Quick Answer: The BenQ TH690ST is the best short throw projector for most people in 2026 — its roughly 0.69:1 throw ratio fills a 100-inch screen from about 5 feet, and it runs native 1080p at 120Hz for low-lag gaming at around $799. For 4K, step up to the BenQ TK700STi (~0.9:1, ~$1,599); for a bright living room, the Optoma GT2160HDR (0.5:1, 4,000 lumens) holds up with the lights on; and the Optoma GT1080HDR is the best budget short throw near $699. A short throw projector lets you put a big screen in a small room without a long mounting distance — but it is not the same as an ultra-short-throw laser TV.
Short throw projectors solve the single biggest problem in a small room: distance. A normal projector needs to sit 10 feet or more from the wall to fill a 100-inch screen, which is impossible in a tight den, apartment, or bedroom. A short throw model gets you the same big picture from just a few feet away — close enough to set on a coffee table or a low shelf. We tested the best short throw projectors of 2026 for throw ratio, brightness, sharpness and input lag. If you want a unit that sits inches from the wall like a TV, see our best ultra short throw projector guide instead; for a do-everything big-room setup, our best home theater projector picks cover standard-throw 4K.
By the numbers: Throw ratio is the spec that defines this category. According to ProjectorCentral and BenQ’s installation guidance, a short throw projector has a throw ratio of roughly 0.4:1 to 1.0:1, which fills a 100-inch image from about 4 to 8 feet — versus a standard projector’s 1.5:1 to 2.0:1, which needs 10 to 13 feet of space. Ultra-short-throw laser TVs go further still, under 0.4:1, sitting inches from the wall. The practical payoff most buyers miss: because you sit closer than the projector, you cast no shadow on the screen when you stand up — which is why short throw is a favorite for gaming and kids’ rooms. Just note the tradeoff: short-throw lenses are more sensitive to placement, so a few inches of position or tilt can throw off focus and geometry, making a stable mount or shelf more important than with a long-throw unit.
Our top picks at a glance
| Projector | Best for | Throw ratio | Resolution | Brightness | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ TH690ST | Best overall | ~0.69:1 | 1080p/120Hz | 2,300 lumens | ~$799 | ★★★★★ |
| BenQ TK700STi | Best 4K | ~0.9:1 | 4K HDR | 3,000 lumens | ~$1,599 | ★★★★½ |
| Optoma GT2160HDR | Best for bright rooms | ~0.5:1 | 4K HDR | 4,000 lumens | ~$1,799 | ★★★★½ |
| Optoma GT1080HDR | Best budget | ~0.5:1 | 1080p | 3,800 lumens | ~$699 | ★★★★☆ |
| Optoma ZH450ST | Best laser | ~0.5:1 | 1080p laser | 4,200 lumens | ~$1,599 | ★★★★☆ |
| BenQ X300G | Best for gaming | ~0.69:1 | 4K/60Hz | 2,000 lumens | ~$1,699 | ★★★★☆ |
1. BenQ TH690ST — Best Overall
BenQ TH690ST
- Roughly 0.69:1 throw ratio — a 100-inch image from about 5 feet away.
- Native 1080p with 120Hz support and low input lag for console and PC gaming.
- 2,300 ANSI lumens and 98% Rec.709 color for accurate movie playback.
- Built-in Android TV with Google Play, Chromecast and Netflix-ready streaming.
The TH690ST is the short throw projector we recommend to most people because it nails the balance of distance, brightness and price. Its 0.69:1 throw ratio puts a 100-inch picture on the wall from about five feet, so it fits in a small living room or bedroom where a standard projector simply can’t. It runs native 1080p at 120Hz with low input lag, which makes it a genuinely good gaming projector, and its 98% Rec.709 coverage means movies look accurate, not oversaturated. Add built-in Android TV and you have a complete big-screen setup near $799 that needs almost no extra gear.
2. BenQ TK700STi — Best 4K
BenQ TK700STi
- True 4K UHD (8.3M pixels) with HDR10 and HLG support for sharp, detailed films.
- Roughly 0.9:1 short throw — a 100-inch image from about 6.5 feet.
- 3,000 ANSI lumens stays bright in rooms with some ambient light.
- 16ms input lag at 4K/60Hz and 8ms at 1080p/120Hz for low-lag 4K gaming.
If you want 4K resolution without giving up the short-throw advantage, the TK700STi is the pick. It delivers true 4K UHD with HDR10 from a roughly 0.9:1 throw ratio, so a 100-inch screen needs only about 6.5 feet — still far less than a standard 4K projector. Brightness lands at 3,000 ANSI lumens, enough for a room with curtains rather than full blackout, and its low input lag (16ms at 4K/60Hz, 8ms at 1080p/120Hz) makes it a strong 4K gaming projector too. For a sharp big-screen image in a space-constrained room, this is the best 4K short throw of 2026.
3. Optoma GT2160HDR — Best for Bright Rooms
Optoma GT2160HDR
- 4,000 lumens — bright enough to stay watchable with lights on or some daylight.
- 4K UHD with HDR10 and a wide color gamut for detailed, vivid images.
- Very short 0.5:1 throw ratio — a 100-inch image from roughly 4 feet.
- 240Hz at 1080p with low input lag for fast-action gaming.
Most short throw projectors fade in a bright room, but the GT2160HDR fights back with 4,000 lumens — enough to stay watchable with the lights on or some daylight bleeding in. It pairs that brightness with a true 4K UHD image and HDR10, and its aggressive 0.5:1 throw ratio fills a 100-inch screen from just about four feet. Gamers get a 1080p/240Hz mode with low lag as a bonus. If your space can’t be fully darkened and you don’t want to step up to an ultra-short-throw laser TV, this is the brightest practical short throw pick.
4. Optoma GT1080HDR — Best Budget
Optoma GT1080HDR
- 3,800 lumens of brightness at a sub-$700 price — strong value.
- 0.5:1 throw ratio — a 100-inch image from about 4 feet.
- 1080p with HDR10 support and a fast 8.4ms response for gaming.
- Long 15,000-hour lamp life keeps running costs low.
The GT1080HDR proves you don’t have to spend four figures to get into short throw. For around $699 it delivers a bright 3,800-lumen 1080p image with HDR10, and its 0.5:1 throw ratio is as aggressive as projectors costing twice as much — a 100-inch picture from roughly four feet. An 8.4ms response time makes it a capable budget gaming projector, and the 15,000-hour lamp keeps long-term costs in check. It’s the best short throw value for buyers who want the close-up advantage without the 4K premium.
5. Optoma ZH450ST — Best Laser
Optoma ZH450ST
- Laser light source rated for ~30,000 hours — no lamp to replace.
- Bright 4,200 lumens holds its output far longer than a lamp projector.
- 0.5:1 throw ratio — a 100-inch image from about 4 feet.
- 1080p with HDR and IP6X dust-sealed optics for low maintenance.
If you want to install a short throw projector once and forget about maintenance, go laser. The ZH450ST’s laser light source is rated for about 30,000 hours — roughly a decade of normal use — with no lamp swaps, and it holds its 4,200-lumen output far better over time than a lamp model. Its 0.5:1 throw ratio fills a 100-inch screen from around four feet, and the dust-sealed IP6X optics make it a set-and-forget pick for a ceiling mount. It’s the best laser short throw for buyers who value brightness and longevity over 4K resolution.
6. BenQ X300G — Best for Gaming
BenQ X300G
- 4LED engine with 4K/60Hz and a wide ~100% DCI-P3 color gamut.
- 0.69:1 short throw — a 100-inch image from about 5 feet.
- Dedicated FPS, RPG and SPG game modes with low input lag.
- Compact, portable design with built-in Android TV streaming.
The X300G is built for gamers who want a big screen in a tight room. Its 0.69:1 throw ratio means you sit closer than the projector, so you never cast a shadow when you stand up mid-match, and its 4LED engine delivers wide-gamut 4K HDR with BenQ’s purpose-built FPS, RPG and SPG game modes for low-lag play. It’s compact enough to move between rooms, and built-in Android TV handles streaming when you’re done gaming. For the best short throw gaming experience in a small space, this is the one. For more pure gaming options, see our best gaming projector guide.
How to choose a short throw projector
- Check the throw ratio against your room. Short throw means roughly 0.4:1 to 1.0:1. Multiply the ratio by your desired screen width to get the distance — a 0.5:1 projector needs about 4 feet for a 100-inch (87-inch-wide) screen.
- Don’t confuse it with ultra-short-throw. UST laser TVs (under 0.4:1) sit inches from the wall and need a special ALR screen; standard short throw sits a few feet back and works with any screen. See our best ultra short throw projector guide if you want the TV-replacement look.
- Match brightness to your light. 2,000–2,500 lumens is fine for a dark room; aim for 3,500+ lumens (GT2160HDR, GT1080HDR, ZH450ST) if you can’t fully darken the space.
- Decide 1080p vs 4K. 1080p short throws start near $700; true 4K (TK700STi, GT2160HDR) costs more but sharpens detail on a large screen.
- Mount it solidly. Short-throw lenses are sensitive to placement, so a stable shelf or ceiling mount keeps focus and geometry consistent.
The bottom line
For the best mix of distance, brightness and price, the BenQ TH690ST is our overall short throw projector pick for 2026. Step up to the BenQ TK700STi for true 4K, choose the Optoma GT2160HDR for a bright room, or save with the Optoma GT1080HDR near $699. The Optoma ZH450ST is the maintenance-free laser pick, and the BenQ X300G is the best for gaming in a small space. Remember that short throw is not the same as ultra-short-throw — if you want a unit that sits inches from the wall like a TV, see our best ultra short throw projector picks, or for a standard big-room setup our best home theater projector guide covers long-throw 4K.