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10 Best Short Throw Projectors 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

BenQ LK936ST 4K Ultra HD Short-Throw Laser DLP Projector

The BenQ LK936ST 4K Ultra HD Short-Throw Laser DLP Projector is a versatile device designed to meet both golf simulation and family home theater needs. Its 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) ensures ultra-sharp images, making it ideal for high-detail applications like golf simulations or watching movies. The projector provides 5100 lumens of brightness, which is quite high and supports clear visibility even in well-lit environments. This high brightness complements its color accuracy, delivering vivid and realistic visuals, which is crucial for both simulation and entertainment purposes.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,176
Resolution

Most important from
2 reviews

Resolution
Picture is as clear as being there.
#2
8.8 score

Optoma GT1080HDRx Short Throw Gaming Projector | Enhanced Gaming Mode for 1080p 120Hz Gameplay at 8.4ms | 1080p and HDR support with 4K UHD input | Bright 3,800 Lumens for Day and Night Gaming | White

The Optoma GT1080HDRx is a solid choice for gamers and home cinema fans looking for a short-throw projector. Its short-throw lens lets you project a large 120-inch image from just about four feet away, which is great if you don’t have a lot of room to set up. The projector supports full HD 1080p resolution with HDR10 compatibility, so you get sharp and vibrant images with good color accuracy thanks to its advanced color wheel.

Rating
8.8
Throw Ratio
Resolution
Brightness

Most important from
861 reviews

Throw Ratio
The short-throw lens allows a large 100- to 120-inch image from about four feet away, offering a more forgiving setup than ultra-short-throw models that demand perfectly flat screens.
Resolution
The support for 4K input and HDR10 enhances picture vibrancy, even though the native projection resolution remains 1080p.
Brightness
Its laser brightness at 3,800 lumens enables clear, vibrant images even with some ambient light, making it suitable for daylight or room-lit viewing.
Contrast Ratio
The projector delivers rich, accurate colors and produces eye-popping whites and deep blacks, rivaling or even surpassing many flat-screen TVs in image quality.
Keystone Correction
The projector requires careful physical positioning since keystone correction and image shift are disabled in enhanced gaming mode, necessitating precise alignment for a perfect rectangular image.
Lamp Life
Its long-lasting laser light source offers up to 15,000 hours of use and handles frequent on/off cycles without issue, which is ideal for varied and flexible usage.
#3
8.5 score

BenQ X500i | True 4K Gaming Console Projector Short Throw | 4ms lag time | Auto Game Mode | Xbox, PS5, Switch | Android TV | FPS Crosshair | 5Wx2 Speaker | UHD HDR 4LED | 2200 Lumens

The BenQ X500i short-throw projector is an impressive option for gaming and home entertainment. With a true 4K resolution of 3840 x 2160, this projector ensures that your games and movies are displayed with exceptional clarity and detail. The short throw ratio of 0.69 to 0.83 allows you to project large images even in smaller spaces, making it ideal for bedrooms or compact rooms.

Rating
8.5
Throw Ratio
Resolution
Connectivity

Most important from
151 reviews

Throw Ratio
The BenQ X500i delivers exceptional clarity and detail, even on a 150" screen from just over 8 feet away.
Resolution
4K HDR movies look incredible, enhancing the home theater experience.
Connectivity
The projector seamlessly integrates with gaming consoles like PS5 and Nintendo Switch, automatically optimizing the picture for gameplay.
Lamp Life
The 4LED technology boasts a lifespan of up to 30,000 hours, eliminating the need for frequent bulb changes.

Top 10 Best Short Throw Projectors 2025 in the United States

Optoma GT1080HDR Short Throw Gaming Projector | Enhanced Gaming Mode

Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Brightness: 3800 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 50,000:1
Connectivity: two HDMI ports
Keystone Correction: vertical keystone correction
Lamp Life: 15,000 hours

Epson PowerLite 810E Ultra Short Throw 3LCD Projector

Throw Ratio: Ultra Short-throw
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Brightness: 5000 lumens
Connectivity: HDMI, WiFi
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Buying Guide for the Best Short Throw Projectors

Choosing the right short-throw projector can significantly enhance your viewing experience, whether it's for home entertainment, business presentations, or educational purposes. Short-throw projectors are designed to project large images from a short distance, making them ideal for small spaces. To find the best fit for your needs, it's important to understand the key specifications and how they impact performance and usability.
Throw RatioThe throw ratio is the distance between the projector and the screen divided by the width of the projected image. This spec is crucial because it determines how close you can place the projector to the screen while still achieving the desired image size. Short-throw projectors typically have a throw ratio between 0.4:1 and 1.0:1. If you have limited space, look for a lower throw ratio, which allows you to place the projector closer to the screen. Consider your room size and how far you can place the projector from the screen to choose the right throw ratio for your setup.
ResolutionResolution refers to the number of pixels that make up the projected image, usually described as width x height (e.g., 1920x1080 for Full HD). Higher resolution means more detail and clarity. Common resolutions for short-throw projectors include 720p (HD), 1080p (Full HD), and 4K (Ultra HD). If you plan to use the projector for movies, gaming, or detailed presentations, a higher resolution like 1080p or 4K is recommended. For basic presentations or educational purposes, 720p may suffice.
BrightnessBrightness is measured in lumens and indicates how bright the projected image will be. This is important because it affects visibility, especially in well-lit rooms. Short-throw projectors typically range from 1,000 to 3,000 lumens. For dark or dimly lit rooms, 1,000 to 2,000 lumens may be adequate. For rooms with more ambient light, look for a projector with 2,500 lumens or more to ensure a clear and vibrant image.
Contrast RatioThe contrast ratio measures the difference between the darkest and brightest parts of the image. A higher contrast ratio means deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, which enhances image quality. Short-throw projectors often have contrast ratios ranging from 1,000:1 to 100,000:1. For home theater use, a higher contrast ratio is preferable to achieve better picture quality. For business or educational use, a moderate contrast ratio may be sufficient.
ConnectivityConnectivity options determine how you can connect your projector to other devices. Common inputs include HDMI, USB, VGA, and wireless options like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This spec is important because it affects the ease of setup and compatibility with your devices. If you plan to connect multiple devices, look for a projector with multiple HDMI ports and wireless connectivity. For simpler setups, a single HDMI port may be enough.
Keystone CorrectionKeystone correction allows you to adjust the image to be perfectly rectangular, even if the projector is not perfectly aligned with the screen. This is important for achieving a professional-looking image without distortion. Short-throw projectors often offer both vertical and horizontal keystone correction. If you anticipate placing the projector at an angle or off-center, look for a model with comprehensive keystone correction features to ensure a clear and properly aligned image.
Lamp LifeLamp life indicates how long the projector's lamp will last before it needs to be replaced, usually measured in hours. This is important for maintenance and long-term costs. Short-throw projectors typically have lamp lives ranging from 3,000 to 20,000 hours. If you plan to use the projector frequently, look for a model with a longer lamp life to reduce the need for replacements. For occasional use, a shorter lamp life may be acceptable.

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