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 this ranking covers all eight. The question is which one fits your room, your budget, and your priorities.
Not sure which projector is right for your setup? Our Find My Projector tool matches the projectors we carry to your room size, budget, screen, and ambient light.
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 ships free from Top Shelf Golf.
Optoma ZW350ST
- Brightness: 3,600 lumens
- Throw Ratio: 0.521:1
- Resolution: WXGA (1280x800)
- Light Source: Laser — 30,000 hrs
- Dust Protection: IP6X sealed
- Cheapest laser projector available
- Zero maintenance
- Great for ambient light
- WXGA resolution, not Full HD
- Less sharp on large screens
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.
BenQ TH671ST
- Brightness: 3,000 lumens
- Throw Ratio: 0.69-0.83:1
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD
- Light Source: Lamp — 4K–15K hrs
- Contrast: 10,000:1
- Full HD 1080p resolution
- BenQ color accuracy
- Under $1,000
- Lamp needs replacement
- Longer throw distance
- Fewer lumens
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.
Optoma GT2000HDR
- Brightness: 3,500 lumens
- Throw Ratio: 0.496:1
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD
- Light Source: Laser — 30,000 hrs
- Features: HDR10, Game Mode
- 1080p + ultra-short + 3,500 lumens
- HDR10 support
- Our best-seller
- Fixed lens, no zoom
- Less bright than GT2400HDR (4,200 lumens)
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 — 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.
Optoma GT2400HDR
- Brightness: 4,200 lumens
- Throw Ratio: 0.496:1
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD
- Light Source: Laser, 30,000 hrs
- Features: HDR10, HLG, IP6X
- Brightest of the 8 models here (4,200 lumens)
- 1080p laser with a 0.496:1 short throw
- 8.4ms input lag at 1080p 120Hz
- $100 more than the GT2000HDR
The GT2400HDR is the brightest projector on this list at 4,200 lumens (ISO 21118). It uses the same 0.496:1 throw ratio as the GT2000HDR, with 1080p resolution, a DuraCore laser rated for 30,000 hours, IP6X dust protection, and HDR10 and HLG support.
For $100 more than the GT2000HDR, you get 700 more lumens and 8.4ms input lag at 1080p 120Hz. The warranty covers 1 year of parts and labor plus 5 years or 12,000 hours on the light source. Choose it if your room can't be kept fully dark.
Optoma ZH350ST
- Brightness: 3,500 lumens
- Throw Ratio: 0.496:1
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD
- Light Source: Laser — 30,000 hrs
- Warranty: 1-year + 5-year/12,000-hour laser
- Full HD + laser — best of both
- 30,000-hr maintenance-free
- IP6X dust sealed
- $580 more than ZW350ST
- $290 more than GT2000HDR
Very similar platform to the GT2000HDR with the same 0.496:1 throw ratio and the same warranty terms (1-year parts and labor, 5-year or 12,000-hour laser). Both are HDR10 and HLG compatible.
BenQ AH30ST
- Brightness: 3,000 lumens
- Throw Ratio: 0.69-0.83:1
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD
- Light Source: LED — 20,000 hrs
- Features: Golf Mode, Rec.709
- 1080p + short throw + LED
- BenQ Golf Mode calibration
- Quiet operation
- Only 3,000 lumens
- Dark room required
- Premium over GT2000HDR
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.
BenQ LU710
- Brightness: 4,000 lumens
- Throw Ratio: 1.13-1.46:1
- Resolution: WUXGA (1920x1200)
- Light Source: Laser — 20,000 hrs
- Features: 3D picture mode, 1.3x zoom
- 4,000 lumens of laser brightness
- Higher-than-1080p resolution
- Great for commercial
- Standard throw — needs 9+ feet
- Won't fit most home sim rooms
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 taller than 1080p), IP5X dust protection, and 3,000,000:1 contrast. At $1,699, it's the only standard-throw laser projector in our lineup.
BenQ AH500ST
- Brightness: 4,000 lumens
- Throw Ratio: 0.499:1
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD
- Light Source: Laser — 20,000 hrs
- Features: Golf Mode, IP5X
- 4,000 lumens of laser brightness
- Ultra-short throw fits tight rooms
- Golf Mode + IP5X sealed engine
- At the $2K ceiling
- Fixed lens, no zoom
The AH500ST is the best projector you can get without crossing $2,000. Ultra-short throw (0.499:1), 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.
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 |
| GT2000HDR | $1,199 | 1080p | 3,500 | Laser | 0.496:1 |
| GT2400HDR | $1,299 | 1080p | 4,200 | 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 | 0.499:1 |
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.
Related Guides
- Laser vs Lamp vs LED: Which Light Source Is Best?
- Short Throw vs Ultra-Short Throw: Projector Placement Guide
- Projector Setup Guide: Distance, Mounting & Image Size
- BenQ vs Optoma: Which Brand Fits Your Simulator?
- Browse All Golf Simulator Projectors
- Best Golf Simulator Projectors 2026: BenQ and Optoma Compared
