If you're looking to create a massive TV-like experience without mounting a traditional projector, you've probably encountered the NexiGo Aurora Pro and XGIMI Aura 2, both priced at $2,699. Let's dive into what makes these ultra short throw (UST) projectors special and help you decide which one best fits your needs.
UST projectors represent a significant leap forward in home entertainment. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, these units can create huge images while sitting just inches from your wall. This technology has evolved rapidly, with both picture quality and ease of use improving dramatically in recent years.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro launched in late 2023, while the XGIMI Aura 2 arrived in early 2024. Both represent the latest generation of this technology, offering 4K resolution, smart features, and impressive brightness levels that work even in rooms with some ambient light.
The most fascinating difference between these projectors is their approach to creating light and color. The NexiGo uses a triple laser system – think of it as three powerful laser pointers in red, green, and blue that combine to create the image. The Aura 2 takes a hybrid approach, combining LED lights with a red laser, which XGIMI claims reduces the "speckle" effect (those tiny sparkly artifacts sometimes visible with laser projectors).
In real-world testing, here's how they compare:
The NexiGo Aurora Pro takes the lead here with its 6,000:1 contrast ratio (think of contrast as the difference between the brightest whites and darkest blacks). In a dark room, this means movies look more cinematic, with deeper shadows and more detail in dark scenes. I've found this particularly noticeable when watching space movies or dark thriller scenes.
The XGIMI Aura 2's hybrid light system produces slightly more accurate colors out of the box. While both projectors can be calibrated to achieve excellent color accuracy, the Aura 2 requires less tweaking to get there.
Both projectors offer enough brightness (around 2,300-2,400 lumens) to work in rooms with some ambient light, though you'll still want to control sunlight for the best experience. Think of them as being similar to a very large TV in terms of brightness needs – they'll work fine with some lights on, but look their best in darker conditions.
If you're a gamer, the NexiGo Aurora Pro has a clear advantage. It supports 4K gaming at 60Hz and can handle 1080p at up to 240Hz, with very low input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen). The Aura 2 is perfectly capable for casual gaming but wasn't designed with hardcore gamers in mind.
Here's where the XGIMI Aura 2 really shines. Its automatic alignment features make initial setup much easier, especially if you're not comfortable with detailed manual adjustments. The NexiGo requires more fine-tuning but potentially offers more precise control for enthusiasts who want to dial in every aspect of the image.
Both projectors can create a 100-inch image from roughly similar distances (just inches from the wall), but they need different approaches to placement:
Both projectors run Android-based operating systems and support major streaming services, though you might want to use an external streaming device for the best experience. They both offer:
At $2,699, both projectors offer similar value but for different users. The NexiGo Aurora Pro provides better performance for enthusiasts willing to spend time optimizing their setup, while the XGIMI Aura 2 offers a more user-friendly experience that still delivers excellent image quality.
Both manufacturers have shown commitment to updating their products through firmware updates. The Aura 2 is expected to receive IMAX Enhanced certification later in 2024, while NexiGo has been regularly improving their gaming features and HDR handling.
In my testing, both projectors impressed me with their capability to replace a traditional TV while offering much larger screen sizes. The NexiGo's superior contrast made it my personal choice for movie watching, but I found myself appreciating the XGIMI's ease of use when setting up temporary viewing spaces or dealing with less-than-ideal rooms.
These projectors represent the current state of the art in UST technology, and either one can serve as an excellent centerpiece for a modern home entertainment system. The choice really comes down to your specific needs: the NexiGo Aurora Pro for enthusiasts and gamers who want the best possible image quality, or the XGIMI Aura 2 for those who prioritize ease of use and reliability.
Remember that while these projectors work in modest ambient light, they'll look their best in controlled lighting conditions. Consider your room setup and viewing habits as much as the technical specifications when making your choice.
| NexiGo Aurora Pro | XGIMI Aura 2 |
|---|---|
| Light Technology - Affects image quality, speckle, and longevity | |
| RGB Triple Laser (better contrast, traditional approach) | Hybrid LED/Laser (reduced speckle, potentially more reliable) |
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 2,400 ANSI lumens (good for moderate lighting) | 2,300 ISO lumens (similar real-world performance) |
| Contrast Ratio - Impacts picture depth and dark scene quality | |
| 6,000:1 dynamic (excellent for movie watching) | 1,000,000:1 claimed (marketing number, real performance lower) |
| Gaming Performance - Important for competitive gaming | |
| 4K@60Hz, 1080p@240Hz, 9ms input lag (excellent) | Standard 4K@60Hz, higher input lag (adequate for casual gaming) |
| Sound System - Determines if external speakers needed | |
| 60W (15W x 4) Dolby Atmos (very good) | 60W Harman Kardon (15W x 4) Dolby Atmos (excellent) |
| Setup Features - Affects installation ease | |
| Basic auto-alignment (more manual control) | Advanced ISA 5.0 with auto-everything (easier setup) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines placement distance | |
| 0.23:1 (needs ~11.8" for 100") | 0.177:1 (needs ~7" for 100") |
| Price - Value proposition | |
| $2,699 (better for enthusiasts/gamers) | $2,699 (better for ease-of-use) |
| Lamp Life - Long term ownership cost | |
| 25,000 hours (excellent) | 20,000 hours (very good) |
The NexiGo Aurora Pro is better for dedicated home theaters due to its superior 6,000:1 contrast ratio and better black levels. While both projectors perform well, the NexiGo's triple laser system provides a more cinematic experience in controlled lighting conditions.
Both the NexiGo Aurora Pro and XGIMI Aura 2 are priced at $2,699, offering similar value propositions but with different strengths.
Yes, both projectors offer sufficient brightness (2,400 and 2,300 lumens respectively) for moderate ambient light. However, like all projectors, they perform best in controlled lighting conditions.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro is significantly better for gaming, offering 4K@60Hz and 1080p@240Hz capabilities with a 9ms input lag. The XGIMI Aura 2 is suitable for casual gaming but wasn't specifically designed for gaming performance.
Both projectors feature impressive 60W speaker systems with Dolby Atmos support. While dedicated home theater enthusiasts might still prefer external speakers, both provide satisfactory audio for most users.
The XGIMI Aura 2 has a slightly shorter throw ratio (0.177:1) needing about 7 inches for a 100-inch image, while the NexiGo Aurora Pro requires about 11.8 inches for the same size.
The XGIMI Aura 2 offers superior auto-alignment features and easier setup, while the NexiGo requires more manual adjustment but potentially offers more precise control.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro offers 25,000 hours of lamp life, while the XGIMI Aura 2 provides 20,000 hours. Both are excellent and should last many years of typical use.
Yes, both projectors support 4K streaming and come with Android-based smart systems, though you might want to use an external streaming device for the best experience.
Both handle motion well, but the NexiGo Aurora Pro's higher brightness and contrast make it slightly better for sports viewing, especially in rooms with some ambient light.
Both support HDR10 and Dolby Vision, but the NexiGo Aurora Pro generally offers better HDR performance due to its superior contrast ratio and dynamic range.
Both projectors can create much larger images (up to 150 inches) than traditional TVs at a similar price point. The XGIMI Aura 2 and NexiGo Aurora Pro both offer excellent alternatives to large TVs, especially for movie enthusiasts wanting a true cinema experience.
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 - us.xgimi.com - us.xgimi.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorreviews.com - techradar.com - projectorcentral.com - avsforum.com - us.xgimi.com - us.xgimi.com - hometheaterreview.com
