Best short throw projectors: Top 10 Ultra Short Throw (UST) Projectors July 2023

The Best Short Throw and Ultra Short Throw Projectors for 2023

If you hear “throw” and the first thing you think of is a ballplayer, you probably don’t spend a lot of time with projectors. A projector’s throw—the distance between it and the screen—is one of its key features and an important way to categorize it. Throws, and the lenses that determine the throw, are classified as long, standard, short, or ultra short.

Differences in throw can give otherwise identical projectors very different capabilities. You want a big image in small room, but can’t position the projector you have far enough back to get one? Well, you need a projector with a shorter throw. You want to replace your TV with a projector, but don’t want to run cables through walls and ceilings to hide them? No problem. Get one with an ultra short throw, put it on top of the entertainment center where your TV’s sitting now, and mount the screen on the wall just above it.

In this guide, we’ll suggest our favorite short throw and ultra short throw (UST) picks for specific applications, choosing among models we’ve tested. Then, we’ll cover the key differences between these two categories, along with the factors you need to consider when choosing a short throw or UST projector.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 3-Chip 3LCD Smart Streaming Laser Projector

Best UST Projector/Smart TV (4K Equivalent)

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

The Epson LS800 is an excellent gaming or TV replacement projector thanks to good color accuracy, a rainbow-artifact-free image, and the shortest input lag we’ve seen in its class.

PROS

Bright laser-phosphor light source
Three-chip LCD design means no rainbow artifacts
Fully integrated Android TV
Short input lag for gaming
Good sound quality

CONS

No Ethernet port; streaming requires Wi-Fi
No 3D support

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Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 3-Chip 3LCD Smart Streaming Laser Projector Review

Hisense 100L5G-Cine100A

Best UST Projector/Smart TV With a Bundled Screen (4K DLP)

4. 0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

The Hisense 100L5G is effectively a 100-inch, 4K smart TV—complete with a TV tuner and Android TV support—that uses an ultra short throw projector as its display source. It delivers a high-quality picture and comes bundled with a 100-inch screen.

PROS

4K (3,840-by-2,160) resolution using TI’s XPR fast-switch pixel shifting
Good color accuracy, contrast, and shadow detail
100-inch ambient light rejection screen included
Integrated Android TV and built-in TV tuner
Laser-phosphor light source, rated at 2,700 ANSI lumens

CONS

No 3D support
Fixed focus means you can’t upgrade to a larger screen

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Hisense 100L5G-Cine100A Review

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projection TV

Best Mainstream UST Projector/Smart TV, Free of Rainbow Artifacts (4K Equivalent)

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

Epson’s LCD-based EpiqVision Ultra LS500 is available with or without a screen, and costs more than some DLP-based projectors. But it offers good color accuracy, high brightness, and an image free of rainbow artifacts.

PROS

Laser-phosphor light source rated at 4,000 ANSI lumens
Epson’s Pro-UHD matches the ability to resolve detail of true 4K resolution
Price includes 100-inch ambient light rejection (ALR) screen
Three-chip LCD design means no rainbow artifacts
Android TV dongle includes Netflix app

CONS

More costly than DLP-based competitors
Android TV not fully integrated
Dongle supports Wi-Fi connection only

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Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 4K Pro-UHD Laser Projection TV Review

Hisense PX1-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema

Best Mainstream UST Projector/Smart TV, for Widest Color Gamut (4K DLP)

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

Complete with a TV tuner and integrated Android TV, the 4K Hisense PX1-PRO projector delivers rich, accurate color and sharp focus. It’s suitable for screens as large as 130 inches.

PROS

4K (3,840-by-2,160) resolution using TI’s XPR fast-switch pixel shifting
Wider color gamut than most projectors
Bright; rated at 2,200 ANSI lumens
Good color accuracy
Delivered sharp focus at 100 inches in our tests
Integrated Android TV 10 and built-in TV tuner

CONS

No 3D support
No Netflix app in included Android TV

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Hisense PX1-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema Review

Optoma GT1080HDR

Best Short Throw Projector for Gaming (1080p DLP)

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

Designed for gaming and movie-watching in ambient light, Optoma’s GT1080HDR delivers low lag time, solid color accuracy, and sharp contrast for the money. Plus, its short-throw lens optimizes rooms where space is tight.

PROS

Short-throw lens delivers a big image from close to the screen
Supports HDR
Supports full-HD 3D
Good contrast for the price
Fast lag time for gaming

CONS

No support for HLG, the emerging HDR standard for broadcast TV
Remote often jumps two menu spots with one button-press
No carry case

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Optoma GT1080HDR Review

BenQ TH690ST

A Solid Alternative to the Optoma GT1080HDR

3. 5 Good

Bottom Line:

With minimal input lag and good color accuracy, the BenQ TH690ST is a significant step up from entry level, making it an acceptable short-throw projector for watching movies and gaming.

PROS

Good color accuracy and shadow detail
Short throw with 1.2x zoom
Short input lag times
1,920-by-1,080-pixel native resolution

CONS

Low brightness for a gaming projector
Potentially distracting rainbow artifacts

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BenQ TH690ST Review

BenQ HT2150ST

Best Short Throw Projector for Home Theater (1080p DLP)

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

BenQ’s HT2150ST does swimmingly for both gaming and home theater. Its minimal lag gives gamers an important reaction-time edge, while solid color accuracy, contrast, and black levels excel for viewing in a dark room.

PROS

Good color accuracy and contrast for the price
Short-throw lens delivers big image from close to the screen
Low input lag means fast reaction time for gamers

CONS

Maximum input resolution is limited to the native 1080p (1,920 by 1,080)
No support for HDR

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BenQ HT2150ST Review

AAXA P400 Short Throw Mini Projector

Best Short Throw Mini Projector for Business Travelers (1080p LCoS)

3. 5 Good

Bottom Line:

A highly portable palmtop projector, the AAXA P400 offers 1080p native resolution, a short throw, and a built-in battery. It’s solid for on-the-go presentations, and perhaps light home use.

PROS

1080p (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) native resolution
Short-throw design projects a big image from close to the screen
Built-in battery rated at two hours per charge in Eco mode
Highly portable and lightweight
Holds shadow detail well in dark scenes

CONS

Low brightness
Slight green bias, most noticeable in photorealistic images
Limited settings to adjust
No 3D support
Prone to rainbow artifacts in film and video

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AAXA P400 Short Throw Mini Projector Review

Buying Guide: The Best Short Throw and Ultra Short Throw Projectors for 2023

If you’re considering buying a projector with a shorter-than-standard throw distance, it helps to understand the categories of short throw and UST in the context of all four throw ranges on the market.

What’s deemed a standard throw is what you’ll find on most projectors. Long throw lenses and short throw lenses are harder to manufacture well enough to project a high-quality image, which makes them, and the projectors that use them, more expensive. But if you have to put the projector far away from the screen—as in, say, a movie theater—you need a long throw lens to get a small enough image to fit the screen. And if you want a large image in a small room, you need a short throw lens to make the image big enough.

Ultra short throw (UST) lensing systems (which usually mix a mirror in with the optical elements) are even more expensive than short throw lenses. But if you want a projector to use as a 100-inch-or-larger TV at home, and you don’t want to deal with mounting it on the ceiling or running cables through walls, a UST is what you want.

(Credit: Epson)

Note that UST models can also be useful in business and education. Mount a UST projector just above a screen, and you can get close enough to the image to point to text or graphics you want to draw attention to without casting a shadow, much as you would with a whiteboard. There are even interactive UST projectors that add sensors, so you can draw on the image and give commands the same way TV networks use displays on election nights to show information. (None of these business and education models is included in this roundup, however.)

How Do I Choose Between a Short Throw and an Ultra Short Throw?

Both short throws and USTs are good choices for a room that’s too small to let you put a standard throw projector far enough away from the screen to give you the size of image you want. Either can help avoid the problem of people standing up and casting shadows on the screen in situations where a standard throw projector can’t be positioned to avoid that—a common issue, for example, in rooms with low ceilings or for ad hoc setups for gaming. But to choose between them, it helps to know a little about their different designs.

It’s hard to tell a short throw model from a standard throw model without seeing the lens (or even with seeing the lens, if you don’t what a short throw lens looks like). In fact, some standard throw and short throw models from the same manufacturer are literally the same projector with different lenses. You can usually spot these near-twins, because they typically have almost the same model name—except that one includes “ST” in the name and the other doesn’t. The only other difference is that the short throw version will cost more, because of the more expensive lens.

(Credit: Hisense)

In contrast, most UST models are easy to spot. The vast majority are designed with the lensing system at what you would probably think of as the back of the projector, meaning the side facing away from the screen, but which manufacturers insist on calling the front. (That’s because projector makers define the front by where the lens is.) In most designs, the optics are fully contained inside the box, and there’s a depressed area on the top surface near that side containing a glass window that the image shines through to go directly to the screen. Other designs have a raised lens on that side pointing to the screen, or a mirror, so the image will bounce off the mirror before going to the screen.

Some projectors, with lenses on the side facing the screen, are listed by their manufacturers as UST models, but are—at best—on the borderline between short throw and UST. (We’ll come back to this issue in the next section.) However, those projectors give up one of the big advantages of putting the lens on the other side, namely: If the image emerges from the side farthest from the screen, the projector itself is closer to the screen, with nearly the entire depth of the projector sitting between the lens and the screen. So while a UST lens lets the projector sit closer to the screen than a short throw lens, the most common UST designs put it closer still. And the less distance you want between the projector and the screen—whether simply to save space or to avoid the need for running cables over or through walls, ceilings, and floors—the more likely you want a UST model with the more UST-typical lens placement.

How Do I Tell What a Projector’s Actual Throw Is?

Unfortunately, the projector industry posits no firm definitions for each level of throw—or at least no universally accepted ones—which means manufacturers’ marketing departments are free to draw the line between categories wherever they like. But there is a standard spec, called throw ratio, that can help, and some rules of thumb for which throw ratios fall in which category.

Throw ratio is the ratio between the distance to the screen and the width of the image. So, for example, if the lens needs to be 100 inches from the screen for a 100-inch-wide image (the approximate width of a 115-inch-diagonal 16:9 screen), the throw ratio would be 1.0. (That might shown as “1.0:1” in some spec sheets, or just “1.0” in others.) Similarly, if the distance were 200 inches, the throw ratio would be 2.0 (200/100), and for a 50-inch distance, it would be 0.50 (50/100).

(Credit: Epson)

The range from 1. 0 to (but not including) 2.0 is a standard throw, by anyone’s definition. But while some peg a long throw at 2.0 and above, others draw the line at a higher number. Similarly, many manufacturers call anything below 1.0 a short throw, and anything below roughly 0.4 a UST, while others call anything below 0.5 a UST. Most of the current UST models we’ve tested—and all of the UST models mentioned here—offer throw ratios of 0.28 or less. Specs for the short throw models included here range from 0.49 to 0.7, but again, some manufacturers would call a projector with a 0.49 throw ratio a UST model.

Zoom lenses add a twist to all this. Because an optical zoom changes image size, projectors equipped with zoom lenses have a range of throw ratios. One projector we’ve tested (but not included here) has a range of 0.9 to 1.08, for example, barely qualifying as short throw at the low end of its range. However, the manufacturer calls it a short throw projector. Some manufacturers also list a range of throw ratios for digital zooms, but keep in mind that digital zooms that affect image size should be ignored, if at all possible. They can only shrink the image from the full size the lens allows, and they do so by using less of the imaging chip, which also lowers brightness and can add artifacts.

The moral here? You can use manufacturer claims for the throw category as a starting point, but you should also look at some numbers. At the very least, comparing the throw-ratio specs for two projectors will tell you which one has the shorter throw, which will let you put it closer to the screen for a given size image. Often, the manufacturer will have a chart in its marketing material showing the distance for common screen sizes, particularly for UST models. If not, the information should be in a user setup guide available for downloading from the company’s website.

If you can’t find the information, you can easily calculate how far the projector will be from the screen for a given image width if you know the throw ratio for the projector (Distance = Throw Ratio times Width). For UST projectors, keep in mind that you are calculating the distance to the lens, not to the projector body itself. To find the distance to the projector, you’ll also need to know the distance from the lens to the side of the projector closest to the screen.

What Are the Advantages of Short Throw Projectors Over Ultra Short Throw Projectors?

Short throw projectors are less expensive than equivalent UST projectors, which means that unless you have a compelling reason to pick a UST model instead, a short throw is usually the obvious choice. You can also find types of short throw projectors that are either not available in UST models yet (as with gaming projectors), or probably never will be, as with compact short throw projectors for road warriors. (See our separate guide to portable projectors.)

Still other types of projector are available in UST form but are rare—for example, portable projectors that are larger than mini projectors but small and light enough to bring with you if you need to, or at least carry easily from room to room or to the backyard for a movie night. Because short throw projectors sit farther from the screen than UST models, they’re also easier to position and focus, an important consideration for any application that requires repeated setup, even if you’re just moving the projector from a shelf to a conference room table.

What Are the Advantages of Ultra Short Throw Projectors Over Short Throw Projectors?

The two key advantages for UST models are both already mentioned above. They let you position the projector much closer to the image than short throw models can without casting shadows, and when used as TV replacements, they don’t demand any more effort to hide power and data cables than any other TV does.

Both of these characteristics are essential to the relatively new category of UST projectors that are specifically designed to replace TVs. Most of these models use lasers as their light source and include fully integrated smart TV features. Some include TV tuners, as well, and some manufacturers even tout them as “laser TVs” rather than projectors. All of the UST models included here are TV replacements.

Other Projector Specs: What Else to Pay Attention to With Short Throw and UST?

One spec, in addition to throw ratio, that you should check for short throw and UST models is the supported image size for the lens. All lenses have a maximum size image they can throw without distortion or other image-quality issues, and both the maximum and minimum are usually listed on the projector’s spec sheet.

With standard throw lenses, the maximum image size is typically larger you’d consider using with most of the projectors that we cover, given their brightness. But the shorter the throw, the less likely that is to be true. Projectors at the lower end of the short throw range, as well as ones in the UST range, can easily be bright enough to throw a bigger usable image than the lens can handle well, especially in a dark room. Manufacturers tend to be conservative on this front, so you can often get away with slightly larger images than the spec says, or see only a hint of a problem if you opt for a somewhat larger size. But don’t count on it.

(Credit: Epson)

Almost all other issues about the projectors themselves—from contrast and brightness, to imaging technology, to connection options, and more—are the same for short throw and UST models as for standard throw projectors. For much more detail on those aspects, check out our roundup of top projector picks.

The one other issue you’ll want to consider is the screen to pair the projector with. In particular, for UST projectors that you plan to use in rooms with ambient light, you’ll want an ambient light rejection (ALR) screen, and you’ll need one that’s designed for UST models, as discussed in our guide How to Choose the Right Screen for Your Projector.

So, What Is the Best Short Throw or Ultra Short Throw Projector to Buy?

The list of projectors we started with, and the spec breakout for them below, cover our picks for some of the best short throw and UST projectors available for some of the most common usage cases. For more tips about features to consider before buying, and also some additional top-pick projectors we’ve tested, see our screen and general-projector guides mentioned above, as well as our roundup of best home projectors, which includes some additional UST models.

The Best Short-Throw Projectors in 2023

Short-throw projectors are perfect for anyone looking to simplify their quest to make a home theater. Regular projectors aren’t exactly user-friendly, and mounting them on walls or ceilings can be annoying at best, and dangerous at worst. And what if it falls? Say goodbye to that thousand-dollar investment. Short-throw projectors don’t require any second guessing or finicky setups. Simply put them in front of a wall or projection screen and power them on to enjoy theater-quality images at home. But which device is right for you? Here’s a selection of the best short-throw projectors available right now.

— Best Overall: Optoma CinemaX P2 Smart 4K UHD Laser Projector
— Best Ultra HD: LG CineBeam HU915QE Ultra Short-Throw 4K UHD
— Best for Gaming: BenQ TK700STi 4K HDR Short-Throw Gaming Projector
— Best 4K: Hisense PX1 4K UHD Triple-Laser UST Ultra Short-Throw Projector
— Best Budget: JMGO 01 Ultra Short-Throw Projector

How We Picked the Best Short-Throw Projectors

Home projectors are having a bit of a moment right now, especially considering how many of the big media companies are making it easier to watch big movies from the comfort of your couch mere weeks after they are released in theaters. Standard projectors and portable projectors come in various sizes, and have to be placed a distance away from a projection screen, usually several feet away. Short-throw projectors are just that: a projector shoots its picture up and out in front of the device, so it’s far easier to operate. Here are a few different things we considered when picking out the best short-throw projectors.

Picture Quality: This is perhaps the most important thing to consider when buying a short-throw projector. Does the picture quality look great? It should not only look fantastic once you power it on but from multiple angles in any given room. Screen resolution varies, and can go anywhere from the low end of 1080p to 4K and even 8K. The bump in resolution shouldn’t diminish when opting for a larger screen size.

Screen Size Options: A standard projector’s screen size wholly depends on how far away you place a device from a screen. This works similarly with short-throw projectors, granted the distance is far shorter. Bigger is usually better when it comes to screens, but positioning, straightening, and focusing the image from a short-throw projector should be easy.

User-Friendliness: Could you see yourself replacing your main living room television with a short-throw projector? These devices cost thousands of dollars, so using them shouldn’t be more annoying than a good quality HD TV. If a short-throw projector has a good OS, it is all the better, especially if it plans to provide options for 4K and 8K content.

Brightness: Picture quality is paramount, but no amount of detail will be worth watching if the brightness in a short-throw projector is lacking. Plenty of the higher-end models work fantastically, even in rooms with plenty of light, but a projector should at the very least provide stellar picture quality in pitch-black rooms.

Best Short-Throw Projectors: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: Optoma CinemaX P2 Smart 4K UHD Laser Projector

Simply Cinematic. Optoma

Why It Made the Cut: Optomo CinemaX P2 has a built-in soundbar and some of the best picture quality on the market, along with an unbeatable price tag.

Specs:
— Dimensions: 15 inches L x 22.1 inches W x 5.1 inches H
— Weight: 24 pounds
— Max Brightness: 3,000 lumens
— Max Screen Size: 120 inches

Pros:
— Easy setup
— Compatible with smart home devices
— Premium sound bar out of the box

Cons:
— Less than ideal apps

Optoma CinemaX P2 hides some seriously great projection tech inside its sleek housing, which is why it’s our overall best pick. A cinematic experience is almost assured anytime you power it on, whether you’re watching a theatrical release or your favorite YouTube channel. The picture is projected in true 4K UHD resolution, with full HDR10 compatibility, thanks to pure glass optics and a laser light source. An integrated 40-watt soundbar provides detailed sound to match the picture, for the sort of immersive experience you’re looking for out of a home projector. It only needs to be placed mere inches from a wall or screen to tap into a massive screen, anywhere from 85 to 120 inches.

Like any great short-throw projector, setting it up requires no special training or knowledge, and the user interface lets you customize your picture settings in a flash. It’s even fully compatible with smart home devices like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so you can integrate voice commands as well. The downside is that the apps built into the Optoma are less than ideal, but that’s not anything a good streaming box or stick can’t fix. For the price, the Optoma CinemaX P2 is a fantastic value, costing hundreds of dollars less than many other short-throw projectors in its class.

Best Ultra HD: LG CineBeam HU915QE Ultra Short Throw 4K UHD

Premiere Worthy. Jaime Carrillo/Futurism

Why It Made the Cut: The LG CinemaBeam blends into just about any room, and provides a picture that isn’t just immersive, but unfathomably bright.

Specs:
— Dimensions: 12.4 inches L x 21 inches W x 6 inches H
— Weight: 26.4 pounds
— Max Brightness: 3,700 ANSI Lumens
— Max Screen Size: 120 inches

Pros:
— Cinematic quality picture
— Gorgeous aesthetics
— Incredibly user-friendly

Cons:
— Massive price tag

If you’re going for broke with your home theater, the top-of-the-line LG CineBeam Ultra Short-Throw Projector is the one to splurge on. While many short-throw projectors look expensive, LG CineBeam looks more pricey than most, but its gorgeous aesthetics aren’t dolling up lackluster tech. This short-throw projector is powerful and bright. Go on, operate LG CineBeam during the day. The picture will come in with a fantastic level of clarity that truly has to be seen to be believed. Once the lights are off, the experience is as immersive as watching a movie in a theater, without the pricey popcorn. Even the 40-watt sound is optimized for immersion, so you don’t need to splurge any further on a soundbar.

It’s ready to stream right out of the box and sets up in minutes. Point it at the nearest wall, fire up a theatrical release, and soak in the Hollywood magic. The magic remote makes picture adjustments quick and easy, but you can even control the device using Apple Airplay. The only obvious flaw is that this thing is incredibly expensive. Granted, paired with a projection screen it could easily replace your main living room television. For more information, check out our full LG CineBeam review here.

Best for Gaming: BenQ TK700STi 4K HDR Short-Throw Gaming Projector

Game On. Jaime Carrillo/Futurism

Why It Made the Cut: For live sports and hardcore gaming, BenQ 4K Short-Throw Gaming Projector stays one step ahead of the action.

Specs:
— Dimensions: 13 inches L x 18 inches W x 7 inches H
— Weight: 6. 83 pounds
— Max Brightness: 3,000 Lumens
— Max Screen Size: 150 inches

Pros:
— Ultra-low latency
— Streaming-ready
— Big, bright picture

Cons:
— Required distance longer than average

Is the BenQ TK700STi 4K truly a short-throw projector? It calls itself one, but “short” in this case is extremely relative. Still, it’s a very impressive projector. It’s made with gaming in mind and has the refresh rates to keep up with modern hardcore gaming on Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo systems. Even gritty titles that are heavy on dark, shadowy areas, will come in crisp, clear, and maybe even give you an extra edge because of it. It’s also incredibly bright and will provide perfectly serviceable pictures in dimly lit rooms. In dark rooms, the picture quality will be pristine, in full 4K no less. This short-throw projector comes with its own streaming stick, with an incredibly easy-to-use interface. No need to get an extra power source, the streaming stick gets its power from the device itself.

The only qualm one may have with this device is that it still resembles a regular home projector. For a 120-inch screen, you’ll need to mount the projector 7.8 feet away. That’s not exactly short, compared with the mere inches that other short-throw projectors require to operate. Of course, it’s a fair bit more affordable than the other projectors in its class, and it’s no slouch when it comes to picture quality.

Best 4K: Hisense PX1 4K UHD Triple-Laser UST Ultra Short-Throw Projector

Designed for Cinephiles. Hisense

Why It Made the Cut: Hisense PX1 offers some of the best 4K with intense color clarity and contrast.

Specs:
— Dimensions: 15 inches L x 24 inches W x 11 inches H
— Weight: 25.5 pounds
— Max Brightness: 2,000 Lumens
— Max Screen Size: 120 inches

Pros:
— Filmmaker Mode
— Razor-sharp 4K focus
— Dolby Atmos sound

Cons:
— Less than stellar black levels

Hisense is making waves in the tech world with its surprisingly affordable televisions, but its PX1 4K Ultra is one of the best short-throw projectors available right now. Its triple-layer laser uses the purest reds, blues, and greens to capture every color on the spectrum. This means that no matter what you watch with this projector, you can bet on some of the best colors and contrast, not to mention depth, detail, and vibrancy. It does occasionally struggle on black levels though, especially around the corners of the screen. Most of the time, you won’t notice this, but when you do, it can be quite jarring.

At its best, the 4K is razor sharp, almost like you’re watching an OLED TV, if you invest in a good projection screen. Its Filmmaker Mode disables all unnecessary motion processing, so you can watch the film the way the artists behind it intended. Eat your heart out, Coppola. The Dolby Atmos 30W speaker gives this device an edge in the sound department, and crisp highs, booming lows, and some of the clearest speech out of any device in its class. With a built-in Android TV, streaming out of the box is a breeze, especially if you’ve got a bunch of apps already tied to your Google account.

Best Budget: JMGO 01 Ultra Short-Throw Projector

Good Value. Hisense

Why It Made the Cut: It’s not as bright as the competition, but it’s a fraction of the cost, and still packs stellar image quality.

Specs:
— Dimensions: 13.5 inches L x 17.4 inches W x 8 inches H
— Weight: 5.07 pounds
— Max Brightness: 800 Lumens
— Max Screen Size: 100 inches

Pros:
— Works great, even on walls
— Art gallery mode
— Great value

Cons:
— Dim picture quality

The JMGO 01 Ultra Short-Throw Projector will project a massive 100-inch screen from a very short distance away, and the picture is pretty impressive, especially for the price. But the dollar savings will come with a few caveats.

The obvious flaw with this budget short-throw projector is its brightness. At only 800 lumens, this projector will only work in extremely low light conditions and rooms. If you plan on operating it during the day, ensure that not an ounce of sunlight is pouring into the room it’s placed in. Even in dark rooms, the brightness may leave you cold. That said, the picture quality is surprisingly stellar, and it works well even when it’s simply projected onto a plain white wall. There’s a gallery mode that’s perfect for displaying photos, slideshows, and all manner of professional presentations. You can even operate it directly from your phone using a handy app (available on Google Play and App Store). Aside from the app, the JMGO 01 is incredibly user-friendly, and its Luna OS is a fairly solid streaming pal. Its price is a mere fraction of every other device in this roundup, and depending on your needs, may be more than you need for your home theater.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Short-Throw Projector

Investing in a Good Projection Screen

Short-throw projectors are one of the most expensive entertainment devices, with price tags that make even the flashiest OLED televisions look cheap by comparison. Even our budget offering, the JMGO 01 Ultra Short-Throw Projector, is still hundreds of dollars. These devices don’t require a dedicated screen to use. All you really need is a light-colored wall and a nearby power supply. But spending thousands of dollars on a projector of any kind without a projection screen simply isn’t prudent in the long run. A projection screen takes full advantage of the big, expensive tech in these versatile projectors, providing an experience that practically feels like your living room is your own private movie house.

Jaime Carrillo/Futurism

Luckily, good projection screens don’t cost anywhere near as much as a short-throw projector. Our favorite is the Akia Screens Retractable Projector Screen. It tops out at 110 inches, which is just shy of the 120-inch max screen size many of these projectors provide. If you remember your teacher doing PowerPoint presentations during your school days, this screen works similarly and mounts easily to a wall or ceiling. For those who want a glitzier, electronic option, the Akia Motorized Electric Remote Controlled Drop Down Screen is also a great choice.

FAQs

Q: Are short-throw projectors better than standard projectors?

It depends on your needs. Short-throw projectors are a good bit more versatile than regular projectors, but they are way more pricey.

Q: Are short-throw projectors worth it?

If you’re willing to spend extra, a short-throw projector provides theater-quality picture without the need to mount a device to a wall or ceiling.

Q: What should I look for in a short-throw projector?

The two main things you should look for in a short-throw projector are great picture quality and brightness.

Q: Is a short-throw projector better than a TV?

You could replace your television with a short-throw projector, as long as the device you use is bright, so it can be used during the day and in rooms with lots of light.

Q: Do ultra short-throw projectors need a special screen?

No, you can use an ultra short-throw projector on any light-colored wall. However, we suggest you use a projection screen to make the most out of your expensive projector.

Q: What is the difference between short-throw and ultra short-throw projectors?

The main difference between short-throw projectors and ultra short-throw projectors is distance. Ultra short-throw projectors only need to be placed mere inches away from a screen to operate.

Final Thoughts on the Best Short-Throw Projectors

Projectors are perfect for capturing the magic of going out to the movie theaters in the comfort of your living room. Short-throw projectors are the sleekest ones available, not to mention, the easiest to use, like our overall best pick, the Optoma CinemaX P2 Smart 4K UHD Laser Projector. For gaming, the BenQ TK700STi 4K HDR Short-Throw Gaming Projector is perfect, even if it plays a little fast and loose with the definition of “short throw. ” For a short-throw projector available at a fraction of the cost of the competition, the JMGO 01 Ultra Short-Throw Projector is a great option, although it runs a little dim.

This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurism’s owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.

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Best short throw projectors

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900 52 Lamp life The life of the light source. The lamps (light source) in the projector need to be replaced from time to time.

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	Optoma CinemaX Pro	ViewSonic X2000B-4K	LG CineBeam HU85LS	Sony VPL-VZ100 0ES	Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800	Samsung The Premiere Projector 130″	LG CineBeam HF65LSR	Paris Rhone Laser Projector	Xiaomi Mi 4K Laser Projector 150″	BenQ V7050i
Image		9Best price 0007							Projection distance – is the distance between projector and projected image. A shorter throw distance is more desirable as you can place the projector closer to the projected surface.
Minimum projection distance The projection distance is the distance between the projector and the projected image. A shorter throw distance is more desirable as you can place the projector closer to the projected surface.	0.17m	0.3m	0.1m	0.1m	0.3m	0.11m	0.14m	0.14m	0.1m
that can be displayed on the screen, expressed as the number of pixels on the horizontal axis and the number on the vertical axis.
ResolutionThe resolution indicates the maximum number of pixels that can be displayed on the screen, expressed as the number of pixels on the horizontal axis and the number on the vertical axis.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N. A.	N.A.	N.A.
ANSI Lumens (A method for measuring the brightness of spotlights) The light projected by the device is brighter, that is, it has a higher level of ANSI lumens.
ANSI Lumens (a method for measuring the brightness of spotlights) The light projected by the device is brighter, that is, it has a higher level of ANSI lumens.	3500lumens	2000lumens	2700lumens	2500lumens	4000lumens	2800lumens	2000lumens	1600lumens	2500lumens
Contrast RatioThe contrast ratio is the visual distance between the lightest and darkest color that can be played on the screen. High contrast is a positive aspect of any screen.
Contrast Ratio The contrast ratio is the visual distance between the lightest and darkest color that can be displayed on the screen. High contrast is a positive aspect of any screen.	2500000:1	N.A.	2000000:1	N.A.	N.A.	1000:1	150000:1	3000:1	3000:1	2000000:1
Lamp lifeLight source life. The lamps (light source) in the projector need to be replaced from time to time.	20000h	20000h	20000h	20000h		N.A.	30h	25000h	25000h	20000h
Laser Lamp Laser projectors have a much longer lamp life than traditional lamp projectors ami. Brightness and color reproduction also remain the same, while lamp-based projectors may slowly degrade over time.
Laser Lamp Laser projectors have a much longer lamp life than traditional lamp projectors. Brightness and color reproduction also remain the same, while lamp-based projectors may slowly degrade over time.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Acoustic noise level The device generates acoustic noise during operation. Reducing acoustic noise improves quality.
Acoustic noise levelDuring operation, the device generates acoustic noise. Reducing acoustic noise improves quality.	28dB	32dB	30dB	24dB	32dB		30dB	N.A.	32dB	34dB
Maximum projected picture sizeThe maximum image size that the device can project without compromising quality.
Maximum projected image size The maximum image size that the device can project without compromising quality.	120″	150″	120″	120″	150″	120″	100″ 90 007	150″	150″	120″
HDMI connectors the ability to connect multiple devices at the same time, such as game consoles and TV sets.
HDMI connectorsMore HDMI connectors allow you to connect multiple devices at the same time, such as game consoles and TV sets.	3	2	2	4	3	1	2	2	2
Output ResolutionResolution is the number of pixels that make up an image. This is a key indicator of image quality, higher resolution provides a clearer and more detailed image.
Output ResolutionResolution is the number of pixels that make up an image. This is a key indicator of image quality, higher resolution provides a clearer and more detailed image.	4K	4K	4K	4K	4K	4K	1080p	4 K	4K	4K

Best Projectors 2022 | DGL.RU

Home theater projectors are a great way to spend an evening in the company of your favorite movie. Projectors go far beyond grainy images for an incredible viewing experience. 1080p and 4K with vibrant colors and rich deep darks varying in brightness (lumens) and some work better under certain conditions (daylight or total darkness).

There are many different types of projectors on the market today, depending on your needs. For starters, you need to decide on a budget. You can find budget models, but they don’t have great sound and picture quality. Before picking up the first projector you come across, check out our list of the best.

A projector is an investment in your leisure time, so it’s important to choose the right one for you. The main criteria to consider when purchasing are the projector system and configuration, brightness, reflectance and noise.

Projector system and configuration: Legacy, LCD, laser and LCoS systems provide varying levels of clarity and quality. However, you should also pay attention to the price in relation to performance. Some systems improve picture quality, but the price increase isn’t worth it.

Brightness: Brightness is measured in lumens. However, lumens alone do not determine overall brightness. Pay attention to how lumens work with the projector system.

Reflectance: The reflectance determines where the projector can be used, such as in a small or large room.

Noise: Please note that small projectors tend to have noisy fans.

All projects have different reproduction quality, transmission brightness, projection resolution and many other parameters that are important when choosing. There are projectors for innovative 4K resolutions and for conventional 720p. But how to choose the right one, what to look for?

The Epson 5050UB delivers incredible image quality, contrast and color reproduction for any content.

Features:

4K resolution
Brightness 2600 lumens
LCD display

Pros:

Has motorized lens
High contrast and vibrant colors

Cons:

A little noisy during operation

Question: Why the best?

The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB has many important features that make it the best of its kind. Only the motorized lens distinguishes it from many models in the same category. It can move horizontally and vertically without having to manually move the projector to adjust the image location. The motorized zoom also magnifies the image by 2x.

With 2,600 lumens of brightness, this LCD model produces vibrant colors and deep shadows. The resulting picture quality is enough to impress the dedicated moviegoer.

It comes with a remote control. So you can use this remote to control motorized functions without having to get up from the couch.

The EpiqVision Mini provides good (laser) power in a small package. Its compactness and lightness endow it with such an important quality as portability.

Features:

Resolution 1080p
Brightness 1000 lumens
LCD display

Pros:

Powerful autofocus
Built-in Android TV
Chromecast support available

Cons:

Not suitable for gaming

Question: Why the best?

The Epson EqipVision Mini is small enough to move around the house or maybe go out to the backyard to watch movies outdoors. With the built-in Android TV EqipVision, you can easily download applications. However, it also supports Wi-Fi and has two HDMI ports to access all your favorite movies and content.

The laser extends the overall life of the projector by approximately 20,000 hours. It can also connect to mobile devices or computers using Chromecast.

Of the minuses, we can note the lack of good brightness and a long response time for most games. However, just for streaming, EquipVision is all you need.

The use of exclusive LCoS technology creates a contrast that is hard to beat at any price range.

Features:

4K resolution
Brightness 1500 lumens
LCoS (SRXD)

Pros:

Premium image quality
Contrast
Motorized lens and zoom

Cons:

Very expensive

Question: Why the best?

The Sony VW325ES 4K HDR Home Cinema is undoubtedly the best 4K projector currently on the market. It features LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) technology, providing higher contrast ratios than LCD or DLP. The depth of dark shades and the brightness of colors are superior to those offered by competitors. The result is lifelike images and clarity you won’t find anywhere else.

Beautiful image processing that uses all that contrast to reproduce HDR. (Currently, no projector can play HDR.) It also features a motorized lens and zoom, allowing it to be used in most indoor environments without manually adjusting the projector.

This projector has some serious flaws. One of them is the price. The projector is incredibly expensive. But if you’re looking for the perfect home theater experience, this is an investment you won’t regret. Another drawback is the brightness. It is not the brightest among its competitors, which is surprising for such a price.

From stellar looks to built-in sound, this projector is versatile.

Features:

4K resolution
Brightness 1500 lumens

Pros:

Quality built-in sound
Convenient Android interface

Question: Why the best?

The Anker Nebula Cosmos Max projector is recognized as the best projector for its combination of good looks and versatile performance. Behind the cosmic design lies an impressive cinematic built-in sound system powered by four speakers with Dolby Digital Plus.

4K quality is the result of a clear picture, and the Android interface is simple and fast to use.

The BenQ is under $1,000, but it’s good enough for gaming or home theater.

Features:

Resolution 1080p
Brightness 2200 lumens
DLP

Pros:

Bright dark colors
High contrast
Color Accuracy

Cons:

Resolution no more than 1080p

Question: Why the best?

Of course, $1,000 is not a small amount of money, but given the performance that the BenQ HT2150ST has, it’s quite inexpensive. Its single DLP chip and six-segment color wheel provide better color accuracy. It loses brightness in favor of color, but will be able to work as long as the room is dark enough.

With a short throw lens and soft case, you can take your BenQ with you to a friend’s house for games or to watch a show together. This model also has an excellent stereo system. In addition, when you buy, you will find impressive contrast and beautiful colors.

The disadvantage is that it cannot display above 1080p resolution. However, the BenQ is by far the best budget projector out there.

Projector type

Digital light processing (DLP) or LCD projectors are the most affordable. Both are based on lamps that degrade slowly over time. LCD displays usually have a sharper image compared to DLP. Their price ranges from $1,000, and some budget models cost around $500. However, the best options will cost between $1,000 and $1,500.

Laser technology lasts much longer than a conventional projector lamp. A laser projector emits accurate colors rather than shining a lamp through a color wheel to create an image. Hence, they provide a brighter picture. However, their cost starts at $1,700 and goes up to $2,000.

The last type contains liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS). Only a few manufacturers offer this technology, which is far superior to DLP, LCD or laser projector.

Throw Ratio

Throw Ratio is the ratio of the distance from the projector to the screen to the width of the resulting image. Long throw projectors are installed behind the audience and should be between 3 and 6 meters from the viewing surface. Short throw projectors create a large image from a distance of several tens of centimeters. Short throw projectors can work in a small room, while long throw projectors need more space.

1080p or 4K

4K projectors are not as common as TVs. This is because building a 4K projector is much more difficult due to size limitations. However, the good news is that if you don’t need to create a real home theater that’s completely dark, then a quality 1080p projector will do just fine.

Location and use

This tip has nothing to do with the projector itself, but it has to do with how you plan to use it. Where will you be using the projector? Outside, in a living room with large windows, or in a movie theater without windows? For each of these options, different projectors are suitable.

A good portable projector can work just as well outdoors as it does in the living room, although you may have to give up better color accuracy and clarity. If you are viewing in a room with multiple windows, a projector with a higher brightness will keep the images visible in daylight.

Also, consider how you will view your content. The projector screen is the best surface for color reproduction. Some people prefer to use a wall for this, but remember that any texture on the wall will degrade the image because each ledge casts a shadow.

Q: Which projector should I buy?

It depends on how and where you plan to use it. For home theater applications, most people will be fine with a high-quality 1080p LCD model. However, if you like superb image quality and have the ability to create perfect dark conditions, a 4K laser is the way to go.