At Last, I Finally Found A Portable 4k Projector Worthy Of Replacing My Tv

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Xgimi's Horizon S Max is connected waste now for $1,899.
• It offers sharp, vibrant image value that punches good supra its value tag, and nan caller gimbal creation is easy to group up.
• Its minimal larboard action mightiness beryllium a problem for some.

I won't hide nan lede: nan Xgimi Horizon S Max is 1 of nan brightest projectors I've tested, and that's 1 of nan premier concerns pinch replacing a TV for a projector. The Horizon S Max besides includes my favourite creation constituent from nan JMGO N-series of projectors, making it easy to plug in, group up, and play. 

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I'm besides fond of nan sleek and portable shape factor. It builds upon nan predecessor's beingness limitations, though 1 package hindrance will annoy you -- aliases possibly a few, depending connected your usage case. That said, I still for illustration nan Horizon S Max, and here's why you should see it.

A creation that's difficult to kick about

Unlike nan Horizon Ultra, nan caller Xgimi projector comes pinch a built-in rotating stand, truthful you don't request to walk other connected a guidelines to clasp nan projector. It's very akin to nan 1 you tin find connected nan JMGO N1 Ultra and nan newly-launched N1S Ultimate. Personally, I emotion it because it's highly elemental to set nan surface placement -- some vertically (135 degrees) and horizontally (360 degrees). Also, nan mounting strategy is coagulated and stays astatine nan perspective you group it unless you link a dense HDMI cablegram that pulls it down.

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The Xgimi projector retains nan sliding screen connected nan front. Apart from looking classy, it protects nan lens from attracting dust. You'll find 2 USB 2.0 ports and an HDMI (eARC) larboard connected nan back. The larboard business is downgraded from nan Horizon Ultra, which had different HDMI port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an Ethernet larboard successful summation to nan ones connected nan Horizon S Max. 

The deficiency of a 3.5mm audio jack intends I couldn't link my Marshall Stanmore 2 for sound, while 1 HDMI larboard intends you tin either link a soundbar aliases a gaming console. Most rival projectors person a 3.5mm audio larboard and 2 HDMI ports. It's a minimal larboard action alongside nan powerfulness fastener and power vents connected nan back. 

Oh, truthful bright!

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The Xgimi Horizon S Max features a dual ray root that brings nan brightness up from 2,300 lumens connected nan Horizon Ultra to 3,100 lumens. The surface size tin grow up to 200 inches pinch a propulsion ratio of 1.2:1. In my experience, I've recovered it brighter and much elaborate than nan JMGO N1 Ultra and connected par pinch nan much costly N1S Ultimate. 

I've enjoyed my clip pinch nan Horizon S Max. The keystone correction is quicker and much reliable than its predecessor. It's besides quicker astatine adjusting nan image connected immoderate aboveground and autofocus. 

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However, I still propulsion nan curtains if I powerfulness it connected during nan day, but it is agleam capable to beryllium visible successful light. The surface is vibrant, colorful, and immersive. You'll decidedly bask watching movies connected it. When I had it projected connected a pinkish wall, it didn't impact nan image value -- acknowledgment to a caller characteristic that adjusts nan colour equilibrium of nan image based connected wall color. 

Like nan Horizon Ultra, nan Horizon S Max comes pinch support for MEMC, Dolby Vision, and a crippled mode for reduced latency. Watching Dolby Vision contented pinch varying lighting is an immersive experience, and it's besides elevated by nan awesome speaker setup, which sounds louder than expected. 

Xgimi Horizon S Max ports

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET

I person my Stanmore 2 connected to nan JMGO N1S Ultimate because it doesn't get large enough, but nan dual 12W drivers connected nan Horizon S Max are capable for a mini room. So, you wouldn't require an outer speaker. I'm disappointed that there's nary audio larboard for my speaker, and I person to link a soundbar done HDMI if I want to elevate nan sound experience. 

In my experience, navigating connected nan Android TV 11-based Horizon S Max package was smooth. But, location were times erstwhile I noticed a lag betwixt distant input and nan UI. As for nan remote, it's well-built, yet it lacks speedy action buttons that let 1 property to spell to your favourite streaming apps.

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It took maine conscionable a fewer minutes to brace nan remote, group up my Google accounts, and download my desired apps. Horizon S Max houses 2GB of RAM and 64GB of retention onboard, which is powered by quad Cortex A55 cores. You besides get built-in Chromecast support, Bluetooth 5.1, and Wi-Fi 5 for wireless connectivity. 

One annoyance from past twelvemonth that remains is nan absence of Netflix support. You can't tally nan autochthonal Netflix app connected nan Horizon S Max. This is astonishing because rivals for illustration JMGO fixed this rumor pinch nan latest N1S lineup. You tin still tally Netflix pinch a streaming stick, but nan deficiency of Netflix support could beryllium a deal-breaker for many. 

ZDNET's buying advice

At $1,899, nan Xgimi Horizon S Max features amended image value than its competitors. It rivals nan $2,500+ JMGO N1S Ultimate and is amended than nan likewise priced JMGO N1 Ultra. I emotion nan caller creation pinch an integrated gimbal-like stand. It makes nan projector very convenient to group up and play. However, nan deficiency of larboard action and Netflix support whitethorn antagonistic that convenience.

Additionally, nan Xgimi Horizon S Max offers fantabulous image value and sound. The personification interface is manageable, and I've enjoyed watching movies connected it. So, if you person a fund of $2,000 and want a projector purely for its image quality, nan Xgimi Horizon S Max is an easy recommendation.

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