The 5 Best Short-Throw Projectors
“Short throw” is not one distance. A conventional short-throw projector sits some way in front of the screen; an ultra-short-throw model lives near the wall. That changes the furniture, cable routing and the kind of screen you may need. I would sketch the exact throw distance and image size before comparing brightness claims, which are not always reported in the same unit.
BenQ TH671ST is my general starting point for a 1080p short-throw room. AWOL's LTV-3000 Pro is a much dearer ultra-short-throw 4K setup; Optoma GT2000HDR and GT2400HDR favor compact laser projection and gaming. The Photon GO is a portable UST alternative with a lower public rating, which matters when considering it. Ambient light and placement will change the result more than a dramatic product photo suggests.
Our top 5 short-throw projectors
Swipe to compare price, rating and best use →
| Product | Price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
01 BenQ TH671STDetails ↓ | $849.00 | 4.4/5Amazon | Best conventional short throw |
02 AWOL Vision LTV-3000 ProDetails ↓ | $1,799.00 | 4.5/5Amazon | Best premium 4K UST |
03 Optoma GT2000HDRDetails ↓ | $1,055.60 | 4.1/5Amazon | Best compact laser short throw |
04 Optoma GT2400HDRDetails ↓ | $1,299.00 | 4.0/5Amazon | Best bright gaming short throw |
05 Optoma Photon GO ML1080USTDetails ↓ | $899.00 | 3.4/5Amazon | Best portable UST experiment |
01 — BenQ
Best conventional short throwBenQ TH671ST
TH671ST is a 1080p short-throw model with a listed 3,000 lumens, two HDMI inputs and a low-input-lag pitch. It fits a room where the projector can sit in front of viewers without needing the wall-hugging geometry of UST. I would confirm throw ratio and image size from the manual before ordering a mount.
It leads for a conventional, understandable home setup at a lower offer than the laser and 4K options. AWOL below is for a different room plan and a much larger spend.
View on Amazon ↗Rooms that can place a projector forward of the wall.
You need a wall-hugging UST installation.
What I like
+Short-throw 1080p with useful inputs.
What to weigh
−Lamp-based setup and placement planning.
02 — AWOL VISION
Best premium 4K USTAWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro
AWOL's LTV-3000 Pro is a triple-laser ultra-short-throw projector aimed at a large 4K home-cinema image. It suits someone willing to budget for the projector, screen and precise near-wall placement. I would measure furniture height and wall clearance before paying; UST geometry makes small alignment errors obvious.
Second place recognizes a premium specialist rather than a universal upgrade. I would move it first for a planned theater wall, while BenQ is easier to justify for a modest short-throw room.
View on Amazon ↗Dedicated 4K UST home-cinema plans.
Your budget excludes screen and setup costs.
What I like
+4K triple-laser UST format.
What to weigh
−High total system cost and alignment demands.
- Model
- LTV-3000 Pro
- Displayed resolution
- 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD DLP pixel-shift system)
- Throw ratio
- 0.25:1
- Light source
- RGB triple laser
- Brightness
- 2000 ISO lumens, current manufacturer specification
- Image size
- 80–150 inches
- HDR
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
03 — Optoma
Best compact laser short throwOptoma GT2000HDR
GT2000HDR is a compact full-HD laser short-throw unit. Laser light avoids a traditional lamp replacement schedule, which can matter in a regularly used room or simulator setup. I would check its throw calculation, ventilation space and whether 1080p resolution is enough at the image size you want.
Third place balances long-term light-source convenience with a higher offer than BenQ. It moves up for a frequent-use installation; a casual movie night does not automatically justify the laser premium.
View on Amazon ↗Frequent short-throw use at 1080p.
You expect native 4K detail.
What I like
+Compact laser light source.
What to weigh
−Higher cost without native 4K.
04 — Optoma
Best bright gaming short throwOptoma GT2400HDR
GT2400HDR lists 4,200 lumens, full-HD laser projection and a gaming-focused low-input-lag mode. That makes it relevant to a brighter room or golf simulator where placement is still short throw. The lumen claim does not replace testing the actual room light, and you still need a properly sized screen.
Fourth place reflects its higher offer and narrower high-brightness role. I would choose it over GT2000HDR when the extra stated output has a clear job, rather than paying for a number alone.
View on Amazon ↗Bright-room gaming or simulator setups.
You mainly watch films in a dark room.
What I like
+High stated brightness and laser short throw.
What to weigh
−Premium price for specialized use.
05 — Optoma
Best portable UST experimentOptoma Photon GO ML1080UST
Photon GO is a portable 1080p ultra-short-throw route for someone who cannot leave a permanent projector in place. Its smaller format is appealing, but portable UST still needs a flat surface and accurate near-wall alignment. Its documented 3.4-star public rating is lower than the other picks, so I would read the return terms carefully.
Fifth place is intentional: portability is valuable, yet the lower rating and 1080p resolution make it a cautious choice. I would not place it ahead of a stable home installation unless moving the unit is essential.
View on Amazon ↗People needing a movable UST setup.
You want the safest permanent theater purchase.
What I like
+Portable near-wall projection format.
What to weigh
−Lower customer rating and alignment sensitivity.
Price information
Amazon price and availability checked Oct 17, 2026, 10:28 PM Lisbon time. Prices and availability are subject to change; the information shown on Amazon.com at purchase applies.
Our process
How we picked.
We compare five relevant products for different needs, using documented specifications, clear use cases and practical trade-offs. Our goal is to make the differences clear and help you choose with confidence.
- 01Relevance
Each product must fit the guide’s intended use, audience and requirements.
- 02Specifications
We compare the key product details that meaningfully affect the buying decision.
- 03Use case and fit
We compare the intended use, configuration and practical fit of every selected product.
- 04Strengths and limitations
We explain where each option performs best and the compromises to consider.
Good questions
FAQ — Short-Throw Projectors
01How close can a short-throw projector sit?+
It depends on the model’s throw ratio and target screen size. Calculate from the exact manual; ultra-short-throw models use a different placement geometry.
02Do I need a special screen for ultra-short throw?+
A dedicated UST or ambient-light-rejecting screen can help, especially in a bright room, but adds cost. Check the projector maker’s placement and screen guidance.
The short answer
Start with the BenQ TH671ST.
I recommend it for rooms that can place a projector forward of the wall. Choose something else if you need a wall-hugging ust installation.
View on Amazon ↗Keep looking
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