Ultra Short Throw Projectors

An Ultra Short Throw Projector for Every Need

At ProjectorScreen.com, we sell UST projectors from the best brands like Hisense, Formovie, AWOL Vision, Optoma, Epson, Vava, Samsung, LG and more. Explore our vast range of options, as well as supporting equipment like screens specifically designed for ultra short throw, as well sliding UST trays where you can mount your up close laser TV so that it extends to the perfect positioning.

You can also read our rankings for the best ultra short throw projectors. We brought in a team of independent judges to declare a winner for the top UST. For both 2022 and 2023 the Formovie Theater was picked as the close range champion.

And of course, our projection experts are also always on hand to help you make the best decision.

What makes a projector ultra short throw?

UST projectors have a throw ratio of less than 0.4:1 (hence the name ultra short). They have very wide-angled lenses to allow for the image to be "thrown” or projected from such a short distance. In the past few years, UST projectors have come to the forefront, becoming leaders in the projection space as they completely transform and enhance your experience. Offering compact flexibility, close range, large screen sizes and cinematic picture quality, for many people this could be the best projector type for you.

UST projectors are also referred to as Laser TVs. This is because they typically utilize a super bright laser light source to project the image upward on your display surface and because they’re designed to replace your flatscreen tv with a much larger image size. Thanks to their super bright laser light source, when paired with a compatible ambient light rejecting screen a laser TV works in well-lit rooms making them the perfect living room television replacement.

If you want to buy a 100 inch television upgrade (or larger), then your best bet is to buy an ultra short throw projector for your home.

Choosing the best ultra short throw projector for you

When shopping for an ultra short throw projector, there’s a few things to keep in mind such as the brightness (lumens), the resolution (1080p, 4K, etc.), throw ratio (how close to the screen the UST sits), price and more.

By answering these questions can help you figure out what close up, ultra short throw projector is best for you:

What are the lighting conditions of the room?

If you have a well-lit room with lots of windows or lights, you’re going to want to get a brighter ultra short throw projector that outputs a higher amount of lumens. For rooms with high ambient light, you’ll likely want to look at the Epson LS800, LG HU915QE or the Ultimea Thor T60. These up close laser TVs output 4,000, 3,600 and 4,000 lumens respectively; they are the brightest USTs available for your home.

If your media room is more light controlled you should consider the Formovie Theater, Samsung LSP9T or the Nexigo Aurora-Pro. These laser TVs however are still bright enough for all but the most well lit rooms, especially when paired with an ambient light rejecting screen.

If you plan to use your ultra short throw in a dedicated home theater mostly for watching movies, consider buying the Hisense PX2-Pro which is designed for home cinema use. It offers a tremendously incredible image in dark rooms but lacks the lumen output for more well-lit spaces.

Do you already have a projector screen?

Want to get the most out of your ultra short throw projector that sits close to the wall? Then you’ll need an ambient light rejecting screen designed for laser TVs. Even if you have a projector screen already it may not be compatible with a close up UST. Most regular ambient light rejecting screens are built to deflect light from all directions but from directly across. This would cause the image thrown from below the screen by the ultra short throw to look dull and washed out.

Should you already have a laser TV cinema screen, pretty much any of the above devices would be an amazing choice.

If you don’t already own an ultra short throw projector screen, you may want to consider the triple laser Hisense L9H or the single laser Hisense L5G that come bundled with either a 100” or 120” UST screen.

You can also save on your projector screen by pairing your new close range ultra short throw with a very affordable Spectra Projection Vantage screen. There are even motorized UST screens that allow you to retract your screen into it's casing when not in use.

What size screen do you want?

Most up close projectors can produce an image size between 80-120 inches from just a few inches away. Some of them, like the Samsung LSP9T, can go up to 130 inches. There are a few that can make a picture up to 150 inches! The Epson LS800, Formovie Theater, Vava Chroma, Ultimea Thor T60, Nexigo Aurora-Pro and XGIMI Aura can make a 150 inch image and retain a sharp focus.

Some up close models like the Hisense L9H and Hisense L5H are fixed focus projectors that are limited to producing an image that’s either 100 inches or 120 inches. If you're looking for a laser tv with a screen these up close projectors from Hisense are great combos and a fantastic deal.

How much do you want to spend on your UST?

Ultra short throw projectors can be expensive to some people. The average UST costs around $3,500, with some higher end models priced at around $6,000. The price of a close proximity projector depends on a number of factors such as the number of lasers used, the specs, features, built in apps, built in speakers, and the brand reputation. You'll additionally want to spend extra on a special laser TV screen surface to get the best picture possible.

If you aren’t limited by budget, the LG HU915QB and LG HU915QE are arguably two of the best projectors for sale. Plus they come from a highly reputable brand.

For a more moderate budget you’ll still be absolutely thrilled with the Formovie Theater, the Epson LS800, or the BenQ V5000i. These USTs are all under $3,500 making them an incredible value for the picture quality they produce.

For those of you where budget is the most important factor but you still want a 4K UST projector, take a look at the Nexigo Aurora-Pro. 4K single laser projectors like the Hisense PL1 and Formovie C3 also offer a low price for a close proximity projector.

If you’re even more limited by budget but still want the ultra short throw experience, consider the Epson LS300. With a $1,999 price tag, this is a lower priced 1080p ultra short throw projector that’s very good, but lacks the fine detail and vibrancy you’d get from a 4K laser TV.

How Important Are The Built-In Speakers?

While most ultra short throw beamers come with an integrated soundbar, they aren’t all equal. Sound quality differs by projector or even by brand.

If you have or plan to use an external surround sound system then it doesn’t really matter how good the speakers are on your laser TV.

If you plan to use your UST as a television replacement / upgrade and use the built in sound system, you should look to the Formvoie Theater, AWOL Vision LTV-3500, Vava Chroma or XGIMI Aura. These laser TVs were rated as having the best built in sound system at our Laser TV Showdown.

Are you planning to game on an ultra short throw?

Gaming is one of the most common activities done on an ultra short throw. If you're a serious video game enthusiasts then you'll want to buy a gaming ultra short projector with vivid colors, buttery smooth motion and most crucially, low latency. The best 4K USTs for gaming are the Epson LS800 and the BenQ V5000i. These laser TVs were built with gamers in mind and have lag times under 20ms.

How much space do you have?

With close to wall projectors, you need to consider the distance from the screen. Yes, laser TVs must have a throw ratio of less than 0.4:1, but there is a pretty big difference between 3 feet and 1 foot from a projection screen when planning the arrangement of your room. You ideally want to have a close proximity laser TV projector with a throw ratio under 0.27:1.

Remember the larger the screen size you want to have the further from the projection surface your device must be placed. With a 0.17:1 throw ratio the Epson LS800 sits closer to the screen than any other UST.

Do you have a TV stand or a credenza already?

With different throw ratios, some television credenzas and cabinets may not be deep enough or low enough to support the UST.

If you don’t have a stand for your ultra short throw projector you can use a laser TV cabinet like those made by Salamander Designs. These stylish UST cabinets are designed to hold specific units and look fantastic in any living room or media room.

If you have a credenza already you can use a ultra short throw projector stand addon like the Spectra Slider which mounts to the credenza. The Spectra Slider automatically positions the close range projector to the proper position then retracts when you turn it off.

So, Which Ultra Short Throw Projector Should I Buy?

While there are a lot of factors to take into account when shopping for an ultra short throw projector that sits under your screen, don’t get overwhelmed. Read our reviews or ask our experts for help to determine what’s the best one for you.

You can always simply reach out to our team with hours of hands on experience with these laser TVs to get expert recommendations on the best brands and styles to choose for your needs.

Want to learn more about Laser TVS and USTs? Check out the best guide to buying an ultra short throw projector.