I didn’t think I needed a portable projector — until the BenQ GV50 dropped onto my desk. Compact, quirky, and packed with promise, it immediately gave off good vibes. After a few weeks of binge-watching movies, gaming marathons, and late-night ceiling projections, here’s the bottom line: the GV50 makes everyday moments a lot more fun, but it’s not without its flaws.
First Impressions: Small Body, Big Personality
Out of the box, the GV50 feels different from your usual projectors. It’s light (around 2.1kg), super easy to carry, and has a cute retro-modern look. It doesn’t scream “tech toy” — it just looks like it belongs whether it’s in your bedroom, living room, or packed for a weekend getaway.
Setting it up was a dream. Google TV integration means you’re logged into your streaming services and watching something within 10 minutes. No messy menus, no complicated tutorials. Just plug, play, and chill.
Visual Performance: Big Screen Magic
Now onto the good stuff — the image quality is genuinely impressive.
This little guy throws up a bright, colorful 1080p picture that stays sharp even when you stretch it up to around 100 inches. Whether I pointed it at a blank wall, the ceiling, or even a random white bedsheet, it handled it like a champ. Colors stayed vivid, and dark scenes didn’t wash out the way cheaper projectors often do.
The adjustable stand and auto-keystone correction help you point and project fast — and for the most part, they work well. A few manual tweaks might still be needed if you’re picky about sharpness (especially if you’re projecting from weird angles), but nothing deal-breaking.
Gaming Test: Better Than Expected
I fired up my Xbox Series S expecting lag — and while serious gamers might still notice a slight delay, for casual couch gaming? The GV50 totally holds up. Titles like Alan Wake 2 looked beautiful, and even fast action sequences didn’t trip up the image quality.
Would I use it for esports tournaments? Probably not. But for relaxed single-player gaming or party games? It’s awesome.
Where It Stumbles: Battery Life and App Speed
The biggest buzzkill? Battery life.
BenQ claims around 2 hours, but I barely got through a full movie before needing to plug it back in. Not ideal for outdoor nights unless you have a portable charger handy.
Another small gripe: even though Google TV is a major plus, the GV50’s processor feels sluggish. App loading times can be annoyingly slow, and jumping between Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video sometimes made me nostalgic for my ancient PS3. It’s not a dealbreaker — but it’s noticeable.
Sound Quality: Surprisingly Solid
The GV50’s built-in speakers aren’t just an afterthought. Once you crank up the volume, it pumps out rich, clear sound with enough bass to fill a medium-sized room.
At lower volumes, it sounds a bit muffled — but once you hit the sweet spot, it’s good enough that you don’t need external speakers unless you’re throwing a big party.
Final Verdict: Who’s It For?
If you want a no-fuss, portable projector for cozy movie nights, casual gaming, or even ceiling stargazing sessions, the GV50 is a fantastic pick.
It’s not the cheapest, and it’s not the fastest. But it’s stylish, easy to use, and delivers a movie theatre experience almost anywhere you want.
If you can live with bringing along a charger and having a little patience with app loading, you’re going to love it. I ended up keeping mine — and I don’t regret it for a second.
