Hisense PL2 vs AWOL Vision LTV-2500

How they differ in real use

Built from our ust projectors under 2000 scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.

Both the Hisense PL2 and the AWOL Vision LTV-2500 made our Top 5 Ultra Short Throw Projectors Under $2,000, at #1 (best overall) and #4 (best value). The most complete package for the least money: at about $1,499 it is the cheapest projector here, yet it is also the only pick that combines built-in Google TV with Dolby Vision, and its 0.22:1 lens puts a 100-inch image about 7.2 inches from the wall, closer than the AWOL models' 8.5 inches. What Hi-Fi rated it the best UST it has reviewed for performance per dollar. It gives up color volume to the RGB triple-laser LTV-3000 Pro and lags it in gaming (about 30 ms vs 15 ms at 4K/60, with no 120Hz), but the 3000 Pro costs about $400 more and needs a streaming stick. The cheapest way to get RGB triple-laser color with Dolby Vision and HDR10+: at about $1,559 it costs about $340 less than its LTV-3000 Pro sibling and matches it on throw, speakers and lag (15 ms at 4K/60, 8 ms at 1080p/120), and the current listing includes a Fire TV Stick 4K Max. It ranks fourth because ProjectorCentral measured 1,682 ISO lumens, well short of the 3000 Pro, with a blue bias that needs calibration, and its black floor sits above the Aurora Lite's. It beats the Formovie Cinema Edge on HDR support, color and gaming lag.

We score ultra short throw projectors under $2,000 on Picture Quality (25%), Brightness (20%), Value (20%), Smart Features (15%), Gaming (10%) and Built-in Sound (10%). On that basis the Hisense PL2 totals 8.7 out of 10 and the AWOL Vision LTV-2500 8.2. The widest gap is Smart Features, where the Hisense PL2 scores 9.4 against 7.6 for the AWOL Vision LTV-2500: built-in streaming platform and licensed apps, or whether a separate streaming stick and remote are needed. Brightness also separates them: 9 for the Hisense PL2 versus 7.9 for the AWOL Vision LTV-2500. The AWOL Vision LTV-2500 claws back ground on Gaming and Built-in Sound.

On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Brightness: 2,700 ANSI lumens on the Hisense PL2 versus 2,000 ANSI lumens (1,682 ISO measured by ProjectorCentral) on the AWOL Vision LTV-2500; Light Source: Blue laser + phosphor (X-Fusion) on the Hisense PL2 versus RGB triple laser on the AWOL Vision LTV-2500; HDR Formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG on the Hisense PL2 versus Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG on the AWOL Vision LTV-2500; Input Lag: About 30 ms in game mode (What Hi-Fi); 4K/60 max, ALLM on the Hisense PL2 versus 15 ms at 4K/60; 8 ms at 1080p/120 (Turbo mode) on the AWOL Vision LTV-2500; Throw / 100" Distance: 0.22:1; about 7.2 in from the wall for 100 in on the Hisense PL2 versus 0.25:1; about 8.5 in from the wall for 100 in on the AWOL Vision LTV-2500; Smart OS: Google TV (US model) on the Hisense PL2 versus Fire TV Stick 4K Max included (per listing) on the AWOL Vision LTV-2500. They match on Image Size.

Check current pricing at the merchant links below. Owners praise the Hisense PL2 for balanced, consistent picture with good shadow detail; What Hi-Fi rated it the best UST it has reviewed for performance per dollar and 0.22:1 throw puts a 100-inch image about 7.2 inches from the wall, the shortest placement in this group; the most common complaint is single blue-laser light source looks flatter in dim scenes than the RGB triple-laser AWOL models. Owners praise the AWOL Vision LTV-2500 for RGB triple-laser color with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ at the lowest price of the triple-laser picks and low gaming lag (15 ms at 4K/60, 8 ms at 1080p/120) and quiet operation (Projector Reviews, Heimkinowelten); the most common complaint is measured 1,682 ISO lumens at maximum (ProjectorCentral), well below the LTV-3000 Pro, and a blue bias that needs calibration.