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10 Best Short Throw Projectors 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

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
10.0
Chosen by1,411
Brightness
Contrast Ratio

Most important from
83 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
10.0
Chosen by1,411
Brightness
Contrast Ratio

Most important from
83 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.
#2

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

Rating
10.0
Resolution

Most important from
1 reviews

Resolution
Picture is as clear as being there.

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.

The short-throw capability allows it to produce large images from a small distance, making it perfect for smaller spaces where a traditional projector might struggle. Additionally, it features custom color optimization for golf simulation mode, enhancing the realism of the virtual golfing experience. Connectivity is straightforward with HDMI, making it easy to hook up to various devices. While the projector is portable, weighing 20.7 pounds, it may not be the most lightweight option for frequent transport. The product dimensions are substantial (20.6 x 18.4 x 11.4 inches), so ensure you have adequate space for setup.

In summary, this projector is well-suited for those needing a high-resolution, bright, and color-accurate solution for both home entertainment and simulation purposes, provided the setup space can accommodate its size.

Rating
10.0
Resolution

Most important from
1 reviews

Resolution
Picture is as clear as being there.
#3

LG HF85JA Ultra Short Throw Laser Smart Home Theater CineBeam Projector (2017 Model - Class 1 laser product)

Rating
9.9
Throw Ratio
Resolution

Most important from
77 reviews

Throw Ratio
The projector's sensitivity to adjustments is a typical trait of ultra-short throw models but easily manageable.
Resolution
Picture quality is exceptional, especially when projected on a flat Universal Grey wall.

The LG HF85JA Ultra Short Throw Laser Smart Home Theater CineBeam Projector is a compact and powerful option for those looking to create a home theater experience in a small space. One of its standout features is its ultra-short throw capability, which allows you to project a 100-inch image from just 17 inches away from the wall. This makes it an excellent choice for tight spaces where traditional projectors might be impractical. The projector offers a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, ensuring clear and detailed images, while the 150,000:1 contrast ratio allows for vivid and dynamic visuals, enhancing your viewing experience.

With a brightness of up to 1,500 lumens, it performs well in dimly lit environments but might struggle in very bright rooms. A significant advantage is its laser lamp, which has a long life of up to 20,000 hours, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Additionally, the projector is LG Smart TV enabled, providing access to a variety of streaming services without requiring additional devices. Keystone correction features help in adjusting the image to fit perfectly on the screen, ensuring flexibility in setup.

However, there are some downsides to consider. The projector's brightness might not be sufficient for rooms with a lot of ambient light. Also, being a 2017 model, it may lack some of the latest features found in newer projectors. Despite these minor drawbacks, the LG HF85JA is a highly capable short-throw projector that offers excellent image quality and convenience for home theater enthusiasts.

Rating
9.9
Throw Ratio
Resolution

Most important from
77 reviews

Throw Ratio
The projector's sensitivity to adjustments is a typical trait of ultra-short throw models but easily manageable.
Resolution
Picture quality is exceptional, especially when projected on a flat Universal Grey wall.

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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