AWOL Vision Aetherion Pro
A triple laser ultra short throw TV replacement for movie and gaming rooms that want deep blacks and a huge picture. Best in a dim room on a proper UST screen.
Amazon $2,299$2,299
The AWOL Vision Aetherion Pro is the better projector overall, rated 4.1 to 3.9. The AWOL Vision Aetherion Pro leads on setup and brightness. The WEMAX Nova Pro wins on streaming. The WEMAX Nova Pro costs $500 less ($1,799 vs $2,299).
WEMAX Nova Pro
A mid-priced laser UST for watching movies and TV in a living room. Gamers should look elsewhere, since testing found it laggy.
Amazon $1,799.99 WEMAX $1,799$1,799
Prices were last checked October 29, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the AWOL Vision Aetherion Pro for setup (Auto keystone vs Manual focus and keystone) and brightness (2,600 ISO 21118 lumens vs 2,100 ISO lumens).
- Choose the WEMAX Nova Pro for streaming (Google TV with licensed Netflix vs Google TV, no licensed Netflix).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every ultra short throw projector; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | AWOL Vision Aetherion Pro | WEMAX Nova Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.1/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Brightness 25% | 69 2,600 ISO 21118 lumens | 54 2,100 ISO lumens |
| Value 15% | 74 $0.88 per lumen | 76 $0.86 per lumen |
| Resolution 10% | 100 4K (pixel shift) | 100 4K (pixel shift) |
| Streaming 15% | 50 Google TV, no licensed Netflix | 100 Google TV with licensed Netflix |
| Setup 10% | 50 Auto keystone | 0 Manual focus and keystone |
| Light life 10% | 100 25,000 hour RGB laser | 100 25,000 hour laser |
| Gaming 10% | 100 1 ms input lag | 50 input lag not published (neutral score used) |
| Warranty 5% | 50 2-year warranty | 50 2-year warranty |
Independent measurements
AWOL Vision Aetherion Pro
No independent test published yet.
WEMAX Nova Pro
| Tested by | Brightness | Input lag | Contrast | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Smart Home Hookup: Best UST Projector of 2025 | 2,234 lm | - | - | 2,234 lumens in Office mode. It dropped frames at 120 and 240 Hz and was the only tested UST that did not stay under 50 ms at 4K/60 with keystone on. |
Specifications
| AWOL Vision Aetherion Pro | WEMAX Nova Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Picture | ||
| Brightness | 2,600 ISO 21118 | 2,100 ISO |
| Native resolution | 1920 x 1080 (1080p) | 1920 x 1080 (1080p) |
| Picture resolution | 4K (pixel shift from 1920x1080) | 4K (pixel shift from 1920x1080) |
| Display | DLP | DLP |
| Light source | RGB laser | laser |
| Light source life | 25,000 hours | 25,000 hours |
| HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | HDR10, HLG |
| Color gamut | 110% BT.2020 | 110% Rec.709 |
| Native contrast | 6,000:1 | 3,000:1 |
| Dynamic contrast | 60,000:1 | - |
| Placement | ||
| Throw | Ultra short throw (0.2:1) | Ultra short throw (0.2:1) |
| Largest image | 200 in | 150 in |
| Auto screen fit | Yes | - |
| Optical zoom | None | None |
| Streaming and gaming | ||
| Built-in apps | Google TV | Google TV, licensed Netflix |
| Input lag | 1 ms | - |
| Top refresh rate | 240 Hz | - |
| HDMI ports | 3 | 2 |
| eARC | Yes | - |
| Speakers | 40 W | 30 W |
| Build | ||
| Battery | None | None |
| Fan noise | 28 dB | - |
| Dimensions | 22.1 x 12.7 x 5.5 in (W x D x H) | 18.0 x 12.1 x 3.6 in |
| Weight | 19.3 lb | 15.4 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Released | 2026-05 | 2025-08 |