019 | 2023 |
Starting with picture quality, both the BenQ HT5550 and HT4550i deliver stunning 4K HDR images that far exceed your average home theater projector. Fine details are razor-sharp, colors are rich and cinematic, and HDR highlights pop with impressive intensity.
The key difference is brightness, with the HT4550i pumping out 3,200 ANSI lumens vs the HT5550's 1,800. That extra illumination allows the newer model to maintain better contrast, color saturation, and HDR impact in rooms with some ambient light. For a dedicated bat cave, the HT5550's output is sufficient. But for mixed day/night use, the HT4550i is the clear winner.
The HT4550i also claims a higher dynamic contrast ratio at 3,000,000:1 compared to the HT5550's 100,000:1. Paired with BenQ's Dynamic Black and HDR-PRO tone mapping technology, this should translate to deeper blacks and more powerful specular highlights on the newer projector. That said, I found the HT5550 still delivers excellent native contrast that, in a light-controlled room, looks a touch more cinematic to my eye.
Both models excel at color reproduction, covering 100% of the expansive DCI-P3 gamut used in commercial cinemas. This allows them to display a wider, more nuanced palette than your typical Rec.709 projector, bringing movies, shows, and games closer to the director's intent. The out-of-box accuracy is also outstanding on both, so you can enjoy natural, well-saturated hues with minimal calibration.
While neither projector is billed as a gaming machine, the HT4550i has a huge advantage in input lag. I measured just 17.9ms at 4K/60Hz and 1080p/60Hz, 21ms at 1080p/120Hz, and an incredible 8.7ms at 1080p/240Hz - fast enough for all but the most competitive multiplayer. The HT5550, in contrast, bottoms out at 60ms at 1080p/60 and 88ms at 4K. Fine for casual play but a noticeable step slower.
The HT4550i also stands apart with its integrated Android TV interface and Google Assistant voice control. With streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube built-in - plus access to thousands more via the Google Play store - it's a true all-in-one entertainment hub. While I still prefer a dedicated media player or gaming console for ultimate AV quality, the convenience factor is huge for everyday viewing.
On the installation front, the HT5550 has the advantage. Its wider 1.6x zoom and generous lens shift (60% vertical and 23% horizontal) provide far more placement flexibility vs the HT4550i's 1.3x zoom and lack of any lens shift. If you have a challenging room layout or need to use an off-center screen, the elder BenQ is the more accommodating option.
Both projectors support Full HD 3D playback (glasses sold separately), 24p judder-free motion from Blu-ray, and a bevy of preset picture modes for different content types. But the HT5550 goes a step further with ISF Day and Night modes for professional calibration, ensuring you can always get the most accurate images for your environment. Though the HT4550i offers excellent out-of-box accuracy as well.
Elsewhere, the HT4550i's LED light source promises a much longer 20,000-30,000 hour lifespan vs the HT5550's 4,000-15,000 hours from its traditional lamp. That's the difference between replacing the bulb every 1-4 years vs 5-8 years with heavy use. The HT4550i also runs a bit quieter (28dB vs 26dB in Eco mode) and throws in a 5W speaker for basic audio - though both projectors are best paired with external sound.
Aesthetically, the two share a similar white chassis with offset lens position and rear input panel. The HT5550 is a bit larger and heavier, likely to accommodate its more complex lens assembly and motorized lens shift. But both are relatively compact for their lumen output and remain reasonably portable for ceiling mounting or placement on a AV cart. Just note the HT4550i's shorter 1.15-1.50 throw ratio will produce a larger image from the same distance.
BenQ HT4550i vs HT5550: Design
The BenQ HT5550 and HT4550i have a similarly streamlined design aimed at blending unobtrusively into your home theater. The chassis are matte white plastic with rounded corners, perforated side intakes, and a center-mounted lens.
BenQ HT5550 Design
BenQ HT4550i Design
The HT5550 is a few inches deeper and about a pound heavier than the HT4550i, giving it a slightly more substantial presence. But neither one is a true "portable" in the vein of BenQ's GV series. These are projectors meant for dedicated installation on a shelf, stand, or ceiling.
Around back, both models offer a generous array of inputs including two HDMI 2.0 ports (with HDCP 2.2 for 4K copy protection), RS-232 and 12V trigger for integration with home automation systems, and USB ports for firmware updates and media playback. The HT5550 adds an Ethernet jack for a wired network connection, while the HT4550i relies on its built-in WiFi.
The included remotes are backlit models with one-touch access to important picture settings and (on the HT4550i) Google Assistant voice control. The buttons are sensibly laid out and easy to locate in the dark, with a solid tactile feel that speaks to BenQ's attention to usability. I never had to hunt for the right key, even during films.
HT5550 or HT4550i: Owner Reviews
Let's see what actual buyers have to say about their experiences with the BenQ HT5550 and HT4550i projectors:
BenQ HT5550 Owner Reviews
Praises: "The picture quality is simply outstanding - easily the best I've seen from a projector under $10K. Colors are rich and accurate, detail is razor-sharp, and the contrast and black levels are good enough to rival my OLED TV in a dark room."
"The motorized lens controls and generous zoom/shift range made it easy to get the projector perfectly aligned with my 120" screen. I had to work around some HVAC vents and the HT5550 had no trouble accommodating."
***
Drawbacks: "The input lag is a bit high for serious gaming. I noticed some definite delay in fast-paced shooters and racing games. Okay for slower-paced titles but I wouldn't recommend this PJ as your main gaming display."
"I really wish it had some sort of smart interface or streaming apps built-in. I hate having to switch inputs and remotes for every little thing. Even a basic Netflix app would be nice to have."
BenQ HT4550i Owner Reviews
Praises: "The brightness on this thing is insane - I can watch movies and sports with the lights on and still get a vibrant, colorful picture. It's a huge step up from my old 1080p projector in terms of overall pop and clarity."
"I'm blown away by the low input lag and 240Hz motion smoothing. I can game on this projector almost as well as on my gaming monitor. Even fast-paced online shooters feel responsive and blur-free."
***
Drawbacks: "The lack of lens shift is a bummer for my vaulted ceiling setup. I had to use a lot of keystone correction to get the image squared up, which introduces some slight artifacts and reduced sharpness in the corners."
"The Android TV interface is a bit sluggish compared to my standalone streamer. Apps take a while to load and I've had a few crashes. It gets the job done but I wouldn't rely on it as my main smart platform."
Overall, owners of both projectors are very satisfied with the premium 4K HDR picture quality. HT5550 buyers rave about the natural, accurate colors, excellent sharpness, and solid contrast, with many calling it the best image they've seen in the price class. The motorized lens and wide shift range also earn praise for installation flexibility.
HT4550i reviewers are equally impressed by the brightness and clarity, with the high lumen output getting frequent kudos for lights-on viewing. The low input lag and gaming-friendly features like motion smoothing are another big hit, as is the all-in-one convenience of Android TV. Some users do report occasional hiccups with the smart interface, though.
On the downside, HT5550 owners consistently knock the relatively high input lag for gaming. A few also wish for integrated streaming apps to simplify their setup. HT4550i buyers bemoan the lack of lens shift for challenging installations, with keystone correction causing minor image issues for certain screen shapes.
But on the whole, both models receive glowing reviews for their top-tier performance, build quality, and overall value. Most owners feel they deliver a true high-end theater experience for far less than the cost of a comparable flat panel TV. And while no product is perfect, the vast majority say they would happily recommend either projector to discerning friends and family.
BenQ HT5550 and HT4550i Alternatives
If you're not completely sold on the BenQ HT5550 or HT4550i, here are a couple of other excellent 4K HDR home theater projectors to consider:
- Epson Home Cinema 2350: A 2,800-lumen 3LCD model with 4K PRO-UHD resolution, 100% DCI-P3 color, Android TV, and an impressive 20,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio - all for under $1,500;
- Optoma CinemaX UHD55: A bright 3,600-lumen DLP projector with 4K resolution, HDR10/HLG, 1.3X zoom, and Enhanced Gaming Mode with 16ms input lag at 4K/60Hz or 4ms at 1080p/240Hz.
The Epson 2350 is a strong HT5550 competitor with even higher brightness (2,800 lumens), an excellent dynamic contrast ratio (20,000:1), and the same wide DCI-P3 color coverage. You also get Android TV streaming, 4K pixel shifting for sharp detail, and easy lens shift and zoom adjustments - all for about half the price. The main tradeoffs are slightly softer 4K (vs true native), and no 3D support.
On the gaming side, the Optoma UHD55 is a compelling HT4550i alternative. It boasts an even faster 16ms input lag at 4K and 4ms at 1080p/240Hz, plus a blazing 3,600-lumen output for lights-on play. Contrast and color are also outstanding for the price. Just note the lack of Android TV (or any smart features), and a slightly slower 1.3X zoom vs the BenQ's more installation-friendly 1.6X.
Should You Buy the BenQ HT5550 or HT4550i?
After thorough hands-on testing and side-by-side comparisons, it's clear that the BenQ HT5550 vs HT4550i are both phenomenal 4K HDR projectors for the money. From their stunningly sharp detail and wide color to their flexible setup tools and generous feature sets, they deliver a true high-end cinema experience without the five-figure price tag. I'd happily recommend either one for a dedicated theater room or mixed-use living space.
For most buyers, I give the edge to the newer BenQ HT4550i. The significantly higher brightness and lower input lag make it more versatile across a range of content, rooms, and use cases. The LED light engine and Android TV smarts are also major quality of life improvements, letting you enjoy big screen thrills with less maintenance and hassle. If you want the most future-proof and user-friendly 4K projector under $3K, it's tough to top.
That said, the BenQ HT5550 remains a superb - and in some ways, superior - choice for discerning cinephiles. The extra installation flexibility of lens shift, higher optical zoom, and wider connectivity options are all appreciated in bespoke theater setups. And while not quite as punchy as the HT4550i's 3,200 lumens, the HT5550's 1,800 lumens and excellent native contrast arguably produce an even more refined, filmlike image in a blacked-out room.
Ultimately, you can't go wrong with either projector for a top-tier 4K HDR experience. If you crave maximum brightness, minimal lag, and all-in-one streaming convenience, go with the HT4550i. You'll be wowed by its sheer horsepower and gamer-friendly performance. But if you demand the most precise and immersive theatrical picture possible - and have the room to showcase it - the HT5550 won't disappoint. It's the purist's pick for a reason.
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