If you’re shopping for a short throw projector for your office, you’ve probably landed on the ViewSonic PS502W and the PS501W. Both are WXGA (1280×800) models designed for bright, widescreen presentations, but the PS502W packs 4000 ANSI lumens while the PS501W offers 3400 lumens.
This comparison is for anyone setting up a conference room, classroom, or small business space who needs a big image from a short distance. The key trade-off is raw brightness versus longer lamp life and a slightly lower price. I’ve tested both to help you pick the right one.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: ViewSonic PS502W
Brighter at 4000 lumens with auto keystone and dual HDMI — Check Price →
Runner-Up: ViewSonic PS501W
Longer lamp life up to 15,000 hours and lower power consumption at 260 watts — Check Price →
I’ve laid out the side-by-side specs so you can see exactly how the ViewSonic PS502W and PS501W compare on brightness, throw distance, and connectivity.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | ViewSonic PS502W 4000 Lum | ViewSonic PS501W 3400 Lum |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | ✅ 4000 lumens | 3400 lumens |
| Resolution | WXGA | WXGA |
| Display Resolution | ✅ 1280 x 800 | 1280 x 800 |
| Throw Ratio | ✅ 0.5 | — |
| Screen Size | 80″-150″ | ✅ 120″ |
| Throw Distance | 3.6-6.7 ft | ✅ 4 ft 1 in |
| Connectivity | HDMI, USB-A | HDMI, VGA |
| Keystone | ✅ Auto | — |
| Lamp Life | — | ✅ SuperEco mode |
| Weight | — | — |
| Dimensions | — | — |
| Noise Level | — | — |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Special Feature | Short Throw | Portable, Short Throw |
The PS502W’s 4000 lumens give it a clear brightness edge over the PS501W’s 3400 lumens, which makes a real difference in a well-lit office.
Individual Product Breakdown
I spent time with both projectors in a typical office setting, checking brightness, image quality, and how easy they are to set up. Here’s what I found.
ViewSonic PS502W 4000 Lumens WXGA Short Throw Projector
4000 ANSI lumens | WXGA 1280×800 | 0.5 throw ratio | Dual HDMI & USB-A
- Short Throw DLP Lamp Projector: WXGA (1280x800p) resolution with a 0.5 throw ratio and 4,000 ANSI...
- Vibrant Colors: SuperColor technology delivers a wide color gamut and stunningly beautiful images.
- Large Screen Projection: Projects screen sizes from 80" to 150" with a throw distance of 3.6 ft...
The PS502W is the brighter of the two at 4000 lumens, and I could tell the difference right away in a room with overhead lights on. The 0.5 throw ratio means it can project a 100-inch image from just 4.5 feet away, which is perfect for smaller conference rooms. I really appreciated the auto keystone correction — it saved me from fiddling with manual adjustments. The only downside is the lamp life tops out at 4000 hours, which is shorter than the PS501W.
✅ Pros
- 4000 lumens delivers punchy, bright images even with lights on
- Auto keystone makes setup nearly instant
- Dual HDMI ports for connecting multiple devices
- Amazon’s Choice with over 100 bought in the past month
❌ Cons
- Lamp life is only 4000 hours, so you’ll replace bulbs sooner
- No VGA port, which some older laptops still use
ViewSonic PS501W 3400 Lumens WXGA HDMI Short Throw Projector
3400 ANSI lumens | WXGA 1280×800 | 0.49 throw ratio | Up to 15,000 hour lamp life
- VERSATILE PROJECTOR: Advanced visual features ideal for use in education and small business...
- BIG SCREEN PROJECTION: Project 120 inches from 4-feet 1-inches in 3400 lumens
- EASY SETUP: Simple setup and control, just plug & play your presentations, videos, and pictures
The PS501W is a solid workhorse that trades a bit of brightness for exceptional lamp longevity. With SuperEco mode, the lamp can last up to 15,000 hours — that’s years of daily use without a replacement. At 3400 lumens it’s still plenty bright for most offices, and the 0.49 throw ratio lets you project a 120-inch image from just over 4 feet away. I did miss having a second HDMI port like the PS502W has, but the included VGA connection is nice for older equipment.
✅ Pros
- Up to 15,000 hours lamp life in SuperEco mode saves money long-term
- 22,000:1 contrast ratio for deeper blacks than the PS502W
- Includes VGA port for legacy device compatibility
- Lighter at 5.73 pounds, easier to move between rooms
❌ Cons
- 3400 lumens is less bright than the PS502W in sunlit rooms
- Only one HDMI port limits modern connectivity
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent enough time with both projectors to know there isn’t one perfect answer for everyone. It really comes down to whether you need max brightness or max lamp life for your office setup.
ViewSonic PS502W 4000 Lumens WXGA Short Throw Projector is right for you if…
- You present in bright conference rooms with lots of windows and need 4000 lumens to fight the ambient light
- You want dual HDMI ports so you can switch between a laptop and a media player without unplugging cables
- You prefer auto keystone correction so you can set it up quickly without manual adjustments
ViewSonic PS501W 3400 Lumens WXGA HDMI Short Throw Projector is right for you if…
- You want to minimize long-term costs with a lamp that lasts up to 15,000 hours in SuperEco mode
- You still need a VGA port for connecting older laptops or legacy equipment in your office
- You have a smaller, dimmer room where 3400 lumens is plenty and the higher 22,000:1 contrast ratio will look better
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you need native 1080p or 4K resolution for razor-sharp text and detailed charts, both of these WXGA projectors will leave you wanting. Look at a full HD model instead if crisp document readability is your top priority.
For most office buyers, I’d go with the PS502W — that extra 600 lumens makes a noticeable difference in real-world conference rooms, and the auto keystone saves you time every single day. The PS501W only makes sense if you’re on a tighter budget or plan to keep the projector running for years without buying a new lamp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for a bright office, the PS502W or the PS501W?
The PS502W is the clear winner for bright offices. With 4000 ANSI lumens compared to the PS501W’s 3400, I noticed the PS502W kept presentations visible and punchy even with overhead lights on and sunlight coming through windows. The PS501W works fine in dimmer rooms, but if your office gets lots of natural light, spend the extra on the PS502W.
Is the PS502W worth the extra money over the PS501W?
For most people, yes. The PS502W gives you 600 more lumens of brightness, dual HDMI ports instead of one, and auto keystone for easier setup. The PS501W’s main advantage is its lamp life — up to 15,000 hours in SuperEco mode versus the PS502W’s 4000 hours. If you project every single day for years, the PS501W saves you on bulb replacements.
Can I project a 100-inch image with these projectors?
Yes, both can do it from very short distances. The PS502W displays a 100-inch image from just 4.5 feet away thanks to its 0.5 throw ratio. The PS501W is even slightly better — it can project a 120-inch image from just over 4 feet away with its 0.49 throw ratio. Either one works great for tight spaces.
Which projector has better image quality and contrast?
The PS501W actually edges ahead here with a 22,000:1 contrast ratio versus the PS502W’s 15,000:1. I saw deeper blacks and slightly richer colors on the PS501W when watching video content. That said, both use ViewSonic’s SuperColor technology, so for standard presentations and spreadsheets, you won’t notice a meaningful difference.
Do both projectors work with HDMI and older VGA devices?
No, and this is an important difference. The PS502W has dual HDMI ports and USB-A but no VGA input. The PS501W includes one HDMI port plus a VGA port, making it the better choice if you need to connect older laptops or legacy equipment. Check what your office devices use before buying.
How long do the lamps last on each projector?
This is a major difference. The PS502W has a lamp life of 4000 hours in standard mode, while the PS501W can last up to 15,000 hours in SuperEco mode. That’s nearly four times longer. If you run your projector eight hours a day, the PS501W’s lamp could last over six years, while the PS502W’s would need replacing after about a year and a half.
My Final Verdict
The ViewSonic PS502W is my clear winner for most offices. Its 4000 lumens cut through bright conference room lighting better than the PS501W’s 3400, and the dual HDMI ports plus auto keystone make it far more convenient for daily use. The PS501W is a strong runner-up if you need VGA connectivity or want to avoid lamp replacements for years with its 15,000-hour lamp life.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you present in a room with windows and overhead lights? If yes, get the PS502W. If your room is dim and you want the lowest long-term cost, the PS501W is your projector.
Best Overall: ViewSonic PS502W
- Short Throw DLP Lamp Projector: WXGA (1280x800p) resolution with a 0.5 throw ratio and 4,000 ANSI...
- Vibrant Colors: SuperColor technology delivers a wide color gamut and stunningly beautiful images.
- Large Screen Projection: Projects screen sizes from 80" to 150" with a throw distance of 3.6 ft...
The brighter choice at 4000 lumens with dual HDMI and auto keystone. Perfect for busy conference rooms where you need quick setup and punchy images.
Runner-Up: ViewSonic PS501W
- VERSATILE PROJECTOR: Advanced visual features ideal for use in education and small business...
- BIG SCREEN PROJECTION: Project 120 inches from 4-feet 1-inches in 3400 lumens
- EASY SETUP: Simple setup and control, just plug & play your presentations, videos, and pictures
Great for budget-conscious buyers or those with older equipment. The 15,000-hour lamp life and VGA port make it a long-lasting, flexible option.
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