More and more home theater enthusiasts are looking for a TV replacement to bring that big, bold movie theater experience home. The problem with getting a really big TV, though, is that they can cost a fortune. And good luck getting it through the door.
This is where short-throw and ultra short throw (UST) projectors are having a bit of a moment right now. With beautifully bright and accurate picture quality that is starting to rival many of the best TVs on the market, their ability to "throw" an image on your wall or projector screen from just inches away from the wall means you can finally have big theater visuals in a small room without having to tear it apart or move all the furtiture around.
UST and short throw projectors can be pricey, ranging anywhere from $1,000 to more than $6,000, and they often require a special ambient light rejecting (ALR) screen. But if a big-picture theater at home is what you're after, one of these projectors is the way to go. With that in mind, we've rounded up the best short throw and ultra short throw projectors on the market right now, hitting a variety of price points.
The best UST projector overall
AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro
- Phenomenal brightness
- Great in bright rooms
- Vivid, accurate color
- Fire TV 4K included
- Solid built-in speakers
- Expensive
- Manual setup
| Specification: | |
| Brightness | 3,500 ANSI lumens (peak) |
| HDR Support | HRD10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision |
| Connectivity | 3 x HDMI 2.0 ports (with eARC), Optical, USB, streaming stick compartment |
| Size | 23.6 by 13.9 by 5.7 inches (WxDxH), 24 lbs |
One of the biggest considerations for buying a home theater projector is how its brightness performs, not only in dark rooms where they do their best, but in rooms with a lot of ambient light that can wash out the picture. The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro doesn't care about any of that — it excels in both.
One of the brightest and best projectors we've ever tested, the LTV-3500 Pro's 3,300 ANSI-lumen (3,500 peak) triple laser image is just stunning. Color accuracy is excellent (covering 107% of the Rec. 2020 color space), too. And with support for HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision formats (one of the only projector on the market to cover all four), this 4K beast actually justifies its hefty $6,000 price, in our opinion.
Capable of projecting a 100-inch image from less than 10 inches away (it'll do 150 from just 20 inches away), the LTV-3500 Pro can be placed on the floor or atop your media unit, just like other components like a AV receiver. Setup is a bit more manual than other projectors, with a ton of auto-keystone and image correction features, but this projector is meant to be set up and left alone.
Connectivity options are ample, too, with three HDMI 2.0 ports (one of which supports eARC). And one of them being concealed in a compartment meant for connecting a streaming stick (a Fire TV dongle is included). There's also a USB 2.0 port, an optical out, analog video input, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
It's big and expensive, but it's picture quality, decent built-in speakers, and easy-to-use interface make it well worth the money.
Best UST for sound and dialog
Samsung LSP9T Premiere
- 4K picture at 120 inches
- High-quality 2,200-lumen brightness
- Great voice assistant support
- Expensive
| Specification: | |
| Brightness | 2,800 ANSI lumens |
| HDR Support | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Connectivity | 3 x HDMI (one eARC), USB, optical, RF input |
| Size | 21.5 by 14.5 by 5.5 inches (WxDxH), 25 lbs |
Samsung’s ultra short throw projector has an excellent collection of specs that guarantee a high-end home theater experience while also saving a bunch of space. That includes a 2,800-lumen bulb that ensures images will be visible even in bright-room conditions, 4K resolution at up to a 130-inch image size, and Samsung’s own Tizen smart TV platform for browsing apps and more.
This ultra short throw project also comes with 30-watt speakers, and while projector speakers aren’t generally that impressive (we highly suggest getting a full sound system), these plus the built-in subwoofer are better than traditional TV speakers. It’s also a smart projector with support for Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung's own Bixby voice assistant, so you don’t have to get up when you can turn the projector on or search for a show with basic voice commands.
Like many short throw projectors, Samsung’s model is also fairly portable if you’d like to move it to different locations and doesn’t require the same sort of calibration each time that other types of projectors may require. It’s a complete package, although the price may deter some buyers.
Great for gamers, excellent built-in sound
BenQ V5000i 4K UST laser projector
- Vivid and rich color
- Excellent contrast, even in bright rooms
- Highly customizable
- Low input lag for gaming
- Comes with Android TV
- Built-in sound is good in a pinch
- Expensive
- 2,500 lumens is average for the price
- ALR screen is hard to assemble
| Specification: | |
| Brightness | 2,500 ANSI lumens |
| HDR Support | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Connectivity | 2 x HDMI 2.0 (one eARC), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x USB-A, optical out, 3.5mm AUX out |
| Size | 24.5 by 14 by 6.4 inches (WxDxH), 30 lbs |
The BenQ V5000i is a big and bold 4K, triple laser RGB ultra short throw projector with a beautifully bright and clear 2,500-lumen picture that excels in a dark room. And with BenQ's Pro-HDR tech (with support for HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG), colors and contrast are excellent, too, even with some light in the room.
The V5000i is BenQ's follow-up to the single-laser V7050i on our list, and its 100-inch picture blew me away during my review. It features a wide range of picture settings for you to choose from — including Bright, Cinema Bright, and Filmmaker mode — and adjustable manual settings to help you dial it in. Gamers won't be left out in the cold either, as the V5000i features Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and a 120Hz refresh rate at 4K.
Like with most projectors (and even the best TVs), you're probably going to want to upgrade to a soundbar or even connect it to your AV receiver for better sound, but give the V5000i's built-in 40-watt speaker system a try first — it actually sounds pretty good in a pinch.
For a little extra money, you can get the V5000i with a 100-inch ambient light rejecting (ALR) screen to ensure the best possible brightness, color, and contrast. The BenQ V5000i also comes with a Google TV dongle built-in, so you can get streaming through all your services in no time. With three additional HDMI ports (two HDMI 2.0 and one HDMI 2.1), you can also connect streaming devices or a Blu-ray player, too.
Best UST for color reproduction
Hisense PX1-PRO
- Great color accuracy
- HDMI eARC support
- Supports casting with Chromecast
- 130-inch images may be too large for some traditional home setups
| Specification: | |
| Brightness | 2,200 ANSI lumens |
| HDR Support | HDR10, HLG |
| Connectivity | 2 x HDMI 2.1 (one eARC), 2 x USB ports, RF antenna, optical out |
| Size | 20.5 by 12.8 by x 6.3 inches (WxDxH), 25.6 lbs |
Hisense’s TriChrome engine is the real highlight of this ultra short throw laser projector, able to reach 107% coverage of the BT.2020 color gamut: that means extra color accuracy, which is always an important consideration for projectors. Combine it with the peak brightness of 2,200 lumens, and you won’t have to worry about losing any image detail if you’re switching from a TV. It also provides a 4K image at up to 130 inches.
We love to see a projector supporting the Dolby Atmos sound format as well. Add in the HDMI eARC support for easy passthrough connections for modern speakers, and this is one of the best projectors for sound quality you can find. Thanks to its Android TV platform, it’s also friendly for Google app users and supports casting video using the Chromecast tools.
If there’s any downside here, it’s that 130 inches is a fairly large space, and you’ll need a lot of room for a screen that large, which may not fit in every home theater space.
Another great ultra short throw all-rounder
LG Cinebeam HU715QW
- Dolby Atmos and HDR10 support
- ThinQ smart platform
- Brightness modes depending on the room
- 20-watt speakers do not impress
| Specification: | |
| Brightness | 2,500 ANSI lumanes |
| HDR Support | HDR10, HLG |
| Connectivity | 1 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x HDMI 2.0 (one eARC), 2 x USB-A, optical out |
| Size | 21 by 12.4 by 6 inches (WxDxH), 24.5 lbs |
Combine the impressive 2,500 lumens with 4K technology backed by LG’s XPR tech, add in support for HDR10, and this projector can really deliver an image to make your friends jealous. It’s another model that includes Dolby Atmos and HDMI eARC to benefit your careful speaker setup, too.
The platform also uses LG’s ThinQ smart tech, which means you can give voice commands if you like. Screen sharing is supported via AirPlay 2, Miracast, and more. There are also some handy modes here, including different brightness modes for medium light, bright rooms, dark rooms, and others. Unfortunately, the two 20-watt speakers could be more impressive, so this is another example of why you’d really want an external sound system or soundbar to use as well.
Best affordable ultra short throw projector
Epson EpiqVision LS300
- Affordable model
- Extra-high 3,600-lumen brightness
- Decent built-in speakers
- Lacks some smart and optimization features
- No eARC support
| Specification: | |
| Brightness | 3,600 ISO lumens |
| HDR Support | HDR10, HLG |
| Connectivity | 2 x HDMI (one ARC), 1 x USB-A, optical audio out |
| Size | 18.4 by 15.7 by 5.2 inches (WxDxH), 16 lbs |
It’s hard to find a budget ultra short throw projector, but Epson’s model will probably be the best you can find. It costs about the same as a very good HDTV, and you get support for up to 4K images at 120 inches, although only native Full HD support (always look at the native support numbers). The laser can reach 100% of the traditional RGB color base, and HDR optimization is here as well for improving contrast and clarity for many kinds of content.
Android TV and its associated support for Chromecast casting are here as well, making this another good pick for Google users or those streaming content from other devices. The Yamaha 2.1 speakers are also very good, considering the price. And brightness is perhaps the most impressive of all for the price, reaching a bonkers 3,600 ISO lumens if necessary (although staying at that level will burn your bulb out quickly). All in all, this is an ideal pick if you want to replace a TV that’s frequently watched in the daytime.
Best overall short throw projector
Optoma GT2100HDR 1080p projector
- Great color and contrast for the price
- Bright 4,200 ANSI lumens
- Good for gaming and movies
- HDR10 and HLG support
- Built-in speakers aren't great
| Specification: | |
| Brightness | 4,200 ANSI lumens |
| HDR Support | HDR10, HLG |
| Connectivity | 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB, 3.2mm audio out |
| Size | 10.8 x 8.5 by 4.5 inches (WxDxH), 6.6 lbs |
If you can't yet fork over the extra cash for a primo UST projector and you have a little extra room to spare in your viewing room, then the Optoma GT2100HDR short throw projector could be a good option. The GT2100HDR comes from a long model line of well regarded 1080p (1920 by 1080) Optoma projectors that offers a beautiful and bright 2,400 ANSI lumen image from its DLP laser source, for under $1,500.
A great entry-level option for movie lovers and gamers, the Optoma GT2100HDR can throw a 100-inch image onto a screen of wall from just over 3 feet away, up to a maximum of 292 inches diagonal, making backyard movie nights an option (it is not weather resistant, though).
The Optoma GT2100HDR supports HDR10 and HLG HDR formats, so you know the contrast is going to be solid (it may struggle a little in bright rooms, though), and it can reproduce the Rec.709 color gamut, which means vivid and accurate colors no matter what you're watching. Two HDMI 2.0 inputs means you can connect streaming devices, Blu-ray players, and game consoles, and the projector's low 8.6 millisecond input response and 120Hz refresh rate, while not mind blowing, will serve gamers well.
Like most projectors in this category, the built-in speakers are not going to win any awards, so we'd recommend adding a soundbar or using your own home stereo setup for sound, which you can connect to through the projector's 3.5mm output.
Best short throw projector for gamers
BenQ X500i 4K gaming projector
- Great price for the features
- Automatically optimizes for your console
- Fast 4.16ms response time
- Dolby Atmos and spatial audio support
- Excellent brightness and color
- HDR10, HDRPro, contrast
- Android TV streaming stick is just OK
| Specification: | |
| Brightness | 2,200 ANSI lumens |
| HDR Support | HDR10, HLG |
| Connectivity | 2 x HDMI 2.0b (one eARC), USB 2.0, USB-C, optical out, 3.5mm audio out |
| Size | 24.4 by 9.6 by 4.6 inches (WxDxH), 7.9 lbs |
If you have limited space in your living room or games room, the BenQ X500i is one of the best-priced and feature-rich short throw projectors you can buy. With a throw ratio of 0.69:1 to 0.83:1, you can game on a screen size of 100 inches with the projector at just five feet away. It's auto keystone adjustment is great, and will have you up and running fast.
For gamers, the the BenQ X500i is a powerful 4K projector that console gamers will love for its feature that lets you connect any console (such as PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo) ad the projector will automatically optimize its settings for the console. The X500i also impresses a fast 4.16ms response time for reduced input lag while killing bad guys, and you can even choose from FPS, RPG, or SPG game modes to further customize the experience. Additionally, you can even use BenQ's SettingXchange website to access a whole database of projector settings that are perfect for specific games.
But even though this is a great gaming projector, its 2,200 ANSI lumens of brightness, 84% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut, HDRPro and HDR10 support, and Dolby Atmos and spatial audio sound means that it's a monster when it comes to watching movies, too. It's also got Android TV access through an included streaming stick, in case you don't already have a streaming device to connect. Its two 5-watt built-in speakers aren't anything to write home about, so a soundbar or a good pair of headphones are a good idea.
The BenQ X500i gaming projector features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, two HDMI inputs, USB-C and USB-A inputs, as well as Chromecast and AirPlay support. Plus, at just $1,700, it's a great value for gamers and movie lovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Throw distance is the minimum/maximum distance the projector can be from a surface (like a screen or a wall) to cast a desirable image. Short throw projectors can generally throw a 100-inch image from roughly 3 to 4 feet from the screen, while ultra short throw projectors tend to have a range anywhere from around 3 to 20 inches.
Brightness is critical for projectors, determining how clear the image will be and how dark the room needs to be to properly see it. Brightness is measured in lumens, though ANSI lumens are a common measure in DLP (digital light processing) projectors.
There isn’t a hard and fast way to measure lumens, so the actual lumen rating can vary from model to model. Generally, the most common brightness for short and ultra short throw projectors is between 2,000 and 2,500 lumens. Portable projectors are usually significantly dimmer, but that’s largely because of the smaller lighting fixture in the compact form factor.
Resolution naturally determines the clarity of the image. This is measured the same way it is on televisions and monitors. It’s important to read the fine print when shopping for projectors, however. Many will boast 4K or 1080p resolutions but are referring to the content the projector supports — different than the projector’s native resolution. Many cheaper projectors will promote HD resolutions but only have a native resolution of 840 × 480 (DVD quality).
Any time you’re shopping, check the native resolution to get a clear idea of what the image will look like.
Projectors these days usually come with a healthy number of ports to connect Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. These are usually critical, even if the projector has a built-in smart TV interface, such as Google TV or Android TV. These interfaces are usually clunky and outdated, so you’ll always have a better experience connecting an external media device.
You will also want to make sure the projector has audio-out jacks or HDMI eARC. Projector speakers are usually weak, if they have speakers at all. To get the best experience, you’ll want to connect a soundbar or home theater system.
If you want to go wireless, some projectors do support AirPlay or Chromecast, though this is far from a universal feature. But you can make just about any projector cast video by connecting an Apple TV, Chromecast, or another streaming stick.
That all depends on what your needs are, but compared to regular throw projectors, short throw and UST projectors are easier to set up as they do not require as much room to throw an image and can be more conveniently placed much closer to the screen, often on your existing media console.
Because of this closer setup, there's no worry about people walking in front of the projection beam casting a shadow and ruining your viewing, and there's no need for often messy or intrusive ceiling mounting. Picture-wise, however, the fact that it's a short throw or UST projector doesn't determine its picture quality — normal throw and UST projectors can have similar resolution and picture quality specs.
No, you don't need a screen with a short throw or UST projector, or with any projector for that matter, and you can simply project an image on to a clean and smooth white wall, if you like.
However, adding a proper screen will improve the picture quality immensely. But not all screens are created equal and some might be better for the projector you buy and the room situation you're in as some screens do better at managing the light in the room, especially if your projector isn't set up in a dedicated home theater room, like in a basement or where the light can be completely controlled. Some UST projectors actually will come with a perfectly paired screen, such as an "ambient light reflecting" (ALR) screen that does a much better job of filtering and reflecting light for brighter, clearer, more vivid picture quality.
Yes, of course! Many projectors, not just UST projectors, come with HDMI inputs that can be used to connect your streaming devices such as an Apple TV, Roku, or Amazon Fire Stick, just as you would with a TV. Some are even capable of 4K resolution and HDR features like Dolby Vision and DTS:X, as well as sound support for formats such as Dolby Atmos. A lot of projectors are also now coming with built-in smart TV operating systems such as Android TV, webOS, and Tizen, that all support every streaming service you can think of.
