Watching your favorite movies on large screens is a thing you would look forward to, even without having to head to the movie theatres. Sometimes you just want to enjoy them at the comfort of your home, with your loved ones. Upon doing screen hunting, however, you discover that most of the ultra-large screens are way out of your budget. To most people, that is usually the end of their search, and they would rather make do with what they have, but not you! In this review, we shall be looking at the best ultra-short throw projectors, with the hope that you will find one that is suitable for you and your family to enjoy all your favorite films.
What is an ultra-short-throw projector?
If you have not encountered this device before, then it is good that you know what it is and what it can do for you before you even look at the varieties available and how much they cost. An Ultra Short Throw (UST) projector is defined as a projector which has a relatively wide-angle lens (in comparison to the regular projectors), and one that makes it possible for you to place the projector right under or above the screen that you want to cast the images or videos on. If one is, therefore, using an ultra-short-throw projector to give a presentation, they won’t have to walk through the projected light, and will as such not create shadows on the image that is cast for viewing.
Ultrashort projectors are also relatively easy to install, which is unlike regular projectors. You do not have to struggle with hanging them to the ceiling, and this saves you time more so in an office setting.
Which then is the best ultra-short-throw projector for your home or office needs? We came up with a list of the 10 best ultra-short-throw projectors for 2020 through a rigorous research process, and we are positive that with the information offered in the buyers’ guide that you be in a position to make the best decision.
10 Best Ultra-short throw projectors
| Product Image | Product Name | Connectivity Technology | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Optoma GT5600 | USB/ Wi-Fi | Check Price |
 | Epson Home Cinema LS100 | HDMI | Check Price |
 | VAVA 4K UHD Laser TV Home Theatre Projector | Bluetooth, USB, Triple HDMI, Wi-Fi, Optical | Check Price |
 | Hisense 100L10E | Bluetooth, Ethernet, Wireless | Check Price |
 | Optoma CinemaX P1 | Dual HDMI, USB | Check Price |
 | LG HF65LA | 1 x VGA (DE-15/DB-15) Video Input, Bluetooth sound connectivity | Check Price |
 | ASUS P3B Portable LED Projector | Wireless, HDMI, MHL | Check Price |
 | ViewSonic PX800HD | USB | Check Price |
 | LG HU85LA | 1 x RS-232 (DE-9/DB-9) Control Input | Check Price |
 | JOptoma GT5500 | Dual HDMI, VGA-In, dual Audio-In | Check Price |
1. Optoma GT5600
This an ultra-short-throw projector that lets you experience a relatively large 100-inch diagonal image that is projected from just a few inches from the UST lens. With its bright and razor-sharp images that have 3,600 lumens, a contrast ratio of 20,000:1, and a 1080p resolution, then you are looking at one of the best projectors in terms of image quality. The best thing about it is that it has a very long lamp life. Upon purchasing it, you can enjoy up to 15,000 hours of the lamp life, which is equivalent to 4 hours of viewing daily for an entire decade.
The GT5600 also displays content in 3D, provided that it is connected to a 3D source such as a 3D Blu-ray Disc player or any of the latest-generation gaming consoles. It supports 144Hz rapid-refresh rates, which is perfect for ultra-smooth pictures that are flicker-free. If you want to enjoy 3D content with this ultra-short-throw projector, then you will have to purchase 3D glasses.
Those who love viewing content from their Android and iOS smartphones can also use USB display connectivity to enjoy their videos. Optima Cast Pro 1080p HDMI MHL Multimedia Stick allows you to make wireless presentations, which is quite convenient in many scenarios.
2. Epson Home Cinema LS100
Epson is one of the biggest names in the digital device manufacturing industry, with most of its products offering undisputable quality. This is also the case for the Epson Home Cinema LS100, which gives its owners a transcendent viewing experience. One can, therefore, place this UST projector just a few inches from the screen, and still get ultra-sharp life-size pictures with no interference from cables, shadows, and glare from the décor in your house or office. The images projected can fit on a screen that has a 120-inch diagonal.
The bright laser technology enables the users of this projector to obtain powerful 4,000 lumens of both color and brightness. In addition to that, it has a deep contrast ratio of 2.5 million:1, which is something that makes it project exceptionally deep black and vivid colors. The viewing experience is further enhanced by the advanced 3-chip design that ensures that there are no color wheels, white segments, or a rainbow effect. You will also love the fact that it supports wireless screen sharing, has 3 HDMI and 3USB ports, and it comes with a remote for convenience during presentations and viewing.
3. VAVA 4K UHD Laser TV Home Theatre Projector
This Ultra short throw projector has the capability of casting a 100-inch image from a distance of 7.2 inches away from the screen or wall. Depending on your viewing needs, you can adjust it to cast images that are anywhere between 85 inches and 150 inches. The VAVA 4K UHD Laser TV Home Theatre Projector can deliver images of 4K quality with HDR10. You can also catch your best shows and movies for an estimated 17 years since it has a 25,000 hour-lamp life.
It also has an image brightness of 6000 lumens, which is sufficient for those who are looking for a crystal-clear viewing experience even in broad daylight. This device comes with its built-in Harman Kardon Soundbar as well as Dolby audio, which are known to deliver high-fidelity sound. The sound system consumes 60W, while the projector consumes 360W. Some of the other main features in these ultra-short-throw projectors are a Bluetooth remote, 3HDMI and 1 USB ports, and PDF audio output.
4. Hisense 100L10E
The Hisense 100L10E Ultra-short throw projector is a trend-setter in as far as high-end video technology is concerned. Hisense, the company that manufactures this projector, is known for top-tier video and audio technology, thus you can trust their devices to serve you in the best manner possible. This projector can cast a 100-inch projection which is quite clear in any sort of lighting. You only have to place the lens just 8 inches away from the screen, and you will have the chance to view the entire image as it is projected from the source.
The Hisense projector also comes with a stand-alone 60W subwoofer and has dbx-tv sound enhancement technology that ensures that you get the best 3D surround sound experience. With 3,000 lumens of brightness, this ultra-short-throw projector does not offer the best brightness in the market, but it is sufficient for viewing at any time of the day. You can, therefore, catch all the Netflix action without having to connect it to a secondary device. Some of the other features that are impressive about this ultra-short-throw projector include 4HDMI ports, connectivity to Bluetooth, Ethernet and wireless media, it works with Alexa, LG ThinQ Ai, as well as Google Assistant voice technology, and it is also HDR10 compatible.
5. Optoma CinemaX P1
The Optoma CinemaX P1 is another convenient ultra-short-throw projector that can serve quite effectively in a home theatre, lecture, and business meeting setup. It is built to deliver 4K resolution images in a 1.5million:1 contrast ratio. The projector also has 3000 lumens of brightness, which makes it good enough for the different viewing experiences.
You can use the Optoma CinemaX P1 to project a 120-inch image from a distance of 15 inches away from the screen. With its NuForce soundbar system, you will get nothing short of outstanding sound experience. It is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, thus making it easy for its users to control various settings.
With the SmartFIT app, you can define the image set up right from your phone, in a bid to ensure that you have the best viewing experience. If you want to view content from a variety of sources, you can utilize the dual HDMI and USB ports.
6. LG HF65LA
Here is an ultra-short throw projector that lets you enjoy full HD resolution 1920×1080 images. With this resolution, you can view all your best movies from the comfort of your home theatre, without worrying about the clarity of the content. You can project a 100 image on your projection screen, which is sufficient for most of your viewing needs.
This ultra-short throw projector has a brightness of 1000 ANSI lumens, which is relatively low in comparison to the other projectors of this kind in the market. This brightness is however good enough for home theatres, offices and lecture halls that do not have excess outdoor light. If you have an LG Smart TV, you can connect it with this projector, for better viewing. What’s more? You can enjoy up to 30,000 hours of lamp life, which is close to more than 2 decades of daily viewing.
7. ASUS P3B Portable LED Projector
Another ultra-short-throw projector that you might consider having is the ASUS P3B Portable LED Projector. It has a 12000mAh internal battery that can offer up to 3 hours of cable-free content projection. You can, therefore, use it as a power bank when it is not being used to cast images. This projector’s lamp has a 30,000-hour life-span, which makes it superior to a significant number of UST projectors in the market. It, however, has 800 lumens of brightness, which most people making presentations in bright rooms may find quite insufficient.
The ASUS P3B Portable LED Projector has a 1280×800 native resolution, which is not the best quality you can get if you want a projector that will serve you in your house or office. If you, however, are doing an outdoor presentation, where you have no access to a power source, then this may be the best projector for you.
It has HDMI, MHL, VGA, USB and MicroSD ports, which you can rely on to connect various sources of content. In addition to that, it has an ASUS Sonic Master 2W speaker that offers excellent sound reproduction.
8. ViewSonic PX800HD
This is one of the best projectors that you can use to watch supersized 1920x1080p movies as well as play games. It can project full HD images on a 150-inch screen in 2000 lumens. With its 0.23 lens, the projector can be placed some very few inches from a wall and still give an extra-large image.
When watching movies, you may not need any additional sound systems, since this ultra-short-throw projector comes with two premium audio 10W speakers that can give you the best sound experience. This UST projector supports a wide variety of media players, including PCs, Macs, and smartphones, with the HDMI input and many other input ports. The ViewSonic PX800HD is the best for those who are looking for a projector with a warranty cover. Upon purchasing this projector, you will get a 3-year limited warranty on various parts and labor, as well as a 1-year warranty for the lamp.
9. LG HU85LA
If you love LG products and would also want to purchase an Ultra-short throw LG projector, then the LG HU85LA is a good choice to go with. This projector has a 4K UHD display, with a resolution of 3840×2160. It has a brightness of 2700 ANSI lumens, which most people can do perfectly fine with. Not forgetting that you can display a 120-inch image on the projection screen by placing the LG HU85LA some 7.2 inches away from that screen. It is also compatible with LG SMART TVs and comes with a magic remote.
This projector works quite well with Alexa, LG ThinQ and Google Assistant, which is something that makes it quite easy to control even as you rest on your couch. Some other features you might enjoy are its Bluetooth connectivity and HDR10 compatibility.
10. Optoma GT5500
Optoma GT550 is yet another excellent product from Optoma. It gives you the option to project an 80-inch image from a distance of 17.7 inches away from the screen, and 100-inch images from a distance of 22.1 inches away from the screen. It has a brightness of 3500 ANSI lumens, and a contrast ratio of 25,000:1.
This ultra-short throw projector has a 1-year limited warranty on its parts and labor, and a 90-day warranty on the lamp. This is not the best warranty coverage in the market but it can be good enough for you if you like this projectors’ other features.
The Optoma GT550 features 2 HDMI ports, 3D-Sync Port Output, VGA1-Input, VGA2Output, Composite video, Audio1-Input, Audio2-Input, Audio-Output, RJ45, rs-232C, and mini USB.
Buyer’s Guide
Purchasing an ultra-short-throw projector may end up being a challenging task, more so when you do not know which factors to consider. As a first-time buyer, you can narrow down on a specific projector by considering the following features:
1. Brightness
Depending on the darkness or brightness of the room in which you are using the projector, you might want to consider getting a UST projector that has sufficient brightness lumens.
2. Resolution
If you are used to a high-display viewing experience, then you can settle on a projector based on the resolution. Anything below 1080p may not be appealing to most viewers.
3. Inputs
You can also settle on the ultra-short-throw projector depending on the source of the content that you want to project. Does it have the ports that are needed for you to connect the projector to the source of content? Which other devices would you like to connect to the projector in the future? Are the ports for connecting those devices availed by the manufacturer? Answering these questions will help you determine whether you purchase a certain ultrashort throw projector.
4. Price
Different manufacturers offer different projectors at different prices. If you like several projectors due to the features they offer, then you can use price as the ultimate factor to help you decide which one you will purchase. It is always a good idea to spend within your budget.
5. Contrast ratio
A low contrast ratio gives a mudded appearance. Most mid-tones end up looking like shadows when a projector with a low contrast ratio is used. You can, therefore, consider purchasing a projector that has a high contrast ratio to ensure that you get the best viewing experience.
Conclusion
There is an ample supply of ultra-short-throw projectors in the market that you can rely on if you do not want to hang the projector on the ceiling, or you do not have a large room to cast the images. In the review above, you can have a look at the list of the 10 best ultra-short throw projectors that you can rely on to create a great viewing experience. You will eventually have to consider the resolution, price, contrast ratio, the number of inputs as well as the brightness to settle on the ultra-short-throw projector that is best suited for you. All the best!
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