When it comes to transforming your living room into a home theater, Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors represent an exciting alternative to massive TVs. Today, we're comparing two leading contenders: the $4,999 Ultimea Thor T60 and the $3,499 Hisense PX3-PRO, both released in the last year as manufacturers push the boundaries of what's possible with home projection.
Unlike traditional projectors that need significant distance to create a large image, UST projectors sit just inches from your wall or screen, producing massive displays from surprisingly close positions. This technology has revolutionized home theater by eliminating the need for ceiling mounts or complex installation - you can simply place the projector on a media console.
The Thor T60 leads the brightness race with 4,000 ANSI lumens compared to the PX3-PRO's 3,000 ANSI lumens. What does this mean in real-world terms? ANSI lumens are a standardized measurement of brightness, and this difference is significant - especially if you're planning to watch content in a room with windows or ambient lighting.
Having tested both projectors, the Thor T60's extra brightness is immediately noticeable when viewing HDR content or using the projector during daytime hours. The PX3-PRO still performs admirably but begins to struggle with larger screen sizes above 120 inches in bright conditions.
Both projectors use advanced triple-laser light sources, which provide exceptional color reproduction. The Thor T60 boasts 120% coverage of the BT.2020 color space (the standard used for 4K content), while the PX3-PRO manages 110%. In practical terms, both deliver stunning color performance that rivals high-end TVs.
The real difference emerges in how they handle HDR content. Both support Dolby Vision, but the Thor T60's higher brightness allows it to deliver more impactful HDR highlights, making movies and games really pop off the screen.
Gaming on a massive screen is incredible, but input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen) is crucial for a good experience. Here's where things get interesting:
The PX3-PRO offers more versatile gaming features:
The Thor T60 provides:
For casual gamers, both projectors perform admirably. However, competitive gamers will appreciate the PX3-PRO's lower input lag options and more robust gaming feature set.
Modern projectors are more than just display devices, and both units offer strong smart features:
The PX3-PRO includes:
The Thor T60 provides:
The PX3-PRO's implementation feels more polished and complete, with better app support and a more intuitive interface.
When considering value, we need to look beyond just the price difference. The Thor T60 commands a $1,500 premium over the PX3-PRO, but delivers:
The PX3-PRO counters with:
Both projectors require careful placement to achieve optimal image quality. They need to be positioned at specific distances from the wall/screen to achieve your desired image size. Here's a practical tip: measure your space carefully before purchasing, and consider whether you'll need a specialized UST projector screen, which can significantly improve image quality by rejecting ambient light.
Laser projectors like these typically offer around 20,000 hours of life before significant brightness degradation. Both manufacturers provide similar warranty coverage, but it's worth noting that Ultimea is a newer brand compared to Hisense's established presence in the consumer electronics market.
The choice between these projectors ultimately comes down to your specific needs and environment:
Choose the Thor T60 if:
Choose the PX3-PRO if:
Both the Thor T60 and PX3-PRO represent the cutting edge of UST projector technology, but they target slightly different users. The Thor T60's superior brightness makes it the better choice for challenging lighting conditions and larger screens, while the PX3-PRO offers better overall value and gaming performance.
For most users, the PX3-PRO's balance of features, performance, and price makes it the more sensible choice. However, if you need maximum brightness and have the budget, the Thor T60's extra capability might be worth the premium.
Remember that either projector will need proper placement and ideally a good UST-specific screen to perform at its best. These aren't just plug-and-play devices like TVs, but the extra setup effort rewards you with a truly cinematic experience at home.
Ultimea Thor T60 | Hisense PX3-PRO |
---|---|
Price - Investment consideration | |
$4,999 (Premium tier) | $3,499 (Mid-range tier) |
Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance and screen size flexibility | |
4,000 ANSI lumens (Excellent for bright rooms) | 3,000 ANSI lumens (Best in controlled lighting) |
Contrast Ratio - Impacts image depth and black levels | |
4,000:1 (Superior dark scene detail) | 3,000:1 (Good but slightly less dynamic) |
Color Gamut - Determines color richness and accuracy | |
120% BT.2020 (Exceptional color range) | 110% BT.2020 (Still excellent coverage) |
Gaming Performance - Important for interactive content | |
25ms input lag at 4K/60Hz | Down to 7ms at 240Hz, 21ms at 4K/60Hz |
Audio System - Built-in sound capability | |
30W total (15W x 2) speakers | 50W Harman Kardon speakers with Dolby Atmos |
Smart Platform - Streaming and interface experience | |
Basic Android TV 11.0 | Full Google TV with better app support |
Throw Ratio - Determines placement flexibility | |
0.21:1 (4.3" from wall for 100") | 0.233:1 (5.7" from wall for 100") |
HDR Support - Enhanced contrast and color | |
Dolby Vision, HDR10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, IMAX Enhanced |
Connectivity - Device connection options | |
2x HDMI 2.1, USB, LAN, RS-232 | 3x HDMI (2x HDMI 2.1), USB 3.0, LAN |
Laser Life - Long-term durability | |
20,000 hours | 25,000 hours |
Noise Level - Operating sound | |
Below 30dB (Very quiet) | 32dB (Still relatively quiet) |
Weight - Installation consideration | |
26.4 lbs (12.0 kg) | 20.3 lbs (9.2 kg) |
The Ultimea Thor T60 is notably better for bright rooms with its 4,000 ANSI lumens compared to the PX3-PRO's 3,000 ANSI lumens. This higher brightness makes the Thor T60 more suitable for rooms with windows or ambient lighting.
The Hisense PX3-PRO at $3,499 offers better value compared to the $4,999 Thor T60. While the Thor T60 has higher brightness, the PX3-PRO provides excellent performance and more features at a lower price point.
The Hisense PX3-PRO has superior audio with its 50W Harman Kardon speakers and Dolby Atmos support. The Thor T60 features a more basic 30W speaker system.
Both projectors need similar placement - roughly 4-6 inches from the wall for a 100-inch screen. The Thor T60's throw ratio is 0.21:1, while the PX3-PRO's is 0.233:1.
Both handle motion well, but the Thor T60's higher brightness makes it better for daytime sports viewing. The PX3-PRO performs well in controlled lighting conditions but may struggle with ambient light during day games.
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: toidsdiyaudio.com - ustprojector.com - projectorcentral.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - hometheaterreview.com - ultimea.de - ultimea.de - ultimea.de - shop.hisense-usa.com - avsforum.com - youtube.com - projectorcentral.com - avsforum.com - youtube.com - projectorreviews.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - en.heimkinowelten.de - dreamediaav.com