If you’re tight on space but still want an immersive home cinema experience, a short throw projector might be exactly what you’re looking for. There’s no bulk of a TV on the wall, just a simple screen and a projector that you can place just a few feet away.
So, are you curious which of the best short throw projectors you should consider? I’ve narrowed down seven of my favourites available on the market today.
In a hurry?
Need the best of the best? Here are our absolute favourites:
| Hisense C2TUK Ultra 4K Trichroma Smart Mini Projector | A fan favourite. This is a great, simple projector. It offers great sound, and its smart features are some of the best I've seen. | Check the current price |
| Optoma HZ146X-W Full HD DLP Laser Projector | The best budget option. This projector has many of the features of a more expensive model, but at a fraction of the cost. | Check the current price |
| JVC DLA-NP5B DILA Projector HDR 4K | The most aspirational projector. Nothing else in this lineup gets close to this model's picture quality. | Check the current price |
Why we’ve chosen these short throw projectors
To make this list, I’ve picked projectors that offer the best performance and picture quality with just a short throw, taking value for money into account.
Some are laser-powered, others are lamp-based, and some are as basic as it gets – so pretty much anyone can have a chance of owning a projector, no matter their budget.
There’s a lot of competition out there, so to whittle it down, I primarily looked at lens quality and smart features. These are what I deem to be the best – whether you’re after the Swiss army knife of projectors or an aspirational product everyone wishes to own.
The best portable projector
1. Hisense C2TUK Ultra 4K Trichroma Smart Mini Projector – A fan favourite
Key features
- Portable 4K laser projector
- 3000 lumens
- 135-degree vertical rotation
Pros
- Hisense VIDAA U7 Smart Features are in a league of their own
- Impressive 2.1 built-in JBL audio system
- Triple Colour Laser technology really works
Cons
- The remote control isn’t backlit
In the top spot, we have the Hisense C2TUK Ultra 4K Trichroma Smart Mini Projector, which is exceptionally simple to set up – and there doesn’t seem to be anyone who doesn’t like it!
First, there’s a 2.1 JBL sound system built in, and the plethora of smart features seems almost endless, thanks to the VIDAA U7 operating system also found in many of their latest TVs.
Picture quality-wise, the Hisense C2TUK uses the latest pure triple colour laser technology to deliver 110% BT.202 and can hit brightness levels of 3,000 ANSI lumens – perfect for daytime viewing.
The projector also includes a 1.67x optical zoom lens, can rotate 360 degrees, and features a clever system that allows you to vertically tilt the projector by up to 135 degrees, with software that digitally corrects the trapezoidal distortion to return the image to a true 1.78:1 aspect ratio.
Regardless of the quality of footage you play through the C2TUK, the advanced AI engine will upsample it to 4K. For films that require IMAX Enhanced or Dolby Vision certifications, these are also supported.
2. Optoma HZ146X-W Full HD DLP Laser Projector – The best budget short throw projector
Key features
- 1080p Full HD DLP technology
- 30,000 hours laser light engine
- Manual 1.62:1 zoom
Pros
- One of the best for gaming, thanks to the 8.6ms lag input
- Will play Full HD 3D films
- 45% more energy efficient than a lamp version
Cons
- Missing vertical lens shift
If you’re looking at your first home cinema projector, the Optoma HZ146X-W Full HD DLP Laser Projector must be high on your list. From one of the biggest names in projection, Optoma know how to bring both pocket-friendly pricing and premium performance in one simple product.
There really isn’t much this projector cannot do. While it is only a 1080p Full HD projector, for me, that’s its only drawback. For everything else, it’s a true masterclass of what a projector ought to be capable of.
Optoma have equipped the HZ146X-W with one of the best laser light engines available, which not only improves durability but also delivers a claimed 30,000 hours of use. It’s bright, with up to 3,800 lumens, making daytime viewing possible when paired with a high-gain screen.
There is also a gaming mode, which switches the projector into a high-speed setting, reducing input lag to an impressive 8.6ms.
Setup is straightforward, with optical zoom and 360-degree positioning. While we do not advocate using keystone correction, for those who need it there is a ±30° vertical adjustment, allowing for greater flexibility when required.
Compared to traditional lamp-based projectors, the use of a sophisticated laser light engine results in a claimed 45% reduction in power consumption. This gives it some environmental credentials and helps secure its position at number two in this lineup.
3. JVC DLA-NP5B DILA Projector HDR 4K – The projector many people aspire to own
Key features
- Native UHD 4K projector
- 17-element, 15-group all-glass lens
- 48Gbps, HDMI 2.3 Certified
Pros
- Black details are the best in class
- Supports 3D films
- Auto calibration feature
Cons
- It weighs more than a small child
I have a soft spot for JVC projectors, and that’s why the JVC DLA-NP5B DILA Projector HDR 4K makes it to number three. Yes, it’s becoming harder to source since the NZ500 was introduced, but if you can find one, you’ll understand what makes it so special. It uses the flagship body, which offers genuine versatility that is missing from the newer NZ500.
It also delivers the cinematic look people often talk about, thanks to it being one of the last lamp-based 4K projectors still available new on the market, which makes it something of a rarity.
JVC projectors using D-ILA chipsets are renowned for their black detail and excellent colour reproduction, and the NP5B is no exception, standing out as a class leader at its price point. Image clarity is equally impressive thanks to a 17-element, 15-group lens, meaning no other projector in this lineup can replicate its native 4K image quality.
What’s more, by pairing the PK-EM2 and PK-AG3 accessories with this projector, you can unlock 3D playback. If you think you’ve seen 3D at the cinema, this offers a noticeably higher level of quality, as very few cinemas can match what this projector is capable of delivering.
We’re only touching the surface of what this projector can do, and you might wonder why it’s not ranked number one. The simple answer is that its price is still hard to swallow, but if you want something this good, it’s to be expected.
4. Epson EH-TW6250 3LCD 4K Enhanced HDR Projector
Key features
- 4K PRO-UHD technology
- Android TV built-in
- 7,500-hour lamp life
Pros
- Includes C2 Fine Technology
- Brings a more cinematic feel thanks to the lamp technology
- Good degree of vertical lens shift
Cons
- Looks like a fan heater
Another huge name in the projection space is Epson. In the Epson EH-TW6250 3LCD 4K Enhanced HDR Projector, they bring to life 3LCD technology. If you want a projector with 4K abilities, this needs to be on your list.
Taking technology that’s been used on Epson’s best projectors, the 4K Pro-UHD system brings an extra level of clarity. This also enables the certifications needed to access 4K enhancements such as HDR10 and HLG, resulting in a visibly wider colour gamut.
Yes, the EH-TW6250 is a lamp-based projector, but this gives the picture a more analogue feel. Many people say this better replicates a truer cinema experience, which some of the modern light engines have tamed slightly. So don’t let that put you off, especially as Epson claims up to 7,500 hours of use for added peace of mind.
There’s a 1.6x zoom and a dedicated gaming mode, which, for 3LCD projection, claims a remarkable 20ms lag time, something that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.
As it’s also a smart projector, Android TV is built in, allowing you to take full advantage of the 4K Pro-UHD engine through a wide range of streaming services. Whether it’s films, TV, or games, this makes it more than just another home cinema projector.
5. AVCOM FHDP65 FHD 1080p Projector
Key features
- Auto focus technology
- Built-in speakers
- LED light engine
Pros
- 5mm jack output is welcome
- Robust enough for use with karaoke
- It’s the most affordable to make the list
Cons
- Missing HDMI (ARC)
Entry-level projection has never been as fun or affordable as it is with the AVCOM FHDP65 FHD 1080p Projector.
We’re not saying it can take on the might of the Optoma HZ146X-W models as the best budget projectors, but it’s certainly the most affordable by a country mile. In a light-controlled environment, it’ll produce a realistic and respectable image on a 77” screen.
Just note that it doesn’t have built-in streaming, lens shift, or optical zoom, but that’s why it’s a bargain.
What you get are the important things – like a 3.5mm jack output for audio if the built-in speakers don’t meet your standards, a remote control, and Bluetooth connectivity, plus a dedicated HDMI input.
And as the title says, this is a true 1080p Full HD projector, making it ideal for film, TV, and games.
What’s more, it’s an LED projector, which means it’s a bit tougher than the rest in this lineup. This allows it to work in more places, as long as the screen size and environmental conditions allow, meaning you could even use it for karaoke nights when the party’s in full swing.
6. Epson EH-LS9000B High-Performance 4K Laser Projector
Key features
- 4K pixel-shifting technology
- RGB LCS system
- 20,000-hour laser light engine
Pros
- One of the most well-rounded projectors on the market
- Easy and flexible setup
- A very clean chassis design
Cons
- Cannot match the TW-LS11000
We have a big gun here in the Epson EH-LS9000B High-Performance 4K Laser Projector, with a price point that suits those who already own an older lamp-based projector and are looking to move to one with a laser light engine.
For this reason alone, the EH-LS9000B has earned its place in the best short throw projector lineup, as it’s one of the few universally well-rounded projectors that’ll wow anyone, even if they’ve owned a good projector before.
The chassis isn’t the smallest, but that’s usually the case with good 4K projection using three-chip technology. The lens is also of a high enough standard to let you see 4K in all its glory, which not all 4K projectors manage, believe it or not.
With that larger chassis comes Epson’s generous lens shift capabilities and a 2.1 motorised zoom ratio, meaning it’ll fit almost any room. There are also 10 memory presets for anyone who wants to try constant height projection.
And as this is an Epson 3LCD model using RGB liquid crystal shutter technology, you get colour reproduction that’s among the best in the industry, along with deeper blacks than you might have thought possible.
All in all, this projector should be high on everyone’s list, whether you’re buying for the first time or replacing an existing projector.
7. Optoma UHZ58LV 4K UHD Projector
Key features
- Dual laser light engine
- 30,000 hours of use
- Manual zoom and focus ring
Pros
- New compact chassis design
- High lumens count for large screen playback
- Includes Full HD 3D playback
Cons
- Digital keystone isn’t the best
Using the latest compact chassis, the Optoma UHZ58LV 4K UHD Projector replaces the 55, which means it has some big shoes to fill. As you’d expect, it hits the mark without breaking a sweat.
We were expecting big things from this projector, as it’s priced right in a very busy segment with plenty of competition. Even so, it manages to distinguish itself thanks to the performance it delivers.
It uses a dual-laser light engine, enabling HDR10+ for excellent colour reproduction. Features like Full HD 3D playback also haven’t been forgotten, even though it’s being dropped from most new projectors these days, and who doesn’t love watching 3D on a projector?
You also get a small amount of manual lens shift and a 1.6x zoom, which feels good when turning the focus ring to add that extra bit of sharpness, letting you see its 4K potential.
That laser light engine is also bright at 3,000 lumens, and Optoma’s usual claim of 30,000 hours still surprises us, especially when older lamps used to last for around 2,000 hours before needing replacement.
If you want a good, honest, affordable 4K projector which can be mounted on the ceiling, you’ll struggle to find anything that ticks as many boxes as this projector does.
How to choose the best short throw projector for you
Selecting the right short throw projector for your space can actually be a fairly uncomplicated process – as long as you know your basic requirements.
First, the room you’re going to use the projector in is a big factor. You’ll want to consider how much light the room gets, or how dark you can make it, as sunlight will always be your enemy when it comes to projection.
If you have a particularly light room, or you know you’ll be using the projector during the day, choose a projector that offers a bright enough image. The Optoma UHZ58LV, Optoma HZ146X-W, and Hisense C2TUK are great options for bright rooms.
Your next consideration should be placement. With short throw projectors, many include lens shift and digital or optical zoom, while some are fixed. Models that offer flexibility will work in a wider range of placements within their limits, whereas fixed-lens projectors without lens shift or zoom need to be positioned precisely according to the throw ratio, offset, and screen size in the room.
There are also features such as keystone correction, and while I don’t generally advocate using it, not all setups allow you to avoid it. In some cases, it becomes more of an aid than a hindrance, as it digitally corrects a trapezoidal image back to a true square.
Paying attention to the projector’s horizontal and vertical orientation, and placing it within its lens shift limits, will help ensure you don’t need to use keystone correction. Keeping both the screen and projector lens perpendicular to each other is paramount if you want to avoid introducing any digital processing into the image.
If you’re planning to place the projector on a ceiling mount, you need to ask yourself, will it fit? The mounting plate you need will depend on the brand of projector you’re using. You also need to consider the projector’s weight, as this will also inform where and how you attach it to the ceiling.
Make sure you provide the correct support, whether that’s hidden bridging within the ceiling to create a strong mounting point or fixing the projector directly to a solid joist. Either way, the projector will dictate where it needs to sit, meaning you’ll need to do some calculations based on the throw ratio.
Seating distance is another important factor. Hardly anyone enjoys sitting in the front row at the cinema, so even though you’re opting for a short throw projector, make sure you still have enough space for comfortable seating and viewing.
Finally, remember your budget! What one person sees as affordable might be at another person’s limit. If you’re looking for something affordable, the AVCOM FHDP65 projector allows you to experience what home cinema projection has to offer, even if it once felt out of reach.
Once you follow these simple guidelines, the basics of setting up a projector in your room become much easier. I’ll finish by saying that the larger the screen, the more lumens you’ll need, so it’s worth keeping that in mind too.
FAQs
What are short throw projectors good for?
Short throw projectors are great for use in small rooms. They allow you to project a large, clear image on your wall or screen from a short distance, sometimes just a few feet away.
What is the lifespan of a short throw projector?
The lifespan of a short throw projector varies from model to model; traditional lamp-based projection can last between 2,000 and 7,500 hours, while laser light engines have a lifespan between 20,000 and 30,000 hours.
Is a £200 projector worth it?
A £200 projector can be worth it depending on your requirements. You’ll see that we have a projector in this lineup that costs less than £200 – a few are better than you might expect!
Final thoughts
There was a lot to cover here; we hope we’ve helped you find one of the best short throw projectors to suit your requirements and budget. We’ve made sure there’s an option for every price point, and while none of these projectors are equal in ability, they all follow the same idea of getting more for your money by buying smart.
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