There are four short-throw models worth comparing here, but the available evidence does not support naming five current budget winners: it lacks comparable live prices, and the listed refurbished ViewSonic PX706HD is out of stock. Start with your room’s lens-to-screen distance and target image size, then compare the models’ throw ratios, picture specifications and gaming lag. Verify local price and stock before buying.
How to tell whether a short-throw projector fits your room
A projector’s throw ratio describes the relationship between the lens-to-screen distance and the image width. A lower ratio generally means a larger image can be made from a shorter distance. Measure from the projector lens to the screen—not from the back of the projector—and check the exact model in the manufacturer’s calculator before purchase. Chassis depth, placement options and screen size affect the real setup.
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The models below list throw ratios from 0.49:1 to 0.83:1. A short-throw label alone does not establish whether a projector will fill your screen from your available position. One reader discussion illustrates the practical question: how a projector might fill a screen when the room and budget are constrained; it is an individual discussion, not a broad market survey (Reddit discussion, January 24, 2026).
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Four short-throw candidates—and what is established about availability
Manufacturer specifications establish the models’ key features, but this evidence does not establish comparable current retail prices for four of them. The only cited price is for a refurbished PX706HD listing that is marked out of stock. Treat these as candidates to check in your market, not as a verified ranking of currently purchasable budget deals.
#1 Best Overall
| Model | Published throw and image specifications | Gaming lag | Source and buying caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ TH671ST | 0.69–0.83 throw ratio; native 1080p; 3,000 ANSI lumens; 1.1x zoom | 16.7 ms (manufacturer-listed low input lag; resolution and refresh-rate conditions are not specified in the cited page) | BenQ US product page. BenQ says it can project a 100-inch image from five feet. |
| Optoma GT1080HDR | 0.49:1 throw ratio; 1080p Full HD; 3,800 lumens; 4K UHD and 1080p HDR input compatibility | Up to 8.4 ms at 1080p/120Hz, according to Optoma’s Enhanced Gaming Mode claim | Optoma US product page. Its contrast ratio is listed as 50,000:1. |
| Optoma GT2000HDR | 0.496:1 fixed throw ratio; 1080p DLP laser; 3,500 lumens | 8.6 ms at 1080p/120Hz | Optoma UK product page. UK specifications do not establish US or other-market price or stock. |
| ViewSonic PX706HD (refurbished listing) | 0.69–0.83 throw ratio; Full HD 1920×1080; 3,000 ANSI lumens; listed throw distance 3.0–7.2 ft and screen size 60–120 inches | 37 ms, as stated on the cited listing | ViewSonic US refurbished listing showed $436 and “Out of stock”; the price is not evidence of a currently available deal. |
Which model suits which constraint?
For the shortest listed throw ratio: Optoma GT1080HDR
At 0.49:1, the GT1080HDR has the lowest listed ratio among these candidates, and Optoma specifies 3,800 lumens. Its gaming-lag figure is tied to 1080p at 120Hz, so do not treat 8.4 ms as a universal result at every resolution or refresh rate. The manufacturer also lists lamp life by mode: up to 4,000 hours in Bright, 12,000 in Dynamic, 10,000 in Eco and 15,000 in Eco+. These are mode-specific ratings, not guaranteed service life.
For a laser light source: Optoma GT2000HDR
The GT2000HDR pairs a 0.496:1 fixed ratio with 1080p DLP, 3,500 lumens and a manufacturer-rated laser life of up to 30,000 hours. Optoma UK lists 8.6 ms at 1080p/120Hz. The cited UK page does not establish the model’s price or availability in another market, so check local listings before treating it as a budget option.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
For a published 100-inch-at-five-feet example: BenQ TH671ST
BenQ specifies a 0.69–0.83 throw-ratio range, 1.1x zoom, native 1080p and 3,000 ANSI lumens. Its page says the projector can produce a 100-inch image from five feet. That example is useful for an initial fit check, but confirm your exact image size and placement with the manufacturer’s calculator. BenQ also reports 92% DCI-P3 coverage; that color-gamut figure does not replace checking the room, screen and picture conditions.
The Tool Desk
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The PX706HD’s refurbished US listing gives a $436 price, but marks the item out of stock. It therefore cannot be treated as a currently available recommendation based on that page. The listing specifies 37 ms input lag; preserve that figure rather than relying on general “low lag” wording. Its throw range overlaps the TH671ST’s published 0.69–0.83 range.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do not mistake a bright standard-throw projector for a short-throw pick
Lumens indicate a manufacturer’s brightness specification; they do not tell you whether the lens can make your desired image at the distance you have. Two brighter models are useful examples of why throw ratio matters, but neither belongs in a short-throw shortlist:
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
- BenQ TH575i: 3,800 ANSI lumens and 1080p, but its 1.49–1.64 throw ratio is standard throw. BenQ US specifications.
- ViewSonic PX701HDH: 3,500 ANSI lumens, with a 1.5–1.65 throw ratio—also standard throw. ViewSonic US product page.
Check these details before choosing
- Measure the setup. Record the lens-to-screen distance and desired image width or diagonal. Check the exact model’s throw ratio and use its manufacturer calculator to confirm fit.
- Match picture specifications to the room. Compare native resolution and the manufacturer’s stated brightness units. A high lumen rating alone does not guarantee a good image in uncontrolled daylight.
- Compare gaming lag under like conditions. Keep the resolution and refresh rate attached to the GT1080HDR and GT2000HDR figures; the TH671ST page’s 16.7 ms figure does not specify those conditions, and the refurbished PX706HD listing states 37 ms.
- Consider the light source and its stated life. The GT1080HDR’s lamp-life figures vary by mode; the GT2000HDR is a laser model rated by its manufacturer for up to 30,000 hours. Ratings are not guarantees of actual service life.
- Verify the purchase in your region. Check today’s price, stock and warranty with the seller. The cited product pages do not provide comparable live prices, and the PX706HD refurbished listing is out of stock.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
