Hisense C2 Ultra 4K Projector Delivers High-End HDR Performance in a Compact, Portable Design

Hisense made its name in the projector world with its sprawling Laser TVs, but in 2023 they pivoted with the compact, all-in-one C1 lifestyle laser projector that didn’t need a dedicated room or an engineering degree to set up. Now they’re back with the C2 Ultra, the second model in the C-series, released in late 2024.

In this article, we’re taking a hard look at the C2 Ultra ($2,499), what sets it apart, and how it stacks up against similarly priced options from other brands. And no, we’re not talking about the C2 ($1,999) and C2 Pro ($2,299) variants—that’s another conversation.

The C2 Ultra ditches the basic-box look of the C1 in favor of a sleeker, more thoughtful design that includes a built-in stand offering 360° horizontal rotation and 135° vertical tilt. It’s a clever solution that makes tabletop and shelf placement much easier and also shows up in competing models like the Hisense M2 Pro, the Leica Cine 1 Play, and the newly released Dangbei MP1 Max.

But let’s not pretend portability in 2025 means “affordable.” These projectors all deliver impressive performance, but the convenience of a movable 4K HDR laser image now comes with a price tag that looks more like a monthly mortgage payment.

Hisense C2 Ultra Projector: Full Specs, Features, and Performance Breakdown

Despite its modest 9.7 x 7.1 x 8.5-inch footprint, the Hisense C2 Ultra packs a tri-color laser light engine that produces vibrant 4K images (via pixel shifting) on screens up to 300 inches in size. 

4K the Shifty Way: Hisense C2 Ultra’s Pixel-Packed Projection Trickery

The C2 Ultra skips the native 4K chip but still manages to throw a legit-looking 4K UHD image onto your wall—thanks to some clever sleight-of-hand. Inside, it packs a 0.47-inch 1080p DLP chip (DMD) from Texas Instruments, outfitted with 2.1 million micromirrors.

To fake a full 4K image (8.3 million pixels), the C2 Ultra leans on pixel-shifting tech. It shifts that 1080p image both vertically and horizontally at a blistering 240Hz. Your eyes can’t keep up, and that rapid-fire movement creates the illusion of a full 4K display. It’s not native 4K, but unless you’re sitting nose-to-screen, most folks won’t clock the difference.

Optics

No matter how smart the internals are, it’s the lens that ultimately calls the shots on what hits your screen. The C2 Ultra comes armed with a proper optical zoom lens and a 0.9–1.5:1 throw ratio, giving you real flexibility when it comes to screen size and placement.

This isn’t that cheap digital zoom trickery that smears detail and introduces artifacts. This is optical precision—so whether you’re dialing it in for a 100-inch screen or maxing out the throw for 300 inches, you’re getting sharp, clean, high-res results every time.

Dolby Atmos

The C2 Ultra comes with built-in 20-watt JBL speakers and Dolby Atmos support, giving you decent sound straight out of the box. It’s a solid setup for casual viewing in smaller spaces, and the Atmos processing does help expand the soundstage a bit.

That said, if you’re planning to use this in a larger room—or just want your audio to match the visual firepower—you’ll definitely want to bring in an external soundbar or full audio system. The built-ins are good, but they’re not miracle workers.

HDR Suppport

The Hisense C2 Ultra is compatible with the HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG formats, It is also being reported that it supports HDR10+. The C2 Ultra is also IMAX Enhanced compatible.

VIDAA TV

Hisense’s own VIDAA platform provides access to hundreds of apps for endless streaming, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more.

Gaming Support

With a 12ms input lag, ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation), and support for 1080p at 240Hz, the C2 Ultra is clearly built with gamers in mind. It’s also officially designed for Xbox compatibility, making it an easy plug-and-play option for console players. Whether you’re dodging enemies in Call of Duty or tearing up the track in Forza, this projector keeps things fast, fluid, and massive.

Comparison

Pro Tip: To get the best out of the C2 Ultra or any projector, you need a good screen.

The Bottom Line

Hisense is clearly making strategic moves to dominate both the TV and projector markets. With the C2 Ultra, they’re not cutting corners from their UST Laser TV lineup—they’ve simply recognized that many buyers still want a traditional projection setup and the flexibility for larger screen sizes. That’s where the C-series steps in, with the original C1, the new C2 Ultra, and now the ultra-compact M2 Pro rounding out the lineup.

The C2 Ultra proves Hisense isn’t just throwing spaghetti at the wall. It’s a calculated, well-engineered addition that hits the sweet spot between performance, flexibility, and price—at least by 2025’s “portable” standards.

However, larger screen TVs are encroaching more and more into projector screen size territory, where 98-inch TVs are now a common sight, and there are a growing number of TVs in the larger than 100-inch size category, including Hisense’s own 110 and 116-inch models – although the 116-inch model is $30,000 during its pre-sale launch.

Where to buy: $2,499 at Amazon

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