Our pick · No. 3 of 15
AWOL Vision Aetherion Max
3,300 ISO lumens · RGB triple laser · 0.2:1 throw
$3,999$4,499Nov 13, 2026
AWOL Vision Aetherion Max vs Hisense PX3-PRO
AWOL Vision Aetherion Max or Hisense PX3-PRO? The Aetherion Max scores 0.3 higher; here is where each one earns its place.
The challenger · No. 6 of 15
Hisense PX3-PRO
3,000 ANSI lumens · RGB triple laser · 0.22:1 throw
$2,499.99$3,499.99Nov 13, 2026
Short answer: AWOL Vision Aetherion Max wins this one, 9.4/10 against 9.1/10, mainly on brightness and color, contrast and HDR. Hisense PX3-PRO answers with price and smart TV and sound.
What really separates them?
This is the upgrade question of the year: is the Aetherion Max worth $1,499 more than the PX3-PRO? On paper the AWOL gives you twice the native contrast (6,000:1 against 3,000:1), 300 more lumens, VRR with a 1 ms claim, and a 200-inch reach. The Hisense answers with things you use every day: Netflix named on the page, 50 W of Harman Kardon sound and a lower price. If you watch films with the lights off, the AWOL's contrast is what you are paying for. If the projector is the family TV, the PX3-PRO already does the job. One more thing: on November 13, 2026 the Aetherion Max with a 120-inch ALR screen cost $3,799, so compare complete setups, not boxes.
Which one is for you?
Choose the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max if
- Your room gets daylight: 3,300 ISO lumens against 3,000 ANSI lumens
- Movies come first: 6,000:1 native contrast, 110% BT.2020, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, IMAX Enhanced
- You play games: 1 ms of input lag claimed, with VRR, ALLM, where the PX3-PRO's page gives no figure
- Your console is shallow: 17.4 inches from lens to screen for 100 inches, against 19.2
Choose the Hisense PX3-PRO if
- You want to spend less: $2,499.99 against $3,999
- You want apps and sound built in: Google TV with Netflix, 50 W, Dolby Atmos
AWOL Vision Aetherion Max vs Hisense PX3-PRO: the numbers
Add a third projector2 projectors in this table: scroll sideways to see them all
| Projector | ||
|---|---|---|
| Brightness (brand) | 3,300 ISO lumens | 3,000 ANSI lumens |
| Light source | RGB triple laser | RGB triple laser |
| Throw ratio | 0.2:1 | 0.22:1 |
| Lens to wall, 100 in picture | 17.4 in | 19.2 in |
| Resolution | 4K UHD | 4K UHD |
| Native contrast | 6,000:1 | 3,000:1 |
| Color gamut | 110% BT.2020 | 110% BT.2020 |
| HDR formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, IMAX Enhanced | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, IMAX Enhanced |
| Lowest input lag | 1 ms (brand) | No figure |
| Gaming features | VRR, ALLM | 120 Hz, ALLM |
| Smart TV | Google TV | Google TV with Netflix |
| Speakers | Dolby Atmos (watts not stated) | 50 W, Dolby Atmos |
| Picture size | 80 to 200 in | 80 to 150 in |
| Focus | Motorized | Not stated |
| Alignment | Manual keystone | Manual keystone |
| Fan noise | No dB figure | No dB figure |
| Size (W × D × H) | 22.1 × 12.7 × 5.5 in | 21.7 × 11.7 × 4.8 in |
| Weight | 18.4 lb | 19.8 lb |
| Laser life (brand) | 25,000 hours | 25,000 hours |
| Warranty | 2-year | 2-year |
| Returns | 30 days | Not stated |
| Shipping | Free shipping | Not stated |
| Screen bundle | $3,799 with 120-inch fixed-frame Cinematic ALR | No screen bundle on the page |
| Sold by | AWOL Vision | Hisense |
| Where to buy | Check price at AWOL | Check price at Hisense |
✓ marks the better figure. "Not stated" means the brand doesn't publish it. Prices checked November 13, 2026 on each brand's own US store.
Which one has the better picture?
AWOL Vision Aetherion Max: rGB triple laser, 3,300 ISO lumens, 6,000:1 native contrast, 110% BT.2020, HDR in Dolby Vision, HDR10+, IMAX Enhanced. Hisense PX3-PRO: rGB triple laser, 3,000 ANSI lumens, 3,000:1 native contrast, 110% BT.2020, HDR in Dolby Vision, HDR10+, IMAX Enhanced.
The Aetherion Max is the brighter one on paper, by 300 lumens (the two brands use different measuring methods, so treat a small gap as a tie). These are each brand's own figures; brightness matters most in a lit room, native contrast in a dark one.
Which one is better for gaming?
AWOL Vision Aetherion Max: 1 ms, per AWOL (no resolution given on the page); gaming features listed: vRR, ALLM. Hisense PX3-PRO: no millisecond figure on Hisense's page ("low-latency mode", 240 Hz high-refresh mode, Designed for Xbox); gaming features listed: 120 Hz, ALLM.
Only AWOL Vision publishes an input lag figure. For a player, a published number beats a slogan.
Which one is easier to place and live with?
With a 0.2:1 throw ratio, the Aetherion Max needs about 17.4 inches between lens and screen for a 100-inch picture; the PX3-PRO (0.22:1) needs 19.2. Picture size: 80 to 200 in for the Aetherion Max, 80 to 150 in for the PX3-PRO. The Aetherion Max measures 22.1 × 12.7 × 5.5 in and weighs 18.4 lb; the PX3-PRO, 21.7 × 11.7 × 4.8 in and 19.8 lb.
Built in: AWOL Vision Aetherion Max has Google TV and dolby Atmos (watts not stated) of sound; Hisense PX3-PRO has Google TV with Netflix and 50 W, Dolby Atmos of sound. Our throw distance calculator gives the distance for your own screen size.
What do they cost, and what cover do you get?
On November 13, 2026, each on its brand's own US store: AWOL Vision Aetherion Max $3,999 ($4,499 regular), Hisense PX3-PRO $2,499.99 ($3,499.99 regular). That is $1,499.01 between them. AWOL Vision also sold the Aetherion Max with a screen: $3,799 for the 120-inch fixed-frame Cinematic ALR bundle.
Warranty: AWOL Vision Aetherion Max, 24-month warranty, per AWOL's product page; Hisense PX3-PRO, 2-year limited warranty, per Hisense. Returns: AWOL Vision Aetherion Max, 30-day money-back guarantee, per AWOL; Hisense PX3-PRO, return window not stated on the product page. A projector is a big box to send back: read the return terms before the specs.
Where to go from here
Full reviews: AWOL Vision Aetherion Max review and Hisense PX3-PRO review. Both appear in our ranking of the best ultra short throw projectors, best ust projector for bright room, best ust projector for gaming, ust projector with screen, best ust projector for home theater.
Other head-to-heads: AWOL Vision Aetherion Max vs AWOL Vision Aetherion Pro, Hisense PX3-PRO vs Hisense PT1, Hisense L9Q vs Hisense PX3-PRO, Hisense PX3-PRO vs Epson Lifestudio Grand.
Still deciding what kind of projector you need? Read our guide: UST projector vs TV.
By Owen Whitaker, editor, home theater projectors · updated November 13, 2026
AWOL Vision Aetherion Max or Hisense PX3-PRO: quick answers
All head-to-headsIs the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max better than the Hisense PX3-PRO?
In our formula, yes: 9.4/10 against 9.1/10, with the edge on brightness, color, contrast and HDR and gaming specs. The Hisense PX3-PRO is ahead on price and smart TV and sound, which may matter more in your room.
Which is brighter, the Aetherion Max or the PX3-PRO?
The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max: 3,300 ISO lumens against 3,000 ANSI lumens, per each brand.
Which is cheaper, the Aetherion Max or the PX3-PRO?
The Hisense PX3-PRO: $2,499.99 against $3,999 on November 13, 2026.
Which sits closer to the wall?
The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max: its 0.2:1 throw ratio needs about 17.4 inches from lens to screen for 100 inches, against 19.2 for the PX3-PRO.