Projectors / BenQ W2720i vs AWOL Vision Aetherion Max
BenQ W2720i vs AWOL Vision Aetherion Max
AWOL Vision Aetherion Max
The only ultra-short-throw here that games well, with 90W of built-in audio.
Wins overall by 1.0 points
Quick Verdict
The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 1.0 points. The only ultra-short-throw here that games well, with 90W of built-in audio.
The BenQ W2720i and AWOL Vision Aetherion Max are both closely matched projector models, and the BenQ W2720i is $2,533 cheaper than the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max ($1,966 vs $4,499). On Built-in Sound, the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max leads (9.5 vs 6.0/10) — onboard speaker power and whether you can live without external audio. On Setup & Placement, the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max leads (8.0 vs 6.0/10) — lens shift, zoom, auto keystone and how forgiving placement is. On Smart Platform, the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max leads (8.5 vs 7.0/10) — built-in apps, licensed streaming services and how responsive the interface is. Overall, the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max scores 8.4/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.4/10 for the BenQ W2720i. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | BenQ W2720i | AWOL Vision Aetherion Max |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1966.00 | $4499.00 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2026 |
| Resolution | Native 1920x1080 panel with pixel shifting to place 3840x2160 on screen — not a native 4K panel (0.47-inch TI DMD with four-phase pixel shift) | Native 1920x1080 panel with pixel shifting to place 3840x2160 on screen — not a native 4K panel (0.47-inch TI DMD) |
| Brightness | 2,500 ANSI lumens rated, measured 2,704 in Bright mode but only 1,595 in the accurate Filmmaker mode | 3,300 ISO lumens rated, independently measured at 3,031 ANSI — an unusually close match |
| Light Source | 4LED — BenQ's four-channel LED, not laser | RGB triple laser with no phosphor wheel |
| Throw Ratio | 1.0:1 to 1.3:1 — standard throw | Ultra-short throw, roughly 22 inches from the wall; the exact ratio is not published |
| Contrast Ratio | 2,000,000:1 dynamic with light-source dimming; native contrast is not published | 6,000:1 native claimed, measured between 9,575:1 and 22,000:1 depending on iris and black-level settings |
| HDR Formats | HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG; no Dolby Vision | HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision with dynamic tone mapping |
| Refresh Rate & Input Lag | Up to 240Hz at 1080p; accepts 4K/120 but downsamples to 1080p/120. Input lag 6.5ms at 1080p/240 | 4K at 120Hz over HDMI 2.1 with VRR; measured input lag 3 to 14ms |
| Smart Platform | Android TV via the bundled QS02 dongle, with licensed Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and Disney+ | Google TV on Android 14 |
| Built-in Speakers | 2x 5W with four sound modes and Dolby Atmos passthrough over eARC | 2x 25W full-range plus 2x 20W tweeters — 90W total, the most substantial audio here |
| Lens Shift | Vertical ±5% only — effectively negligible | None; motorised focus, motorised lens cover and a physical iris |
| Auto Setup | 2D auto keystone ±30 degrees vertical and horizontal, with 8-point correction | Motorised keystone and auto setup |
| Light Source Life (hrs) | 20,000 hours in normal mode, 30,000 in eco | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | White | Black |
Category Scores
Picture Quality
The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on detail, contrast and overall image once properly set up. If that is what you are buying for, the BenQ W2720i does not close the gap elsewhere.
Brightness
The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.0 — a 1.0-point margin on usable light output, and how much ambient light it tolerates. If that is what you are buying for, the BenQ W2720i does not close the gap elsewhere.
Color
The BenQ W2720i leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on colour gamut coverage and accuracy out of the box. If that is what you are buying for, the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming
The BenQ W2720i and AWOL Vision Aetherion Max are level here, at 9.0/10 each. refresh rate, input lag, VRR and ALLM support is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Smart Platform
The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-point margin on built-in apps, licensed streaming services and how responsive the interface is. If that is what you are buying for, the BenQ W2720i does not close the gap elsewhere.
Built-in Sound
The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max leads clearly here, 9.5 against 6.0 — a 3.5-point margin on onboard speaker power and whether you can live without external audio. If that is what you are buying for, the BenQ W2720i does not close the gap elsewhere.
Setup & Placement
The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.0 — a 2.0-point margin on lens shift, zoom, auto keystone and how forgiving placement is. If that is what you are buying for, the BenQ W2720i does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The BenQ W2720i and AWOL Vision Aetherion Max are level here, at 7.0/10 each. performance and features relative to price is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Best For
Choose the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max if…
- • Built-in Sound matters most to you — the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max scores 9.5/10 here (onboard speaker power and whether you can live without external audio).
- • Setup & Placement matters most to you — the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max scores 8.0/10 here (lens shift, zoom, auto keystone and how forgiving placement is).
- • Smart Platform matters most to you — the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max scores 8.5/10 here (built-in apps, licensed streaming services and how responsive the interface is).
- • Brightness matters most to you — the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max scores 8.0/10 here (usable light output, and how much ambient light it tolerates).
- • Picture Quality matters most to you — the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max scores 8.5/10 here (detail, contrast and overall image once properly set up).
Pros & Cons
BenQ W2720i
Pros
- +4LED gives excellent colour volume — 95 to 100% DCI-P3 without a laser's speckle
- +240Hz at 1080p with 6.5ms lag is genuinely competitive for gaming
- +Real home-cinema optics and picture processing rather than a lifestyle design
Cons
- −±5% lens shift is close to useless — placement is rigid and you will rely on keystone
- −Brightness drops from 2,704 to 1,595 lumens once you switch to an accurate picture mode
- −Reviewers found the bundled QS02 dongle stayed locked in HDR10 mode and did not switch dynamic range correctly
- −No Dolby Vision
- −BenQ runs several parallel Amazon listings for this model
AWOL Vision Aetherion Max
Pros
- +3 to 14ms input lag makes it the only ultra-short-throw projector here that is genuinely good for gaming
- +90W of built-in audio is the most powerful in this category by a wide margin
- +Its ISO brightness rating held up under independent ANSI measurement, which is rare
- +Full Dolby Vision including for gaming
Cons
- −Enhanced Black Level causes highlight clipping in HDR content
- −Reviewers concluded brightness is insufficient for the 200-inch image the marketing implies — it is best at 120 to 150 inches
- −Minimal laser speckle and some residual rainbow effect
- −Expensive, and AWOL floods Amazon with screen-bundle listings at different prices
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the BenQ W2720i or AWOL Vision Aetherion Max better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Built-in Sound, the BenQ W2720i or the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max?+
The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max scores higher on Built-in Sound (9.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — onboard speaker power and whether you can live without external audio.
Which is better for Setup & Placement, the BenQ W2720i or the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max?+
The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max scores higher on Setup & Placement (8.0/10 vs 6.0/10) — lens shift, zoom, auto keystone and how forgiving placement is.
Which is better for Smart Platform, the BenQ W2720i or the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max?+
The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max scores higher on Smart Platform (8.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — built-in apps, licensed streaming services and how responsive the interface is.
Which is better for Brightness, the BenQ W2720i or the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max?+
The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max scores higher on Brightness (8.0/10 vs 7.0/10) — usable light output, and how much ambient light it tolerates.
Is the BenQ W2720i worth the price difference over the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max?+
The BenQ W2720i is the cheaper option at $1,966 versus $4,499. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Built-in Sound.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The BenQ W2720i is the better fit if you mainly care about home-theater or gaming. The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max is the better fit for ultra-short-throw.
What's the warranty on the BenQ W2720i vs the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max?+
The BenQ W2720i ships with a 12-month warranty; the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
XGIMI Horizon 20 — $1699.00
Premium Option
Epson QB1000 — $7999.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.