The word throw when used in conjunction with projectors determines the distance between the wall, projector screen or place where you wish to project the image and the actual projector itself.
Short throw projectors are particularly good at projecting a big image when pushed up close to the projector screen that you want to project onto. This is useful for a number of reasons, the main though being that with a short throw projector you can project large images in considerably small spaces.
This is great for anyone who wants to use a projector but is pressed for space. Whether you want to project at home and have a small space that you want to dedicate to home cinema screenings, or you’re a business owner looking to pitch ideas but only have a small office.
Short throw projectors are also highly portable and invest in one will definitely leave you with a versatile projector capable of working in small confined spaces. You can get a high definition large image from as little as 0.8 meters away with the latest, high end short throw projectors.
As with all projectors there are a tonne on the market that is overpopulated and confusing. This list will break down all the best short throw projectors in a concise manner you can find the right projector for your needs in a matter of minutes.
BenQ W1080ST 1080p 3D Short Throw DLP Home Theater Projector (White)
BenQ are a world renown projector producing company that are known for making high end top quality projectors for reasonable prices. This projector tops our list as we think it will make a great short throw projector for a wide range of purposes.
Consider this projector first if you have upwards of 750 dollars to spend. You will not be disappointed with the specifications on offer. The short throw range on offer with this projector is truly unmatchable.
And, coming with 3D ready, HD ready and all the latest mods and cons this projector will be up to date and still relevant for years to come.
Pros
- 3D ready.
- HD ready.
- BenQ are a renown company.
- Varying picture modes to suit a regularly changing setting form dynamic to cinema mode
- LED eco bulb that is energy conserving
- Cuts out and saves 70% energy when paused
- WXGA resolution is the highest spec around
- Projection ratio under 1
- 2,000 lumens
- Portable
- Great for the office
- Good for gaming
Cons
- No lens shift
- Expensive
- Low lumen count making it unsuitable for lighter spaces
Optoma GT1080Darbee Short Throw Projector for Gaming, Movies and Sports
Optoma are another company that have long had a high level of respectability in the projector world. Once more, this repeatable company is offering a great short throw range projector that will suit a wide range of your projecting needs.
This projector is particularly good for gaming as it has crisp, clear and sharp projected imagery that is unmatchable in this price range.
At just over 500 dollars this projector is a bargain that is not to be slept on. If you’re after a great short throw projector for gaming and more, look no further than the Optoma GT1080 projector.
Pros
- 3000 lumens of brightness which is extremely bright.
- 3D ready.
- Fully HD.
- Darbee Vision image core processor
- Superior image quality
- 28,000:1 contrast ratio
- 8,000 hour lamp life
- 0.49 meters throw distance which is incredible
- 120 inch image can be projected from just 4 feet
- Eco bulb included
- High connectable with 2 HDMI ports
- Keystone correction for manual set up
- Easy to install
- Highly portable and compact design
- Works well outdoors as well!
Cons
- This is another high end projector that is reflected in the price
- No zoom built into the projector
BenQ HT2050A 1080P Home Theater Projector
For an all round short throw projector that will never disappoint you we once again return to BenQ. This HT2050A is a prime example of a short throw projector that covers it all.
This projector is perfect for those that are seeking a short throw projector that is highly functional, compact and easy to use.
Although this projector is also quite pricey we recommend it for almost any use. Given that this projector is great for a variety of settings we think that the slightly higher price tag is justified.
Pros
- 2,200 lumens of brightness
- 15,000:1 contrast ratio
- 16 millisecond latency Is perfect for gamers
- Throw ratio of 0.69 meters
- 10 watt built in speakers.
- Won an award in 2016
- Fantastic quality contrast and brightness combined
- 1080p
- Up to 300 inch projection
- HDMI and USB connectable
- DPL technology built in (used at cinemas)
- Highly versatile
- Works outdoors
- Portable and compact design
- Rec.709 color accuracy
- Zero latency
- 2D keystone for corrections and alignment
- Easy to set up and install
- Superior mage quality
Cons
- Outdated technology
- Expensive for the offering
Epson Home Cinema 1060 Full HD 1080p
Epson are world wide leading brand when it comes to electronic goods. It also turns out that they make extremely good quality projectors.
This projector has a larger screen and a high level of image brightness thanks to its high lumen bulb count.
This is a great projector for home cinemas, brighter spaces or anywhere that you want to project a large image that is consistently high in standards. We consider this projector is a purchase for anyone looking for the ultimate quality machine.
Pros
- Ridiculously high lumen count of 3,100.
- Works really well in lighter rooms
- Image quality isn’t sacrificed even when used at 300 inch
- Full HD
- 1080p
- Extremely bright imagery
- 2x HDMI ports
- Built in speakers
- LCD technology tends to perform better than DLP
- Viewing of up to 300’ is impressive
- Good contrast ratio
- Innovative 3LCD technology amazing action scenes with no rainbow effect
Cons
- No bulb warranty
- Lacks up to in built technology
Optoma GT1080 1080p 3D DLP Short Throw Gaming Projector
This is the ultimate gamer short throw projector. With a high end price tag this projector won’t be for everyone but you can rest assured that it will offer the best real in time gaming performance.
With over 3000 lumens the bulb on this projector is extremely bright. It also offers a great throw ration, color density and sensitivity.
Optoma produces this projector specifically for those that are looking for the best quality results and require a short throw projector.
Pros
- Great for gamers
- 3,100 lumens makes it extremely bright
- 3D ready
- HD 1080p
- 0.5 meter throw ratio
- 25,000:1
- Super quiet fan for uninterrupted viewing experience
- Low latency of 14 ms
- Key stone correction
- 1 year warranty
- Manual zoom function built in
- 2x HDMI ports
- USB port
- 3.5mm jack input for external speakers
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulky
ASUS S1 Portable Mini Projector HDMI/MHL with Speakers
The ASUS short throw projector is great for those that are working with a smaller budget and those that want a fully portable projector.
ASUS make this projector in two lumen counts – 200 and 500 – and whilst the higher lumen count is a lot more expensive we recommend it for those that are wanting to project outdoors, especially in the day time.
This projector is well designed and extremely portable which has made it a great option for anyone who wants a projector that they can take with them on the go. Consider this projector if you’re unsure of what main purpose you want your projector for, if you don’t have a specific home theatre room, or if you want to use it for art installations and projects.
Pros
- Comes in two different lumen counts 200 and 500.
- Highly portable and well designed to be compact.
- Weighs less than a pound
- 6000mAh battery gives you a 3-hour projector time
- Use its power bank to charge your mobile phone
- You project from as close as 0.41 metres away
- Bulb life of 30,000 hours
- DLP technology built in
- Extremely portable
- Connectable with all your devices
- Great value for money
- Fits in the palm of your hand!
Cons
- Understandable that the lumen count is lower than standard projectors
Conclusion
Short throw projectors are a great option for everyday use or tight-fitting spaces. Thanks to short throw projectors anyone and everyone can now own and use a projector at home.
Our list has ran through the best short throw projectors currently on the market whilst we have also looked into some of the other interesting models around that cover gaming, portability and image quality.
