Let me save you some time and answer the question that is likely weighing on many people's mind—yes, this can be a TV replacement. I never thought I'd be typing that about a projector anytime soon, but the world of ultra short throw projectors has been getting massively competitive in the recent few months. Asian brands in particular have done what's typically expected in terms of cutting down features that go less noticed in order to bring to market a product at a comparatively lower price point that will appeal to far more people.

I know many will read this and immediately start typing in the comments section one way or the other, so I do welcome your comments, as no doubt does XGIMI. The Aura is the company's first UST laser projector, so much so that it is being marketed as a 4K laser TV in some places. This might be extending things a touch, but the feature set you get is extensive and mostly well-executed. Peak brightness is rated at 2400 ANSI lumens, and I measured north of 2000 lumens, enough to where daytime operation doesn't have to be discussed as much separately. There remain some issues that are exposed more during the day, such as blacks being more gray in most operating modes, but these are inherent issues that are just better concealed at night. So treat this as a TV replacement not in terms of offering equivalent image quality for the money, but, rather, in terms of image size flexibility while situated closer to the screen or wall instead of hunkered down in the middle of the room somewhere. Given that the size map chart starts at 100" and goes to 150" on the product page, $2500 seems like a relative bargain in this regard.

While not certified, adding positively is also that this is finally an AndroidTV OS that works with Netflix; combined with the rest of the smart-TV operating system and Chromecast, which is integrated, it makes for a handy user experience. Now if only XGIMI would actually use some of the funds to improve its mobile app! Thankfully, the remote is well executed, and the build quality is a step up from the portable projector companion we saw before. There are still no batteries or even an HDMI cable, and you may want to spend the extra to get a long Ethernet cable while you are at it in case WiFi is spotty where you wish it to be installed at. Software setup is trivial, but more involved on the physical front to where I am thankful the bulk and mass of the product make this a more permanent unit with a once-done installation. There are a ton of settings and customization options thereafter, but only for those who want to fine-tune the user experience. XGIMI has clearly made the Aura, as with the rest of its lineup, friendly for easy, more enjoyable use.

Look, there are options coming from all directions as far as high-end projectors go. Some opt for a more traditional shorter-throw ratio and go the route of native 4K, HDR10+/Dolby Vision, and a full-fledged speaker system that rivals most aftermarket soundbars. There are many that have a 120/144/165 Hz refresh rate natively, making them viable for gaming if the rest of the input lag parameters are tuned accordingly. You pay a pretty penny for the "ultra" in the ultra short-throw projector here, and competing options I have gone out of my way to try at a brick-and-mortar store have either come in at a similar price and not impressed, or done better in many ways while also costing closer to $3500. In that regard, I have to give credit to the XGIMI Aura where it's due.