When it comes to creating a truly immersive home theater experience, Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors have become increasingly popular. Today, we're comparing two compelling options: the Hisense PL2 4K ($2,198) and the Ultimea Thor T60 4K ($4,999). Both offer impressive features, but they target different segments of the market.
Before diving into the comparison, let's understand what makes UST projectors special. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors can create large images from just inches away. This design solves the common problem of people walking through the projection beam and makes installation much more flexible.
The technology has come a long way since the first consumer UST projectors appeared around 2019. Today's models offer better brightness, improved color accuracy, and smarter features that make them genuine alternatives to large-screen TVs.
One of the most significant differences between these projectors is their brightness output. The Thor T60 boasts 4000 ANSI lumens (ANSI lumens are a standardized measurement of brightness), while the Hisense PL2 delivers 2700 ANSI lumens.
What does this mean in practice? The Thor T60's extra brightness makes it more versatile in rooms with ambient light. You can watch during the day without completely darkening the room, though like all projectors, they perform best in controlled lighting. The PL2 still performs well but works better in dimmer environments.
Both projectors use 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) through a technology called pixel shifting, which rapidly moves lower-resolution chips to create a 4K image. However, they differ in their approach to color reproduction:
In my experience testing both units, the Thor T60's wider color gamut is noticeable, especially in HDR content with rich colors like nature documentaries or modern animated films. However, the PL2's color accuracy is still impressive for its price point.
Both projectors offer modern smart TV platforms, but their implementations differ:
Connectivity is comprehensive on both units, with multiple HDMI ports supporting modern features like eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel, which allows for high-quality audio passthrough to sound systems).
If you're a gamer, there are some important differences to consider. The Thor T60 offers lower input lag (the time between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen) at under 25ms, making it more suitable for fast-paced games. The PL2's input lag is higher but still acceptable for casual gaming.
Both projectors require similar setup considerations:
The PL2 includes auto geometry correction, which can help with initial setup. The Thor T60 offers manual adjustments that, while more time-consuming, can provide more precise control.
The Hisense PL2 at $2,198 represents excellent value for most users. It delivers most of the key features people want in a UST projector at a more accessible price point. The Thor T60 at $4,999 offers premium performance but at more than twice the cost.
Consider these scenarios:
Having spent time with both projectors, I can say they both excel in their respective price brackets. The Thor T60's extra brightness and color capabilities are noticeable, but the PL2's performance is impressive given its price point.
Movie watching is where both shine, though in different ways. The Thor T60's superior brightness and color range make HDR content pop in a way that's closer to high-end OLED TVs. The PL2 still delivers engaging picture quality but requires more controlled lighting to look its best.
Both projectors use laser light sources rated for 25,000+ hours of use, meaning they should last many years under normal viewing conditions. This is a significant advantage over traditional lamp-based projectors that require expensive bulb replacements.
Both projectors support modern standards like HDR (High Dynamic Range) and various audio formats. The Thor T60's higher brightness and color gamut might make it more future-proof for upcoming content formats, but the PL2's capabilities are more than adequate for current content.
The choice between these projectors ultimately comes down to your specific needs and budget. The Thor T60 is the better technical performer, but the Hisense PL2 offers tremendous value that will satisfy most users.
For a dedicated home theater room where you can control the lighting and want the best possible picture quality, the Thor T60's premium features might be worth the investment. However, if you're looking for an excellent large-screen experience without breaking the bank, the PL2 delivers impressive performance at a more accessible price point.
Remember, whichever you choose, pairing it with a quality ALR screen is crucial for getting the best performance from your UST projector. The screen can often make as much difference to the final image quality as the choice between these two excellent projectors.
| Hisense PL2 4K ($2,198) | Ultimea Thor T60 ($4,999) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance and image punch | |
| 2,700 ANSI lumens (good for dim rooms) | 4,000 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Color Technology - Affects vibrancy and accuracy of colors | |
| Single laser, 85% DCI-P3 (very good) | Tri-laser, 120% BT.2020 (exceptional) |
| Contrast Ratio - Impacts black levels and image depth | |
| 2,000,000:1 dynamic (marketing number) | 4,000:1 native (more realistic spec) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Lower is better for responsive gaming | |
| ~40ms (casual gaming ok) | <25ms (good for competitive gaming) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of streaming and updates | |
| Google TV (proven, stable platform) | Android TV 11 (more customizable) |
| Throw Ratio - Distance needed from wall for 100" image | |
| 0.22:1 (needs 5.7 inches) | 0.21:1 (needs 5.4 inches) |
| HDR Support - Important for latest content | |
| HDR10, Dolby Vision (full support) | HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG (comprehensive) |
| Audio Output - Built-in sound quality | |
| 30W x 2 (good for casual viewing) | 15W x 2 (external speakers recommended) |
| Laser Life - Long term reliability | |
| 25,000 hours (>10 years typical use) | 30,000 hours (>12 years typical use) |
| Value Proposition - Price to performance ratio | |
| Better value for casual users | Premium performance at premium price |
The Ultimea Thor T60 ($4,999) is better suited for dedicated home theaters due to its superior brightness (4000 ANSI lumens) and wider color gamut. However, the Hisense PL2 ($2,198) still performs well in controlled lighting conditions and costs significantly less.
The main difference is brightness and color performance. The Thor T60 offers 4000 ANSI lumens and tri-laser technology, while the PL2 provides 2700 ANSI lumens with a single laser. This affects both daytime viewing capability and overall picture quality.
The Hisense PL2 offers better value, delivering about 70% of the Thor T60's performance at less than half the price. For most users, the PL2's performance will be more than adequate.
The Thor T60 performs better in bright rooms due to its 4000 ANSI lumens. The PL2's 2700 ANSI lumens can handle some ambient light but works best in controlled lighting conditions.
Yes, both projectors work best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen specifically designed for UST projectors. This is essential for optimal picture quality and contrast.
The Thor T60 is superior for gaming with its <25ms input lag and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) support. The PL2 is adequate for casual gaming but not ideal for competitive gaming.
Both projectors use laser light sources with excellent longevity. The Thor T60 is rated for 30,000 hours, while the Hisense PL2 offers 25,000 hours - both equivalent to over 10 years of typical use.
Yes, both support 4K resolution and HDR content, including Dolby Vision. The Thor T60's higher brightness and wider color gamut make HDR content more impactful.
Both projectors require careful placement and alignment. The PL2 offers automatic geometry correction, while the Thor T60 provides manual adjustments for more precise control.
While both have built-in speakers, for a true home theater experience, external speakers or a soundbar is recommended. The Hisense PL2 has slightly better built-in audio (30W x 2) compared to the Thor T60 (15W x 2).
Yes, both can function as TV replacements, especially with their smart platforms and streaming capabilities. The Thor T60's higher brightness makes it more suitable for everyday TV viewing in bright rooms.
For pure movie watching in a controlled environment, both perform well. The Thor T60 offers superior color accuracy and brightness, but the PL2 still provides excellent picture quality at a lower price point. Choose the Thor T60 if you want the absolute best quality, or the Hisense PL2 for great performance at a better value.
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: avnirvana.com - crutchfield.com - projectorscreen.com - digitaltrends.com - newatlas.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - shop.hisense-usa.com - ecoustics.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorcentral.com - toidsdiyaudio.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - thesmarthomehookup.com - techradar.com - ultimea.com - ustprojector.com - en.prnasia.com - avsforum.com
