If you're looking to upgrade your home theater in 2024, BenQ's V5000i and Hisense's PL2 represent two compelling but different approaches to high-end home projection. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your setup.
Before diving into the specifics, let's talk about what makes UST (Ultra Short Throw) projectors special. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, USTs can create massive images from just inches away. This is perfect for modern homes where space is at a premium, or when you want to avoid people walking through the projector beam.
Both these projectors use laser technology, which offers several advantages over traditional lamp-based projectors:
The BenQ V5000i ($3,499) uses a cutting-edge RGB triple laser system, released in mid-2023. This technology means each primary color gets its own laser, resulting in incredibly accurate colors - covering 98% of the DCI-P3 color space (the standard used for digital cinema). Think of it like having three precision paintbrushes instead of one.
In contrast, the Hisense PL2 ($2,200) employs a single blue laser with a phosphor wheel, released in early 2023. While this might sound less impressive, it still achieves 85% of DCI-P3 coverage. For most viewers, the difference isn't dramatic unless you're doing side-by-side comparisons.
In actual viewing conditions, both projectors deliver excellent picture quality. The BenQ edges ahead in color accuracy and shadow detail, but the Hisense counters with slightly higher brightness (2,700 vs 2,500 ANSI lumens). This extra brightness can make a real difference if you're watching in a room with ambient light.
For dark room movie viewing, the BenQ's superior contrast and color accuracy become more apparent. Its advanced local contrast enhancement technology divides the image into 1,000 zones for independent adjustment - similar to how mini-LED TVs work, but on a projector.
If you're a gamer, this section might seal the deal. The BenQ V5000i was clearly designed with gaming in mind:
The Hisense PL2 supports gaming but doesn't specialize in it. While perfectly fine for casual gaming, competitive players will notice the difference in responsiveness.
Both projectors offer modern smart platforms:
These provide access to major streaming services and voice control. The Hisense implementation feels more polished, likely because they have more experience with smart TV interfaces.
For connections, both offer multiple HDMI ports, but the BenQ includes HDMI 2.1 - crucial for next-gen gaming consoles. The Hisense makes do with HDMI 2.0, which is still fine for most uses.
The $1,300 price difference between these projectors is significant. The BenQ V5000i justifies its premium with:
However, the Hisense PL2 delivers tremendous value with:
For dedicated home theater rooms, both projectors excel but in different ways. The BenQ's superior color accuracy and contrast make it ideal for light-controlled environments where picture quality is paramount. Its better built-in audio also provides a good temporary solution while you save for a proper sound system.
The Hisense's higher brightness and larger maximum screen size make it more versatile for mixed-use spaces. It handles ambient light better, making it suitable for living rooms or spaces that serve multiple purposes.
Since their 2023 releases, both manufacturers have provided firmware updates improving various aspects:
BenQ V5000i:
Hisense PL2:
Choose the BenQ V5000i if:
Choose the Hisense PL2 if:
Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST market, but they target slightly different users. The BenQ V5000i is the technical winner in pure performance, while the Hisense PL2 offers better value for most users.
For most buyers, I'd recommend the Hisense PL2 unless you have specific needs that justify the BenQ's premium features. The picture quality difference in regular viewing isn't as dramatic as the price difference might suggest.
Remember to factor in a good ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen - it's essential for getting the best performance from either projector. These screens typically start around $500 and are crucial for maintaining picture quality, especially in rooms with ambient light.
Whichever you choose, both represent significant improvements over previous generations of UST projectors, offering better color accuracy, brightness, and smart features than models from just a few years ago.
| BenQ V5000i | Hisense PL2 |
|---|---|
| Price - Your starting point for value assessment | |
| $3,499 (premium pricing) | $2,200 (excellent value) |
| Light Source - Affects color accuracy and longevity | |
| RGB Triple Laser (superior color, 25,000+ hours) | Single Blue Laser (good color, 25,000+ hours) |
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 2,500 ANSI lumens (good for most rooms) | 2,700 ANSI lumens (slightly better for bright rooms) |
| Color Gamut - Determines color richness and accuracy | |
| 98% DCI-P3 (cinema-grade accuracy) | 85% DCI-P3 (very good for home use) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Critical for responsive gaming | |
| 17.9ms at 4K/60Hz (excellent for gaming) | >30ms at 4K/60Hz (adequate for casual gaming) |
| Maximum Screen Size - Affects room planning | |
| 100 inches (somewhat limiting) | 150 inches (more flexible for large spaces) |
| Built-in Audio - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 40W system (very good temporary solution) | 30W system (adequate temporary solution) |
| HDR Support - Affects contrast and color in HDR content | |
| HDR10+ (no Dolby Vision) | Dolby Vision, HDR10 (more format support) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and streaming | |
| Android TV 11 (solid but basic) | Google TV (more refined, better interface) |
The BenQ V5000i is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its better color accuracy and contrast. However, if your theater isn't completely light-controlled, the Hisense PL2's higher brightness might be more beneficial.
The BenQ V5000i costs $3,499, while the Hisense PL2 is priced at $2,200, representing a $1,300 difference. This significant price gap makes the Hisense PL2 a more value-oriented choice.
The BenQ V5000i is significantly better for gaming with its 17.9ms input lag at 4K/60Hz and ALLM support. The Hisense PL2 is adequate for casual gaming but not optimal for competitive players.
Yes, both projectors require an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen for optimal performance. These typically cost $500-1,500 and are essential for UST projectors to maintain picture quality.
The Hisense PL2 has a slight advantage with 2,700 ANSI lumens compared to the BenQ V5000i's 2,500 ANSI lumens, making it marginally better for rooms with ambient light.
The Hisense PL2 can project up to 150 inches, while the BenQ V5000i is limited to 100 inches. This makes the Hisense more versatile for larger spaces.
Yes, both have smart platforms - the BenQ uses Android TV 11, while the Hisense uses Google TV. Both support major streaming services, though the Hisense interface is generally more polished.
Both projectors offer 25,000+ hours of laser life, which equals about 17 years of use at 4 hours per day. The BenQ's RGB triple laser might require earlier calibration to maintain color accuracy.
While both have built-in speakers (BenQ 40W, Hisense 30W), for a true home theater experience, an external sound system is recommended. The BenQ V5000i has better built-in audio if you need to wait to add external speakers.
The Hisense PL2 supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, while the BenQ V5000i supports HDR10+ but lacks Dolby Vision. For most users, both provide excellent HDR performance.
Both projectors have similar ultra-short throw ratios (around 0.25:1), meaning they need to be placed approximately 4-15 inches from the wall depending on desired screen size.
The Hisense PL2 offers better value for most users with its lower price point and competitive features. The BenQ V5000i's premium price is justified only if you specifically need its superior gaming or color accuracy features.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: projectorscreen.com - projectorscreen.com - avsforum.com - techradar.com - projectorreviews.com - projectorcentral.com - digitaltrends.com - digitaltrends.com - ooberpad.com - avnirvana.com - crutchfield.com - projectorscreen.com - digitaltrends.com - newatlas.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - shop.hisense-usa.com - ecoustics.com
