BenQ GS50 review 2024: excellent picture quality

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, you might think about turning your garden into an outdoor movie theatre or coming up with ways to keep the kids busy while camping. And the best outdoor projectors and the best portable projectors are great ways to watch all your favourite movies, games, and TV shows in the great outdoors.

The BenQ GS50 came out in October 2021, but now is the perfect time to buy one so you can watch movies outside this summer. BenQ has been a leader in projection for a long time, and they made a big deal about this launch by saying that the GS50 is the first smart portable outdoor projector with 2.1-channel Bluetooth audio. Is it a big step forward for portable projection.

BenQ GS50 specifications

BenQ GS50 review: Design and features

The GS50’s casing is tasteful and slightly quirky. It looks more like a posh case for picnic equipment you’d get from a high-end retailer rather than a case for a top projector for gaming contender – but the smart white casing of the main section means that on the shelf it blends in well with home décor.

The carry handle on the side makes it easy to carry around, as does a rugged feeling carry case which could be mistaken for a cool bag before closer inspection. It needs a bag, as it’s far too big to slip into a pocket. The plastic case is hardwearing, rated to withstand a fall of over two feet, and it’s splash resistant. You can get this outdoor projector from its official website

BenQ GS50 review: Image quality

BenQ told us during our first meeting that it took a lot of care to make sure that the specs it advertises for the GS50 aren’t, well, a bunch of bullshit like so many other cheap portable projectors. There are a lot of no-name Amazon brands that say they sell tiny, super-high-resolution, portable projectors that never live up to their claims. BenQ just says that its projectors have 500 ANSI lumens and a native resolution of 1080p, and that’s exactly what you get.

BenQ GS50 review: Performance

The picture is clear and HD, and even fast sports look smooth. The colours are rich and make you feel like you’re really there, which is great when you use it as a projector for PS5 and in RPGs. We’re used to portable projectors that run at 720p, so the fact that this one runs at 1080p is impressive. This might not be the best picture for the money, but it’s great for a portable unit.

We only noticed a drop in picture quality and colour depth when comparing it to a 4K projector. Otherwise, we were happy with this image for casual watching and gaming. There is no gaming mode, which is unusual for BenQ, and the input lag is said to be 62ms. It’s fine for casual gaming—we didn’t have any trouble with the drinking contest rhythm games in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and my FPS performance wasn’t any worse than usual—but serious or competitive gamers would want something faster, like the BenQ X1300i. 

BenQ GS50 review: Battery Life

The BenQ GS50 is a portable projector about the size of a lunchbox. It has a 1080p resolution, an internal battery that lasts for two and a half hours, and speakers that are surprisingly loud. Green rubberized side panels and a fake leather handle give it a stylish look.

You can connect an HDMI source or use the built-in streaming stick that comes with the BenQ. If you’re not near an outlet, you can even charge the projector with a USB battery pack.

Final Words

Like all projectors with this level of brightness, the BenQ GS50 can only be used well in near-darkness or low light, since direct sunlight washes out the image. If you want something you can use more often, you’ll have to pay more (or use a TV) or give up the convenience of being able to run it on batteries and take it with you.

If those things aren’t that important, you could get a better picture by spending the same amount of money on a more traditional projector that is powered by the wall. This type of projector will be brighter, which will make the picture better. You don’t have to miss out on a smart interface either, since you can plug in a laptop or a smart dongle (such as FireTV or Chromecast).

FAQs

Is BenQ GS 50 a dash portable projector?

The BenQ GS50 is a portable projector that is about the size of a lunchbox. It has a resolution of 1080p, an internal battery that provides two and a half hours of gameplay, and speakers that are surprisingly strong. 

How to charge BenQ projector?

To connect the power bank and the projector, you will need a cable that is both USB-C and USB-C. There is no provision for a car charger on the projector. With a power bank, you are able to play videos while also charging the projector at the same time.

What is a BenQ projector?

BenQ is one of the top companies that makes DLP projectors for business, education, home theatre, and entertainment. BenQ is a Taiwanese company that makes everything from small LED projectors for your pocket to bright projectors for K–12 and college classrooms, conference rooms, and auditoriums.