Home theater projectors · owner-verdict comparison

BenQ HT2050A vs Epson Home Cinema 5050UB: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the BenQ HT2050A: 90% of 86 owners recommend it, vs 75% of 77 for the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

BenQ HT2050A

90%of 86 owners recommend
90% recommend · 5% neutral · 5% don't
Owners praise
  • Crisp, sharp 1080p picture that impresses even at 120"+
  • Best-value projector under $1,000; beats pricier units
  • Excellent color accuracy, contrast and black levels
Full owner report →

Epson Home Cinema 5050UB

75%of 77 owners recommend
75% recommend · 17% neutral · 8% don't
Owners praise
  • Great picture with bright colors, deep blacks
  • Best all-rounder value at the price
Owners complain about
  • Fan noise gets loud on high mode
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the BenQ HT2050A if
  • ✓Budget home-theater buyers wanting the best 1080p value
  • ✓Dark-room and dedicated-theater viewers
  • ✓Gamers needing low input lag on a big screen
  • ✓Owners projecting large 100-160 inch images
Skip it if
  • Buyers who want true 4K resolution
  • People sensitive to DLP rainbow effect
Get the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB if
  • ✓Dedicated home theater rooms wanting a strong all-rounder
  • ✓Viewers who like to tweak and dial in HDR
  • ✓Buyers wanting bright colors and deep blacks at its price
  • ✓Those unwilling to pay far more for marginal gains elsewhere
Skip it if
  • Anyone sensitive to fan noise on the high lamp setting
  • Purists who won't accept 1080-shift instead of native 4K

What BenQ HT2050A owners say

“3D on a (bright) projector is unlike anything else.”
— @chrisrask400 on YouTube
“it's probably my favourite thing I've ever bought. Basic and cheap, and I'm still in love with it.”
— @fanboydee on YouTube
“The first projector I ever bought was a Benq ht2050a and it was also the first time I learned I was sensitive to the rainbow effect with DLP. Had to eat the restock fee and stuck with Epson ever since.”
— pendingperil on Reddit

What Epson Home Cinema 5050UB owners say

“It’s bright and colors are awesome. Highly recommended it”
— @ChicagoBears2121 on YouTube
“I've had the 5050 for a while and am in love with it”
— @tobiasfunke on YouTube
“5050UB owner here, got the vertical stripes a little over 3 years of ownership, a year or so after the warranty ended. Super disappointing, my first Epson lasted much longer with no issues.”
— PatrickNorton on Reddit

BenQ HT2050A vs Epson Home Cinema 5050UB: frequently asked questions

Is the BenQ HT2050A or the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB better?

Real owners lean toward the BenQ HT2050A: 90% of 86 owners recommend it, vs 75% of 77 for the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB.

Who should get the BenQ HT2050A?

Owners point the BenQ HT2050A at budget home-theater buyers wanting the best 1080p value, and dark-room and dedicated-theater viewers.

Who should get the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB?

Owners point the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB at dedicated home theater rooms wanting a strong all-rounder, and viewers who like to tweak and dial in HDR.