Are Short Throw Projectors Better?

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 4.8/5

Optomo W303ST 3000 Lumens Short Throw Projector

• Cost-effective short-throw projector with 3000 lumens and 18,000:1 contrast ratio
• Full 3D Compatability
• 6000 hours of lamp life
• Throw ratio : 0.52 (distance/width)
• True WXGA Resolution

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Introduction

When researching projectors, you’ve probably heard the terms “short-throw” and “long-throw”. If you’ve always been curious about what this means, it is really very simple.

The terms “long” and “short” merely refer to how far away from the screen the projectors need to be; of course, there are more differences than that. That being said, both long and short throw projectors are high in quality and super-efficient. It’s just up to you to decide which one is best for your needs.

Short throw projectors are better than long throw projectors, if there is a space limitation for setting the projector far from the wall or the screen as they can project a larger images from a shorter distances.

Projectors are placed and set at a certain distance from the screen in order to get the best picture. A standard projector can be placed quite a distance away from the screen and still produce a clear picture.

A throw ratio is a number that you’ll read about a lot when you shop for projectors. It is merely the distance between the wall and the projector and the horizontal measurement of the picture that is produced.

But do not worry; you don’t need any fancy calculations or measurements in order to get the best picture on the screen because the company that makes these products will let you know how far to set them from the screen in order to get a good picture.

Short Versus Long Throw Projectors: Which Is the Best?

A short-throw projector has a chip that modifies the image so that it looks proportional. Sometimes this chip makes the projector a little warmer than other types. Long-throw projectors are made to sit far away from the screen and therefore don’t need this chip. The main difference between the two projectors is the distance that you need to set it from the screen to get a good picture.

The good thing about the short-throw projector is that it doesn’t need to be fixed in one place and also save the hassle of moving furniture for making space. You can easily place it in front of your bed or sofa and still project quite a large image. The long-throw or normal projector works perfectly in larger spaces e.g. you have a home theatre room and dedicated space for watching movies or a meeting room where no one needs to move the projector regularly.

If you’re curious about the short-throw projectors that get high ratings from their customers, keep reading.

BenQ TH671ST 1080p Short Throw Projector

Great for both gaming and the ultimate cinematic experience, the BenQ short throw projector projects up to 300 inches and even won an award for the best gaming projector in 2019. It will support most media players and can accommodate most mobile devices, Macs, PCs, and gaming consoles, making it a very versatile product indeed. You can project a 100-inch screen from just five feet away. It allows you to experience super-smooth gaming activity without worrying about that motion blur that can be so annoying. You also have two model options when you purchase it, including a high-brightness and an accurate color option.

View the BenQ TH671ST 1080p on Amazon

ViewSonic PS501W 3400 Lumens Short Throw Projector

At just under $530, this is a very affordable projector but this isn’t all that it has to offer. It is made for both home and office use so you can use it even for a small business if you like. The throw distance is from two to six feet and it is super easy to set up and to use. It supports most media devices such as PCs, Macs, and mobile devices, and its input options include HDMI, VGA, USB, and more. You can project 120 inches from just over 4 feet in 3400 lumens. The lamp is a high-quality one that is built to last up to 15,000 hours. Play your videos, presentations, and pictures just minutes after you get it out of the box and enjoy the three-year warranty that allows you to use the product with confidence for a very long time.

View the ViewSonic PS501W on Amazon

Optomo W303ST 3000 Lumens Short Throw Projector

With an 18000:1 contrast ratio, you’ll get a crisp clear picture every time that you use this short-throw projector, and it isn’t just pictures that look extraordinary; it is also text, videos, and anything else that you’re projecting onto the screen. The throw ratio is 0.52 (distance/width) and the energy-saving lamp has a lifespan of roughly 6000 hours. Even at short distances, you can experience excellent clarity and great color, making it perfect for home use as well as for classrooms, boardrooms, and everything in between. You can place it on a table or the ceiling and still get the same great results. Its price of just under $885 makes it affordable for nearly everyone.

View the Optomo W303ST on Amazon

SEE ALSO: Optoma GT1080 – One of the Best short-throw 3D Projector

ASUS S1 Portable Mini Projector with Speakers

You get two options with this projector: 200 lumens or 500 lumens. There is a built-in 6000 mAh battery that is rechargeable and provides up to three hours of projection time. The advanced DLP technology allows for a 30,000-hour LED lifespan. Lightweight and compact, this short-throw projector can fit in your hand yet offer a screen size of up to 100 inches. The throw ratio is 1:1 (distance/width) and the sound is extraordinary, thanks to the ASUS Sonic Master enhanced speaker. Even better, the price of around $320 makes it affordable for people of all budget types.

View the ASUS S1 Portable Mini on Amazon

Epson PowerLight 435W WXGA 3LCD Short Throw Projector

Even if you mount this projector a mere three feet from the screen, you still get a crisp clear picture and sound that allows you to take full advantage of everything it has to offer. With a 16:10 widescreen aspect ratio, the PowerLight allows you to enjoy high-definition widescreen content and even content that comes from a widescreen computer. You even get an image of up to an 87-inch diagonal without experiencing any shadow interference. This projector gives you a lot of options whether you’re in the classroom or the boardroom, in part because of its advanced networking capabilities and HDMI connectivity. The 16-watt speaker allows for great sound and both shadow interference and glare are greatly reduced, thanks to this high-quality device. And at under $945, it can be a great addition to anyone’s home or office environment.

View the Epson PowerLight on Amazon