2026 Laser TV / Ultra Short Throw Projector Buyer’s Guide - Under $3,000

The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 is a 4K UST (ultra-short throw) laser projector rated to deliver 3,600 ANSI lumens of brightness and 2,500,000:1 dynamic contrast. While the projector's 3LCD panels have a native resolution of 1920 by 1080, the projector utilizes what Epson calls 4K PRO-UHD so it is capable of producing an image with far better detail than Full HD's 1920 x 1080.

The LS650 is also incredibly bright, providing a manufacturer-rated 3,600 ANSI lumens of brightness. Because Epson uses its proprietary 3-chip 3LCD technology, the LS650 can display an equal number of color and white lumens, something that single-chip DLP projectors cannot. 

The LS650's high brightness and balanced white and color lumens make it ideal for typical living-room, lights-on viewing. The 3LCD design also does not suffer from the rainbow effect still found on most DLP projectors.

The LS650 is an Android TV-powered smart UST projector with a sound system designed in partnership with Yamaha's audio experts. While the LS650 is a few years old, it is still an excellent option for someone looking for an ultra-short-throw projector for under $2,000. While the LS650 is a few years old, it is still an excellent option for someone looking for an Laser TV / ultra-short-throw projector for under $2,000. 

The Hisense PX3-PRO is a premium 4K ultra-short throw projector that delivers impressive brightness, excellent color reproduction, and a comprehensive feature set. Its TriChroma RGB laser light source produces 3,000 ANSI lumens and covers 110% of the BT.2020 color gamut, resulting in vibrant, lifelike images. 

The projector supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, and IMAX Enhanced, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of HDR content. Its Google TV platform provides access to popular streaming services, while the built-in 50-watt Harman Kardon sound system delivers impressive audio without requiring an external sound system. The PX3-PRO also supports 3D playback and offers gaming features, including Xbox certification, high refresh rates, and low input lag.

During our review, the PX3-PRO impressed us with its excellent color accuracy, sharpness, and overall picture quality. While its black levels could be deeper, its strong HDR performance and vibrant colors make movies, sports, and gaming particularly engaging. Combining impressive image quality, flexible installation, and extensive entertainment features, the Hisense PX3-PRO is an excellent choice for enthusiasts seeking a premium, large-screen home entertainment experience. The current selling price of under $2,500 makes the PX3-PRO an excellent value. 

The NexiGo Aurora Pro MKII is a premium 4K ultra-short throw projector that delivers exceptional black levels, impressive color reproduction, and excellent gaming performance. Its ALPD 5.0 hybrid light source combines RGB lasers and LEDs to produce 2,400 ANSI lumens while covering 107% of the BT.2020 color gamut. This technology virtually eliminates laser speckle while delivering vibrant, natural-looking colors.

One of the projector's standout features is its Scene Adapt Engine (SAE), which combines dynamic laser dimming with a dynamic iris to improve contrast and black levels. During our testing, we measured nearly 4,000:1 native contrast and over 31,000:1 dynamic contrast, making it one of the best-performing DLP ultra-short throw projectors we have reviewed.

The Aurora Pro MKII supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, and 3D playback. Improved optics deliver excellent focus uniformity across screens up to 150 inches. Gaming features include HDMI 2.1 connectivity and input lag as low as 4.2 milliseconds, while its built-in 60-watt sound system delivers impressive audio.

Although its smart features are limited, the Aurora Pro MKII's outstanding contrast, excellent HDR performance, and extensive features make it an exceptional choice for home theater enthusiasts seeking a premium cinematic experience.