NexiGo Aurora Lite
The gaming and dark-room specialist of the group. NexiGo's 4K UST uses an ALPD 4.0 hybrid tri-color laser with dynamic laser dimming, and The Smart Home Hookup measured a native contrast of 3,632:1 with a low black floor in its 2024 UST shootout. It is the only pick here that accepts a 4K/120Hz signal, with under 10 ms lag at 1080p/240Hz in that test, and its 60W four-driver Dolby Atmos system is the largest built-in sound in the list. The trade-off is brightness: rated at 1,900 ANSI lumens, it measured about 1,287 lumens once calibrated in an AVS Forum review.
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links.
Our Verdict
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.
Score Breakdown
Pros & Cons
Pros
- •Best measured contrast in this group: 3,632:1 native with a low black floor (The Smart Home Hookup)
- •The only pick with 4K/120Hz input; under 10 ms lag at 1080p/240Hz (The Smart Home Hookup)
- •60W Dolby Atmos system (2 x 15W woofers + 2 x 15W tweeters), the most built-in power here, plus eARC and active 3D
Cons
- •Dimmest of the five once calibrated (about 1,287 lumens in an AVS Forum review), so it needs a darker room
- •Bare-bones Android TV with no useful apps; a streaming stick is needed
Specifications
| Rated Brightness | 1,900 ANSI lumens (about 1,833 measured uncalibrated, AVS Forum) |
| Light Source | ALPD 4.0 hybrid tri-color laser |
| Image Size | Up to 150 in |
| Throw / 100" Distance | 0.233:1 |
| HDR Formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Input Lag | 8 ms claimed; 4K/120 input; under 10 ms at 1080p/240 (The Smart Home Hookup) |
| Smart OS | Basic Android TV; streaming stick recommended |
| Speakers | 60W (4 x 15W), Dolby Atmos |
Quick Answers
What is the rated brightness of the NexiGo Aurora Lite?
NexiGo Aurora Lite rated brightness: 1,900 ANSI lumens (about 1,833 measured uncalibrated, AVS Forum).
What is the light source of the NexiGo Aurora Lite?
NexiGo Aurora Lite light source: ALPD 4.0 hybrid tri-color laser.
What is the image size of the NexiGo Aurora Lite?
NexiGo Aurora Lite image size: Up to 150 in.
What is the throw / 100" distance of the NexiGo Aurora Lite?
NexiGo Aurora Lite throw / 100" distance: 0.233:1.
What is the hdr formats of the NexiGo Aurora Lite?
NexiGo Aurora Lite hdr formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG.
What is the input lag of the NexiGo Aurora Lite?
NexiGo Aurora Lite input lag: 8 ms claimed; 4K/120 input; under 10 ms at 1080p/240 (The Smart Home Hookup).
What is the smart os of the NexiGo Aurora Lite?
NexiGo Aurora Lite smart os: Basic Android TV; streaming stick recommended.
What is the speakers of the NexiGo Aurora Lite?
NexiGo Aurora Lite speakers: 60W (4 x 15W), Dolby Atmos.
Who is the NexiGo Aurora Lite for?
It suits pS5, Xbox Series X and PC gamers who want 120Hz, dedicated dark rooms and basements, buyers who want strong built-in sound without a soundbar. It is not the right pick for bright living rooms with daytime viewing, anyone who wants built-in streaming apps, buyers who need the brightest image per dollar.
Is the NexiGo Aurora Lite worth buying?
The gaming and dark-room specialist of the group. NexiGo's 4K UST uses an ALPD 4.0 hybrid tri-color laser with dynamic laser dimming, and The Smart Home Hookup measured a native contrast of 3,632:1 with a low black floor in its 2024 UST shootout. It is the only pick here that accepts a 4K/120Hz signal, with under 10 ms lag at 1080p/240Hz in that test, and its 60W four-driver Dolby Atmos system is the largest built-in sound in the list. The trade-off is brightness: rated at 1,900 ANSI lumens, it measured about 1,287 lumens once calibrated in an AVS Forum review. It ranks #3 in our Top 5 Ultra Short Throw Projectors Under $2,000. 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.
Who Is This For?
Best For
- PS5, Xbox Series X and PC gamers who want 120Hz
- Dedicated dark rooms and basements
- Buyers who want strong built-in sound without a soundbar
Not For
- Bright living rooms with daytime viewing
- Anyone who wants built-in streaming apps
- Buyers who need the brightest image per dollar
Where to Buy
Appears In
Compare Head-to-Head
Customer Reviews
Alternatives to Consider
Hisense PL2
Hisense
Hisense's second-generation entry UST and the strongest all-round package under $2,000: a 4K (0.47-inch DLP XPR) laser projector rated at 2,700 ANSI lumens, with Dolby Vision, a 0.22:1 lens that throws a 100-inch image from about 7 inches off the wall, and Google TV built in on the US model. What Hi-Fi called it the best UST it has reviewed on performance per dollar, praising its balanced, consistent picture and dark detail. Its single blue laser cannot match the color volume of the triple-laser AWOL models, and gaming tops out at 4K/60.
AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro
AWOL Vision
The brightest projector in this group by independent measurement and the best picture under $2,000 if you supply your own streaming device. Its RGB triple-laser engine (no color wheel) measured 2,586 ANSI lumens for Projector Reviews against a 2,400 rating, and that reviewer praised its well-tuned out-of-the-box color and excellent black levels. Dolby Vision and HDR10+, 15 ms input lag at 4K/60 and a 36W Dolby Atmos system round out the spec sheet. The weak point is software: the built-in launcher has no useful apps, so plan on a streaming stick.
AWOL Vision LTV-2500
AWOL Vision
The least expensive RGB triple-laser UST we found sold new on Amazon US, with the same Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, 0.25:1 throw and 36W Dolby Atmos speakers as the pricier LTV-3000 Pro, and a Fire TV Stick 4K Max included per the current listing. It is the oldest design here (2022): ProjectorCentral measured 1,682 ISO lumens at maximum, well below the 3000 Pro, and noted a blue bias that benefits from calibration. Lag is the same 15 ms at 4K/60 and 8 ms at 1080p/120 as its sibling.
Formovie Cinema Edge
Formovie
A compact, all-in-one 4K laser UST with Google TV and officially licensed Netflix, rated at 2,100 ISO lumens. The Smart Home Hookup named it its best UST under $2,000 in 2025, and TechRadar and Engadget both credit its sharp 4K image and tidy package. It ranks last here because it is the only pick without Dolby Vision (HDR10 and HLG only), Engadget measured about 40 ms of input lag at 60Hz, and reviewers found its color and Google TV processor underwhelming next to similarly priced rivals.