Projectors have come a long way from the loud, hulking machines that your teachers used to use in elementary school. The newest projectors are bright, vivid, and crisp. And short throw projectors offer an exciting alternative, making projectors an option for just about anyone, anywhere. With a short throw projector, you don’t have to worry about walking in front of the lens and creating a you-shaped shadow, and even a small space can have a large enough screen to make you throw away your movie tickets and opt for a night at home! Whether you’re a videophile, casual gamer, business professional, or family movie night devotee, we’ve done the research and found a short throw projector that’s sure to suit your needs. Enjoy our guide to the best short throw projector of 2018!

(UPDATE) We have updated this article with a new, comprehensive list of the best short throw projectors for every preference and requirement, covering the top 1080p projectors, ultra-short throw projectors, budget projectors, gaming projectors as well as native 4k resolution projectors.

 

Best Short Throw Projectors of 2018 List (UPDATED)

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	Model	Lumens	Contrast Ratio	Native Resolution
Great Budget Short Throw Projectors	iRulu BL20	2600	2000:1	800 x 480
	Supemale Video Projector	2000	1000:1	800 x 480
	ViewSonic PJD5155	3300	20,000:1	800 x 600
	RAGU RG-01	2800	1000:1	1280 x 768
Best Short Throw Pocket Projectors	ASUS S1	200	1000:1	854 x 480
	Sony MP-CL1A	40	80,000:1	1920 x 720
	RIF6 Cube Mobile	50	1000:1	854 x 480
	Optoma ML750ST	700	20,000:1	1280 x 800
1080p Input Short Throw Projectors	ViewSonic PJD5155	3300	20,000:1	800 x 600
Value Full HD 3D DLP Projector	Optoma HD142X	3000	23,000:1	1920 x 1080
The Best Home Theater Projectors	ViewSonic PJD7828HDL	3200	22,000:1	1920 x 1080
	Sony VPLHW45ES	1800	-	1920 x 1080
	Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 40	4400	10,000:1	1920 x 1080
Gaming Short Throw Projectors	Optoma GT750ST	700	20,000:1	1280 x 720
	Optoma GT1080	2800	25,000:1	1920 x 1080
	Sony VPLHW45ES	1800	-	1920 x 1080
	BenQ HT2150ST	2200	15,000:1	1920 x 1080
	Sony VPLHW65ES	1800	120,000:1	1920 x 1080
Top Ultra Short Throw Projectors	LG Electronics PF1000UW	1000	150,000:1	1920 x 1080
	LG Electronics PH450UG	450	100,000:1	1280 x 720
	Optoma EH320UST	4000	20,000:1	1920 x 1080
Ultimate 4k Short Throw Projectors	Epson Home Cinema 5040UB	2500	1,000,000:1	1920 x 1080 w/ 4k Enhancement
	Sony VPLVW350ES	1500	-	4096 x 2160
	Sony VPLVW365ES	1500	-	4096 x 2160
	Sony VPLVW3675ES	1800	350,000:1	4096 x 2160
	Sony VPL-VW1100ES	2000	1,000,000:1	4096 x 2160
	Sony VPLVZ1000ES	2500	1,000,000:1	4096 x 2160

 

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1. LG PF1000U Ultra Short Throw Projector

$1,397

Best for Limited Space

Short on room but big on movies? This little guy is your best bet for an excellent, sharp picture and huge size, without having to move into projectors that cost several thousand dollars. We love that this projector projects a 100” screen at a distance of only 15 inches! It’s also Bluetooth enabled (goodbye wires) and loaded up with Smart TV content like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon (hello Game of Thrones binge).

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2. Optoma GT1080

$674

Best for 3D Gaming

If you’re a hardcore gamer, a short throw projector is a must. The Optoma GT1080 is designed especially for 3D gaming, with a super bright screen and lightning-quick response time so you won’t experience any lag when you’re blowing up cops in GTA5. With crystal clear images and awesome color accuracy, games look better than you ever thought they could.

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3. ViewSonic 1080P Short Throw Projector

$579

Best for Daytime TV Aficionados

If you’ve ever used a projector, you know that the darker the room, the better the picture. Well, with this projector you can throw that out the window. With the brightest picture we’ve seen in this level of projectors (3200 lumens!) you don’t even have to dim the lights, baby. Throw open a window while you’re at it. We’re also digging the fabulous speaker and highly accurate color rendering of the ViewSonic thanks to its SuperColor IPSMatch technology that allows this projector to match even the best IPS LED televisions!

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4. Optoma GT750ST

$544

Best for the Traveling Gamer

 

 

This tiny gaming projector takes up less space than the controllers you play Madden with. We love it for toting along with you to WoW tournaments at your buddy Chad’s house. Oh, you could also use it for business presentations and other adult things. We love how easy it is to plug in your smartphone and project your screen for all to see. Just don’t forget to close out your Candy Crush game first.

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5. iRulu BL20

$132

Best for when on a Seriously Tight Budget

You can’t get a whole lot better than the iRulu’s price, but we love that it comes with some pretty neat features, too. With three different projection settings, you can use the typical front projection, rear projection, or even a ceiling projection method. And we’re impressed with the quality of the speaker and the long life of the LED light—20,000 hours! You don’t often see this kind of quality for such a great deal.

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6. Asus S1 (Editor’s Pick)

$269

Best for Impromptu Movie Nights

 

 

We had to make the Asus S1 our Editor’s Pick because of the fantastic rechargeable battery that doubles as a phone charger. The battery holds up to 3 hours of charge, and you can keep your phone going strong the whole time. So it’s easy to set it up anywhere and stream off your device. Not to mention the great picture quality, sturdy construction, and lightweight build. The projector also comes with connectors for different devices, so setup is easy as pie (much easier, in fact).

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7. Epson VS240

$299

Best for Showing Off that Presentation

You smarty pants, you. You know that a great multimedia presentation is the extra oomph you need to knock the Trump tie off your boss (and the competition). This is the perfect projector for conference rooms and client meetings. Setup and takedown are super easy and fast, so you aren’t stuck smiling awkwardly as you fumble with the HDMI cord and your coworkers speed dial the IT department. If this is starting to sound like a too-frequent nightmare, do yourself a favor and opt for the compact, simple, professional quality of the Epson VS240.

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8. Optoma W303ST

$699

Best for Text and Graphics

 

 

This powerful 3D projector is engineered specially to accommodate exceptionally crisp text and sharp-as-a-new-razor graphics. It has an impressive 3000 lumens as well as a 18,000:1 contrast ratio – making text super sharp. It also features power saving modes that cut down on energy costs and portability features so it can be set on a desk or mounted to the ceiling. This is a must for board rooms, business conventions, and seminars.

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9. Optoma EH320UST Ultra Short Throw Projector

$1,544

Best for a 3D Experience

We love that the Optoma EH320UST is designed for true 3D viewing. Just remember to purchase your own 3D glasses or experience the quickest nausea of your life. It’s also able to create a crisp and clear 100” display from less than two feet away, and it’s set up to allow for front, rear, and ceiling projection. With a 16W speaker and a sleek, professional design, this projector is the total package.

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10. BenQ Gaming Video Projector

$982

Best for the Hardcore Gamers seeking Immersion

 

 

So you think you can game? Take it up a notch with the BenQ projector. With crazy accurate colors and contrast, a super clear picture at up to 300”, and thumping double 10W built-in speakers, this projector is not for the faint of heart. Blast the sound and get the full gaming experience. And BenQ even has custom software that controls each color independently for true-to-life color rendering and brilliant details. So step up your game, bro.

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11. Epson Powerlite Wireless LCD Projector

$1,142

Best for Smart Boards

We love this projector for use with whiteboards because it comes with special technology to reduce glare and shadow interference. Great for interactive presentations and classroom settings. Perfect for spending the rest of this year’s bond money (here’s looking at you, public schools).

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12. Optoma ML750ST

$549

Best for Presenters on the Move

This itty-bitty projector comes with one giant surprise: incredibly bright, clear images! Most micro projectors have to sacrifice quality to the god of portability, but Optoma has managed to deliver on both accounts. Powerful enough to handle repeated heavy use, this projector packs a lot of value into a mere 14 ounces!

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13. Optoma GT760A

$469

Best for 3D Gaming

 

 

This projector is designed specifically for gaming, but at a much lower price point than most in its class. We love that it can convert 2D images to 3D, and that it delivers excellent detail and contrast. Lifelike color processing and zero lag time makes this a top choice for immersive gaming, whether you’re a casual Mario Kart fan or a die-hard Madden addict.

 

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14. Epson Home Cinema 2040 1080p Projector

$668

Best for Bringing the Movie Theater to You

Ultra bright, remarkably clear and vibrant, with a two-year warranty and all the connection points you could need, the Epson Home Cinema is perfect for setting up a movie theater experience in your own basement. It also works great with streaming services like Roku and Chromecast. You don’t have to be a techie to take full advantage of this projector, but your friends will think you are!

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15. BenQ DLP W1070 3D Home Theater Projector

$657

Best for Tight Spaces and Tight Budgets

There’s a reason that over 700 Amazon users have given this little projector a five-star rating. It’s lightweight, it has great speakers, it supports 3D viewing, it creates a dramatic display and vivid colors, and it’s battery powered to boot. This short throw machine delivers the quality of a much larger and more expensive projector, so you aren’t limited in quality just because of a small space or shallow pockets.

GPUN Administr@tr