5 Ultra Short Throw Projectors for Living Rooms
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Want a 100–150″ picture without ceiling mounts or long cables? UST “laser TVs” sit inches from the wall and work best with a UST ALR screen. What matters most: real brightness for daytime viewing, contrast/black levels for movie nights, color accuracy, input lag for gaming, throw/placement, and warranty/support.
Top picks
Formovie Theater — Best overall for dark-room cinema punch
A triple-laser UST known for rich contrast, wide color, and Dolby Vision.
Why it wins: Excellent blacks and tone-mapping for movie nights; still strong for TV/sports with a proper UST ALR screen.
- ✅ AWARD-WINNING PROJECTION: As 1st place winner & judge's pick at both the 2022 and 2023 Laser TV Showdown, among other accolades, the Formovie Theater 4K UST projector is truly best in its class.
- ✅ 1800 ISO Lumens, Crisp and Clear Anytime Vibrant and bright colors can be accessed easily during daylight or even with ambient lights on with 1800 ISO Lumens.
- ✅ Powered By Dolby Vision Equipped with extremely high 4K UHD resolution, 3000:1 FOFO Contrast ratio and the HDR 10+ Decoding, and support Dolby Vision, THEATER has perfect support for contents with high dynamic range.
Pros
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Dolby Vision plus HDR10 support
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Strong perceived contrast in a dark room
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Wide color gamut on tri-laser light source
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Clean, room-filling built-in audio
Cons
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Not the brightest for sunny living rooms
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The app platform is basic; use a streamer
Trade-offs / Who should skip
If you watch daytime sports with blinds open, a brighter unit below suits better.
Scores: Performance 4.5/5 · Brightness 3.5/5 · Ease of Use 4/5 · Value 4.5/5
Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 — Best for bright rooms & gaming
A very bright 3LCD UST with low input lag and forgiving placement.
Why it wins: Lights-on punch for daytime TV and sports, plus a fast gaming HDMI mode.
- Picture Size up to 150" — Get closer to courtside for sports and gaming, or center stage for your favorite movies, with an immersive big picture; unlike regular-throw projectors, it offers hassle-free placement, projecting images up to 150" from just a few inches away
- 10-Bit HDR — Full 10-bit HDR color processing accepting 100% of the HDR source. When combined with the extreme brightness of 4,000 lumens – HDR content is faithfully reproduced for an exceptional visual performance.
- Modern Ultra Short Throw Laser Design — Sleek ultra short throw laser design seamlessly complements a variety of décor styles and audio/video furniture; features multi-point picture adjustment and individually adaptable feet for quick and easy setup
Pros
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Excellent brightness for ambient light
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Low input lag gaming mode
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No rainbow effect (3LCD engine)
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Flexible placement and focus range
Cons
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No Dolby Vision format support
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Black levels trail the best cine models
Trade-offs / Who should skip
Dark-room cinephiles may prefer deeper blacks from premium tri-laser options.
Scores: Performance 4.5/5 · Brightness 5/5 · Ease of Use 4.5/5 · Value 4.5/5
LG HU915QB — Best for black levels & luxury theaters
LG’s premium tri-laser UST tuned for deep contrast and refined tone-mapping.
Why it wins: Uses high-end optics and dynamic laser control to deliver inky blacks in a treated room.
- REAL 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) - Real 4K has a resolution of 3840 x 2160–4x greater than FHD for incredible detail that brings movies, shows, and games to life.
- Up to 3000 ANSI Lumens
- 0.19 ULTRA SHORT THROW RATION - Place your projector just 2.2" from the wall for a 90" screen, 3.9" away for a 100" screen, or 7.2" away for a breathtaking 120" viewing space.
Pros
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Excellent perceived contrast/black levels
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Strong HDR tone-mapping
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Quiet operation; premium build
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WebOS apps and easy remote
Cons
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Benefits from calibration for accuracy
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Not the brightest in sunlit spaces
Trade-offs / Who should skip
If you need lights-on sports brightness, the Epson/AWOL picks are better fits.
Scores: Performance 4.5/5 · Brightness 4/5 · Ease of Use 4/5 · Value 4/5
AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro — Best for maximum brightness & 3D
A tri-laser powerhouse with Dolby Vision and 3D support for enthusiasts.
Why it wins: Retains HDR punch with lights on; supports features home-theater fans care about, including 3D and advanced controls.
- The World's 1st UST Projector and Center Channel Speaker in One: featuring our innovative center speaker mapping. Delivering crystal-clear dialogue and immersive audio directly from the screen, enhancing your viewing experience without extra equipment. Paired with our premium ALR screens and the ThunderBeat 4.2.2 surround sound system, this setup creates a powerful 5.2.2 surround sound experience. Enjoy breathtaking visuals and harmonious sound that elevate your home cinema to new heights, making every moment on-screen truly impactful.
- The LTV-3500 PRO offers an exceptional home entertainment experience with sharper images and seamless compatibility with smart home devices. Here are two technical updates that enhance your cinematic journey: 1.PJLink IP Control: Seamlessly integrate with home automation systems like Control 4 for an enhanced cinema experience. 2. Dolby Vision: Experience dynamic optimization of color contrast and brightness with Dolby Vision HDR, delivering unparalleled sharpness and color intensity.
- The Brightest Ultra Short Throw 4K 3D Triple-Laser Projector: The AWOL VISION LTV-3500 Pro is a cutting-edge 4K Ultra Short Throw projector featuring Triple Color Laser Technology, 4K UHD Resolution, HDR10+, and 3D capability. Enjoy a stunning 150" 4K TV experience from anywhere in your home. Coupled with Dolby Atmos for exceptional audio immersion, the LTV-3500 is the brightest and most premium triple-laser 4K Ultra Short Throw projector available.
Pros
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Among the brightest UST choices
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Dolby Vision and 3D support
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Good for mixed-light family rooms
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Robust connectivity and control options
Cons
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Larger chassis; mind cabinet depth
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Fan noise rises at max brightness
Trade-offs / Who should skip
If you’re highly sensitive to fan noise, plan Eco modes or better ventilation.
Scores: Performance 4.5/5 · Brightness 5/5 · Ease of Use 4/5 · Value 4/5
Hisense L9H — Best bundle experience (often includes a UST ALR screen)
A “laser TV” package geared for living rooms with TV-like features.
Why it wins: Many SKUs include a matched 100–120″ ALR screen, Google TV, and Dolby Vision—great if you want a turnkey setup.
- 3000 ANSI Lumens UHD 4K resolution
- Sits less than 12 inches from screen.
- Built-in 40W Dolby Atmos sound
Pros
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Often bundled with a UST ALR screen
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Dolby Vision and TV tuner convenience
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Vibrant tri-laser color for sports and shows
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Easy day-to-day, TV-like operation
Cons
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Listings vary: verify screen-included SKU
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Contrast uplift over prior gen is modest
Trade-offs / Who should skip
Serious dark-room cinephiles can squeeze better blacks from the LG/Formovie picks.
Scores: Performance 4/5 · Brightness 4/5 · Ease of Use 4.5/5 · Value 4/5
Quick compare
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Formovie Theater — Best overall: Dolby Vision, great contrast; not for very bright rooms.
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Epson LS800 — Best bright room & gaming: lights-on punch, low lag; lacks Dolby Vision.
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LG HU915QB — Best blacks: luxury contrast; shines in treated rooms.
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AWOL LTV-3500 Pro — Best max brightness & 3D: huge HDR punch; larger chassis.
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Hisense L9H — Best bundle: screen-included convenience; verify exact SKU.
Buying guide
- Brightness vs room light
Bright rooms need high real-world brightness and a UST ALR screen (Epson LS800, AWOL LTV-3500 Pro). For movie nights in controlled light, prioritize contrast and tone-mapping (LG HU915QB, Formovie Theater). - Format support
Dolby Vision support can help with streaming HDR. If you mainly game or watch SDR sports, raw brightness and low input lag may matter more. - Gaming
Look for a dedicated low-lag picture/HDMI mode and 120-inch sizing that fits your cabinet depth. USTs won’t match OLED input lag, but some get close enough for casual/console play. - Screen choice
UST-specific ALR screens reject ceiling/ambient light and dramatically boost contrast in living rooms. If you’re all-dark-room, a good matte white screen can work. - Placement & throw
Verify throw ratio and cabinet depth for your screen size. Small shifts matter with UST—budget time for alignment and keystone/geometry tools. - Warranty & support
Projectors have varying warranty terms. If support length is critical, confirm the US warranty on the exact SKU before buying.
FAQs
Q: Do I need a special screen?
A: In bright rooms, yes—get a UST ALR screen. In a dark theater, a good matte white screen works but leaves ambient-light rejection on the table.
Q: Can a UST replace my TV?
A: Yes for many households—plan for warm-up, occasional fan noise, and a matched ALR screen to keep daytime viewing satisfying.
Q: Is Dolby Vision worth it on a UST?
A: It can improve tone-mapping on supported apps/devices, but room light, screen choice, and base brightness have a bigger impact.
Q: What about 3D?
A: Some models still support it (like the AWOL Pro). Check the exact SKU and your glasses compatibility.
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