Whether you’re creating a home theater or upgrading your office setup, choosing the right projector can significantly impact your viewing experience. One of the key decisions is choosing between a short throw and a long throw projector—but what exactly do these terms mean, and which one is best for your space?
In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between short throw, standard throw, and long throw projectors, their pros and cons, and help you determine which one suits your needs.
Before we dive into the types, let’s first define throw ratio. Throw ratio refers to the distance a projector must be placed from the screen to produce a specific image size.
Formula: Throw Ratio = Distance from Screen / Width of Image
Ultra short throw (UST) projectors have a throw ratio between 0.1 and 0.4, allowing them to project a large image from just inches away from the screen or wall.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Popular Use Cases:
modern living rooms, small apartments, dedicated home theaters with minimal installation space
A short throw projector has a throw ratio of 0.4 to 1.0. This means it can be placed very close to the screen and still project a large, clear image.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Popular Use Cases:
Most popular home projectors today fall into this category. With throw ratios between 1.0 and 1.5, these offer a balanced combination of flexibility, ease of setup, and value.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Use cases:
bedrooms, small home theaters, renters, casual viewers
A long throw projector typically has a throw ratio of 1.5 or higher. These projectors are designed to be placed far from the screen—ideal for large spaces.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Popular Use Cases:
VAVA 4K UST Laser Projector
LG HU915QE CineBeam
BenQ TH671ST
Optoma GT1080HDR
Epson Home Cinema 3800
Ask yourself these questions:
1.How big is your room?
Small = short throw
Large/open = long throw
2.Do you have space to mount it far away from the screen?
If not, go with short throw.
3.Are you setting up a portable or fixed installation?
Short throw works great for tabletop setups.
Long throw is ideal for ceiling-mounted, permanent setups.
4.Are shadows a concern?
In classrooms or living rooms, short throw avoids silhouette issues.
Choosing the right throw type depends on your room layout and usage style. While ultra short and short throw projectors offer unique advantages, most home users will find standard throw projectors like Dangbei Mars Pro 2 or Freedo to be the perfect balance of size, performance, and convenience. Always check the throw ratio and consider your space before you buy!
In either case, make sure to check the throw ratio of any model before purchasing—and consider how your room layout and usage habits affect your ideal choice.
If your space is limited to around 2 meters (about 6.5 feet), you’ll want to look for:
A Short Throw Projector with a throw ratio under 1.0 (e.g., Optoma GT1080HDR)
Or an Ultra Short Throw (UST) Projector like the VAVA 4K Laser, which can sit just inches from the wall
These options let you project a large image (80–120”) from a very short distance.
Visual Guide: Throw Distance vs Image Size
This chart shows the approximate minimum throw distance required to project a 100” image for different types of projectors:
UST: ~0.2m
Short Throw: ~1m
Standard Throw: ~2.5m
Long Throw: ~4.5m or more
Tip: Always check the throw ratio and calculate your available space before choosing a projector.
Yes, in many cases a UST projector can replace a traditional TV, especially if:
You want a minimalist, big-screen experience (100”+)
Your room supports dim lighting or you use an ALR screen
You don’t need it for 24/7 daytime viewing in bright sunlight
Yes, as long as you measure the distance carefully. For example:
A projector with a 1.2:1 throw ratio placed 2.4 meters (about 8 ft) from the wall will produce a 2-meter wide image (~90” diagonal).
Dangbei Mars Pro 2 or Freedo can both work well in modestly sized rooms.
If you have less than 2.5m distance, short throw or UST models will give you more flexibility.