Optoma UHD35STX review
A short throw projector for rooms too small to place a conventional one.
Quick answer
The Optoma UHD35STX is a 4K UHD short throw lamp projector aimed at gaming and general entertainment, with low input lag. Short throw is the defining specification, and it means a few feet between lens and screen, not the inches an ultra short throw projector needs, so measure before you buy.
A 4K UHD short throw projector aimed at gaming and general entertainment in rooms without much depth.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 4K UHD |
| Throw | Short throw |
| Intended use | Gaming and general entertainment |
| Light source | Lamp |
| HDR | HDR support |
The table above lists the UHD35STX's core specifications, and the defining one is short throw geometry, paired with 4K UHD resolution from a lamp light source.
Specifications above come from Optoma's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Short throw geometry gives a large image from several feet rather than the far side of the room, which makes small rooms workable.
- Low input lag, so it doubles as a gaming projector rather than only a film one.
- 4K UHD resolution at a price where many short throw projectors are still 1080p.
- Bright enough for casual viewing with some ambient light.
Where it falls short
- Short throw is not ultra short throw. It still needs several feet between lens and screen, so if your constraint is severe this does not solve it.
- Short throw lenses generally trade some optical quality for their geometry, and edge sharpness is where that usually shows.
- Lamp-based, with the usual dimming and replacement cost.
- Black levels and colour refinement are behind cinema-focused projectors at similar money.
What owners report
Owners describe it as the projector that fitted when nothing else would, which is the clearest signal of what it is for. People in small rooms and apartments report satisfaction with the compromise; people who bought it without measuring report the same disappointment that catches out every short throw buyer. Throw ratio is the projector's distance from the screen divided by the image width, so a short throw ratio produces a large picture from a few feet where a conventional lens would need the far side of the room. Our throw distance calculator turns that ratio into a measurement before the projector arrives.
Gaming performance is praised consistently. Edge sharpness and geometry at the corners are the most common technical criticism, which is characteristic of short throw optics generally rather than unique to this model. The UHD35STX is one of the picks in our best golf simulator projector guide and our best projector under $2,000 roundup, and if you are unsure which geometry your room needs, ultra short throw vs standard throw explains the difference in feet.
Who it suits
- Small rooms and apartments where a conventional projector cannot be placed far enough back.
- Gamers wanting a large image in limited space.
- Buyers who want 4K in a short throw at a sensible price.
Who should skip it
- Rooms so shallow that only ultra short throw works, which means placement inches from the wall.
- Viewers prioritising black level and colour accuracy.
- Bright rooms with no light control.
Alternatives worth considering
Sits inches from the wall rather than several feet, which is a different category of space saving. Much more expensive and requires an ALR screen, but it solves constraints short throw cannot.
Check price on AmazonSimilar money with stronger gaming credentials, if your room can actually accommodate a standard throw distance. Measure before choosing between them, since geometry decides this rather than features.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
What is the difference between short throw and ultra short throw?
Distance. A short throw projector needs a few feet between lens and screen. An ultra short throw sits inches from the wall, directly below the screen. If your problem is a room that is somewhat shallow, short throw is enough and much cheaper. If the projector has nowhere to go at all, only ultra short throw solves it.
Will it fit my room?
Measure the distance from where the projector can sit to where the screen will be, then check that against the throw ratio for your intended screen size. Our room planner will do the arithmetic. This is the mistake that catches most short throw buyers, and it is entirely avoidable.
Is it good for gaming?
Yes, low input lag is one of its selling points, and it doubles as a gaming projector rather than being a film projector that tolerates games. For a small room where a large gaming image seemed impossible, that combination is the appeal.
Why are short throw projectors less sharp at the edges?
Producing a large image from a short distance requires aggressive optics, and the corners are where that shows first. It is a characteristic of the category rather than a fault, and at normal viewing distances most people stop noticing it quickly.
Keep reading
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.