XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector Review: Shining Bright

I have never wanted a home projector mainly because of the reputation of the high price category and low resolution. But after trying the XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector, I finally found a smart projector with impressive image and sound quality that is almost affordable.

Except for a few software issues, the Horizon Pro convinced me that it’s a worthy replacement for my LED TV. The picture is surprisingly sharp, and the Android TV interface is easy to use. However, the lack of support for a Netflix app could be a deal breaker for some.

Great build quality

The XGIMI Horizon Pro is delightfully compact with cubicle dimensions. At just 6.3 pounds, the projector is light enough to easily slip into a backpack if you want to carry it around.

The Horizon Pro’s dark gray casing is sleek enough to be mistaken for an Apple product. I loved the rounded corners and cleverly placed controls on top of the unit. Build quality felt solid, with no noticeable rattles, even when carrying the Pro around my house. It’s small enough to easily store in the corner of a room.

Horizon Pro offers many input and output options despite its small size. The top of the projector has a power button and keys for volume and playback. The rear of the unit offers two HDMI 2.0 inputs and two USB 2.0 ports that accept thumb drives or external hard drives. You can also use the LAN port as an alternative to the built-in Wi-Fi, which works with the 802.11a/b/g/n standards. There is also the possibility of connecting external speakers via optical or 3.5mm outputs.

The included remote control has a button that allows you to tell the projector to do things like increase the volume. And of course, the remote control allows you to manually navigate the Android TV interface.

Although it has a sleek design with a sleek metallic finish, I found the controller to be a bit more difficult to use than I’d like. It would have benefited from larger buttons and clearer markings.

Setup was smooth and easy

Setting up Horizon Pro was easy. The entire process involved plugging in the power cord and pressing the on/off button on the top of the projector. From there, the Pro focused on the projector screen I had set up. After entering my Wi-Fi settings, I was guided to sign in to my Google account and access apps like Amazon Prime Video.

Image quality is excellent

The image quality of XGIMI Horizon Pro is amazing. The details in the desert scenes became clear when watching the television series “Kenobi” on Disney+. Rated at 2200 ANSI lumens, the brightness was enough to watch movies in all conditions except daylight. Of course, as with most projectors, the image looks best in a completely dark room. However, blacks don’t look as dark as many high-end TVs.

An interesting feature of the Horizon Pro is its autofocus function. The autofocus system runs automatically every time you turn on the unit and sharpens the image. It worked extremely well in my tests and it’s actually fun to watch the 15-second process unfold.

If you have space, Horizon Pro can send a giant image. The manufacturer claims that it can project an image up to 300 inches, but you’ll have to move it away from whatever wall you’re putting it on.

If you’re using native 4K content, the picture quality is detailed and impressive. However, I found that upscaling to 1080p caused artifacts and distortion.

great sound

I was surprised at how good the built-in speakers sounded on the Horizon Pro 4K projector. There are two 45mm diameter speakers from Harman Kardon, each pumping out 8 watts. While this doesn’t seem like a lot of power, it was enough to clearly hear dialogue as long as you’re close to the unit. You can also connect the Horizon Pro to a sound bar via cable or Bluetooth.

The sound quality of the Horizon Pro is enhanced by the remarkably quiet fan built into the rear of the unit. I could barely hear the fan spinning even though I could feel that it was pumping out huge amounts of heat.

Everything works with Android TV

The Horizon Pro 4K works like a smart TV by including Android TV and Google Assistant. You can download streaming apps including Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Youtube. One big exception, however, is Netflix, which is not supported. The only way I found to display Netflix on this projector was to connect an Apple TV, though it should work with other streaming devices as well.

For a smart projector that costs around $2,000, not being able to use one of the major streaming services is a big deal. I really wanted to see the final season of “Stranger Things” on the big screen, but instead, I had to content myself with trying out the projector with “Little Miss Sunshine,” which I rented through Amazon.

Aside from the missing Netflix app, using Android TV was a pleasant experience. The interface is polished, and it’s easy to call up Google Assistant by pressing a button on the remote. Google Assistant works well for finding programs and navigating other controls.

Should you buy the XGIMI Horizon Pro?

The XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K projector is among the best smart projectors I’ve tested. The easy setup, excellent picture quality, and surprisingly good sound make it an easy choice to recommend if you want to see a big screen quickly. There are not many similar units on the market with comparable features at this price. However, if you’re not married to a projector, you might want to consider getting a 4K LED TV that could offer better picture quality for the price.