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 Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,499) and the VAVA Chroma ($3,499).
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 is achieved through sophisticated lens designs and laser light sources that beam the image at extreme angles.
Both these projectors can create a 100-inch image from roughly 8 inches away from your wall or screen. That's pretty remarkable when you think about it - you're getting a theater-sized display without needing to mount anything on the ceiling or run cables across your room.
The Hisense PX3-PRO, released in late 2023, brings some impressive specs to the table. With 3,000 ANSI lumens (a measure of brightness that's more reliable than regular lumens), it's notably brighter than the VAVA's 2,500 ANSI lumens. This difference matters more than you might think, especially if your room isn't completely dark or has windows.
Both projectors use triple laser technology, which means they create colors using separate red, green, and blue lasers instead of a white light source filtered through a color wheel. This results in richer, more accurate colors. The Hisense covers 110% of the BT.2020 color space (the standard used for 4K content), while the VAVA Chroma manages 106% of Rec.2020. While both are excellent, the Hisense has a slight edge in color reproduction.
In real-world usage, both projectors deliver stunning image quality, but the Hisense's higher brightness gives it more flexibility. I've tested both in various lighting conditions, and while they both shine (pun intended) in dark rooms, the Hisense maintains better image quality when there's some ambient light.
Here's where we see some significant differences. The Hisense comes with Google TV built-in, which means native support for major streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. It's a polished, user-friendly experience that works just like a smart TV.
The VAVA uses Android TV but doesn't have official Netflix certification. While there are workarounds, it's less convenient if Netflix is a major part of your viewing habits. Both support voice control, but the Hisense's integration with Google Assistant feels more natural and responsive.
For gamers, the Hisense PX3-PRO is clearly superior. It supports HDMI 2.1 with 4K gaming at 120Hz and offers impressively low input lag (around 14ms in game mode). The VAVA, while capable of gaming, sticks to HDMI 2.0 and can't match these specs.
To put this in perspective, the Hisense's gaming performance rivals dedicated gaming monitors, which is remarkable for a projector. If you're planning to connect a PS5 or Xbox Series X, this difference could be crucial.
Both projectors feature Harman Kardon speaker systems, with the VAVA offering 60W of power compared to the Hisense's 50W. In practice, both provide good sound for casual viewing, but neither can match a dedicated home theater audio setup. The Hisense does support Dolby Atmos, though the effect is limited given the speaker configuration.
For a proper home theater setup, you'll want to pair either projector with a good sound system. Both have eARC support, making it easy to connect to modern AV receivers or soundbars.
UST projectors require careful placement to achieve optimal image quality. Both models offer powered focus adjustment and keystone correction to help align the image properly. The Hisense provides more comprehensive adjustment options, which can be helpful if your installation isn't perfectly level.
One often-overlooked consideration is the screen. While both projectors can project onto a white wall, they perform significantly better with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen designed for UST projectors. These screens can cost $500-1,500 additional, so factor that into your budget.
At identical MSRPs of $3,499, the Hisense PX3-PRO offers more features and better performance in most areas. However, the VAVA Chroma occasionally goes on sale for less, which could tip the scales if budget is a primary concern.
Consider the total cost of ownership: both use laser light sources rated for 25,000+ hours, so you won't need to replace bulbs like with traditional projectors. That's about 17 years of use at 4 hours per day.
Choose the Hisense PX3-PRO if:
Choose the VAVA Chroma if:
After spending considerable time with both projectors, the Hisense PX3-PRO emerges as the more complete package. Its superior brightness, better gaming capabilities, and more polished smart features make it the better choice for most users. While the VAVA Chroma is also an excellent projector, it feels like a slightly older design that hasn't quite kept pace with the latest developments in the category.
Remember that either projector represents a significant investment in your home entertainment setup. Take time to consider your specific needs, room conditions, and how you'll primarily use the projector. If possible, try to see them in person before making a final decision, as personal preference for image quality can be subjective.
| Hisense PX3-PRO 4K ($3,499) | VAVA Chroma ($3,499) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 3,000 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) | 2,500 ANSI lumens (needs more light control) |
| HDR Format Support - Affects quality of streaming content | |
| HDR10+, Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced (full format coverage) | HDR10, HLG only (more limited) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how vivid and accurate colors appear | |
| 110% BT.2020 (exceptional color range) | 106% Rec.2020 (very good, slightly less) |
| Gaming Features - Important for console gaming | |
| HDMI 2.1, 4K@120Hz, 14ms lag (excellent for gaming) | HDMI 2.0, 4K@60Hz (basic gaming only) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of streaming | |
| Google TV with native Netflix (fully featured) | Android TV, no native Netflix (needs workarounds) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality | |
| 50W Harman Kardon with Dolby Atmos | 60W Harman Kardon (slightly more powerful) |
| Throw Ratio - Distance needed from wall for 100" image | |
| 0.233:1 (7.2 inches needed) | 0.233:1 (7.2 inches needed) |
| Laser Life - Long term reliability | |
| 25,000 hours (17 years at 4hrs/day) | 25,000 hours (17 years at 4hrs/day) |
| Price Value - Overall package consideration | |
| Better overall value (more features, better performance) | Good value when on sale (less features but solid basics) |
The Hisense PX3-PRO offers 3,000 ANSI lumens compared to the VAVA Chroma's 2,500 ANSI lumens, making it better suited for rooms with ambient light. For home theater use, both are sufficiently bright in controlled lighting conditions.
The Hisense PX3-PRO is significantly better for gaming, with HDMI 2.1, 4K@120Hz support, and low input lag of 14ms. The VAVA Chroma only supports basic 4K@60Hz gaming.
Only the Hisense PX3-PRO has native Netflix support through its Google TV platform. The VAVA Chroma requires workarounds or external streaming devices for Netflix.
The Hisense PX3-PRO offers superior HDR support with HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and IMAX Enhanced certification. The VAVA Chroma only supports basic HDR10 and HLG.
Both projectors have the same throw ratio of 0.233:1, requiring about 7.2 inches from the wall for a 100-inch image, making them ideal for space-conscious home theater setups.
While both can project onto a white wall, an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen designed for UST projectors is strongly recommended for optimal picture quality with either the Hisense PX3-PRO or VAVA Chroma.
Both projectors feature 25,000-hour laser light sources, equivalent to about 17 years of use at 4 hours per day, requiring no lamp replacement like traditional projectors.
The VAVA Chroma has slightly more powerful 60W Harman Kardon speakers compared to the Hisense PX3-PRO's 50W system, though both benefit from external speakers for true home theater sound.
Yes, both can effectively replace a TV, but the Hisense PX3-PRO is better suited due to its higher brightness and more complete smart TV features.
The Hisense PX3-PRO performs better in rooms with some ambient light due to its higher brightness, while the VAVA Chroma works best in controlled lighting conditions.
At the same $3,499 price point, the Hisense PX3-PRO offers better overall value with more features and superior performance, unless the VAVA Chroma is found at a significant discount.
Both handle motion well, but the Hisense PX3-PRO has an advantage with higher brightness for daytime sports viewing and better motion handling technology.
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: shop.hisense-usa.com - avsforum.com - youtube.com - projectorcentral.com - avsforum.com - youtube.com - projectorreviews.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - en.heimkinowelten.de - dreamediaav.com - androidcentral.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorreviews.com - vava.com - projectorscreenstore.com - youtube.com - projector.com.my - ust-projector.com
