When it comes to creating a stunning home theater experience without dedicating an entire room to a traditional projector setup, Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors have become game-changers. Today, we're comparing two leading options: the BenQ V5010i and the NexiGo Aurora Pro.
Before diving into the specifics, let's understand what makes UST projectors special. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors can create massive images from just inches away. This means you can place them in a TV console and still get a 100-inch or larger display - perfect for modern homes where space is at a premium.
The projector market has evolved significantly in recent years. The NexiGo Aurora Pro, released in 2023, represents the newer generation with its triple laser technology and advanced gaming features. The BenQ V5010i arrived slightly earlier but has received firmware updates to keep it competitive.
Key improvements we're seeing in this generation include:
Both projectors deliver 4K resolution (3840x2160 pixels), but they achieve it differently. The NexiGo uses pixel-shifting technology (where a lower-resolution chip rapidly shifts to create 4K), while the BenQ offers similar results through its own DLP implementation.
The real difference comes in contrast and brightness:
What does this mean in real use? The NexiGo produces noticeably deeper blacks and more dramatic contrast, especially in darker rooms. However, the BenQ handles bright room viewing slightly better thanks to its light engine optimization.
Color accuracy and range have become increasingly important with HDR content. The NexiGo impresses with 107% coverage of the BT.2020 color space (the current highest standard for digital color), while the BenQ manages 95% - both excellent results that outperform most TVs.
In practical terms:
Here's where we see a significant difference. The NexiGo Aurora Pro supports:
The BenQ V5010i focuses on:
For serious gamers, the NexiGo clearly has the edge. Casual gamers will find either projector suitable.
Both projectors require careful placement to achieve optimal image alignment. The BenQ offers slightly more forgiving setup with better automatic keystone correction and alignment features. The NexiGo provides more precise manual adjustments but requires more patience during initial setup.
Smart platform implementation differs significantly:
The NexiGo shines with its 60W audio system (15W x 4 speakers), providing room-filling sound that might eliminate the need for an external soundbar for many users. The BenQ's audio is competent but less impressive.
At around $2,449 for the NexiGo Aurora Pro, it offers exceptional value given its performance and feature set. The BenQ typically sells in a similar range but sometimes sees better discounts.
Consider these long-term factors:
For dedicated home theater spaces, both projectors excel but in different ways:
Consider these key factors:
Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST category, but they serve slightly different users. The NexiGo Aurora Pro edges ahead in pure performance and gaming capabilities, while the BenQ V5010i offers a more polished, user-friendly experience.
For those building a dedicated home theater and wanting the absolute best image quality, the NexiGo is the clear choice. If you're upgrading a living room TV and want something that "just works" while still providing excellent image quality, the BenQ might be the better option.
Remember that either projector will need a proper UST-specific screen for optimal performance - budget an additional $500-1,500 for this essential component.
| BenQ V5010i | NexiGo Aurora Pro |
|---|---|
| Native Contrast - Determines black level performance and overall image depth | |
| 3,000:1 (good but not class-leading) | 3,909:1 (excellent, best-in-class) |
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance | |
| 2,500 ANSI lumens (better for bright rooms) | 2,400 ANSI lumens (similar capability) |
| Color Gamut - Affects color richness and HDR performance | |
| 95% BT.2020 (very good) | 107% BT.2020 (exceptional) |
| Gaming Features - Important for responsive gaming experience | |
| 4K@60Hz, ALLM (good for casual gaming) | 4K@120Hz, 1080p@240Hz, 9ms lag (excellent for serious gaming) |
| HDR Support - Impacts dynamic range and color in modern content | |
| HDR10/HDR10+ (good but limited) | Dolby Vision/HDR10/HDR10+ (more complete) |
| Audio System - Determines if external speakers are needed | |
| 40W total (adequate for casual use) | 60W (15W x 4) (impressive room-filling sound) |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of streaming content | |
| Polished interface, good app support | Basic Android TV, may need streaming device |
| Setup Ease - Important for initial installation | |
| Auto alignment features (easier setup) | Manual adjustments (more precise but complex) |
| Price - Value consideration | |
| Similar price range (varies by retailer) | $2,449 (better overall value given features) |
The NexiGo Aurora Pro is superior for dedicated theater rooms due to its higher contrast ratio (3,909:1) and better HDR performance including Dolby Vision support. The BenQ V5010i performs better in rooms with ambient light but doesn't match the NexiGo's dark room performance.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro offers significantly better gaming features with 4K@120Hz and 1080p@240Hz support, plus a very low 9ms input lag. The BenQ V5010i supports basic gaming features like ALLM but is limited to 4K@60Hz.
Yes, both projectors require a UST-specific ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen for optimal performance. Standard projector screens won't work well with either the BenQ V5010i or NexiGo Aurora Pro.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro edges out for movie watching with superior contrast, better HDR support including Dolby Vision, and wider color gamut. However, the BenQ V5010i still delivers excellent picture quality and may be preferred in rooms with some ambient light.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro features a superior 60W sound system with dedicated woofers and tweeters. The BenQ V5010i has a 40W system that's adequate but less impressive. For proper home theater use, external speakers are recommended for both.
The BenQ V5010i offers better automatic alignment features and is generally easier to set up. The NexiGo Aurora Pro provides more precise manual adjustments but requires more patience during installation.
Both projectors perform well in moderate ambient light, with the BenQ V5010i having a slight edge with 2,500 ANSI lumens versus the NexiGo Aurora Pro's 2,400 ANSI lumens. Both work best with an ALR screen.
The BenQ V5010i has better integrated smart features and app support. The NexiGo Aurora Pro has basic Android TV but might require an external streaming device for the best experience.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro offers wider color gamut coverage (107% BT.2020) but needs calibration. The BenQ V5010i has better out-of-box accuracy but slightly less coverage (95% BT.2020).
Both use laser light sources rated for 20,000+ hours of use. The BenQ V5010i has a longer track record, while the NexiGo Aurora Pro is newer but well-supported.
At $2,449, the NexiGo Aurora Pro offers better value with superior performance and features. The BenQ V5010i is similarly priced but may see better discounts due to being an older model.
Yes, both projectors can effectively replace a TV, offering 100"+ images from short distances. The NexiGo Aurora Pro is better for dedicated viewing rooms, while the BenQ V5010i might be better for multipurpose spaces.
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: projectorscreenstore.com - projectorreviews.com - thesmarthomehookup.com - lbtechreviews.com - youtube.com - benq.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - visunext.co.uk - fonearena.com - projektoren-datenbank.com - benq.com - projectorreviews.com - nexigo.com - projectorscreen.com - avsforum.com - rtings.com - projectorcentral.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - avsforum.com - avsforum.com
