XGIMI is tackling the very high-end with the Horizon 20 Max , a video projector that doesn't do things by halves. It's hard not to be intrigued by its technical specifications: 5,700 ISO lumens , triple RGB laser engine, IMAX Enhanced and Dolby Vision compatibility. Suffice to say that the Chinese manufacturer wants to make a big splash and establish itself as a real alternative to the traditional projectors from the giants of the sector.
From the very first screenings, the ambition is evident. The brightness pierces the darkness with a rare intensity, the colorimetry flirts with perfection, and the HDR rendering benefits from a dynamic range that we wouldn't expect to see on a consumer projector. The whole thing exudes technological mastery and attention to detail, right down to the motorized zoom and lens shift adjustments, and the latency reduced to a handful of milliseconds for video games.
It remains to be seen whether this wealth of technology truly translates into a cinematic experience that lives up to its promise. After several weeks of pushing it to its limits, it's time to see if the Horizon 20 Max deserves its status as the new king of home cinema.
Table of Contents
A massive design, built to last
As soon as you take it out of its carrying case, the XGIMI Horizon 20 Max projector makes a real presence. With its 5.4 kg well distributed over a 249 x 298 x 190 mm chassis, you immediately understand that we are dealing with a device designed for the living room, not for the backpack. Its Dark Gray , its dense materials and its brushed aluminum front exude quality. The top adopts a textured leather-like coating , the front grille sports an elegant X pattern, and the IMAX Enhanced badge reminds us that we are entering the big league of home cinema.
XGIMI is ditching the motorized fabric hood of the previous Horizon S Max for a more direct approach, highlighting its new XMaster Red Ring Lens . Behind this marketing name hides a 14-element glass lens, including several aspherical ones, offering a light transmission rate of 99.6% . The result: up to 84% more brightness than the previous generation.
The stand is no exception: a 360° swivel base , tilt up to 135°, and a feeling of solidity that reassures from the first use. Forget about ceiling mounts and laborious adjustments: placed on a coffee table, the Horizon 20 Max is ready to transform any room into a projection room.
A remote control that exudes high-end
It's hard not to start with it. From the moment you pick it up, the XGIMI Horizon 20 Max's remote control sets the tone. Its two-tone black and silver brushed metal chassis immediately inspires confidence, with a well-balanced weight and exemplary finish. This isn't just an accessory: it's clearly a premium item.
The manufacturer has gone so far as to incorporate intelligent backlighting that turns on as soon as you lift it, a rare touch, but terribly practical when the session takes place in complete darkness. Direct shortcuts to Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube , as well as a customizable button , greatly facilitate navigation. And what about the Source button, which is finally accessible without going through the menus: a small revolution in everyday life.
In the hand, it gives off a real impression of robustness and precision, far from the plastic remote controls often supplied with consumer projectors. XGIMI has undoubtedly produced the best remote control on the lifestyle market , quite simply.
Complete connectivity designed for the high-end
At the back, the XGIMI Horizon 20 Max immediately shows that it has nothing to envy from professional projectors. The connectivity is both complete and coherent , designed to never hinder the user experience. There are two HDMI 2.1 ports , one of which is eARC compatible to connect a sound bar or a home cinema amplifier without compromising on sound. An optical output and a 3.5 mm jack allow you to connect headphones or an external audio system, while two USB ports, one 3.0 and one 2.0, offer flexibility and compatibility with all peripherals, from external storage to dongles.
All this is completed by WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 , guaranteeing stable, fast connections suitable for 4K HDR streams, gaming or high-quality streaming. Even the 300W reminds us that we are dealing with a projector capable of delivering exceptional and constant brightness , without compromise. Every detail is designed to reinforce this premium feeling: from the robust connectors to the clear indications, we really feel that this video projector leaves nothing to chance and that everything has been designed to offer a complete and flawless home cinema experience .
Simplified installation thanks to the motorized lens shift
One of the major assets of the XGIMI Horizon 20 Max is immediately obvious upon installation: the motorized lens shift . Rare on a lifestyle projector, this function allows the optical block to be physically moved vertically and horizontally, offering almost total flexibility to position the projector slightly offset from the center of the screen while maintaining a perfectly rectangular image, without resorting to digital keystone correction which always degrades sharpness a little.
The difference is spectacular. The image remains intact , the 4K is preserved, and the projected size gains in amplitude. On a 100-inch screen, the rendering is stunning, with precise contours and perfectly rendered details. The optical zoom between 1.2:1 and 1.5:1 allows the image size to be adjusted without loss of quality, a rare luxury in this category. Even if the zoom amplitude remains limited, it already covers the majority of domestic installations, and the digital zoom takes over for the final adjustments.
XGIMI doesn't stop there: near-instant autofocus , automatic keystone correction in seconds , and obstacle detection to avoid dazzling someone walking in front of the lens make setup incredibly simple. An ambient light sensor even adjusts colorimetry according to the color of the wall if you're projecting without a dedicated screen. Every detail demonstrates the attention paid to comfort and quality, further reinforcing the impression that this projector is truly high-end and designed to leave no compromises .
Google TV Complete: The Experience Based on Fluidity
The XGIMI Horizon 20 Max projector hits hard in terms of interface with Google TV in its full version , a real step forward compared to the Horizon S Max. This time, all the native applications are present, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+ or YouTube , accessible directly from the projector without going through an external box. The whole thing is fluid and responsive , even on the most demanding apps like Disney+, thanks to the MT9619 processor , supported by 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage . The result is no slowness, no bugs, just a perfectly mastered user experience.
The menus have been redesigned for greater clarity . The predefined picture modes Standard, Movie, Vivid Color or Sport are intuitive and immediately understandable. The Movie mode, in particular, impresses from the first projection : contrast, colorimetry and HDR rendering are impeccable, offering an immersion worthy of a cinema right out of the box. With Google TV fully integrated, XGIMI demonstrates that this projector is not only technically powerful, but also designed to offer a complete, intuitive and premium home cinema experience .
A brightness that strikes from the first seconds
Turning on the XGIMI Horizon 20 Max is like getting an immediate visual slap. The brightness is simply mind-blowing. The 5,700 ISO lumens are there in Bright mode, but it's the Movie mode that impresses the most, with over 3,300 lumens measured by our calibrator. To give you an idea, a 3,200 lumens back-of-room projector easily costs 25,000 euros. Here, we're at only 3,000 euros.
Compared to last year's Horizon S Max, that's almost double the brightness. HDR content literally explodes on the screen. You can enjoy a movie in broad daylight with natural light streaming in through the windows, and the image remains perfectly readable, with vibrant colors, deep contrast, and surprising depth. Even with a little ambient lighting in the evening, the image retains all of its impact and dynamics.
On a 160-inch screen, or 3.5 meters across, the spectacle is striking. Uniformity remains excellent across the entire projected surface, proof of the remarkable work of the XMaster Red Ring Lens optics . Never before has a lifestyle projector achieved such light output while mastering the image so perfectly. With the Horizon 20 Max, we really feel that XGIMI is playing in the big leagues.
Colors that impress at first glance
triple RGB laser technology , with its 40 laser chips, delivers simply exemplary colorimetry. The projector covers almost 100% of DCI-P3 , 96% of BT.2020 and even 110% of BT.2020 according to XGIMI, ensuring faithful and vibrant reproduction. In SDR Movie mode, the measured Delta E is only 1.5 right out of the box, which means colors are natural and ready to use without calibration.
The reds are deep but never garish, the blues perfectly stable, the greens vibrant and the yellows precise. The skin is rendered with subtlety and nuance, without chromatic drift. On 4K sequences of landscapes, dewy flowers or vibrant fruits, the rendering is stunning. We distinguish each drop of water , the textures of the materials and the gradients of the sky are of exceptional finesse. Believe me, the spectacle is simply incredible . After testing the Horizon 20 Max, it becomes almost difficult to appreciate or even try another video projector as the image quality and immersion are above the rest.
HDR and tone mapping: total control of highlights
The XGIMI Horizon 20 Max also impresses with its HDR processing and active dynamic tone mapping , which does a remarkable job. All details are preserved in bright areas, even on extreme content at 4000 or 10,000 nits. In the bright sun of the film Dune , there is no clipping, no loss of detail. Tone mapping slightly adjusts the brightness in dark areas to ensure readability, even in the presence of ambient light, a choice that prioritizes viewing comfort rather than strict fidelity to the reference EOTF curve.
IMAX Enhanced mode , available on HDR10 content, adopts a more dynamic processing that accentuates the impact of the image while accepting a slight clipping in the highlights. Ideal for enjoying a film in broad daylight and maximizing the visual sensation. In Dolby Vision , the projector automatically switches to this mode, leaving the processing to Dolby, with the possibility of choosing between a dark mode, faithful to the source, and a bright mode that reinforces the dynamics. The additional adjustments allow the rendering to be adapted to the screen size and the gain of the canvas, thus offering precise control to get the most out of each image.
Contrast: the limit of DLP sublimated
Even the best have their flaws. The Horizon 20 Max is no exception, and comes up against the physical constraints of DLP based on a 0.47-inch DMD chip: native contrast peaks at 1400:1. A perfectly decent value, but far from the promised 20,000:1 in dynamic contrast. When the latter is activated, the measurements do indeed soar, but some side effects appear: slight chromatic drifts, a subtle pumping of brightness between two high-contrast shots, and, for the most sensitive, a few rare rainbow fringes in the highlights.
In practice, less is more. In a pitch-black room, by slightly lowering the brightness (to around 7 or 8 out of 10) and reducing the dynamic contrast, the image immediately becomes more natural and balanced. Blacks become denser, the colorimetry breathes, and the overall stability enhances immersion.
The local contrast mode, adjustable to three levels, works wonders: it deepens the perceived depth of blacks and adds that little extra relief typical of very high-end products. Admittedly, the rendering becomes a little harsher, but the feeling of realism more than compensates.
Surgical clarity
From the first seconds of projection, you're struck by the surgical precision of the image. Everything seems to have been cut with a scalpel: the textures, the contours, the finest details. The optics here are a master's work. As you get closer to the screen, you can almost make out the microscopic texture of the DLP chip, proof that everything is mastered down to the pixel. But as soon as you move away, this finesse becomes simply magical: the 4K image seems to float in the air, with an almost unreal clarity.
The gradients are exemplary fluidity, without the slightest banding effect, and the light remains perfectly homogeneous from one edge to the other. We feel that each optical element of the Horizon 20 Max has been adjusted with engineer's precision to offer this sensation of pure, stable image, and almost disturbing realism.
Perfect fluidity for cinema
The 24p signal processing is exemplary. The Horizon 20 Max faithfully reproduces 24 frames per second without stuttering or micro-slowdown, ensuring smooth playback of films and series. This precise rendering will particularly appeal to cinema lovers.
On the other hand, there is a judder problem on the Disney+ application integrated into the projector's operating system. This defect, however, disappears when using an external source like an Apple TV, pending a software update.
The projector features a MEMC image interpolation system that can be adjusted to three levels. In the lower position, it improves fluidity while preserving the cinematic feel. The higher, more aggressive levels tend to produce a less natural “soap opera” effect.
Finally, the AISR artificial intelligence upscaling technology does an excellent job on content with a resolution lower than 4K. Videos gain sharpness, texture, and depth, making even older sources much more enjoyable to watch.
Convincing Harman Kardon sound
The Xgimi Horizon 20 Max projector features a Harman Kardon audio system with two 12W speakers and a 360° architecture incorporating transducers at the rear. The sound is astonishing: the bass reaches down to 55 Hz thanks to a 630 cm³ acoustic chamber, providing plenty of punch in action scenes. Explosions are loud, the atmosphere is present, and the dialogue remains perfectly intelligible.
DTS Virtual X adds convincing spatialization. It's not a 5.1 or 7.1 home theater, but for an all-in-one projector, it's sufficient for an average bedroom or living room. In Cobra's Total Cinema room in Paris, the 24W fills the space effortlessly. For a truly immersive experience, a soundbar or amplifier is still preferable, but the integrated system already does the job very well in portable mode.
In operation, the projector is surprisingly quiet. In HDR Movie mode, the fan is barely audible, even from close range. Heating is controlled: after several hours, the device remains cool and does not heat up the room. A flawless performance for a projector of this power.
Gaming: Horizon 20 Max changes the game with VRR
For gamers, the Horizon 20 Max is already a serious contender for the title of ultimate projector. Its input lag borders on the unbelievable: 5.5 ms at 1080p 120 Hz, probably around 2.8 ms at 240 Hz and 11 ms at 4K 60 Hz. This means performance is comparable to that of the best OLED gaming screens.
The real innovation is VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) compatibility up to 240 Hz, a world first for a lifestyle projector. In concrete terms, the refresh rate aligns in real time with that of the console or PC, eliminating tearing and micro-lags. The only downside: the Super Frame mode, which activates 120 or 240 Hz, requires a resolution of 1080p, and the two HDMI ports remain limited to classic 4K 60 Hz. But for competitive gaming at high frequency, it's simply amazing.
Plugged into Astro Bot or other demanding titles, the Horizon 20 Max responds instantly: total fluidity, perfect responsiveness. Playing on a giant screen while enjoying the comfort of a high-end gaming monitor is finally possible.
The projector doesn't stop there: ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) automatically detects the source and switches to low latency mode. To complete the arsenal, Black Equalizer and Virtual Crosshair provide a real plus for competitors. Clearly, the Horizon 20 Max doesn't compromise on gaming.
3D: finally worthwhile
Until now, 3D on a projector has often remained anecdotal: active technology reduces perceived brightness by half, and the result is generally dull and tiring for the eyes. With the Horizon 20 Max, the scenario changes radically. Thanks to its 5700 lumens, the light output remains largely sufficient to enjoy a brilliant image, even with active glasses. The experience gains in comfort and immersion: 3D films and games finally come to life in the dark, with vivid colors and well-defined contrasts. In short, 3D is no longer a gadget, it becomes a true visual pleasure.
XGIMI Wall Apps and Customization
The Horizon 20 Max isn't just a projector: with the XGIMI Wall (W2L) app, it can also become a true work of art when it's not showing a movie or game. Clock, famous paintings, lighting moods... the screen transforms into an immersive decoration. It's a nice gadget to surprise your guests, but don't overdo it: leaving the projector on without reading risks prematurely wearing out the laser source. In short, a little aesthetic bonus to use in moderation.
Some points for improvement
Despite its undeniable qualities, the Horizon 20 Max isn't perfect. The optical zoom, while present, remains somewhat limited: to fill certain screens, you may have to physically move the projector rather than adjust everything via the zoom.
The automatic keystone correction is accurate, but takes 5 to 6 seconds to stabilize after moving. This is only an issue if you move the device frequently, which is not the typical use case for a lifestyle projector.
At full brightness with all processing enabled (dynamic contrast, local contrast, artificial intelligence), some scenes show slight color drifts: slightly burnt whites and a more pronounced pumping effect. The solution is to slightly lower the brightness and disable certain processing to restore a stable and natural image.
Rainbow effects, inherent to DLP technology, remain visible to sensitive eyes in high-contrast scenes with bright objects on a black background. They have been drastically reduced compared to previous generations, but have not completely disappeared.
Speckle, the slight flickering typical of laser light in the whites, can appear depending on the type of screen used. It will be more visible on a negative-gain ALR screen. The choice of screen therefore remains crucial for optimal rendering.
The interface offers too many image modes and specific settings (AI, dynamic contrast, local contrast, edge smoothing, etc.). It's easy to get lost, and it's not always easy to understand the impact of each option. A cleaner interface would have been welcome.
Finally, the 300W external power supply is quite large and heavy. For a ceiling installation (not really recommended for a lifestyle projector), you will need to allow space for this power supply. The most practical solution remains to place the Horizon 20 Max on a piece of furniture or a coffee table.
✔ Exceptional brightness: Up to 5700 lumens ISO (3300 lumens in Film mode). Ideal even in broad daylight.
✔ 4K Image Quality: Surgical sharpness, precise and vibrant colors (Triple RGB laser and 40 laser chips).
✔ HDR and Tone Mapping: Highlight management and Dolby Vision/IMAX Enhanced compatible.
✔ Flexible installation: Motorized lens shift and optical zoom without loss of resolution.
✔ Complete Google TV interface: All native apps, smooth and responsive.
✔ Integrated Harman Kardon sound: 360° spatialization, deep bass, clear dialogue.
✔ High-end gaming: Very low input lag, VRR up to 240 Hz, ALLM mode and tools (Black Equalizer, Virtual Crosshair).
✔ Enhanced 3D: Sufficient light output for a vibrant image with active glasses.
✔ Premium and robust design: Solid chassis, brushed aluminum, leather finish and high-end backlit remote control.
✔ Complete connectivity: HDMI 2.1, eARC, USB 3.0/2.0, optical output, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
✔ Ease of use: Fast autofocus, obstacle detection, ambient light sensor, low fan noise.
✖ Limited native contrast: 1400:1, far from the best OLEDs (some drifts in dynamic contrast).
✖ Limited optical zoom: Sometimes requires physically moving the projector.
✖ Keystone Correction: Takes 5-6 seconds to stabilize.
✖ DLP Effects: Slight rainbow fringing and speckle visible on some screens or high-contrast scenes.
✖ Overloaded interface: Many modes and settings can confuse the user.
✖ Large power supply: 300 W, bulky for ceiling installation.
✖ Judder on native Disney+: Disappears with external source.
✖ Slight color drifts at full power with all processing enabled.
Verdict: The Horizon 20 Max, the new benchmark for lifestyle projectors
After several weeks of intensive testing in a variety of conditions, whether in a dedicated room, in a living room with ambient light, or in broad daylight, the XGIMI Horizon 20 Max confirms its status as a benchmark in the high-end lifestyle projector segment. Compact yet powerful, it probably offers the best price-performance ratio ever seen in this category.
Its exceptional brightness , 3300 lumens in Movie mode and up to 5700 in Bright mode, allows it to compete with much more expensive projectors. You can finally watch a movie in broad daylight with a bright, detailed and vibrant image on sizes up to 300 inches . For less than 3000 euros , it is a truly giant screen that defies all competition.
Triple RGB laser technology ensures sumptuous and accurate colors right out of the box. The motorized lens shift makes installation easy without altering the image and the optical zoom maintains native 4K resolution . Google TV brings fluidity and access to all applications while the Harman Kardon sound is sufficient for everyday use. Silent operation and VRR compatibility up to 240 Hz make this model a high-end gaming projector in its category.
On the limitations side, the native contrast remains that of a 0.47-inch DLP with 1400:1 measured, far from an OLED or a high-end mini-LED. Used sparingly, the dynamic contrast partially compensates. In a dedicated room with moderate brightness and disabled processing, the blacks are deep enough for an immersive experience.
At 2999 euros , the Horizon 20 Max stands out as the flagship of the range. XGIMI also offers the Horizon 20 at 1699 euros with 3200 lumens, ideal for a dark room or evening use, and the Horizon 20 Pro at 2099 euros with 4100 lumens, perfect for mixed use. Advanced features, lens shift, optical zoom, Google TV and VRR, are shared between the three models, only the brightness differs.
The projector remains massive and the power supply imposing. The interface offers numerous image modes and settings, and the native contrast remains limited. But faced with this explosion of brightness , this image precision , this versatility and this contained price , these defects fade into the background.
For anyone dreaming of an XXL cinema experience at home , without work or complex installation and capable of operating even in broad daylight, the Horizon 20 Max is today the absolute reference .
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