When you're trying to purchase one of the best short-throw projectors for your home, classroom, or office, the first thing you'll want to take a look at is the throw distance. Standard short-throw projectors are designed to work 3 to 8 feet from the screen surface, while ultra-short-throw projectors are made to work 0 to 4 feet from the screen surface. Either way, you'll want to find one with high resolution for crisp images and a decent lumen rating for adequate brightness when you need it.
Here's a little more on the specs you should take into consideration:
- Picture size and quality: Most short-and ultra-short-throw projectors can display pictures around 100 diagonal inches — and the higher the resolution in pixels, the clearer the image. Most standard home theater projectors have a 1920-by-1080-pixel resolution, but there are smaller pixel resolutions for less money, too.
- Brightness: If you'll be using your projector at home in a room with minimal lighting, you'll want to go with a short-throw projector that offers at least 1,500 lumens. But if you're planning on using it in a bigger space with more light (like a classroom or office space), you'll want something with at least 2,500 lumens because it'll create a brighter image amidst the extra light in the room. However, there are some budget-friendly projectors with less than 300 lumens — and those are best for use in dark spaces only.
- Sound quality: Projectors usually come with built-in speakers — but sometimes, they aren't enough. For better sound, most machines can be hooked up to an external speaker or soundbar.
- Connectivity: Many short-throw projectors connect to computers, monitors, and devices via HDMI or USB inputs. Some others also allow you to pair and play from smart devices such as Amazon Fire Sticks, Apple TV, or Google Chromecast. Most of the projectors below include necessary cables, but some do not.
- Power source: There are some portable short-throw projectors on the market that run on rechargeable batteries or regular batteries, making them easier to use on the go. Most need to be plugged into an AC power outlet to work, though.
Don't know where to begin? Check out this list of short- and ultra-short-throw projectors. Each one offers large, bright pictures that are sure to enhance your next presentation, gaming session, or home theater experience.
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