Projectors are a great way to enjoy all your favorite movies, TV shows, and games at home. But if you don’t have enough room to allow the projector to do its job, then you won’t be able to make much use of it. However, with the best short throw projectors, you can build a complete home theater even in small spaces.
Projectors are a great replacement since it is sometimes difficult to appreciate the true scope of 4K on a TV when compared to projectors. Projectors have a lot of other advantages, like they take up very little space, offer bigger projection than any large TV available, have better viewing distance, and are easy to move around. But there are also some downsides to it like the audio experience is not as good as TV speakers, which is a small hiccup that can be solved by connecting external speakers. 4K projectors can also be quite expensive, even more than TVs depending on the screen size. If you want to read our extensive thoughts on this topic, you can check out our article on “Can a Projector Replace TV for Home Entertainment?”
In this article, we’re going to talk about the best short throw projectors in the USA that were recommended by experts and are sure to bring a lot of value to the money you’ll be spending.
Are Short Throw Projectors Worth It?
Absolutely! Short throw projectors make a great entertainment companion for anyone who lives in a small space, travels, or just prefers to save space by getting smaller ones, as they are compact and portable. While projectors still have a long way to go before replacing TVs, these devices still deliver stunning images with high resolution that rivals some of high-end TVs, but of course, there are different price ranges that you’ll have to choose from—from lamp-based to 4K laser projectors, there are quite a few options. Some of the short throw projectors are even integrated with built-in speakers, which eliminates the need for external speakers, saving even more space than you initially imagined. So, if these are a few things that you think you can benefit from, then you should definitely get one.
Best Short Throw Projectors in 2025
From streaming to gaming, these short throw projectors deliver large, breathtaking images even in cramped spaces.
BEST OVERALL
AWOL Vision LTV-2500
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
3D support
4K image resolution
Triple Laser projection
Dedicated Game Mode
DTS:X and Dolby Atmos
HDR10 support and Dolby Vision
But…
Expensive
The AWOL Vision LTV-2500 is a high-end projector that may need you to dig deep into your pocket, but the features you get for it are worth it. It uses the Triple Laser projection technology and delivers an impressive 4K image that you can’t get enough of. With the support of Dolby Vision and HDR10, the colors produced are absolutely stunning! It has a contrast ratio of 2500:1 and supports over a billion colors, ensuring there is no color that you’re missing from the images. To complement the image quality, the projector is also integrated with Dolby Atmos, making it a complete package for the ultimate movie-watching experience at home. On top of that, it is not only a UST (Ultra-Short Throw) projector but also acts as the center channel when paired with the ThunderBeat 4.2.2 surround sound system.
BEST 4K
Hisense Laser Cinema PX3-PRO
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
3D ready
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
4K AI upscaling
IMAX Enhanced
High contrast ratio
But…
Harman Kardon Speakers
The Hisense Laser Cinema PX3-PRO is what you get when you want the best and most high-end projector for your home. It is designed purely to deliver a theater-like experience at home. PX3-PRO uses Triple Laser technology to project 4K images of the highest quality you need for the complete experience. It has a 3000:1 native contrast ratio for accurate color recreation. For all IMAX enthusiasts, it also has an IMAX Enhanced feature that lets you enjoy movies like Interstellar and The Dark Knight in all their glory. And with the inclusion of Dolby Atmos, it is a projector that is worth every penny you pay for.
BEST PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS300
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
4K support
Great design
Sound by Yamaha
Built-in Chromecast
2-year limited warranty
3600 lumens peak brightness
But…
No Netflix support
With 3600 lumens of peak brightness, the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS300 is one of the brightest short throw projectors out there. The image projection can be up to 120 inches in a full-HD 1080p resolution with 4K support. What it means is that it takes in 4K resolution inputs and translates them into 1080p images without ever compromising on the quality. It also features Laser Array technology to achieve high brightness and deep black colors. To complement all of this, it has a 2.1 audio system with Dolby Audio support that makes watching movies extremely enjoyable. And with Epson’s brand attached to it, there is zero doubt that this is one of the best ultra-short throw projectors.
BEST MID-RANGE
Optoma GT3500HDR Projector
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
4K support
Compact build
Built-in speakers
Low latency for gaming
100-inch image projection
Up to 30,000 hours of lamp life
But…
Flimsy packaging
The Optoma GT3500HDR is a great mid-range projector for small home entertainment setups. It has a great 1080p output with a 100-inch projection size that allows you to enjoy pretty much everything from movies to games. It has plenty of connectivity options so that you can connect different devices for different needs. You can connect your gaming console and enjoy the benefits of 8ms response time and 120Hz refresh rate for a lag-free gaming experience. And with its 15W built-in speakers, you don’t have to worry about buying an external speaker if you’re out of budget. So bring home this Optoma short throw projector and enjoy movies the way you want.
BEST FOR GAMING
BenQ TK700STi 4K HDR Gaming Projector
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Low latency
Sleek design
Audio equalizer
Console compatibility
Dedicated Game Mode
But…
Occasional heating issues
BenQ is a name known for high-quality gaming products, and the BenQ TK700STi is built with the same intention. It has gaming-friendly features like a dedicated Game Mode, low latency, and console compatibility. It delivers a 16ms response time when projecting in 4K 60Hz and 4.16ms at 1080p 240Hz. And when you’re not gaming, you can utilize the integrated GoogleTV features to stream movies and shows from your favorite app that you can download from the built-in Google Play app. You can enjoy all these on its 100-inch projection from just 8 feet of distance on any surface — all images are automatically adjusted according to the surface owing to its 2D keystone feature.
BEST BUDGET
BenQ TH671ST 1080p Projector
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Affordable
Low input lag
HDR10 and HLG
3-year limited warranty
100-inch projection from 5 feet
3000 lumens of peak brightness
But…
Low durability
Cramped space and a cramped budget? No worries! The BenQ TH671ST has an affordable price tag with some amazing features that offer great value for your money. Unlike the previous BenQ projector, this one has a 1080p resolution with beautiful color recreation that keeps you hooked on the movies and games you’re playing. Additionally, it also supports HDR10 and HLG formats to deliver crisp and clear images. You won’t have to set up the projector too far — even from a distance of just 5 feet, it can project images of up to 100 inches.
BEST LARGE IMAGE PROJECTION
WEMAX Nova 4K UHD Laser TV Projector
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
4 projection sizes
150-inch 4K images
Android TV integration
8-point keystone correction
ALPD 3.0 and TI DLP support
Dolby Audio DTS HD speakers
But…
Not ideal for brightly-lit rooms
The WEMAX Nova 4K is a high-quality projector that can deliver sharp and clear 4K images of up to 150 inches on any surface. It features industry-leading patented technologies ALPD 3.0 and TI DLP that make the images look bright and vibrant for a life-like quality. And with the inclusion of 30W Dolby Audio DTS HD speakers, you get to experience a complete immersive movie-watching experience at home! You can either stream from external devices that can be connected via HDMI ports or just browse through your favorite apps with its Android TV integration. All of this is smartly designed and integrated into its simple and sleek design that blends into any modern setup.
BEST HDR SUPPORT
Optoma GT2100HDR Short Throw Laser Home Projector
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
3D support
Dual HDMI ports
Built-in speakers
Advanced laser technology
Lifespan of up to 30,000 hours
Peak brightness of 4200 lumens
But…
Expensive
If you need a projector with HDR support, then the Optoma GT2100HDR short throw projector could be the one for you. It supports 4K HDR along with HDR10 and HLG for a rich and colorful image quality. With a contrast ratio of 300,000:1, you get to see nearly every shade of color from the spectrum. Apart from that, this projector is also great for gaming, all thanks to its enhanced gaming mode. All of the 4K 60 Hz gaming input is translated into 1080p 60 Hz with a 16 ms response time or 1080p 120 Hz at an 8 ms response time; either way, you’re getting a great gaming experience. Despite such powerful processing, the projector draws less power as a part of Optoma’s “Design for Sustainability” vision.
BEST 1080P
Salange HY300 PRO Projector
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Affordable
4K support
Compact size
Tiltable stand
Integrated Android 11 OS
270-degree rotation capabilities
But…
Low durability
The Salange HY300 PRO Projector is a device that you can rely on for affordable and large-screen entertainment experiences. This is a travel-friendly short throw projector that you can carry literally anywhere in the world and enjoy your favorite media on a screen as large as 100 inches. Given its compact build and 530g weight, you can use it in your RV or on your outdoor projector screen when you go camping. This is the upgraded 2024 version, and the brightness has also been amped up by 20%, so campfires are not going to hamper your viewing experience. The projector is hooked to a tiltable stand for easy point-and-shoot convenience, and it even features auto keystone correction technology, which adjusts the images as per the surface. This is one of the best short throw projectors with 4K support.
BEST FOR SCREEN MIRRORING
GooDee Mini DLP Projector
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Dust-proof
4K support
Budget-friendly
5G Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities
Short throw range of 1.64 to 9.85 feet
Automatic vertical ±45° keystone correction
But…
Unsatisfactory built-in speakers
If you find watching movies on your phone unappealing when you travel, you’ve got to try the GooDee Mini DLP Projector. It is a pocket-sized projector that offers seamless wireless screen mirroring from Android/Apple devices using Wi-Fi 5G connectivity. This tiny but mighty device can project images of up to 100 inches and can run up to 2.5 hours on its 7000 mAh battery when streamed wirelessly! The connectivity is not limited to just phones; you can pair it with laptops, TV boxes, external speakers, gaming consoles, USB drives, and more. And with the addition of DLP technology and 4K support, this projector is a complete powerhouse.
BEST 8K SUPPORT
Magcubic HY450 Smart Projector
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Auto offsetting
700 ANSI lumens
0.6:1 throw ratio
4K and 8K support
Powerful processor
200-inch projection size
But…
Loud fans
The Magcubic HY450 does many things right, and projecting large, high-resolution images is one of them. It can deliver a breathtaking 200-inch projection size from just about 2.5m away from the target surface. A screen of this size is ideal for a 4K experience, and that is why this projector comes with not just 4K but also 8K support. It’s not often that you see 8K support on projectors of this size, so definitely make use of that feature. The massive projection is also accompanied by two 8W stereo speakers that generate an immersive surround sound experience. With the integration of streaming applications like Netflix and Prime Video, you’ll have thousands of movie options to choose from.
BEST LAMP LIFE
ViewSonic LS711HD Short Throw Laser Projector
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
4200 ANSI lumens
300-inch projection
Native 1080p resolution
Laser phosphor technology
Diverse connectivity options
Up to 30,000 hours of lamp life
But…
Pricey
The ViewSonic LS711HD has an incredible lamp life of about 30,000 hours. For home entertainment purposes, this amount of lamp life could mean that even if you use it for 8 hours every day, it can last over a decade with the addition of proper maintenance. This is an expensive projector, so regular maintenance is very much necessary. It has native 1080p resolution that uses laser phosphor technology for sharp, bright, and large images. With its built-in powerful 0.65-inch DMD chip, the projector ensures that every image looks its best by bringing out the colors in their true form—from pitch blacks and bright whites to every color in between, it looks stunning on its 300-inch projection! Additionally, it has H/V keystone correction with a 4-corner adjustment, reducing any manual work for you. So, sit back and enjoy!
BEST PORTABLE
WiMiUS S27 Short Throw Projector
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Auto Sleep Mode
0.98:1 throw ratio
3.5mm audio jack
2.4G/5G dual-band Wi-Fi
100% – 85% zooming capability
15000:1 high dynamic contrast ratio
But…
720p native resolution
WiMiUS is one of the top brands for projectors with impeccable image quality and affordable pricing. The WiMiUS S27 is a compact model that can easily fit in your backpack and weighs just about 1.32 lbs, so carrying it won’t be a hassle either. It is a simple point-and-shoot projector with 270-degree projection capabilities. It is mounted on a custom-made triangular stand that keeps it stable and also makes it easy to tilt the projector to the preferred angle. From just a short distance of 5 ft, you will have a gorgeous 100-inch projection with sharp images. It has a 15000:1 high dynamic contrast ratio, so every color it produces is going to make the images pop and feel real. So, if you want high-quality entertainment everywhere you go, then try this out!
BEST THROW RATIO
AAXA M8 Ultra-Short Throw Laser Projector
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
4K support
0.2:1 throw ratio
Low-latency audio
Bluetooth 5.4 support
Eye protection feature
Seamless mirroring options
But…
Loud fans
With a 0.2:1 throw ratio, this AAXA M8 projector is one of the most convenient ultra-short throw projectors for small rooms. From a distance of just 12 inches, it can project images of up to 100 inches. On top of that, the projector itself has a compact build measuring 8” x 4.6” x 3”—if this isn’t a space-saver, then what is? It features miniature RGB laser technology to deliver bright images of up to 1100 laser (LD) lumen brightness to enjoy them even in brightly lit rooms. You also get great colors and native 1080p resolution with low-latency audio that is suitable for every type of media that you can play. Additionally, it has the flexibility to be mounted on the ceiling to project on the walls or mounted vertically to project down on the table, giving you complete liberty.
BEST FOR STREAMING
Maypug P7 Advanced Short Throw Projector
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Motorized focus
Built-in 5W speaker
100%-50% zooming
3-turbine cooling system
Lifespan of up to 50,000 hours
±30° degrees vertical keystone correction
But…
Flimsy packaging
The Maypug P7 Advanced Short Throw Projector gives you unrestricted access to popular streaming applications via its in-house Lilac OS, which comes with Google Play and TV pre-installed. It has a very reliable 4K decoding feature that translates everything to a native 1080p resolution, resulting in a highly detailed viewing experience. Be it content from Netflix or Amazon Prime, everything will look beautiful with its 20,000:1 contrast ratio and 600 ANSI lumen peak brightness, even in an outdoor setting. Since it has HDMI low latency compatibility, you can even connect your gaming consoles and enjoy games at 120 Hz for a smooth gameplay experience with 4K input. So, what are you going to do—a movie marathon or a game night with friends?
What Is the Lifespan of a Short Throw Projector?
There are a lot of factors that go into understanding how long a projector will last; for example, the average time you use it on any particular day or the type of environment the projectors are used in. You also have to keep in mind that there are two commonly used types of projectors. lamp-based and laser-based, which could also affect their lifespan. The below estimates are rough calculations based on an average time of 8 hours of usage per day; projectors can last longer or even shorter depending on different factors.
A lamp-based projector with a decent-quality lamp could last anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 hours. In cases where the projectors have an eco mode, the lifespan could bump up to 12,000 to 15,000 hours. The results are much better when you think about higher-end models, as they use higher-quality lamps, which are known to last anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000 hours. So, if your budget allows you to buy a higher-end projector, you should definitely go for them.
Laser projectors, on the other hand, don’t have any built-in lamps that deteriorate over time, they use laser technology, which tends to have a higher lifespan. They could last anywhere between 20,000 and 30,000 hours. For this reason, they are also more expensive than lamp-based projectors.
Differences Between Short Throw and Ultra-Short Throw Projectors
Short throw and ultra-short throw projectors are designed to project large images in limited spaces, but there are a few factors that set them apart, and here are some of them.
Throw distance: Short throw projectors, although they require less distance, still require 3 feet to 8 feet of distance from the wall/screen for crisp and clear images. Ultra-short throw (UST) projectors, on the other hand, can be placed right next to the projection target and still manage to deliver an image size of more than 100 inches, depending on the model.
Image Quality: The image quality is definitely better on UST when compared to short throw. They use a more advanced lens system for projection from shorter distances, which leads to sharper and more vibrant image projection. Short throw projectors, although excellent, may have some form of distortion, which could hamper the experience.
Installation: To have the perfect image quality, you need to place/mount short throw projectors at very specific distances. If they’re not placed appropriately, the image quality will take a hit and may become blurry/washed out. But when you do get it right, the result will be spectacular. The image quality on UST projectors is fantastic as well, and especially since there is very little guesswork when it comes to placing them at the right distance, there is very little struggle.
Cost: Short throw projectors are generally more affordable in comparison, even with the inclusion of some higher-end features. Whereas even the basic UST projectors use advanced technology to make projection from a short distance possible. These advanced technologies require expensive parts, leading to them having higher price tags.
What Are the Disadvantages of Short Throw Projectors?
Despite their many functionality advantages, here are a few disadvantages that you should know about before buying them.
- Cost: Short throw projectors can tend to be more expensive than traditional projectors as they use more advanced technology and parts, which are pricey to begin with.
- Flexibility: Just like regular projectors, the image quality can be compromised if it is not placed at a particular distance. Too close or too far will cause image distortion.
- Screen Size: Given their design, there is a limit to the image size that they can project. The average projection size for short throw projectors is 100-120 inches.
- Noise: Some short throw projectors, especially the more compact models, might have fans that are relatively noisy.
How We Chose the Best Short Throw Projectors
These projectors were chosen by our in-house experts, who have spent years researching and testing different kinds of home entertainment products. For this list, they began by researching the various short throw projectors on the market and tested them for various factors like image quality, projection distance, speaker clarity, and so much more. Additionally, they even contacted other industry professionals to understand their perspectives and experience with these devices. After thorough testing and research, the team finalized the above-mentioned projectors.
FAQ
What is the lifespan of a short throw projector?
The lifespan depends on the usage of the projector, but with an average use of a 3-4 hours every day, it could last anywhere from 8 to 12 years.
What is the best projector to buy?
The AWOL Vision LTV-2500 is one of the best projectors you could get, be it a short throw projector or otherwise.
Why are ultra-short throw projectors so expensive?
Ultra-short throw projectors are expensive due to advanced and expensive parts, compact design, and higher production costs.
