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10 Best Short Throw Projectors 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Optoma ZH406ST Short Throw Full HD Professional Laser Projector | DuraCore Laser Technology | High Bright 4200 lumens | 4K HDR Input | Four Corner Image Adjustment | Network Compatible

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,238
Brightness
Contrast Ratio

Most important from
83 reviews

Brightness
The projector is bright enough to run with lights on, making it perfect for large venues.
Contrast Ratio
Excellent brightness and contrast; videos are clear even with lights on.

The Optoma ZH406ST short-throw projector is designed for professional use, offering a range of impressive features. With a throw ratio that allows for a 120-inch image from just 4 feet away, it's ideal for small spaces. The projector boasts a Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080), ensuring sharp and clear images. Its brightness level of 4200 lumens allows for clear viewing even in well-lit rooms, making it suitable for business presentations and educational settings.

The impressive 300,000:1 contrast ratio provides deep blacks and bright whites, enhancing the image quality. Connectivity options are ample, including dual HDMI, VGA, and RJ45, accommodating various devices and setups. The four-corner image adjustment feature makes installation flexible and straightforward. The DuraCore laser technology ensures a long lamp life of up to 30,000 hours, reducing maintenance costs, and the IPX6 dust resistance adds to its durability.

Additionally, the projector supports 4K HDR input, enhancing video quality for a richer viewing experience. However, the integrated speakers, while convenient, may not suffice for larger rooms, and the projector's weight (10 pounds) might be a consideration for portable use. The 2-year limited parts warranty and 5-year light source warranty offer added peace of mind for long-term investment. The Optoma ZH406ST is a robust and versatile short-throw projector that fits well in educational and business environments, providing high-quality visuals and reliable performance.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,238
Brightness
Contrast Ratio

Most important from
83 reviews

Brightness
The projector is bright enough to run with lights on, making it perfect for large venues.
Contrast Ratio
Excellent brightness and contrast; videos are clear even with lights on.
#2

Optoma ZH340ST Compact Short Throw Professional Laser Projector, 3,200 Lumens

Rating
9.8
Brightness
Contrast Ratio

Most important from
83 reviews

Brightness
Bright enough to run with lights on, making it perfect for large venues.
Contrast Ratio
Brightness and contrast are very good, even with lights on.

The Optoma ZH340ST Compact Short Throw Professional Laser Projector stands out for its professional-grade capabilities. With a brightness of 3,200 lumens, it delivers clear and crisp visuals even in brightly lit spaces, which is ideal for offices and classrooms. The short throw lens can project a large 120-inch image from just 4 feet 4 inches away, making it suitable for smaller rooms and easier to install without taking up much space.

This compact projector also boasts a Full HD 1080P resolution, ensuring high-quality image clarity for presentations and educational content. The DuraCore laser technology promises up to 30,000 hours of maintenance-free operation, reducing the need for frequent lamp and filter replacements, which is a significant cost and hassle saver. Moreover, its IPX6 dust resistance rating enhances its durability, ensuring longevity in different environments.

Connectivity options are robust, with dual HDMI connectors and a USB port, allowing seamless integration with laptops and other streaming devices. Additionally, its low power consumption (just 45% of typical lamp-based projectors) helps reduce energy costs and its environmental impact. Its design, ease of installation, and energy efficiency make it a solid choice for professional use in educational and business settings.

Rating
9.8
Brightness
Contrast Ratio

Most important from
83 reviews

Brightness
Bright enough to run with lights on, making it perfect for large venues.
Contrast Ratio
Brightness and contrast are very good, even with lights on.
#3

BenQ MW632ST Business Projector, 3200 Lumens, WXGA, Short Throw, Wireless, Dual HDMI, Keystone, 1.2X Zoom, 3D, Golf Simulation, Conference Room, Meeting, Classroom

Rating
9.7
Throw Ratio
Brightness

Most important from
283 reviews

Throw Ratio
Short-throw capability allows for a 110-inch image from just 4-5 feet away.
Brightness
Bright enough to be visible and clear even in low lighting, eliminating the need for a pitch-dark room.

The BenQ MW632ST is a short-throw projector designed for business and educational use. Its WXGA resolution of 1280x800 offers decent image quality for presentations, movies, and pictures, which is significantly better than the lower SVGA resolution. The projector boasts a brightness of 3200 lumens, making it suitable for use in well-lit rooms, and its high native contrast ratio ensures vivid and accurate colors.

The short-throw lens with a throw ratio of 0.9 allows for a large image in smaller spaces without the risk of being blinded by the projector's light during presentations. Connectivity options are robust, featuring dual HDMI ports, a USB, a D-sub, and a 3.5mm jack, making it versatile for various devices. The projector also offers a built-in speaker, adding to its convenience for classroom or office settings.

Keystone correction helps in adjusting the image for better alignment, and the lamp life of up to 10,000 hours is impressive, likely lasting many years even with regular use. However, the resolution of 1280x800 is not Full HD, which might be a limiting factor for those looking for higher definition displays. Despite this, the BenQ MW632ST stands out as a solid choice for business meetings, classrooms, and educational purposes where short-throw capabilities, brightness, and connectivity are crucial.

Rating
9.7
Throw Ratio
Brightness

Most important from
283 reviews

Throw Ratio
Short-throw capability allows for a 110-inch image from just 4-5 feet away.
Brightness
Bright enough to be visible and clear even in low lighting, eliminating the need for a pitch-dark room.

Buying Guide for the Best Short Throw Projectors

Choosing the right short-throw projector can significantly enhance your viewing experience, whether it's for home entertainment, business presentations, or educational purposes. Short-throw projectors are designed to project large images from a short distance, making them ideal for small spaces. To find the best fit for your needs, it's important to understand the key specifications and how they impact performance and usability.
Throw RatioThe throw ratio is the distance between the projector and the screen divided by the width of the projected image. This spec is crucial because it determines how close you can place the projector to the screen while still achieving the desired image size. Short-throw projectors typically have a throw ratio between 0.4:1 and 1.0:1. If you have limited space, look for a lower throw ratio, which allows you to place the projector closer to the screen. Consider your room size and how far you can place the projector from the screen to choose the right throw ratio for your setup.
ResolutionResolution refers to the number of pixels that make up the projected image, usually described as width x height (e.g., 1920x1080 for Full HD). Higher resolution means more detail and clarity. Common resolutions for short-throw projectors include 720p (HD), 1080p (Full HD), and 4K (Ultra HD). If you plan to use the projector for movies, gaming, or detailed presentations, a higher resolution like 1080p or 4K is recommended. For basic presentations or educational purposes, 720p may suffice.
BrightnessBrightness is measured in lumens and indicates how bright the projected image will be. This is important because it affects visibility, especially in well-lit rooms. Short-throw projectors typically range from 1,000 to 3,000 lumens. For dark or dimly lit rooms, 1,000 to 2,000 lumens may be adequate. For rooms with more ambient light, look for a projector with 2,500 lumens or more to ensure a clear and vibrant image.
Contrast RatioThe contrast ratio measures the difference between the darkest and brightest parts of the image. A higher contrast ratio means deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, which enhances image quality. Short-throw projectors often have contrast ratios ranging from 1,000:1 to 100,000:1. For home theater use, a higher contrast ratio is preferable to achieve better picture quality. For business or educational use, a moderate contrast ratio may be sufficient.
ConnectivityConnectivity options determine how you can connect your projector to other devices. Common inputs include HDMI, USB, VGA, and wireless options like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This spec is important because it affects the ease of setup and compatibility with your devices. If you plan to connect multiple devices, look for a projector with multiple HDMI ports and wireless connectivity. For simpler setups, a single HDMI port may be enough.
Keystone CorrectionKeystone correction allows you to adjust the image to be perfectly rectangular, even if the projector is not perfectly aligned with the screen. This is important for achieving a professional-looking image without distortion. Short-throw projectors often offer both vertical and horizontal keystone correction. If you anticipate placing the projector at an angle or off-center, look for a model with comprehensive keystone correction features to ensure a clear and properly aligned image.
Lamp LifeLamp life indicates how long the projector's lamp will last before it needs to be replaced, usually measured in hours. This is important for maintenance and long-term costs. Short-throw projectors typically have lamp lives ranging from 3,000 to 20,000 hours. If you plan to use the projector frequently, look for a model with a longer lamp life to reduce the need for replacements. For occasional use, a shorter lamp life may be acceptable.

FAQ