Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Ultra Short Throw Laser Projectors

Epson QS100B vs Hisense PT1

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Epson QS100B comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.3 vs 3.5). The gap is mostly about Custom integrators wanting 4K resolution — read the strengths below before deciding.

Epson QS100B
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Ultra Short Throw Laser Projectors
Epson QS100B
3 sources1 derived$5,499as of Oct 1

Aimed at custom installations and home theater enthusiasts, the Epson QS100 is a premium 4K PRO-UHD ultra-short-throw laser projector. PCMag's M. David Stone singled out the brightness and the dynamic HDR tone mapping, and Projector Reviews credited the 4500 lumens output and the 32-bit QZX Picture Processor for picture quality. It doesn't hit true 4K resolution and there's no Dolby Vision support, which limits it for anyone chasing the highest-end cinematic result. Discerning buyers and professional installations are the market, not mainstream consumers.

Strengths
  • — Delivers 4500 lumens of brightness for color and white light output
  • — Features 4K PRO-UHD technology with 2-way pixel-shifting to double onscreen resolution
  • — Includes dynamic HDR tone mapping via Epson’s 32-bit QZX Picture Processor
Watch-outs
  • — Native resolution is 1080P, not true 4K
  • — No Dolby Vision support
Hisense PT1
Ranked #6 in Best Ultra Short Throw Laser Projectors
Hisense PT1
1 source$2,497.97as of Oct 1

The Hisense PT1 is the budget entry into ultra-short-throw home theater, running an RGB laser light engine that covers 110% of BT.2020. ProjectorCentral's Al Griffin called it a 'great value' with 'crisp 4K detail and extended color gamut coverage' suitable for movie watching. Its built-in 2.0.2-channel speaker array handles Dolby Atmos and DTS:X well. Brightness is only average, and grayscale errors turn up in Filmmaker Mode on certain screens. Use it in a light-controlled room with a screen up to 120 inches.

Strengths
  • — RGB laser light source with Rec.2020 gamut coverage
  • — Built-in Dolby Atmos/DTS:X sound support
  • — Good contrast and brightness uniformity
Watch-outs
  • — Average brightness
  • — Relatively high grayscale errors in Filmmaker Mode

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Epson QS100B

The Epson QS100B (the black QS100) provides 4,500 lumens with 4K PRO-UHD technology and 2-way pixel-shifting, offering better resolution than the Hisense L9Q's native 1080P. However, it lacks Dolby Vision support, unlike the Hisense L9Q.

Hisense PT1

The Hisense PT1 offers a budget-friendly RGB laser solution with good contrast and built-in Dolby Atmos support, unlike the JMGO O2S Ultra which lacks smart features. While it provides 110% BT.2020 color gamut coverage, the Hisense L9Q outperforms it in brightness and HDR formats, though the PT1 is better suited for light-controlled environments.

Specs side-by-side

SpecEpson QS100BHisense PT1
Brightness4500 lumens2,500 ANSI lumens
Resolution1080P native4K
Contrast Ratio5,000,000:13,000:1
Laser Life20,000 hours25,000 hours
Throw Ratio0.16-0.220.2
Light Source3LCD laserRGB laser
Color Gamut—110% BT.2020
Smart OS—Google TV
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