Portable vs. Gaming Projectors: Finding Your Perfect Match

When it comes to transforming your living space into an immersive entertainment hub, projectors offer a compelling alternative to traditional TVs. Two standout options – the ASUS ZenBeam L2 Smart Portable LED Projector and the BenQ TH685P 1080p HDR Gaming Projector – represent distinctly different approaches to projection technology. Released in 2022 and 2021 respectively, these projectors exemplify the evolution of two specialized categories: portable lifestyle projectors and dedicated gaming machines.

But which one deserves your hard-earned money? Let's explore these projectors in depth, breaking down their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases to help you make an informed decision.

The Evolving World of Projectors

Projectors have undergone remarkable transformations in recent years. Traditional bulky projectors with fragile, expensive lamps have given way to more specialized designs targeting specific user needs. This shift has created distinct categories that prioritize different aspects of performance.

The ASUS ZenBeam L2 exemplifies the modern portable projector – compact, battery-powered, and featuring smart capabilities that eliminate the need for additional devices. Meanwhile, the BenQ TH685P represents the specialized gaming projector category, where input lag (the delay between sending a signal and seeing it displayed) and refresh rates take precedence over portability.

When evaluating projectors today, we need to consider more than just resolution and brightness. Key factors include:

• Light source technology: Traditional lamps versus modern LED or laser systems
• Smart features: Built-in streaming capabilities versus requiring external devices
• Auto-adjustment technologies: Features that simplify setup and placement
• Input lag and refresh rate: Critical measurements for gaming performance
• Portability and installation flexibility: How and where you can use the projector

Let's examine how our contestants stack up against these critical factors.

Deep Dive: Design Philosophy and Hardware

ASUS ZenBeam L2: Portable Entertainment Companion

The ASUS ZenBeam L2 was designed with versatility and convenience at its core. Released in mid-2022, it exemplifies the latest generation of portable projectors that aim to be complete entertainment systems rather than just display devices.

Physically, the ZenBeam L2 embraces a compact cube-like design measuring just 132 × 172 × 132 mm and weighing a mere 1.57 kg. This makes it approximately the size of a lunch box – easily transportable in a backpack or small bag. Its aesthetic is clean and modern, with a fabric covering that helps it blend into home décor rather than screaming "tech device."

Inside, the ZenBeam L2 utilizes an LED light source rated for a remarkable 30,000 hours of use. This represents a significant evolution from traditional lamp-based projectors. To put this in perspective, you could use this projector for 4 hours every day for over 20 years before the light source would need replacement. This LED technology also enables instant on/off functionality without the warm-up or cool-down periods required by traditional lamp projectors.

Perhaps the most innovative hardware feature is the built-in 65Wh battery, providing up to 3.5 hours of playback without a power connection. This is sufficient for most movies and binge-watching sessions, making it truly portable in a way most projectors simply aren't.

BenQ TH685P: Gaming-First Performance Machine

The BenQ TH685P, released in late 2021, takes a dramatically different approach. It's designed for performance above all else, targeting gamers who demand responsive, bright projection for competitive play.

With dimensions of 12.28" × 4.33" × 8.86" and weighing 6.2 lbs, the TH685P is substantially larger than the ZenBeam L2. The design is functional rather than stylish, with cooling vents and controls positioned for practicality in a permanent or semi-permanent installation.

Under the hood, the TH685P uses a traditional UHP (Ultra High Performance) lamp rated for up to 15,000 hours in its most economical mode – half the lifespan of the ZenBeam's LED source. This lamp-based approach allows for significantly higher brightness output but comes with trade-offs in heat production, power consumption, and potential for lamp replacement costs down the line.

Where the TH685P truly shines is in its specialized gaming hardware. The internal processing is optimized for minimal input lag, achieving an impressive 8.3ms at 1080p/120Hz. To understand why this matters: human perception can detect delays as low as 13ms, so the TH685P effectively eliminates perceivable lag between controller input and on-screen action – crucial for competitive gaming.

Image Quality and Performance

Brightness and Ambient Light Handling

One of the most dramatic differences between these projectors is their brightness output:

• BenQ TH685P: 3500 ANSI lumens
• ASUS ZenBeam L2: 400 ANSI lumens (960 LED lumens)

This nearly 9-fold difference in ANSI lumens (the standardized measurement of projector brightness) represents a fundamental distinction in how these projectors can be used.

The BenQ TH685P produces enough light to maintain a vibrant image even with some ambient light present. In practical terms, this means you can use it in a living room during the day with curtains drawn, or with some lights on for social gaming sessions. The image will remain vibrant and colorful.

Conversely, the ASUS ZenBeam L2 requires much more controlled lighting conditions. While its 400 ANSI lumens is impressive for a battery-powered portable projector, it's best used in dimmed rooms or after sunset to achieve optimal image quality. ASUS quotes a figure of 960 "LED lumens," but it's important to understand that LED lumens is a manufacturer-specific measurement that typically yields higher numbers than the standardized ANSI lumen measurement.

Resolution and Image Processing

Both projectors offer native 1920×1080 (Full HD) resolution, which remains the sweet spot for balancing detail and performance. While 4K projectors exist, they typically command significantly higher prices.

The image processing capabilities reveal interesting differences:

• ZenBeam L2:
• TH685P:

The contrast ratio difference is particularly striking – the TH685P's 10,000:1 ratio versus the ZenBeam's 400:1. Contrast ratio measures the difference between the brightest whites and darkest blacks a projector can produce. Higher contrast creates more depth, detail, and visual impact, especially in dark scenes. This makes the BenQ significantly better for content with dark scenes like horror movies or games with shadowy environments.

Color representation is more nuanced. The ZenBeam L2 offers wider color gamut coverage, but the TH685P's 95% Rec.709 coverage is specifically calibrated for accurate video reproduction. For most users, both will provide pleasing color, though the ZenBeam might produce slightly more vibrant (if less accurate) colors.

Gaming Performance

If gaming is your priority, the differences become even more pronounced:

• BenQ TH685P:
• ASUS ZenBeam L2:

The BenQ's performance here is exceptional – professional esports monitors typically aim for input lag under 5ms, so the TH685P's 8.3ms puts it remarkably close to dedicated gaming monitor territory. For context, most TVs have input lag between 15-30ms, and standard projectors often exceed 50ms.

The 120Hz refresh rate support means the BenQ can display up to 120 frames per second, creating smoother motion and more responsive gameplay compared to the standard 60Hz of the ZenBeam. This difference is particularly noticeable in fast-paced games like first-person shooters or racing games.

Usability and Feature Set

Portability and Setup Experience

The ASUS ZenBeam L2 excels in ease of use, incorporating several technologies that automate the setup process:

• Auto focus: Internal sensors detect screen distance and adjust focus automatically
• Auto keystone correction: Straightens the image when the projector isn't perfectly perpendicular to the screen
• Obstacle avoidance: Detects objects in the projection path and adjusts to avoid them
• Battery power: No need to find an outlet for short viewing sessions

Setting up the ZenBeam typically takes less than a minute – place it down, power it on, and the projector handles the rest. This "point and play" capability represents a major advance over traditional projectors that require manual adjustment.

The BenQ TH685P offers a more traditional setup experience, with manual zoom, focus, and keystone adjustment. While this requires more effort initially, it provides greater precision for permanent installations. Its 1.3x zoom lens and throw ratio of 1.13:1 to 1.46:1 give more flexibility in terms of placement distance relative to screen size.

For context, the ZenBeam L2 has a fixed throw ratio of 1.2:1, meaning to project a 100-inch image, it needs to be positioned about 2.7 meters from the screen. The BenQ can achieve the same 100-inch image from between 2.5 to 3.2 meters away thanks to its zoom capability.

Smart Features and Connectivity

Modern projectors increasingly incorporate smart features, eliminating the need for external streaming devices:

• ZenBeam L2:
• TH685P:

The ZenBeam's included Android TV functionality represents significant added value, saving the cost of a separate streaming device. The Light Wall feature also deserves mention – it allows the projector to function as ambient lighting when not being used for video content, displaying animated scenes like a fireplace or ocean waves.

The BenQ takes a more specialized approach by focusing on connectivity rather than built-in smarts. Its dual HDMI inputs allow for connecting multiple devices simultaneously (like a gaming console and a streaming device), while the VGA input supports older computers or legacy devices.

Audio Performance

Sound quality often gets overlooked in projector reviews, but it's a crucial aspect of the viewing experience:

• ASUS ZenBeam L2: 10W Harman Kardon speaker with Smart Amp technology
• BenQ TH685P: 5W mono speaker with Game Sound Mode

The difference here is substantial. The ZenBeam's Harman Kardon speaker delivers richer, fuller sound with better bass response and clarity. It's capable of filling a small to medium-sized room with decent audio quality that's perfectly adequate for casual viewing.

The BenQ's 5W speaker is functional but limited, providing clear dialogue but lacking depth for music or cinematic sound effects. It includes a Game Sound Mode that emphasizes certain frequencies to make footsteps and action sounds more prominent – useful for competitive gaming but not ideal for movie watching.

For serious home theater use, both would benefit from external speakers or a soundbar, but the ZenBeam is significantly more capable as a standalone audio-visual device.

Long-Term Ownership Considerations

Maintenance and Longevity

The fundamental technology difference between these projectors – LED versus lamp – has significant implications for long-term ownership:

• ASUS ZenBeam L2:
• BenQ TH685P:

For someone using their projector 10 hours weekly, the BenQ's lamp might need replacement in 8-10 years (in eco mode), while the ASUS should continue functioning for 20+ years. This represents a hidden cost of ownership that favors the ASUS ZenBeam L2.

However, it's worth noting that LED brightness does gradually diminish over time. While the light source won't fail outright like a lamp, after many thousands of hours, the ZenBeam will become progressively dimmer – a particular concern given its already modest brightness.

Technology Advancements Since Release

Since these projectors were released in 2021-2022, the technology landscape has evolved somewhat:

For portable projectors like the ZenBeam L2, we've seen incremental improvements in brightness efficiency and battery capacity in newer models from competitors. However, the ZenBeam L2 remains competitive in its category with its combination of features and performance.

In the gaming projector space occupied by the TH685P, the most significant development has been the increasing availability of 4K gaming projectors with low input lag, though typically at substantially higher price points. The TH685P remains one of the most responsive 1080p gaming projectors on the market.

Value Assessment and Recommendations

Price-to-Performance Analysis

The ASUS ZenBeam L2 and BenQ TH685P target different users with different priorities, making direct value comparisons challenging. Instead, let's evaluate them based on how well they serve their intended purposes:

For the ASUS ZenBeam L2, you're paying a premium for portability, battery power, and convenience features. Its value proposition centers on flexibility of use rather than raw performance metrics. If you'll take advantage of its portability – using it in different rooms, taking it to friends' houses, or enjoying outdoor movie nights – the value is excellent. If it will remain stationary, you might be overpaying for features you won't use.

The BenQ TH685P delivers exceptional value for gamers, offering response times approaching dedicated gaming monitors but with image sizes no monitor can match. Its high brightness also makes it versatile for different lighting conditions. However, if gaming isn't your priority, you're paying for specialized features that won't benefit your viewing experience.

How to Decide: Finding Your Perfect Match

Choose the ASUS ZenBeam L2 if:

• You value the freedom to use your projector anywhere without power constraints
• You'll primarily watch in fully darkened rooms
• You prefer a hassle-free setup experience with automatic adjustments
• You want built-in streaming capabilities without additional devices
• Built-in audio quality is important for standalone use
• You move between different viewing locations frequently
• Long-term maintenance costs are a concern

Choose the BenQ TH685P if:

• Gaming performance is a priority (especially competitive gaming)
• You need to use the projector in rooms with some ambient light
• You want to project larger images (beyond 120")
• You're setting up a dedicated home theater space
• You already own streaming devices or game consoles
• You plan to connect external speakers
• You value image contrast and brightness over portability

For home theater enthusiasts specifically, the decision largely hinges on your viewing environment and content preferences. The BenQ TH685P's superior brightness and contrast make it better for dedicated home theater spaces, especially if ambient light control is imperfect. The ASUS ZenBeam L2 can certainly serve as a home theater projector in properly darkened rooms, but its strengths lie elsewhere.

Final Thoughts

The ASUS ZenBeam L2 and BenQ TH685P represent two different philosophies in projection technology. Neither is objectively "better" – they simply prioritize different aspects of the viewing experience.

The ZenBeam L2 embraces the future of projectors as flexible, all-in-one entertainment devices that can transform any space into a temporary theater. Its battery power and auto-adjustment features eliminate traditional projector pain points, making projection technology accessible to casual users.

The TH685P holds to a more specialized vision, focusing on optimizing the core projection experience for gamers with class-leading response times and brightness that ensures visibility in various conditions. It sacrifices convenience features to deliver performance where it matters most for its target audience.

Your ideal choice depends entirely on how you plan to use your projector. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each approach, you can select the projector that will best transform your viewing experience for years to come.

ASUS ZenBeam L2 Smart Portable LED Projector Deals and Prices

BenQ TH685P 1080p HDR Gaming Projector Deals and Prices