Best Short Throw Projectors

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 5, 2024
Do you need to project a presentation or video on a wall, or simply wish to use a projector as your main television, but simply don't ...Read more
PROS

Built-in Bluetooth allows you to connect to soundbars and Bluetooth speakers to wirelessly transmit audio without any loss of quality. Digital Optical Out will be highly relevant for 5.1 audio systems that do not have Bluetooth.

CONS

The maximum brightness is only 1500 lumens.

OUR VERDICT

This projector has no equal in terms of throw distance, because it provides an image with a diagonal of 100 inches from a distance of just 16.6 inches. And the presence of a TV tuner will make it possible to comfortably watch television programs, simply by connecting the antenna.

detailed parameters
Projection System

DLP

Projection Image

100"@16.6 inch (Lens to screen)

Specs

Resolution: 1920x1080

Brightness: 1500 Lumens

Dynamic Contrast: 150000:1

Smart TV Feature

Yes (built-in Wi-fi)

Lamp Life

Up to 20000 hours

Interfaces

2 x USB, 2 x HDMI, 1 x Optical Out, 1 x Headphones Out, 1 x Ethernet Port (RJ-45), 1 x Ant. in

Sound

2 x 3 W

Warranty

1 year

PROS

At the top of the case is the 9-key control panel, which will help to comfortably operate the device without a remote control. By the way, all the buttons have intuitive notations, so you can easily master all the functions of the projector.

CONS

Relatively short lamp life.

OUR VERDICT

This model will definitely appeal to owners of game consoles who wish to enjoy the gameplay on the big screen: Full HD resolution and a response time of 16 ms will be enough to have an advantage over rivals in online battles.

detailed parameters
Projection System

DLP

Projection Image

100"@5 ft. (Lens to screen)

Specs

Resolution: 1920x1080

Brightness: 2200 Lumens

Dynamic Contrast: 15000:1

Smart TV Feature

No

Lamp Life

Up to 7000 hours

Interfaces

2 x HDMI, 1 x VGA in, 1 x Component Video in, 1 x Audio in, 1 x Headphones Out, 1 x USB Type-A, 1 x miniUSB (service), 1 x RS-232 control port

Sound

2 x 10 W

Warranty

1 year (180 days or 500 hours for lamp)

PROS

The strikingly high brightness of the lamp of 3500 lumens will be useful if the room has large windows without the ability to cover them. Moreover, due to the patented SuperEco mode, it was possible to extend the lamp life by as much as 15,000 hours.

CONS

The sound quality is poor.

OUR VERDICT

Although the maximum resolution here is only 1024 x 768 pixels, this is quite enough for slide shows and text presentations containing large fonts. Ideal for small conference rooms, where the task is to display the overall image.

detailed parameters
Projection System

DLP

Projection Image

100"@4 ft. (Lens to screen)

Specs

Resolution: 1024x768

Brightness: 3500 Lumens

Dynamic Contrast: 15000:1

Smart TV Feature

No

Lamp Life

Up to 15000 hours

Interfaces

1 x HDMI, 2 x VGA in, 1 x Composite Video in, 1 x Audio in, 1 x Headphones Out, 1 x USB Type-A, 1 x miniUSB (service), 1 x RS-232 control port

Sound

1 x 2 W

Warranty

3 years (1 year for lamp)

PROS

The DARBEE Visual Presence™ technology uses innovative image analysis algorithms, thanks to which objects have greater clarity and contrast, and colors have an increased accuracy of reproduction. This is especially noticeable in skin tones and reflective surfaces.

CONS

Gets quite hot during operation.

OUR VERDICT

If you have a Blu-ray player (or another 3D source) and want to achieve the natural depth and volume of the image when viewing, then we recommend purchasing this projector from Optoma. Wear branded 3D glasses (sold separately) and immerse yourself in what is happening on the screen.

detailed parameters
Projection System

DLP

Projection Image

100"@3.5 ft. (Lens to screen)

Specs

Resolution: 1920x1080

Brightness: 3000 Lumens

Dynamic Contrast: 28000:1

Smart TV Feature

No

Lamp Life

Up to 8000 hours

Interfaces

2 x HDMI, 1 x Audio out, 1 x USB Type-A, 1 x miniUSB (service), 1 x 3D Sync Out (5V) Connector

Sound

2 x 10 W

Warranty

1 year (90 days for lamp)

PROS

The multitude of ports lets you display video from almost any multimedia device. For example, the 2 HDMI ports are compatible with modern laptops, smart boxes and Chromecast devices, and S-video in and Composite in are compatible with DVD players and older cameras.

CONS

Control panel is not intuitive.

OUR VERDICT

This inexpensive yet fully functional model from BenQ is an ideal option for any type of image (video, presentations, text documents, etc.). And the maximum screen size can vary from 30 to 300 ", making it an excellent solution for large halls.

detailed parameters
Projection System

DLP

Projection Image

100"@6 ft. (Lens to screen)

Specs

Resolution: 1280x800

Brightness: 3200 Lumens

Dynamic Contrast: 13000:1

Smart TV Feature

No

Lamp Life

Up to 10000 hours

Interfaces

2 x HDMI, 1 x VGA in, 1 x S-video in, 1 x Composite Video in, 2 x Audio in (2xRCA/mini-jack), 1 x Headphones Out, 1 x USB Type-A, 1 x miniUSB (service), 1 x RS-232 control port

Sound

1 x 10 W

Warranty

1 year (90 days for lamp)

Home Theater Projectors Short Throw Projectors

Home Theater Projector

Many people enjoy building their own home theater, something which tries to mimic the experience of going to the cinema to watch a movie. There has been a large market for home theater accessories, but probably the most important one is the display. Projector televisions have been around for a long time now, but many of the shortcomings of them have been listed before, especially those that require some distance from the viewing screen, and not everyone has the space to accommodate one. This has proven to be a problem for a long time now.

The LG HF85JA Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector is the perfect home theater accessory by giving you the freedom to place the projector just a short distance from the viewing screen. This short throw projector features a contrast ratio of 150,000:1, providing a crystal clear image with rich colors and excellent reproduction accuracy. The projector supports the display of a 100-inch image at only 4.7 inches away from the viewing screen, letting you set up the projector right in front and below, ensuring you can fully utilize an entertainment center by placing it with your Blu-ray and streaming players, and without needing to deal with the inconveniences of an overhead projector.

Full Television Support

Unlike many other home theater projectors, this ultra short throw projector fully supports television use, as it includes a built-in HDTV tuner. If you want to use this to display over the air HDTV broadcasts, all you need to do is add an antenna and you are ready to go. Of course, this model also supports the smart TV functionality that many other televisions now offer, including the LG SmartOS support that lets you utilize a number of streaming video services without requiring additional hardware. The projector is also fully WiFi capable, letting you connect to your home Internet service wirelessly.

If you have a number of home theater accessories that you want to connect to this projector, that also isn't a problem, as it includes a number of ports. Included are 2 HDMI inputs, which let you connect devices such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and even a computer, along with 2 USB ports, an optical audio out port, and an Ethernet port. The projector even includes Bluetooth support, which lets you connect it to audio accessories such as sound bars wirelessly. One small drawback to this device is that the display brightness is only 1500 lumens, but this shouldn't be a concern if it is placed in a naturally dark room. Overall, this may be the best short throw projector for those who want a fully television capable device right out of the box.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00SZ31LNO

Great For Gaming

Not all home theater aficionados want to only watch movies on their home theater setup. Many are gamers, and enjoy the huge screen presence that video gaming can offer. However, many of them are also aware that projectors are hardly ideal gaming displays, as many of them are lacking in certain areas that are necessary for gaming, such as having sufficient brightness, high resolution, or most importantly, the response time of the display. By nature, projectors tend to lag far behind most HD televisions when it comes to this last characteristic, which unfortunately can result in a lackluster gaming experience.

The BenQ HT2150ST Short Throw Projector helps to solve this problem by providing a high response time of 16 ms, which helps give any gamer an advantage by making game inputs have instantaneous results on screen. This gives gamers an ultra-fast and smooth gaming experience that simply isn't possible on most other projectors. The display brightness of 2200 lumens makes the image bright enough for most rooms, providing accurate color reproduction that won't look faded. Along with 15000:1 contrast ratio and a display image of 100 inches at 1.5 meters, this projector makes for a superior gaming experience that is unrivaled.

Intuitive Controls

An issue that many home theater owners often run into with projectors is that they tend to be difficult and very inconvenient to control. This is especially true of overhead projectors, where controlling it often takes you out of the comfort of your chair. With this model, many of those inconveniences are left behind, as the projector can be controlled the same way as most other home theater devices. Along with its intuitive remote control, the projector also includes a 9-button control panel on top that lets you easily control it without a remote control.

Along with its intuitive controls, this short throw projector provides plenty of other features that help make it the centerpiece of a home theater system. The projector includes 2 HDMI ports for connecting your set top boxes and game consoles, along with a VGA input for connecting your laptop or desktop computer. Component inputs let you connect some older devices without the need of an adapter, and there are even dual 10 W speakers built-in to the device for those who aren't using a separate audio system. All together, the included features and high performance of this great gaming projector make it perfect for gamers and movie lovers alike.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $799.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B01K2V0WP4

Office Projector

Not all short throw projectors need to be made for home theater setups. Such projectors have a variety of other uses, such as in office and education environments. For these, having a short throw projector that is loaded with home theater options isn't really necessary. Instead, the most important aspects of the projector are the ability to provide a clear image, and to work well with typical business and education hardware, including a variety of computers. For such environments, having a projector geared towards home theater use simply isn't necessary.

The ViewSonic PS501X Short Throw Projector is an ideal model for office and education use. This short throw projector features a very large screen projection, providing a 120-inch at just short of 5 feet away, letting you project an image plenty large enough for a large conference room or small auditorium. The brightness of 3400 lumens makes for an excellent, crystal clear picture in rooms of almost any brightness, giving this projector a level of flexibility that is missing from many other models. Using the projector in SuperEco mode gives it a lamp life of up to 15,000 hours, making for a long-serving projector that shouldn't need immediate maintenance.

High Versatility

In an office or education environment, the ability to connect necessary hardware is of the utmost importance. This projector includes all of the ports that are necessary for such environments, including 2 VGA ports for connecting most computers, along with an HDMI port for connecting other hardware that may not include VGA output. There is also support for composite inputs, letting you connect older HD quality hardware that doesn't include HDMI or VGA output. The dual VGA inputs are especially important, though, as this allows for connecting multiple computers that can be toggled with just the press of a button.

Speaking of which, the setup and control of this short throw projector is about as easy as it gets. The setup process takes just a matter of seconds, making it easy to take the projector to another room or office and set it up quickly if the need arises. Controlling the projector is equally as easy, as it doesn't require reading a huge manual in order to figure out how to get it to work with the connected devices. One drawback to the projector is that the high resolution of 1024 x 768 is less than HD quality, but for business environments, this shouldn't be an issue. Overall, this excellent short throw projector can help breathe new life into presentations in any office.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $706.46
Stock In stock
ASIN B07B7NLKX7

3D DLP Features

There have been quite a few innovations in the home theater market within the last decade or so, not the least of which is 3D support. Modern 3D is not like the old 3D effects of old, where you had to wear glasses with different colored lenses. Modern 3D technology provides a truly immersive, eye-popping experience that can make you feel like you are right in the middle of the action that is happening on screen. Although there are some excellent television sets that can bring the 3D experience to your home, there are very few projectors that have full 3D support.

The Optoma GT1080Darbee 3D DLP Short Throw Gaming Projector is one of the few projectors that offers a full 3D home experience. This short throw projector includes everything you need to have the full 3D experience at home, minus the 3D video source. Those that have a 3D Blu-ray player, or other 3D video source, will find that this projector provides a fully immersive 3D experience that you just can't get from other projectors, especially short throw models. Just connect the video source to the projector, put on a pair of 3D glasses (not included), and you will have a great 3D experience that brings the action on the screen directly into your living room.

Brilliant Display

The 3D capabilities of this home theater projector are far from all that it has to offer. In fact, its many capabilities make it at least on par with, if not surpassing, most other home theater short throw projectors. This model provides a 100-inch image from a distance of only 3.5 feet away, making it convenient for most home theater setups. The brightness of 3000 lumens provides an extremely bright picture that is great for any room, including those with large windows where the outside light is difficult to block out. The projector supports a full WUXGA resolution of 1920 x 1200, giving you a full HD quality image.

Plenty of other features are included as well. For gamers, the projector includes an enhanced gaming mode that gives you a highly responsive display, with a refresh rate of only 16 ms, ensuring that you can keep up with even the fastest gameplay with virtually no input lag. The built-in DarbeeVision Image Processor provides enhanced visuals that give you an extraordinary level of detail rendered in the highest quality. The sRGB display profile also ensures that you have the highest color accuracy possible. With these and many other features, this short throw projector is an ideal model for even the most discerning technophiles who demand the best of the best in their home theater hardware.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $749.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B06XHG92Y5

What customers say about this product

Display(4)

Short throw - 100" from 3.5 feet away. This is a huge plus for me since I have it in a smaller room.

Features(4)

Longer lamp life of 8000 hour compared to about 5000 average on others.

Key Specs(4)

The image quality is superb and color calibration is so close to right where you want it, right out of the box.

Works With Almost Any Device

Many home theater lovers always run into a specific problem with their displays. Most displays only have a limited number of ports, and what's more, many of them are missing legacy ports such as composite and S-Video, meaning that those who have older devices are left with needing expensive adapters in order to make them work with their display. This presents a challenge, as many home theater setups have limited space, and having bulky adapters is something that nobody likes to deal with, not to mention the expense of buying them.

The BenQ MW632ST Short Throw Projector is a great projector that solves this problem by providing just about any type of port that you would possibly need. This device includes 2 HDMI ports, letting you connect most modern home theater devices such as game consoles and streaming boxes, along with a VGA port for connecting a computer. There are even composite and S-Video ports included, which means that those with older home theater devices or game consoles won't be left out in the cold, and also won't need to shell out more money for an expensive adapter. In short, virtually anything that requires a video output can be connected to this short throw projector.

Fantastic Quality Video

Having a large number of ports is great, but it means nothing if the display itself just isn't that great. Thankfully, that's far from the case here, as this projector features fantastic display quality that is sure to please anyone. This device features a WXGA resolution of 1280 x 800, with a projected image of 100 inches at 6 feet away, making it great for those who have limited space. The brightness of 3200 lumens and the contrast ratio of 13,000:1 gives you a bright, crisp display that won't look faded in a lighted room. The image has excellent color reproduction with the high contrast, making it quite easy on the eyes.

Plenty of other features are added into this home cinema projector as well. The SmartEco lamp gives you a high quality output with a service life of up to 10,000 hours, making this great for heavy use without needing expensive repairs shortly after purchase. The projector also includes full 3D functionality, so those who have 3D Bluray players can take full advantage of the 3D capabilities, giving you an immersive experience. The built in 10 W stereo speakers also give you excellent sound quality, especially for those who won't be attaching expensive speakers to the unit. With everything this short throw projector has to offer, anyone who purchases it should find it to be a great value.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $681.90
Stock In stock
ASIN B010MDRIEA

What Is a Short Throw Projector?

Many people are familiar with projectors, devices that are used to display images or video on a large screen or wall. Anyone who has worked in an office or even gone to school or college has seen projectors of all kinds in use. Within the last 15 years or so, projectors have also become popular for use in homes, as many people find a projected video to better imitate the look and feel or a movie theater, whereas some others just like the much larger image that a projector can create, as it isn't limited by the size of a screen. While this is great for some people, others find that projectors can be a bit inconvenient to use in their home entertainment system, as they require some distance away from the projection area, and also are harder to control with standard remote controls.

This is where short throw projectors come in. A short throw projector is essentially the same thing as a standard projector, but with one key difference. Short throw projectors are able to project a large image from a very short distance away, making them ideal to use in situations where a standard projector would be inconvenient. This has caused them to become quite popular for use in small offices as well as in home entertainment systems, letting people create their own home theater without having to deal with the inconveniences of a standard projector.

If you are needing a good projection screen to go with your short throw projector, take a look at our reviews of the best motorized projection screens.

What Features to Compare

Short throw projectors are relatively new devices, yet have rapidly increased in popularity over time. While they offer a large number of advantages or standard HDTVs and overhead projectors, they are a little more complicated and a bit more unknown than these technologies. If you are looking to purchase a short throw projector for your home or office, it is best to know the characteristics of these projectors so you can compare them to find the best short throw projector for your needs. Below are some of the characteristics to look for when looking for the best model.

Projection Type

Short throw projectors all use one of three main projection types. All of the models reviewed here, however, use the DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology. This technology uses a small chip that contains many microscopic mirrors, and uses a spinning color wheel combined with a laser to create and then project the image. These types are in contrast to LCD and LED projectors, which use standard LCD and LED technology to create the images.

Projection Image

The projection image of a short throw projector shows how large of an image the device can project from a specific distance. This is usually measured in inches, with the image size measured diagonally, and the second number showing how far away the projector is from the displayed image. Most short throw projectors can display large images from only a few inches away from the wall or screen, basically letting you set it up similar to a standard home entertainment center.

Specs

The specifications of a short throw projector can be an important consideration for many people who are looking for the best quality projector. The resolution shows the resolution of the projected image. Most models use the standard HD resolution of 1920 x 1080, but others do not have this same resolution. The brightness of the image is measured in Lumens, with the higher number indicating a brighter image. The dynamic contrast indicates how well colors are separated from each other, with the higher ratio indicating a greater contrast between colors.

Smart TV Feature

Some short throw projectors will include the capabilities of a smart TV, which lets you utilize different video streaming services such as YouTube and Netflix from the TV itself, without requiring additional hardware. If this is a feature you want in your short throw projector, then you will want to make sure that the model you choose includes it.

Ports

Finally, the ports (or interfaces) of the projector TV are an important consideration for everyone, as they indicate which ports the projector contains. Most short throw projectors at a minimum will include HDMI ports, but if you require others, make sure that the model you choose contains the ports that you need.

Did you know?

Home Theater: What To Add

If you are new to the concept of a home theater, yet are interested in putting one together, it can be confusing to know what devices you will need in order to help create the ultimate home theater experience. Having a great short throw projector is just the first (and possibly most important) step to putting one together, but there are quite a few other items that may be needed to help get a great home theater setup. If you're not sure what else you can use for helping to create the best home theater possible, read on for some great suggestions, including some for devices that will help you get the best out of your new short throw projector.

Video Players

The first thing you will need after getting your projector is a high-quality video source. Older DVD players will probably look great on your huge screen, but nowadays there are much better devices that can output a higher quality picture. First and foremost among these are Blu-Ray players, which are similar to DVD players but feature full high definition video. If you are ahead of the curve and don't wish to bother with physical media anymore, then you can always get a streaming video player, which will be especially useful if your projector doesn't include Smart TV capabilities. Last but not least, you can always connect a small form factor computer such as a Chromebox, which can also serve as an excellent streaming video player.

Gaming Consoles

If you are a gamer and love playing interactive video games on a huge screen, then you will absolutely love connecting your favorite game console to your short throw projector. There are plenty of fantastic video game consoles that you can add to your home theater setup.

Sound Bar

Having a high-end audio system can be just as important as having a high-quality display. Of course, there are plenty of stereo and multi-channel speaker setups available, but not everyone has the space in their home high-end room to support multiple speakers spread around it, In such cases, having a great soundbar can help give you a fantastic audio experience that is virtually indistinguishable from that of an actual cinema.

Chairs

Having high-end equipment in your home theater is great, but it won't mean much if you don't have a comfortable place to sit while watching your favorite films or playing video games. If you want your home theater to be a great place to sit and relax while watching something interesting, then a massage recliner can give you a completely relaxing experience.

Refreshments

Most people love having something to snack on while watching a movie. The standard favorite snack for the cinema experience is popcorn, and you can really add to your home theater experience by having a good popcorn popper handy. You will also probably want something to drink as well, in which case a compact refrigerator just might be the ticket to helping you keep cold refreshing drinks handy. Of course, nothing prevents you from having a full meal either, so don't be afraid to order some pizza to help make your home theater experience the best one possible!

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