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10 Best Short Throw Projectors 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 Ultra Short Throw 3-Chip 3LCD Smart Streaming Laser Projector, 4,000 Lumens, 4K PRO-UHD, HDR, 150", Android TV, 2.1ch Yamaha Built-in Speakers - Black

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,296
Resolution
Brightness
Contrast Ratio

Most important from
80 reviews

Resolution
The projector has stunning image quality that can even make it look like a giant LCD TV screen when paired with a good screen.
Brightness
It performs exceptionally well in bright rooms, delivering vibrant and beautiful images even with lots of sunlight.
Contrast Ratio
The projector's color accuracy and contrast, especially the blacks and whites, are impressive and enhance the viewing experience.
Keystone Correction
The built-in app can adjust for wall waviness, making it versatile even if you don't have a dedicated screen.

The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 is a notable contender in the short-throw projector category. With a throw ratio that allows you to project a large 150-inch screen from a short distance, it's perfect for tight spaces. The 4K PRO-UHD resolution ensures sharp and detailed images, making it ideal for both home entertainment and business presentations.

Its brightness of 4,000 lumens means it's well-suited for bright rooms, delivering clear and vivid visuals even in well-lit environments. The high contrast ratio, enhanced by HDR, further improves picture quality with better blacks and color depth. Connectivity options are robust, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, and HDMI, offering flexibility in connecting various devices.

The built-in 2.1ch Yamaha speakers deliver decent sound quality, adding to the convenience of not needing external speakers for casual use. However, the projector's weight (27.6 pounds) and size might be cumbersome for some users who need portability. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 stands out with its impressive resolution, brightness, and connectivity, making it a strong choice for anyone needing a high-quality short-throw projector.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,296
Resolution
Brightness
Contrast Ratio

Most important from
80 reviews

Resolution
The projector has stunning image quality that can even make it look like a giant LCD TV screen when paired with a good screen.
Brightness
It performs exceptionally well in bright rooms, delivering vibrant and beautiful images even with lots of sunlight.
Contrast Ratio
The projector's color accuracy and contrast, especially the blacks and whites, are impressive and enhance the viewing experience.
Keystone Correction
The built-in app can adjust for wall waviness, making it versatile even if you don't have a dedicated screen.
#2

ViewSonic LS711HD 4200 Lumens 1080p Laster Projector with 0.49 Short Throw Ratio, HV Keystone, 4 Corner Adjustment, 360 Degrees Projection for Home and Office

Rating
9.6
Brightness

Most important from
9 reviews

Brightness
The projector is incredibly bright and delivers good quality visuals.

The ViewSonic LS711HD is a versatile short-throw projector ideal for home cinema, education, and business settings. With a throw ratio of 0.49, it can project large images from a short distance, making it suitable for small spaces. Its 1080p resolution ensures sharp and clear visuals, while the high brightness of 4200 lumens allows for use in well-lit environments.

The contrast ratio, although not specified, is described as high, which should provide good image depth and clarity. The projector's laser technology offers an impressive lamp life of up to 30,000 hours, reducing the need for frequent replacements and maintenance. Setup is straightforward with features like 4-corner adjustment, 15-degree horizontal/vertical keystone correction, and 360-degree projection capability, allowing for flexible installation options.

Additionally, the auto power on/off feature adds convenience by automatically powering the projector as needed. Connectivity is robust, supporting HDMI, USB, and 3.5mm jack inputs, making it compatible with various devices such as media players, PCs, Macs, and mobile devices. However, the projector weighs 6.95 pounds, which might be slightly heavy for some users looking for a more portable option. The ViewSonic LS711HD offers excellent performance and features for its category, making it a strong contender for anyone needing a high-quality, reliable short-throw projector.

Rating
9.6
Brightness

Most important from
9 reviews

Brightness
The projector is incredibly bright and delivers good quality visuals.
#3

Optoma ZH406ST Short Throw Full HD Professional Laser Projector | DuraCore Laser Technology | High Bright 4200 lumens | 4K HDR Input | Four Corner Image Adjustment | Network Compatible

Rating
9.4
Brightness
Contrast Ratio

Most important from
86 reviews

Brightness
The projector is bright enough to run with lights on, making it perfect for large venues.
Contrast Ratio
Excellent brightness and contrast; videos are clear even with lights on.

The Optoma ZH406ST short-throw projector is designed for professional use, offering a range of impressive features. With a throw ratio that allows for a 120-inch image from just 4 feet away, it's ideal for small spaces. The projector boasts a Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080), ensuring sharp and clear images. Its brightness level of 4200 lumens allows for clear viewing even in well-lit rooms, making it suitable for business presentations and educational settings.

The impressive 300,000:1 contrast ratio provides deep blacks and bright whites, enhancing the image quality. Connectivity options are ample, including dual HDMI, VGA, and RJ45, accommodating various devices and setups. The four-corner image adjustment feature makes installation flexible and straightforward. The DuraCore laser technology ensures a long lamp life of up to 30,000 hours, reducing maintenance costs, and the IPX6 dust resistance adds to its durability.

Additionally, the projector supports 4K HDR input, enhancing video quality for a richer viewing experience. However, the integrated speakers, while convenient, may not suffice for larger rooms, and the projector's weight (10 pounds) might be a consideration for portable use. The 2-year limited parts warranty and 5-year light source warranty offer added peace of mind for long-term investment. The Optoma ZH406ST is a robust and versatile short-throw projector that fits well in educational and business environments, providing high-quality visuals and reliable performance.

Rating
9.4
Brightness
Contrast Ratio

Most important from
86 reviews

Brightness
The projector is bright enough to run with lights on, making it perfect for large venues.
Contrast Ratio
Excellent brightness and contrast; videos are clear even with lights on.

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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