Looking to create a stunning home theater without dedicating half your room to a long projector throw? Let's compare two of the most compelling Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors available today: the BenQ V5000i ($3,499) and the NexiGo Aurora Pro ($2,449). Both released in the last year, these projectors represent the latest in home theater technology.
Before diving into the comparison, let's understand what makes UST projectors special. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors use advanced optics to create large images from just inches away. This design breakthrough means you can place them in a TV console rather than mounting them on the ceiling or sacrificing valuable room space.
The technology has evolved significantly in recent years. The introduction of laser light sources, replacing traditional lamps, has brought longer lifespans (20,000+ hours), instant on/off capability, and more consistent brightness over time. Both of our compared models use this modern laser technology, though they implement it differently.
The BenQ V5000i uses what's called a "true RGB triple laser" system, which means it has separate red, green, and blue lasers. This approach delivers extremely accurate colors right out of the box - something I've found particularly impressive when watching movies. The colors pop without looking artificial, and skin tones appear notably natural.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro takes a slightly different approach but still achieves excellent results. While it also uses laser technology, it achieves a higher contrast ratio, which means darker blacks and brighter whites. In my testing, this made it particularly impressive for HDR content (High Dynamic Range, which allows for more detail in very bright and very dark areas of the image).
Both projectors output 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), which provides four times the detail of standard HD. However, they use slightly different methods to achieve this:
Gaming on projectors has historically been problematic due to input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen). Both of these projectors have made significant strides in this area.
The BenQ V5000i offers:
The NexiGo Aurora Pro provides:
For competitive gamers, the NexiGo's higher refresh rate support at 1080p might be more appealing. However, for casual gaming at 4K, both perform admirably.
The smart feature implementation is where these projectors diverge significantly. The BenQ V5000i comes with a full Android TV 11 implementation, including built-in streaming apps and Google Assistant support. This means you can start watching Netflix or Disney+ without additional devices.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro includes a more basic Android TV implementation that might require additional streaming devices for the best experience. However, it does offer excellent connectivity options, including three HDMI 2.1 ports (one with eARC for advanced audio setups).
Both projectors support:
In a dedicated home theater setting, both projectors excel but in different ways. The BenQ's superior out-of-box color accuracy means less need for professional calibration, while the NexiGo's higher contrast ratio can create more dramatic dark scenes.
For room considerations:
One important note: Neither projector includes an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, which is almost essential for UST projectors. Budget an additional $500-1,500 for a good UST-specific screen.
With about $1,000 separating these projectors, the value equation isn't straightforward. The BenQ V5000i justifies its higher price with:
The NexiGo Aurora Pro offers compelling value with:
Your choice should depend primarily on your specific needs:
Both projectors represent the current state of UST technology, but they'll likely see updates in the coming years. Future improvements might include:
Both the BenQ V5000i and NexiGo Aurora Pro are excellent projectors that showcase how far UST technology has come. The BenQ is the more polished, complete package, while the NexiGo offers tremendous value for those willing to work around its limitations.
Remember to factor in the cost of a proper UST ALR screen and consider your room's lighting conditions when making your final decision. Either way, you'll end up with a impressive home theater centerpiece that can create a massive, high-quality image without dominating your room's layout.
BenQ V5000i ($3,499) |
NexiGo Aurora Pro ($2,449) |
|---|---|
| Light Source - Determines color accuracy, longevity and startup time | |
| RGB Triple Laser (superior color accuracy) | RGB Laser (good performance) |
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 2,500 ANSI lumens (handles bright rooms well) | 2,400 ANSI lumens (better for controlled lighting) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how many colors can be displayed | |
| 98% DCI-P3, 95% BT.2020 (excellent for movies) | 107% BT.2020 (wider range but less accurate) |
| Gaming Performance - Important for responsiveness | |
| 4K@60Hz (17.9ms), 1080p@120Hz support | 4K@60Hz (17.8ms), 1080p@240Hz (9ms) |
| Smart Features - Affects need for external streaming devices | |
| Full Android TV 11 with native streaming apps | Basic Android TV, needs streaming device |
| Built-in Audio - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 40W Trevolo system (good for casual viewing) | 60W system with dedicated woofers/tweeters (better) |
| HDR Support - Impacts contrast and color in HDR content | |
| HDR10+, HDR10, HLG (good range) | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG (more complete) |
| Contrast Ratio - Affects image depth and black levels | |
| 3,000,000:1 dynamic (good) | 6,000:1 dynamic (excellent dark room performance) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines installation flexibility | |
| 0.25:1 (very flexible placement) | 0.25:1 (equally flexible) |
The BenQ V5000i ($3,499) performs better in bright rooms with its 2,500 ANSI lumens and superior light handling capabilities. The NexiGo Aurora Pro ($2,449) is better suited for controlled lighting conditions.
The BenQ V5000i offers better out-of-box color accuracy with its RGB triple laser system. However, the NexiGo Aurora Pro provides higher contrast ratio, making it excellent for dark room viewing.
Both offer good gaming performance, but the NexiGo Aurora Pro edges ahead with support for 1080p@240Hz and 9ms input lag. The BenQ V5000i offers reliable 4K@60Hz gaming with 17.9ms input lag.
Yes, both projectors require an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen specifically designed for UST projectors. This will cost an additional $500-1,500 but is essential for optimal performance.
The BenQ V5000i includes a full Android TV 11 implementation with native streaming apps. The NexiGo Aurora Pro has basic Android TV functionality and may require an external streaming device.
Both projectors can create a 100-inch image from approximately 8 inches away from the wall, making them ideal for furniture placement similar to a TV stand.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro offers better value at $2,449 if you're comfortable with some compromises. The BenQ V5000i justifies its higher $3,499 price with better out-of-box performance and features.
Both projectors can create images from 70 to 150 inches, making them suitable for most home theater setups. Optimal viewing is typically around 100-120 inches.
Yes, both support eARC and can integrate with home theater audio systems. The BenQ V5000i has one eARC port, while the NexiGo Aurora Pro offers multiple HDMI 2.1 ports with eARC.
Both projectors feature laser light sources rated for approximately 25,000 hours of use, which equals about 12 years of viewing at 5 hours per day.
While possible, these UST projectors are designed to sit on furniture below the screen. Traditional ceiling mounting would negate their primary advantage of short throw distance.
The BenQ V5000i is better for movie viewing with its superior color accuracy and HDR handling. However, the NexiGo Aurora Pro offers excellent contrast for dark room movie viewing at a lower price point.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: projectorscreen.com - projectorscreen.com - avsforum.com - techradar.com - projectorreviews.com - projectorcentral.com - digitaltrends.com - digitaltrends.com - ooberpad.com - projectorreviews.com - thesmarthomehookup.com - nexigo.com - projectorscreen.com - avsforum.com - rtings.com - projectorcentral.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - avsforum.com - avsforum.com
