I finally found a 4K projector worthy of replacing my TV – and it’s the brightest I’ve ever tested

Key points of ZDNET

• It offers sharp and vivid picture quality that far exceeds its price point.
• New gimbal design is convenient and easy to install.
• Minimum port selection may be an issue for some

More purchasing options

the Xgimi Horizon S Max is one of the brightest projectors I’ve tested. It includes my favorite design element from the JMGO N series of projectors, making it easy to plug in, set up, and use. I also like the style and function; Although it builds on the physical limitations of its predecessor, there’s a software hitch that will leave you frustrated.

Or maybe several, depending on your use case. With that said, I still like the Horizon S Max and here’s why you should consider it.

I love the new design

Unlike the Horizon Ultra, the new Xgimi projector has a built-in swivel stand so you don’t need to spend extra money on a stand to hold the projector. It’s very similar to the one you can find on the newly launched JMGO N1 Ultra and N1S Ultimate. Personally, I like it because adjusting the screen position is extremely simple — both vertically (135 degrees) and horizontally (360 degrees). Additionally, the mounting system is very sturdy and stays at the angle you place it at unless you connect a heavy HDMI cable that pulls it down.

Also: I replaced my TV with this long throw projector and it was totally worth it

The new Xgimi projector still retains the sliding cover on the front. In addition to its luxurious appearance, it also protects the lens from dust and dirt. On the back, you’ll find two USB 2.0 ports and one HDMI (eARC) port. The port situation downgrades the Horizon Ultra, which has another HDMI port, 3.5mm audio jack, and ethernet port, in addition to the ports found on the Horizon S Max.

The lack of a 3.5mm audio jack meant I couldn’t connect a Marshall Stanmore 2 for audio, while an HDMI port means you can connect a soundbar or gaming console. Most competing projectors have a 3.5mm audio port and two HDMI ports. It’s a minimal port selection along with a power button and heat vent on the back.

Oh, so bright!

Xgimi Horizon S Max has dual light sources that increase brightness from 2,300 lumens on Horizon Ultra to 3,100 lumens. The screen size is expandable up to 200 inches with a 1.2:1 throw ratio. In my experience, I found it brighter and more detailed than the JMGO N1 Ultra and on par with the more expensive N1S Ultimate.

I enjoyed my time with the Horizon S Max. Keystone adjustment is faster and more reliable than its predecessor. It’s also faster at adjusting images on any surface and focusing automatically.

Also: The sexiest projector I’ve ever tested now replaces my TV for movie nights

However, I still keep the curtains drawn if I turn it on during the day but it’s bright enough to be seen in bright light. The screen is vivid, colorful and vibrant. You will definitely enjoy watching movies on it. When I projected it onto a pink wall, it didn’t affect image quality — thanks to a new feature that adjusts the color balance of the image based on the wall color.

Like Horizon Ultra, Horizon S Max supports MEMC, Dolby Vision, and game mode to reduce latency. Watching Dolby Vision content in a variety of lighting is a great experience, and it’s enhanced by the excellent speaker setup, which sounds louder than expected.

I connected my Stanmore 2 to the JMGO N1S Ultimate because it wasn’t loud enough, but the dual 12W drivers on the Horizon S Max are enough for a small room. So you won’t need external speakers. However, I was disappointed that there was no audio port for my speakers, and I had to connect the soundbar via HDMI if I wanted to enhance the audio experience.

In my experience, navigating the Android TV 11-based Horizon S Max software is smooth. However, I sometimes noticed a delay between the remote input and the user interface. As for the remote, it’s well designed but lacks the quick action buttons that let you tap once to access your favorite streaming apps.

Also: Best projector screens of 2024

It only took me a few minutes to pair the remote, set up my Google account, and download my desired apps. Horizon S Max has 2GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, powered by quad-core Cortex A55. You also get built-in Chromecast support, Bluetooth 5.1, and WiFi 5 for wireless connectivity.

One annoyance that remains from last year is the lack of Netflix support. You cannot run the native Netflix app on Horizon S Max. This is surprising because competitors like JMGO have fixed this problem with the latest N1S series. You can still run Netflix using your streaming device, but the lack of Netflix support may be a stumbling block for many people.

ZDNET Buying Tips

With a price of 1,900 USD, Xgimi Horizon S Max has better image quality than the competition. It competes with the $2,500-plus JMGO N1S Ultimate, and it’s better than the similarly priced JMGO N1 Ultra. I like the new design with the integrated gimbal-like stand. It makes the projector very convenient to set up and play. However, the lack of port selection and Netflix support may hinder that convenience.

In addition, Xgimi Horizon S Max also offers excellent image and sound quality. The user interface is manageable and I enjoyed watching movies on it. So if you have a budget of $2,000 and want a projector purely for image quality, the Xgimi Horizon S Max is an easy recommendation.

Xgimi is providing a dongle and agrees to the purchase Horizon S Max as part of the Black Friday sale. The free key solves the problem of not having Netflix because you can use the streaming service by plugging it into the projector.