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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
9.7
Chosen by1,308
Brightness
Contrast Ratio

Most important from
82 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
9.7
Chosen by1,308
Brightness
Contrast Ratio

Most important from
82 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

ViewSonic LS921WU 6000 Lumens WUXGA Short Throw Laser Projector for 200 Inch Screen, Dual HDMI, 4K HDR HLG Support, 1.1x Optical Zoom for Business and Education, White

Rating
9.4
Throw Ratio
Resolution
Brightness

Most important from
24 reviews

Throw Ratio
Its performance in projecting large, clear images from a short distance makes it ideal for presentations and educational use.
Resolution
The projector's resolution, while not the highest, is more than adequate for clear and detailed visuals.
Brightness
The picture quality is impressive, with bright and vibrant colors that stand out even in well-lit rooms.

The ViewSonic LS921WU is a robust short-throw laser projector designed for large screen setups, making it suitable for both business presentations and educational environments. With a resolution of 1920 x 1200, it delivers sharp and clear images, ensuring detailed visuals. Its high brightness of 6000 lumens means it can perform well even in well-lit rooms, which is a significant advantage for versatile use.

The projector's lamp life is impressive, with the laser phosphor light source lasting up to 20,000 hours, reducing the need for frequent replacements and maintenance. Setup is user-friendly with features like 1.1x optical zoom, horizontal and vertical keystone correction, and wide lens shift, which help in achieving the perfect image alignment even in challenging setups. The 360-degree projection capability adds to its flexibility.

Connectivity options are extensive, including dual HDMI, USB, HDBT, and Ethernet LAN, ensuring compatibility with most devices. Remote management and scheduling are facilitated through LAN control, supporting Crestron and other systems, which is a handy feature for IT admins. While it supports 4K HDR HLG, the native resolution is not 4K, which might be a consideration for those specifically seeking ultra-high-definition content. This projector is an excellent choice for those needing a powerful, flexible, and long-lasting device, ideal for professional and educational settings rather than casual home cinema use.

Rating
9.4
Throw Ratio
Resolution
Brightness

Most important from
24 reviews

Throw Ratio
Its performance in projecting large, clear images from a short distance makes it ideal for presentations and educational use.
Resolution
The projector's resolution, while not the highest, is more than adequate for clear and detailed visuals.
Brightness
The picture quality is impressive, with bright and vibrant colors that stand out even in well-lit rooms.
#3

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

Rating
9.1
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
9.1
Resolution

Most important from
1 reviews

Resolution
Picture is as clear as being there.

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.

FAQ