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  1. Home
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XGIMI Horizon S Max vs Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21

Which Projector Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Picture Quality
      BrightnessNative ContrastPre-Calibration Color AccuracyPost-Calibration Color AccuracyColor Gamut
    Design
      ImagingOpticsPortabilityNoise
    Inputs
      Inputs & ConnectivitySupported ResolutionsVariable Refresh RateInput LagHDR Format SupportAudio Passthrough3D
    Features
      Smart Features & SoundIn The Box
    Comments

Products

XGIMI Horizon S Max
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated Feb 09, 2026 08:08 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated Feb 06, 2026 02:20 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
XGIMI Horizon S Max Picture
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Picture
Native Resolution
Pixel Shift 4k
Imaging Technology
DLP
Light Source
LED + Laser
Native Resolution
1080p
Imaging Technology
LCD
Light Source
Laser
  1. Recommended in 3 articles:
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Our Verdict

XGIMI Horizon S Max

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21

The XGIMI Horizon S Max is vastly superior to the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21. The XGIMI is brighter, has far better contrast, is more colorful, and is sharper due to its pixel-shifted image. It's also far superior for gaming, as its input lag is low enough for pleasant single-player titles. While the Epson has the edge in portability, mostly due to its smaller size, the XGIMI offers a fully rotating gimbal stand, making it easier to adjust the viewing angle.

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Variants

  • Horizon S Max (White)
  • EpiqVision Mini EF21 (White)

Review

See XGIMI Horizon S Max Review
See Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Review
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2 

Check Price

White
Horizon S Max
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
EpiqVision Mini EF21
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Horizon S Max
SEE PRICE
XGIMI
White
EpiqVision Mini EF21
SEE PRICE
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White
Horizon S Max
SEE PRICE
B&H
White
EpiqVision Mini EF21
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B&H
White
Horizon S Max
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Walmart.com
White
EpiqVision Mini EF21
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Epson
White
Horizon S Max
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White
EpiqVision Mini EF21
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Main Differences for
Movies

Threshold 

0.10

Movies 
 

8.4
6.1

Brightness 
 

8.1
6.2

Native Contrast 
 

8.3
4.7

Color Gamut 
 

9.3
7.2

Full Comparison

Picture Quality

Brightness 
 

8.1
6.2

Brightness Measurement Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max Brightness Measurement Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Brightness Measurement Picture

White Light Output 
 

1,524 lm
562 lm

Color Light Output 
 

1,387 lm
564 lm

Brightness Uniformity 
 

97%
93%

Screen Brightness 
 

176 cd/m²
65 cd/m²
Show Text 

Native Contrast 
 

8.3
4.7

APL Native Contrast  

 Preview Graph
XGIMI Horizon S Max APL Native Contrast
 Preview Graph
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 APL Native Contrast
 Compare in Graph Tool

0.1% APL Native Contrast 
 

1,582 : 1
322 : 1

0.5% APL Native Contrast 
 

1,567 : 1
319 : 1

1% APL Native Contrast 
 

1,544 : 1
318 : 1

5% APL Native Contrast 
 

1,398 : 1
290 : 1

10% APL Native Contrast 
 

1,227 : 1
261 : 1

15% APL Native Contrast 
 

1,100 : 1
236 : 1

25% APL Native Contrast 
 

907 : 1
198 : 1

50% APL Native Contrast 
 

631 : 1
146 : 1

Native Full-On/Full-Off Contrast 
 

1,602 : 1
331 : 1

Full-On/Full-Off Contrast 
 

1,602 : 1
332 : 1
Show Text 

Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy 
 

8.4
8.1

Pre White Balance Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max Pre White Balance Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Pre White Balance Picture

Pre Gamma Curve Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Pre Gamma Curve Picture

Pre Color Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max Pre Color Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Pre Color Picture

White Balance dE 
 

2.04
2.20

Color dE 
 

2.00
2.73

Gamma 
 

2.16
2.13

Color Temperature 
 

6,882 K
6,246 K

Picture Mode 
 

Custom
Natural

Color Temp Setting 
 

Standard
Standard

Gamma Setting 
 

2.2
No Gamma Setting
Show Text 

Post-Calibration Color Accuracy 
 

9.4
8.9

Post White Balance Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max Post White Balance Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Post White Balance Picture

Post Gamma Curve Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max Post Gamma Curve Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Post Gamma Curve Picture

Post Color Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max Post Color Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Post Color Picture

White Balance dE 
 

0.80
1.01

Color dE 
 

0.83
1.86

Gamma 
 

2.17
2.13

Color Temperature 
 

6,537 K
6,595 K

White Balance Calibration 
 

2 point
1 point

Color Calibration 
 

Yes
No

Picture Mode 
 

Custom
Custom
Show Text 

Color Gamut 
 

9.3
7.2

Gamut Picture - Rec. 709 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max Gamut Picture - Rec. 709
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Gamut Picture - Rec. 709

Rec. 709 xy 
 

103.10%
94.56%

Rec. 709 uv 
 

103.39%
94.30%

Gamut Picture - Rec. 2020 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max Gamut Picture - Rec. 2020
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Gamut Picture - Rec. 2020

Rec. 2020 xy 
 

83.00%
54.30%

Rec. 2020 uv 
 

91.38%
59.93%
Show Text 
Design

Imaging 
 

Style Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max Style Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Style Picture

Imaging Technology 
 

DLP
LCD

Light Source 
 

LED + Laser
Laser

Spectral Power Distribution 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max Spectral Power Distribution
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Spectral Power Distribution
Show Text 

Optics 
 

Optical Zoom 
 

No
No

Focus 
 

Auto Focus
Auto Focus

Keystone 
 

Auto Keystone
Auto Keystone

Aspect Ratio 
 

16 : 9
16 : 9

Minimum Throw Ratio 
 

1.20
1.00

Maximum Throw Ratio 
 

1.20
1.81

Horizontal Lens Shift 
 

N/A
N/A

Vertical Lens Shift 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Portability 
 

6.0
7.0

Dimension Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max Dimension Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Dimension Picture

Height  

9.3" (23.5 cm)
4.3" (11.0 cm)

Width  

10.6" (27.0 cm)
7.7" (19.5 cm)

Depth  

6.9" (17.5 cm)
7.5" (19.1 cm)

Weight 
 

10.6 lbs (4.8 kg)
5.1 lbs (2.3 kg)
Show Text 

Noise 
 

7.3
7.8

Noise @ Maximum Brightness Video  

Noise @ Maximum Brightness 
 

51.1dBA
48.3dBA
Show Text 
Inputs

Inputs & Connectivity 
 

Inputs Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max Inputs Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 Inputs Picture

HDMI 
 

1 (HDMI 2.0)
1 (HDMI 2.0)

HDMI 2.1 Rated Speed 
 

No HDMI 2.1
No HDMI 2.1

USB Data Ports 
 

2
1

Audio Out 3.5mm  

0
1

Digital Optical Audio Out  

0
0

Wi-Fi  

Yes
Yes

Ethernet Speed  

No Ethernet
No Ethernet
Show Text 

Supported Resolutions 
 

7.3
3.3

Native Resolution 
 

Pixel Shift 4k
1080p

4k @ 60Hz 
 

Yes
No

4k @ 120Hz 
 

No
No

1440p @ 60Hz 
 

Scaled (Forced)
No

1440p @ 120Hz 
 

No
No

1080p @ 60Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 
 

Yes
Yes

1080p @ 120Hz 
 

No
No

1080p Maximum Refresh Rate 
 

60 Hz
60 Hz
Show Text 

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

VRR 
 

No
No

Input Lag 
 

7.1
2.5

4k @ 60Hz 
 

19.3
N/A

4k @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode 
 

143.4
N/A

4k @ 120Hz 
 

N/A
N/A

1080p @ 60Hz 
 

19.6
64.7

1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode 
 

143.5
64.7

1080p @ 120Hz 
 

N/A
N/A

1080p @ Max Refresh Rate 
 

19.6
64.7
Show Text 

HDR Format Support  

HDR10 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10+ 
 

No
No

Dolby Vision 
 

Yes
No

HLG 
 

Yes
Yes

Audio Passthrough 
 

ARC/eARC 
 

Yes (eARC)
Yes (ARC)

eARC: Dolby Atmos Over Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
No

eARC: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 
 

No
No

eARC: LPCM 7.1 Over Dolby MAT 
 

No
No

eARC: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 
 

No
No

eARC: DTS:X Over DTS-HD MA 
 

No
No

eARC: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 
 

No
No

eARC: LPCM Channels (Bitstream) 
 

0
0

ARC: Dolby Digital 5.1 
 

No
No

ARC: DTS 5.1 
 

No
No

Optical: Dolby Digital 5.1 
 

No
No

Optical: DTS 5.1 
 

No
No
Show Text 

3D  

3D Support 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 
Features

Smart Features & Sound 
 

Smart OS 
 

Android
Android

Cast Capable 
 

Yes
Yes

Speaker(s) 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
XGIMI Horizon S Max In The Box Picture
Compare High-Res
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21 In The Box Picture
Show Text 

Check Price

White
Horizon S Max
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
EpiqVision Mini EF21
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Horizon S Max
SEE PRICE
XGIMI
White
EpiqVision Mini EF21
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
White
Horizon S Max
SEE PRICE
B&H
White
EpiqVision Mini EF21
SEARCH
B&H
White
Horizon S Max
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
White
EpiqVision Mini EF21
SEARCH
Epson
White
Horizon S Max
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
White
EpiqVision Mini EF21
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Back to Top

XGIMI Horizon S Max

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 4 months ago

XGIMI Horizon S Max vs Epson EpiqVision Mini EF21: Main Discussion

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