You don't need to spend $3,000+ to get a great golf simulator projector. Eight models from BenQ and Optoma sit under $2,000 — and every one of them will give you a sharp, shadow-free image for indoor golf. The question is which one fits your room, your budget, and your priorities.
Looking for even more affordable options? Check out our Best Golf Simulator Projectors Under $1,000 for top picks that won't break the bank.
Here's the honest breakdown from a team that has sold thousands of these projectors and helped customers match them to their spaces.
The 8 Best Golf Simulator Projectors Under $2,000
Sorted by price. Every model is in stock and ships free from Top Shelf Golf.
1. Optoma ZW350ST — $909 (Best Budget Entry)
The ZW350ST is the most affordable laser short-throw projector we carry. At $909, you get DuraCore laser (30,000 hours, no bulb replacements), 3,600 lumens, IP6X dust protection, and a 0.521:1 throw ratio that fills 100 inches from about 4 feet.
Setting up in a garage or space with ambient light? Our Best Projectors for Garage Sims: Ambient Light Guide covers what you need to know about brightness and contrast in those environments.
The tradeoff: WXGA resolution (1280x800). It's noticeably less sharp than 1080p, especially on screens over 120 inches. But for budget-conscious builders who want laser reliability, it's hard to beat at this price.
Best for: First-time builders on a tight budget who value laser longevity over resolution.
2. BenQ TH671ST — $949 (Best Lamp Value)
The TH671ST has been the default budget golf sim projector for years — and for good reason. Full 1080p resolution, 3,000 lumens, and a 0.69-0.83:1 throw ratio with 1.2x zoom. At $949, it's the cheapest way to get a sharp Full HD image.
The tradeoff: it's a lamp projector. The bulb is rated for 4,000-15,000 hours depending on mode, and replacements run $100-150. If you play 2-3 hours daily, you'll replace the bulb every 3-5 years. Not a dealbreaker, but it's worth knowing.
Best for: Golfers who want 1080p clarity at the lowest possible price and don't mind lamp replacements.
3. BenQ AW30ST — $1,199 (Best Ultra-Short Throw for Tight Rooms)
The AW30ST is an LED ultra-short-throw at 0.49:1 — it fills a 100-inch screen from under 3.5 feet. If your room depth is severely limited, this is the cheapest way to get a big image from inches away. LED light source means 20,000-30,000 hours with no maintenance.
The tradeoff: WXGA resolution and 2,800 lumens. Lower brightness and resolution than the GT2000HDR at the same price. Choose this only if ultra-short throw is your top priority.
Best for: Very tight rooms where projector distance is the #1 constraint.
4. Optoma GT2000HDR — $1,199 (Best Overall Value)
This is the projector we recommend most often for home simulators. 1080p, laser, HDR10, 3,500 lumens, 0.496:1 ultra-short throw, IP6X dust protection, Golf Sim Mode — all for $1,199. It checks every box that matters for indoor golf.
The 0.496:1 throw ratio means a 100-inch image from under 4 feet. The laser source runs 30,000 hours maintenance-free. HDR10 and HLG add depth to course visuals that non-HDR projectors can't match.
Best for: Most home simulator builders. If you're not sure which projector to get, start here.
5. Optoma ZH350ST — $1,489 (1080p Laser with 3-Year Warranty)
Very similar platform to the GT2000HDR but with a 3-year warranty (vs 1-year on the GT2000HDR) and a slightly different throw ratio (0.496:1). If warranty coverage matters — especially for a commercial or teaching studio — the extra $290 buys significant peace of mind.
Best for: Commercial installations or buyers who want the longest warranty at this price range.
6. BenQ AH30ST — $1,499 (Best LED with Golf Mode)
The AH30ST brings BenQ's dedicated Golf Mode color profile to a 1080p LED platform. 3,000 lumens, 0.69-0.83:1 throw with 1.2x zoom, and a 4LED light source rated for 20,000-30,000 hours. Golf Mode calibrates greens, fairways, and sky tones specifically for simulator graphics.
It's $300 more than the GT2000HDR but adds Golf Mode, BenQ's color science, and zoom flexibility. The throw ratio is longer (not ultra-short), so you need more room depth.
Best for: BenQ loyalists who want Golf Mode and don't need ultra-short throw.
7. BenQ LU710 — $1,699 (Best Standard Throw Laser)
The LU710 is the only standard-throw laser on this list. At 1.13-1.46:1 with 1.3x zoom, it sits 11-15 feet from a 10-foot-wide screen. That means it mounts on the ceiling or a shelf behind the golfer — completely out of the swing zone.
4,000 lumens of laser brightness, WUXGA resolution (1920x1200 — slightly wider than 1080p), IP5X dust protection, and 3,000,000:1 contrast. At $1,699, it's the most affordable laser projector in our entire lineup.
Best for: Large rooms (15+ feet deep) where standard throw is an advantage, not a limitation.
8. BenQ AH500ST — $1,999 (Best Premium Under $2K)
The AH500ST is the best projector you can get without crossing $2,000. Ultra-short throw (0.50:1), 4,000 lumens laser, 1080p, Golf Mode, Screen Fill technology, and a 20,000-hour laser life. It's essentially the GT2000HDR's big brother with more brightness and BenQ's premium feature set.
If your budget stretches to $2,000 and you want the best image quality possible at 1080p, this is it.
Best for: Premium home builds where $2,000 is the ceiling and you want the absolute best 1080p experience.
Quick Comparison: All 8 Models Side by Side
| Model | Price | Resolution | Lumens | Light | Throw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZW350ST | $909 | WXGA | 3,600 | Laser | 0.521:1 |
| TH671ST | $949 | 1080p | 3,000 | Lamp | 0.69-0.83:1 |
| AW30ST | $1,199 | WXGA | 2,800 | LED | 0.49:1 |
| GT2000HDR | $1,199 | 1080p | 3,500 | Laser | 0.496:1 |
| ZH350ST | $1,489 | 1080p | 3,500 | Laser | 0.496:1 |
| AH30ST | $1,499 | 1080p | 3,000 | LED | 0.69-0.83:1 |
| LU710 | $1,699 | WUXGA | 4,000 | Laser | 1.13-1.46:1 |
| AH500ST | $1,999 | 1080p | 4,000 | Laser | 0.50:1 |
Our Recommendation
For most home simulator builders, the Optoma GT2000HDR at $1,199 is the sweet spot. It gives you 1080p laser, HDR, ultra-short throw, and dust protection — everything you actually need — without paying for features that won't materially improve your golf experience.
If your budget stretches to $2,000 and you want the best image quality possible, the BenQ AH500ST adds 500 more lumens, Golf Mode, and BenQ's premium color science.
If you are on the tightest budget possible, the Optoma ZW350ST at $909 gets you into laser short-throw territory for under $1,000.
Ready to Upgrade to 4K?
If your budget allows, 4K projectors start at $2,199. Read our 4K vs 1080p comparison to decide if the upgrade is worth it for your screen size.
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- Short Throw vs Ultra-Short Throw: Projector Placement Guide
- Projector Setup Guide: Distance, Mounting & Image Size
- BenQ vs Optoma: Which Brand Fits Your Simulator?
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- Best Golf Simulator Projectors 2026: All 25 Models Compared
