XGIMI Horizon Ultra Projector Review

XGIMI is a master of bang for your buck, offering a premium set of features for a relatively low price. The company regularly beats out the competition when it comes to price points and remains a top choice when it comes to projector recommendations. While it may sound daft for me to say that the XGIMI Horizon Ultra, with its $1699 cost, is also a fantastic example of bang for your buck, it goes toe-to-toe with products twice or even three times its price. I’ve spent a month with the Horizon Ultra paired with my 100” screen (though the projector supports up to 200”) and sampled it with many movies, TV shows, and games. Here’s my review.

First things first

XGIMI keeps it simple yet satisfying with the unboxing experience. Within the packaging, users will find the projector, a Bluetooth remote control with included AAA batteries, a user manual, warranty information (two years coverage), and the power adapter.

The design of the projector itself is very interesting. XGIMI has opted for a boxy, almost retro, aesthetic. I think it looks awesome, and while the design is a bit more daring, it will absolutely still look the part in any modern living room or bedroom setup, or dedicated home theater space.

Starting the show

The Android OS will be familiar to users of any other modern projector. Setup is simple thanks to features like the Uninterrupted Auto Keystone Correct and Autofocus, Obstacle Avoidance, Screen Alignment, and Wall Color Adaption. What does this all translate to? Well, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra is damn smart and capable of adapting to even challenging environments.

While you would ideally combine this high-end projector with a high-end screen, the Horizon Ultra’s versatility makes it a go-to solution for setting up in an office space, hotel room, or anywhere else where you would want a detailed 4K, high-brightness output. It’s surprisingly light, too, considering the tech inside, aiding that portable aspect.

Go bright or go home

What exactly does “high brightness” mean? Well, in the case of the XGIMI Horizon Ultra, we’re talking 2,300 ISO Lumens, all aided by the Dual Light Technology which pairs LED and Laser technology together. The result is an incredibly bright and vivid output.

With brightness and/or washed-out colors being the main pain points of lower-end projectors, especially when daylight enters the mix, it’s extremely pleasing to have the XGIMI Horizon Ultra delivering an impressive brightness level. It puts it up there with other high-end projectors, though at a fraction of the cost. This brightness shines even brighter when it comes to content enhanced by Dolby Vision.

Bonus features

The XGIMI Horizon Ultra does audio well, too, with two 12W speakers that provide solid enough sound to build upon. While I imagine most people dropping $1699 on a projector will also be thinking about true surround sound, having a built-in solution is a nice-to-have that comes in especially handy as an all-in-one solution when traveling around.

Another must-mention feature is the Optical Zoom, allowing for Lossless Picture Scaling. This can be super useful if you can’t physically move the projector closer or further away but still want that slight adjustment of screen size.

Final Verdict

At $1699, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra nails the price point for such a high-end output. If you’re looking for a super bright image with accurate colors paired with tech that makes the setup a breeze, the Horizon Ultra should be at the top of your list. It’s especially great for gaming, too, with its low-latency capabilities.