Have you decided to go with a projector for your home instead of a TV? Maybe you’re setting up a projector in the basement to create a large-screen experience exclusively for movie nights or gaming. Whatever the case, you might be considering an ultra short throw projector.
Why an ultra-short throw projector? Since they don’t require a significant distance between the projector and the screen, they are ideal for smaller spaces. You have more flexibility of placement, making UST projectors, as they’re also known, a viable alternative to a big-screen TV. They bring cinematic scale to everyday living rooms or basement home theatres without complicated setup.
Check out these top projector picks at Best Buy Canada.
Quick summary
Here’s an at-a-glance look at the ultra-short throw projectors that will be covered on this list.
- Best overall: The Hisense PX3-Pro is a versatile all-rounder that combines excellent brightness, sharp 4K picture quality, and premium features. It’s a fantastic TV replacement for movies, streaming, and gaming.
- Best for home theatre: Designed for movie lovers, the Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus delivers exceptional brightness, cinematic picture quality, and immersive built-in audio for a true theatre-like experience.
- Best for gaming: This fast, responsive XGIMI Aura 2 delivers smooth gameplay on a massive screen without sacrificing image quality.
- Best premium: If you want the biggest, brightest, and most feature-rich experience, the Hisense L9Q delivers flagship performance with stunning visuals, powerful built-in sound, and an image up to 200 inches.
- Best portable: Compact and affordable this mini 1080p smart short throw is easy to move from room to room or take outdoors. It’s a great choice for casual viewing, kids, and movie nights on the go.
What is an ultra short throw projector?
When you compare short throw vs long throw projector, a short throw projector can project a large image from much closer than a long-throw projector. A short throw projector typically has a throw ratio between 0.4:1 and 1.0:1, which refers to the maximum distance from where the projector can be positioned. On the other hand, an ultra short throw projector (also known as UST projector) has a throw distance of less than 0.4:1. This is calculated by distance divided by image width. A UST projector with a 0.18 throw distance projecting a 100-inch image (about 87 inches in width) could be placed as close as 1.25 feet from the screen (0.18 x 87 = 15.66 inches, which is 1.25 feet).
Naturally, this makes them great for smaller spaces or where you don’t have a clear line-of-sight to mount a projector. Since no ceiling mount is required, you can use one in a rented apartment or house where installation isn’t permitted. The projector can sit on a console in front of the screen or wall for an ultra-clean and effortless setup and a TV-like experience.
How to choose the right ultra short throw projector
When it comes to ultra short throw projectors, there are a few questions to ask yourself to find the right one.
How bright does your room need to be?
The brightness of the UST projector will dictate how bright your room can be to see the image clearly. If you plan to set it up in the living room with ambient light coming in from a window and want to watch during the day, go with a model like the Hisense PX3-Pro or Hisense L9Q. If you are setting it up in a dark room like a basement or only plan to watch at night with the lights down low, the Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus is a solid option.
Are you replacing your TV with a projector?
When replacing a TV, you want a projector with a very short throw distance, which means the Hisense PX3-Pro or L9Q should be top choices. They provide a TV-like experience with a clean set-up, ideal for the same space where your TV was previously mounted.
Do you game often?
If you’re a gamer, you may want to consider going with a model like the XGIMI Aura 2 or Hisense L9Q. They have features specific for gaming, like ultra-low latency mode so the display keeps up with the game action and you don’t miss a beat.
Do you need portability?
There are great portable projectors that support a short throw distance, like the Mini projector that you can use at home and on the go. If you want to set it up in different locations, like a friend’s house, at the cottage, in the backyard, or while camping, go for a portable model.
For everything you need to know about projectors, you can consult our projector buying guide.
Best ultra short throw projectors 2026
Let’s dive into what makes these UST projectors stand out.
Best overall ultra short throw projector: Hisense PX3-Pro
Best for: Bright living rooms and everyday streaming to replace a TV, gaming
The Hisense PX3-Pro laser projector is a best-seller for Best Buy with a 4.9-star rating, offering a great balance of performance, brightness, and premium features. Thanks to Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced, you get a true cinematic experience with images projected up to 150 inches in size. With 3,000 ANSI lumens, you can set it up in bright rooms, while 4K Ultra HD resolution and a 3,000:1 native contrast provide bright whites, deep blacks, and realistic images.
Position it up close to the screen with the 0.22 throw ratio. Automatic keystone correction fixes distortion based on the projector’s positioning. Connect sources via HDMI (three ports), USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. It has integrated 50W speakers—or you can connect it to a larger home theatre system.
Almost every customer who has submitted a review recommends buying this projector. “The setup was quick and straightforward,” says one buyer, “the image quality outstanding.”
Best cinematic ultra short throw projector: Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus
Best for: A true cinematic, immersive experience for movie lovers, bright rooms, dedicated home theatre setups
Epson introduced the Lifestudio series in late 2025, and the Lifestudio Grand Plus laser projector is the top-of-the-line option. Along with Sound by Bose and the Epson Projection Studio app for control, it comes with built-in Google TV for instant access to your favourite streaming apps. This well-reviewed model boasts 4K HDR images up to 150 inches in size while it’s positioned close to the screen via the 0.16–0.40 throw ratio.
It uses three-chip 3LCD technology, giving you an impressive 4,000 lumens of brightness and auto keystone correction. Dynamic contrast is 5,000,000:1 so every scene looks natural and realistic. Along with three HDMI ports and two USB, you get Wi-Fi (there’s no Bluetooth) and integrated speakers. Pair it with the Epson SilverFlex ALR Screen to absorb more ambient light for a perfect living room set-up. “What sets this projector apart,” says one Best Buy buyer, “is that it can truly be thought of as a TV replacement projector.”
Best ultra short throw projector for gaming: XGIMI Aura 2
Best for: Gamers who want to go big with a larger display for a more immersive experience
Planning to replace a TV with a projector for the ultimate gaming night? The kids and gamers in the family will be thrilled with a DLP laser model like the XGIMI Aura 2. Project an image up to 100 inches in size from just 17.8cm away with the 0.177:1 throw ratio and auto keystone correction. Enjoy a 4K picture with Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, and 2,300 ISO lumens with 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
It’s paired with audio from the built-in 60W Harman-Kardon speakers. You get smooth performance and good responsiveness, features gamers especially will appreciate. Art Mode lets you display artwork when you aren’t deep in a gaming marathon session. Of course, you can watch TV, too. With two HDMI ports, USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, it’s easy to connect sources. Get everything you need with the XGIMI Aura 2 and 1,100-inch ALR projector screen bundle.
Best premium ultra short throw projector: Hisense L9Q
Best for: Luxury home setups, buyers who want the best-in-class performance, bigger rooms/spaces.
Offering a premium experience and build, the Hisense L9Q laser projector delivers 4K HDR images with Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced. You get ultra-bright 5,000 ANSI lumens and 5,000:1 contrast combined with 6.2.2 surround sound built right in. Project video onto a screen as big as 200 inches for an incredible cinema-like experience in your home. Auto keystone correction prevents distortion.
Connect source devices, like a Blu-ray player or gaming console, via two each HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 2.0 ports and use settings like Filmmaker Mode and Game Mode to get the best possible picture based on the content you’re watching. There’s also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as voice control support. With a throw ratio of just 0.18, you can position the projector up close and still get a massive image. “Stunning colours,” says one happy customer, “great blacks, and the muscle to handle gaming and sports….”
Best portable short throw projector: Mini smart short throw projector
Best for: Those on a budget, outdoor use as well, movable unit to bring with you, casual viewing or kids who don’t need the highest-res images
If you want to take the projector with you, like to temporarily set it up in the backyard for a summer movie night, you want something portable. This pocket projector is ultra-compact. While you get 720p resolution, it’s fine for smaller images for kids to watch cartoons, for example. It can display an image up to 100 inches from as close as 1.7 metres away. It has Android 11 built in for instant access to streaming apps via dual-band Wi-Fi connection (it also has Bluetooth). The 0.8:1 throw ratio, 270° rotatable design, and automatic keystone correction offers flexible placement options: you could even easily project an image on the ceiling! Along with built-in speakers, you get HDMI ports (it comes with a cable) and USB.
Why choose a UST projector over a TV?
When you weigh the pros and cons of projector versus TV, you might find that an ultra short throw projector is the better choice. You can get an image as big as 150-inches for the same price as a 65-85-inch TV. It gives you a cleaner aesthetic with just a console and the small unit. Since the projected image is so large, you get better immersion and more of a movie-like experience.
Top things to consider first
If you plan to watch during the day and in rooms with bright ambient light, you need to pay attention to lumens. Refer to our projector brightness guide to gain a better understanding of why this is important. But in simple terms, it ensures that the image doesn’t look washed out when the sun is shining through a window or lamp is turned on.
All smart TVs come with a smartTV OS built-in, but not all home theatre projectors do. Some come with Google TV or another smart TV OS. With others, you’ll have to connect a source device like a Blu-ray player, set-top box, gaming console, or streaming box or stick. With some, you can also wirelessly cast content from a mobile device. But once set up, a UST projector is just as easy to use.
UST projector key features explained
As noted, our projector buying guide has everything you need to know about projectors and their features. But here’s a quick refresher of the key factors to consider.
- Brightness: Measured in lumens, the higher the number, the better the projector can perform with more ambient light. The lower the number, the darker the room needs to be for you to get a watchable view.
- Laser vs. lamp: Laser projectors power on quickly and require little to no maintenance, lasting longer overall. Lamp projectors require bulb replacements, but they tend to offer fantastic brightness and colour and cost less upfront. If you go that route, factor in the cost of a necessary bulb replacement after about a quarter of the typical lifespan of a laser projector.
- Throw distance: This tells you the shortest distance the projector can be from the screen to get an image of the size you want. With the best ultra short throw projectors, you can position them almost directly in front of the wall.
Time to make the switch?
Whether you’ve decided to make the switch from TV to projector in your main viewing room, or you’re setting up a games room or basement theatre, maybe even want to surprise the kids for enhanced Sunday morning cartoons and epic sleepovers, you won’t regret getting an ultra short throw projector. It’s not true that you need to mount a projector on a ceiling, several feet away from the screen for it to work, nor do you need a portable option for placement flexibility. A premium home theatre ultra short throw projector offers the best of both worlds between a big-screen TV and a short throw or long throw projector. They’re ideal for modern homes and offer clean setups and incredibly easy installation.
Check out our wide selection of projectors. There’s an option for every lifestyle and budget.
Ultra short throw projector FAQs
Yes! They are a nice solution that fits between a big-screen TV and a long-throw or even short throw projector. You can get a much bigger screen versus a TV and don’t have to worry about a complex setup process. With just the projector and a white wall, you’re good to go.
No, you don’t need a special screen. A white or light-coloured wall or even a white sheet pulled tautly will do. That said, when comparing projector screen versus wall, there are advantages to using a dedicated screen. Try with a white wall first and you can always invest in a screen later.
Yes! A projector that has a high brightness level so it can compensate for high brightness during the day can absolutely replace a TV. For the simplest, cleanest setup, ultra short throw projectors are the best choice.
Laser projectors usually last anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000 hours. In terms of length of time, this depends on how often you use it. On average, this should equate to anywhere from 15-20 years. If you are a heavy TV watcher and watch up to eight hours per day, this could be reduced to 7-10 years.
