This article is about a new short throw projector from Epson, the QS100. Back in 2022, Epson dropped what quickly became one of our favorite ultra short throw projectors: the LS800. With its powerful 4,000-lumen brightness, you can set it just 20 inches from the wall and pair it with a 120-inch ambient light-rejecting screen for a bright, crisp image, even with some lights on. It comes with a front-facing Yamaha 2.1 speaker system, a Google-powered interface for easy access to streaming apps, Epson’s Pro-UHD enhancement, a true 3LCD chipset, 10-bit color, and an impressively low input lag of under 17 milliseconds for gaming. Simply put, the LS800 delivers one of the best all-in-one UST projector experiences you can get.
Since then, plenty of other brands have tried their hand at ultra short throw projectors, but time and time again, the LS800 has held its own. It just does so many things right, from picture quality to ease of use. But Epson isn’t one to sit back and coast. They’re known for listening to customer feedback and using it to push their next products forward. That’s exactly what they’ve done with their latest release, the QS100 ultra short throw projector. Instead of replacing the LS800, the QS100 is designed to live alongside it in their lineup, offering an upgraded experience in several ways while giving customers a choice depending on their setup and needs.
If you haven’t already checked out our deep dive on the LS800, we highly recommend giving it a read. But for this article, we’re going to focus on what’s new with the QS100, how it compares to the LS800, and whether it’s the right fit for your space.
Before we dive in, let’s address the elephant in the room—TVs just keep getting bigger and cheaper. These days, you can pick up a massive 98-inch TV for way less than what it would’ve cost five years ago. But if you want to go even bigger, say, 120 inches or more, a short throw projector setup is still going to be the more affordable option. Sure, TVs will always have the edge when it comes to contrast, black levels, and peak brightness, especially in well-lit rooms. But if you’re after that truly cinematic experience that a projector provides with a massive 120-inch or larger screen and a traditional front projector isn’t an option for your space, Epson’s ultra short throw projectors are easily one of the best solutions out there.
We actually have a whole article dedicated to the debate between projectors and TVs, breaking down the pros and cons of each. And if you’re still unsure which option is best for your setup, our team of experts is always here to help you figure out the right choice for your space.
