How we score UST projectors

We review ultra short throw projectors from the brands' published product, specification, warranty and returns pages and their US prices, read on the date shown on each page (last on November 13, 2026). We don't run a test bench: we read, compare and score what each maker states. Every projector gets one score out of 10, and that score is the same on every page of the site.

What are the 7 criteria?

How is each criterion scored?

Each criterion is turned into a score out of 10. Where a scale is given as anchor points, we interpolate in a straight line between them and cap at both ends.

• Price: the dated US price on the brand's own store, compared with the median of our list ($2,499.99). Ratio to the median: 0.5× → 10, 0.7× → 9, 1× → 7.5, 1.5× → 5.5, 2× → 4, 3× → 2.
• Brightness: the lumens the brand claims (ISO or ANSI, as stated on its page): 1,800 lm → 4, 2,200 lm → 5.5, 2,600 lm → 6.5, 3,000 lm → 7.5, 3,600 lm → 8.5, 5,000 lm → 9.5, 6,000 lm → 10.
• Picture: color gamut (4 points for 100% of BT.2020 or more, 2.5 for a DCI-P3 claim, 1 for Rec.709), native contrast (3 points from 6,000:1, 2.5 from 4,000:1, 2 from 3,000:1, 1.5 below; dynamic contrast figures don't count), HDR formats (Dolby Vision 1.5, HDR10+ 1, IMAX Enhanced 0.5).
• Gaming: the lowest input lag the brand states, in milliseconds, out of 5 (2 ms → 5, 8 ms → 4, 12 ms → 3.5, 15 ms → 3, 20 ms → 2.5), plus ALLM (2), a 120 Hz or faster mode (1.5) and VRR (1.5). We note in each review which resolution the lag figure applies to.
• Placement: throw ratio out of 6 (0.16:1 → 6, 0.18:1 → 5.5, 0.2:1 → 5, 0.22:1 → 4.5, 0.25:1 → 3.5; a lower ratio sits closer to the wall), largest picture supported (2 points for 200 inches, 1.5 for 150, 1 for 130, 0.5 below), motorized focus (1), automatic screen alignment or optical lens shift (1).
• Smart TV and sound: Google TV or Tizen on board (3 points, 4 when the page names Netflix; 1.5 for another system), speaker power (3 points from 100 W, 2.5 from 50 W, 2 from 36 W, 1.5 from 30 W, 1 below), Dolby Atmos (1), eARC (1), Wi-Fi 6 or newer (1).
• Warranty and returns: warranty in years (1 → 5, 2 → 8, 3 → 9.5) for 60%, return window in days (0 → 1, 14 → 5, 30 → 8, 60 → 10) for 40%.

Lumens, contrast, input lag and laser life are the makers' own figures. We don't judge whether a claim is generous; we score what is published and say in each review where a figure comes with fine print.

What happens when a figure isn't published?

A criterion the brand doesn't publish scores 2/10. We can't credit what isn't stated, and a projector should not win on silence. A projector with no published price, or fewer than 4 published criteria, gets no score at all.

How does the raw score become the score you see?

The raw score is the weighted average of the 7 criteria. Every projector we list is a current product from a brand with a US store, so we show it on an editorial scale: displayed score = 7.5 + 0.66 × (raw score − 4.75), kept between 7.5 and 9.6. The order of the raw scores never changes. Labels: Excellent from 9.0, Very good from 8.5, Good from 8.0, Fair below 8.0.

Why do two projectors never share a score?

Scores are shown with one decimal, so two projectors can round to the same number. When that happens, the order comes from the formula first and then from a published tie-break:

1. the higher raw score (before rounding);
2. then the lower price per 1,000 lumens claimed;
3. then the longer warranty;
4. then alphabetical order.

The projector placed second then shows 0.1 less than the one above it, and so on down the list, so every displayed score is different and the order is still the formula's. Scores stay between 7.5 and 9.6. Right now this applies to the AWOL Vision Aetherion Pro (formula 9.3, shown 9.2), the Hisense PX3-PRO (formula 9.2, shown 9.1), the JMGO O2S Ultra (formula 8.8, shown 8.7), the Formovie Theater Premium (formula 8.8, shown 8.6), the NexiGo Aurora Pro MKII (formula 8.7, shown 8.5), the XGIMI AURA 2 (formula 8.7, shown 8.4).

How are the rankings by need built?

Each ranking puts the same criteria in a different order of importance, and some only admit projectors that meet a condition (a published input lag, 3,000 lumens or more, a price at or under $2,000, a screen bundle sold by the brand). The weights change the order of the list, never the score: each projector keeps its one overall score everywhere.

Where does the data come from?

• Specs and prices come from the brand's official US product page and its specification, warranty and returns pages. Every review links its sources.
• Prices are the price you could pay on the date shown, in US dollars. When a brand shows a discount, we use the discounted price and say so, with the regular price next to it.
• Stock is read on the same pages. A projector sold out at the linked seller is flagged with the date, and the ranking keeps the formula's order.
• We don't use user ratings or star averages from stores.

What are the current scores?

Questions about the method? Write to [email protected].