Choose the projector from the room backwards.
Start with the screen size and where the projector can physically sit. That determines the throw ratio. Then compare brightness, resolution and light source for the room rather than choosing from headline specs alone.
Which projector route fits your room?
Short throw
The normal route for dedicated simulator rooms where the projector can sit several feet from the screen without entering the swing path.
Ultra short throw
Useful when mounting distance is limited and the lens needs to sit closer to the screen.
4K laser
Best when image sharpness, larger screens and long-term light-source life justify the higher spend.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Scroll across to compare all details.
| Model | Throw Type | Resolution | Lumens | Light Source | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ TH671ST | Short-Throw | 1080p | 3000 | Lamp | $949 |
| Optoma GT2000HDR | Short-Throw | 1080p | 3500 | Lamp | $1,199 |
| BenQ LH820ST | Short-Throw | 1080p | 4000 | Laser | $1,899 |
| BenQ AH500ST | Ultra Short-Throw | 1080p | 4000 | Laser | $1,999 |
| Optoma UHZ35ST | Ultra Short-Throw | 4K UHD | 3600 | Laser | $2,199 |
| BenQ AK700ST | Short-Throw | 4K UHD | 4000 | Laser | $2,899 |
| Optoma ZK608TST | Ultra Short-Throw | 4K UHD | 6000 | Laser | $6,859 |
These BenQ and Optoma options cover dedicated home bays, dual-purpose rooms and larger installations. Use the table as a starting point, then confirm the throw range and image fit for your own room.
What to Look For in a Simulator Projector
Throw Ratio
Determines how far back the projector sits. Short-throw for most bays, ultra short-throw for tight rooms.
Brightness
3000+ lumens for a controlled bay. More brightness = better image in ambient light.
Light Source
Laser lasts 20,000–30,000hrs. Lamp needs replacing every 3,000–5,000hrs. Laser wins long-term.
Resolution
1080p is the standard. 4K adds sharpness especially on large screens. Both work well in simulators.
Budget Golf Simulator Projectors
1080p · Short-Throw · Under $1,000
If you're building your first simulator and want to keep costs down without sacrificing image quality, these two projectors are the most sensible starting points. Both are short-throw, both handle 1080p well, and both have the build quality to run daily without issues.
Budget Projector · 1080p Short-Throw
BenQ TH671ST
$949
Best for: Entry-level home simulator builds. Reliable DLP image and short-throw geometry for standard bay depths.
- 1080p Full HD · 3000 Lumen · DLP
- Short-throw, works in most standard bays
- Low input lag, no delay on ball flight
- 3-year warranty
Budget Projector · 1080p Short-Throw
Optoma GT2000HDR
$1,199
Best for: Buyers who want HDR performance on a budget. Solid brightness and Optoma's short-throw optics for a starter bay.
- 1080p Full HD · 3500 Lumen · HDR support
- Short-throw for standard bay depths
- Low input lag · Enhanced Gaming Mode
- 3-year warranty
Mid-Range & Laser Projectors
1080p & 4K · Laser · Short-Throw & UST · $1,899 to $1,999
This is where most serious home installations land. Laser light sources eliminate lamp replacements and deliver consistent brightness for 20,000+ hours. All three projectors here offer short or ultra-short throw geometry suited to a dedicated simulator bay.
Mid-Range · 1080p Laser Short-Throw
BenQ LH820ST
$1,899
Best for: The most recommended projector for home golf simulators. Laser longevity, dedicated Golf Mode colour profile, and short-throw geometry for standard bay depths.
- 1080p Full HD · 4000 Lumen · Laser
- Short-Throw · dedicated Golf Mode
- 20,000hr laser life, no lamp replacements
- Low input lag · 3-year warranty
Mid-Range · 1080p Laser Ultra Short-Throw
BenQ AH500ST
$1,999
Best for: Shallow bays where a standard short-throw won't fit. The 0.5 throw ratio means you can mount very close to the screen.
- 1080p Full HD · 4000 Lumen · Laser
- Ultra Short-Throw (0.5 ratio) · ceiling or floor mount
- 20,000hr laser life · Golf Mode
- 3-year warranty
Mid-Range · 4K Laser Ultra Short-Throw
Optoma UHZ35ST
$2,199
Best for: Buyers who want 4K resolution without full premium pricing. UST laser in a compact form factor, great for tight bays.
- 4K UHD · 3500 Lumen · Laser
- Ultra Short-Throw · HDR10 & HLG
- 30,000hr laser life
- 3-year warranty
Premium 4K Projectors
4K UHD · Laser · 4000–6000 Lumen · $2,899 to $5,829
For installations where compromise isn't on the table, high-end home bays, commercial facilities, or anywhere the image needs to be as sharp as the real thing. Both projectors here combine true 4K resolution with laser light sources and substantial brightness to fill large screens without losing colour accuracy.
Premium · 4K Laser Short-Throw
BenQ AK700ST
$2,899
Best for: The full 4K golf simulator experience with laser reliability. BenQ's flagship short-throw for serious home installations.
- 4K UHD · 4000 Lumen · Laser
- Short-Throw · Golf Mode · HDR10
- 20,000hr laser life, no lamp replacements
- 3-year warranty
Premium · 4K Laser Ultra Short-Throw
Optoma ZK608TST
$6,859
Best for: Commercial bays or high-end home installations where brightness, 4K precision, and ultra-short-throw geometry are all required together.
- 4K UHD · 6000 Lumen · Laser
- Ultra Short-Throw · HDR10 · professional optics
- 30,000hr laser life
- 3-year warranty
Which One Should You Buy?
Starter Build
BenQ TH671ST
$949
Get into a working simulator without overspending. Solid 1080p image, short-throw, dependable build.
Best All-Round
BenQ LH820ST
$1,899
The go-to recommendation. Laser reliability, Golf Mode, and brightness that handles daily use effortlessly.
Tight Bay / UST
BenQ AH500ST
$1,999
When you can't get enough distance between projector and screen, the 0.5 throw ratio solves the problem.
Full 4K Home
BenQ AK700ST
$2,899
When 1080p isn't enough. True 4K laser with Golf Mode, the clearest fairway you'll see indoors.
Commercial / Pro
Optoma ZK608TST
$5,829
6000 lumens, 4K, ultra-short-throw. Built for commercial bays and installations where nothing less will do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What throw ratio do I need for my simulator?
Most home bays use a short-throw projector (throw ratio 0.6–1.0), mounted 6–10 feet from the screen. If your bay is shallower than that, an ultra-short-throw (0.5 ratio or below) lets you mount much closer. Measure the distance from your intended mount point to the screen before choosing.
Should I choose 1080p or 4K for a golf simulator?
Both work well. 1080p at 4000+ lumens looks excellent in a properly light-controlled bay. 4K adds noticeable sharpness on larger screens (10ft+) and on detailed course graphics. If budget allows, 4K is worth it, but 1080p laser is a smarter buy than a cheap 4K lamp projector.
What's the difference between Laser, LED, and Lamp projectors?
Lamp projectors are the oldest technology, cheap upfront but lamps need replacing every 3,000–5,000 hours (roughly $150–$300 each time). Laser projectors last 20,000–30,000 hours with no maintenance and maintain consistent brightness throughout their life. For a simulator you use daily, laser pays for itself quickly.
How far should the projector be from the screen?
For a short-throw projector filling a 10ft screen, you typically need 8–12 feet of throw distance. For ultra-short-throw (0.5 ratio), 4–6 feet is usually enough. Each product page lists the throw distance calculator for the specific model, check those numbers against your bay dimensions before purchasing.
Do I need a special screen for a golf simulator projector?
Yes. Golf simulator impact screens are designed to absorb ball impact while displaying a clear projected image. A standard projection screen will be damaged by ball strikes. We carry enclosures and screens separately, contact us if you need help speccing the full setup together.
Browse the Full Range
Find Your Golf Simulator Projector
Compare the projector specifications with your screen width, intended mount position and room lighting before ordering.
Continue planning your simulator
Use the next guide or go directly to the equipment category that matches the part of the build you are working on.