OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Projectors Methodology v3.0
Projectors Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Projectors Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Projectors Methodology v3.0

XGIMI Z4 Aurora review: 86 specs compared

Avg. price:~£260Native panel resolution:1280x720ANSI lumens:700Throw ratio:1.2:1Lamp life:30000 hours

XGIMI Z4 Aurora Review: Compare 86 technical specifications and 3 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

XGIMI Z4 Aurora
6.8/10

Overall score

Score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

35%

6.6

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

6.6

Reviews score

10%

6.6

Sentiment score

â–¼Worse than 71% of projectors
7.5

Value for money

Value for money
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 74% of models
Score components

70%

6.8

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

â–²Better than 74%
6.6

Technical score

Technical score
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 53% of models
Score components

42%

6.0

Image Quality

22%

5.7

Projection & Lens

12%

6.5

HDMI & Gaming

10%

8.7

Audio & Features

8%

8.9

Connectivity

6%

7.0

Design & Power

â–²Better than 53%
6.6

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 68% of models

6.6

Mark 8.2 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.6

Average grade

20%

6.7

Popularity

Grades by review (3)
3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 68%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of projector XGIMI Z4 Aurora

Technical score
Technical score
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 53% of models
Score components:

42%

6.0

Image Quality

22%

5.7

Projection & Lens

12%

6.5

HDMI & Gaming

10%

8.7

Audio & Features

8%

8.9

Connectivity

6%

7.0

Design & Power

6.6
Reviews score
6.6
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 74% of models
Score components:

70%

6.8

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

7.5
ANSI lumens
700
Market range: <250 – >4k
This projector reaches 700 ANSI lumens, dimmer than 72.6% of projectors and equal to 2.3% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
5,000:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 5000:1, lower than 59.1% of projectors and equal to 1.9% of projectors.
Native panel resolution
1280x720
This projector uses a native resolution of 1280x720, lower than 82.1% of projectors and equal to 6.4% of projectors.
Output resolution
1920x1080
This projector supports output resolution up to 1920x1080, higher than 25.9% of projectors and equal to 42.3% of projectors.
Projection technology
DLP
Show more
Throw ratio
1.2:1
Min throw distance
7.6 m
Market range: <0.5 m – >2 m
This projector needs a minimum throw distance of 7.6 m, longer than 100% of projectors.
Max projection size
300 inch
Market range: <100 inch – >300 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 300 inch, larger than 51.5% of projectors and equal to 38% of projectors.
Zoom ratio
N/A
Motorized zoom
no
This projector does not have motorised zoom. 14.8% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Input lag
?
Auto low latency mode (ALLM)
no
This projector does not switch to low-latency mode automatically. 16.1% of projectors offer this.
Variable refresh rate (VRR)
no
This projector does not support variable refresh rate. 1.8% of projectors offer this.
HDMI version
?
Max HDMI bandwidth
?
Show more
N. of HDMI ports
2
Market range: <1 – >6
This projector has 2 HDMI port/s, more than 45.9% of projectors and equal to 47.3% of projectors.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This projector connects to Wi-Fi networks for streaming. 46.7% of projectors offer this.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
This projector uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is newer than 55.6% of projectors and the same as in 27.5% of projectors.
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This projector supports Bluetooth for speakers and headphones. 49.4% of projectors offer this.
Bluetooth version
4
This projector supports Bluetooth 4, more modern than 53.5% of projectors and equal to 2.4% of projectors.
Show more
Smart TV features
yes
This projector has built-in smart TV features. 56.2% of projectors offer this.
Operating system
Android 4.3
Android OS
yes
This projector runs Android OS. 81% of projectors run Android OS.
Dedicated smartphone app
yes
This projector comes with a dedicated smartphone app. 63.3% of projectors come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Remote control
yes
This projector includes a remote control. 1.5% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Light source type
led
This projector uses led light source technology, more advanced than 33.6% of projectors and equal to 39.9% of projectors.
Laser light source
no
This projector does not have a laser light source. 26.8% of projectors offer this.
Lamp life
30,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 30,000 hours, shorter than 67.9% of projectors and equal to 25.9% of projectors.
Lamp life (eco mode)
?
Operating power consumption
90 W
Market range: <50 W – >400 W
This projector uses 90 W of power, less than 74.3% of projectors and equal to 1.4% of projectors.
Show more

XGIMI Z4 Aurora vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • Supports HDMI ARC
    This projector supports HDMI ARC, while the average projector does not. 35.2% of projectors support HDMI ARC.
  • Wider color gamut
    This projector has a higher color gamut coverage than the average projector (120% NTSC % vs 99% Rec.709 %). The average projector has 99% Rec.709 % of color gamut coverage.
    120% NTSC % vs 99% Rec.709 %
  • Supports smart TV apps
    This projector has built-in smart TV features, while the average projector does not. 43.9% of projectors offer smart TV features.
  • Smartphone app support
    This projector supports smartphone app control, while the average projector does not. 36.7% of projectors support smartphone app control.
  • Includes stereo speakers
    This projector has stereo speakers, while the average projector does not. 47.8% of projectors have stereo speakers.
  • Supports voice commands
    This projector supports voice commands, while the average projector does not. 36.1% of projectors support voice commands.
  • Has S/PDIF output
    This projector supports S/PDIF output, while the average projector does not. 16.6% of projectors support S/PDIF output.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This projector supports AirPlay, while the average projector does not. 40.3% of projectors offer this.
  • 2.54x cheaper
    XGIMI Z4 Aurora is cheaper than the average projector (£260 vs £660).
    £260 vs £660
  • Wider color gamut
    This projector has a higher color gamut coverage than the average projector (120% NTSC % vs 99% Rec.709 %). The average projector has 99% Rec.709 % of color gamut coverage.
    120% NTSC % vs 99% Rec.709 %
  • 50 inch larger image size
    This projector has a higher projection size than the average projector (300 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    300 inch vs 250 inch
  • Motorized focus
    This projector supports motorized focus, while the average projector does not. 45.6% of projectors support motorized focus.
  • Supports HDMI ARC
    This projector supports HDMI ARC, while the average projector does not. 35.2% of projectors support HDMI ARC.
  • Has S/PDIF output
    This projector supports S/PDIF output, while the average projector does not. 16.6% of projectors support S/PDIF output.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This projector supports AirPlay, while the average projector does not. 40.3% of projectors offer this.
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    This projector has more RJ45 ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 RJ45 ports.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB ports
    This projector has more USB ports than the average projector (2 vs 1). The average projector has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • Supports Miracast mirroring
    This projector supports Miracast, while the average projector does not. 46.4% of projectors offer this.
  • DLNA streaming supported
    This projector supports DLNA streaming, while the average projector does not. 3.2% of projectors support DLNA streaming.
  • Supports smart TV apps
    This projector has built-in smart TV features, while the average projector does not. 43.9% of projectors offer smart TV features.
  • Smartphone app support
    This projector supports smartphone app control, while the average projector does not. 36.7% of projectors support smartphone app control.
  • Includes stereo speakers
    This projector has stereo speakers, while the average projector does not. 47.8% of projectors have stereo speakers.
  • Supports voice commands
    This projector supports voice commands, while the average projector does not. 36.1% of projectors support voice commands.
  • Android OS built-in
    This projector features Android OS, while the average projector does not. 19.1% of projectors feature Android OS.
  • 10,000 hours longer lamp life
    This projector has a higher lamp life than the average projector (30,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life.
    30,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 140 W lower power use
    This projector uses less power than the average projector (90 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    90 W vs 230 W
  • 72 mm lower height
    This projector is shorter than the average projector (50 mm vs 122 mm). The average projector has a height of 122 mm.
    50 mm vs 122 mm
  • 68.2% dimmer image
    This projector has lower ANSI lumens than the average projector (700 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    700 vs 2,200
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1280x720 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1280x720 vs 1920x1080
  • 6.59 m longer throw distance
    This projector has a higher throw distance than the average projector (7.6 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    7.6 m vs 1.0055 m
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (led vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    led vs laser
  • 29.4% lower refresh rate
    This projector has a lower refresh rate than the average projector (60 Hz vs 85 Hz). The average projector has 85 Hz of refresh rate.
    60 Hz vs 85 Hz
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (4K/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    4K/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • 10.8% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models

    6.6

    Mark 8.2 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.6

    Average grade

    20%

    6.7

    Popularity

    Grades by review (3)
    3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    6.6 vs 7.4
  • No RS-232 control
    This projector does not support RS-232 control, while the average projector does. 50.6% of projectors support RS-232 control.
  • 10.8% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models

    6.6

    Mark 8.2 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.6

    Average grade

    20%

    6.7

    Popularity

    Grades by review (3)
    3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    6.6 vs 7.4
  • 12.0% lower sentiment score
    6.6 vs 7.5
  • 68.2% dimmer image
    This projector has lower ANSI lumens than the average projector (700 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    700 vs 2,200
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1280x720 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1280x720 vs 1920x1080
  • 29.4% lower refresh rate
    This projector has a lower refresh rate than the average projector (60 Hz vs 85 Hz). The average projector has 85 Hz of refresh rate.
    60 Hz vs 85 Hz
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (5000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    5,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 6.59 m longer throw distance
    This projector has a higher throw distance than the average projector (7.6 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    7.6 m vs 1.0055 m
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (4K/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    4K/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • No RS-232 control
    This projector does not support RS-232 control, while the average projector does. 50.6% of projectors support RS-232 control.
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (led vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    led vs laser
  • 34.2% heavier weight
    This projector is heavier than the average projector (4 kg vs 2.98 kg). The average projector weighs 2.98 kg.
    4 kg vs 2.98 kg

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
TECH 404
≈ estimated
30/11/2017
Hands-on review · picture quality, gesture control and design
Verdict
XGIMI Z4 Aurora has a strong picture and good gesture control, making it a clear pick for a mid-range budget.
9.0
MindSeed TV
≈ estimated
10/10/2017
Hands-on review · menus, picture size and speakers
Verdict
XGIMI Z4 Aurora is a capable projector with a smooth menu and a very clear image.
9.0
ShellFish
≈ estimated
11/07/2016
Unboxing and hands-on review · picture size, focus and sound
Verdict
XGIMI Z4 Aurora has a strong picture for the price, but the sound benefits from a separate soundbar.
Not graded
Not graded
Shop video

Third-party reviews

What customers like about XGIMI Z4 Aurora

  • Its 50 mm height and 196 mm width make it easy to fit on a shelf.
  • Android OS runs streaming apps without a separate box.
  • Stereo speakers spread the sound across the room.
  • A phone app and AirPlay make it simple to start a film.
  • The LED light is rated for 30000 hours.
  • 3D format support lets you watch 3D films.

What customers don't like about XGIMI Z4 Aurora

  • The 7.6 m minimum throw needs a long room.
  • Focus is set by hand, and there is no motorized zoom.
  • The 1280x720 panel limits sharpness.
  • At 4 kg it is heavy to move around.
  • With 700 ANSI lumens the picture dims in a bright room.

Verdict

A slim body, 196 mm wide and 50 mm high, is the first thing you notice on the XGIMI Z4 Aurora. It runs Android OS with smart TV apps built in, so streaming needs no laptop. The stereo speakers and the phone app are handy, and AirPlay and Bluetooth add more ways to connect. With 700 ANSI lumens it suits a dim room, and its 1280x720 panel is the real limit on sharpness. Its LED light is rated for 30000 hours, so it should last for years of films. It projects up to 300 inch, but the 7.6 m minimum throw means it needs a long room. It suits a family with a long, empty living room who wants streaming apps without an extra box.

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