Are you cramped for space? Do you have a massive room and don't want your projector to stick out right in the middle of it? Consider a short-throw (ST) or ultra-short-throw (UST) projector. These projectors can be installed very close to the wall or screen you wish to project on as an alternative to the traditional long-throw projectors, which you have to install far from the screen. Short-throw projectors have numerous advantages; they don't require as much space, their proximity to the screen helps with cable management, and they offer a more minimalist setup compared to traditional projectors. However, short-throw projectors are often more expensive than other projector types, so be aware of this when shopping. If you're unsure about the size of screen you can accommodate at your distance, you can also use our projector throw calculator to determine how each model fits your room.
We're here to help. We've purchased and tested over 60 projectors, and below, you'll find the best ST and best UST projectors to buy. However, we only cover consumer models, not high-end products intended for enthusiasts. If you're shopping for a home theater projector and don't care whether it's a short-throw projector, check out the best models for home theater use. If you find these projectors too expensive for what they offer and would prefer a cheaper option, check out the best budget and cheap projectors. Taking your projector on the patio? Consider our picks for the best outdoor projectors. And don't forget that you can vote on which projectors you'd like us to purchase and put to the test!
Quick Look
We've independently bought and tested over 60 projectors, and we've published all the detailed results for each so you can decide which one to buy. These have all been tested under the same standardized methodology, allowing you to compare them side by side. We still have all these projects in our lab so we can continually go back and compare them to ensure our reviews are still accurate. All our test methodology is also public on our website, so you can validate the results yourself.
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Best Short-Throw Projector
Movies8.4Gaming7.5Brightness8.6Contrast7.9Minimum Throw Ratio0.90Maximum Throw Ratio1.50Portability6.0Light SourceLaserSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you want the best all-around short-throw projector for a living room or game room, go with the Hisense C2 Ultra. Its bright laser light engine and short-throw lens can light up a large screen from relatively close, and it's easily bright enough for moderately lit rooms while really shining once you dim the lights. Contrast is very good, with convincingly deep blacks in most scenes, and the color gamut is extremely wide, so HDR movies and games look vivid and saturated. Out of the box, it's already quite accurate, and it calibrates to near-reference levels if you're picky. For gaming, the C2 Ultra is a strong mixed-use choice. Input lag is comfortably low at 4k @ 60Hz and 1080p @ 60Hz, making it the snappiest of our short-throw picks for 60 fps console play, and it remains responsive at 1080p @ 240Hz for fast PC titles. Its weak spot is 120Hz, where latency jumps, and 120 fps modes feel less responsive. If competitive high-refresh gaming is your main priority, the BenQ X500i below is still the better option, but for "movies first, games second," the Hisense is excellent.
Hisense's VIDAA smart platform is built in, with official Netflix, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, plus Wi-Fi and Ethernet, so you don't need a streaming stick. The 2.1-channel 40W JBL sound system offers a ton of integrated power, and eARC handles Dolby Atmos and DTS:X cleanly if you add a soundbar or AVR. The rotating gimbal stand and image-correction tools (autofocus, auto keystone, obstacle avoidance) make setup easy, though fan noise is noticeable at full brightness and best masked with normal listening levels. Taken together, the Hisense C2 Ultra is the best short-throw projector we've tested.
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Best Ultra-Short-Throw Projector
Movies8.1Gaming7.0Brightness7.8Contrast8.3Minimum Throw Ratio0.22Maximum Throw Ratio0.22Portability4.0Light SourceLaserSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you want a true TV replacement that sits right up against the wall instead of a short-throw on a coffee table, go with the Hisense PX3-PRO. It can throw a 90-inch image from just a few inches away and up to around 130 inches while still hugging the wall, making it perfect on a low media console. Its TriChroma RGB laser light engine delivers very good contrast for a UST and one of the widest color gamuts we've measured, so HDR movies look rich and extremely vibrant once you dim the lights. Out-of-the-box color accuracy is only mediocre, but it calibrates to near-reference quality, and paired with a proper UST ALR screen, it produces a bright, punchy image that works well in typical living-room lighting.
Over HDMI, it accepts 4k @ 60Hz and up to 1080p @ 240Hz. In Game Mode, input lag at 4k/60 is noticeable but still fine for slower single-player games, and it gets much snappier at 1080p/120 and especially 1080p/240. At 60Hz, it's slower than the Hisense C2 Ultra and BenQ X500i, but at 120Hz and 240Hz, it actually pulls ahead of the C2 Ultra (while the X500i remains the fastest overall). That makes the PX3-PRO a solid choice if you're looking for a gaming UST. It also has a strong living-room feature set: built-in Google TV, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Chromecast, and AirPlay 2. Two HDMI 2.1 ports handle your consoles or PC, while a third HDMI 2.0 port with eARC makes it easy to add a soundbar or AVR if you outgrow the integrated 50W speakers. Ultimately, it's the best ultra-short-throw projector for most people.
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Best Gaming Short-Throw Projector
Movies7.8Gaming7.7Brightness6.7Contrast8.1Minimum Throw Ratio0.69Maximum Throw Ratio0.83Portability5.0Light SourceLEDSee all our test resultsNative ResolutionPixel Shift 4kIf you specifically want a short-throw projector for gaming, the BenQ X500i is the one to get. Its 4k (via pixel-shift) image is sharp and detailed, and the short-throw lens makes it easy to fill a large screen from close range in smaller rooms. Brightness is good enough for a dim living room or game room, and it has solid contrast and a wide color gamut for a gaming-focused model, so dark scenes still look convincing. HDR10 and HLG support add a bit of extra punch to modern games and movies without much tweaking. BenQ includes its Android TV 11 QS02 dongle for streaming, with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, Chromecast, and AirPlay support, so you get a full smart-TV experience without extra hardware. You also get multiple HDMI inputs (including one with eARC) plus a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode for direct connection from compatible laptops or handhelds.
Where the X500i really stands out is high-refresh-rate gaming. At 60Hz, the Hisense C2 Ultra is actually a bit faster, so there's no huge advantage for 60 fps console play. But once you step up to 120Hz or 240Hz, the X500i pulls clearly ahead of both the C2 Ultra and the Hisense PX3-PRO, with noticeably lower input lag and a more responsive feel. If you care about competitive play at 1080p/120 or 1080p/240, it's the strongest short-throw option. If responsive high-refresh-rate gaming is your main priority, the BenQ X500i is the smartest buy on this list.
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Best 1080p Ultra-Short-Throw Projector
Movies7.6Gaming3.3Brightness8.3Contrast6.7Minimum Throw Ratio0.27Maximum Throw Ratio0.27Portability4.0Light SourceLaserSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pIf you want a bright ultra-short-throw projector but don't want to pay Hisense PX3-PRO money, consider the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS300. It throws a big image from just inches away from the wall, making it a good TV-replacement option on a low cabinet. It's very bright for a 1080p UST and holds up well in living rooms with lights on, and while its contrast is only alright, its excellent out-of-the-box color accuracy means you get a pleasing picture without any calibration tools or tweaks. This makes it a solid choice for people who just want to plug it in and start watching.
Gaming is where the LS300 falls apart: it's limited to 1080p @ 60Hz, it has no Game Mode, and its input lag is extremely high, so even casual titles feel sluggish. Treat it as a movie-only UST, not a gaming unit. Fan noise is also quite loud at maximum brightness, and you'll hear it clearly in quiet scenes; if that bothers you, you can reduce the noise somewhat by using an Eco or lower-brightness mode in darker rooms. On the plus side, it has a full Android TV interface with Chromecast built in, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, two HDMI inputs (one with ARC), USB for local media, and an optical audio out. Overall, the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS300 is best seen as a cheaper, bright 1080p UST alternative if you specifically want that ultra-short-throw form factor and can live without gaming performance.
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Best Budget Short-Throw Projector
Movies7.1Gaming7.0Brightness6.2Contrast7.2Minimum Throw Ratio0.69Maximum Throw Ratio0.83Portability5.0Light SourceLampSee all our test resultsNative Resolution1080pIf you want a short-throw projector without spending a lot, the BenQ TH671ST is a great budget option. It can throw a 60-inch image from around three feet away and up to about 180 inches from roughly nine feet, so it's easy to use in smaller rooms where a standard-throw model won’t fit. Brightness is only mediocre, so it doesn't hold up well with the lights on, but in a dark room, its contrast is satisfactory, and its wide SDR color gamut and excellent out-of-the-box accuracy make movies and shows look surprisingly good for the price. You don't have to worry about calibration, and as long as you keep the room dim, it delivers a pleasant, cinematic image.
Feature-wise, it's pretty barebones. There's no smart OS, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, and it doesn't support HDR, so you'll want a streaming stick and probably a soundbar, since it has only one 5W speaker. For gaming, both HDMI inputs accept up to 1080p @ 60Hz (no 120Hz, VRR, or 4k), but in Game Mode with Fast Mode enabled, input lag is actually a bit lower than on the BenQ X500i at 60Hz, making it fine for casual and even light competitive play if you're staying at 60 fps. Where the X500i pulls ahead is high-refresh support: it can handle 1080p @ 120Hz and 240Hz with much lower lag, so serious competitive players who want higher frame rates should still choose that model. You also get a USB Type-A port for power and a mini-USB service port. Overall, the BenQ TH671ST is a very good value if you need an inexpensive short-throw projector for dark-room movies and 60Hz gaming and don't mind adding your own streaming and audio gear.
Notable Mentions
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Anker Nebula X1:
The Anker Nebula X1 is a fun short-throw alternative to the Hisense C2 Ultra if you care more about outdoor use and portability. It has a built-in handle, strong speakers, and an outdoor-friendly design. Plus, it has better image quality, but just barely. Still, the Hisense is better as a main living-room projector, with better gaming performance and more input options, making it more versatile overall.
See our review -
Formovie THEATER:
The Formovie THEATER is a strong alternative to the Hisense PX3-PRO if you’re building a dark-room UST setup. It delivers even better native contrast and deeper blacks, but the Hisense is brighter, has a wider color gamut, and offers a more rounded feature set for gamers and streamers, so we still recommend the Hisense for most people.
See our review -
NexiGo Aurora Pro:
The NexiGo Aurora Pro is another good UST option if you mostly watch in darker rooms, as its contrast is excellent and it looks very cinematic once the lights are down. However, its minimalist Android TV implementation and very inaccurate out-of-the-box picture make it harder to live with than the Hisense PX3-PRO.
See our review -
XGIMI AURA 2:
The XGIMI AURA 2 is a strong alternative to the Hisense PX3-PRO if you want a 4k UST that’s a bit cheaper and brighter, with much better out-of-the-box color accuracy. However, the Hisense PX3-PRO still has the edge overall, thanks to its slightly better contrast, much wider color gamut, and more robust gaming support, including higher refresh-rate options.
See our review -
BenQ TK700STi:
The BenQ TK700STi is a good alternative to the BenQ X500i if you want a cheaper short-throw gaming projector. It offers similarly low input lag at 1080p @ 240Hz and 4k @ 60Hz, but the X500i still wins overall thanks to its better contrast, wider color gamut, and superior out-of-the-box accuracy.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 19, 2025:
The Hisense C2 Ultra is now the 'Best Short-Throw Projector' due to its versatility and gaming prowess, while the BenQ X500i is now the 'Best Gaming Short-Throw Projector.' All other picks stay the same, but have been rewritten for clarity. The Notable Mentions have also been expanded.
Apr 14, 2025:
We made sure that our recommendations are still accurate and available for purchase.
Jan 15, 2025:
Ensured that our picks are all still available for purchase.
Dec 18, 2024:
Due to its incredible versatility, the Hisense PX3-PRO is now our 'Best Ultra-Short-Throw Projector.' The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 is now the 'Best Bright Room Short-Throw Projector,' and the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS300 is the 'Best 1080p Short-Throw Projector.' The NexiGo Aurora Pro has been pushed to the Notable Mentions.
Dec 03, 2024:
Verified that all of our picks are still widely available for purchase.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best short and ultra-short-throw projectors for most people to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper projector wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no models that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you'd like to do the work of choosing yourself, here's the list of all our short-throw and ultra-short-throw projector reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no projector is perfect, many are good enough for most uses; however, avoid the worst models to ensure adequate quality.