An ultra short throw projector is a fantastic way to take your movie, binge-watching or gaming sessions to the next level. They can be placed inches away from a wall or screen while still projecting a huge image.
Typically, these devices require special types of lasers. Plus, they usually have other fun features to enhance your entertainment experience.
There are many different short throw projectors to choose from, and each one has variations in image production, sound quality, connectivity and more. Fortunately, narrowing down the choices doesn’t have to be difficult.
Whether you’re looking for something awesome for your apartment, a small outdoor patio or even a meeting room, there’s a product out there for you. Here are the best ultra short throw projectors.
Table of Contents
Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors
Regardless of your budget or the size of your space, we’ve got you covered. These are our choices for the best ultra short throw projectors you can buy today.
1. Optoma CinemaX P2
- 4K UHD plus HDR10: Enjoy a high-quality, cinematic home theater experience with 4K Ultra HD, HDR10...
- 6-SEGMENT COLOR WHEEL: Experience richer colors and enhanced brightness with the six-segment color wheel;...
- BRIGHT, RELIABLE LASER: Laser technology delivers outstanding brightness up to 30,000 hours of light...
The CinemaX P2 carries on Optoma’s reputation with this ultra short throw projector. 4K UHD plus HDR10 delivers a cinema-quality home theater experience.
An absolutely incredible 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio and six-segment color wheel create crisp, highly contrasted images in colors you haven’t seen before.
Optoma’s laser light technology and 3,000 ANSI lumens crank the brightness. Plus, they provide up to 30,000 hours of light life and good picture quality, even in well-lit rooms.
Dynamic Black means that even with some light in the room, you’ll still see dark contrast clearly. Better yet, the High Dynamic Range brings brighter whites, deeper blacks and an excellent color range.
Compatible with Amazon Echo and Google Home, you can control this short throw projector as part of your smart home.
With IFTTT support, you can connect to thousands of other smart devices, even programming it to mute when the smart doorbell rings.
The CinemaX P2 has a premium 40W Dolby Digital soundbar built right in. It’s great because the dialogue clarity is outstanding. Words and sound are never out of sync.
Two full-range drivers and two woofers deliver deep, rich bass, smooth mids and dynamic vocals.
The gaming mode provides a way to bypass the image processing and motion compensation engine. This illuminates a direct path from the video source to the screen, creating a responsive gaming experience.
Key Features:
- True 4K UHD + HDR10
- 3,000 ANSI lumens
- 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
- Laser lasts up to 30,000 hours
- Six-segment color wheel
- Premium 40W Dolby Digital soundbar built-in
- PureMotion Technology
- High Dynamic Range
Pros:
- Phenomenal quality picture
- Great sound
- Smart home compatible
- Gaming optimized
Cons:
- Not stellar in bright rooms
- No keystone correction
2. ViewSonic PX706HD 1080p Short Throw Projector
- SUPERSIZED MOVIES AND GAMES: Bright 3000 Lumens 1080p projector with short throw lens and advanced visual...
- EASY SETUP: 0.69-0.83 throw ratio, 1.2x optical zoom, vertical digital keystone
- CINEMATIC COLORS: Exclusive Color technology offers a wide color gamut for beautiful image production in...
ViewSonic’s PX706HD comes in full 1080p HD with exclusive color technology that delivers the color spectrum clearly in nearly any environment.
3,000 ANSI lumens of brightness mean you’ll still get a nice clear picture even when there’s ambient lighting. Additionally, with a 22,000:1 contrast ratio, you can view deep blacks, sharp colors and bright whites without blur.
The reduced input latency in gaming mode is awesome for action-focused gaming. 16ms is the maximum lag for smooth frame-by-frame action and precision gameplay.
You can even play mobile games by connecting to the USB-C port.
When you’re looking for a realistic cinema-at-home experience, enjoy SonicMode. This immersive audio picks up directional sounds.
The projector connects with Roku, Fire TV stick and Chromecast for entertainment or business.
Key Features:
- 3,000 ANSI lumens
- 22,000:1 contrast ratio
- Full HD 1080p
- 15,000-hour lamp life
- SuperColor technology
- Gaming Mode
- SonicMode for sound
- Integrates with Roku, Fire TV stick and Chromecast
Pros:
- Low latency gaming
- Great color balance
Cons:
- Can get really hot
- Not 4K
3. Samsung 130” Premiere
- 4K UHD ULTRA BRIGHT TRIPLE LASER: Cutting edge triple laser technology and ultra-bright 4K resolution...
- SMART TV POWERED BY TIZEN: Go beyond Smart TV with next-gen apps, super easy control, and a host of...
- ULTRA SHORT THROW & COMPACT DESIGN: This compact projector turns any room into a home theater; Ultra...
Samsung’s Premiere shines with 4K UHD and cutting-edge triple laser technology. The triple layer light source has precise color accuracy and is the world’s first HDR10+ certified projector.
This unit’s ultra-bright resolution has incredible detail. 2,800 lumens of brightness and an amazing 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio mean the colors and detail are beyond description.
Purcolor technology fine-tunes each color to deliver natural, life-like color. Filmmaker Mode lets you experience movies the way they were meant to be seen.
Acoustic Beam Technology emits crystal clear sound on its built-in 40W 4.2.2ch audio system. It creates a soundstage that rivals the cinema.
The sound and picture sync so seamlessly together that you’ll lose yourself and forget you’re at home.
This ultra short throw projector is stylish, elegant and fits into any decor. Alexa, Google Assistant and Bixby voice assistants are built-in and ready to let you voice control your projector.
It comes ready with the same smart service as a Samsung TV and is ready to stream right out of the box with Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV and YouTube already installed.
You don’t even need a projector screen. All you need is a white wall, and you’re ready to go.
Key Features:
- 2,800 ANSI lumens
- 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
- HDR10+
- 4K resolution
- Alexa, Google Home and Bixby voice assistants built-in
- 40W 4.2.2ch audio built-in
- Samsung Smart TV service
Pros:
- Quiet
- Stream right out of the box
- Fits any decor
- Stunning picture
Cons:
- Expensive
- Reports of defective devices
4. Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500
- Stunning Picture Quality up to 130" — Delivers an immersive, bright viewing experience for TV shows,...
- Ultra-Short Throw Laser-Array Technology — A new type of laser projection that produces a stunning...
- 4K PRO-UHD (2) Projection Technology — advanced processing for resolution enhancement, color and image...
The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 immerses you in 4K full HD HDR picture, while its laser array technology ensures picture quality that almost rivals real life.
4,000 lumens of brightness and an incredible 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio deliver advanced black density as well as super whites in almost any lighting.
The color accuracy is phenomenal. Advanced three-chip 3LCD technology shows the Rec.709 color space.
Epson’s Digital Picture Processing has real-time 12-bit analog-to-digital video processing. This means that you can expect super smooth transitions. Picture a bird in flight but being able to see every feather as it flies.
The Android TV operating system is native, with an easy remote and voice control from the built-in Google Assistant.
Epson is truly the leader for projectors, and their short throw EpiqVision Ultra lives up to its name.
Key Features:
- 4,000 ANSI lumens
- 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
- 4K PRO-UHD with HDR
- Rec.709 color space
- Laser-array technology
- Digital picture processing
Pros:
- Superior picture quality
- Android TV native
- Google Assistant built-in
Cons:
- Inconsistent focus issues
5. Hisense PX1-PRO
- The PX1-PRO UST Projector features a TriChroma laser engine to achieve full coverage of the BT.2020 color...
- TriChroma really is R, G, B-eautiful. The PX1-PRO triple-laser UST uses pure red, green, and blue lasers...
- Get ready to take movie night, your next streaming binge, or gaming with the boys to a whole new level....
The PX1-PRO comes with sharp 4K images and a TriChroma laser engine that covers 107% of the BT.2020 color space. A triple laser uses pure red, green and blue lasers to achieve the highest levels of color performance.
2,200 ANSI lumens and a 1000:1 contrast ratio help bring the screen to life in most lighting conditions. High Dynamic Range supports this by expanding the color and contrast so that you see a huge color space with incredible detail.
Providing a quality gaming mode is important, and Hisense really nailed this with ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). This detects when a gaming console is the active source and automatically adjusts the settings to support gaming.
Filmmaker Mode is also really popular, and Hisense included this as well. In filmmaker mode, the motion processing adjustments are automatically disabled. This ensures you’re seeing everything exactly as the filmmaker intended.
The projector has a built-in 30W Dolby Atmos sound with eARC for lossless audio. You can enjoy sharp highs and rocking bass without any other equipment.
Key Features:
- 2,200 ANSI lumens
- 1000:1 contrast ratio
- TriChroma laser technology
- Smart home integrations
- Gaming mode, filmmaker mode
- 30W Dolby Atmos sound built-in
- High Dynamic Range
Pros:
- Sharp colors, blacks and whites
- Clear picture
- The best audio built-in
Cons:
- Expensive
6. BenQ V7050i
- UPGRADE TO TRUE 4K: 2500 ANSI Lumens powered by DMD ECD for comfortable viewing in brightly lit rooms....
- ULTRA SHORT THROW: 100” projection size at 8.7" projection distance; up to 123“ projection size. The...
- MOVIE NIGHT: Unique 98% DCI-P3 super wide color gamut and HDR-PRO technology delivers vibrant color...
The BenQ V7050i is true 4K for incredible clarity. With 2,500 ANSI lumens and powered by DMD ECD, you’ll be able to see well in brightly lit rooms.
It uses DLP technology. This is the leading tech that is used in about 90% of cinemas around the world and all IMAX theaters. Rest assured that you’re watching some of the best imaging available.
This ultra short throw projector includes HDR-PRO technology with tone mapping that adjusts the contrast for perfect balance.
The CinematicColor tech reaches 98% of the DCI-P3 super wide color space. Plus, just like the DLP technology, it’s used in most movies for precision display.
Filmmaker Mode preserves the motion cadence, cinematic color, dynamic range and brightness that the original filmmakers wanted you to see.
However, this projector doesn’t have a specific gaming mode. As a result, this might not be the best choice if that’s what you’ll primarily be using it for.
Although Netflix isn’t native to this projector, you can cast it through a laptop or HDMI connection.
Android TV is installed, and it supports AirPlay as well as Chromecast. Google Assistant is built-in to help you navigate everything with voice commands.
Key Features:
- 2,500 ANSI lumens
- 20,000 hour light source life
- 4K UHD
- HDR-PRO
- DLP technology
- DCI-P3 98%
Pros:
- Movie quality image technology
- Android TV
- Google Assistant built-in
Cons:
- Gets hot
- Sometimes the edges round
7. XGIMI Aura
- Razor-Sharp Imagery
- Ultra Short Throw Technology
- Harman Kardon Sound
The XGIMI Aura is a 4K UHD ultra short throw with HDR10 and advanced laser technology that gives life-like detail.
With 2,400 ANSI lumens, you can watch in ambient lighting while still seeing the dynamic range of color and contrast.
Eight-point correction helps ensure all points on the display are crisp and clear. Plus, the X-VUE 2.0 Image Engine keeps the picture extremely detailed.
60Hz MEMC, or motion compensation technology, means that any fast-paced action movies, TV shows, sports or video games are always incredibly smooth and lag-free.
The Aura even uses diffuse reflection imaging to eliminate blue light and eye strain.
4 x 15W Harman Kardon built-in speakers and DTS Dolby Audio create a robust soundstage that puts you in the middle of the action. They produce absolutely crystal clear sound without any lag.
Android TV is built-in. Additionally, with Android OS and Google Assistant voice control, you can easily access thousands of apps just by using your voice.
However, Netflix is not native, which means that you will need to use an Amazon FireTV stick or a Roku streaming stick.
Key Features:
- 2,400 ANSI lumens
- Ultra 4K
- 25,000-hour laser lifespan
- HDR10
- Eight-point correction
- DTS Dolby Audio
Pros:
- Automatically adjusting picture
- Harman Kardon speakers
- Android TV
Cons:
- Netflix isn’t native
8. Samsung 120” Premiere
- 4K UHD ULTRA BRIGHT LASER: Cutting edge laser technology and 4K resolution deliver cinema like picture...
- SMART TV POWERED BY TIZEN: Go beyond Smart TV with next-gen apps, super easy control, and a host of...
- ULTRA SHORT THROW & COMPACT DESIGN: This compact projector can turn any room into a home theater; Ultra...
Another entry from Samsung, the 120” Premiere boasts cinematic picture quality from 4K UHD Ultra Bright Laser technology.
With 2,200 ANSI lumens and an image contrast ratio of 1,000:1, you’ll see optimized color and contrast in incredible 4K HDR10+ clarity, whether it’s day or night.
Additionally, with 4K upscaling, a powerful processor will convert whatever you are watching into 4K picture quality.
Game enhancer provides almost zero lag for superior gaming, and Filmmaker Mode shuts off enhanced motion to show the movie the way the filmmaker intended.
The Samsung TV experience comes standard on this ultra short throw projector, and it’s ready to stream right out of the box with Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube installed.
In fact, you don’t even need the screen. All you need is a white wall and a place to plug it in.
A powerful subwoofer and 30W speakers are built-in on a 2.2 ch system. Enjoy your immersive sound experience with any type of media.
Better yet, just about any voice assistant you need also comes built-in. You can ask Alexa, Google Assistant or Bixby voice to open an app, change the channel, control your smart home devices and more.
Key Features:
- 2200 ANSI lumens
- Image contrast ratio: 1000:1
- HDR10+
- 4K UHD
- 4K upscaling
- 30 W 2.2 ch audio built-in
- Alexa, Google Assistant and Bixby voice built-in
Pros:
- Fantastic picture quality
- Excellent sound
- Many streaming services installed
Cons:
- Some units defective
- Expensive
9. Optoma EH412ST Short Throw 1080P HDR Professional Projector
- Short throw lens: experience a large 120" Image projected from 4. 5 feet away, at throw ratio 0. 5: 1;...
- High brightness: enjoy 4, 000 lumens of brightness in well-lit meeting rooms, conference rooms, training...
- 4K HDR input: enjoy vibrant colors, Brighter whites, deeper black levels and sharper images when paired...
The Optoma EH412ST shines with 4,000 lumens of brightness. This means that you can use this ultra short throw projector in a well-lit living room, boardroom, conference room, classroom or even outside.
4K HDR and a 50,000:1 contrast ratio create vibrant color and high contrast. Plus, DLP technology provides a faster response time and virtually no color degradation.
High Dynamic Range creates bright whites, deep blacks and extreme color accuracy. SRGB and REC.709 color profiles are enhanced and portrayed with exceptional clarity.
The 10W built-in speaker lets you make presentations with sound and eliminates the need for anything external to be attached. This makes it great for classrooms and meeting rooms.
However, for anything more immersive, you’ll want an external audio source.
Key Features:
- 4,000 ANSI lumens
- 50,000:1 contrast ratio
- 4K HDR resolution
- 1080p
- Up to 15,000 hours of lamp life
- sRGB and REC.709 color profile
- High Dynamic Range
Pros:
- Light and portable
- Impeccable image quality
- Speaker included
Cons:
- Needs darker rooms
- Inconsistent screen clarity
10. LG HF85LA 120“
- Watch movies, shows, and more in true 1080p high-definition with this 1500 ANSI Lumens laser projector,...
- Ultra short throw projector delivers a large and vivid image when placed closer to the wall or screen,...
- Smart TV platform (LG webOS) ensures you have easy access and discovery of your favorite streaming...
The LG HF85LA offers high definition of 1080p along with 1,500 ANSI lumens and a 150,000:1 contrast ratio. It creates life-like images and crystal clear text.
This projector’s high-definition picture and vivid colors create a beautiful viewing experience at a great price.
The Magic Remote makes navigation easy and fun. As a bonus, you’ll get access to LG’s exclusive Smart TV platform.
You can use wireless screen share to watch premium content from platforms like YouTube through a compatible Android smartphone or tablet.
Bluetooth compatibility means the sky’s the limit for wirelessly connecting audio equipment. This makes the projector a good choice for people who have a stellar sound system that they’d like to connect to an excellent projector.
Key Features:
- 1,500 ANSI lumens
- Contrast ratio: 150,000:1
- 1080p High-Definition
- 20,000 hours laser of lamp life
- Bluetooth compatible
- Magic Remote
Pros:
- Highly contrasted images
- LG’s Smart TV platform
- Wireless screen share
Cons:
- Manual adjustment required
- Needs darker rooms
- Limited wireless connectivity
Summary
There’s an ultra short throw projector for every budget, style, need and want. However, even among the most expensive products, there are different features for various primary uses.
Deciding exactly what you want to use your projector for before making a purchase will help you narrow down your choices.
Regardless of which option you choose, any of the best ultra short throw projectors on this list will have you enjoying your favorite content or games in no time.