9+ Best Short Throw Projector 2022 | Ultimate Guide & Reviews

Are you looking for a cinematic viewing experience, but don’t have the space for a traditional home theater projector? Maybe you live in a studio or dorm and don’t have the range needed for a long-distance projector. Or maybe you need to give a presentation in class or at work and there are no projectors provided. In each of these circumstances, a short-throw projector is ideal. Short throw projectors provide a clearer and wider image in smaller spaces than long throw ones.

As with any type of projector, short shots vary greatly in specification and quality. Here we have compiled our recommendations for the best short throw projectors. If you’re looking for a home theater experience, check out our picks for the best home theater projectors. If you need a projector on the go, we’ve also compiled a list of the best short throw projectors.

Best Short Throw Projector

To enjoy a good home theater session, large format TVs are fine, but there is nothing like the immersive experience provided by a projector and a huge screen above 80-90 inches.

However, given the current typical homes, we can not always install one in our living rooms, being a usual problem the lack of length to the screen so that the projector can generate the image properly. If this is your case today we propose five new-generation models of the so-called “short throw” with which to enjoy the cinema in a big way.

Best Short Throw Projector | Comparison Table 2022

Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Best Short Throw Projector | 2022 Reviews

How to choose the best short throw projector for your home | Ultimate Guide 2022

There are a few things you want to keep in mind when choosing which short throw projector is best for your needs. Here is a breakdown of some technical details to keep in mind while shopping.

Types of short-throw projectors

There are two main types of projectors: DLP (digital light processing) and LCD (liquid crystal display). 3D projectors are sometimes marketed as a separate model, the reality is that 3D is simply an ability that most DLP and LCD projectors can support today.

The DLP projectors offer great contrast and tend to be lightweight, which is ideal for portable models. They are also perfect for displaying fast-moving images, and higher quality models, such as 3-chip DLP projectors, offer better image quality.

On the other hand, the LCD projectors project a sharper, brighter, and more vibrant image. The LCD guns tend to offer a better picture, are quieter and more energy-efficient than their DLP counterparts.

There is also a third type of projector, LCoS (liquid crystal on a reflective silicon base), which has all the advantages of DLP and LCD guns. LCoS tend to be very expensive and are available only in the higher range.

With a home theater projector, you can live a movie night in the comfort of your own home. With HD projectors and state-of-the-art technology, you can now enjoy a cinematic experience without sacrificing image quality.

Projection distance

Projection distance is the minimum / maximum distance the projector can reach from a surface to project a desirable image. Short throw projectors are nice because they don’t need as much space to display a large image as standard projectors. The average throw distance for a short-throw projector is around 4 feet or 1 meter, although some of the best can project large images at much shorter distances. Our overall choice, for example, can project an image from just over 7 inches away.

Lumen

Brightness is critical for projectors, as it determines how clear the image will be and how dark the room must be to see it properly. Brightness is measured in lumens, although ANSI lumen is a common measure in DLP (digital light processing) projectors.

There is no hard and fast way to measure lumens, so actual lumen rating may vary from model to model. Generally, the most common brightness for dedicated projectors is between 2,500 and 3,200 lumens. Portable projectors are usually much dimmer, but that’s largely due to the smaller lighting fixture in the compact form factor.

Resolution

Resolution naturally determines the clarity of the image. This is measured in the same way as on televisions and monitors. However, it is important to read the small print when purchasing a projector. Many boast 4K or 1080p resolutions but refer to the content supported by the projector, different from the native resolution of the projector. Many cheaper projectors will promote HD resolutions, but will only have a native resolution of 840×480 (DVD quality).

Whenever you shop, check the native resolution to get a clear idea of ​​what the image will look like.

Connectivity

Projectors these days usually come with a good amount of ports for connecting Blu-ray players, game consoles, and streaming devices. They are usually essential, even if the projector has a built-in SmartTV interface. These interfaces are generally clunky and outdated, so you’ll always have a better experience by connecting an external media device.

You will also need to make sure the projector has audio-out jacks. Projector speakers are generally weak, assuming they have speakers. To get the best experience, we recommend connecting a soundbar or home theater system.

If you want to go wireless, some projectors support AirPlay or Chromecast, although this is far from a universal feature. But you can get any projector to stream video by connecting an AppleTV, Chromecast, or other streaming stick.

Uses of Best Short Throw Projector

The main use of projectors has always been in corporate and educational environments, with almost no use in homes. This trend is changing and more and more people want a home theater projector. The short-throw projectors or short-range is a great option for home use because they allow the issuance of a large image at a really short distance.

They are an excellent alternative to conventional projectors and very useful in cases where we do not want or can place a video projector at a much greater distance with projectors of medium shot or long shot. This echo in addition to the price reduction of short-range projectors makes it a very attractive option to create a cinema experience with really economic projectors.

In case we need to place the projector at a distance still lower than the short-throw projectors, they have ultra-short-throw projectors, which allow the emission of the content on the projection screen to a few centimeters.

Movie at home
These projectors of short or ultrashort distance (short or ultra-short throw) are especially useful in domestic use. If we wanted to generate an image of about 80 inches in our living room, a conventional projector should be at a distance of not less than 2 meters. In most cases, this is difficult, in addition to leaving many wires insight if we have not thought about their installation before.

Where to place the projector

With a short-throw or ultra-short-throw projector, we can place the device in a piece of furniture attached to the wall, with the video projector just above it. This would also avoid the shadows that can be created if someone passes in front of the projector.

TV formats are growing, but nothing can really compare to a home theater projector. If you want an unparalleled cinema feel in the comfort of your living room, investing in a projector is worth it.
In recent years, projector technology has grown by leaps and bounds, and the image quality of the best projectors is now the highest quality TVs. When searching for your new projector, keep the following tips in mind.

Size of the room

This is probably your most important consideration. For starters, if you want to install a projection screen on your wall or paint your wall with a screen finish, make sure you have enough wall space to do it. Alternatively, you can also buy a portable screen or drop-down that will be attached to the ceiling.

The size of the room will help to determine the projection ratio. The projection ratio determines how far the projector should be from the screen. Most ordinary projectors need to be at least 10 feet away, but if you do not have much space, there are short focal length models that work a few meters away from the screen.

Also, think about how far you will be from the image, as it can be uncomfortable and difficult for the eyes if you have to sit a few meters away from it.