ProjectorReviews.com and ProjectorScreen.com worked together to host the 2024 Ultra-Short Throw Projector Showdown, which brought together some of the best UST projectors in the market for a head-to-head comparison under controlled conditions.

Since Philip Jones was hosting the event, he opted not to participate in the judging. However, he wanted to share my impression of the event, so this article provides an in-depth look at the event setup, judging criteria, performance evaluations, and his impressions of the standout projectors.

Kam Valentine from Projector Reviews was invited to serve as a judge for the "2024 UST Projector Showdown" at the ProjectorScreen.com Headquarters in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. 

The event was produced by Brian Gluck ProjectorReviews.com and run by Projector Reviews Technical Editor and Lead Reviewer Phil Jones. It offered a unique opportunity to evaluate several popular UST projectors side by side in a controlled environment.

The Hisense PX3-PRO stood out as the most versatile and balanced option, consistently performing well across all scenarios. The Formovie Theater Premium offered vibrant visuals that appealed to many judges.while the Nexigo Aurora Pro excelled in shadow detail. 

Meanwhile, the Formovie Cinema Edge and Hisense PL1 showcased solid performances for their price points but were overshadowed by models with RGB laser light sources and advanced features. The XGIMI Aura 2 catered to color enthusiasts.

The Samsung Premiere 9 hinted at untapped potential with more refined tuning and the Epson LS800, when configured in Dynamic Mode, shone in bright environments. The results underscored the importance of aligning projector selection with personal viewing needs and preferences.

Each projector in the 2024 UST Showdown offered unique advantages, showcasing the diversity of features available in the UST market. The Hisense PX3-PRO stood out as the most well-rounded option, excelling in both SDR and HDR scenarios and meeting the needs of various viewing environments. Its consistent performance across categories solidified its position as the top choice for many judges.

The 2024 UST Showdown provided valuable insights into each projector’s capabilities, emphasizing the importance of selecting a model that aligns with individual viewing preferences and use cases. Whether prioritizing brightness, color accuracy, or adaptability, there is a UST projector to suit every home entertainment enthusiast.

While we awarded an overall judge’s pick and we're sharing their favorite models, this does not mean that these are the best models for everyone's applications. What features and image characteristics matter most will vary based on personal tastes. This is why several judge's favorite projectors scored lower than other models on their scorecards.