Hisense PL2
Hisense's second-generation entry UST and the strongest all-round package under $2,000: a 4K (0.47-inch DLP XPR) laser projector rated at 2,700 ANSI lumens, with Dolby Vision, a 0.22:1 lens that throws a 100-inch image from about 7 inches off the wall, and Google TV built in on the US model. What Hi-Fi called it the best UST it has reviewed on performance per dollar, praising its balanced, consistent picture and dark detail. Its single blue laser cannot match the color volume of the triple-laser AWOL models, and gaming tops out at 4K/60.
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Our Verdict
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.
Score Breakdown
Pros & Cons
Pros
- •Balanced, consistent picture with good shadow detail; What Hi-Fi rated it the best UST it has reviewed for performance per dollar
- •0.22:1 throw puts a 100-inch image about 7.2 inches from the wall, the shortest placement in this group
- •Google TV built in on the US model, plus Dolby Vision, so no streaming stick is needed
- •Rated 2,700 ANSI lumens, the highest rating here, and clearly brighter than the PL1 it replaces
Cons
- •Single blue-laser light source looks flatter in dim scenes than the RGB triple-laser AWOL models
- •Built-in 2 x 15W speakers lack bass and upscaling of lower-resolution content is only middling (What Hi-Fi); game mode is about 30 ms at 4K/60 with no 120Hz
Specifications
| Rated Brightness | 2,700 ANSI lumens |
| Light Source | Blue laser + phosphor (X-Fusion) |
| Image Size | 80–150 in |
| Throw / 100" Distance | 0.22:1; about 7.2 in from the wall for 100 in |
| HDR Formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG |
| Input Lag | About 30 ms in game mode (What Hi-Fi); 4K/60 max, ALLM |
| Smart OS | Google TV (US model) |
| Speakers | 2 x 15W, Dolby Atmos |
Quick Answers
What is the rated brightness of the Hisense PL2?
Hisense PL2 rated brightness: 2,700 ANSI lumens.
What is the light source of the Hisense PL2?
Hisense PL2 light source: Blue laser + phosphor (X-Fusion).
What is the image size of the Hisense PL2?
Hisense PL2 image size: 80–150 in.
What is the throw / 100" distance of the Hisense PL2?
Hisense PL2 throw / 100" distance: 0.22:1; about 7.2 in from the wall for 100 in.
What is the hdr formats of the Hisense PL2?
Hisense PL2 hdr formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG.
What is the input lag of the Hisense PL2?
Hisense PL2 input lag: About 30 ms in game mode (What Hi-Fi); 4K/60 max, ALLM.
What is the smart os of the Hisense PL2?
Hisense PL2 smart os: Google TV (US model).
What is the speakers of the Hisense PL2?
Hisense PL2 speakers: 2 x 15W, Dolby Atmos.
Who is the Hisense PL2 for?
It suits a living-room TV replacement with built-in streaming, low media consoles that sit close to the wall, buyers who want Dolby Vision for the least money. It is not the right pick for gamers who want 120Hz or sub-20 ms input lag, viewers who prize the widest color gamut, rooms without a separate soundbar budget, if bass matters.
Is the Hisense PL2 worth buying?
Hisense's second-generation entry UST and the strongest all-round package under $2,000: a 4K (0.47-inch DLP XPR) laser projector rated at 2,700 ANSI lumens, with Dolby Vision, a 0.22:1 lens that throws a 100-inch image from about 7 inches off the wall, and Google TV built in on the US model. What Hi-Fi called it the best UST it has reviewed on performance per dollar, praising its balanced, consistent picture and dark detail. Its single blue laser cannot match the color volume of the triple-laser AWOL models, and gaming tops out at 4K/60. It ranks #1 in our Top 5 Ultra Short Throw Projectors Under $2,000. 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.
Who Is This For?
Best For
- A living-room TV replacement with built-in streaming
- Low media consoles that sit close to the wall
- Buyers who want Dolby Vision for the least money
Not For
- Gamers who want 120Hz or sub-20 ms input lag
- Viewers who prize the widest color gamut
- Rooms without a separate soundbar budget, if bass matters
Where to Buy
Appears In
Compare Head-to-Head
Customer Reviews
Alternatives to Consider
AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro
AWOL Vision
The brightest projector in this group by independent measurement and the best picture under $2,000 if you supply your own streaming device. Its RGB triple-laser engine (no color wheel) measured 2,586 ANSI lumens for Projector Reviews against a 2,400 rating, and that reviewer praised its well-tuned out-of-the-box color and excellent black levels. Dolby Vision and HDR10+, 15 ms input lag at 4K/60 and a 36W Dolby Atmos system round out the spec sheet. The weak point is software: the built-in launcher has no useful apps, so plan on a streaming stick.
NexiGo Aurora Lite
NexiGo
The gaming and dark-room specialist of the group. NexiGo's 4K UST uses an ALPD 4.0 hybrid tri-color laser with dynamic laser dimming, and The Smart Home Hookup measured a native contrast of 3,632:1 with a low black floor in its 2024 UST shootout. It is the only pick here that accepts a 4K/120Hz signal, with under 10 ms lag at 1080p/240Hz in that test, and its 60W four-driver Dolby Atmos system is the largest built-in sound in the list. The trade-off is brightness: rated at 1,900 ANSI lumens, it measured about 1,287 lumens once calibrated in an AVS Forum review.
AWOL Vision LTV-2500
AWOL Vision
The least expensive RGB triple-laser UST we found sold new on Amazon US, with the same Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, 0.25:1 throw and 36W Dolby Atmos speakers as the pricier LTV-3000 Pro, and a Fire TV Stick 4K Max included per the current listing. It is the oldest design here (2022): ProjectorCentral measured 1,682 ISO lumens at maximum, well below the 3000 Pro, and noted a blue bias that benefits from calibration. Lag is the same 15 ms at 4K/60 and 8 ms at 1080p/120 as its sibling.
Formovie Cinema Edge
Formovie
A compact, all-in-one 4K laser UST with Google TV and officially licensed Netflix, rated at 2,100 ISO lumens. The Smart Home Hookup named it its best UST under $2,000 in 2025, and TechRadar and Engadget both credit its sharp 4K image and tidy package. It ranks last here because it is the only pick without Dolby Vision (HDR10 and HLG only), Engadget measured about 40 ms of input lag at 60Hz, and reviewers found its color and Google TV processor underwhelming next to similarly priced rivals.