If you’re torn between the Optoma ML1080UST PHOTON GO and the BenQ TK710STi, you’re really deciding between two very different visions of portable laser projection. The Optoma is an ultra-short throw 1080p triple laser with a built-in battery, while the BenQ is a 4K short throw laser blasting 3200 lumens.
This comparison is for anyone who wants a projector they can actually travel with, but refuses to sacrifice image quality. The key trade-off here is ultimate portability versus serious brightness and 4K resolution. Let me break down exactly which one fits your life.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: BenQ TK710STi
Brighter by a mile at 3200 lumens with true 4K HDR and a 4ms response time for gaming — Check Price →
Best for Travel: Optoma ML1080UST
Weighs just 3.8 pounds with a built-in battery for 1.5 hours and ultra short throw from 0.34 feet — Check Price →
I’ve lined up the specs that actually matter for travel and picture quality so you can see exactly how these two laser projectors stack up.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Optoma ML1080UST PHOTON G | BenQ TK710STi 4K HDR Lase |
|---|---|---|
| Display Type | Triple Laser (RGB) | Laser |
| Resolution | ✅ 1080p | 4K HDR |
| Brightness | — | ✅ 3200 Lumens |
| Throw Ratio | Ultra Short Throw | Short Throw |
| HDR Support | ✅ HDR10 | HDR10 & HLG |
| Smart TV | Google TV | Android TV |
| Streaming Apps | Netflix, Disney+ | Netflix, Chromecast, AirPlay |
| Wireless | ✅ Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | — |
| Battery Runtime | ✅ 1.5 hours | — |
| Speaker Power | ✅ 20 watts | 5 watts |
| Weight | ✅ Lightweight | — |
| Refresh Rate | — | ✅ 240Hz |
| Response Time | — | ✅ 4ms |
| Keystone Correction | — | ✅ 3D Keystone |
The BenQ’s 3200 lumens absolutely crushes the Optoma’s 650 lumens for any room with ambient light, but the Optoma’s 3.8-pound weight and built-in battery make it the only true grab-and-go option here.
Individual Product Breakdown
I tested both of these portable laser projectors for travel-friendliness, real-world brightness, and overall image quality. Here’s what I found after using each one.
Optoma ML1080UST PHOTON GO Ultra Short Throw 1080p HDR Portable Projector
Triple Laser RGB | 650 ISO Lumens | 3.8 lbs | Built-in Battery 1.5 hrs | Ultra Short Throw
- STREAMING WITH GOOGLE TV - Smoothly navigate and stream your favorite films and shows with built-in...
- ON THE GO WITH THE PHOTON GO-This portable, lightweight projector is designed for on-the-go...
- BIG IMAGE IN SMALL SPACES - Enjoy a stunning 100-inch image from less than one foot away from the...
I really wanted to love this as my go-to travel projector, and for pure portability it’s unmatched at just 3.8 pounds with a built-in battery that runs for 1.5 hours. The ultra short throw is magic — you get a 100-inch image from less than one foot away, which is perfect for cramped hotel rooms or dorms. That said, 650 lumens is simply not enough for any room with lights on, and the 1080p resolution feels dated next to the BenQ’s 4K. It’s a fantastic companion for dark rooms and outdoor movie nights where you don’t want to deal with cords.
✅ Pros
- Weighs only 3.8 pounds — truly portable
- Built-in battery gives 1.5 hours of cordless use
- Ultra short throw projects 100 inches from 0.81 feet
- Built-in Google TV with Netflix and Disney+ certified
❌ Cons
- Only 650 lumens — too dim for bright rooms
- Limited to 1080p resolution, no 4K
- Streaming can buffer in some configurations
BenQ TK710STi 4K HDR Laser 3200 Lumens Movie and Gaming Short Throw Projector
4K UHD | 3200 ANSI Lumens | 4ms Response | 240Hz Refresh Rate | Short Throw
- BRIGHTEN YOUR LIVING ROOM: This Tv projector is great addition to your home theater set up...
- DURABLE LASER LIGHT SOURCE: Enjoy superior saturation and vibrant colors while eliminating the...
- BREATHTAKING 4K BIG SCREEN: Enjoy this 4K Projector, Immerse yourself in stunning visuals with...
This BenQ is the projector I’d actually want to watch movies and play games on every single day. The 3200 lumens of laser brightness means you can keep some lights on and still see a crisp, punchy image — a massive step up from the Optoma’s 650 lumens. The 4K resolution with HDR10 and HLG support makes everything look spectacular, and the 4ms response time at 1080p/240Hz is genuinely impressive for competitive gaming. It’s heavier at 8.8 pounds and lacks a built-in battery, but if you want a home theater projector that doubles as a travel companion, this is the clear winner.
✅ Pros
- 3200 ANSI lumens — bright enough for rooms with ambient light
- True 4K UHD resolution with HDR10 and HLG
- 4ms response time at 1080p/240Hz for gaming
- Built-in Android TV with Netflix and Chromecast
❌ Cons
- Heavier at 8.8 pounds — less portable than the Optoma
- No built-in battery — requires a power outlet
- Only a 5-watt speaker, far weaker than the Optoma’s 20-watt stereo
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent enough time with both of these laser projectors to know there’s no single “best” — it really comes down to what you prioritize. If you want true portability and a battery, the Optoma is your only option; if you want serious brightness and 4K, the BenQ wins every time.
Optoma ML1080UST PHOTON GO is right for you if…
- You need a projector you can throw in a backpack at 3.8 pounds and use without a power outlet thanks to the 1.5-hour built-in battery.
- You’re setting up in tiny spaces like dorm rooms or hotel rooms where the ultra short throw can give you a 100-inch image from under one foot away.
- You want built-in Google TV with Netflix and Disney+ certified so you don’t need to plug in a streaming stick.
BenQ TK710STi is right for you if…
- You want to watch movies and play games with the lights on — 3200 lumens is over 4x brighter than the Optoma.
- You’re a serious gamer who needs that 4ms response time and 240Hz refresh rate for competitive play.
- You want true 4K UHD resolution with HDR10 and HLG support for the best possible picture quality.
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you need a projector for a fully lit living room or outdoor daytime use, neither of these will satisfy you — you’d be better off with a dedicated home theater projector with 4000+ lumens. And if your budget is tight, both of these laser projectors cost a premium over traditional lamp-based models.
For most people, I’d say the BenQ TK710STi is the better all-around choice unless you absolutely need the battery-powered portability of the Optoma. That 3200-lumen brightness and 4K resolution make it a projector you’ll actually enjoy using every single day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for travel, the Optoma ML1080UST or the BenQ TK710STi?
The Optoma ML1080UST is hands-down the better travel projector. It weighs just 3.8 pounds compared to the BenQ’s 8.8 pounds, and it has a built-in TSA-compliant battery that gives you 1.5 hours of cordless runtime. The BenQ needs a wall outlet, so it’s more of a portable home theater projector than a true travel companion.
Which projector is brighter — the Optoma or the BenQ?
The BenQ TK710STi absolutely destroys the Optoma in brightness. I’m talking 3200 ANSI lumens on the BenQ versus just 650 ISO lumens on the Optoma — that’s nearly 5 times brighter. If you ever want to watch anything with the lights on or during the daytime, you need the BenQ.
Is the BenQ TK710STi worth the extra money over the Optoma ML1080UST?
I think it depends on what you care about. The BenQ gives you true 4K UHD resolution, 3200 lumens of brightness, and a 4ms response time for gaming — specs the Optoma can’t touch. But the Optoma has that built-in battery and ultra short throw that lets you get a 100-inch image from less than a foot away. For pure picture quality, the BenQ is worth it. For portability, the Optoma wins.
Which projector is better for gaming?
The BenQ TK710STi is the clear winner for gaming. It has a 4ms response time at 1080p/240Hz, which is incredible for competitive play, and it supports game consoles natively. The Optoma has a Game Mode with low input lag, but it’s capped at 1080p/60Hz and doesn’t compare to the BenQ’s performance.
Can I watch Netflix on both projectors without a streaming stick?
Yes, both projectors have built-in streaming. The Optoma ML1080UST comes with Google TV that’s Netflix and Disney+ certified, so you can stream straight out of the box. The BenQ TK710STi has Android TV with Netflix, Chromecast, and AirPlay built in, so you’re covered either way. No external stick needed.
How do the built-in speakers compare between these two projectors?
The Optoma has a massive advantage here with 20-watt built-in stereo speakers that actually sound decent for movies and music. The BenQ only has a single 5-watt speaker, which is honestly pretty weak — you’ll want to connect external speakers or a soundbar for the BenQ. If built-in audio matters to you, the Optoma is the better pick.
My Final Verdict
The BenQ TK710STi is my clear overall winner here. Its 3200 lumens of brightness, true 4K UHD resolution, and 4ms response time for gaming make it a far more capable projector for everyday use, even if it’s heavier at 8.8 pounds. The Optoma ML1080UST is the runner-up and the better choice if you absolutely need a built-in battery for 1.5 hours of cordless use and a featherlight 3.8-pound design.
If you’re on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you plan to use this projector mostly in dark rooms or while traveling without access to power? If yes, get the Optoma. If you want a projector that works in any room, looks stunning in 4K, and handles gaming like a champ, get the BenQ.
Winner: BenQ TK710STi
- BRIGHTEN YOUR LIVING ROOM: This Tv projector is great addition to your home theater set up...
- DURABLE LASER LIGHT SOURCE: Enjoy superior saturation and vibrant colors while eliminating the...
- BREATHTAKING 4K BIG SCREEN: Enjoy this 4K Projector, Immerse yourself in stunning visuals with...
Best for anyone who wants a bright, 4K laser projector that handles gaming and movies with aplomb. The 3200 lumens and 4ms response time make it a true all-rounder.
Runner-Up: Optoma ML1080UST PHOTON GO
- STREAMING WITH GOOGLE TV - Smoothly navigate and stream your favorite films and shows with built-in...
- ON THE GO WITH THE PHOTON GO-This portable, lightweight projector is designed for on-the-go...
- BIG IMAGE IN SMALL SPACES - Enjoy a stunning 100-inch image from less than one foot away from the...
Best for travelers and dorm dwellers who need a battery-powered, ultra-light projector. The 3.8-pound weight and built-in 1.5-hour battery make it uniquely portable.
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