When it comes to getting a short-throw projector, many people instantly fall in love with the idea of requiring just a little space when projecting.
Most people love the short-throw projector because it gives little or no room for disruption. Who doesn’t like something good? No one.
But getting a short-throw projector goes beyond the desire to own one; it also includes looking out for the right features in the projector.
Various models of short-throw projectors are available in the market, and not all models can give you what you want.
So what do you do?
If you intend to purchase a short-throw projector, you need to keep certain things in mind, and in this article, you will find out what these things are.
You can be sure that after going through this article, you will be able to make better choices when it comes to short-throw projectors.
Without any more delay, let’s get to the real deal.
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Last update on 2023-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
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What to Look Out For When Choosing a Short-Throw Projector
How Big is the Room?
You should know the measurement of your room before you proceed with buying a short-throw projector. You might be wondering, what does room size have to do with my choice of a projector?
Well, I’ll tell you, a lot. It has a lot to do with your choice of projector.
This is because it gives you an idea of what throw ratio to bear in mind when going for a particular projector.
If your room has a small size, you can consider a short-throw projector or even an ultra-short throw projector.
But for larger rooms, a short-throw projector is not what you need because you will end up not getting the right image.
Is the Projector Easy to Use?
This is one crucial factor you have to consider when choosing a short-throw projector. Any device that shows too much complication, you might want to skip that.
You want a projector that will make things easier for you and not complicate things the more.
Go through the set-up procedures. If It seems like something too technical for you to understand and pull through; it is better to move to the next available short-throw projector.
Brightness Level
Believe me, you don’t want to compromise on this.
I mean, it’s no fun when you want to use the projector in the daytime or in a bright environment, and it’s all faded, then you have to strain your eyes to see the images being projected, oh no!
To avoid this, choose a short-throw projector with a considerable brightness level; at least 2000 lumens of brightness won’t be a bad idea.
If your short-throw projector is to be used mainly in a dark room, then you can consider one with lower brightness.
But you never can tell when the need may arise for you to use it in a bright area.
So, short-throw projectors with more outstanding lumens are preferable.
Inputs/Connectivity
Although most short-throw projectors come with HDMI ports to connect some of your devices, others have a few more ports like the USB, DVI and others. This will serve you in times you need to connect your projector to other devices.
However, some latest models of the short-throw projector have taken connectivity to a better level, through the use of a wireless connection.
Just like I do, you know that having several wires connected, and being careful that they fit correctly, can be very stressful. So, why not say goodbye to wire-troubles and opt for a short-throw projector with a wireless connection.
Battery Life
Have you been caught up in the middle of a presentation or an exciting movie when your projector runs out of power? The feeling is awful.
Choose a short-throw projector with longer battery life or lamp life. Luckily, most of them do have a longer lamp life.
And you want to know the best part? To further prolong the lamp life, some models of short-throw projector have the Eco mode setting. It just got a lot easier!
Something extra, another factor that you may have to consider is the price.
This is not a quest to dry out your savings. The aim is to get yourself a projector that will serve you well but will not make you dig too deep into your pocket.
To help you choose a short-throw projector that is of good quality and is also pocket-friendly, I have put together 5 best budget short-throw projectors that you can choose from.
Read on to see them.
5 Best Budget Short-Throw Projectors
This section will take you through 5 best budget short-throw projectors that you can choose from if you want to purchase a short-throw projector.
And you know what? These short-throw projectors have been carefully accessed, and I can tell you that they have passed the test for them to be chosen out of many to be the 5 best budget projectors.
So, whether you have a fixed budget for the short-throw projector or you are willing to go for whichever one serves you best, you can be rest assured to find your guy here. There is something for everyone!
1. Optoma GT1080 Darbee
- DARBEE VISION IMAGE PROCESSOR: The GT1080Darbee's proprietary DarbeeVision image-enhancement...
- SHORT THROW LENS: Experience a large 120" image projected from 4 feet away; short throw projectors...
- ENHANCED GAMING MODE: Enjoy lightning fast response times of 16ms. Power Consumption-262W Max...
Last update on 2023-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
This short-throw projector is a complete package of wonders, coming at an affordable price. Its remarkable features will get you thrilled.
When it comes to brightness, connectivity, lamp life, and many other features, this projector is the real deal.
Do you know the best part? It can be used in different environments; outdoor and indoor usage is possible with this projector.
If you are a game lover, then you just got the projector you need. This short-throw projector has been built with a fast response time of about 8.4ms and a 120Hz refresh rate. Its graphics are top-notch for gaming and videos.
What we like
It has an excellent lamp life of about 15000 hours. This allows you to enjoy up to 4 hours of projecting time. That is a lot of time if you ask me.
Its image quality is exceptional, and the brightness is fantastic. It gives about 3500 lumens of brightness, providing a very remarkable viewing experience.
It can connect with various devices. Be it your mobile phone, laptops, tablets, game console, and what have you, its flexible connectivity feature gives room for that.
This projector is easy to set up. You don’t have to be tech-savvy to get it ready for work. Setting up the image is also easy.
What we don’t like
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2. BenQ WXGA
- HIGH IMAGE QUALITY: WXGA (1280x800) resolution and 20,000:1 contrast ratio increases clarity and...
- BIG SCREEN PROJECTION: Projects 120in image from 13ft-2in at 4000 ANSI lumens
- COMPATIBLE CONNECTIVITY: HDMI x2, 5V/1.5A USB power supply, and MHL
Last update on 2023-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
BenQ WXGA is one other projector that has been selected among the 5 best budget short-throw projectors.
Do you need a projector that will serve well for your family get-together? Then this is your guy.
It offers so much elegance, with the perfect brightness and resolution. You don’t need to make the room dark to enjoy your viewing.
It can produce sharp crystal images, even in a bright environment.
With this projector, you can say goodbye to fuzzy texts and figures. Its precision is just on point, and with its power-saving feature, you don’t have to worry about energy waste when using the projector.
What we like
It gives about 3200 lumens of brightness. With this, you can watch bright videos conveniently.
The glass lenses used to produce this projector are of high quality. This feature allows it to give a brilliant image quality and clarity.
It offers wireless connectivity and saves you from dealing with too many wires connected to the projector. Say no to cable clusters.
What we don’t like
This projector gives a rainbow effect.
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3. BenQ HT2150ST
- UNPARALLELED PICTURE QUALITY:: Native 1080p Full HD image quality with 2200 ANSI Lumens, 15, 000:1...
- VIDEO GAMES ON THE BIG SCREEN: superior short throw projection enables you to project 100 inch...
- LOW INPUT LAG: The specialized low input lag and unique game modes ensure gamers an ultra-smooth and...
Last update on 2023-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Talk of a projector that can combine both cinema and gaming experience, this short-throw projector is what you get.
It produces a bright and clear image. The native high contrast ratio gives the perfect cinematic color that you desire.
Your viewing just got better with the HD feature of this projector. It offers full HD 1080p projected images bringing your games and movies to life, coupled with the ultra-fast response time.
This projector allows for easy installation. And you know what? It comes with a 3-year warranty. Yes, 3 whole years of limited parts and labor coverage. It’s hard for any other model to beat that.
What we like
It gives about 2200 lumens of brightness and a contrast ratio of 1500:1, producing crisp, clear, and bright images; this makes it a great and fantastic short-throw projector.
The 3-year warranty keeps you rest assured that whatever need may arise regarding the projector, it is completely covered.
It works with DLP technology. This means that with the BenQ HT2150ST projector, you will get a sharper, crisper image and a slimmer design.
This projector has an inbuilt 10W speaker. With this, you can enjoy surround sound while watching your movies and playing games.
What we don’t like
This projector does not have a lens shift.
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4. ViewSonic PX706HD 1080p
- SUPERSIZED MOVIES AND GAMES: Immersive theater-like experience in Full HD (1920x1080p) on a screen...
- CINEMATIC COLORS: Exclusive Color technology offers a wide color gamut for beautiful image...
- SHORT THROW: With a short throw lens, this projector can be placed just inches away from a wall or...
Last update on 2023-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
It’s a whole lot of fun with this short-throw projector. It is built with SonicExpert technology that allows for optimum sound effect.
Are you worried about the small space in your bedroom or living room? Don’t be. The ViewSonic PX706HD short-throw projector can produce large images with just a little space. Isn’t that what short-throw projectors are meant for?
The high contrast ratio and 3000 lumens of brightness it produces guarantee high quality and bright images, and the full HD 1080p resolution makes everything perfect.
It can project up to a size of 300 inches bringing out every detail. What more do you need to enjoy a happy and cheerful time with friends and family?
What we like
It has flexible connectivity, and by this, I mean it can connect to various devices; Mobile phones, laptops, media players, game consoles, and many others.
It also has a USB Type-c port, which allows audio, video, quick charging all from one cable. This saves you from having multiple wires connected to the projector.
What we don’t like
The large black border that surrounds the image may be more visible when projecting in a dark room.
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5. ViewSonic PS501X
- VERSATILE PROJECTOR: Advanced visual features ideal for use in education and small business...
- BIG SCREEN PROJECTION: Project 120 inches from 4-feet 10-inches in 3400 lumens
- EASY SETUP: Simple setup and control, just plug & play your presentations, videos, and pictures
Last update on 2023-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
It gives a clear image, and its projection is impressive. It is simple to use as a beginner because of its super easy setup and control; you won’t have any problem.
One amazing thing about this projector is that it is compatible with the interactive whiteboard module. It is effective for group work or presentations where different users can easily interact at the screen using their fingers or styluses.
It uses super color technology and provides beautiful, clear, and stunning images. Who wouldn’t want that?
What we like
It has a long lamp life of about 15000 hours and a power-saving feature, perfect for long-hour presentations.
It produces clear and bright images because of the 3500 lumens of brightness it gives and its high contrast ratio.
It can connect with various devices and also has different input options.
What we don’t like
The images are brighter when there is less ambient light in the room.
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Conclusion
There are various best budget short-throw projectors to choose from. Each with its impressive features, you just have to look out for one that falls within your budget and access its features, and if you see it as an excellent choice, you can opt for it.
Based on its awesomeness, the Optoma GT1080 Darbee stands out as one of the best short-throw projectors anyone can have. Its excellent lamp life and 3500 lumens of brightness bring fun to your viewing, together with its flexible connectivity and easy image setup. It’s a cool projector.
For a cheaper option, you can choose the ViewSonic PX706HD 1080p, its features are also impressive, and with its Full HD resolution, the image quality can never go wrong.
Figure out the features that stand out to you in a projector, and from this list of 5 best budget short-throw projectors, you can easily pick one that meets your demand.
Last update on 2023-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.

Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.