XGIMI AURA 2 vs Formovie Theater: Best UST Projector Under $1,000

In the XGIMI AURA 2 vs Formovie Theater matchup, both 4K laser ultra-short-throw projectors listed at exactly $999.99 on Amazon on October 16, 2026, and the AURA 2 lists more brightness at 2,300 ISO lumens versus 1,800 for the Formovie. Reviewers who tested each one, including TechTablets, a projector and gadget review channel that has covered both, found strong 4K HDR pictures on both, with the same catch: the Netflix app would not run on the units they reviewed (TechTablets, “XGIMI Aura 2 Review – Amazing 4k IMAX Enhanced Projector!”; TechTablets, “Formovie Theater Review Stunning 4K HDR10 Ultra Short Throw Projector”).

Ultra-short-throw projectors sit inches from the wall and throw a 100-inch-plus image. The Hook Up, a channel that tests UST projectors in a light-controlled garage, says brightness and contrast decide how well they hold up in a living room (The Hook Up, “Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors 2026 – Don’t Miss This One”), and Paul Hibbert, a smart home YouTuber who uses a UST projector, pairs his with an ambient-light-rejecting screen (Paul Hibbert, “Projector Destroys TV”).

XGIMI AURA 2 vs Formovie Theater: Specs Side by Side

Prices from Amazon at time of writing. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.

Who should buy which

• XGIMI AURA 2 UST laser projector: brighter on paper, IMAX Enhanced, auto focus and auto keystone that TechTablets says worked well, and about 20 ms of game latency. Pick it for a room with some daylight.
• Formovie Theater UST 4K laser projector: Bowers & Wilkins-tuned speakers, Dolby Vision and HDR10+, and fan noise TechTablets called one of the quietest it had heard on a large UST. Formovie’s listing says it won first place and judge’s pick at ProjectorCentral’s 2022 and 2023 Laser TV Showdown.

XGIMI AURA 2 Review Highlights

TechTablets tested the AURA 2 about 25 cm (roughly 10 in) from an ALR screen for an almost 120-inch picture (TechTablets, “XGIMI Aura 2 Review – Amazing 4k IMAX Enhanced Projector!”). With a strong light aimed at the screen, the image was still easy to make out, which it credits to the 2,300 ISO lumens.

• Setup: auto keystone and auto focus use a time-of-flight camera. TechTablets found auto focus worked “brilliantly” and the second auto keystone pass got the image almost spot on, with small manual tweaks.
• Picture: on a 4K 60 HDR clip it saw no color fringing, no black speckle, no ghosting and reds that did not dominate. On a plain white wall the image looked more washed out with less deep blacks, so it recommends a quality ALR screen.
• Gaming: in a manual picture mode (which turns off auto keystone) latency drops to about 20 ms. On a PlayStation 5 at 120 inches, input lag was a non-issue for console games, it said.
• Audio and noise: four 15 W Harman Kardon speakers (60 W total) had plenty of bass and filled the studio. The fan ramps up on bright scenes but is moderate and unlikely to be heard from across a room.
• Apps: the review unit ran Android TV 11 with Widevine L1, but Netflix would not appear in the Play Store, so TechTablets used a separate streaming stick. Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ played in 4K. It also notes the price it saw was 2,899 euros; the US Amazon listing was $999.99 on October 16, 2026.
• Safety: eye protection sensors cut the image if someone leans into the beam.

Video: TechTablets, “XGIMI Aura 2 Review – Amazing 4k IMAX Enhanced Projector!”. Embedded with credit.

Formovie Theater Review Highlights

Formovie’s listing rates the Theater at 1,800 ISO lumens. Reviewers quote 2,800 ANSI lumens, an older and different measurement, so the two numbers aren’t directly comparable.

• TechTablets: called the picture outstanding for this style of projector, with deep blacks and no visible noise. A 100 W light aimed at the image washed it out somewhat, but it stayed perfectly viewable. Input lag was fine for 4K 60 console games, and MEMC smooths motion. The fan was so quiet it couldn’t pick it up on its mics. The cons it found: Netflix would not run, and Prime Video played only in full HD on its unit (TechTablets, “Formovie Theater Review Stunning 4K HDR10 Ultra Short Throw Projector”).
• TechHut, a tech and Linux channel that used the Theater for three to four weeks with a unit Formovie sent (not sponsored), said in a dark room it was hard to tell apart from premium 4K TVs. Placement sets size: about 80 in when it sits closest to the wall and 150 in at 49 cm. With windows open the blacks turned grayer but stayed watchable, and closing the curtains helped. It bought Formovie’s own ALR screen and says to budget for one (TechHut, “I’m NEVER buying a TV again – Formovie THEATER Review”).

Video: TechHut, “I’m NEVER buying a TV again – Formovie THEATER Review”. Embedded with credit.

What The Hook Up and Paul Hibbert Say About UST Projectors

The Hook Up tested XGIMI’s earlier Aura at $1,699 and measured about 1,300 ISO lumens in movie mode with a 1,895:1 native contrast (The Hook Up, “Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors 2026 – Don’t Miss This One”). The AURA 2 is a newer model, so treat those numbers as a reference point, not a test of this listing. The Hook Up says newer RGB laser USTs reach near-infinite dynamic contrast with laser dimming on. For daytime viewing it compares projectors in their brightest usable modes with 200 W of overhead lighting on.

Paul Hibbert says the screen makes a big difference (Paul Hibbert, “Projector Destroys TV”). A UST-specific ALR screen uses a sawtooth surface that rejects light from above and reflects the projector’s light from below, which is why his looks good even in daylight. Fresnel ALR screens can show a slight hot spot, he notes. He also points out that shiny OLED TVs reflect room lights in a way projector screens don’t.

Video: The Hook Up, “Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors 2026 – Don’t Miss This One”. Embedded with credit.

Netflix on the XGIMI AURA 2 and Formovie Theater

Both TechTablets reviews hit the same wall: Netflix would not install or run (TechTablets, “XGIMI Aura 2 Review – Amazing 4k IMAX Enhanced Projector!”; TechTablets, “Formovie Theater Review Stunning 4K HDR10 Ultra Short Throw Projector”). The fix both reviews used is a certified streaming stick or Android TV box in an HDMI port. Amazon’s current AURA 2 listing advertises Google TV with Netflix, which suggests newer units may differ from the one TechTablets tested; check the listing for the version you buy. Formovie’s listing names Disney+, HBO, Hulu and YouTube, not Netflix.

Add a Screen

Every reviewer here says an ALR screen improves daytime viewing. The NothingProjector 100-inch ALR screen for UST projectors listed at $399.00 on October 16, 2026, with 85% ceiling-light rejection per the listing. Both projectors also work on a smooth wall in a dark room; TechHut found a textured wall looked patchy.

XGIMI AURA 2 vs Formovie Theater: Frequently Asked Questions

Which is brighter, XGIMI AURA 2 or Formovie Theater?

XGIMI lists 2,300 ISO lumens for the AURA 2; Formovie lists 1,800 ISO lumens for the Theater.

Do the XGIMI AURA 2 and Formovie Theater have Netflix?

TechTablets could not run Netflix on either review unit. Amazon’s AURA 2 listing now advertises Google TV with Netflix; Formovie’s listing does not name Netflix.

Which is better for gaming?

TechTablets measured about 20 ms on the AURA 2 in a manual picture mode and found input lag acceptable on the Formovie at 4K 60.

How far from the wall does a UST projector sit?

Inches. TechTablets used the AURA 2 about 25 cm from the screen for nearly 120 in; Formovie lists 100 in from about 9 in away.

Do I need an ALR screen?

Not in a dark room, but Paul Hibbert, TechTablets and TechHut all say it makes a big difference with lights or daylight.

Sources

• TechTablets, “XGIMI Aura 2 Review – Amazing 4k IMAX Enhanced Projector!”
• TechTablets, “Formovie Theater Review Stunning 4K HDR10 Ultra Short Throw Projector”
• TechHut, “I’m NEVER buying a TV again – Formovie THEATER Review”
• The Hook Up, “Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors 2026 – Don’t Miss This One”
• Paul Hibbert, “Projector Destroys TV”
• Amazon product listings for the products linked above, from Amazon at time of writing

Related: Best Projector Under $1,000 | Projector vs TV | Projector for Bedroom