In today’s blog, we will talk about short throw projector. Choosing a projector can be a difficult decision when you are a first timer because you have to learn about projectors’ features such as brightness (lumen), contrast ratio, resolution, throw ratio, and so on. When shopping for a projector, one of the most important decisions that you have to make is picking between short throw or long throw. So, what is a throw ratio? The throw ratio is the relation between the throw distance and the width if the projected image. In short, the smaller the throw ratio, the larger the image that a projector will project at a shorter distance. A short throw projector has a throw ratio between 0.4 – 1, and the ultra-short throw has a throw ratio between 0.1 – 0.4.
Pros and cons of short throw projector.
Pros: When you are in a small space area, a short throw projector will come in handy as it will save you more space than a long throw projector. Its ability to project much larger image will be great to replace your regular TV.
Cons: There are some disadvantages of a short throw projector. Cost is one of them, a short throw projector tends to be more expensive. And brightness is also an issue because projectors can’t go as bright as a TV.
Here are some of the best short throw projectors that we hand-picked for you to consider:
- Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS300
The Epson LS300 short throw projector is the most expensive short throw projector in this list, MSRP at $1,999.99. It delivers picture up to 120” at 1080P (accepts 4K format). With an incredible 3,600 lumens, the LS300 short throw projector produces vivid picture even with some ambient light in the room. The Audiophile 2.1 sound system by Yamaha is nothing like others, it provides a unique experience. All in all, you can’t go wrong with the Epson LS300 projector, it’s an ideal short throw projector that could be a replacement for your TV.
Pros: High lumen brightness, loud speaker, high contrast ratio
Cons: Expensive for 1080P native resolution
Amazon Link for the Epson EpiqVision LS300 short throw projector
- AAXA P400
The AAXA P400 is a budget short throw projector. It’s the most portable and affordable mini short throw projector in the list with the price tag of $269 MSRP and the dimension of 4.5″ x 4″ x 2.3″, and weighs at 19.8 ounces. It can easily fit in your palm. Even though the P400 short throw projector is small, it’s a powerful unit which can project a vivid 100″ screen with 1080P resolution at just 5.25 feet from wall and holds up to 2 hours of battery in one charge. If you are in a position where money is short, and want a short throw projector that can get the job done, you can’t go wrong with the P400 since it offers almost everything that you need in a short throw projector.
Pros: Portable, native 1080P FHD, inexpensive, best value for money
Cons: Lack of smart features
Amazon Link for The AAXA P400 short throw projector
- BenQ TK700STi
The BenQ TK700STi short throw projector is made for gamers with a low input lag 16ms at 4K/60Hz, you can experience your gameplay with unnoticeable lag. It’s compatible with major consoles such as Xbox, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and a few more. This short throw projector is an incredible entertainment powerhouse. The only downside of the TK700STi is the throw ratio of 0.9 so you will need to place it a little far away from your wall in order to have a big screen.
Pro: Low latency, great for gaming, 4K resolution
Cons: 0.9 Throw ratio, not great black level
Amazon Link for The BenQ TK700STi short throw projector
Should you get a short throw projector?
Deciding what kind of projector is best fits for you need depends on numerous of factors. The most important characteristic that you should consider when purchasing a projector is space. If you are setting up a home theater in a small room, then you should consider a short throw projector. Not only it will save you more space, but also preventing unwanted shadows. And if space is not an issue for you, then you should consider getting yourself a long throw since it will save you some cash.
The AAXA P6X boasts vibrant colors and crisp details, whereas the Vankyo 630 has washout images and colors in a low-light room. It seems that the Vankyo projector falls short in terms of color quality most likely due to the lower-end Lumen rating it has.
