Best Long throw projector Reviews & Buying Guide 2023

If you ask us to answer the question right away, Optoma UHD30 is the best long throw projector on the list for many of our readers.

Are you still perplexed about the choice between a short throw and a long throw projector? Let’s settle this issue once and for all.

Do you have a large room to project in? Are your power switches far from the place of your screen? If both of these questions answer as yes, your best option is a long throw projector.

As the name indicates, these projectors have a long distance between the projector and the screen. We’ll discuss their pros and cons later. Read on to know more.

We’ll present a couple of the best lenses for long-throw projectors too. Lastly, there’s a guide for buying an ideal long throw projector.

Let’s review the top 5 best long throw projectors first. For the best option, read number 2.

Top 5 Best Long throw projectors 2023:

1

1.Optoma HD28HDR Projector – 1080p mid-range projector with a long throw ratio

Do you want a full HD projector that supports 4k? Try this Optoma 4k ready long throw projector with a long lamp life and a high contrast.

Optoma HD28HDR Projector

Specifications:
  • Connectivity: dual HDMI, USB
  • Resolution: 1080p, supports 4k with HDR 10
  • Brightness: 3,600 lumens
  • Contrast: 50,000:1
  • Throw distance: 11 feet for 100 inches
  • Projection size: up to 301 inches
  • Dimensions: 9.5 x 12.4 x 4.3 inches
  • Weight: 8.38 lbs
  • Lamp life: 15,000 hours on Dynamic Black mode

This one comes with dual HDMI input for connecting multiple devices at a time. A USB port is for wireless connection. If you want Bluetooth or wi-fi, check out projector number 5.

You can view images at a full HD resolution. Moreover, you can connect 4k devices with HDR 10 too. If you are a gamer, you’ll love this projector. It has only a 16ms input lag with a 120Hz refresh rate.

You can enjoy watching this during the day too. You can watch two 2-hours movies daily for more than 10 years. The Dynamic Black technology (check the thread) gives better dark scenes.

Optoma HD28HDR image depth

If you want to watch 3D movies, you’ll need to buy 3D glasses. The 1.1x zoom is useless. However, the auto vertical keystone correction of ±40° is a boon.

If you have an average budget, needs a multi-purpose long throw projector for a large room, and have 4k devices to connect, this is your best option. Overall, this is one of the best long throw projectors for you.

Pros

  • Quiet
  • Long lamp life
  • Lights on viewing
  • The focus knob gives fine control
  • Backlit remote controller

Cons

  • Low audio speakers
  • It is slow to start
  • Rainbow effect
  • Zoom is useless
  • No dust filters
2

2.ViewSonic PA503W – Budget long throw projector for classrooms and offices

Are you looking for a cheap long-throw video projector? Check this affordable option with WXGA resolution and 3D projection.

ViewSonic PA503W

Specifications:
  • Connectivity: VGA, HDMI
  • Resolution: WXGA (1280 x 800p)
  • Brightness: 3600 lumens
  • Contrast: 22,000:1
  • Throw distance: 10.9 ft for 100 inches
  • Projection size: 30 to 300 inches
  • Dimensions: 4.33 x 11.57 x 8.58 inches
  • Weight: 4.89 lbs
  • Lamp life: 15,000 hours for Super Eco mode

This one comes with the standard input options of HDMI and VGA. You don’t get any USB and wi-fi connectivity.
Considering the cost, the resolution of 800p is justifiable. This works for watching movies on screen sizes up to 80 inches diagonal. The brightness allows for lights on viewing.

This quality long-throw projector displays 120 inches from 15.6 ft away. The text is sharp and clear using its high contrast ratio.

It weighs less than 5 pounds, which is the lowest among these long throw projectors. You can use this for more than a decade, even with daily 4-hours viewing.

Viewsonic PA503w Whats in the box
What’s in the box

You’ll get rid of the “screen door” effect as it is DLP. For audio, 2W speakers are integrated. The 1.1 x optical zoom is useless.

Buy DLP shutter glasses for enjoying 3D content. The vertical keystone correction of ±40° and the input latency of 16ms is a boon.

If you need a cheap long throw projector for your office or classroom in a compact size, and with 3D support, this projector fits the bill.

Pros

  • Cheaper
  • Bright for lights on viewing
  • Quiet
  • Manual and digital zoom
  • 3D display

Cons

  • Poor sound quality
  • Unreliable
  • 16:10 aspect ratio only
  • Bad customer service
3

3.Optoma UHD30 – Best long throw projector for gaming

Is your home theatre a little too long? Do you want some free space closer to the screen? Try this 4k long throw projector in 4k resolution and minimal input lag.

Optoma UHD30

Specifications:
  • Connectivity: dual HDMI, USB, VGA
  • Resolution: 4k UHD with HDR 10 and HLG
  • Brightness: 3400 lumens
  • Contrast: 500,000:1
  • Throw distance: 11 ft for 100 inches
  • Projection size: up to 302 inches
  • Dimensions: 10.6 x 12.4 x 4.6 inches
  • Weight: 8.60 lbs
  • Lamp life: 15,000 hours using Dynamic Mode

This Optoma projector has dual HDMI options. You can connect multiple devices simultaneously. For a wireless connection, only the USB option is available. It does not allow any wi-fi or Bluetooth connectivity.

You’ll love the image quality at 4k resolution. The cost is much lower than other 4k projectors. As for the brightness, you can watch it with lights on. However, avoid direct sunlight.

This projector is branded for gamers but works equally well as an office or movie projector. The contrast and Dynamic Black technology give excellent shades of gray.

You need 11 feet for projecting a diagonal of 100 inches. The throw distance varies a bit as it comes with 1.1x zoom. You can use it for years without needing to replace the lamp.

Optoma UHD30 projector throw distance

This DLP projector has ±40° keystone correction too. The good news for gamers is its lower response time. For enhanced gaming mode, it is 16ms and 25ms for the regular display in 4k.

If you have an expansive room, are a hardcore gamer who loves 4k resolution, this one is for you.

Pros

  • 4k resolution
  • Minimal input lag
  • Value for money
  • It supports 3D display
  • Optical zoom, focus, and lens shift

Cons

  • No Bluetooth or wireless connectivity
  • It needs extensive calibration of picture settings
4

4.BenQ HT3550 Projector – 4k long throw projector for cinephiles

Are you looking for a projector to create a cinema experience in your home? If the answer is yes, this BenQ projector is for you.

BenQ HT3550 Projector

Specifications:

  • Connectivity: HDMI, micro USB
  • Resolution: 4k with HDR pro (HDR 10 and HLG)
  • Brightness: 2000 ANSI lumens
  • Contrast: 30,000:1
  • Throw distance: 8.2 ft for 100 inches
  • Projection size: 40 to 200 inches
  • Dimensions: 14.96 x 5 x 10.35 inches
  • Weight: 9.2 lbs
  • Lamp life: 4,000 hours (Normal)/ 10,000 hours (Eco)

You can connect any tablet, mobile, or game console with the HDMI input. If you want wireless connectivity, look at the Epson projector at number 5.

We loved this projector mainly due to its image quality. This is the best 4k projector with a long throw at this price range.

As for the brightness, it is not for daylight viewing. However, you can turn on some lights far from the screen without compromising image quality.

BenQ HT3550 projector distance comparison

BenQ has the best Dynamic Black technology. This, along with the Dynamic Iris, improve black levels and brightness. There is no light leakage or gray borders.

This DLP projector can display 3D in full HD, and the glasses are included. A 1.3x zoom and vertical keystone correction is a boon. It has perfect out of the box settings and needs minimal calibration.

If you love watching films in the dark, want 3d viewing and minimal calibration, this projector is for you.

Pros

  • 4k resolution
  • Dynamic iris and Dynamic Black
  • 10% vertical lens shift
  • Best out of the box image
  • Auto HDR 10 mode
  • 3D viewing
  • Motion enhancer
  • Separate cinema modes for lighter and dark rooms

Cons

  • The response time is a little longer for pro gamers
  • Outdated user interface
5

5.Epson Home Cinema 2250 – Best wireless long throw projector with Bluetooth

Do you want to have a rear mount projector with 1080p resolution and wireless connectivity? Look no further. Here’s the finest long throw projector for you.

Epson Home Cinema 2250

Specifications:
  • Connectivity: HDMI, Audio out, wi-fi, Bluetooth
  • Resolution: 1080p, support for 4k
  • Brightness: 2700 lumens
  • Contrast: 70,000:1
  • Throw distance: 9.6 ft to 15.6 ft for 100 inches
  • Projection size: 30 to 300 inches
  • Dimensions: 16.2 x 14.9 x 7 inches
  • Weight: 10.98 lbs
  • Lamp life: 4500 hours (Normal)/ 7500 hours (Eco)

Epson long-throw projectors are the best selling models in the market. This one is the latest and the first smart Home cinema projector. You can download any app and stream your favorite content on it.

This 3LCD projector gets rid of the rainbow effect. You can project using any of its HDMI, VGA, Bluetooth, and wireless input options.

This 1080p long-throw projector supports 4k too. Do you know that the 2700 lumens are for both white and color brightness? You’ll enjoy smoother animation by its motion interpolation.

Epson Home Cinema 2250 Projector large scale

The high contrast and compact size help in its portability. You can use it for more than 10 years on Eco mode with daily 2-hour usage. If you want a longer lamp life, look at the numbers 1,3, and 5 projectors.

You’ll enjoy brighter images with the Dynamic Iris. The 3D is available in Full HD resolution. The 1.6x manual zoom and vertical lens shift are a boon.

You can align images using horizontal and vertical digital keystone correction. It produces only 28dB noise on Eco mode. The 10W internal speakers have decent audio.

Pros

  • 3D ready
  • Wireless and Bluetooth connectivity
  • 6x manual zoom
  • Lights on viewing
  • Inexpensive replacement lamp

Cons

  • Bluetooth lag
  • Loud
  • No Audio Return Channel (ARC)

Best Long Throw Projector Lenses:

Before moving further, let’s look at a couple of long-throw projector lenses.

1. Epson ELPLL04 – Long Throw Projector Lens:

This projector lens is for Epson EMP and Power Lite series. If you like its specs, buy the projector with this lens as a standard. Buying the lens only makes the deal pricier.

The lens is expensive but reliable. You will get a projection of 60 to 300 inches by it. This image size is an average for a good long throw projector.

Epson ELPLL04 Long Throw Projector Lens

If you want to calculate the exact throw ratio, you can refer to its focal length. This is 15.33 cm – 20.73 cm. The lens is best used for a throw ratio of 5.3 to 7.41. This makes it suitable for ultra long-throw projectors used for large venues.

The lens automatically focuses the light. There is also an optical zoom of 1.35x. This means you can adjust the image size up to 35%.

A high-quality ultra long-throw projector wields this one.

2. Epson V12H004L08  – Long Throw Lens

Another option is the Epson ELPLL08 lens. This is designed for Epson long throw projectors. They include Pro L projectors up to 20,000 lumens and Pro G7000 series.

Its focal length is 11.9 cm to 16.54 cm. You can zoom the image up to 40% with a ratio of 1 – 1.4x.
Do you want to know the best feature? It comes with a lens shift. The amount varies according to the resolution and brightness of the projectors.

Let’s see WUXGA/WXGA projectors up to 8,000 lumens. It has ±67% vertical and ±30% horizontal shift for them. Here, the throw ratio is 7.21 to 10.11.

Epson V12H004L08 Long Throw Lens

Do you know what WUXGA projectors with 9,000 to 20,000 lumens get? Only ±60% vertical and ±18% horizontal shift here. This results in a 5.27 to 7.41 throw ratio.

For native 4k projectors, the numbers are ±58% vertical and ±16% horizontal. You’ll get a 5.09 to 7.16 throw ratio.
The lens has close to 5 pounds weight, which is the same as some mini projectors.

What is a long throw projector, and why do you need it?

Are you perplexed between a standard throw and a long throw projector? Let’s discuss the pros and cons of a long throw projector to give you some perspective.

Firstly, let’s look at its technical definition. A projector with a throw ratio greater than 1 cuts the bill. This means at least 8 feet or more for a projection size of 100 inches.

Now coming to the main focus. Here are some reasons to answer why do you need a long throw projector:

  • Your power source is far from the projection screen
  • You want to put the projector behind you at the back of the room
  • The foot traffic is closer to the screen
  • You want the freedom of projecting indoors and outdoors on slightly uneven surfaces
  • Your budget is limited
  • However, as for anything in the world, there are some drawbacks. Consider if these caveats are a deal-breaker for you or not.
  • There is always someone or something blocking the view. That’s due to a lot of space between the projector and the screen.
  • They are always prone to glare
  • You get less space in your room to use for other purposes.

Best Long Throw Projectors

How to select the best long throw projector?

Are you finding it hard to choose the one from the list? If you don’t have any clue about buying a long throw projector, let us help you.

We have gathered a list of the features you should focus on. Let’s look at them one by one.

Connectivity

This means the compatibility of your projector with other devices. Most projectors have HDMI and VGA input options. This means you can connect mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and game consoles with it.

Some long throw projectors have a wireless option too. You can connect them with wi-fi and stream any content directly. Others support a USB or an SD card.

Mostly the sound of projectors is not great. You’ll need to connect external speakers to them. For this, the Bluetooth connectivity works well.

Resolution

The resolution is the image quality. The higher you get, the better the picture. Most projectors nowadays have at least 480p resolution.

You can go for 720p in dark rooms with a screen size of up to 80 inches. As you go higher and brighter, you’ll wish for a better resolution.

Zoom Range

This helps in the projector placement. An average zoom range is 0.8 to 1.2x. You can control the image size up to 20% for 1.2x.

Although this range helps if you cannot displace the projector, it compromises the quality.

Lumens

Brightness is measured in lumens. If you want to project in a bright room with lights on, you’ll need at least 2500 lumens.

If you need boardroom presentations during the day with open blinds, go for 3500 lumens. For large venues, buy a projector with 4500 lumens or more.

Lamp life

The average lamp life of a projector is 1500 to 2000 hours. You should go for longer life if you plan to use it extensively.

Lens Options

Projectors come with a variety of lenses depending on the throw ratio and the projection size. For a long throw projector, you should get a lens with lens shift. This makes the off-center placement possible.

Lens shift can be either horizontal, vertical, or both. Moreover, unlike the keystone or zoom, it does not affect the image quality. You should also prefer the lens with a zoom range.

Conclusion:

The right projector is different for everyone. You should know your requirements before you go looking for a high-quality projector.

If you don’t like to see the projector while watching movies, go for the long-throw one. You can avoid long cable too if your power source is not near the screen.

Modern long throw projectors come with many bells and whistles. They have secondary features like a backlit remote controller and dual aspect ratio support too. Consider these as a bonus instead of the main focus.

Read our buying guide to select the best long throw projector. Summing up, if you need a 4k projector, read our options number 1 and 2. For a full HD, you have got 3 and 5.

All the projectors on our list can display 3D. If you want an affordable price, look at number 4. For wireless connectivity, try number 5. The projectors at numbers 1, 3, and 5 have a longer lamp life.

All in all, we love the BenQ projector at number 2. Which one is your favorite?

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