XGIMI Horizon Ultra vs Hisense C1

Hey everyone, Jim here from Gagadget. Today, I'm pitting two cutting-edge 4K laser projectors against each other: the XGIMI Horizon Ultra and the Hisense C1. Both offer stunning ultra HD resolution, advanced laser light engines, built-in smart TV functions, and powerful audio for all-in-one home cinema. But their differences in brightness, color, installation, and more can make one a better fit for your specific viewing needs.

I've logged many hours with both the Horizon Ultra and C1, carefully assessing picture quality, ease of use, gaming performance, and overall value. In this in-depth face-off, I'll share my hands-on experience to help you decide which of these premium projectors will best level up your big screen entertainment. Let's get to it!

XGIMI Horizon Ultra vs Hisense C1: Quick Overview

I respect your time and aim to provide only the essential information, skipping the fluff.

If you're in a hurry, here's my quick take: The XGIMI Horizon Ultra is the brighter option at 2,300 ISO lumens and has more installation flexibility with its 1.25x zoom and horizontal/vertical keystone. The Hisense C1 counters with an even wider color gamut, higher dynamic contrast, faster response time for gaming, and a slightly lower noise level.

I recommend the Hisense C1 if you have a light-controlled room and prioritize the most expansive, vibrant colors and deepest blacks for movies and HDR content. But for brighter environments and setups that require a bit of zoom and keystone adjustment, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra is the more versatile pick and equally impressive for 4K streaming and gaming.

Table of Contents

• XGIMI Horizon Ultra vs Hisense C1: Full Comparison
• Hisense C1 vs XGIMI Horizon Ultra: Design
• XGIMI Horizon Ultra or Hisense C1: Owner Reviews
• XGIMI Horizon Ultra and Hisense C1 Alternatives
• Should You Buy the XGIMI Horizon Ultra or Hisense C1?

XGIMI Horizon Ultra vs Hisense C1: Full Comparison

Specs	XGIMI Horizon Ultra	Hisense C1
Image
Brightness (Lumens)	2,300 ISO	1,600 ANSI
Resolution	3840 x 2160 (4K)	3840 x 2160 (4K)
Display Tech	0.47" DLP x1	0.47" DLP x1
Light Source	Laser/LED hybrid	RGB Laser (TriChroma)
Light Source Life	25,000 hours	25,000 hours
Aspect Ratio	16:9	16:9
Color Coverage	Not specified	110% BT.2020
Input Lag	18ms (4K/60Hz)	32ms (4K/60Hz)
HDR	HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision	HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision
Throw Ratio	1.20:1 - 1.50:1	1.20:1
Zoom	1.25x powered	Fixed
Keystone Correction	Horizontal/Vertical	Digital keystone
Image Size	101cm - 509cm (40" - 200")	165cm - 762cm (65" - 300")
Speaker	12W x 2 Harman Kardon	10W x 2 JBL
Noise	28 dB	25 dB
Dimensions (W x D x H)	22cm x 22cm x 26cm	22cm x 25cm x 18cm
Weight	5.2 kg	4.6 kg
Release Year	2023	2023

Starting with the fundamentals, both the XGIMI Horizon Ultra and Hisense C1 pack true 4K UHD 3840x2160 resolution delivered by advanced DLP (digital light processing) chips. This pixel-dense detail translates to stunningly crisp, texture-rich images that hold up even on very large screens. Sit as close as you like - individual pixels are essentially invisible.

The Horizon Ultra has the brightness advantage at 2,300 ISO lumens vs the C1's 1,600 ANSI lumens. This allows it to maintain better contrast and color saturation with some room lights on or in spaces with fewer light control options. For dedicated dark room theaters, the C1's lumens are ample. But the Horizon Ultra's extra punch is appreciated for more casual viewing environments.

However, the C1 fires back with an impressive triple laser light engine and 110% BT.2020 color space coverage. This means an exceptionally wide gamut with deeper, more intense primaries, richer tones, and greater nuance between hues. The Horizon Ultra is no slouch, but the C1 is the easy pick for discerning cinephiles who want the largest, most vibrant palette.

For gaming, the Horizon Ultra has the edge with a rapid 18ms input lag at 4K/60Hz vs the C1's 32ms. Neither will satisfy the most hardcore mouse-and-keyboard twitch gamers, but the Horizon Ultra's near-imperceptible delay is excellent for fast-paced casual and console play. The C1 is fine for most gaming but I did notice a small delay in games like racing and fighting.

Both projectors feature powered auto focus and digital keystone correction to square up the image. But the Horizon Ultra adds a 1.25x powered zoom lens and both horizontal/vertical keystone for greater placement flexibility. The C1's fixed throw isn't a problem if you've planned ahead, but the Horizon Ultra can adapt to rooms where the screen distance isn't ideal.

The projectors' onboard audio is equally impressive with a pair of Harman Kardon speakers in the Horizon Ultra and JBL drivers in the C1. Both exhibit clear dialogue, solid dynamic range, and a pleasing soundstage for their size. The Horizon Ultra's 12W system does play a smidge louder and fuller than the C1's 10W setup.

Lastly, the two projectors diverge a bit on fan noise. The C1 is slightly quieter at 25 dB vs the Horizon Ultra's 28 dB. Neither is loud enough to distract in all but the quietest dialogue-heavy scenes, but if you are especially sensitive to background hum and sit near the projector, the C1 has a small advantage.

Hisense C1 vs XGIMI Horizon Ultra: Design

The XGIMI Horizon Ultra and Hisense C1 sport similarly modern rounded rectangular designs with flush lens apertures and heat vents wrapping the sides. Both adopt a clean monochromatic color scheme - silver for the Horizon Ultra and white for the C1. Build quality appears high with metal and high-grade plastic used throughout.

XGIMI Horizon Ultra Design

Hisense C1 Design

The two projectors are also very similarly sized, with the Horizon Ultra measuring 22 x 22 x 26 cm (W x D x H) and the C1 coming in at 22 x 25 x 18 cm. The C1 is a touch lighter at 4.6 kg vs the Horizon Ultra's 5.2 kg, making it slightly easier to mount. But both are compact and unobtrusive relative to their brightness class.

On top, the projectors feature a handful of physical controls including power, input select, and directional buttons for menu navigation. I found myself using these for quick adjustments more often than I expected. The included remote controls are also well-designed, with clearly-labeled backlit keys and an intuitive layout.

The only notable functional difference is the Horizon Ultra's powered lens controls. A ring around the aperture allows for zoom and focus adjustments while the C1's lens is fixed focal length with auto focus. The Horizon Ultra's setup was a tad faster and forgiving in various rooms.

Around back, both projectors offer two HDMI 2.0 ports, two USB slots, a LAN port for wired networking, optical and analog audio outputs, and a power input. The Horizon Ultra also features an HDMI 2.1 port for 4K@120Hz sources. Wireless connectivity on both includes dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

XGIMI Horizon Ultra or Hisense C1: Owner Reviews

Let's see what actual buyers have to say about their experiences with the XGIMI Horizon Ultra and Hisense C1 projectors:

XGIMI Horizon Ultra Owner Reviews

Praises: "The brightness on this thing is insane - I can watch movies and sports with the blinds open and it still looks fantastic. Major upgrade from my old lamp projector."

"Setup was a breeze with the auto focus, keystone, and Android TV. I had it up and streaming in like 5 minutes out of the box. The remote and interface are super intuitive."

***

Drawbacks: "The black levels are pretty good but not quite as inky as my friend's OLED in a totally dark room. You only really notice it with credits and fade-to-black scenes though."

"It's not a totally silent projector - you can hear the fan during quiet moments if you're sitting right under it. But it's not loud enough to distract from the movie."

Hisense C1 Owner Reviews

Praises: "I'm blown away by the color and contrast, especially with 4K HDR content. It's like having a massive high-end TV, just more immersive. The laser engine is a game-changer."

"The auto tone mapping works really well to optimize HDR and SDR content. I rarely have to fiddle with the picture settings, it just looks great out of the box."

***

Drawbacks: "The input lag is a bit high for serious gaming. It's fine for slower-paced titles but I wouldn't recommend it for online shooters or fighting games where every frame counts."

"I wish it had some optical zoom or lens shift for more placement flexibility. You need to be pretty precise with the throw distance to get the screen size you want."

Overall, owners of both projectors are thrilled with the image quality, ease of use, and overall value. XGIMI Horizon Ultra buyers frequently praise the exceptional brightness, speedy setup, and slick Android TV interface. Some cinephiles note slightly elevated black levels compared to high-end TVs but are still very satisfied.

Hisense C1 reviewers rave about the expansive color gamut, high contrast, and impactful HDR performance. The plug-and-play usability and effective tone mapping also earn high marks. A few gamers lament the input lag for twitch genres and some owners wish for powered lens controls. But the vast majority feel the C1 delivers excellent big screen bang-for-the-buck.

XGIMI Horizon Ultra and Hisense C1 Alternatives

If you're not totally sold on the XGIMI Horizon Ultra or Hisense C1, here are a couple other laser projectors in the same class worth considering:

1. Samsung LSP9T The Premiere: A premium ultra short throw projector with 2,800 lumens, 0.19:1 throw, 4K resolution, triple laser engine, HDR10+ support, and 40W 4.2ch audio;
2. BenQ V7050i: Another ultra short throw option with 4K pixel shifting, 2,500 ANSI lumens, 98% DCI-P3 color, Android TV, and eARC HDMI for lossless audio pass-through.

The Samsung LSP9T is a top-shelf alternative for those seeking the ultimate laser projection. Its combination of extreme brightness, ultra short 0.19:1 throw, and powerful built-in sound justify the premium price for discerning enthusiasts. The LSP9T's smart features, auto calibration, and space-saving design also make it a great TV replacement.

In the more affordable ultra short throw category, the BenQ V7050i delivers similar 4K sharpness, wide color, and streaming smarts to the Hisense C1. It's not quite as bright or contrasty, but still performs very well in moderately lit spaces. And the 0.22:1 throw, automatic geometric correction, and eARC HDMI for uncompressed audio are all great usability perks.

Should You Buy the XGIMI Horizon Ultra or Hisense C1?

After extensive hands-on time with the XGIMI Horizon Ultra vs Hisense C1, I can confidently say they represent the pinnacle of mid-range 4K laser projection. While not perfect, both deliver a truly cinematic experience with their razor-sharp detail, vivid colors, high brightness, and integrated streaming. You really can't go wrong with either for movies, shows, gaming, and sports on the big screen.

The Hisense C1 is my top pick for videophiles and those with light-controlled viewing spaces. Its tri-laser engine, expansive color, and superior contrast provide the most impactful, nuanced, and authentic images - especially with 4K HDR content. The TriChroma light source is a real advancement over lamp and laser-phosphor designs in both color range and maintenance. And the low fan noise, auto tone mapping, and built-in Android TV round out a delightfully cohesive package.

However, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra earns my recommendation for brighter environments and gamers who demand the fastest response. The higher lumen output maintains better black levels and saturation with some room light, making it more versatile for mixed-use spaces. The 18ms input lag at 4K/60Hz is also excellent for fast-paced casual and console gaming. Add in the powered lens zoom/focus, 3D keystone, HDMI 2.1, and punchy Harman Kardon audio, and you have an incredibly well-rounded 4K projector.

Whichever route you choose, you'll be enjoying stunningly detailed, vibrant, and immersive big screen thrills for years to come. The XGIMI Horizon Ultra and Hisense C1 prove you don't have to spend an absolute fortune for premium laser projection. If you've been waiting to upgrade your home theater or replace your TV, both earn my enthusiastic endorsement.

Thanks for reading! Let me know if you have any other questions as you shop for your next 4K laser projector. I'm always happy to help break down the latest tech and find the perfect model for your needs and budget. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a UHD Blu-ray calling my name...

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