When it comes to creating a home theater experience that rivals your local cinema, ultra short throw (UST) laser projectors represent some of the most exciting technology available. Today we're comparing two leading options: the NexiGo Aurora Pro ($2,699) 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. They use sophisticated lens systems and laser light sources to project upward at an extreme angle, making them perfect for rooms where mounting a regular projector isn't practical.
Both projectors launched within the past two years - the VAVA Chroma in late 2021 and the Aurora Pro in early 2023. This timing difference is notable because we've seen significant advances in gaming support and HDR processing during this period.
The key technologies they share:
Here's where these projectors start to show their distinct personalities. The NexiGo Aurora Pro emphasizes brightness and contrast, delivering 2,400 ANSI lumens (a standard measure of light output) and a native contrast ratio of 3,000:1. This makes it particularly good at handling rooms with some ambient light - you won't need total darkness to enjoy a movie.
The VAVA Chroma takes a different approach, focusing on color accuracy. It covers 106% of the Rec.2020 color space (the current gold standard for digital video), meaning it can display more colors than most TVs. However, its lower brightness means it performs best in a controlled, darker environment.
In practical terms:
If you're a gamer, this section might be decisive. The Aurora Pro supports HDMI 2.1 and offers impressively low input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the result):
These numbers make it competitive with gaming monitors. The Chroma, while capable of gaming, doesn't match these specifications. Its input lag hovers around 20ms, which is good but not great for competitive gaming.
Both projectors offer smart features, but implement them differently:
The Aurora Pro provides:
The Chroma offers:
Don't overlook the audio capabilities. The Aurora Pro includes a surprisingly capable 60-watt system with dedicated woofers and tweeters. While no built-in audio system will match a proper home theater setup, it's more than adequate for casual viewing.
The Chroma's audio specs are less impressive on paper, but still deliver clear sound. However, for either projector, I'd recommend at least a good soundbar for the full home theater experience.
Having spent time with both projectors, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
The $800 price difference between these projectors is significant. The Aurora Pro at $2,699 represents better value for most users, especially if you:
The VAVA Chroma at $3,499 justifies its premium if you:
Both projectors require careful placement to achieve optimal image quality. You'll need:
The Aurora Pro's higher brightness makes it more forgiving with screen selection, while the Chroma's superior color accuracy might make you want to invest in a higher-quality screen.
Consider your primary use case:
For a Multi-Purpose Room:
For a Dedicated Home Theater:
For Gaming:
For Pure Movie Watching:
Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST market, but they serve different needs. The Aurora Pro offers better value and versatility, while the VAVA Chroma delivers superior color accuracy for dedicated home theater enthusiasts.
My recommendation? Unless you're building a dedicated home theater room and color accuracy is your top priority, the Aurora Pro's better brightness, gaming performance, and lower price make it the smarter choice for most users.
Remember, whichever you choose, both represent a significant step up from traditional projectors and can deliver a truly cinematic experience in your home.
| NexiGo Aurora Pro ($2,699) | VAVA Chroma ($3,499) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 2,400 ANSI lumens (good for most lighting conditions) | 2,500 ANSI lumens (similar real-world performance) |
| Native Contrast - Determines black level quality and image depth | |
| 3,000:1 native (excellent for this class) | 1,500:1 native (good but not class-leading) |
| Color Gamut - Affects color richness and accuracy | |
| 107% BT.2020 (very good) | 106% Rec.2020 (essentially identical) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Lower is better for responsive gaming | |
| 9ms at 1080p/240Hz (excellent for gaming) | 20ms (adequate for casual gaming only) |
| HDR Support - Determines compatibility with latest content | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG (complete suite) | HDR10, HLG (missing premium formats) |
| Audio System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 60W quad-speaker system (impressive built-in audio) | 30W stereo (adequate but basic) |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of streaming content | |
| Basic Android TV (functional but needs refinement) | Polished Android system with Alexa (more mature) |
| Connectivity - Important for future-proofing | |
| HDMI 2.1, WiFi 6, BT 5.2 (latest standards) | HDMI 2.0, WiFi 5, BT 4.2 (previous generation) |
| Price Value - Consider against features needed | |
| Better value for gaming and bright rooms | Premium price for refined software experience |
For a dedicated home theater, the VAVA Chroma ($3,499) has superior color accuracy and better dark room performance. However, the NexiGo Aurora Pro ($2,699) offers better value and more versatility if your theater space has ambient light.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro costs $2,699, while the VAVA Chroma is priced at $3,499, making an $800 difference between the two models.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro is significantly better for gaming with its 9ms input lag at 1080p/240Hz and HDMI 2.1 support. The VAVA Chroma has higher input lag around 20ms, making it less suitable for competitive gaming.
Both projectors can handle some ambient light, but the NexiGo Aurora Pro performs better in bright conditions with its 2,400 ANSI lumens and higher contrast ratio. The VAVA Chroma is best suited for controlled lighting conditions.
While both projectors can work with a white wall, a proper ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen is recommended for optimal performance. This is especially important for the VAVA Chroma to maximize its color accuracy advantages.
The VAVA Chroma offers a more refined smart interface with better streaming app integration and Alexa support. The NexiGo Aurora Pro has basic Android TV functionality but isn't as polished.
Both projectors are ultra-short throw and typically need to be placed 4-8 inches from the wall for optimal image size and quality. The NexiGo Aurora Pro can project an 80-inch image from 3.9 inches away.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro has superior built-in audio with a 60W quad-speaker system. The VAVA Chroma has basic 30W stereo speakers, though both would benefit from an external sound system for home theater use.
Yes, both the NexiGo Aurora Pro and VAVA Chroma support true 4K resolution (3840x2160), but they handle HDR content differently, with the Aurora Pro supporting more HDR formats including Dolby Vision.
For pure movie watching in a dark room, the VAVA Chroma offers better color accuracy. However, the NexiGo Aurora Pro provides better contrast and brightness, which many viewers might prefer.
Both projectors are rated for approximately 25,000 hours of laser life, which equals about 8 years of viewing at 8 hours per day, making them both excellent long-term investments.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro offers better overall value with its lower price, superior gaming features, and better brightness. The VAVA Chroma is worth the premium only if color accuracy and refined smart features are your top priorities.
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 - androidcentral.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorreviews.com - vava.com - projectorscreenstore.com - youtube.com - projector.com.my - ust-projector.com
