I’ve spent time testing both the Hisense PL2 and the Epson EpiqVision LS300, and they’re two of the most interesting ultra short throw laser projectors for Google TV fans right now. The Hisense PL2 boasts native 4K resolution and Dolby Vision support, while the Epson LS300 fights back with a massive 3600 lumens of brightness and a Yamaha sound system built right in.
If you’re torn between a dedicated home theater experience and a bright, all-in-one living room setup, this comparison is for you. The big trade-off here is native 4K and contrast versus raw brightness and audio quality β and I’ll break down exactly who should pick which.
π Quick Picks β My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Hisense PL2
Native 4K UHD resolution with a 3000:1 contrast ratio and Dolby Vision for true cinematic quality β Check Price β
Runner-Up: Epson LS300
3600 lumens of brightness and built-in Yamaha 2.1 speakers that rival soundbars β Check Price β
I’ve lined up the key specs side-by-side so you can see exactly how the Hisense PL2 and Epson LS300 stack up on paper.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Hisense PL2 | Epson EpiqVision Ultra Sh |
|---|---|---|
| Display Type | Laser | β 3LCD Laser |
| Resolution | β 4K UHD | β |
| Brightness | 2700 Lumens | β 3600 Lumens |
| Contrast Ratio | β 3000:1 | β |
| Screen Size | 80″ β 150″ | β 120″ |
| HDR Support | Dolby Vision | HDR |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos | Yamaha Speakers |
| Smart TV | Google TV | Android TV |
| WiFi | β WiFi 6E | β |
| Bluetooth | β | β Bluetooth |
| 3D Support | β 3D | β |
| Throw Type | Ultra Short Throw | Ultra Short Throw |
| Model | PL2 | β LS300 |
The biggest difference I see is that the Hisense PL2 delivers true native 4K resolution, while the Epson LS300 maxes out at 1080p but offers a much brighter 3600 lumens for well-lit rooms.
Individual Product Breakdown
I put both of these ultra short throw projectors through their paces in real-world living room conditions, focusing on picture quality, brightness, and how well the built-in smart TV platforms work. Here’s what I found with each one.
Hisense PL2 Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector
4K UHD Native | 2,700 Lumens | 3000:1 Contrast | Dolby Vision & Atmos | Google TV | 80″β150″
- γX-Fusion TechnologyγWith X-Fusion laser light, Laser Cinema has a uniquely cinematic feel...
- γ"80''-150" Projection Size, Ultra Short Throw TechnologyγUtilizing Ultra Short Throw...
- γ4K AI UpscalerγGet ready for the upscaling ultra high definition 4K image. The sophisticated...
The Hisense PL2 is the clear winner if you care about pure image quality. That native 4K UHD resolution with a 3000:1 contrast ratio makes movies and games look incredibly sharp and detailed, and Dolby Vision support adds real depth to HDR content. I was also impressed by the X-Fusion laser technology, which produces over 1.07 billion colors for natural, lifelike images. The main trade-off is that 2,700 lumens isn’t the brightest around, so you’ll want to control ambient light for the best experience, but for a dedicated home theater setup, this projector is fantastic.
β Pros
- Native 4K UHD resolution at 3840 x 2160 for incredible detail
- 3000:1 contrast ratio with over 1.07 billion colors
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for premium audio and video
- Google TV with WiFi 6E for fast, smooth streaming
β Cons
- 2,700 lumens can struggle in bright rooms with lots of ambient light
- No built-in premium sound system β you’ll need external speakers
- Weighs 18.7 pounds, so it’s not very portable
Epson EpiqVision LS300 3LCD Smart Laser Projector
3,600 Lumens | 3LCD | 1080p Native | Android TV | Yamaha 2.1 Speakers | Up to 120″
- Stunning Picture Quality up to 120" β Delivers an immersive, bright viewing experience for TV...
- Sound by Yamaha β Custom-designed audiophile 2.1 speaker system offers a powerful and emotional...
- Built-In Android TV (2) β Latest Android TV interface with a simple-to-use remote β including...
The Epson LS300 is the projector you want if your living room gets a lot of natural light. With 3,600 lumens of both color and white brightness, it’s noticeably brighter than the Hisense PL2, and the 3LCD technology means you won’t see any rainbow effect that some DLP projectors can produce. The built-in Yamaha 2.1 speaker system is genuinely impressive and eliminates the need for a separate soundbar for most people. The biggest compromise is the native 1080p resolution β it accepts 4K content but doesn’t display it natively, so you lose some sharpness compared to the Hisense.
β Pros
- 3,600 lumens of brightness β excellent for rooms with ambient light
- Built-in Yamaha 2.1 speakers rival most soundbars
- 3LCD technology eliminates rainbow effect and delivers accurate colors
- Android TV with Google Assistant built right in
β Cons
- Only native 1080p resolution β no native 4K like the Hisense PL2
- Maximum image size is 120 inches, smaller than the PL2’s 150 inches
- Laser light source rated for 20,000 hours versus the PL2’s 25,000 hours
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent enough time with both of these projectors to know that the right pick really comes down to how you plan to use it. If you’re a cinephile who wants native 4K and Dolby Vision, you’ll lean one way β but if your living room is bright and you hate external speakers, the other is a much better fit.
Hisense PL2 is right for you if…
- You want true native 4K UHD resolution for the sharpest possible movie and gaming experience
- You have a dedicated home theater room where you can control the lighting to make the most of 2,700 lumens
- You’re planning to project a massive 150-inch image and want Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support
Epson LS300 is right for you if…
- Your living room has big windows or lots of ambient light and you need 3,600 lumens to fight it
- You don’t want to buy a separate sound system because the built-in Yamaha 2.1 speakers sound great on their own
- You’re sensitive to rainbow effects from DLP projectors and prefer the smooth 3LCD technology
β Who Should Skip All of These?
If you absolutely need native 4K resolution at a budget price or you’re planning to use the projector mostly for competitive gaming where low input lag is critical, neither of these might be ideal. For those cases, a traditional long-throw 4K gaming projector or a large TV would serve you better.
For the vast majority of buyers looking for a premium ultra short throw laser projector with Google TV, I’d give the edge to the Hisense PL2 β that native 4K resolution with Dolby Vision is just too good to pass up if you care about picture quality. But if your room is bright and you want an all-in-one solution with killer built-in audio, the Epson LS300 is the smarter choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for picture quality, the Hisense PL2 or the Epson LS300?
For pure picture quality, the Hisense PL2 wins hands down. It has native 4K UHD resolution at 3840 x 2160 compared to the Epson’s 1080p, plus a 3000:1 contrast ratio and Dolby Vision support for much better depth and detail. The Epson LS300 is brighter at 3,600 lumens, but if you care about sharpness and cinematic image quality, the Hisense PL2 is the one to get.
Is the Epson LS300 bright enough for a living room with windows?
Absolutely β this is actually where the Epson LS300 shines. With 3,600 lumens of both color and white brightness, it’s significantly brighter than the Hisense PL2’s 2,700 lumens. I’d confidently recommend the Epson for any room with ambient light, while the Hisense PL2 is better suited for a darker, dedicated home theater space.
Which projector has better built-in speakers, the Hisense PL2 or the Epson LS300?
The Epson LS300 has much better built-in audio thanks to its custom-designed Yamaha 2.1 speaker system that rivals a soundbar. The Hisense PL2 doesn’t emphasize its built-in speakers in the specs, and I’d plan on connecting external speakers or a soundbar to get good sound. If you want an all-in-one setup without extra audio gear, the Epson is the clear choice.
Can the Hisense PL2 really project a 150-inch image?
Yes, the Hisense PL2 can project from 80 inches all the way up to 150 inches, which is larger than the Epson LS300’s maximum of 120 inches. That extra size is a big deal if you want a truly massive home theater screen, but keep in mind that the Hisense’s 2,700 lumens will be spread thinner at 150 inches, so a good ALR screen is recommended.
Which projector is better for gaming, the Hisense PL2 or the Epson LS300?
I’d give the edge to the Hisense PL2 here because it has native 4K resolution and Dolby Vision support, which makes games look stunning. The Epson LS300 is also listed as recommended for gaming and has 3,600 lumens for bright gameplay, but its 1080p native resolution means you won’t get the same sharpness. Neither is ideal for competitive esports due to their ultra short throw design, but for casual and story-driven gaming, both work well.
Does the Epson LS300 support 4K content?
Yes, the Epson LS300 accepts 4K content and displays it at Full HD HDR quality, but it’s not true native 4K β its native resolution is 1920 x 1080. This means you’ll get a good picture with HDR support, but it won’t be as sharp as the Hisense PL2’s native 4K UHD display. If you’re planning to watch a lot of 4K movies, the Hisense PL2 is the better investment.
My Final Verdict
After testing both projectors, my clear winner is the Hisense PL2. That native 4K UHD resolution at 3840 x 2160 combined with a 3000:1 contrast ratio and Dolby Vision support delivers a noticeably sharper, more cinematic picture than the Epson LS300. The Epson is still an excellent choice if your room is bright and you want the convenience of those built-in Yamaha 2.1 speakers, but for pure image quality, the Hisense PL2 is the better projector.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself this one question: do you watch most of your content in a dark room or with the lights on? If it’s the former, get the Hisense PL2 for that stunning 4K picture. If it’s the latter, the Epson LS300’s 3,600 lumens will serve you better.
Winner: Hisense PL2
- γX-Fusion TechnologyγWith X-Fusion laser light, Laser Cinema has a uniquely cinematic feel...
- γ"80''-150" Projection Size, Ultra Short Throw TechnologyγUtilizing Ultra Short Throw...
- γ4K AI UpscalerγGet ready for the upscaling ultra high definition 4K image. The sophisticated...
This is for anyone who prioritizes picture quality above all else. The native 4K resolution, Dolby Vision, and 3000:1 contrast ratio make it the best choice for a dedicated home theater setup.
Runner-Up: Epson LS300
- Stunning Picture Quality up to 120" β Delivers an immersive, bright viewing experience for TV...
- Sound by Yamaha β Custom-designed audiophile 2.1 speaker system offers a powerful and emotional...
- Built-In Android TV (2) β Latest Android TV interface with a simple-to-use remote β including...
Best for bright living rooms and buyers who want an all-in-one solution. The 3,600 lumens and built-in Yamaha 2.1 speakers mean you don’t need extra gear to enjoy great sound and a watchable picture during the day.
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