The Best Short Throw and Ultra Short Throw Projectors for 2026

Hear the word "throw" and immediately think "ball"? We bet you don't spend much time with projectors. A projector's throw—the distance between the device and the screen—defines both the projector and its lens, with options for long, standard, short, or ultra-short. Want a big image in a small room, where the projector has to be just a few feet from the screen, at most? You need a short-throw projector. Want a TV replacement without running a cable any farther than you would for a TV? An ultra-short-throw (UST) projector can sit atop your media console and beam to a wall-mounted screen just inches away. I'm PCMag's resident projector guru, and I have reviewed projectors for decades, evaluating them on image quality, brightness, feature set, input lag, ease of use, and value. Our current overall favorite UST projectors are the Hisense L9Q among premium models, and the Hisense PX3-PRO TriChroma for a more mainstream-priced one, but we stand behind the other models here for different needs and budgets. Read on for all these recommendations, plus the advice you need to make a smart buy.

Best Mainstream-Priced Ultra-Short-Throw Projector

Hisense PX3-PRO TriChroma Laser Projector

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + 4K resolution using TI's XPR fast-switch pixel shifting

• + Triple-laser technology delivers a wide color gamut

• + HDR support includes Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG

• + Rated at 3,000 ANSI lumens

• + Uses Google TV for streaming

• + First UST projector with a Designed for Xbox certification

• - 4K resolution using TI's XPR fast-switch pixel shifting

• - Triple-laser technology delivers a wide color gamut

• - HDR support includes Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG

• - Rated at 3,000 ANSI lumens

• - Uses Google TV for streaming

• - First UST projector with a Designed for Xbox certification

Why We Picked It

The PX3-PRO builds on the strengths of its predecessor (the PX2-PRO) and adds to them. Its strongest feature, and one key reason to put it on your shortlist, is its top-tier image quality for both SDR and HDR content, with HDR support for all four current HDR variations: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision.

A close second for gamers is that it's the first UST projector to earn a "Designed for Xbox" certification, thanks to features such as notably low lag and support for 1440p resolution, which is increasingly popular among gamers. It also delivers many additional features, including Google TV for streaming, a powered focus, and myriad useful settings options. All this makes it a triple winner: for image quality, feature set, and gaming prowess.

Who It's For

Serious videophiles:Suitable for both casual TV viewing and traditional home-theater use in dark rooms, the PX3-PRO suits discerning videophiles who want the best image quality and don't see (or don't mind seeing) the occasional rainbow artifact that DLP projectors tend to show.

PC gamers and Xbox users:The PX3-PRO is also an obvious choice for gamers (PC and console) who want the benefits of a UST lens in a projector designed with gaming in mind.

Specs & Configurations

Engine Type: DLP

Rated Brightness: 3000 ANSI lumens

Native Resolution: 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting

Maximum Resolution: 3840 by 2160 120Hz; 1920 by 1080, 240Hz

Inputs and Interfaces: HDMI 2.1,HDMI 2.0,eARC,Bluetooth,Ethernet,Wi-Fi,USB 2.0,USB 3.0

Dimensions (HWD): 4.8 by 21.7 by 11.7 inches

Weight: 19.8 lbs

Warranty: 2 years

Best Premium Ultra-Short-Throw Projector

AWOL Aetherion Max

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + 4K resolution using TI's XPR fast-switch pixel shifting

• + Tri-color lasers deliver a wide range of colors

• + Anti-rainbow-effect feature

• + Supports all common HDR modes

• + Exceptionally short input lag for gamers

• - 4K resolution using TI's XPR fast-switch pixel shifting

• - Tri-color lasers deliver a wide range of colors

• - Anti-rainbow-effect feature

• - Supports all common HDR modes

• - Exceptionally short input lag for gamers

Why We Picked It

The AWOL Aetherion Max is an exceptional ultra-short-throw projector, thanks to its superb image quality, high brightness, and super-short input lag. (And the throw distance, of course, gives you a big image from close to the screen.) The Aetherion Max delivers excellent image quality across the board, with only minor differences between SDR and HDR versions of the same scenes. In both cases, the projector offers nicely saturated, accurate color; appropriately dark black levels; and impressively good shadow detail and contrast. The shadow detail is only a touch better in HDR, but that's because it holds so well in SDR that there is hardly any room for improvement.

Who It's For

Home theater aficionados:If you want top performance and are willing to pay for it, the Atherion Max (which lists at $5,000) is an obvious choice.

Gamers:For gamers, the Aetherion Max offers a showstopper. It's on the leading edge of models that are redefining what counts as state-of-the-art-short for input lag. My Bodnar 4K Lag Tester measured the latency at 9.8 milliseconds (ms) for 1080p/60Hz, 9.6ms at 4K/60Hz, and 3.2ms at 1080p/240Hz. Note also that it supports variable refresh rates (VRR) for smoother gaming performance.

Specs & Configurations

Engine Type: DLP

Rated Brightness: 3300 ISO Lumens (Equivalent to ANSI)

Native Resolution: 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting

Maximum Resolution: 3840 by 2160 @ 120Hz, 1920 by 1080 @ 240Hz, Full HD 3D

Inputs and Interfaces: HDMI 2.1 (HDCP 2.3),USB-C,USB 3.0,USB 2.0

Dimensions (HWD): 5.5 by 22.1 by 12.7 inches

Weight: 19.3 lbs

Warranty: 2 years

Best Rainbow-Free Premium Ultra-Short-Throw Projector

Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Exceptionally bright; viewable even with ambient light

• + Laser-phosphor light source means no laser speckle

• + Three-LCD chip design means no rainbow artifacts

• + Notably short throw to give a larger image at any given distance from the screen

• + HDR10 and HLG HDR support

• - Exceptionally bright; viewable even with ambient light

• - Laser-phosphor light source means no laser speckle

• - Three-LCD chip design means no rainbow artifacts

• - Notably short throw to give a larger image at any given distance from the screen

• - HDR10 and HLG HDR support

Why We Picked It

The Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus ultra short throw projector combines top-tier image quality with high enough brightness to deliver a big, bright image in a room awash with ambient light. It's pricey, but it's also bright enough to easily stand up to ambient light in a family room. To be clear: We're talking about a 100-inch diagonal or larger picture that's comparable in brightness to a TV for daytime and nighttime viewing. That's exceptional. The Lifestudio Grand Plus earns its place as an Editors' Choice pick in the competitive field of premium UST models for being guaranteed free of both rainbow artifacts (red/green/blue flashes) and laser speckle.

Who It's For

People who are annoyed by visual artifacts: The three-LCD chip design—one chip for each primary color—lets it display all three primary colors (red, green, and blue) at once, which eliminates any possibility of the rainbow artifacts that single-chip DLP projectors can show. Similarly, the laser-phosphor light engine can't show laser speckle, which can be an issue for tri-color laser sources.

Sticklers for image quality:The Grand Plus has 1,920-by-1,080-pixel LCD chips, but its advanced pixel shifting, which Epson calls 4K Display Technology, quadruples the final pixel count to a full 4K UHD set of pixels (as with typical 4K DLP models). Most people probably won't notice much of a difference—if any—in resolution compared with Epson's 4K-equivalent approach on other projectors, which uses native 1,920-by-1,080-pixel LCD chips plus pixel shifting to put twice (not quadruple) that number of pixels on screen. But if you have a large enough image size, and either like to sit close to the screen or have better than 20/20 vision, you can see the improvement if you look for it.

Specs & Configurations

Engine Type: LCD

Rated Brightness: 4000 ISO Lumens (Equivalent to ANSI)

Native Resolution: 3,840 by 2,160 via pixel shifting, using Epson's 4K Display Technology

Maximum Resolution: 3840 by 2160 @ 120Hz

Inputs and Interfaces: HDMI (ALLM),USB 2.0,Wi-Fi,Bluetooth,HDMI (ARC and eARC)

Dimensions (HWD): 6.2 by 27.4 by 13.4 inches

Weight: 27.6 lbs

Warranty: 2 years

Best Ultra-Short-Throw Projector for Professional Installations

Epson QS100 4K PRO-UHD 3LCD Laser Projector

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Laser-phosphor light source with high brightness

• + 4K resolution

• + Notably short throw distance, even for an ultra short throw projector

• + HDR10 and HLG HDR support

• + Three-chip LCD design means no rainbow artifacts

• - Laser-phosphor light source with high brightness

• - 4K resolution

• - Notably short throw distance, even for an ultra short throw projector

• - HDR10 and HLG HDR support

• - Three-chip LCD design means no rainbow artifacts

Why We Picked It

The best UST projector for professional installation, the QS100 is designed from the ground up for high-end home-theater setups where brightness, calibration, and long-term reliability are paramount. At 4,500 ISO lumens, it delivers enough punch to stand up to ambient light while maintaining excellent detail and contrast, especially when paired with the right ALR screen.

Unlike more-consumer-friendly models, the QS100 lacks built-in audio or streaming capabilities. It does offer full calibration controls and other installer-focused features, however. That makes it a top choice for serious buyers who want the flexibility to fine-tune their image to reference-level standards in a professionally designed home theater, especially if they also want the added advantage of a three-chip LCD design that's guaranteed to never show rainbow artifacts.

Who It's For

Home-theater enthusiasts and videophiles:This projector, obviously, holds the most allure for home-cinema hounds and videophiles who are working with an integrator to set up their space, and want a centerpiece display as part of a custom installation.

Motivated home-theater DIY enthusiasts: The QS100 is also a great option for tech-savvy users who don't mind setting up their own external sound system and streaming devices, while taking advantage of its calibration features. It's not ideal for casual plug-and-play buyers, but for those who demand big, bright, finely tuned projection in a dedicated space—and who are willing to invest the money and effort—the QS100 is a top-tier pick.

Specs & Configurations

Engine Type: LCD

Rated Brightness: 4500 ISO Lumens (Equivalent to ANSI)

Native Resolution: Equivalent to 3840 by 2160 using Epson's 4K PRO-UHD technology

Maximum Resolution: 3840 by 2160 60Hz, HDR

Inputs and Interfaces: HDMI,USB 2.0,Ethernet (control only)

Dimensions (HWD): 6.2 by 27.4 by 13.4 inches

Weight: 26.5 lbs

Warranty: 3 years

Best Short-Throw Gaming Projector

BenQ X500i

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + 4K native resolution

• + Short input lag (supports up to 120Hz refresh rate)

• + Separate video modes for three categories of gaming

• + Android TV 11 dongle included for streaming

• + LED light source rated at 2,200 ANSI lumens

• - 4K native resolution

• - Short input lag (supports up to 120Hz refresh rate)

• - Separate video modes for three categories of gaming

• - Android TV 11 dongle included for streaming

• - LED light source rated at 2,200 ANSI lumens

Why We Picked It

At the time of writing, the BenQ X500i offers the best value for the money among 4K (3,840-by-2,160-pixel) gaming projectors, regardless of throw range. The list of key features starts with (as you'd expect) notably short input lag. For 1080p, we measured the lag at 16.9ms at 60Hz; we registered 8.5ms at 120Hz, 4.2ms at 240Hz, and 16.7ms for 4K/60Hz. It also supports 1440p (2,560-by-1,440-pixel) resolution (increasingly popular for gaming) at up to 120Hz.

Beyond that, the menus offer separate modes for each of three types of game—role-playing game (RPG), first-person shooter (FPS), and sports (SPG)—or six modes if you count the HDR and SDR versions of each separately. Each mode automatically adjusts both picture and audio settings to enhance the visual and audio aspects of its game type. Other key features include an LED light source, a maximum brightness of 2,200 ANSI lumens, support for full HD 3D, and an included Android TV 11 dongle that lets you use the projector as a smart TV.

Who It's For

Gamers, gamers, and other gamers:Some gaming projectors are designed just as much for home entertainment—watching movies and video—and are worth considering even if you don't expect to ever use them for gaming. The X500i isn't one of them. If you're not a devoted gamer, choosing it would mean paying extra for lots of features you don't need. If you take your gaming seriously, however, and you want a short-throw gaming projector, the X500i is the one to measure the competition against.

Specs & Configurations

Engine Type: DLP

Rated Brightness: 2200 ANSI lumens

Native Resolution: 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting

Maximum Resolution: 3840 by 2160 60Hz, HDR; Full HD 3D

Inputs and Interfaces: HDMI 2.0b,USB 2.0,USB-C

Dimensions (HWD): 4.6 by 14.4 by 9.6 inches

Weight: 7.9 lbs

Warranty: 3 years

Most Versatile Short-Throw Projector

Optoma UHZ35ST

Score: 3.5

Pros & Cons

• + 4K native resolution

• + Short input lag for gaming

• + Laser light source rated at 3,500 ANSI lumens

• - 4K native resolution

• - Short input lag for gaming

• - Laser light source rated at 3,500 ANSI lumens

Why We Picked It

The versatile Optoma UHZ35ST can handle a whole spread of uses. While you can limit this native 4K model to a single purpose, it earns our recommendation as a flexible crossover model that's easy to transition between different kinds of tasks.

Although Optoma currently markets the UHZ35ST primarily as a gaming projector, the company also listed it on its website, back when we reviewed it, in the home entertainment, business, and education categories. That's for good reason. The 3,500-lumen laser-phosphor light source, which is bright enough for gaming or watching movies in a family room with ambient light, is also suitable for presentations in an office or classroom. And the combination of a compact size and a 6.6-pound weight makes it easy to carry back and forth between home and office. 

Who It's For

Buyers with multiple usage needs from a single projector:The UHZ35ST will be of particular interest to those who need a projector primarily for one type of usage but also want to employ it occasionally for another. One scenario would be needing a projector to use mostly at home, but also to take occasionally to your office or school for a presentation. Another would be needing one primarily for presentations at your office, but also planning to bring it home for special occasions like watching a big game or hosting a movie night.

Home users:Note that some features, including support for 3D and state-of-the-art short input lag for gaming, are geared toward home use. That makes the UHZ35ST most suitable for scenarios that designate its primary location at home.

Specs & Configurations

Engine Type: DLP

Rated Brightness: 3500 ANSI lumens

Native Resolution: 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-shift pixel shifting

Maximum Resolution: 3840 by 2160 60Hz, HDR; Full HD 3D

Inputs and Interfaces: HDMI 2.0b,USB-A (power only),Ethernet (control only)

Dimensions (HWD): 4.5 by 10.8 by 8.5 inches

Weight: 6.6 lbs

Warranty: 1 year

Best Premium Short-Throw Home Theater Projector

Valerion VisionMaster Max

Score: 5.0

Pros & Cons

• + 4K resolution (3,840 by 2,160) using TI's XPR fast-switch pixel shifting

• + With Anti-RBE feature activated, virtually rainbow-free

• + Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, Filmmaker mode, IMAX Enhanced, and Full HD 3D

• + Triple laser technology delivers a wide color gamut (range of colors)

• - 4K resolution (3,840 by 2,160) using TI's XPR fast-switch pixel shifting

• - With Anti-RBE feature activated, virtually rainbow-free

• - Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, Filmmaker mode, IMAX Enhanced, and Full HD 3D

• - Triple laser technology delivers a wide color gamut (range of colors)

Why We Picked It

The 4K Valerion VisionMaster Max earns its place in this roundup for two reasons, either of which would be enough by itself to qualify. The first is that it delivers high brightness, excellent image quality across the board, built-in streaming, and significant placement flexibility thanks to a large zoom range and equally generous lens shift (for moving the image up or down without tilting the projector). The second is that although it's built around a DLP display chip, you'll probably love it even if you usually avoid DLP models.

DLP projectors tend to show rainbow artifacts—red/green/blue flashes—which can be a deal-killer for people who see them easily and find them annoying. That's especially true for more expensive models like the Max, which has an official list price of $4,999 (though the effective list price is $3,999, and it's sometimes discounted). Based on our tests, Valerion appears to have largely eliminated this issue with its anti-rainbow-effect (Anti-RBE) technology. So while the image quality and features are enough to make the VisionMaster Max a top choice for a relatively expensive home theater projector, the Anti-RBE feature makes it doubly attractive to anyone who can't tolerate rainbow flashes.

Who It's For

Most people who want to set up a home theater:For all but the most serious videophiles—who tend to think of $5,000 projectors as "entry-level"—the Max is an excellent choice for viewing in a traditional home theater setting, with completely controlled lighting and, ideally, dark walls, ceiling, and seating to minimize reflections back to the screen.

People who want a TV replacement for big screen viewing:The Max is also a good choice for home entertainment to replace a big-screen TV—potentially for far less than a flat-screen TV for the same screen size, depending on how large a screen you get.

Specs & Configurations

Engine Type: DLP

Rated Brightness: 3500 ISO Lumens (Equivalent to ANSI)

Native Resolution: 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting

Maximum Resolution: 3840 by 2160 @ 120Hz, 1920 by 1080 @ 240Hz; HDR; Full HD 3D

Inputs and Interfaces: HDMI 2.1,HDMI 2.0b,eARC,USB 2.0,USB 3.0,Wi-Fi,Bluetooth

Dimensions (HWD): 7.3 by 10.2 by 9.2 inches

Weight: 17.6 lbs

Warranty: 2 years

Best Premium Short-Throw Room-to-Room Portable Projector

Hisense C2 Ultra

Score: 4.5

Pros & Cons

• + 4K resolution

• + Higher-than-typical brightness

• + Good color accuracy, contrast, and shadow detail

• + Supports HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Filmmaker mode, and IMAX Enhanced

• + Integrated smart TV OS includes Netflix app

• + Designed for Xbox certification

• - 4K resolution

• - Higher-than-typical brightness

• - Good color accuracy, contrast, and shadow detail

• - Supports HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Filmmaker mode, and IMAX Enhanced

• - Integrated smart TV OS includes Netflix app

• - Designed for Xbox certification

Why We Picked It

The Hisense C2 Ultra delivers image quality and features that make it a match for some of the best 4K ultra-short-throw models we've seen in its price range. However, it packs them into a room-to-room portable and adds a zoom lens that dips into short-throw territory, even though it's mostly in a standard-throw range.

Not quite 14 pounds, it's a little heavy for easy portability, but the features responsible for the weight also justify lugging it around. The first two—a gimbal mount and the optical zoom—work together to help make setup after moving it quick and easy. The third is an audio system from JBL that pumps out high-enough volume at high-enough quality—thanks to two 10-watt speakers and a 20-watt subwoofer—that you probably won't see any reason to consider getting an external sound system for it. 

Other key strengths include built-in streaming; top-tier brightness for the category; a color gamut rated at 110% of the spec for 4K UHD projectors and TVs; support for every current HDR variant (including Dolby Vision); and—for gamers—a Designed for Xbox certification. We'd like it even better if it were lighter, but it's hard to see how it could weigh less and still have all the features that make it our top pick for a high-end room-to-room portable both overall and for short-throw models in particular.

Who It's For

People who rarely need to move the projector:The C2 Ultra's 14 pounds make it most appropriate for situations that don't require moving it very far or very often. It's ideal for installing semi-permanently in a family room, for example, with rare trips to the backyard for a movie night. It's even a good choice for permanent installation as a home entertainment projector.

People who prioritize image quality:It's the most portable model we've seen that doesn't sacrifice image quality or features for portability.

Specs & Configurations

Engine Type: DLP

Rated Brightness: 3000 ANSI lumens

Native Resolution: 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting

Maximum Resolution: 3840 by 2160 @ 60Hz, HDR; Full HD 3D

Inputs and Interfaces: HDMI 2.1,USB 3.0,Ethernet,Wi-Fi,Bluetooth,HDMI (eARC)

Dimensions (HWD): 11.3 by 9.7 by 9.7 inches

Weight: 13.9 lbs

Warranty: 1 year

Best Premium Short-Throw Room-to-Room Portable Projector (for Sound Quality and Easy Setup)

Anker Nebula X1

Score: 4.5

Pros & Cons

• + 4K resolution

• + Supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision

• + Three-color laser light source

• + Leading-edge automated image adjustment for fast setup after moving

• + Retractable handle for easy carrying

• - 4K resolution

• - Supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision

• - Three-color laser light source

• - Leading-edge automated image adjustment for fast setup after moving

• - Retractable handle for easy carrying

Why We Picked It

The 4K Anker Nebula X1 is both the heaviest and most expensive portable projector we've seen. Even without the optional bundle that adds two wireless speakers, two wireless microphones (ideal for karaoke), and a carrying case, it weighs 16 pounds and has a $2,999 list price. Adding the extras bumps the weight up to more than 20 pounds and the price up to $3,998. The good news is that it's widely available for less.

Also good news: What makes the Nebula X1 worth the price and weight is its features, starting with a rated 3,500 ANSI lumens, which makes it the brightest portable projector we've tested. Even better, it offers top-tier image quality, achieving a level of color accuracy in its default settings that would be a strong point for a high-end home theater model. It also offers the most sophisticated auto-setup routine we've yet seen in any projector, and earns lots of points for its audio. The 40-watt on-board sound system is impressive on its own, and adding the optional pair of 80-watt wireless speakers turns the built-in speaker into a subwoofer, creating a 200-watt system.

Who's It For

People who prefer brightness over portability:The X1 is more luggable than portable, especially if you add the extra speakers and microphones. But if you want fast automated setup and as high a brightness as you can get—to stand up to ambient light at a backyard or block party, for example—plus top-tier image quality and a reasonably portable design, it's the projector that others will have to beat.

Audiophiles:The onboard sound system can pump out high-quality sound at a level that easily fills a large family room, even at a setting well below maximum volume. If you're looking for a room-to-room portable that delivers a large, high-quality image and audio to match, the X1 will do the job.

Specs & Configurations

Engine Type: DLP

Rated Brightness: 3500 ANSI lumens

Native Resolution: 3840 by 2160 using 1920 by 1080 DLP chip with XPR fast-switch pixel shifting

Maximum Resolution: 3840 by 2160 @ 60Hz, HDR; Full HD 3D

Inputs and Interfaces: HDMI 2.1,USB-A,USB-C,Wi-Fi,Bluetooth

Dimensions (HWD): 9.7 by 7.3 by 11.1 inches

Weight: 13.7 lbs

Warranty: 1 year

If you're considering buying a projector with a shorter-than-standard throw distance, it's helpful to understand the categories of short throw and UST in context.

Most projectors give you a standard throw. Long-throw lenses and short-throw lenses are harder to manufacture well enough to project a high-quality image, which makes them, and the projectors that use them, more expensive. However, if you need to place the projector far away from the screen—as in a movie theater—you'll need a long-throw lens to produce a small enough image to fit the screen. Short-throw lenses do the opposite, projecting a large image from close to the screen, while UST lensing systems (which usually add a mirror to the mix of optical elements) will fill any given screen size from even closer distances. That brings us to the question of why you might want a short-throw or UST projector in the first place.

What Are Short-Throw Projectors Good For?

Any number of situations call for close-up projection. If you're setting up the projector in a small room, for example, or for a retail-store window display, you may not have enough room to achieve the desired image size with a longer throw. And even when the space is large enough for a standard or long-throw projector to provide the right image size, you may not have the option of mounting it on the ceiling—a common issue not just for rooms where ceilings are too high or low, but also for ad hoc setups for gaming, home entertainment, or presentations. Placing the projector between the audience and the screen may be the only way to avoid people casting shadows if they stand up during a presentation, game, or movie.

UST projectors can sit even closer to the screen than short-throw models, delivering images from just inches away that can be as large as 150 inches (measured diagonally) in many cases and even larger for some models. So, if you want to use a projector to replace a large-screen TV at home and you don't want to deal with mounting it on the ceiling or running cables through walls, a UST projector is the ideal solution.

UST models can also be useful in business and education settings. Mount one just above a screen, and you can get close enough to the image to point to text or graphics you want to draw attention to without casting a shadow, much as you would with a whiteboard. You can even purchase an interactive UST projector with sensors that turn the image into an interactive screen, enabling you to draw on it and issue commands.

How Do I Choose Between a Short Throw and an Ultra Short Throw?

Although short throws and USTs are both good choices when space is too tight for a standard throw model, each has its own advantages. To choose between them, it helps to know a little about their different designs.

It's hard to distinguish a short-throw model from a standard-throw model without seeing the lens (or even  with  seeing the lens, if you're unfamiliar with them). In fact, some standard- and short-throw models from the same manufacturer are literally the same projector with different lenses. You can usually spot these near-twins, because they typically have almost the same model name—except that one includes "ST" in the name and the other doesn't. The only other difference: the short-throw version will cost more because of the more expensive lens.

In contrast, most UST models are easily identifiable. The vast majority are designed with the lensing system at what you would probably think of as the back of the projector, meaning the side facing away from the screen. (Projector makers define the front as where the lens is.) In most designs, the optics are fully contained inside the box. Typically, the top surface features a depressed area near the side farthest from the screen, with a glass window that allows the image to shine through and reach the screen directly. Other designs feature a raised lens pointing to the screen on that side, or a mirror, so the image bounces off the mirror before reaching the screen.

Some projectors with lenses on the side facing the screen are listed by their manufacturers as UST models, but are—at best—on the borderline between short-throw and UST. (We'll come back to this issue in the next section.) However, those projectors give up one of the big advantages of putting the lens on the other side: Namely, if the image emerges from the side farthest from the screen, the projector itself is closer to the screen, with nearly the entire depth of the projector sitting between the lens and the screen. So, while a UST lens lets the projector sit closer to the screen than a short-throw lens, the most common UST designs place it even closer. And the less distance you want between the projector and the screen—whether simply to save space or to avoid the need for running cables over or through walls, ceilings, and floors—the more likely you want a UST model with the more typical UST lens placement.

What Is the Shortest-Throw Projector?

There are no firm definitions for each level of throw—or at least no universally accepted ones—which means manufacturers' marketing departments are free to draw the line between categories wherever they like. But one related standard spec, called the throw ratio , can help. The spec is based on objective measurement, so knowing the throw ratio for a projector will give you a good sense of which category it falls into.

The throw ratio is the ratio between the distance to the screen and the width of the image. For example, if the lens needs to be 100 inches from the screen for a 100-inch-wide image (the approximate width of a 115-inch-diagonal 16:9 screen), the throw ratio would be 1.0. (That will show as "1.0:1" in some spec sheets, and just "1.0" in others.) Similarly, if the distance were 200 inches, the throw ratio would be 2.0 (200/100), and for a 50-inch distance, it would be 0.50 (50/100).

The range from 1.0 to (but not including) 2.0 is a standard throw by most definitions. A few companies have recently started to refer to all or part of that range as a long throw, but most peg a long throw at 2.0 and above, while others peg it higher. Similarly, many manufacturers call anything below 1.0 a short throw, and anything below roughly 0.4 a UST, while others put the boundary at 0.5. Most of the current UST models we've tested—and all of the UST models mentioned here—offer throw ratios of 0.28 or lower. Specs for the short-throw models included here range from 0.49 to 0.9, but again, some manufacturers would call a projector with a 0.49 throw ratio a UST model.

Zoom lenses add a twist to all this. Because an optical zoom changes image size, projectors equipped with zoom lenses have a range of throw ratios. One projector we've tested (but not included here) has a range of 0.9 to 1.08, for example, barely qualifying as a short-throw projector at the low end of its range. However, the manufacturer refers to it as a short-throw projector. Some manufacturers also list a range of throw ratios for digital zooms, but keep in mind that using digital zooms to change image size should be avoided whenever possible. They can only shrink the image from the full size the lens allows, and they do so by using a smaller area of the imaging chip, which also lowers brightness and can add artifacts.

The moral here? You can use manufacturer claims for the throw category as a starting point, but you should also look at some numbers. At the very least, comparing the throw-ratio specs for two projectors will tell you which one has the shorter throw, letting you place it closer to the screen for any given image size. Often, the manufacturer includes a chart in its marketing materials showing the distance for common screen sizes, particularly for UST models. And in virtually all cases, the information should be included in a user setup guide, available for download from the company's website.

If you can't find this information on the manufacturer's website or in a user guide, you can easily calculate how far the projector will be from the screen for a given image width if you know the model's throw ratio (Distance = Throw Ratio times Width). For UST projectors, keep in mind that you are calculating the distance to the lens , not to the projector body itself. To find the distance to the projector, you'll also need to know the distance from the lens to the side of the projector closest to the screen. If you don't know the exact distance for UST models that put the lens near the side facing away from the screen, you can get a close approximation by using the projector's depth, minus 3 to 4 inches to account for the distance between the lens and the edge of the unit.

What Are the Advantages of Short-Throw Projectors Over Ultra-Short-Throw Projectors?

Short-throw projectors are less expensive than equivalent UST projectors, which means that unless you have a compelling reason to pick a UST model instead, a short throw is usually the obvious choice.

Some types of projectors are available in UST form but are rare—for example, mini projectors and other, slightly larger, portables that are small and light enough to bring with you if needed, or at least carry easily from room to room or to the backyard for a movie night . Keep in mind also that because short-throw projectors sit farther from the screen than UST models, they're easier to position and focus, an important consideration for any application that requires repeated setup, even if you're just moving the projector from a shelf to a conference-room table.

What Are the Advantages of Ultra-Short-Throw Projectors Over Short-Throw Projectors?

The two key advantages of UST models are already mentioned above. They let you position the projector much closer to the screen than short-throw models without risking casting a shadow, and when used as TV replacements, they don't require any more effort to hide power and data cables than a TV does.

Both of these characteristics are essential to the category of UST projectors that are specifically designed to replace TVs. Most of these models use lasers as their light source and include fully integrated smart-TV features. Some also include TV tuners, and some manufacturers even tout them as "laser TVs" rather than projectors. Most of the UST models included here are TV replacements.

Other Projector Specs: What Else to Pay Attention to With Short Throw and UST?

In addition to the throw ratio, when deciding between short throw and UST, you should check the supported image size for the lens. All lenses have a maximum size image they can throw without distortion or other image-quality issues, and both the maximum and minimum are usually listed on the projector's spec sheet.

With standard-throw lenses, the maximum image size is typically larger than you'd consider using for most of the projectors that we cover, given their brightness. But the shorter the throw, the less likely that is to be true. Many, if not most, projectors at the lower end of the short-throw range and in the UST range are easily bright enough to throw a bigger usable image than the lens can handle well, especially in a dark room. Manufacturers tend to be conservative on this front, so you can often get away with slightly larger images than the spec says, or see only a hint of a problem if you opt for a somewhat larger size. But don't count on it.

Another issue you'll want to consider is the screen you'll pair the projector with. In particular, for UST projectors that you plan to use in rooms with ambient light, you'll want an ambient light rejection (ALR) screen, and you'll need one that's designed for UST models, as discussed in our guide to How to Choose the Right Screen for Your Projector .

What Is the Lifespan of a Short-Throw Projector?

Almost all other issues about the projectors themselves—from contrast and brightness, to imaging technology, to connection options, and more—are the same for short-throw and UST models as for standard-throw projectors. However, one issue worth particular mention is lifespan. As with most projectors, short-throw and UST models will typically last long enough that you're more likely to replace them because you want new technology—like higher resolution—when it becomes available, than because something goes wrong with the projector. That's not to say that a fan motor can't burn out or a chip can't fail, but it's no more likely than for a computer or a flat-screen TV.

More and more projectors today use solid-state light sources—meaning LEDs or lasers—that are usually not meant to be replaced. The typical lifetime for either type of light source is 20,000 to 30,000 hours, which translates to approximately seven to 10 years, assuming they are run eight hours a day, seven days a week. If you choose a projector that uses a lamp, the lamp's lifetime can vary from just a few thousand hours to as much as 10,000 hours. Unlike LEDs and lasers, however, lamps are meant to be replaced. (For lots more detail on other specs that apply to all projectors, check out our roundup of top overall projector picks .)

So, What Is the Best Short-Throw or UST Projector to Buy?

The list of projectors we started with, along with the spec breakouts provided, covers our picks for some of the best short-throw and UST projectors for many of the most common usage cases. For more tips on features to consider before buying, as well as some additional top-pick projectors we've tested, see our screen and general projector guides mentioned above, as well as our roundup of the best home projectors .

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