Hisense PL2 vs NexiGo Aurora Lite

How they differ in real use

Built from our ust projectors under 2000 scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.

Both the Hisense PL2 and the NexiGo Aurora Lite made our Top 5 Ultra Short Throw Projectors Under $2,000, at #1 (best overall) and #3. The most complete package for the least money: at about $1,499 it is the cheapest projector here, yet it is also the only pick that combines built-in Google TV with Dolby Vision, and its 0.22:1 lens puts a 100-inch image about 7.2 inches from the wall, closer than the AWOL models' 8.5 inches. What Hi-Fi rated it the best UST it has reviewed for performance per dollar. It gives up color volume to the RGB triple-laser LTV-3000 Pro and lags it in gaming (about 30 ms vs 15 ms at 4K/60, with no 120Hz), but the 3000 Pro costs about $400 more and needs a streaming stick. The pick for gamers and dark rooms: it is the only projector here that accepts 4K/120Hz, with under 10 ms lag at 1080p/240Hz, and The Smart Home Hookup measured a native contrast of 3,632:1 with a lower black floor than the AWOL LTV-2500. Its 60W four-driver Dolby Atmos system is the strongest built-in sound in the list. It ranks below the LTV-3000 Pro because it measured about 1,287 lumens calibrated against the 3000 Pro's 2,586, so it struggles with ambient light, and, like both AWOLs, it needs a streaming stick. It costs about $240 more than the LTV-2500.

We score ultra short throw projectors under $2,000 on Picture Quality (25%), Brightness (20%), Value (20%), Smart Features (15%), Gaming (10%) and Built-in Sound (10%). On that basis the Hisense PL2 totals 8.7 out of 10 and the NexiGo Aurora Lite 8.2. The widest gap is Smart Features, where the Hisense PL2 scores 9.4 against 6.2 for the NexiGo Aurora Lite: built-in streaming platform and licensed apps, or whether a separate streaming stick and remote are needed. Value also separates them: 9.6 for the Hisense PL2 versus 7.9 for the NexiGo Aurora Lite. The NexiGo Aurora Lite claws back ground on Gaming, Built-in Sound and Picture Quality.

On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Brightness: 2,700 ANSI lumens on the Hisense PL2 versus 1,900 ANSI lumens (about 1,833 measured uncalibrated, AVS Forum) on the NexiGo Aurora Lite; Light Source: Blue laser + phosphor (X-Fusion) on the Hisense PL2 versus ALPD 4.0 hybrid tri-color laser on the NexiGo Aurora Lite; HDR Formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG on the Hisense PL2 versus Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG on the NexiGo Aurora Lite; Input Lag: About 30 ms in game mode (What Hi-Fi); 4K/60 max, ALLM on the Hisense PL2 versus 8 ms claimed; 4K/120 input; under 10 ms at 1080p/240 (The Smart Home Hookup) on the NexiGo Aurora Lite; Throw / 100" Distance: 0.22:1; about 7.2 in from the wall for 100 in on the Hisense PL2 versus 0.233:1 on the NexiGo Aurora Lite; Image Size: 80–150 in on the Hisense PL2 versus Up to 150 in on the NexiGo Aurora Lite.

Check current pricing at the merchant links below. Owners praise the Hisense PL2 for balanced, consistent picture with good shadow detail; What Hi-Fi rated it the best UST it has reviewed for performance per dollar and 0.22:1 throw puts a 100-inch image about 7.2 inches from the wall, the shortest placement in this group; the most common complaint is single blue-laser light source looks flatter in dim scenes than the RGB triple-laser AWOL models. Owners praise the NexiGo Aurora Lite for best measured contrast in this group: 3,632:1 native with a low black floor (The Smart Home Hookup) and the only pick with 4K/120Hz input; under 10 ms lag at 1080p/240Hz (The Smart Home Hookup); the most common complaint is dimmest of the five once calibrated (about 1,287 lumens in an AVS Forum review), so it needs a darker room.