At IFA in Berlin, Xgimi unveiled a pair of new ultrashort-throw projectors. Called the Aura 3 Max and Aura 3 Pro, they slot in above the Aura 2 in Xgimi’s range. Like several new projectors, notably from AWOL and JMGO, the Aura 3 models have high brightness and 120Hz refresh rates. 

The classy, wood-paneled design holds a light engine capable of a stated 5,700 lumens in the Max and 4,100 in the Pro. Xgimi also says the Aura 3s have the world’s first dual iris system, giving greater control over the amount of light hitting the screen.

This dynamic contrast ratio isn’t quite as eye-catching as a high native contrast ratio, but I won’t be able to judge that until I get one in my lab for testing. Xgimi says it’s the same light engine as what’s in the Titan Noir, so I’d expect solid performance.

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

The designs are similar to the Aura 3. Xgimi had them set up on the floor, which would certainly work if you don’t have kids, clumsy adults or curious pets. UST projectors are typically designed to be the central hub of a home cinema, and as such the internal speakers play an important role. For the Aura 3 series, Xgimi has again partnered with Harman Kardon for assistance with the audio. Both models have 80 watts total, though the company hasn’t announced how many drivers those watts power.

Also shown with the Aura 3 at Xgimi’s IFA booth was the (maybe) production version of the Ascend screen I first saw at CES 2025. It’s a stylish, motorized ambient-light-rejecting screen.

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

Xgimi announced preorder pricing via Kickstarter. I’m not a fan of preorders in general and definitely not big companies using Kickstarter. It said a $50 deposit will get you $200 off, with the preorder price being $2,399 for the Max and $2,199 for the Pro. That’s a little higher than the Aura 2, which itself performs quite well for the price. The actual MSRP will likely be higher at launch.

Geoffrey Morrison

Contributor

Geoffrey Morrison is a writer/photographer about tech and travel for CNET, The New York Times, and other web and print publications. He’s also the Editor-at-Large for Wirecutter. He is the author of Budget Travel for Dummies as well as the bestselling sci-fi novels Undersea, and Undersea Atrophia. He’s NIST and ISF trained, and has a degree in Audio Production from Ithaca College. He spends most of the year as a digital nomad, living and working while traveling around the world. You can follow his travels at BaldNomad.com and on his Instagram and YouTube channel.

See full bio