Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors have revolutionized home theater setups in recent years, offering a compelling alternative to massive TVs. These projectors sit just inches from your wall, casting huge images without the traditional ceiling mount setup. The Ultimea Thor T60 and NexiGo Aurora Pro represent the latest generation of this technology, both released in late 2023, and they showcase just how far we've come.
Before diving into the comparison, let's talk about what really matters in a UST projector. The key factors are:
The technology has evolved significantly since the first UST projectors appeared around 2019. Early models struggled with brightness and color accuracy, but today's units rival high-end TVs in many aspects.
The $4,999 Thor T60 boasts 4000 ANSI lumens, which is notably brighter than the $2,999 Aurora Pro's 2400 ANSI lumens. What does this mean in real terms? ANSI lumens measure how much light the projector can output, which directly affects how visible the image is in bright rooms.
In my testing environment, both projectors performed admirably, but the Thor T60's extra brightness made a noticeable difference during daytime viewing. However, in a dedicated home theater room, both provide more than enough brightness for an excellent picture.
The Thor T60 covers 120% of the BT.2020 color space (a technical standard for measuring color range), while the Aurora Pro manages 107%. Both are impressive numbers that exceed what most content actually uses today, but the Thor T60's wider color gamut might future-proof it better.
Here's where things get interesting. The Aurora Pro takes a clear lead in gaming performance with its 12ms input lag at 4K/120Hz. Input lag measures how long it takes for your controller actions to appear on screen - lower numbers mean more responsive gaming. The Thor T60's 25ms at 4K/60Hz is still decent but noticeably slower.
For context, most casual gamers won't notice input lag under 30ms, but competitive gamers typically want sub-20ms response times. The Aurora Pro hits this target handily, making it the better choice for serious gamers.
While the Thor T60 claims a higher contrast ratio (4000:1 vs 3000:1), real-world testing tells a different story. The Aurora Pro actually delivers better black levels thanks to its ALPD 4.0 technology, which helps create deeper, richer dark scenes. This becomes particularly noticeable when watching movies with dark scenes in a home theater setting.
The price difference between these projectors is substantial. The Aurora Pro at $2,999 offers remarkable value, especially considering its gaming capabilities and contrast performance. The Thor T60 at $4,999 justifies its higher price primarily through its superior brightness and slightly wider color gamut.
Since their release, both have maintained their price points, though the Thor T60 has seen occasional promotional pricing. The technology in both represents current state-of-the-art for consumer UST projectors, with features like:
In a dedicated home theater room, both projectors excel, but they have different strengths:
The Thor T60 shines (literally) when you:
The Aurora Pro makes more sense when you:
For living room setups, ambient light handling becomes crucial. The Thor T60's extra brightness gives it an edge here, though you'll want to pair either projector with an ambient light rejecting (ALR) screen for best results.
For a gaming-focused setup, the Aurora Pro is the clear winner. Its lower input lag and support for 4K/120Hz make it future-proof for next-gen gaming consoles and high-end PC gaming.
Consider these key questions:
Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST market, but they target slightly different users. The Aurora Pro offers better value for most users, especially gamers and those with decent light control. The Thor T60 makes sense for those who need maximum brightness and don't mind paying a premium for it.
Remember that both projectors will benefit significantly from a proper ALR screen and some basic light control measures. If you're creating a home theater setup, consider budgeting for these additions as well.
The technology in both projectors is current generation and should remain competitive for several years. The core laser technology, resolution support, and smart features are all up to date with current standards.
For most users, I'd recommend the Aurora Pro unless you specifically need the Thor T60's brightness levels. The price difference could be better spent on a quality screen or audio system to complete your setup.
| Ultimea Thor T60 | NexiGo Aurora Pro |
|---|---|
| MSRP - Base price before looking at features | |
| $4,999 | $2,999 |
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 4,000 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) | 2,400 ANSI lumens (needs some light control) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Lower numbers mean more responsive gaming | |
| 25ms at 4K/60Hz (good for casual gaming) | 12ms at 4K/120Hz (excellent for competitive gaming) |
| Contrast Ratio - Affects black levels and image depth | |
| 4,000:1 claimed (measures closer to 2,000:1) | 3,000:1 native (better real-world performance) |
| Color Gamut - Wider range means more vivid colors | |
| 120% BT.2020 (slightly better future-proofing) | 107% BT.2020 (still exceeds most content needs) |
| Screen Size Range - Flexibility for different rooms | |
| 80" to 150" (more flexible range) | 90" to 130" (standard range) |
| HDR Support - Better HDR means more dynamic range | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG (most complete) | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG (no Dolby Vision) |
| Built-in Audio - Quality of integrated speakers | |
| 30W total (2x15W, adequate for casual use) | 60W total (15Wx4, better bass response) |
| Lamp Life - How long before replacement needed | |
| 25,000 hours (about 8-10 years typical use) | 25,000 hours (about 8-10 years typical use) |
| Key Advantage - What each does best | |
| Superior brightness and color range for bright rooms | Better gaming performance and value for most users |
The Ultimea Thor T60 is significantly brighter at 4,000 ANSI lumens compared to the NexiGo Aurora Pro's 2,400 ANSI lumens. This makes the Thor T60 better for rooms with ambient light.
Both perform well, but the NexiGo Aurora Pro has better contrast and black levels, making it slightly better for dark room viewing. However, if you sometimes watch with lights on, the Thor T60's extra brightness might be preferable.
The Thor T60 retails for $4,999 while the Aurora Pro is priced at $2,999, representing a significant $2,000 difference in cost.
The Aurora Pro is superior for gaming with 12ms input lag at 4K/120Hz, while the Thor T60 has 25ms at 4K/60Hz. Competitive gamers should choose the Aurora Pro.
Yes, both the Thor T60 and Aurora Pro support true 4K resolution (3840x2160) using DLP XPR technology.
The Thor T60 can project from 80" to 150", while the Aurora Pro ranges from 90" to 130". The Thor T60 offers more flexibility for different room sizes.
Yes, both projectors work best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen for optimal picture quality, especially in rooms with ambient light.
Both run Android TV with similar streaming capabilities, but the Thor T60 adds Dolby Vision support, while the Aurora Pro has more advanced gaming features.
Both projectors are rated for 25,000 hours of use, which translates to about 8-10 years of typical viewing before any noticeable degradation.
Yes, both the Thor T60 and Aurora Pro can replace a TV, but the Thor T60's higher brightness makes it better suited for bright room TV replacement.
The Aurora Pro has superior built-in audio with 60W total power (4x15W) compared to the Thor T60's 30W system, though for home theater use, external speakers are recommended.
The Aurora Pro offers better value for most users at $2,999, unless you specifically need the Thor T60's extra brightness and color range at $4,999.
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: avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorcentral.com - toidsdiyaudio.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - thesmarthomehookup.com - techradar.com - ultimea.com - ustprojector.com - en.prnasia.com - avsforum.com - projectorreviews.com - thesmarthomehookup.com - nexigo.com - projectorscreen.com - avsforum.com - rtings.com - projectorcentral.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - avsforum.com - avsforum.com
