10 Best Optoma Short Throw Projectors 2025 in the United States

The Optoma ZH340ST is designed for professionals seeking a compact and efficient short throw projector, making it a great choice for small classrooms or office spaces. With a brightness of 3,200 lumens, it offers clear visuals even in well-lit environments, which is a significant advantage for presentations during the day. The short throw ratio allows for a large 120-inch image to be projected from just over 4 feet away, eliminating the need for large rooms and making installation simpler.

This projector utilizes DuraCore laser technology, providing a long lamp life of up to 30,000 hours, which means less maintenance and no need for frequent lamp replacements. The IPX6 dust resistance rating also enhances its durability, making it suitable for various environments.

Connectivity is robust with dual HDMI ports and a USB connector, allowing easy switching between devices like laptops and streaming services. The compact size, measuring just 8.5 x 10.8 inches, and low power consumption (just 45% of typical lamp-based projectors) make it environmentally friendly while saving space.

The ZH340ST may not be the best fit for users needing vivid color saturation for more cinematic experiences, as its design focuses on practicality and efficiency rather than extensive color range. It may rank lower in the best sellers category, which might indicate stiff competition or varying user preferences in this market segment.

The Optoma ZH340ST is an excellent choice for educational and business applications, thanks to its brightness, space-saving design, and low maintenance. Users seeking superior color performance or a projector for home theater use may want to explore other options.

The Optoma EH319UST is a solid choice for those in need of an ultra-short throw projector, particularly in settings where space is limited. With a bright output of 3500 lumens, it delivers vibrant images even in moderately lit rooms. The impressive 18000:1 contrast ratio ensures that visuals remain sharp and details are well-defined, making it suitable for presentations, educational use, or home cinema. One of its standout features is the ability to project a large 100-inch image from just under 2 feet away, enhancing flexibility in tight spaces.

Connectivity is robust, with USB and HDMI ports, allowing for easy connections to various devices. This is complemented by a 16-watt speaker which, while not studio-quality, is adequate for general presentations and small gatherings. The 6500-hour lamp life also ensures that maintenance is manageable, translating to lower long-term costs.

There are a few considerations to keep in mind. The weight of 10.53 pounds may make it less portable for users who need to frequently move the projector. Additionally, the projector may lack advanced keystone correction and lens shift features, which can limit installation options in certain scenarios.

The Optoma EH412ST is a short throw projector that excels in small spaces, projecting a large 120-inch image from just 4.5 feet away due to its 0.5:1 throw ratio. With a brightness of 4,000 lumens, it ensures clear visibility even in well-lit environments, making it suitable for business presentations, classrooms, and meeting rooms. The 1080P resolution combined with 4K HDR input capability delivers sharp, vibrant images with high contrast (50,000:1), enhancing the visual experience significantly.

The projector also boasts an impressive lamp life of up to 15,000 hours, translating to roughly eight years of usage with five hours of daily viewing, thereby reducing ownership costs over time. For added convenience, it includes a 10-watt built-in speaker, which is adequate for small to medium-sized rooms, eliminating the need for external audio equipment. Connectivity options are extensive with 2 HDMI ports, VGA in and out, audio in and out, RS232, and USB-A, accommodating a variety of devices and setups.

Additionally, its portable design, weighing under 8 pounds, makes it easy to move between rooms. However, it should be noted that while it supports 3D content, 3D glasses need to be purchased separately. Another consideration is that while the built-in speaker is convenient, it may not suffice for larger rooms or audiences expecting higher sound quality. The Optoma EH412ST is a versatile and powerful projector ideal for professional and educational settings, where short throw capabilities and high brightness are essential.