More and more people choose a portable projector in their daily life. On the one hand, it is lightweight, allowing you to move it anywhere and use it everywhere. On the other hand, it often offers better value for money than watching TV. Therefore, choosing a mini portable projector that suits your needs has become increasingly important, as it can be used in any place you prefer.

When choosing a projector, there are several parameters you may pay attention to, such as resolution, brightness, sound performance, and support for multiple connection methods. However, most people tend to ignore a key factor — Throw Ratio. It directly determines how large the image can be and the maximum usable projection distance. This applies to portable projectors as well.

What Is Throw Ratio?

Throw Ratio refers to the horizontal distance from the projector lens to the screen or wall (or the shortest optical distance from the lens to the projection surface, typically measured from the lens center).
Simply put, the throw ratio determines how wide the projected image will be based on the distance from the projector.

Classification of Throw Ratios for Portable Projectors

Normally, throw ratios are divided into four types: Standard Throw, Short Throw, UST (Ultra Short Throw), and Long Throw.

For portable projectors, which projection ratios do we commonly see?
Actually, only two types are widely used: Standard Throw and Short Throw.

1. Standard Throw (Regular Projection Distance)

Standard throw projectors typically feature a throw ratio of 1.0–2.0:1.
This specification is commonly found in most home projectors and portable projectors.

Example:
From a distance of 2 meters, they can project an 80–120-inch image.

Standard throw models require a moderate projection distance (generally 2–3 meters), offering a stable optical system and cost-effective performance. This is why they remain the mainstream choice for many portable projectors.

Recommended projector:
Magcubic HY350 Home Cinema Projector
This portable projector performs well both indoors and outdoors. Its throw ratio is 1.37:1, which falls within the standard focal length range. With a projection distance of 1.2–4 meters and a screen size of 40–150 inches, it is perfectly suitable for home entertainment and everyday use.

2. Short Throw Projection

Short throw projectors typically feature a throw ratio of 0.4–0.9:1, enabling users to create a large image from a much shorter distance than standard throw models.

Example:
From just 1 meter, a short throw projector can produce an 80–100-inch display.

This type is ideal for small spaces such as compact bedrooms, rental apartments, classrooms, and small meeting rooms where installation distance is limited.

Recommended model:
Magcubic HY450 Short Throw Portable Projector
The HY450 is a portable projector designed for limited-space environments. With 700 ANSI lumens, it delivers reliable brightness for both indoor and outdoor use. Its 0.6:1 short throw ratio allows it to project a large image from only 55 cm, making it perfect for small rooms. It supports a 40–200-inch projection size, offering flexible usage scenarios.

Conclusion

Throw Ratio is an important parameter for any projector — whether it is a portable mini projector or a larger home theater model. When choosing a projector, you should always pay attention to the throw ratio. If you have high requirements for portable projectors, why not check out this article and the recommended products? It might give you a fresh perspective and help you choose the right device.