The 4 Best Short-Throw Projectors - Fall 2024

Looking for the best short-throw projector? Look no further than the BenQ X500i. It uses its 4k pixel-shifting technology to project a sharp 60-inch image at a distance of about three feet and up to 120 inches at a distance of six to 7.2 feet. It's certainly no slouch when it comes to image quality, as its contrast is great, and it particularly excels in darker scenes, although it's still quite decent in brighter scenes. It also has a wide color gamut, leading to a vibrant image, although unfortunately, it's not quite bright enough to really make those colors pop. As long as you stick to dimmer rooms, you'll be just fine. Finally, its images don't just look good; they're also exceedingly accurate, so much so that even purists won't need to calibrate this projector.

This projector is packed with features. It comes with BenQ's Android TV 11 QS02 streaming dongle, which is fully cast capable through Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay. The dongle has Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, HDR10+ capability, and natively supports Netflix. The projector itself has two HDMI ports, with another one hidden behind the top cover, each capable of up to 4k @ 60Hz and 1080p @ 240Hz gaming, with the second HDMI port also doubling as an eARC port. It also has a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode, so you can use it to directly project content from a connected compatible device. Overall, this is easily the best value short-throw projector you can buy.

What if you want to place your projector extra close to the screen? Then you'll need an ultra-short-throw projector like the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800. It projects an 80-inch image at a distance of only 0.9 inches — that's almost flush with the wall! If you're looking for a bigger image, it can project up to a 150-inch image at a distance of 9.9 inches. It's one of the brightest projectors we've tested, so you don't need to worry about turning off the lights when using it, but it also performs well in pitch-black rooms due to its decent contrast. It projects a sharp image through its 4k pixel-shifting technology, and its color gamut and accuracy are both satisfactory, so ultimately, this projector has no real weaknesses regarding image quality.

It's packed with features, including built-in Android TV with full Chromecast integration. It even has a decent 2.1 speaker system from Yamaha, although we recommend a home theater speaker system for maximum impact. It also has three HDMI ports, including an ARC port. All HDMI ports can accept a 4k @ 60Hz signal, but the third one also projects a 1080p @ 120Hz signal. The projector also supports Bluetooth 5.0 and comes with Wi-Fi 5. Overall, if you need to place your projector almost flush to the wall, the Epson is better than the BenQ X500i, but at a much higher price point.

If you're looking for an ultra-short-throw projector solely to use in a dark room, like for a home theater setup, the NexiGo Aurora Pro is a better option than the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800. While it doesn't get nearly as bright as the Epson, its contrast is vastly superior; it has some of the best contrast of any projector we've tested. It's also much more colorful, which is especially noticeable when watching HDR content. Unfortunately, the NexiGo's color accuracy is poor out of the box; it won't bother many users, but those who care about color accuracy will want to calibrate it for the best possible experience. It's capable of projecting an 80-inch image at a distance of four inches and up to 150 inches at a distance of 17.3 inches, which isn't nearly as good as the Epson but is good enough to give you a ton of versatility when it comes to placement.

Regarding smart features, the NexiGo comes with a barebones smart OS, requiring a streaming dongle if you want to access any apps. It does, however, have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and is cast capable. The NexiGo supports 4k @ 60Hz signals on all three HDMI ports, has three USB data ports if you want to play files directly from a USB key, and has both a line-out jack and an optical out port. Overall, as long as you invest in a good calibrator, this projector won't disappoint, as it's the best ultra-short-throw projector for home theater.

You don't need to empty your bank account to get a decent short-throw projector, as the BenQ TH671ST offers a satisfactory experience for a budget price. Of course, you're sacrificing a bit of image quality when compared to the products above, as its brightness is mediocre, so it looks washed out when the lights are on. Luckily, its contrast is satisfactory, so it offers a pleasant viewing experience in darker rooms. It's also colorful, and its pre-calibration color accuracy is great. It projects a 60-inch image at a distance of about three feet and up to a 180-inch image at about nine feet. 

This model is compact and weighs only 5.9 pounds, making it much smaller than the other picks above, which is useful if you wish to move it around. It's a bit light on features: it doesn't support Bluetooth or Wi-Fi out of the box, and it doesn't have a smart OS. It has only one 5W speaker, so you need a soundbar to get adequate sound. When it comes to ports, it has two HDMI 1.4 ports, and both can project up to 1920x1200 or 1080p @ 60Hz. The second HDMI port has MHL support, so you can directly plug your phone or tablet into that port to stream your screen to the projector. Finally, it has a mini USB service port and a USB Type-A port for power delivery. Ultimately, this model is of great value as long as you can deal with its longer projection range.