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When XGIMI reached out asking if I'd review their Horizon S Pro projector, I initially dismissed it. At $1,299, roughly a third of what I paid for my beloved Epson 6050 UB, and with a compact form factor that honestly looked more like a stylish Bluetooth speaker than a serious projector, my expectations were admittedly low.
But after a viewer commented on one of my videos asking specifically about this model, I took a second look. Fast forward several weeks of testing in both my small 82-inch screen "tiny theater" and my main basement home theater with its 145-inch screen, and I'm genuinely stunned. This compact laser projector has completely upended my assumptions about what's possible at this price point.
First impressions matter, and the Horizon S Pro surprises the moment you lift it from its packaging. What looks like a lightweight, almost toy-like device in pictures has substantial heft and solid build quality that immediately communicates that this is a serious piece of equipment.
The minimalist cube-shaped design with rounded corners features a sleek, modern aesthetic that wouldn't look out of place in even the most stylish living rooms. It sits on an adjustable stand that allows for 135 degrees of vertical movement and a full 360 degrees of rotation on its base. While this flexibility is welcome, it's worth noting that the adjustment mechanism is somewhat sensitive—there's no way to "lock" it in place, so accidental bumps can throw off your carefully aligned image.
I particularly appreciate the motorized lens cover that automatically slides down when powered on and closes when shut down—a premium feature I've always valued on my much more expensive Epson projector. The unit features a remarkably clean design with minimal ports and controls, relying instead on the remote for operation.
The Horizon S Pro's feature set punches well above its price class. As a laser projector, it boasts an impressive 20,000+ hour lifespan—roughly ten times what you'd expect from traditional lamp-based projectors where bulb replacements can cost hundreds of dollars every few thousand hours.
The projector offers 1,800 ISO lumens of brightness, which proved more than adequate in my light-controlled spaces. In fact, during evening viewing in my smaller theater room, I actually found myself thinking the image was almost too bright and could benefit from being dialed back slightly. For rooms with significant ambient light, stepping up to the 3,100-lumen Horizon S Max might be worth considering, but for typical evening viewing or spaces with decent light control, the S Pro delivers impressive brightness.
The stand-out feature is the impressive ISA 5.0 (Intelligent Screen Adaptation) technology, which handles auto-focus, auto keystone correction, intelligent obstacle avoidance, and screen alignment. When you first set up the projector, you position it roughly where you want it, and the system automatically handles all the fine adjustments. Once I got used to the setup process, I found it significantly more convenient than the manual adjustments required on many projectors.
Supporting HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision formats, along with 3D capabilities, this projector offers premium content compatibility typically found in more expensive units. The low latency Game Mode (rated at under 20ms) is a genuine gaming asset that my teenagers confirmed worked flawlessly during extended Fortnite sessions—no perceptible input lag whatsoever.
Running Android TV 11.0, the Horizon S Pro functions as a complete entertainment hub with access to thousands of streaming apps. The interface is familiar and reasonably snappy, though not quite as fluid as dedicated streaming devices.
One notable limitation is that Netflix isn't directly available through the Google Play Store, though XGIMI provides a USB dongle workaround. This solution works but feels clunky in practice—if you're serious about streaming, I'd recommend connecting an Apple TV 4K or similar dedicated streaming device for a superior experience.
The projector's software includes various picture modes and adjustments typical for modern displays, though I found the default Cinema mode provided excellent results with minimal tweaking required. The auto-focus feature deserves special mention—with a single button press on the remote, the projector instantly sharpens the image with remarkable precision, eliminating the tedious manual focusing process.
The included Bluetooth remote is simple but effective, featuring just the essential controls without overwhelming users with buttons. Voice search via Google Assistant is also included, though I found myself using it less frequently than the physical controls.
Picture quality is where the Horizon S Pro truly shines. After calibration, the 4K image (achieved through pixel-shifting technology rather than native 4K) displays remarkable clarity, color accuracy, and contrast. When watching familiar test scenes from Ocean's 11, I was stunned to realize the projector was so sharp that I could distinguish between perfectly focused shots and ones where the cinematographer had missed perfect focus by a small margin—a level of detail I wasn't expecting at this price point.
The color reproduction with its BT.2020 110% color gamut is vibrant without being oversaturated, and the dynamic contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 delivers convincing black levels for a single-chip DLP projector. While it can't match the absolute black levels of my Epson 6050 UB, it comes surprisingly close in properly dark environments.
The one potential drawback worth mentioning is a slight "halo effect" around the projected image after keystone correction. This appears as a faint glow surrounding the actual image and is most noticeable on light-colored walls. In my basement theater with dark walls, this effect virtually disappeared, but it remained visible (though not distracting during actual content) in my upstairs room with lighter walls. For those concerned, some simple solutions include using dark wall paint around your screen area or adding light-absorbing material like black velvet to the perimeter of your projection surface. This can be avoided by centering the projector and minimizing the use of digital keystone.
Unlike my lamp-based Epson that generates significant fan noise at higher brightness levels, the laser-based Horizon S Pro operates at a whisper-quiet 28dB, which I measured at just 29dB from a few inches away. This makes it perfect for intimate viewing spaces where the projector sits close to viewers.
The built-in Harman Kardon speakers (dual 12W) are surprisingly capable for a projector, delivering clear dialogue and reasonable sound staging. While serious movie watchers will still want dedicated external audio, the internal speakers are more than adequate for casual viewing or temporary setups.
At $1,299, the XGIMI Horizon S Pro represents exceptional value in the home theater projector market. Comparable image quality typically requires spending at least twice as much, particularly when accounting for the laser light source that eliminates costly bulb replacements.
The value proposition becomes even more compelling when you consider the all-in-one nature of the system—with built-in streaming and audio capabilities, it requires minimal additional investment to get up and running. For buyers stretching their budget to enter the projector market, this means the cost of entry is substantially reduced.
My primary reference point is my Epson 6050 UB, which cost approximately three times more than the XGIMI. While the Epson does deliver superior black levels, slightly better color accuracy, and offers powered lens memory for different aspect ratios, the gap in performance is significantly smaller than the price difference would suggest.
Compared to other projectors in the $1,000-1,500 range, the XGIMI stands out for its superior brightness, build quality, and feature set. Many competitors at this price point still use lamp-based light sources, offer lower resolution, or lack smart features, making the Horizon S Pro a compelling option.
For those considering TV alternatives, it's worth noting that while a 77-inch OLED will deliver better blacks and operate well in brighter rooms, it costs significantly more and can't approach the immersive experience of the 100"+ images this projector can deliver. For movie lovers prioritizing screen size over absolute picture quality, this projector offers tremendous value.
The XGIMI Horizon S Pro completely transformed my expectations of what's possible in a sub-$1,500 projector. Despite a few limitations—the Netflix workaround, the halo effect after keystone correction, and the lack of optical zoom—the overall package delivers a premium home theater experience at a surprisingly accessible price point.
For those who want a theater-like experience without breaking the bank, especially in spaces where you can control ambient light and ideally have darker wall surfaces, this projector earns my enthusiastic recommendation. It's become a permanent fixture in my secondary viewing space, delivering performance that continually surprises both me and my guests.
In a market where truly impressive projection typically comes with intimidating price tags, the Horizon S Pro stands out as a genuinely exciting option that makes big-screen home cinema more accessible than ever before.
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