Hisense PX4 Pro Review: A Brilliant Ultra-Short Throw Projector Held Back by Software

Introduction to the Hisense PX4 Pro

The Hisense PX4 Pro enters the market as an intriguing entry in the ultra-short throw (UST) laser projector category. While it might look like a simple year-on-year iterative upgrade, it introduces a mixed bag of hardware improvements and frustrating software quirks. Boasting a compact powerhouse footprint, a vibrant RGB laser light source, and impressive black levels driven by a new physical iris, the PX4 Pro is capable of breathtaking cinematic visuals. However, certain software limitations and forced automated settings prevent it from fully realizing its potential.

Pricing and Availability

Launched at the beginning of September 2026, the Hisense PX4 Pro carries an MSRP of $4,499. Fortunately, early promotional discounts have seen prices drop by around $500, making it a slightly more digestible investment for home theater enthusiasts looking to replace traditional large TVs with a massive, immersive projection setup.

Design and Connectivity

Borrowing the refined design language of Hisense’s flagship L9Q series, the PX4 Pro replaces bronze accents with sleek silver, resulting in a more elegant physical profile. Measuring 21.3 x 11.3 x 5.6 inches and weighing just under 18.3 pounds, it is remarkably easy to reposition. Its short 0.2:1 throw ratio means it can sit mere inches from a wall while projecting a massive image ranging from 80 to 200 inches.

Connectivity options are robust, featuring four HDMI ports—including two with full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth supporting ALLM, alongside an eARC port. It also includes optical audio output, dual USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and reliable Wi-Fi 7 integration. Unfortunately, the unit notably lacks a physical lens cover, meaning dust can easily accumulate on the top glass and distort the projected image if not cleaned regularly.

Performance and Visual Quality

The standout hardware addition on the PX4 Pro is its physical aperture iris, which lets users manually clamp down light output to achieve deep, inky black levels in dark environments or open it fully for bright daytime viewing. In testing, the projector hit an impressive 3,612 ANSI lumens, slightly eclipsing its rated 3,500 lumens spec. Color performance is similarly stellar, covering 100% sRGB, 98% DCI-P3, and 96% BT.2020 color spaces.

Despite these stellar raw capabilities, the viewing experience is occasionally hampered by a buried setting called 'Scenario Enhancement.' Designed to automatically adapt the picture to different scenes, this feature can trigger sudden brightness shifts and color flickers. Compounding the issue, Hisense ties this setting to the physical iris, preventing users from leveraging the best black-level performance without dealing with erratic software automation.

Gaming Experience

For gamers, the PX4 Pro shines brightly. It boasts a remarkably low input lag of 51ms out of the box, which drops to just 23ms in dedicated gaming mode. When configured to 1080p at 240Hz with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) enabled, input lag essentially vanishes. This makes fast-paced action games feel incredibly responsive, smooth, and free of screen tearing on a massive screen.

Smart TV Interface: VidaaOS

Unlike previous models that featured Google TV, the PX4 Pro runs on Hisense’s proprietary VidaaOS. While navigation is snappy and responsive, VidaaOS falls short compared to competing ecosystems. It comes pre-loaded with an overwhelming amount of bloatware apps and intrusive home screen ads. Furthermore, the app store lacks several major streaming applications (such as Hulu), and critical picture settings are frequently obscured or unnecessarily grayed out.

Audio Performance

The built-in 4.0.2-channel speaker system is surprisingly capable for a projector, delivering a wide soundstage with height channels that enhance spatial immersion. While it gets exceptionally loud without distortion, it naturally lacks the deep bass thump required for heavy cinematic action sequences, meaning serious home theater buffs will still want to pair it with a dedicated soundbar or sub.

The Verdict

The Hisense PX4 Pro is a magnificent piece of projection hardware offering stunning brightness, rich color accuracy, and incredible 240Hz gaming capabilities. However, frustrating software restrictions, forced auto-enhancements, and an imperfect smart OS mar an otherwise premium experience. If you do not require advanced VRR features, the preceding PX3 Pro may offer a more cohesive and reliable viewing experience for considerably less money.