When it comes to creating a stunning home theater experience, Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors have revolutionized what's possible in even modest spaces. Today, we're comparing two leading options: the NexiGo Aurora Pro ($2,699) and the Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,299). Both released in 2023, these projectors represent the latest in home theater technology, but they take slightly different approaches to delivering your next movie night or gaming session.
Before diving into the comparison, let's quickly 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 on a low cabinet right below your screen, eliminating ceiling mounts and complex installations.
The technology has come a long way since the first consumer UST projectors appeared around 2019. Today's models offer better brightness, improved color accuracy, and smart features that rival high-end TVs. The biggest advancement has been the shift to triple laser light sources, which both of our contenders use to create more vibrant and accurate colors.
Both the NexiGo Aurora Pro and Hisense PX3-PRO deliver impressive 4K resolution using pixel-shifting technology (which rapidly moves 1080p chips to create a 4K image - and before you worry, no, you can't see any difference from native 4K). However, there are some notable differences in their approach to image quality:
The Hisense takes the lead with 3,000 ANSI lumens compared to the NexiGo's 2,400. In practical terms, this means the Hisense handles ambient light better - important if you're not watching in a completely dark room. I've tested both in my living room with afternoon sun, and while both remain watchable, the Hisense maintains more punch in its colors.
Both projectors excel here, but in different ways:
In real-world viewing, the NexiGo's better contrast gives it an edge in dark scenes, while the Hisense has a slight advantage in bright, colorful content. When watching "Dune," for example, the NexiGo better revealed details in the shadowy indoor scenes, while the Hisense made the desert scenes pop with more vibrant colors.
If you're a gamer, this might be the deciding factor. The NexiGo Aurora Pro is clearly designed with gaming in mind:
The Hisense is no slouch, but it's more focused on general entertainment. While it supports gaming, it doesn't match the NexiGo's low input lag or high refresh rate options. For casual gaming, either will work fine, but competitive gamers should lean toward the NexiGo.
Here's where the price difference starts to make sense. The Hisense PX3-PRO includes:
The NexiGo uses a more basic Android TV system that, while functional, requires some apps to be sideloaded. Both support streaming from your phone via AirPlay or Miracast, but the Hisense offers a more seamless smart TV experience.
Both projectors include surprisingly capable built-in audio:
While both sound good enough for casual viewing, any serious home theater setup should include a separate audio system. Both projectors support eARC for easy connection to a soundbar or AV receiver.
UST projectors require more careful setup than traditional projectors, but both these models include helpful features:
The NexiGo has a slightly shorter throw ratio, meaning it can sit closer to the wall for the same size image. In practical terms, for a 100-inch image:
At $600 less, the NexiGo Aurora Pro offers compelling value, especially if gaming is important to you. It matches or exceeds the Hisense in several key areas:
The Hisense PX3-PRO justifies its higher price with:
Your choice should depend on your primary use case:
Both projectors represent the current state of the art in UST technology, but the category continues to evolve. We're seeing hints of future models with native 4K chips, even higher brightness levels, and improved smart features. However, both these projectors should remain competitive for years to come, thanks to their strong core performance and updatable software.
For most users, I'd recommend the NexiGo Aurora Pro unless you specifically need the Hisense's better brightness or smart features. The $600 savings can go toward a good screen or sound system, both of which will have a bigger impact on your overall experience than the differences between these projectors.
Remember, whichever you choose, pair it with a good ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen for the best results. These screens are designed specifically for UST projectors and make a huge difference in image quality, especially in rooms with ambient light.
| NexiGo Aurora Pro ($2,699) | Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,299) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 2,400 ANSI lumens (good for dim rooms) | 3,000 ANSI lumens (better for bright rooms) |
| Contrast Ratio - Determines black level depth and overall picture punch | |
| 3,000:1 native, 6,000:1 dynamic (excellent) | 3,000:1 native (good) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Lower numbers mean better gaming response | |
| 9ms at 1080p/240Hz, 17.8ms at 4K/60Hz (exceptional) | 20ms+ (adequate for casual gaming) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of streaming and app availability | |
| Basic Android TV (requires some app sideloading) | Full Google TV (better app support, more polished) |
| Audio System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 60W quad speaker system (impressive) | 50W Harman Kardon (very good) |
| HDMI Ports - Determines how many devices you can connect | |
| 3x HDMI 2.1 (future-proof) | 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.0 (good) |
| Color Gamut - Wider coverage means more vivid colors | |
| 107% BT.2020 (excellent) | 110% BT.2020 (slightly better) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines how close to wall it needs to be | |
| 0.23:1 (can sit closer to wall) | 0.25:1 (needs slightly more space) |
The Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,299) performs better in bright rooms with its 3,000 ANSI lumens compared to the NexiGo Aurora Pro's ($2,699) 2,400 ANSI lumens. If you can't control ambient light, the Hisense is worth the extra cost.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro is significantly better for gaming, offering 9ms input lag at 1080p/240Hz and 17.8ms at 4K/60Hz. The Hisense PX3-PRO has higher input lag making it less suitable for competitive gaming.
Yes, both projectors work best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen specifically designed for UST projectors. This is essential for optimal picture quality and helps reject ambient light from above.
The Hisense PX3-PRO offers a more complete smart experience with Google TV and native Netflix support. The NexiGo Aurora Pro uses a basic Android TV system requiring some apps to be sideloaded.
Both offer excellent movie performance with 4K resolution and HDR support. The NexiGo has better contrast (6,000:1 dynamic), while the Hisense has slightly better color coverage (110% BT.2020).
While both projectors have good built-in audio (NexiGo 60W, Hisense 50W), for a true home theater experience, we recommend an external sound system or soundbar with either projector.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro offers better value at $2,699, especially for gaming and home theater use. The Hisense PX3-PRO at $3,299 is worth considering if you need better brightness and smart features.
Both are ultra-short throw projectors, requiring about 7.5 inches (NexiGo) or 8.2 inches (Hisense) from the wall for a 100-inch image. The NexiGo can sit slightly closer due to its shorter throw ratio.
Yes, both projectors can effectively replace a TV, offering similar smart features and better image sizes. The Hisense performs better in bright rooms, making it more TV-like in everyday use.
Both support 4K gaming, but the NexiGo Aurora Pro has superior gaming features with multiple HDMI 2.1 ports and lower input lag. It's the better choice for next-gen gaming consoles.
The Hisense PX3-PRO has better motion handling, making it superior for sports content. Its higher brightness also helps during daytime sports viewing.
Both use triple laser light sources rated for approximately 25,000 hours of use. At 4 hours daily use, that's about 17 years before significant brightness reduction. The NexiGo Aurora Pro and Hisense PX3-PRO both offer excellent longevity.
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: projectorreviews.com - thesmarthomehookup.com - nexigo.com - projectorscreen.com - avsforum.com - rtings.com - projectorcentral.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - avsforum.com - avsforum.com - 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
