Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Anker - Nebula Mars 3 | XGIMI - Horizon S Max |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | 1000 lm | 3100 lm |
| Resolution | 1080p | 4K |
Between the Nebula Mars 3 and Horizon S Max, the Nebula Mars 3 comes out ahead in several specs, while the Horizon S Max wins on brightness / resolution. Overall, the Nebula Mars 3 scores 41.3 and the Horizon S Max scores 75 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Horizon S Max is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 33.7 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
The Nebula Mars 3 does not pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec-table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the Horizon S Max if you care most about brightness / resolution. Its strongest claims are brightness, resolution. The single most decisive one: Brightness — 210.00% more. 3100 lm vs 1000 lm.
Both ship with comparable light source, short-throw, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Horizon S Max is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Anker - Nebula Mars 3 or XGIMI - Horizon S Max?
XGIMI - Horizon S Max leads the current Mars Score by 33.7 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare brightness, resolution against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Anker - Nebula Mars 3 if…
Anker - Nebula Mars 3 does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
Choose XGIMI - Horizon S Max if…
XGIMI - Horizon S Max has the measurable edge on brightness lumens, resolution.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Anker - Nebula Mars 3 wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why XGIMI - Horizon S Max wins
- ▲Brightness — 210.00% more. 3100 lm vs 1000 lm.
- ▲Resolution: 4K (vs 1080p).
Spec comparison
Image
| Spec | Anker - Nebula Mars 3 | XGIMI - Horizon S Max |
|---|---|---|
| Resolutionⓘ | 1080p | 4Klead |
| Brightnessⓘ | 1000 lm | 3100 lmlead |
| Contrast | 1500:1 | 2800:1 |
| Light source | Laser | Laser |
| Short-throw | false | false |
Smart & Connectivity
| Spec | Anker - Nebula Mars 3 | XGIMI - Horizon S Max |
|---|---|---|
| Smart OS | Android TV | Android TV |
| HDMI inputs | 1 | 2lead |
| Built-in speakers | true | true |