5 Best 4K Ultra Short Throw Projectors You Can Buy

Projectors are increasingly growing in popularity because you get a huge screen on any surface of your choice. They’re even competing against TVs in terms of resolution, meaning you can now get a 4K projector. With ultra short throw projectors, you don’t even have to worry about space in your room since you can place them close to the screen.

4K ultra short throw projectors

Both of these factors make a strong case to get a high-res, powerful projector for your entertainment needs. Whether you watch movies or play games, here are some of the best 4K ultra short throw projectors that you can buy. From huge 150-inch screens to 240Hz high refresh rate projections for gaming, we’ve covered them all.

Before we get to the projectors, though, here are some other articles you can look at:

Let’s get to the projectors now.

1. BenQ TK700STi 4K Short Throw Gaming Projector

Projection size: 100″ | Refresh rate: 240Hz | Brightness: 3000 lumens

Gamers assemble! The BenQ TK700STi is one of the best projectors to get if you want to play games on a large screen, thanks to the 240Hz refresh rate. It outputs HDR content to make the visual quality even better. It comes with Android TV OS built-in and can display a 100-inch screen when kept just 6 feet away.

4K projectors with a short throw are generally quite expensive but this entry-level gaming projector from BenQ punches well above its weight. You get a high refresh rate output of up to 240Hz with the catch being that you will have to scale down to 1080p. At 4K, the projector can output at a max frame rate of 60Hz. Considering the price, we wouldn’t call this a major compromise.

The 3000 lumens brightness means the screen is easily visible and the 4ms response time ensures your enemies are owned as soon as you spot them. There are 2 HDMI ports, a USB-A port, and a 3.5mm jack for output.

You can also cast your phone’s screen wirelessly. This projector from BenQ is a great bang for your buck with one caveat that might put some people off. Netflix isn’t natively supported on this projector so you will have to play it via your laptop or phone.

2. XGIMI Aura 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector

Projection size: 120″ | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Brightness: 2400 lumens

This is an entry-level laser 4K ultra short throw projector that is mainly targeted towards users who want to build a home theatre setup. Apart from being HDR10-certified, it also has 60W Harman Kardon speakers that are quite loud and full for a projector.

Here’s the first laser projector on the list. The XGIMI Aura outputs in 4K with a peak brightness of 2400 lumens which is impressive. It covers 80% of the DCI-P3 color gamut on the large 120-inch display output. This is called an ultra short throw projector for a reason. You need to place it just 11 inches away from the screen for a 120-inch screen which is incredible.

As per the reviews, this projector offers much more than what some competing brands offer even at a higher price. This applies to the picture quality, black levels, and even the amount of features. It’s also great for watching 3D content. The only downside is that if you have a well-lit room, you might find the picture to be slightly dull. Turn the lights off and there’s your solution.

The built-in Android TV interface allows you to download any app of your choice. There’s also native support for apps like Netflix which is good to see.

3. ViewSonic X2000B

Projection size: 150″ | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Brightness: 2000 lumens

Here’s yet another laser 4K ultra short throw projector, this time from ViewSonic. Just like the previous option from XGIMI, this is also targeted toward home theatre setups with its cinematic colors and Dolby support.

The ViewSonic X2000B can output a screen that spans 150 inches making it the perfect fit for watching TV shows and movies. Since it’s an ultra short throw projector, you can keep it just a few inches away from the screen to achieve this output. There’s coverage of 125% Rec. 709 color gamut which provides an immersive experience while consuming content.

You get dual Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers with Dolby DTS support for better sound output. The only downside of this projector is that the brightness is slightly on the lower side. So, even if you have a few light sources in your room, or you try using them in daylight, the picture just isn’t bright enough.

If you plan on using it strictly in a dark room with no windows, this shouldn’t be an issue. In our opinion, the XGIMI Aura is a better option at a similar price, unless you want the brand value of ViewSonic.

4. WEMAX Nova 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector

Projection size: 150″ | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Brightness: 2100 lumens

The WEMAX Nova ultra short throw projector is a mid-level 4K laser projector. However, the picture quality and the features that it offers are quite sophisticated and justify the asking price. There’s Android TV built into the projector and it’s accompanied by a voice command remote.

Laser projectors generally produce sharper images and that’s exactly what you see in the picture quality of the WEMAX Nova. It can project a huge screen of 150 inches while being kept close to the screen making it an ultra short throw projector. You also get HDR10 capabilities which would look great, thanks to the high 2100 lumens brightness. Of course, the output resolution is 4K.

There’s a 30W speaker onboard with support for Dolby Atmos. As for connectivity, you get Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone or tablet along with 3 HDMI ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, a LAN port, SPDIF, and a USB-A port. The 60Hz refresh rate means it’s ideal for entertainment but not so much for gaming.

While the picture quality seems great for the price, the one issue faced by several users is that the included instructions are poor which means one might have to go through some hassle to set it up for the first time.

5. LG HU85LA CineBeam

Projection size: 120″ | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Brightness: 2700 lumens

The LG Cinebeam smart home projector is the best ultra short throw projector on this list; not just in terms of picture quality but also in terms of the distance required to throw the image onto a screen. You have to place the projector just 7 inches from the screen to get a massive 120-inch display, making it a superb option if you’re really short on space.

This 4K projector from LG looks quite minimal and will fit right into the decor of your house. The brightness is respectable at 2700 lumens but there are cheaper projectors that have brightness levels in excess of 3000 lumens so that’s one place where LG could have done better. There’s support for HDR10 and Bluetooth connectivity to attach devices wirelessly.

Unlike most projectors, this one comes with LG’s own webOS which in all honesty is mediocre compared to Android TV. This can be a letdown for many potential buyers as you will have to purchase a streaming device separately to run a better OS. There’s Alexa built-in and you get LG’s Magic Remote with voice control.

As per the reviews, this is a good projector but it doesn’t have anything that stands out, especially considering the price. The USP is the ultra short throw and superior picture quality, but a slight compromise in those departments can get you a projector for much cheaper. You’re mainly paying for LG’s brand value and service if at all something goes wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can an ultra short throw projector replace a TV?

Absolutely! A TV is generally smaller in size, so if you want a huge display in your living room or bedroom, you can always get a short throw projector in place of a TV.

2. Are laser projectors better?

Laser projectors are better in some ways. They have a longer lifespan, better color accuracy, and a shorter throw. However, they are more expensive compared to lamp projectors.

3. Is a high throw ratio better?

No, a higher throw ratio means you have to keep the projector farther away from the screen. If you’re looking for a short throw projector specifically, look for the shortest throw ratio.

Enjoy An Immersive Experience

A large screen can completely change the way you watch content. This is especially true if you have a high-res 4K projector. If you’re low on space and still want to enjoy a huge display instead of a TV, these 4K ultra short throw projectors are the ones to get.

Last updated on 13 October, 2022

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