The catch
XGIMI HORIZON 20
For the same image size, a 1.2 minimum throw takes up more room.
Side by side
XGIMI HORIZON 20 vs Hisense C2 Ultra: For 120 inches, Hisense fits from 7.84 ft and XGIMI needs 10.46
Quick verdict
The HORIZON 20 is the one for Google TV, a lighter body, or optical lens shift in a setup you adjust carefully. The C2 Ultra is the one when a short lens distance calls for its wider zoom range. For a 120-inch image, the C2 Ultra can sit as close as about 7.84 feet, whereas the HORIZON 20 begins around 10.46 feet. Because the brightness labels differ, they do not prove a percentage advantage.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
At the same size, C2 Ultra can sit 25% closer
A 0.9 minimum throw is one-quarter shorter than 1.2. At 120 inches, that takes about 2.61 feet off the minimum lens distance. Both models still top out at the same 1.5 maximum ratio.
Where this comes from
(1.2 - 0.9) / 1.2 × 100 = 25%, and 104.589 in image width × 0.3 / 12 = 2.615 ft. The shared maximum distance = 104.589 × 1.5 / 12 = 13.074 ft.
The catch
Hisense C2 Ultra
Compared with HORIZON 20, it is 3.3 pounds heavier.
XGIMI HORIZON 20
- Why pick it
- You want Google TV and a lighter 10.6-pound projector to carry
- You plan to use optical lens shift inside its combined-axis limits, after checking the installed firmware
- The catch
- For the same image size, a 1.2 minimum throw takes up more room.
Hisense C2 Ultra
- Why pick it
- You need a 120-inch image from a lens about 9 feet away
- You want the documented VIDAA streaming platform and 40 W JBL audio system
- The catch
- Compared with HORIZON 20, it is 3.3 pounds heavier.
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What this page compares
See how the XGIMI HORIZON 20 and Hisense C2 Ultra differ on a short shelf, 120-inch movies, moving between rooms and the streaming apps you rely on.
The HORIZON 20 is the one for Google TV, a lighter body, or optical lens shift in a setup you adjust carefully. The C2 Ultra is the one when a short lens distance calls for its wider zoom range. For a 120-inch image, the C2 Ultra can sit as close as about 7.84 feet, whereas the HORIZON 20 begins around 10.46 feet. Because the brightness labels differ, they do not prove a percentage advantage.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
I have the lens 9 feet from a 120-inch screen
The ratio needed, near 1.033, is under XGIMI's minimum and within Hisense's range.
- XGIMI HORIZON 20
- Not suitable
- Hisense C2 Ultra
- Good
I have 12 feet between the lens and a 120-inch screen
Both optical ranges include the required 1.377 ratio.
- XGIMI HORIZON 20
- Good
- Hisense C2 Ultra
- Good
The platform I am after is Google TV
HORIZON 20 runs Google TV and C2 Ultra runs VIDAA.
- XGIMI HORIZON 20
- Better fit
- Hisense C2 Ultra
- Not suitable
I frequently move the projector into another room
XGIMI weighs 3.3 pounds less. Both need AC power where they end up.
- XGIMI HORIZON 20
- Better fit
- Hisense C2 Ultra
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
At the same size, C2 Ultra can sit 25% closer
A 0.9 minimum throw is one-quarter shorter than 1.2. At 120 inches, that takes about 2.61 feet off the minimum lens distance. Both models still top out at the same 1.5 maximum ratio.
How we worked this out
(1.2 - 0.9) / 1.2 × 100 = 25%, and 104.589 in image width × 0.3 / 12 = 2.615 ft. The shared maximum distance = 104.589 × 1.5 / 12 = 13.074 ft.
Carrying HORIZON 20 means about 24% less weight
A 3.3-pound difference can matter if the projector gets moved often. Both still need mains power, so the advantage applies to moving between powered locations and not to battery-operated viewing.
How we worked this out
13.9 - 10.6 = 3.3 lb, and 3.3 / 13.9 × 100 = 23.7%. AC power is specified by both manufacturers.
XGIMI's setup workflow is changed by optical shift
Autofocus and automatic image correction after lens shift are added in the newer V1.4.163 release notes. That takes away the earlier reason to reject XGIMI just because an offset shelf meant manual focus. Confirm the installed software. Those notes do not establish that eye protection and wall-color adaptation are restored.
How we worked this out
For autofocus and image correction, the June 2026 V1.4.163 release notes, updated July 30, replace the older product footnote. Nothing similar is stated about restoring eye protection or wall-color adaptation.
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
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.
Hisense C2 Ultra
Works with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the calculated lens range is about 7.84 to 13.07 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, XR13A
HORIZON 20
Google TV, triple-laser color, optical zoom, lens shift and high-refresh gaming support all carry over to the HORIZON 20.
- Best for
- You want Google TV and a lighter 10.6-pound projector to carry
Facts we checked
- Optical throw: 1.2 to 1.5:1
- 120-inch 16:9 distance: About 10.46 to 13.07 ft
- Projector weight: 10.6 lb
- Platform for streaming: Google TV
Option B
Hisense, C2 Ultra
C2 Ultra
High brightness, optical zoom, Dolby Vision and high-refresh gaming come together in this gimbal-mounted triple-laser projector.
- Best for
- You need a 120-inch image from a lens about 9 feet away
Facts we checked
- Optical throw: 0.9 to 1.5:1
- 120-inch 16:9 distance: About 7.84 to 13.07 ft
- Projector weight: 13.9 lb
- Streaming platform: VIDAA OS
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | XGIMI HORIZON 20 | Hisense C2 Ultra | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical throw | 1.2 to 1.5:1 | 0.9 to 1.5:1 | Hisense can sit closer and still shares the same farthest optical position. |
| 120-inch 16:9 distance | About 10.46 to 13.07 ft | About 7.84 to 13.07 ft | In a compact room, the short end can be enough to rule HORIZON 20 out. |
| Projector weight | 10.6 lb | 13.9 lb | A room-to-room move with HORIZON 20 involves 3.3 pounds less. |
| Streaming platform | Google TV | VIDAA OS | Look up the specific apps on the platform you plan to use. |
| Brightness claim | 3,200 ISO lumens | 3,000 ANSI lumens | A direct percentage ranking is not justified when the published standards differ. |
| Optical shift workflow | V1.4.163 adds autofocus and image correction after lens shift | Gimbal aiming and automatic setup documented | Firmware V1.4.163 brings autofocus and automatic image correction after lens shift, so check which version is installed. Nothing in the release notes explicitly restores eye protection or wall-color adaptation. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With XGIMI HORIZON 20
- Several automatic features, auto focus and eye protection among them, are switched off by optical shift.
With Hisense C2 Ultra
- VIDAA is not Google TV, so you need to check app availability on its platform.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
From a 9-foot lens position, I need 120 inches
Go with Hisense C2 Ultra. That room is covered by C2 Ultra's shorter minimum throw.
Both fit, and Google TV with lower weight matters most
Go with XGIMI HORIZON 20. HORIZON 20 offers that platform and a published weight that is 3.3 pounds lower.
Decision guide
How to decide
Go with the HORIZON 20 for Google TV, a lighter body or optical lens shift in a setup you adjust with care. Go with the C2 Ultra when the lens must be close and you need its wider zoom range. At 120 inches the C2 Ultra works from about 7.84 feet, and the HORIZON 20 starts around 10.46 feet. Differing brightness labels do not show a percentage advantage.
The real difference is how short the zoom can go
In a compact room, the C2 Ultra may simply be the one that fits, even if Google's app interface is what you would prefer. From twelve feet away with a 120-inch image, both lenses satisfy the basic calculation. Inside that shared range, the platform and how each is handled deserve more of your attention than a small gap in a brightness headline.
Read the setup fine print before you pick a shelf
Optical lens shift moves the image while the body stays put. With XGIMI V1.4.163, autofocus and image correction work after shifting, so the earlier all-manual restriction should not drive your decision. Check which software is installed and what the combined-axis limits are. Follow the eye-safety instructions however automated things get, since the update does not confirm that every protection function is restored.
Verify the apps, and do not read brightness off the labels
Major streaming services may appear on both VIDAA and Google TV, but particular apps and regional availability can differ. Verify the service you use most. And since the 3,200 ISO and 3,000 ANSI ratings do not come from a common-mode brightness test, they should not decide which picture will be brighter in your room.
What this page can’t tell you
- The distance calculations assume a 16:9 picture and optical zoom only, with no digital shrinking or keystone.
- ISO and ANSI ratings from the manufacturers are not mixed together. We claim no measured test of image quality, audio or portability.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the home projectors we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| XGIMI HORIZON 20 |
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| Hisense C2 Ultra |
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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
You want Google TV and a lighter 10.6-pound projector to carry
See price & reviews on AmazonHisense C2 Ultra
You need a 120-inch image from a lens about 9 feet away
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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