10 Best Short Throw Projectors 2025 in the United States

The BenQ TK700ST is a short-throw projector designed to deliver an impressive 4K HDR experience, making it suitable for both home entertainment and gaming. One of its key strengths is the 3000 ANSI lumens brightness, which allows for clear and vibrant visuals even in well-lit rooms, catering to users who want flexibility in their viewing environments. The 4K resolution ensures crisp and detailed images, enhanced by the 96% Rec.709 color coverage, which provides a wider color range for more lifelike scenes. This projector's standout feature is its gaming capability, boasting a fast 4ms response time at 1080p and a refresh rate of 240Hz, ensuring smooth gameplay with minimal lag—a significant advantage for gamers who prioritize performance.

In terms of connectivity, the BenQ TK700ST supports HDMI inputs, ARC, and eARC, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with advanced audio systems like Dolby Atmos for a more immersive audio experience. The inclusion of a built-in speaker is convenient, although external speakers are recommended for a more robust sound.

The projector's 2D keystone correction offers some flexibility in installation, but it might not be as versatile as some competitors with 3D or advanced adjustment options. Additionally, the weight and dimensions suggest it might be slightly bulky, which could affect portability if you plan on moving it around frequently. This projector would be an excellent choice for users who are looking to enhance their home entertainment system, especially those who want to combine movie watching with high-quality gaming experiences. The features make it a versatile option for both casual viewers and dedicated gamers.

The Optoma GT5600 Ultra Short Throw Projector is tailored for gamers and movie enthusiasts who want to enjoy a large-screen experience without needing much space. Its ultra-short throw capability allows you to project a 100-inch image from just a few inches away, making it ideal for small rooms or spaces where traditional projectors might not fit well. With a full HD 1080p resolution, the images are sharp and clear, which is appealing for both gaming and movie watching.

Brightness-wise, it boasts 3,600 lumens, which helps maintain image quality even in ambient lighting conditions, though it might struggle in very bright environments. The 20,000:1 contrast ratio enhances picture quality by delivering deeper blacks and more vivid colors, important for immersive viewing experiences. One standout feature is its ease of setup. With auto keystone correction and four-corner adjustment, it adjusts the image automatically if the projector is moved or the surface isn't perfectly level, which is convenient for users who are not tech-savvy. The lamp life of up to 15,000 hours is another plus, offering years of usage without the need for frequent replacements.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and USB, supporting screen mirroring for both iOS and Android devices. This makes it versatile for presentations and mobile content streaming. However, some features like the wireless HDMI adapter require additional purchases, which might be an inconvenience for those expecting all features out of the box. While it supports full 3D content, requiring additional 3D glasses might not appeal to everyone. At 8.7 pounds, it's reasonably portable but not the lightest option available. It's a good fit for individuals looking for a compact, easy-to-use projector with solid image quality, although those needing native 4K resolution or working in very bright rooms might need to consider alternatives.

The BenQ X500i short-throw projector is an impressive option for gaming and home entertainment. With a true 4K resolution of 3840 x 2160, this projector ensures that your games and movies are displayed with exceptional clarity and detail. The short throw ratio of 0.69 to 0.83 allows you to project large images even in smaller spaces, making it ideal for bedrooms or compact rooms.

Additionally, the projector boasts a brightness level of 2200 lumens, which is suitable for most indoor environments, although it may struggle in very bright rooms. Gamers will appreciate the 4ms response time and auto game mode, ensuring a lag-free gaming experience. The built-in 5W speakers provide decent audio, but for a more immersive experience, the support for eARC and Dolby Atmos allows for advanced audio setups.

Connectivity options include HDMI, Wi-Fi, and support for AirPlay and Chromecast, making it versatile for various devices. Digital keystone correction ensures that your images are always properly aligned. One potential downside is the lack of detailed information on lamp life, which is an important consideration for long-term use. Additionally, while the projector is relatively compact, it still weighs 11 pounds, which may be a bit heavy for some users to move around frequently. The BenQ X500i is a strong contender for anyone looking to enhance their gaming and viewing experience in a confined space.