XGIMI Horizon Ultra review: 'a must-see for any home cinema enthusiasts'

GamesRadar+ VerdictThe XGIMI Horizon Ultra is a fantastic 4K projector with a whole host of extra features up its sleeve. Crisp visuals, excellent color reproduction, and an easy setup make this a must-see for any home cinema enthusiasts.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$1,444at AmazonPros+Subtle design+Bright, reliable picture+Versatile setup options+Nice color accuracy+Excellent HDR support+Powerful speakersCons-Less detailing in darker scenes GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict The XGIMI Horizon Ultra is a fantastic 4K projector with a whole host of extra features up its sleeve. Crisp visuals, excellent color reproduction, and an easy setup make this a must-see for any home cinema enthusiasts.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$1,444at Amazon The XGIMI Horizon Ultra is a fantastic 4K projector with a whole host of extra features up its sleeve. Crisp visuals, excellent color reproduction, and an easy setup make this a must-see for any home cinema enthusiasts. TODAY’S BEST DEALS$1,444at Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALS$1,444at Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALS$1,444at Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALS $1,444at Amazon $1,444at Amazon $1,444at Amazon Pros+Subtle design+Bright, reliable picture+Versatile setup options+Nice color accuracy+Excellent HDR support+Powerful speakers Subtle design Bright, reliable picture Versatile setup options Nice color accuracy Excellent HDR support Powerful speakers Cons-Less detailing in darker scenes Less detailing in darker scenes Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. XGIMI has a number of home cinema projectors in its arsenal these days, ranging from budget three-figure options all the way up to the super luxury Aura. Straight down the middle, we have the XGIMI Horizon Ultra, a 4K device with a number of handy additional features, easy setup, and a novel dual light system. It’s listed as a long throw device, though its throw ratio sits right on the cusp of that assessment, eeking out to a 1.5 at its top end. That essentially means you’re covered for a wide range of viewing spaces straight off the bat, and with handy additional light features and auto-settings this is a particularly easy projector to get on with. I spent the last three weeks running the XGIMI Horizon Ultra across both movies and, while it’s not technically aprojector for gaming, PS5 to see just what your $1,699 / £1,649 gets you. Swipe to scroll horizontally Design Its soft corners, cream aesthetic, and gold accents make the Ultra a go-to if you’re after a projector that will accent your living room and its long throw capabilities mean it won’t need to sit front and center anyway. The top and sides are covered in a thin layer of leather finish, leaving the bottom and rear free for ventilation and ports. It’s also nicely bereft of any major branding nods, aside from a glossy XGIMI logo on the top, and a Harman / Kardon badge placed neatly on the lower left corner of the main grill. (Image credit: Future) Controls are completely relegated to the included remote, which is handsomely outfitted with all the major settings, app, and menu buttons you’ll need. This is, again, a sophisticated looking device with a heavy feel and soft-touch finish. There’s no backlighting to these buttons, and that’s generally par for the course, but it would have been nice not to have to wave it around to see which button to press. Features (Image credit: Future) Setup is quick and easy thanks to a multitude of auto settings. The Horizon Ultra can automatically set your focus, keystoning (vertically and horizontally) and screen fit, but it’s also got another trick up its sleeve. Automatic obstacle avoidance came in particularly handy when moving to a different room without a screen, it essentially places your image so as to not project onto anything in its way like light switches. That, plus the fact that the Ultra can detect the color of an un-screened wall and adjust its own color profile accordingly and even take ambient light conditions into account when adjusting its own brightness makes this a particularly versatile projector. Performance I relied on the auto settings fully for my initial setup and was pleased with the result. In a dark room at night, I didn’t notice too much of the telltale distortions that these auto-configurations often conjure and brightness was impressive. Those dual lighting systems worked well to create a particularly uniform level of brightness, whether I was watching with casual ambient light or more moderate darkness. Shrinking the size of the image also maintained this level of brightness well while watching in a lighter environment as well. (Image credit: Future) Day to day viewing offers up fantastic color accuracy, with a rich, warm tone to it that I personally preferred to the colder aesthetic of cheaper options. Bold, bright pops of color in Spaceman were a sight to behold, but the system also boasted a particularly sympathetic handling of skin tones and more shadow-defined characteristics of Adam Sandler’s ship. All of that is combined with the crisp detailing of that upscaled 4K resolution. Gaming is fine. The 60Hz refresh rate cap means this is never going to truly be thebest projector for PS5 or Xbox Series X, but the bright HDR levels and rich colors make for a solid experience should you need to plug in your console every now and then. I wouldn’t recommend it for more fast-paced ventures as, even in the dedicated game mode, you’re not getting the low latency connection available elsewhere. However, I was more than happy to explore Skyrim at wall-size dimensions. Should you buy the XGIMI Horizon Ultra? (Image credit: Future) If you’re upgrading to 4K for the first time, or simply swapping from an older non-HDR system, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra is going to be a must-see. It’s not quite got the premium chops of high-end native UHD projectors, and its gaming features block it out of the enthusiast console market, but it’s an incredibly powerful thrower with fantastic brightness and a suite of smart features for additional versatility as well. Like all 4K projectors, it’s got the weight of a hefty price tag behind it, but considering it’s at the lower end of this particular spectrum there’s still solid value to be found. Today’s best XGIMI Horizon Ultra deals$1,699.99$1,444ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Today’s best XGIMI Horizon Ultra deals$1,699.99$1,444ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Today’s best XGIMI Horizon Ultra deals $1,699.99$1,444View $1,699.99$1,444View $1,699.99$1,444View $1,699.99$1,444View $1,699.99$1,444 $1,444 We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices How we tested the XGIMI Horizon Ultra I used the XGIMI Horizon Ultra for three weeks during my testing, while also running the projector alongside the BenQ X300G. I made good use of Netflix andDisneyPlus’s 4K catalogs, streaming Damsel, Spaceman and Guardians of the Galaxy for direct testing and making my way through Griselda, Carol & the End of the World, and plenty of Survivor in more casual viewing. I also tested the Ultra with PS5 and Nintendo Switch, running Skyrim and Super Mario RPG. For more information onhow we test projectors, check out the fullGamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. We’re also bringing you all thebest outdoor projectorsand thebest portable projectorson the market. If you’re kitting out a setup, though, check out thebest projector screensavailable. XGIMI Horizon Ultra: Price Comparison $1,699.99$1,444View $1,699.99$1,444View $1,699.99$1,444View $1,699.99$1,444View $1,699.99$1,444 $1,444 We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices LatestI didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tastyPlanescape: Torment was a revolutionary RPG, but many of its devs had no experience with the D&D campaign it was based on: “What the f*ck is that?“18 years after Guitar Hero 2 released, a streamer has completed the hardest challenge there is - perfecting all 74 songs back-to-back without missing a single noteSee more latest► LatestI didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tastyPlanescape: Torment was a revolutionary RPG, but many of its devs had no experience with the D&D campaign it was based on: “What the f*ck is that?“18 years after Guitar Hero 2 released, a streamer has 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adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”