LG CineBeam PU700R: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-18
Summary
The PU700R’s weak spot is its automatic setup: autofocus and Auto Screen Adjustment were called unreliable by three of four hands-on reviewers, and there is no focus button on the projector or the remote [5][2]. Ownership itself is cheap — the sealed RGB LED source is rated up to 30,000 hours with no lamp and no dust filter to buy, so yearly running cost is essentially cleaning plus optional extras [3][6]. At the $1,598 ProjectorCentral street price (September 2026) it is a defensible buy if ceiling or awkward-room placement is the point; above $1,700 it is hard to justify [7][4].
Common problems and fixes
- Rainbow artifacts — seen more often, more obviously and in more test scenes than is typical for current-generation projectors [4]. No workaround reported; a failing light engine would be a warranty matter inside the first year.
- Soft corners and uneven focus — the image can be razor sharp center-screen but goes soft well before the corners [3]. No fix reported.
- No Netflix, HBO Max or Hulu, and sluggish webOS — the app store is missing the three big streaming apps and navigation is slow with inconsistent motion smoothing [5][2]. Fix: an inexpensive streaming stick, which one review prices at $19.99–$149 up to Apple TV 4K, and turn TruMotion off [3].
Parts and consumables
No replaceable parts or consumables reported. The RGB LED light engine is sealed against particles and rated up to 30,000 hours, so there is no lamp and no dust filter on a replacement schedule, and no LG parts catalogue, service manual or third-party teardown exists for this model [3][6]. Upkeep is cleaning the lens and case; LG’s support pages carry manuals, warranty and a repair entry point per sales suffix [10].
Yearly running cost
Almost nothing. There is no lamp, no filter and no subscription; the sealed LED source is rated up to 30,000 hours, so a typical owner spends $0 a year on consumables [3][6]. The real costs are optional one-time extras: an HDMI streaming stick for the missing apps at $19.99–$149 up to Apple TV 4K, and a Bluetooth speaker or soundbar if the built-in audio is not enough [3]. Electricity is modest — the external adapter draws 140 W with under 0.5 W standby [9] — but no source computes an annual kilowatt-hour or dollar figure for this model, so that part is Not enough data.
When it is a good buy
- Launch (May 2023): $1,699.99 direct from LG.com; CNN Underscored listed $1,697 at B&H and $1,700 at LG at launch [1][5].
- PCMag and ProjectorCentral quote an MSRP of $1,499.99 [4][7].
- ProjectorCentral’s dealer-linked street price was $1,598 in September 2026 [7]; ProjectorScreen.com lists $1,699.99 [11]; Simple Home Cinema’s May 2025 table still has it at $1,699 [8].
- At roughly $1,500–$1,600 it is a defensible buy if ceiling or highly flexible placement is what you need; below $1,200–$1,300 it is good value given the measured brightness and the maintenance-free light source; above $1,700 it is hard to justify unless the design is the point [4][6].
- BenQ GP500 at the same $1,699 (Simple Home Cinema, May 2025): the better choice if picture and audio per dollar matter — PCMag keeps the brighter GP500 as his category pick on image and audio [8][4].
- Samsung Freestyle at $699 (Simple Home Cinema, May 2025): the better choice as a cheap lifestyle projector for casual use [8].