While OLED TVs seem to be all the rage lately when it comes to playing your favorite movies and games, projectors have some advantages of their own. Projectors offer an unparalleled display size, which can be adjusted for your space.
Long-throw projectors can deliver the biggest possible screen size, but short-throw projectors have many perks of their own. If you’re curious about how short-throw vs long-throw projectors stack up, and which one is right for your needs, check out our comparison below.
Short Throw vs Long Throw Projectors: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Long Throw | Short Throw | |
|---|---|---|
| Throw ratio | 1 – 2 or greater | 0.4 – 1 |
| Distance from wall | Six feet or more | Four feet or less |
| Environment | Small indoor spaces | Large indoor or outdoor spaces |
| Glare | High | Low |
| Cost | Low | High |
Short Throw vs Long Throw Projectors: What’s the Difference?
Aside from the fact they operate best at different distances, there’s a lot to separate the two types of projectors. Read on for the breakdown.
How They Work
The names might sound complicated but, in reality, they’re not too hard to understand. In simple terms, short throw and long throw refer to how far the projector can project, or “throw,” the image. Usually, you can check the model number of the projector to figure out what type it is. The last two letters will be either ST, for a short throw, or LT, for a long throw.
Short-throw projectors have a shorter range than long-throw projectors, which you might expect. More technically, the names refer to the throw ratio of the projector. This ratio is equal to the projector’s distance from the wall over the width of the image being projected.
- WXGA resolution (1280x800)
- 3, 200 lumens and a high native contrast ratio
- 0.9 short throw lens design
- 2 HDMI ports
- Up to 10,000 hours of lamp life
The ratio is greater for long-throw projectors, meaning that they can be placed further away from the wall than a short-throw projector. As an easy example, a projector that should be positioned 200 inches away from a 100-inch screen would have a throw ratio of 2.
This ratio is rather typical for long-throw projectors, whereas a ratio of between 0.4 – 1 is typical for short-throw projectors. In other words, the distance from the screen is larger than the width of the screen for long-throw projectors, and the converse is true for short-throw projectors.
Short-throw projectors are a little more complex than long-throw ones. This is because they have technology that changes the geometry of the projected image, seeing as they’re used closer to the screen. This is so the angled projection doesn’t distort the image, which can still be presented as a regular rectangle.
Distance from Screen
As mentioned, long-throw projectors require a greater distance from the screen to work effectively. This is usually six feet or more in order to reach the maximum screen size. On the other hand, short-throw projectors tend to work best around four feet or less from the wall, since they can project a larger picture from a much shorter distance.
Optimal Screen Size
So far, we know that long-throw projectors can achieve a huge screen size from many feet away, but the screen size you want depends on your space. Ideally, you’d want the height of your screen to be roughly a sixth of the furthest distance you’ll be viewing from. In reality, this will be limited by the height of your ceiling.
Since a screen should be around three feet off the floor, you can take this away from your ceiling height to calculate the maximum height of your screen. When it comes to viewing up close, the nearest part of your viewing space shouldn’t be any closer than the height of your screen times two.
Let’s illustrate this with an example. If your ceiling is 8 feet high, then your maximum screen height will be 5 feet. Multiplying this by 6 gives a maximum viewing distance of 30 feet. If your projector has a throw ratio of 2, the screen will have a width of 8 feet if you position the projector 16 feet away from the wall.
Twice the screen height would be 10 feet, which is the closest distance you should view the screen from. Overall, this gives a viewing distance of between 10 and 30 feet, and a screen that’s 5 feet high and 8 feet wide.
Suitable Environment
As well as the viewing area and distance from the screen, you need to consider how you’re going to set up your projector. You can mount a projector on a wall or ceiling, place it on a shelf or simply leave it on the floor.
Naturally, the last option will be the riskiest, especially if you’re having a lot of people over to watch a movie. It does mean your projector can be adjusted easier, which can be useful if you want to use it in another room or outside. In general, long-throw projectors are best used outdoors or in large rooms, such as home theaters, places of worship, or conference rooms.
- 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) Smart Dual Laser CineBeam
- 2700 ANSI Lumens
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- DCI-P3 97% with Dual Laser
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Either way, both long-throw and short-throw projectors can theoretically be used indoors or outdoors, the key difference being the distance from the wall. But a short-throw projector requires a very flat surface to project on, as a specific angle is required to convert the image into a rectangle.
A very uneven surface will result in more image distortion than required, and lead to an unpleasant viewing experience. As such, while short throws can potentially be used outside, they’re best suited to bedrooms, living rooms, and schools. Short-throw projectors can also be used behind a translucent screen, which minimizes the risk of collisions.
Heat Production
Because a short-throw projector has to modify the projection into a rectangular shape, this also produces more heat than a long-throw projector. This is due to the increased processing power required.
Consequently, a lot more heat is produced, which can lead to unwanted noise from the fans. This may be a minor or major disturbance, based on your preferences.
Brightness
Brightness can be adjusted with either kind of projector. This will likely need to be done depending on how far or close to the screen it is. The brightness of a projector is measured by the Lumens unit. This tells you how much light it produces. You’ll want to keep this in mind if you’re planning to use your projector outside, where brightness is paramount.
Interference
Aside from the optimal position, interference with your viewing is another factor to think about. This generally happens in one of two ways — glare from bright lights, or people casting shadows. The first can happen with either projector and is mitigated by blocking out light or adjusting the projector position.
That said, since long-throw projectors are further from the screen, they’re more susceptible to glare. The latter is mostly an issue with long-throw projectors, since the projector is further from the screen. This gives people more space to walk in front of the projector, like what happens in a public theater. A remedy is to mount the projector off the floor.
Cost
On the whole, long-throw projectors tend to be significantly cheaper than short-throw projectors. This is because they don’t need to convert the image geometrically. Consequently, they require less elaborate technology and processing power. They also have easier assembly. Therefore, you can usually purchase a long-throw projector with similar specs for a lower price.
Short Throw vs Long Throw Projectors: 8 Must-Know Facts
- Long-throw projectors are cheaper than short-throw projectors.
- Short-throw projectors produce more fan noise due to increased processing power.
- Long-throw projectors are more suitable for outdoor use and large indoor spaces.
- Short-throw projectors need a flat surface to work effectively.
- Either projector can be mounted on a wall or ceiling, or be placed on a shelf.
- Obstructions between the projector and screen are a potential issue with long-throw projectors.
- The size of your viewing area, as well as the position of the projector, are determined by its throw ratio and your ceiling height.
- Long-throw projectors are more susceptible to glare than short-throw projectors.
Short Throw vs Long Throw Projectors: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Choose?
Since short-throw projectors are more expensive, it’d be easy to say this means they’re superior. However, it’s not that simple. It all depends on how large your viewing space is, and how you intend to use your projector.
Long-throw projectors are cheaper but tend to be more affected by ambient light and glare. Obstruction by people is another concern. They’re better for using outdoors, though, since they don’t require as much of a flat surface as short throw projectors.
On the other hand, short-throw projectors can be used in smaller rooms. As such, they’re ideal for apartments and flats, as well as gaming rooms. They can also be placed behind a translucent screen for added projection, but they do produce more fan noise.
Generally, if your viewing area is large or outdoors, or your power source is far from the wall, a long-throw projector is better. But if your room is short on space, you’re worried about damage, there’s a lot of unavoidable ambient light, or you’re planning on using a projector for personal gaming use, a short throw projector is your best bet.
Short Throw and Long Throw Projector Technology Updates
Projectors continue to become a popular choice for consumers over standard LED televisions, due to laser technology improving and allowing for a crisper projection image.
As of 2023, HDR (high dynamic range) technology has improved in both short throw and long throw projectors and allows users to cast a wider image onto various screens. With a more realistic and immersive viewing experience on the horizon, the future of short throw and long throw projectors is looking bright.
Looking Forward
In 2023, Samsung released the Samsung Ultra-Short Throw Projector that allows consumers to cast a wide image from a projector that can sit just feet away from the wall. Short throw projectors continue to become popular among users and removes the hassle of ceiling mounting, which is common and usually necessary with long throw projectors.
However, short throw projectors come with a hefty price tag and are typically more expensive than long throw projectors. Whether you’re looking for good quality and less installation, or just a cheaper price tag, either option could be the one you’re looking for.
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- BenQ MW632ST WXGA Short Throw Projector
- WXGA resolution (1280x800)
- 3, 200 lumens and a high native contrast ratio
- 0.9 short throw lens design
- 2 HDMI ports
- Up to 10,000 hours of lamp life
- LG HU810PW Smart Dual Laser CineBeam Projector
- 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) Smart Dual Laser CineBeam
- 2700 ANSI Lumens
- Dynamic Tone Mapping
- DCI-P3 97% with Dual Laser
- webOS 5.0
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