A projector is a great way to enjoy all your favorite movies, TV shows and games at home. However, if you don’t have enough space to provide a projector, you won’t be able to use it much. However, with the best short slow projectors, you can build a complete home theater even in small spaces.
Short Throw Projectors have the ability to project large images from close range, making them ideal for small spaces such as dorm rooms and studio apartments. You can also get an ultra short throw projector that can project 100-inch images from around 5 feet. These projectors offer not only project images, but also speakers and many other advanced technologies, which in some cases provide a better experience than a television. This isn’t “short” of technical wonder.
This article is recommended by experts and will ensure that you bring more value to the money you spend.
Is a short-throw projector worth it?
absolutely! A short-throw projector can be a great entertainment companion for those who live in small spaces, travel, or prefer to save space by getting a compact device. They are compact and portable. Despite the build size, these devices still offer stunning images of high resolution comparable to that of high-end TVs, but of course there are different price ranges to choose from. Some of the short slow projectors are integrated with built-in speakers that eliminate the need for external speakers, saving even more space than you originally imagined. So, if these are some things you think you can benefit from, you should definitely get it.
Best Short Throw Projector for 2025
From streaming to gaming, these short slow projectors provide huge, breathtaking images even in cramped spaces.
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Why do we love
3D Support
4K image resolution
Triple laser projection
Dedicated game mode
DTS: X and Dolby Atmos
HDR10 Support and Dolby Vision
The AWOL Vision LTV-2500 is a high-end projector that requires you to dig deep into your pockets, but the functionality for that is valuable. It uses triple laser projection technology to provide impressive 4K images that are not fully obtained. With support from Dolby Vision and HDR10, the generated colors are superb! The contrast ratio is 2500:1 and supports over 1 billion colors, so there are no missing colors in the image. To complement image quality, the projector is also integrated with Dolby Atmos, making it the perfect package for the ultimate movie viewing experience at home. Plus, it is not only a UST (ultra short throw) projector, but also functions as a center channel when combined with the Thunderbeat 4.2.2 surround sound system.
Why do we love
3D compatible
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
4K AI Upscasing
IMAX has been enhanced
High contrast ratio
but…
Harmon Cardon Speaker
The Hisense Laser Cinema PX3-Pro is what you get when you want the best and most high-end projector for your home. It is designed to provide a purely at home theater-like experience. PX3-Pro uses triple laser technology to project the highest quality 4K images you need for a complete experience. It has a 3000:1 native contrast ratio for accurate color recreation. For all IMAX enthusiasts, there are also IMAX-enhancing features, allowing you to enjoy films like Interstellar and The Dark Knight in glory. And with Dolby Atmos included, it’s a projector worth every penny you pay.
Why do we love
4K Support
Amazing design
Sounds from Yamaha
Built-in Chromecast
2-year limited warranty
3600 lumens peak brightness
but…
There is no Netflix support
With a peak brightness of 3600 lumens, the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS300 is one of the brightest shortest slow projectors. Image projections can be up to 120 inches at full HD 1080p resolution with 4K support. What that means is to incorporate 4K resolution inputs and convert them to 1080p images without compromising quality. It also features laser array technology for high brightness and deep black colors. To complement all of this, there is a 2.1 audio system with Dolby audio support, making watching movies extremely enjoyable. Also, with the Epson brand attached, there is no doubt that this is one of the best ultra short throw projectors.
Why do we love
4K Support
Compact build
Built-in speaker
Low game delay
100 inch image projection
Lamp lifespan of up to 30,000 hours
The Optoma GT3500HDR is a mid-range projector perfect for small home entertainment setups. It has a fantastic 1080p output with a 100-inch projection size, allowing you to enjoy almost everything from movies to games. There are many connection options to allow you to connect different devices to suit your needs. Connect your gaming console and enjoy the benefits of 8ms response time and 120Hz refresh rate for a lagless gaming experience. Also, with 15W built-in speakers, you don’t have to worry about purchasing external speakers on your budget. Take this Optoma Short Throw Projector home and enjoy the movie the way you want it.
Why do we love
Low latency
Refined design
Audio Equalizer
Console compatibility
Dedicated game mode
but…
Occasional heating issues
Benq is a known name for its high quality gaming products, and the Benq TK700STI is built with the same intention. It has game-friendly features such as dedicated game modes, low latency and console compatibility. Provides 16ms response time when projecting at 4K 60Hz and 4.16ms at 1080p 240Hz. If you don’t have a game, you can use the integrated Google TV feature to stream movies and shows from your favorite apps that can be downloaded from the built-in Google Play app. All of this can be enjoyed in a 100-inch projection from just 8 feet of any surface. All images are automatically adjusted according to the surface using the 2D keystone function.
Why do we love
Affordable prices
Low input delay
HDR10 and HLG
3-year limited warranty
100 inch projection from 5 feet
3000 lumens of peak brightness
Tight space and a sloppy budget? no worries! The Benq Th671st has an incredible feature that offers great value for your money with affordable tags. Unlike the previous BENQ projector, this has a 1080p resolution with beautiful colored recreation and will get you hooked on the movies and games you’re playing. Additionally, it also supports HDR10 and HLG formats to provide clear, clear images. You don’t need to set up the projector too far. You can project images up to 100 inches, even from just 5 feet away.
Why do we love
Four projection sizes
150 inch 4K image
Android TV Integration
8-point keystone correction
ALPD 3.0 and Ti DLP support
Dolby Audio DTS HD Speaker
but…
Not ideal for bright rooms
WEMAX Nova 4K is a high quality projector that can provide sharp, clear 4K images up to 150 inches on any surface. Featuring industry-leading patented technologies, ALPD 3.0 and Ti DLP, it makes your images bright and vibrant for realised quality. Additionally, the inclusion of a 30W Dolby Audio DTS HD speaker allows you to experience a fully immersive movie viewing experience at home! You can also stream from an external device that can be connected via the HDMI port, or view your favorite apps with Android TV integration. All of these are designed smartly, integrated into simple and refined designs, and blend into modern setups.
Why do we love
3D Support
Dual HDMI ports
Built-in speaker
Advanced laser technology
Up to 30,000 hours of life
4200 lumens peak brightness
If you need a projector with HDR support, the Optoma GT2100HDR short-throw projector can be for you. It supports 4K HDR along with HDR10 and HLG for rich and colorful image quality. The contrast ratio is 300,000:1, and you can see almost any color shade from the spectrum. Apart from that, this projector is also perfect for gaming. Thanks to all the game modes. All 4K 60 Hz gaming inputs are translated to 1080p 60 Hz at 1080p 120 Hz with a response time of 16 ms or 8 ms response time. Either way, you have a great gaming experience. Despite all these powerful processing, the projector draws less power as part of Optoma’s “design for sustainability” vision.
Why do we love
Affordable prices
4K Support
Compact size
Tiltable stand
Integrated Android 11 OS
270 degree rotation function
The Salange HY300 Pro Projector is a device that allows you to rely on a large screen entertainment experience at an affordable price. This is a travel-friendly short slow projector that can literally carry anywhere in the world and allows you to enjoy your favorite media on a 100-inch screen. Given the compact build and weight of 530g, it can be used with RV/outdoor projector screens when going to camp. This is the upgraded 2024 version and has also increased brightness by 20%, so Campfire won’t interfere with the viewing experience. The projector is hooked into a tiltable stand for easy point-and-shoot convenience and also features automatic keystone correction technology that adjusts the image according to the surface. This is one of the best short-throw projectors with 4K support.
Why do we love
Dustproof
4K Support
Budget friendly
5G Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Features
Short throw range from 1.64 to 9.85 feet
Automatic vertical ±45° keystone correction
but…
Insufficient built-in speaker
If you see a movie on your phone while traveling, you need to try out the Goode Mini DLP projector. This is a pocket-sized projector that offers seamless wireless screen mirroring from Android/Apple devices using a Wi-Fi 5G connection. This small but powerful device can project images up to 100 inches and can run for up to 2.5 hours on a 7000 mAh battery when streamed wirelessly. Connectivity is not limited to phones only. It can be combined with laptops, TV boxes, external speakers, gaming consoles, USB drives, and more. Also, with the addition of DLP technology and 4K support, this projector is a complete power plant.
Why do we love
Auto Offset
700 ANSI Lumen
0.6:1 slow ratio
4K and 8K support
Powerful processor
200 inch projection size
The Magcubic Hy450 does a lot right, and one of them is projecting large, high-resolution images. It can provide a breathtaking 200-inch projection size from approximately 2.5m away from the target surface. This size of screen is perfect for a 4K experience. Therefore, this projector comes with not only 4K but also 8K support. Projectors of this size don’t often see 8K support, so make sure you take advantage of that feature. Large-scale projections also come with two 8W stereo speakers that create an immersive surround sound experience. With integration of streaming applications like Netflix and Prime Video, there are thousands of movie options to choose from.
Why do we love
4200 ANSI Lumen
300 inch projection
Native 1080p resolution
Laser phosphorus technology
Various connection options
Lamp lifespan of up to 30,000 hours
The ViewSonic LS711HD has an incredible lamp life of around 30,000 hours. For home entertainment purposes, this amount of lamp life can mean that even if you use it for 8 hours a day, it will last for more than 10 years with the addition of proper maintenance. This is an expensive projector and requires a lot of regular maintenance. It features native 1080p resolution for sharp, bright and large images using laser phosphor technology. With a built-in, powerful 0.65-inch DMD chip, the projector ensures that every image looks the best by bringing out the colour in its true form. Additionally, the four corner adjustments provide H/V keystone correction, reducing manual work. So sit and have fun!
Why do we love
Auto sleep mode
0.98:1 slow ratio
3.5mm audio jack
2.4g/5g dual band Wi-Fi
100% – 85% Zoom Function
15,000:1 High dynamic contrast ratio
but…
720p native resolution
Wimius is one of the top brands of projectors with perfect image quality and affordable pricing. The Wimius S27 is a compact model that can easily fit in a backpack, weighing only 1.32 pounds, so carrying it is also a hassle-free. This is a simple point-and-shoot projector with a 270-degree projection function. Attached to a custom-made triangular stand, it maintains stability and allows you to easily tilt the projector to a priority angle. From just 5 feet away, you can get a gorgeous 100-inch projection with sharp images. With a high dynamic contrast ratio of 15000:1, all the colors you generate pop the image and feel realistic. So if you want high quality entertainment wherever you go, try this!
Why do we love
4K Support
0.2:1 slow ratio
Low latency audio
Bluetooth 5.4 Support
Eye protection function
Seamless mirroring options
With a 0.2:1 slow ratio, this Aaxa M8 projector is one of the most convenient ultra-short-throw projectors for small rooms. Images up to 100 inches can be projected from just 12 inches away. Plus, the projector itself has a compact build of 8″ x 4.6″ x 3″. If this is not a space channel, it features miniature RGB laser technology, providing bright images of 1100 lasers (LD) that can be enjoyed even in brightly lit rooms. Plus, it is flexible enough to mount on the ceiling, protruding into the wall or vertically mounted and projecting onto the table, giving it complete freedom.
Why do we love
Electric Focus
Built-in 5W speaker
100%-50% zoom
3 Turbine Cooling System
Up to 50,000 hours of life
±30° vertical keystone correction
The MayPug P7 Advanced Short Throw Projector offers unlimited access to popular streaming applications via our in-house Lilac OS, which comes with Google Play and TV pre-installed. It has a very reliable 4K decoding feature, converting everything to native 1080p resolution, bringing you a very detailed viewing experience. Whether it’s Netflix, Amazon Prime content or outdoors, it all looks beautiful with a 20,000:1 contrast ratio and 600 Lumen peaks brightness. With low latency compatibility for HDMI, you can also connect a gaming console, enjoy gaming at 120 Hz, and enjoy a smooth gameplay experience with 4K input. So, what are you going to do – a movie marathon or a game night with friends?
What is the lifespan of a short slow projector?
There are many factors that help you understand how long a projector lasts. For example, the average time to use on a particular day or the type of environment in which the projector is used. It is also important to note that there are two types of projectors that are commonly used. It can also affect the lifespan of the lamp base and laser base. The estimates below are rough calculations based on average 8 hours of usage per day. Projectors can last longer and even shorter depending on a variety of factors.
A lamp-based projector with decent quality lamps can last anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 hours. If the projector has eco mode, its lifespan can hit up to 12,000-15,000 hours. With high quality lamps, the results are much better when you think about high-end models. These are known to last in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 hours. So if you can buy high-end projectors on a budget, you should definitely go for them.
On the other hand, laser projectors do not incorporate lamps that deteriorate over time. They use laser technology that tends to have a higher lifespan. They can last between 20,000 and 30,000 hours. For this reason, it is more expensive than a lamp-based projector.
The difference between a short throw and an ultra short throw projector
Short and ultra-short throw projectors are designed to project large images into limited spaces, but there are several factors that make them stand out, and there are some of them.
Slow distance: A short slow projector will have less distance, but requires a distance of 3 to 8 feet from the wall/screen. Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors, on the other hand, can be placed right next to the projection target, providing image sizes of 100 inches or more depending on the model.
image quality: Compared to short throws, UST has undoubtedly better image quality. They use advanced lens systems to project from shorter distances, leading to sharper and more vivid image projections. Short Throw Projectors are excellent, but may have some form of distortion, which can hinder the experience.
install: To have perfect image quality, you need to place/mount the short throw projector at a very specific distance. If they are not properly positioned, the image quality can be hit and blurry/washed. But once you get it right, the results will be spectacular. The UST projector’s image quality is also excellent. There is little hardship, especially as there is little guesswork when it comes to placing it at the right distance.
Fee: Even though some high-end features are included, short slow projectors are usually more affordable. On the other hand, even basic UST projectors use advanced technology to allow projections from short distances. These advanced technologies require expensive parts and cost more.
What are the drawbacks of short-throw projectors?
Despite the advantages of many features, there are some drawbacks to know before you buy.
- Fee: Short-throw projectors tend to be more expensive than traditional projectors because they use more advanced technology and components.
- Flexibility: Just like with regular projectors, if they are not located at a certain distance, image quality can be compromised. Too close or too far can cause image distortion.
- Screen size: Given their design, there are limits to the size of images they can project. The average projection size of the short slow projector is 100-120 inches.
- noise: Some short slow projectors, especially compact models, may have relatively noisy fans.
How to Choose the Best Short Throw Projector
These projectors were chosen by in-house experts who have spent many years researching and testing different types of home entertainment products. For this list, they started by investigating various short slow projectors in the market and tested them on a variety of factors, including image quality, projection distance, speaker clarity, and more. Additionally, they contacted other industry experts to understand their perspectives and experiences with these devices. After thorough testing and investigation, the team confirmed the above projector.
FAQ
What is the lifespan of a short slow projector?
Lifespan depends on the use of the projector, but with an average of 3-4 hours of use every day, it can last anywhere from 8-12 years.
What is the best projector to buy?
The AWOL Vision LTV-2500 is one of the best projectors you can get, whether it’s a short slow projector or anything else.
Why are ultra short throw projectors so expensive?
Ultra-short-throw projectors are expensive due to their advanced and expensive parts, compact design, and increased production costs.