The catch
XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max
In the tested mode that gets rid of film judder, the picture drops to 1080p.
Side by side
XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max vs JMGO N1S Ultimate compared: N1S needs its fixed distance, HORIZON adjusts optically
Quick verdict
For optical placement flexibility and more published light output, take the HORIZON 20 Max. The N1S Ultimate is right for a room that fits its fixed throw.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Confirm a 120-inch picture fits first
For a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max needs 10.5 to 13.1 ft between lens and screen, and the JMGO N1S Ultimate needs 10.5 ft.
Where this comes from
Width = diagonal × 16 / √337, which is 104.6 inches at 120 inches. Times each documented throw endpoint, divided by 12, that gives feet. Digital zoom, keystone, cabinet offset and lens-shift limits are not included.
The catch
JMGO N1S Ultimate
With a fixed 1.2:1 throw ratio and no optical zoom, changing the image size means moving the unit.
XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max
- Why pick it
- The shelf can't be moved
- Lens shift would help line up the picture
- The catch
- In the tested mode that gets rid of film judder, the picture drops to 1080p.
JMGO N1S Ultimate
- Why pick it
- A fixed 1.2 throw suits the room
- A basic gimbal setup will do
- The catch
- With a fixed 1.2:1 throw ratio and no optical zoom, changing the image size means moving the unit.
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What this page compares
HORIZON 20 Max is the choice for optical placement flexibility and more published light output, while N1S Ultimate suits a room that fits its fixed throw.
A brighter model won't fit every room
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
The shelf can't be moved
The HORIZON begins at the same 1.2 throw as the JMGO but goes up to 1.5. It can sit farther from the screen for the same picture, but neither can get closer than that shared minimum.
- XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max
- Better fit
- JMGO N1S Ultimate
- Depends
A fixed 1.2 throw suits the room
A 1.2 throw ratio lets either one fill the same picture. The N1S Ultimate needs that distance, but HORIZON can also sit farther back thanks to its optical zoom. If the table is placed correctly, most of that installation advantage disappears.
- XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max
- Good
- JMGO N1S Ultimate
- Good
I already picked a 120-inch 16:9 screen
Measured from the lens, plan on 10.5 to 13.1 ft for the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max or 10.5 ft for the JMGO N1S Ultimate. Cabinet and mounting clearances need their own check.
- XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max
- Depends
- JMGO N1S Ultimate
- Depends
I don't want to buy the wrong edition for streaming
The documented platform is Google TV on both the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max and the JMGO N1S Ultimate. Verify the exact US model and the apps you need, instead of going by a similar name or an older generation.
- XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max
- Depends
- JMGO N1S Ultimate
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
Confirm a 120-inch picture fits first
For a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max needs 10.5 to 13.1 ft between lens and screen, and the JMGO N1S Ultimate needs 10.5 ft.
How we worked this out
Width = diagonal × 16 / √337, which is 104.6 inches at 120 inches. Times each documented throw endpoint, divided by 12, that gives feet. Digital zoom, keystone, cabinet offset and lens-shift limits are not included.
Treat the light ratings with their limits in mind
The XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max is listed at 5700 ISO lumens and the JMGO N1S Ultimate at 3300. That puts the higher headline about 73% above the lower one. Both are manufacturer ratings and not matched measurements.
How we worked this out
The exact published inputs are 5700 ISO for XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max and 3300 ISO for JMGO N1S Ultimate. A percentage appears only when both figures share the same labeled standard. Even then, manufacturer methods, calibration and picture modes can differ.
Repositioning the image is not the same as repositioning the projector
Lens shift and a zoom range come with the HORIZON 20 Max. The N1S Ultimate depends on a fixed throw and a gimbal, so when the shelf is limiting, XGIMI has a practical advantage that goes beyond brightness.
How we worked this out
HORIZON lists horizontal and vertical lens shift along with a 1.2 to 1.5 throw. For the N1S Ultimate the specification is a fixed 1.2 throw plus a gimbal. XGIMI V1.4.163 adds autofocus and image correction after lens shift.
Plug in your numbers
Will either projector work in your room?
This checks hard limits only. Personal preferences are left out of the math.
XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max
Does not work with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the calculated lens range is about 10.46 to 13.07 ft. You entered 9.50 ft.
JMGO N1S Ultimate
Does not work with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the calculated lens position is about 10.46 ft. You entered 9.50 ft.
Measure distance from the lens to the screen. The math assumes a 16:9 picture and uses the verified throw range for each exact model.
Option A
XGIMI, XR16A
HORIZON 20 Max
A triple-laser lifestyle projector that is exceptionally bright, runs Google TV, has wide-ranging optical placement controls and includes fast gaming modes.
- Best for
- Bright, all-purpose rooms
Facts we checked
- RGB triple-laser light source at 5,700 ISO-lumen
- Vertical and horizontal lens shift, with 1.2–1.5:1 optical zoom
- Google TV, plus Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and IMAX Enhanced
Option B
JMGO, N1S Ultimate
N1S Ultimate
Mounted on a broad gimbal, this bright fixed-throw triple-laser projector includes Google TV and substantial built-in sound.
- Best for
- Home cinema on a bright gimbal
Facts we checked
- Triple-laser 4K light engine at 3,300 ISO-lumen
- 360-degree horizontal and 135-degree vertical gimbal, with a fixed 1.2:1 throw
- Google TV with native Netflix, along with two 10W speakers
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max | JMGO N1S Ultimate | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical throw ratio | 1.2 to 1.5 | 1.2 to 1.2 | Distance runs from the lens to the screen and is calculated from the image width. |
| Lens distance for 120 inches | 10.5 to 13.1 ft | 10.5 ft | The calculation assumes 16:9 and optical adjustment alone. Cabinet depth and cable clearance come on top. |
| Published image-size range | 40 to 300 in | 40 to 300 in | A supported maximum is no guarantee of a bright picture in your room. |
| Published light output | 5700 ISO lumens | 3300 ISO lumens | You cannot swap one measurement standard or picture mode for another. |
| Display architecture | single-chip-dlp | single-chip-dlp | Viewers who are sensitive to rainbow flashes may care about single-chip sequential color. |
| Streaming platform | Google TV | Google TV | Before you add a separate streamer, confirm the exact US edition and the apps you need. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max
- Rainbow suppression improved in a September 2026 firmware retest. Even so, sensitive viewers can still notice flashes or tearing, and VRR can bring in artifacts.
With JMGO N1S Ultimate
- You can move it around the house, but there's no battery, so it still needs a stable surface and an outlet.
Decision guide
How to decide
Pick the HORIZON 20 Max if you want optical placement flexibility and more published light output. The N1S Ultimate fits a room that suits its fixed throw.
A brighter model won't fit every room
The HORIZON begins at the same 1.2 throw as the JMGO but goes up to 1.5. It can sit farther from the screen for the same picture, but neither can get closer than that shared minimum.
Optical alignment counts on a fixed shelf
Lens shift on the HORIZON moves the picture without tilting the chassis, and V1.4.163 adds autofocus and automatic image correction after shifting. Before picking the shelf, check the installed software and the combined-axis limits.
Take the light figures as a starting point
Published ISO ratings come to 5,700 and 3,300. Usable output shifts with picture mode, calibration and zoom. A higher headline figure doesn't establish black-level quality or immunity to room light.
What this page can’t tell you
- Throw calculations rely on published optical ranges and a 16:9 picture, so they can't stand in for the exact installation diagram.
- Published lumens, contrast and latency don't amount to a matched real-room picture-quality result.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the home projectors we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 1 of the 90 models checked meet every need here: “Family movie nights happen in our living room”, “I cannot move the position of my shelf or ceiling mount”, and “I want Netflix working from day one”.
1 model fits, out of 90 checkedThe gap in numbers
XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max lists 5,700 ISO lm for listed ISO brightness, 73% more than the 3,300 ISO lm on JMGO N1S Ultimate.
- XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max
- 5,700 ISO lm
- JMGO N1S Ultimate
- 3,300 ISO lm
- Models with this figure
- 44 of 90
Show the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Family movie nights happen in our living room”, “I cannot move the position of my shelf or ceiling mount”, and “I want Netflix working from day one”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
How we calculatedThis median counts ISO-lumen figures alone. ANSI ratings and lumen labels used only by the maker stay out. For context, 44 of 90 models publish comparable figures.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max |
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| JMGO N1S Ultimate |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
XGIMI HORIZON 20 Max
The shelf can't be moved
See price & reviews on AmazonJMGO N1S Ultimate
A fixed 1.2 throw suits the room
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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