Short throw projectors can output large images from short distances, with some products capable of producing a 100-inch diagonal display from just around 3-4 feet. They are much more suitable in a small or tight space, whether it’s a classroom, a conference room, or a bedroom. Since short throw projectors are mounted much closer to the screen than standard projectors, chances of someone walking across the projector light and casting a shadow on the screen are significantly reduced. Furthermore, you don’t need to worry about getting blinded by the light at every turn during a critical presentation.
When shopping for the best short throw projectors, there are two things to keep in mind. First, they are more expensive than standard projectors, so don’t be surprised to see the best ones selling for well over $600-700. And second, shopping for short throw projectors can be confusing due to the number of options – especially considering there are also ultra short throw projectors, which, as their name suggests, are capable of producing large images at even shorter distances.
We’re here to make things much easier for you. In this guide, we have compiled the top short throw projectors currently out. No need to spend weeks going through dozens of products on the market and narrowing down your list. We already got you covered with this list. Keep in mind that the products here are arranged according to price, in ascending order, so don’t think of it as a ranked list.
Asus S1
A well-built projector with a quiet cooling fan, the S1 is easy to use, with not much setup required every time you fire it up. It has decent-sounding speakers, with the option to connect external speakers via the audio out port. It produces a 41-inch display from just around 3 feet and can run up to 30,000 hours before it needs a light source replacement. While it has good brightness for its size, the S1 is best used in a dim or dark room for the best experience.
ViewSonic PS501W
Moreover, this short throw projector has better brightness and contrast and offers more connection options than Asus’ offering. It has a simple design, with all buttons neatly arranged on top. It’s easy to set up out of the box and is easy to mount on the ceiling or a tripod. If you want a good short throw projector for a home theater setup but don’t want to spend too much, the PS501W – which sells for about $530 – is a solid option.
Optoma GT750ST
Capable of producing a 50-inch display from less than 3 feet, the GT750ST boasts a good contrast ratio and a good picture quality overall. While not on the same level as monitors and TVs, this short throw projector has a low input lag, which makes it a good option for gamers who prefer a more portable setup. It’s good for RPGs, racing games, and platformers, but for fast-paced competitive games like Overwatch, it’s not recommended. If you want a good all-around short throw gaming projector that you can easily move around, this Optoma product is for you.
BenQ MW632ST
The MW632ST has a well-designed case with responsive function buttons on top. It has an impressive selection of connection options, including two HDMI ports, analog ports, a mini USB, and a standard audio out for external speakers. As mentioned, it has a built-in sound system, which can get very loud and is surprisingly good. In terms of picture quality, the MW632ST is good for the price, featuring a good contrast ratio. It’s great for both office and home use and can get bright enough for usage in a moderately lit room.
BenQ i500
A short throw projector with a WXGA resolution, the i500 is good for watching movies, streaming Netflix shows, and casual gaming. It can produce a 75-inch display from 3.3 feet out, with the display size going up as you move it farther from the screen. It has good picture quality but can’t get bright enough to effectively fight off ambient light, which makes it unsuitable for usage in a room with lots of light sources. Like other projectors with a low brightness, this BenQ short throw projector is best used while in a dimly lit or dark room.
ViewSonic PX706HD
Like the BenQ i500, the PX706HD has built-in speakers. While not comparable to external speakers, the built-in speakers are decent enough but don’t expect them to fill a large room. The PX706HD offers excellent picture quality, with good color reproduction, decent contrast, and enough brightness for usage in a room with moderate lighting. With around 16 milliseconds of input lag, this short throw projector is a great unit for gaming, even for fast-paced first-person shooters and fighting games. It can produce a 100-inch display from just under 5 feet, which is good for those who live in a cramped apartment.
BenQ TH671ST
A DLP short throw projector, the TH671ST is a fantastic option if you want a projector for media consumption and gaming. It has good color accuracy, a decent contrast ratio, and a brightness of 3,000 lumens, with the ability to produce a 100-inch display from just around 5 feet. It has a 16.67 milliseconds input lag, which is an excellent rating for serious gaming. You can use it to play slow-paced RPGs and adventure games as well as fast-paced first-person shooters. It’s easy to set up out of the box and even comes with a sensor that adjusts the image brightness based on the room’s lighting.
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Optoma W303ST
Compared to the BenQ TH671ST and the ViewSonic PX706HD, this Optoma projector is more suitable for office use, with its resolution making text-heavy presentations look sharper. It has a good contrast ratio and can get bright enough to counter moderate ambient light. It’s got good color accuracy, too, which makes it a solid option for media consumption. An easy-to-use projector, the W303ST has weak speakers, so it’s best paired with external speakers, especially for business meetings. If you want a 1080p Optoma short throw projector, consider the other more expensive Optoma products on this list instead.
Optoma GT1080Darbee
Capable of producing a 100-inch display from just 3.5 feet, the GT1080Darbee boasts good color accuracy and enough brightness to work well in a room with moderate ambient light. If you love to watch sci-fi and action movies, you’re going to love this projector. And as mentioned, it has a very low input lag – but only when set in gaming mode. Whether you prefer fast-paced games such as Battlefield 1, Overwatch, and Rocket League or mainly play games such as Persona 5 and Final Fantasy XV, the GT1080Darbee will prove to be an excellent gaming projector.
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BenQ HT2150ST
A DLP projector with a Full HD (1920×1080) resolution, the HT2150ST can produce a 100-inch display from around 5 feet. It has a fast response time and excellent coverage for the Rec. 709 color space. It has an input lag of 16.67 milliseconds, which makes it suitable for games in which quick reactions are crucial, such as fighting games and first-person shooters. While not as good as the GT1080Darbee concerning brightness, the HT2150ST is still good when used in a room with moderate ambient light. If you want the best viewing experience, we recommend running it in a dimly lit or dark room, especially when watching movies such as Blade Runner 2049, Thor: Ragnarok, and Mad Max: Fury Road.
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Optoma EH200ST
A well-built projector with a native 16:9 aspect ratio, the EH200ST is housed in a clean case with a simple all-white finish. It has easy-to-use function buttons on top, with the input ports located on the side instead of at the rear. Unlike some of the projectors on this list, it has limited connectivity, with the main input option being HDMI. On the upside, you can use it to directly display media from compatible smartphones and tablets. It has decent speakers, too, but if you want to use it strictly for home entertainment, we recommend pairing it with more powerful speakers instead.
Epson PowerLite 535W
For office and classroom use, the PowerLite 535W is an excellent projector. It produces sharp and clear texts and has enough brightness to work well in a room with moderate ambient light. It has a decent-sounding speaker, too, but don’t expect too much, especially regarding bass. For gaming, this Epson projector is not a recommended option if you mainly play fast-paced games that require quick reactions. On the other hand, it’s decent enough for slow-paced games like turn-based RPGs, so feel free to use it for games such as World of Final Fantasy, Persona 5, and Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth.