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.
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: 0.69–0.87:1
- 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.
BenQ AW30ST
- Brightness: 2,500 lumens
- Throw Ratio: 0.49:1
- Resolution: WXGA (1280x800)
- Light Source: LED — 20,000 hrs
- Features: Golf Mode, Rec.709
- True ultra-short throw (0.49:1)
- LED — no bulb replacement
- BenQ Golf Mode
- WXGA resolution
- Only 2,500 lumens
- Needs very dark room
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.
Optoma GT2000HDR
- Brightness: 3,500 lumens
- Throw Ratio: 0.496:1
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD
- Light Source: Lamp — 15K hrs (Eco)
- Features: HDR10, Game Mode
- 1080p + ultra-short + 3,500 lumens
- HDR10 support
- Our best-seller
- Lamp-based (eventual replacement)
- No laser longevity
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.
Optoma ZH350ST
- Brightness: 3,500 lumens
- Throw Ratio: 0.496:1
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD
- Light Source: Laser — 30,000 hrs
- Warranty: 3-Year Optoma
- Full HD + laser — best of both
- 30,000-hr maintenance-free
- IP6X dust sealed
- $580 more than ZW350ST
- No HDR support
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.
BenQ AH30ST
- Brightness: 2,500 lumens
- Throw Ratio: 0.49:1
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD
- Light Source: LED — 20,000 hrs
- Features: Golf Mode, Rec.709
- 1080p + ultra-short + LED
- BenQ Golf Mode calibration
- Quiet operation
- Only 2,500 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: 1.36–1.64:1
- Resolution: WUXGA (1920x1200)
- Light Source: Laser — 20,000 hrs
- Features: 3D, HDR10
- Brightest under $2K (4,000 lumens)
- Higher-than-1080p resolution
- Great for commercial
- Standard throw — needs 12+ feet
- Won't fit most home sim rooms
The LU710 is the only standard-throw laser on this list. At 1.36-2.18:1 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.
BenQ AH500ST
- Brightness: 3,200 lumens
- Throw Ratio: 0.65:1
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD
- Light Source: LED — 20,000 hrs
- Features: Golf Mode, HDBaseT
- 3,200 lumens — brightest LED
- Short throw fits most rooms
- Golf Mode + HDBaseT
- At the $2K ceiling
- Short throw, not ultra-short
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.
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 | 3,200 | LED | 0.72-0.87:1 |
| 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 | 1.36-2.18:1 |
| 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.
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?
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- Best Golf Simulator Projectors 2026: All 25 Models Compared
