NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) Review – This was the best budget 1080p projector until…

I’ve been using the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) projector for a few months now and it’s an impressive device for its price range. However, there are plenty of native 1080p options on the market and they’re catching up fast. Is NexiGo still a worthy choice? We’ll find out in the review.

SET UP

Setting up the NexiGo PJ40 was simple. Out of the box, I was impressed with the build quality and feature set, especially the manual 4D keystone correction. This feature is a game changer for those who can’t mount their projector perfectly centered. While I mounted it close to the center to minimize adjustments, the keystone correction ensured that the image was perfectly aligned on my 80-inch screen, even with slight angle deviations.

A unique aspect of this projector is the ability to adjust the fan speed, which directly affects the brightness. Even at the lowest fan setting, the image remained bright enough in a dark room, offering a customizable balance between brightness and noise.

In terms of connectivity, the NexiGo offers 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, 2 USB ports, RJ45 and a 3.5mm audio port. This is more than enough for me as I often connect the projector to my Apple TV when watching movies. I also used the USB port a lot to design digital Halloween and Christmas decorations.

Image quality

The NexiGo PJ40’s native 1080p resolution offers amazing picture quality, especially for its price. What really impressed me, however, was how well the projector handled 4K content. Thanks to its downsampling capabilities, 4K signals look remarkably clear, with enhanced detail and color depth. Watching movies from about 10 feet away, I found it difficult to tell the difference between this projector and a native 4K display unless there is small text on the screen.

Color reproduction is also surprisingly good. The projector ranks very well for SDR color accuracy and supports HDR content. This results in vibrant and rich colors that enhance the viewing experience. When paired with a proper display, the NexiGo PJ40 offers a level of immersion rarely seen in this price range.

While the NexiGo PJ40 performs admirably for movies and general entertainment, gaming is one area where it falls a bit short. Minor input lag is noticeable during fast-paced games that require precise timing. While casual gaming is still enjoyable, competitive gamers may prefer a high-resolution monitor with faster response times.

The NexiGo PJ40 shines when it comes to image customization. The menu offers a wide range of settings, including brightness, contrast and advanced color calibration options such as RGBCMYK adjustments.

I recently had the chance to test the Yaber L2s, a budget projector with similar specs, including native 1080p resolution and 700 ANSI lumens brightness. The Yaber L2s has a great speaker, attractive design, and solid build quality, all for around $160. When comparing the image quality of the two projectors, the differences were almost negligible, especially in dark rooms. Both devices deliver sharp and vibrant images well above their weight class.

However, the NexiGo PJ40 beats the competition with its 4D keystone correction, making it easy to achieve perfect screen geometry without ideal placement. This feature alone makes the PJ40 more versatile for users who need flexibility in projector placement.

Final thoughts

Pro

• 4D keystone correction
• Vibrant color reproduction
• Extended connectivity

Cons

• Brightness struggles in bright rooms
• More expensive than many other 1080p projectors

The NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) is a compelling option for anyone looking for a high-quality projector without breaking the bank. While it faces stiff competition from budget models like the Yaber L2s, it justifies its slightly higher price with unique features like 4D keystone correction and versatile picture controls. If you can get a good position for your projector, you should go with Yaber L2s and save a significant amount of money.

Buy the NexiGo PJ40 Projector on Amazon