Are you searching for the best short throw projectors for home entertainment or for business and educational use? If yes, then don’t worry. Here we have listed the top 10 best short-throw and ultra-short throw projectors that can be used for any purpose you like.
Short throw projectors are now being most popular these days as they occupy less space and deliver remarkable results. They allow you to project a very large image at a very short distance from the screen. So those people, who have a small room and want to place the projector in front of their sitting position, consider a short throw or ultra short projector.
There are tons of options available in the market for projectors so it becomes quite difficult to decide which one would be best. To help you to buy the best short throw projectors, we have created a review guide of the top 10 best-selling projectors based on their performance, customer reviews, design, and reliability.
Let’s proceed to the list.
| Projector | Image | Brightness | |
| BenQ HT2150ST |  |
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| Optoma GT1080Darbee |  |
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| ViewSonic PX706HD |  |
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| Optoma EH412ST |  |
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| ASUS P3B 800 |  |
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| ViewSonic PS600W |  |
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| Optoma GT5600 |  |
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| BenQ MW632ST WXGA |  |
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| ViewSonic PS501X |  |
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| Epson Home Cinema LS100 |  |
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Top 10 Best Short Throw Projectors in 2023
1. BenQ HT2150ST
BenQ is one of the top-selling brands when it comes to DLP projectors. Their BenQ HT2150ST is one of the most modern short throw projectors that offers elegance and excellent performance at the same time. The projector has won the editor’s choice award for the best gaming projectors in 2023.
The projector comes with a superior short throw projection which means you can get the 100-inch picture from a 3 feet distance. It enables you to project up to 300 inches. With a short throw range of 0.69-0.83, the projector can be positioned in less amount of space with hassle-free installation.
The projector offers stunning picture quality with 1080p native resolution, 15,000:1 contrast ratio, and 6x RGBRGB color wheels which deliver rich color and crisp details while gaming or watching movies. With such a high contrast ratio and image brightness of 2200 lumens, you can enjoy a home cinema experience without getting affected by the ambient light.
For connectivity, the projector supports 2 x HDMI and MHL-enabled devices connectivity to your HD and streaming content. Despite providing a high color accuracy, it lacks lamp longevity and the LED lamp can last up to 7000 hours only. If you are a gamer and looking for a projector with low input lag, then BenQ HT2150ST is an ideal short distance projector you can get at an affordable price.
2. Optoma GT1080Darbee
Optoma GT1080Darbee is one of the best budget short throw projectors in the market that excellent visual quality and an impressive feature list. Despite having a higher brightness and contrast ratio, and longer lamp life, the GT1080Darbee is available at an affordable price tag.
The projector comes with 1080p full HD resolution with 3000 lumens brightness to deliver crystal clear images that are great for movies and gaming. Its enhanced gaming mode offers a rapid response time of 16ms to keep you in the game and ahead of your competitors.
With a contrast ratio of 28,000:1, the GT1080Darbee can keep the brightness as well as black depth at an optimum level and deliver amazing, brilliant colors. The beauty of every frame is a notch up by REC.709b color accuracy to get classic performance while gaming. The projectors feature an energy-efficient lamp that enables high performance and low maintenance with 8000 hours of lamp life.
The projector is also compatible with 3D Blu-ray Disc players, 3D broadcasting, and other gaming consoles with a refresh rate of 144Hz. It offers USB and dual HDMI (MHL enabled) connectivity to connect with a gaming console, fire stick, Apple TV, and other media players. So, wrapping up, the Optoma GT1080Darbee is an affordable and plausible option for home entertainment.
3. ViewSonic PX706HD
ViewSonic PX706HD is an ideal short throw projector for home theater and gaming as it gives an immersive theater-like experience with full HD resolution. The projector supports a whopping 3000 lumens of brightness to provide bright and ultra-sharp images in nearly any environment.
Apart from that, this projector packs a 22,000:1 contrast ratio, 3D ready, and 16ms input lag making it one of the best short throw gaming projectors. The other great thing about this projector is its short throw lens, which means you can place this projector just a few feet from the screen. The PX706HD allows you to project images on a screen up to 300 inches.
The projector offers Full HD 3D support with DLP-Link glasses and carries up to 15,000 hours of prolonged lamp life. The ViewSonic PX706HD has a USB Type-C port for projecting images, video, and audio. Apart from that, it has dual HDMI ports to connect with gaming consoles, BluRay players, PCs, Macs, and other similar media sources.
In addition to these features, the PX706HD has some other notable special features. It is extremely portable having a weight of just 5.95 lbs which means you can easily fit it into your backpack. All in all, ViewSonic PX706HD is a fine home theater projector for gaming, movies, and sports and at a great price range.
4. Optoma EH412ST
Optoma is a well-known brand in the projector industry and it has always impressed me with its vast range of short throw models which include Optoma EH412ST. It is not an ordinary projector it is an excellent device with a 0.5:1 throw ratio making it a professional projector for business presentations, board rooms, classrooms, and more.
Its short throw lens can project a large 120 inches image from just 4.5 feet away making it ideal for large-screen presentations in small rooms. The projector has a 1080p native resolution that delivers clear and sharp images at various viewing distances. Its 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 4000 ANSI lumens let you enjoy vibrant colors, Brighter whites and enhance detail in dark images.
The projector is also equipped with a 10-watt built-in speaker to enhance your presentation without the need for external speakers. The EH412ST model also offers a whooping lamp life of up to 15,000 hours which means you will get extended viewing time with a lower cost of ownership.
If we discuss connectivity, the EH412ST features VGA, USB-A, Audio-in, and dual HDMI, one of which is MHL-compatible for connectivity to a wide range of devices. Overall, Optoma EH412ST is a potent device that is more intended for business purposes instead of home entertainment.
5. ASUS P3B Ultra Short Throw Projector
If you are looking for a highly portable short throw projector then you must consider Asus P3B in your buying list. It is a battery-operated DLP projector and comes with high-performance features. The projector offers an 800 lumens brightness and 100% NTSC color gamut to deliver a sharp visual output.
The projector features ultra short lens means it can project images from as low as 25 inches and reaches up to 200 inches with just a 1:1 short throw ratio. The P3B has a 100000:1 contrast ratio along with a 1280×800 native resolution to give you exceptional images and content.
Not only that, but the Asus P3B also offers a long lamp life of 30,000 hours that can last up to more than 10 years which you will hardly find in any affordable portable model. For convenience, the projector features an instant height adjustment flip-down stand that can save you a lot of time instead of messing around with traditional adjustable screw stands.
The other added benefit of this projector is its 12000mAh built-in rechargeable battery which managed to deliver about 3 hours of continuous projection on a single charge. In this model, you’ll get all standard connectivity options like HDMI (MHL enabled), USB, Micro SD, and audio. With just 750g weight, the ASUS P3B is totally portable and the best cheap short throw projector you can buy right now.
6. ViewSonic PS600W
ViewSonic PS600W is another excellent projector in our list which is designed to use in nearly any environment. Its SuperColor Technology features a wide color gamut and a 6-segment color wheel to provide you with stunningly beautiful images. The projector features a short throw lens with a 0.49 throw ratio which can project 120 inches of images from 4.1 feet.
The contrast ratio of 22,000:1 brings the darkest level and the brightest level of the content shown on the projector. It features 3,500 lumens brightness and native WXGA 1280×800 resolution that produces bright images in any environment.
Its various connectivity options make it easy to connect with other devices. With input options such as HDMI, USB, VGA, and RJ45, you can remotely set up and manage projector content from PCs, Macs, and mobile devices.
While using ViewSonic PS600W, you don’t have to worry about longevity because its lamp can shine bright for up to 15,000 hours with super eco mode. All in all, the ViewSonic PS600W is a great addition if you are looking for something powerful and budget-friendly for entertainment.
7. Optoma GT5600 – Best Projector For Home Theater
The Optoma GT5600 is the best ultra short throw projector that offers quite an impressive performance for the price. This 1080p projector is not only great for gaming, but it is also an amazing projector for all your entertainment needs. With a large 100-inch projected image, they will transform your gaming experience into a live-action feeling.
With its our-corner correction and auto keystone, you can easily set up this projector just by placing the projector and connecting a gaming console. The contrast ratio of 20,000:1 and its advanced optical lens produce highly detailed images, deep shadows, and astonishing textures to enhance your gaming experience.
In addition to a long-standing lamp life of 15,000 hours, the GT5600 projector has a 16W of the integrated speaker to enhance your entertainment with crisp sound.
Furthermore, the projector has various connectivity options like HDMI, VGA, and RJ-45 to connect with laptops, phones, tablets, Blu-ray, etc. There’s a USB display screen mirroring to enjoy content from iOS or Android mobile devices. Not only that, but the projector can also display true 3D content from any 3D source and provide ultra-smooth flicker-free images with a 144Hz rapid refresh rate. Overall, the Optoma GT5600 is a great projector with one of the best picture qualities and the highest lumens.
8. BenQ MW632ST WXGA
BenQ MW632ST is another great budget short throw projector on our list. It’s a 1280×80 WXGA projector which is ideal for presentations in bright rooms. It is one of the few models that combines a short-throw lens with an optical zoom. The projector works great for rooms where a lot of space is not required for a larger display.
With a powerful 3200 lumens of brightness, the projector enables you to watch videos from anywhere anytime even in well-lit rooms. The projector offers an impressive 13000:1 contrast ratio that will deliver sharp images with rich and accurate colors.
The projector has a short throw lens 0.9 throw ratio that is designed to give you a big image from close to the screen and a modest optical zoom. Even at that, a short throw lens eliminates the blinding glare and distracting shadows of a person’s movement while giving presentations.
The MW632ST offers up to an impressive 10,000-hour lamp life which means it can last over 10 years with a 2-hour presentation every day. The projector has all standard connectivity ports including two HDMI ports, RS232, USB Type-A, and MHL to share ideas and presentations. On a final note, the BenQ MW632ST is an ideal choice if you are looking for a cheap yet powerful short throw projector.
9. ViewSonic PS501X
The ViewSonic PS501X is a high-performance short throw projector that offers advanced audiovisual features at an affordable price. With a native XGA 1024 x 768 resolution, the projector is ideal for use in education and small business environments. With a throw ratio of 0.61, you will be experiencing large images projected from short distances in small rooms.
Apart from this, the projector holds the credibility to project screen sizes up to 120 inches from just 4.10 feet away. It offers 3500 lumens brightness with a 22,000:1 high contrast ratio to project bright and vibrant images in nearly any environment.
The projector comes with an energy-saving DynamicEco feature that can reduce power consumption and extend the lamp life up to 15,000 hours. The PS501X also offers ultra-low 16ms response time to deliver smooth images without any delay making it a great choice for gamers as well.
For connectivity, the projector has all standard connectivity options such as HDMI, USB, VGA, and more to work well with gaming consoles, PCs, mobile phones, and media players. Overall, if you want something exceptional in a budget range, then ViewSonic PS501X is great to go!
10. Epson Home Cinema LS100
Last but not least, the Epson LS100 is a highly powerful 3LCD ultra short throw projector that breaks all the limitations of traditional entertaining systems. With its advanced 3LCD technology, you can enjoy an amazing viewing experience without any rainbow effect and white shadows.
The projector can produce immersive life-size and sharp images in full HD resolution up to 10′ diagonal which means you can place the projector just a few inches from the wall. The EH-LS100 is astoundingly bright with a 4,000 lumens output, coupled with an impressive 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio which delivers deep blacks and brilliant, vivid colors even in a room with high levels of ambient light.
There is a diversity of connectivity options in Epson including three HDMI 1.4 ports (one of which supports MHL), a LAN port, an RS-232 port, three USB ports (one Type B and two Type A), and more. Epson LS100 consists of a laser light source having an anticipated life of at least 20,000 hours which is 10 times the life of a standard lamp source.
There might be a noise issue sometimes but this might not be an issue because it’ll drop to 30 dB in the slightly less bright Cinema mode. If you really want a big-screen experience with a projector, then Epson LS100 is the best way to bring giant images into larger rooms.
What to Consider When Buying Short Throw Projector
Here are some important factors you should consider while buying a short throw projector:
Brightness
The brightness varies from projector to projector. It is measured in lumens, the more lumens your projector has better will be the color brightness, and vividness of the frame on the screen.
For a short throw model, the brightness level between 1500 to 3000 is ideal. But having a projector with more than 3000 lumens brightness will be great for movies, gaming, and video content.
Throw ratio
Throw ratio is another important factor to consider when you are going to buy a projector. It is the width of an image to the throw distance. For a short throw projector, we recommend you not to go above 1:4. The ideal throw ratio lies between 0.38:1 – 1.4:1 for the best projection image.
Display Technology
There are three main technologies used for projectors – DLP, LCD, and LED. Each technology works differently and offers different picture quality based on its features. The projector with DLP technology uses a digital micromirror device that produces smooth and high-contrast images. However, the DLP projectors suffer the rainbow effect as they are made of many moving parts.
On the other hand, LCD projectors are more reliable and produce no rainbow effect but sometimes you may see some screen door effect on certain video images.
Contrast ratio
The contrast ratio is also an important aspect that tells the difference between the blackest level and the whitest level of the screen. Or in other words, it is the difference between the brightest image a projector can create and the darkest. The higher the contrast ratio, the more details you can see on the projected content.
Price
This is another factor we all consider when buying a projector. If you are looking for a cheap short throw projector, make sure to buy a model that has a decent short throw ratio. Also, to save some money on maintenance, it’s important to look for the longest-lasting lamps. You can also check the replacement price of lamps.
What is the difference between a short throw projector and long throw projector?
In the last few years, the use of projectors is getting growing popular. But many people still get confused about the types of projectors. It is a vital factor to know when you are buying a projector. To help you out, we have explained the difference between long throw, short throw, and ultra short throw projectors.
Long Throw Projector
Long-throw or Standard throw projectors are the most common type in the market. They require a large amount of space between the projector and screen to make an image. They generally offer throw ratios above 1.6:1 and require about 8 to 10 feet of throw distance. They come at an affordable price and can be used for homes, offices, or classrooms. However, they take up more space and shadow appears when a person passes between the projector and the screen.
Short Throw Projector
A short-throw projector is capable to produce a much larger picture from a short distance. They can produce a 100-inch image from about four feet or less away from the screen. They can be used on the wall as well as on a projector screen. The major benefit of buying this projector is that it takes less room between the projector and the screen means no shadow will produce when a person gets in the way of the projector’s light.
Ultra Short Throw Projectors
These are another level of projectors that can produce a huge image from a very close distance. In order to create a 100″ image, the ultra-short projector will typically require about 3-15 inches of throw distance. They are commonly used in businesses and educational institutions, though they can be used in small homes or apartments that have very little space to use a standard short-throw projector. If you really want an ultra-short throw, you have to spend a lot to get the best picture quality.
Final Words
These are the best short throw projectors in 2023 based on their reviews, performance, and specifications. The price of these projectors is worth the performance they deliver with the large-screen viewing experience. If you have any queries or suggestions about this review guide, let us know in the comments below!
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