BenQ HT3550I vs Epson Home Cinema 3800
Prices updated hourly. Check retailer for current availability.
Choosing between the BenQ HT3550I and Epson Home Cinema 3800? Both compete in the Projector segment. Here’s how they compare across the specs that matter most for your home theater.
Pricing for both models is currently unavailable. Check the retailer links below for current deals.
Looking at overall performance dimensions: The BenQ HT3550I scores higher in form factor, room fit. The Epson Home Cinema 3800 leads in video quality, gaming performance. They score similarly in value, ease of use.
The Epson Home Cinema 3800 offers higher brightness at 3000 ANSI lumens vs 2000, and different projection technologies (DLP vs 3LCD). More lumens means a brighter image, critical if you can't fully darken your room. Below 2000 lumens needs a dedicated dark room; 3000+ handles ambient light. In a dedicated dark room, contrast ratio and color accuracy may matter more than raw brightness.
These two Projector options trade wins across different dimensions. The right choice depends on which specs matter most for your room and listening preferences — review the detailed table below to decide.
These two are closely matched — your decision comes down to your specific room setup and speaker pairing and budget.
Performance Overview
Scores based on specs and category benchmarks (0–100 scale)
BenQ HT3550I
Epson Home Cinema 3800
Detailed Specifications
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | N/A | N/A |
| Native Resolution | 4K | 4K |
| Technology | DLP | 3LCD |
| Throw Ratio Min | 1.13 | 1.32 |
| Throw Ratio Max | 1.47 | 2.15 |
| Lens Shift V | 0% | 60% |
| Lens Shift H | — | 24% |
| ANSI Lumens | 2000 | 3000 |
| CLO Lumens | — | 3000 |
| Contrast Ratio | 30000:1 | 100000:1 |
| HDR Support | HLG | HDR10, HLG |
| Input Lag | 83.34ms | 20.6ms |
| Lamp Life | 15000hrs | 3500hrs |
| Light Source | lamp | lamp |
| Lens Quality | — | — |
| Tone Mapping | — | — |
| Ultra Short Throw | No | No |
| Chip Size | — | 0.61" |
| Color Depth | 30bit | 10bit |
| Zoom Ratio | 1.3 | 1.62 |
| Zoom Type | manual | Manual |
| Focus Type | — | Manual |
| Noise (Normal) | 30dB | 35dB |
| Noise (Eco) | 28dB | 24dB |
| Power Draw | 330W | 406W |
| HDMI Inputs | 3 | 2 |
| HDMI Version | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| 3D Support | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| Speaker Power | 5W | 20W |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Streaming Apps | Yes | No |
| Lens Memory | No | No |
| 12V Trigger | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet | No | No |
| Frame Interpolation | No | No |
| Native Aspect | — | 16:9 |
Key Differences
- Lamp Life: BenQ HT3550I at 15000hrs vs Epson Home Cinema 3800 at 3500hrs
- Input Lag: BenQ HT3550I at 83.34ms vs Epson Home Cinema 3800 at 20.6ms. Sub-20ms is excellent for gaming. Above 40ms feels sluggish. Only matters for interactive content — film and TV don't benefit from low input lag.
- Technology: BenQ HT3550I at DLP vs Epson Home Cinema 3800 at 3LCD
- Speaker Power: BenQ HT3550I at 5W vs Epson Home Cinema 3800 at 20W
- Contrast Ratio: BenQ HT3550I at 30000:1 vs Epson Home Cinema 3800 at 100000:1
Which Should You Choose?
Choose BenQ HT3550I if you want:
- + better throw ratio min
- + better lamp life
- + better noise (normal)
- + better power draw
Choose Epson Home Cinema 3800 if you want:
- + better ansi lumens — more lumens means a brighter image, critical if you can't fully darken your room
- + better contrast ratio
- + better input lag — sub-20ms is excellent for gaming
- + better noise (eco)
See Where These Rank
Check our editorial rankings to see how BenQ HT3550I and Epson Home Cinema 3800 compare to the rest of the field.
Best Projector RankingsRelated Calculators
Specifications sourced from manufacturer datasheets and verified against retailer listings. Prices updated hourly from authorized retailers. Scoring uses our open methodology — products are never ranked, promoted, or suppressed based on affiliate commission rates.
Related Comparisons
CinemaConfig may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. See our affiliate disclosure.