short throw vs long throw projector buying guide

The throw ratio printed in the spec sheet decides which of these projectors can even reach the wall in your room

Same 100-inch image, very different amount of room behind you

Throw ratio -- not brightness or resolution -- is what determines how far a projector has to sit from the wall to fill a given screen size. A short-throw model can go where a standard-throw model physically can't, and vice versa for placement flexibility.

See how they compare by throw distance

Quick answer: Our top pick for short throw vs long throw projector is the BenQ W2720i 4K Home Theater Projector (Best Short-Throw). If you're looking for best standard-throw, the Epson Home Cinema 2350 Projector is a strong alternative.

Why throw ratio matters more than screen size when picking a projector

Reviewed by the FlickerHall team · last updated 2026-08-29

Every projector spec sheet lists a throw ratio -- a number like 1.2:1 or 1.5:1 that describes how far the projector needs to sit from the screen relative to the image width. A lower ratio means a short-throw design that fills a large screen from close range; a higher ratio means a standard-throw design that needs more room depth to do the same job. Two projectors can produce an identical 100-inch picture while needing anywhere from 7 to 13 feet of distance to do it, purely because of this one number.

That distance requirement is often the real deciding factor in a room that isn't a purpose-built theater. A shallow living room or apartment can rule out a standard-throw projector before brightness or contrast ever enters the conversation, while a deep basement or dedicated theater room has enough space that throw ratio barely matters. Measuring the actual distance between where the projector will sit and the screen, before comparing any other spec, avoids buying a projector that simply can't reach the wall.

Measure your actual projector-to-screen distance before comparing specs

Throw ratio only matters relative to the real distance available in your room. Measure from where the projector will realistically sit -- a ceiling mount point, a shelf, a rear wall -- to the screen location, then check that distance against a projector's throw range rather than assuming a bigger or more expensive model automatically fits.

A wider throw ratio range buys placement flexibility, not just distance

Some standard-throw projectors, like the Epson Home Cinema 2350's 1.32-2.15:1 range, cover several feet of usable distance rather than a single fixed point. That range matters if you're not certain exactly where furniture or a mount will end up, since it gives room to adjust after the fact instead of remeasuring from scratch.

Short-throw models trade zoom flexibility for a smaller footprint

A short-throw projector like the BenQ W2720i's 1.0-1.3:1 lens fits close to the screen, which is what makes it work in a shallow room -- but that same tight ratio leaves less range to resize the image after mounting compared to a standard-throw lens with a wider zoom.

Product Best For Price Rating
BenQ W2720i 4K Home Theater Projector Best Short-Throw $1,850 - $1,999 4.6/5
Epson Home Cinema 2350 Projector Best Standard-Throw $900 - $1,000 4.6/5
ViewSonic PA503W Projector Longest-Throw, Budget Pick $350 - $400 4.5/5
Best Short-Throw

BenQ W2720i 4K Home Theater Projector

★★★★★ 4.6

The W2720i's 1.0-1.3:1 throw ratio puts a 100-inch image on the wall from as little as 7'3", roughly 2-6 feet closer than the standard-throw models below need for the same screen size. That's the difference between a projector that works in a shallower living room and one that only fits a dedicated, deeper theater space.

  • 1.0-1.3:1 throw ratio reaches a 100-inch image from just 7'3", fitting shallower rooms a standard-throw unit can't
  • Short-throw placement doesn't cost gaming responsiveness -- it still measures roughly 10ms input lag in Full HD game mode
  • Highest price of the three projectors in this comparison at $1,850-$1,999
  • A tighter 1.0-1.3:1 zoom range leaves less room to fine-tune image size after the projector is mounted than the Epson's wider zoom
$1,850 - $1,999 View on Amazon
Best Standard-Throw

Epson Home Cinema 2350 Projector

★★★★★ 4.6

The 2350's 1.32-2.15:1 throw ratio needs roughly 9'7" to 15'8" of room depth for a 100-inch image -- a wider zoom range than the short-throw BenQ above, which means more flexibility to place it on a back shelf or credenza without an exact distance measurement first.

  • 1.32-2.15:1 throw ratio gives roughly 6 feet of placement flexibility for a 100-inch image, the widest zoom range of the three projectors here
  • Standard throw distance suits a rear-shelf or credenza setup away from the foot traffic a short-throw placement near the screen can create
  • Needs close to 10-16 feet of room depth for a 100-inch image, unworkable in the shallower rooms the BenQ handles
  • That flexibility comes from a zoom lens, not a compact footprint -- still a comparatively long projector-to-screen run if space is tight
$900 - $1,000 View on Amazon
Longest-Throw, Budget Pick

ViewSonic PA503W Projector

★★★★★ 4.5

At $350-$400, the PA503W is the cheapest projector in this lineup, but its 1.55-1.7:1 throw ratio is also the longest -- about 11-13 feet for a 100-inch image, and up to 16'5" at its 150-inch maximum. It's a budget standard-throw pick for a larger, deeper room rather than a tight living room.

  • Cheapest projector in this comparison at $350-$400 while still covering an 80-150 inch screen range
  • 1.55-1.7:1 throw ratio and 8.8-16.4ft projection range suit a large finished basement or den where room depth isn't the constraint
  • Needs the most room depth of any projector here -- 11-13 feet just for a 100-inch image, before factoring in seating behind that
  • WXGA resolution, not native 4K, so it's a budget standard-throw pick rather than a picture-quality one
$350 - $400 View on Amazon
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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the actual difference between a short-throw and a standard-throw projector?

It comes down to throw ratio: a short-throw projector like the BenQ W2720i (1.0-1.3:1) can fill a 100-inch screen from about 7'3" away, while a standard-throw projector like the ViewSonic PA503W (1.55-1.7:1) needs roughly 11-13 feet for the same size. Neither is better outright -- the right choice depends on how much room depth you actually have between the projector's location and the screen.

Can a short-throw projector go anywhere a standard-throw one can, just closer?

Generally yes for the distance itself, but short-throw lenses usually have a narrower zoom range -- the BenQ W2720i's 1.0-1.3:1 ratio covers less adjustment room than the Epson Home Cinema 2350's 1.32-2.15:1 range. That means a short-throw projector needs more precise placement to hit a specific screen size, while a standard-throw model's wider zoom tolerates being a bit closer or farther from the exact planned spot.

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