Ultrashort-throw projectors, also called UST and “laser TVs,” are one of the most popular projector types on the market. These rectangular devices sit almost right against the wall, projecting upwards to create a huge image even in smaller rooms where a traditional projector can’t fit. Even the best projectors would struggle making an image as big in as little space as what’s possible with USTs. Their specs seem especially impressive, with some of the highest lumen ratings of any projector type.
However, that’s not the whole story. There are significant compromises in all UST designs, such that their image quality is not always what it seems on paper. While all projectors work better with a screen, UST projectors basically require one because of how they project light. So the marketing claims of “easy TV replacement” are a little misleading. They’re also hugely expensive. So are you paying more for similar or worse performance, and all for the promise of easier installation? Let’s take a closer look.
What’s a UST?
A traditional home projector can create a 100-inch image from a distance of around 10 feet. Depending on the lens, and if there’s any zoom, it can be a few feet farther or closer to the screen. A regular short-throw projector — not an ultrashort one — can create the same size image from around 5 feet. An ultrashort-throw projector can create a 100-inch image from less than a foot from the screen. They do this using a lens with far greater complexity than what you’d find in other projectors.
Most UST projectors use the latest in projector tech, including laser light sources and 4K imaging chips. So UST projectors can have an impressive spec list — most notably in terms of lumens, which are a measurement of brightness. Lumens are one of the most important differences between projectors. UST projectors are often rated for a lot of lumens, and since they’re restricted in their image size due to how their lenses work, the images they create can be very bright.
Brightness isn’t everything
Projecting an image directly on a painted wall like this would ruin the picture.
Let’s first talk about those performance claims. All projector companies fudge their brightness numbers, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. So, a 3,000-lumen projector is almost certainly not 3x brighter than a 1,000-lumen projector. Brighter? Probably, but it’s not as obvious a difference as the numbers would suggest.
Anyway, this is only of secondary importance to what is the main determinator of picture quality: contrast ratio. This ratio is the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of an image. No projector has as good a contrast ratio as OLED or even the better LED LCDs. All UST projectors use the same imaging chips as regular projectors, so in the best case their contrast ratios are going to be the same. The elaborate lenses required for UST projectors to work typically reduce the contrast ratio in the models we’ve seen, so the overall image is going to be worse than far cheaper non-UST projectors. While the laser and LED light sources in many UST projectors can produce deeper, richer colors than what many traditional projectors can produce, lots of projectors are available with LEDs or lasers, negating that advantage.
One of main claimed benefits of UST projectors is an easier install. They’re positioned as something you can just place on a low cabinet and within seconds get an image. Technically this is true, sort of. First, you need a cabinet that’s a very specific height. All UST projectors have a significant upwards throw. The bottom of the image they create is roughly a foot above the top of the projector. If you want to create a 100-inch image, that’s going to be roughly 4 feet tall. Then add in the foot above the projector and the 6 inches (approximately) of the projector itself: The cabinet can only be around 3 feet tall before your image is wrapping onto the ceiling.
For most people, installation of modern projectors isn’t difficult. A shelf or stand behind a couch will suffice. If there’s no space for that, a traditional short throw on a coffee table will also work.
A 2-part system: The screen
All projectors perform better with a dedicated screen. However, UST projectors basically require one. This fact is often ignored or played down in the marketing. This is due to how the light is projected. With a normal projector the light bounces off the screen at an angle where most of it, generally, is aimed back at where you’re sitting. Many screens can “focus” some of that light using special coatings so more of it gets sent to your eyes and not the ceiling (or floor, if you’ve ceiling mounted the projector). With UST projectors, the majority of their light bounces off the screen toward the ceiling. So those impressive lumen claims are even more misleading since a lot is getting thrown away lighting up your ceiling not your eyes.
This is why many UST projector companies make or sell ambient light-rejecting (ALR) and ceiling light rejecting (CLR) screens. These, using various methods, help get more of the light headed toward you instead of the ceiling. They can also minimize the light bouncing from the ceiling which reduces contrast. Additionally, almost as an accidental bonus, they also help reject ambient light in the room. No projector can truly compete with sunlight or even room lights, but ALR and CLR screens can help maintain image quality with some light in the room.
Unfortunately, these screens are more expensive than traditional projection screens. So you need to add their cost into the overall price of a UST projector. They can range from several hundred dollars for a simple, budget fixed-frame screen to several thousand for a larger, motorized one. So not only are UST projectors more expensive than their traditional PJ counterparts, but the screen adds even more to the “real” price.
The potential pros
No projector, including UST projectors, can compete with sunlight.
If we put performance and price aside, there are some admittedly interesting benefits to USTs. First, there are situations where traditional projectors just won’t work. In narrower or smaller rooms, it might be hard to get the projector far enough away to create the desired image size. Short throw projectors might work in these situations, but then you have the projector right in front of you, which might not be ideal. Not everyone has a coffee table, after all. If someone can’t drill holes in their ceiling to mount a projector, a UST might be the only projector option.
Specific lumen claims aside, most UST projectors are very, very bright. Since most are designed for a specific range of screen sizes (100 to 120 inches, most commonly), they might not create an image that’s TV-bright, but certainly brighter than many, though not all, regular projectors. Though keep in mind to get the best performance you’ll need a specific screen, as mentioned above.
A closeup of an Epson UST projector with its built-in speakers.
UST projectors often have better built-in speakers compared to other projectors. A big image deserves big sound, and we typically recommend at least a soundbar to go with a projector, or ideally a full surround sound with a subwoofer. Not everyone has the money or space for such a system, and might just want a single box to do it all. In that case, the larger cabinet size of UST projectors lend themselves to more and larger speakers. Many projector companies have partnered with big-name audio companies to help tune the sound. Real speakers will still be better, but the sound of many USTs we’ve heard is about the same as an average soundbar.
Are USTs worth it?
If you have this much light in your room, a traditional TV will be better.
I’ve been reviewing projectors for a long time. I’ve used one as my main “TV” for over 20 years. They are, and I’m the first to admit, not as easy to live with as a regular TV. Having a 100-inch “screen” is worth the hassle though, I think. I also think that many more people could have a projector than currently do, since they’re not difficult to set up. So I understand the pitch for ultrashort-throw projectors: big screen, minimal hassle.
The issue with UST projectors is two-fold. First is the cost, which is far higher than projectors with similar performance. Which is to say, you can get a similar, or better-looking image for far less money. You’re paying for the novelty and the promise of easier installation.
It’s that promise that’s the second issue. Every piece of marketing for UST projectors makes it seem that you can just plunk it down in front of any wall and get a TV-like picture. While you will get an image, the reality is more complex. You need a screen to get the promised performance, even more so than with a traditional projector, and you need furniture of a specific height or else the image could become lopped off by your ceiling. Even in best case scenario you’re not going to get something that’s as easily viewable in every light condition, like a TV is.
Speaking of that, there are numerous huge TVs on the market now for similar, if not less, money compared to a UST and a screen. A TV will be brighter, have better overall image quality and be easier to view during the day. The biggest issue is that it’s a big, black mirror looming in your room when it’s off. For me, I still prefer projectors, but they’re harder to recommend these days.
Note: This guide was first published in 2023 but is updated regularly with new info and links.
In addition to covering audio and display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000-mile road trips and more.
Also, check out Budget Travel for Dummies, his book, and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines. You can follow him on Instagram and YouTube.