6 things I wish I knew before buying my first Google TV projector

A Google TV projector is a great choice if you’re looking to set up a home theater; I should know, I’ve been using projectors in my bedroom for the last 11 years. While 100-inch TVs are available, a projector is a better overall option because it lets you adjust the screen size as needed and delivers a cinematic feel that just isn’t possible with a TV.

I started out with the Xiaomi Mi Laser ultra-short-throw (UST) projector all those years ago, moved to various Android TV and Google TV-based UST projectors, and, more recently, to the XGIMI Horizon 20 Max, a long-throw Google TV projector that’s terrific. We initially went with a projector in the bedroom as it doesn’t take up anywhere as much room as a traditional TV, and it’s discreet when not in use. UST models in particular are straightforward to set up and use, and I got an 85-inch screen just by plonking the XGIMI Aura 2 a few inches from the wall.

Also, now is a good time to buy a projector. Chinese manufacturers like XGIMI, Dangbei, JMGO, Yaber, AWOL Vision, and Formovie have made decent inroads into the West in the last five years, bringing new laser tech, affordable models, and Google TV integration.

Unlike buying a TV, there are a few additional nuances when it comes to selecting a projector. After using (and testing) over 30 projectors in the last decade, these are the six things I think are relevant if you’re looking to buy a Google TV projector.

Brightness levels matter

Projectors aren’t as bright as TVs, so the main thing to consider is whether you’ll use a projector in a room with ambient light (from windows or French doors). In this situation, you’ll want a projector with at least 3,000 lumens of brightness; that way, you’ll get a picture that counteracts ambient light to a decent extent and still looks enjoyable.

In my use case, I have French doors right next to the wall where the image is projected, and I went with blackout curtains; they do a great job cutting down on ambient light and are an easy solution. Even with some form of room treatment, my recommendation is to get a model that exceeds 5,000 lumens.

New Google TV projectors like the XGIMI Horizon 20 Max, AWOL Valerion Max, and JMGO’s N3 Ultimate deliver over 5,600 lumens, and after testing these models against their predecessors, there’s no doubt that a brighter projector makes a huge difference. There’s one caveat: all manufacturers use the performance mode when touting their brightness figures, and this usually leads to a lot of noise and heat (we’ll get to that a little later).

Wall vs. screen will be an ongoing debate

Another factor to consider is whether you want to project an image onto the wall or use a dedicated screen. I used a plain wall for a decade and recently switched to an ambient light-rejecting (ALR) screen after we moved to our new house. Obviously, I prefer the screen; it does a better job with color rendition while cutting down on ambient light.

That said, you don’t need to invest in a screen right away, as they tend to be costly (the one I’m using is $909). Most recent Google TV projectors do a great job just projecting an image onto a wall, and XGIMI’s models have a feature that automatically adjusts the colors based on the wall color. My suggestion would be to get a projector and use it against a wall, and consider investing in a screen if you want better colors or feel that the ambient light is interfering too much.

Lens shift and optical zoom are must-haves

The two biggest features to make their way to projectors in the last two years are lens shift and optical image zoom. Lens shift basically means the physical lens can shift and adjust the image’s position, and, more than anything else, this feature has made the biggest difference in how I use a projector these days.

Basically, lens shift lets you place a projector anywhere in a room; it automatically corrects the projection to your desired wall or screen. XGIMI’s Horizon 20 Max does a great job in this area, with 120% vertical and a 45% horizontal left shift. Not having to worry about where to position or mount a projector takes away all the hassle associated with setting it up, and it’s the main reason why I’m using a long-throw projector now instead of a UST model. These projectors inherently have higher brightness, but they were a pain to set up, so I didn’t really bother in the past.

Optical image zoom is the second part of the puzzle. If you’re like me and positioning the projector more than 15 feet away, optical zoom is particularly useful, as it increases the zoom level so the projection fills the entire wall — or a 150-inch ALR screen.

Things may get noisy (and hot)

There’s no getting around the fact that projectors get loud. Because they use DLP diodes and have an enclosed design, they generate heat, and most models have active cooling (via a built-in fan) to prevent the internals from overheating.

This isn’t an issue in everyday use, but if you switch to the performance mode available on most home projectors, the built-in fan always spins at 100% and gets loud enough to be audible even when you’re watching something.

Regarding heat, there were instances in the past when we used the XGIMI Aura and Aura 2 as room heaters (in the admittedly mild winters we get in Hyderabad). I’ve noticed that UST models tend to get hotter, but this is true of any projector, so it is something to consider if you don’t have an HVAC system.

Onboard sound may not be enough

All home projectors have built-in sound, and honestly, they do a decent enough job. The Horizon 20 Max has two 12W drivers tuned by Harman/Kardon, and they’re serviceable.

But if you’re investing close to $2,000 on a projector, you will need to buy a dedicated audio system. Even a budget soundbar can make a meaningful difference to the sound, and I’d recommend buying one if you’re interested in getting a home projector of any kind.

Using Google TV requires patience

Unlike Android TV, Google TV is quite resource-intensive, so you’ll need a projector with at least 3GB of RAM to keep the interface from being a laggy mess when you try to launch Netflix or YouTube. This isn’t a problem with home projectors these days, and most new models come with 4GB of RAM as standard. Still, this is something you absolutely need to check beforehand.

The other headache is Netflix; the streaming service was notorious for not certifying new brands, so for the longest time, XGIMI and AWOL Vision projectors didn’t have access to Netflix. Thankfully, this has been resolved now. If you’re buying a Google TV projector in 2026, you should get Netflix pre-installed, but again, it doesn’t hurt to check.

Even then, I’d suggest using a dedicated Android streamer with your projector. I know it involves an additional cost, but if you’re buying something like the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro (which, annoyingly, isn’t available these days) or the Google TV Streamer 4K, you’ll have fewer annoyances; you could also just switch to Apple TV.

Which Google TV projector should you buy?

I tested the latest batch of Google TV projectors, and three models deserve your attention: XGIMI Horizon 20 Max, AWOL Valerion Max, and JMGO N3 Ultimate. The Valerion Max costs a lot more at $3,199, but the other two are roughly in the $2,100 vicinity, and either is a good choice if you want to project up to a 150-inch image.

I prefer using the Horizon 20 Max as I like the design, and it does a great job in daily use. While XGIMI had teething problems with the software, those were resolved two years ago, and all of its projectors get Netflix out of the box and full access to the Play Store and other Google TV accouterments. In short, it’s a great Google TV projector with good brightness, excellent picture quality, and all the extras you need.