Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors Buying Guide

If you want to enjoy a cinema-quality, massive screen at home, the only option is to buy a projector. Traditional projectors often require a large space and complex ceiling and wiring installation, making them unsuitable for small apartments or rentals, as they require complex wiring and pose the problem of obstruction. The emergence of ultra short throw projector solves these pain points. They can project a 100- or even 150-inch screen from just 20-50 cm from the wall, saving space and preventing light obstruction when walking around.

They completely overcome the strict distance requirements of traditional projectors. Their compact and efficient design makes them a "new choice for the living room," replacing traditional LCD TVs and upgrading your home theater experience.

If you're considering adding a visually stunning device to your home or wondering how to transform your living room into a private theater, it's crucial to understand the advantages, key purchasing considerations, and popular models on the market of ultra-short-throw projectors. This article will provide an in-depth understanding to help you make the best choice.

What is an ultra short throw projector?

An ultra-short-throw projector (UST) is a new type of projection device that can project extremely large images from an extremely short distance. Unlike traditional projectors, which require a distance of 2-3 meters to project a 100-inch image, an ultra-short-throw projector can achieve projection from a distance of only 20-50 centimeters.

It is typically used with a laser light source and a highly reflective screen to effectively avoid shadows and glare. Compared to traditional long-throw/short-throw projectors, ultra-short-throw projectors are more suitable for modern living spaces, particularly living rooms, bedrooms, and smaller homes.

Main features of ultra short throw projectors

Flexible Installation and Space Savings: Due to their extremely short throw distance, UST projectors can be placed flush against a wall or below the screen, eliminating the need for ceiling mounting or complex wiring. This is a perfect solution for small apartments or living rooms with limited space.

Eliminates Shadow Interference: Traditional projectors are mounted behind the viewer or placed on a stand to the side, blocking light and casting shadows when people move around. Ultra-short-throw projectors are positioned in front of the screen, eliminating the problem of shadows blocking the viewer's view.

Upgraded Light Source (Mainstream Laser): Most mainstream ultra-short-throw projectors on the market use laser light sources (such as monochromatic and tri-color lasers). Compared to traditional lamp light sources, lasers offer a longer lifespan (typically over 25,000 hours), higher brightness, and a wider color range.

Large-Screen Alternative: They offer a relatively low-cost, cinema-quality immersive experience on 100-inch or even 120-inch screens.

Key considerations when purchasing an ultra short throw projector

Core image quality: Light source and resolution. Consider at least 1080P FHD resolution. If it's 4K, be sure to distinguish between true 4K and jittered 4K.

Brightness standard: The brightness standard needs to be selected based on actual usage. If you use it most of the time at night, 1000 ANSI lumens is recommended. If you use it during the day, 2000 lumens is required. You can read the article about lumens.

Throw Ratio: Again, a smaller throw ratio is better (e.g., 0.23:1 vs. 0.18:1).

Contrast: This determines the appearance of dark details; high contrast creates a more three-dimensional image.

Light Source: Lasers are superior to LEDs, offering longer lifespans and more stable brightness

Color Gamut: Check for support for Rec.709 and DCI-P3, and accurate color reproduction.

Operating System and Ports: Check for built-in Android TV/Netflix support, HDMI 2.1, USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi support.

Audio Performance: Check for built-in high-quality speakers and Dolby Atmos support.

Price and Warranty: Choose based on your budget and consider after-sales service.

Recommend 4 Best ultra-short-throw projectors on the market

Best value compact portable 1080P FHD ultra short throw projector

Yaber K300s $999.99

The Yaber K300s is a compact, 600 ISO lumens portable laser home theater projector featuring triple RGB laser technology, native 1080p resolution, and 4K decoding support.

It delivers over 150% of the NTSC wide color gamut for vibrant, rich colors. Its high 1500:1 contrast ratio delivers exceptional image depth and detail. Its ultra-short throw ratio of 0.18:1±2% allows it to project a massive 100-inch screen from just 9.76 inches.

It features the JBL SOUND sound system, equipped with dual 15W speakers, a 624.7cc sound chamber, deep bass down to 50Hz, and Dolby Audio support. A built-in Google TV 4K dongle supports native streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, along with over 7,000 apps for an enhanced smart entertainment experience.

Best 4K Cinema-Grade Ultra Laser Short Throw Projector

LG CineBeam HU915QB $6,499.99

The LG CineBeam HU915QB is a premium 4K Ultra Short Throw (UST) laser projector. Utilizing advanced three-channel laser technology, it delivers up to 3,000 ANSI lumens of brightness and native 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution, ensuring vibrant, bright, and detail-rich images.

With an exceptionally short 0.19 throw ratio, the projector can project a massive 90- to 120-inch image from just inches from the wall and supports HDR10 and HLG.

Additionally, it features a powerful 40-watt built-in sound system with Dolby Atmos support, a wealth of connectivity options (including HDMI 2.1), and the webOS 6.0 smart platform, seamlessly blending premium picture quality, sound quality, and a smart experience.

The first intelligent short throw 4K UHD laser projector

Samsung LSP9T $3500

The Samsung LSP9T The Premiere is a flagship ultra-short-throw (UST) projector. Its RGB Triple Laser light source delivers an ultra-wide color gamut and peak brightness of up to 2,800 ANSI lumens, easily projecting true 4K UHD images up to 130 inches.

This projector boasts an incredibly short 0.189 throw ratio, allowing it to be placed close to a wall. It also features a powerful 40W 4.2-channel sound system, Acoustic Beam technology, and Filmmaker Mode™ for an immersive, cinematic audiovisual experience.

Powered by Samsung's Tizen intelligent operating system, the LSP9T offers all the features of a smart TV, including streaming app support and Bixby voice control.

Best 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector for Gaming

BenQ X3100i $3799

The BenQ X3100i is a flagship 4K HDR projector designed specifically for gamers. It utilizes quad-LED light source technology, offers a lifespan of up to 30,000 hours, and displays a wide color gamut that covers 100% of DCI-P3.

This projector's core strength lies in its exceptional gaming performance, with an ultra-low input lag of just 4.16ms and dedicated modes for genres like RPGs and FPSs.

Furthermore, it features vertical lens shift, 1.3x zoom, dual HDMI 2.0b ports, and built-in Google-certified Android TV. This projector offers a perfect balance of image quality, smooth performance, and easy installation, making it a premium large-screen solution tailored for console and PC gaming.

Conclusion: Making a Smart Choice for a Large Living Room Screen

When deciding to upgrade your home theater, remember that your budget isn't solely about the price of the projector itself. Flagship options like the Samsung LSP9T and LG HU915QB offer top-tier color and brightness, ensuring a superb viewing experience even during the day. However, their high price and the need for three-color laser technology are key considerations. Choosing a laser projector like the Yaber K300S or a professional gaming projector like the BenQ X3100i requires you to weigh your core needs: extreme image quality, gaming performance, or portability.

Whatever your ultimate choice, always adhere to one golden rule: the best pairing for an ultra-short-throw projector is an ALR screen. Only with a high-quality ALR screen can you maximize the advantages of the laser light source, effectively suppressing ambient light and truly transforming your living room into an immersive home theater. I hope this article helps you find the best "new breed of home theater" for you in the era of giant screens.

FAQ

Why is an ultra-short-throw projector required to be equipped with an anti-glare (ALR) screen?

An anti-glare screen isn't essential, but it's highly recommended. It's recommended to use it with an anti-glare screen (ALR screen). Because UST projection operates at a specific angle, ordinary screens or white walls easily reflect ambient light, reducing image contrast. An anti-glare screen effectively improves black level performance, ensuring clear viewing even during the day.

Can an ultra-short-throw projector project directly onto a plain white wall?

Projection is possible, but not recommended. Although UST projectors can project images, ordinary white walls are usually not flat enough, which can cause ripples, distortions, or hot spots in the image.

What is the sufficient brightness (ANSI lumens) for an ultra-short-throw projector?

• For a completely dark theater room (likely a dark room): 800-2000 ANSI lumens is sufficient for excellent contrast.
• For an ordinary living room (with ambient light): A model with 2500 ANSI lumens or higher is recommended.
• For a bright living room (for daytime viewing): A model with 3000 ANSI lumens or higher is recommended, and a glare-blocking screen is essential.

Should I choose a single laser or a tri-color laser? What are the differences between them?

• Single laser: Uses a blue laser to generate red, green, and blue colors through a color wheel. Advantages include high brightness and relatively low cost.
• Triple laser: Uses independent red, green, and blue laser beams. Advantages include purer colors, a wide color gamut (typically exceeding 100% BT.2020), and the most vivid images.

If you have enough budget and want the ultimate color and immersion, choose three-color laser.

Is it difficult to install and debug an ultra-short-throw projector?

Installation is straightforward, but picture alignment may require some patience. Most newer UST projectors feature autofocus, auto keystone correction, and auto obstacle avoidance, making initial setup quick and easy.