What does a portable projector do? That’s the question I asked myself during the two weeks I’ve been using XGIMI’s latest product, the MoGo 2 Pro. On the one hand, the projector is brighter than its predecessor, has better sound on board and is much easier to set up and use. While these are all notable additions, XGIMI has removed the internal battery from the MoGo 2 Pro, so it needs an external power source to operate.

This is a limitation considering that the first generation Mogo Pro has an internal battery that allows up to two hours of use without any external power. To use the MoGo 2 Pro in portable mode, you need to bring a power bank with up to 65W. While this makes the projector less versatile than its predecessor, the improvements on offer make the MoGo 2 Pro a fantastic take-anywhere projector.

XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Pricing and Availability

XGIMI launched the MoGo 2 Pro on March 30, and the projector is now available for pre-order on the brand’s website. The MoGo 2 Pro retails for $599, but is currently on sale for $549 (opens in new tab)and XGIMI also offers a standard variant called the MoGo 2, which is priced at $399 and is currently available for $349.

The MoGo 2 Pro is a 1080p projector, while the MoGo 2 offers 720p projection. The Pro model has better keystone correction, but other than that and the higher resolution, the hardware is the same in both variants.

XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Design and Features

I’ve always liked the design aesthetic of XGIMI and this MoGo 2 Pro is no different. It has the same brushed aluminum design as the larger Horizon Pro 4K projector, and the gray color scheme makes it look premium. Weighing in at 2.42 lb (1.1 kg), it’s naturally portable and you can throw it in a bag and take it anywhere. I would have liked to see a carrying case bundled in to protect the lenses, but it’s not a big deal.

Despite missing an internal battery, the MoGo 2 Pro is heavier than its predecessor, which is due to the larger onboard audio drivers. The projector has dual 8W drivers this time and a clear window on the back that highlights the passive radiator. The drivers are located on either side of the projector, and they deliver balanced sound.

The lens is on the front, and you’ll find a CMOS camera and a new 3D ToF sensor that facilitates autofocus and automatic keystone correction. XGIMI calls it ISA 2.0, and it’s the biggest differentiator for the MoGo 2 Pro. This feature makes it easy to install the projector anywhere and works flawlessly. A big challenge with most portable projectors is setting them up for outdoor use, and with autofocus and automatic keystone correction, the MoGo 2 Pro takes no time at all to set up on almost any surface.

The MoGo 2 Pro’s vented design allows for good airflow, and there’s a fan on the back that turns on when the projector is on. On the hardware side of things, you get 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, along with Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi ac. The base has a standard mounting thread that allows you to mount the MoGo 2 Pro to a stand, but it also stays planted on any flat surface.

On the back, you’ll find an HDMI 2.0 port with ARC, a USB 2.0 port, a 3.5mm jack, and a USB-C port for power. Previous models in XGIMI’s portable series had a DC connector, but with the MoGo 2 Pro requiring an external source, the brand switched to USB-C. The projector needs 65W of power and you can use any of the best power banks currently available to power the device.

I used the MoGo 2 Pro with a 100W Shargeek Storm 2 and had no problems, but the projector automatically switches to Eco mode when connected to a power bank. This mode saves power by reducing brightness and volume levels, and thankfully you can turn the mode off. I did this right after setting it up and the MoGo 2 Pro was running fine on the power bank, drawing just over 50W on average.

The only quibble I have with the design is with the onboard controls, or lack thereof. At the top of the MoGo 2 Pro, you’ll find a power button and that’s it. I’d like to see the volume and playback controls right on the device, but that’s not the case. That said, the bundled Bluetooth remote is fantastic and pairs without any issues.

Overall, the MoGo 2 Pro doesn’t stand out much in terms of design, but it still manages to look sleek and is just as portable.

XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Image quality and sound

Image quality is the area where the biggest difference is made, and while 400 lumens may not seem like much, the MoGo 2 Pro does a brilliant job in this area. Don’t get me wrong; Colors will look washed out during daytime use or when there is a lot of lighting, but in a relatively dark room the projector looks unique.

It gets bright enough and colors look vivid and detailed. There are four picture modes on offer – Movie, news, Music and Sports – and in my use I found Movie mode to have the best color vibrancy. The MoGo 2 Pro uses the same 1.2:1 aspect ratio as the more expensive Halo+ and has HDR10. It has a resolution of 1920 x 1080, but works with 4K sources like the NVIDIA Shield TV.

But the biggest discovery was the sound on board. Thanks to dual 8W drivers, the MoGo 2 Pro produces enough sound to fill a medium-sized room and is ideal for use on the go. XGIMI has done a fantastic job in this area and the built-in audio means you don’t need to connect an external audio device to the MoGo 2 Pro.

XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Software

The MoGo 2 Pro runs Google TV out of the box based on android 11, and as I’ve mentioned before, I’m not a fan of the interface. It’s full of ads and doesn’t make useful recommendations, and I’d rather see android TV instead. That said, you get full access to the Play Store, and it’s been relatively smooth in my use. The hardware on offer means there’s occasional lag when switching between streaming services, but it’s nothing to worry about.

A big criticism of the brand’s projectors in the past was the lack of Netflix integration; it wasn’t something XGIMI controlled, and even today, Aura 4K ultra-short-throw projectors don’t have a streaming service. Fortunately, XGIMI has found a solution to install Netflix on MoGo 2 Pro. You’ll find a leaflet in the box detailing the instructions, which involves sideloading Netflix onto the device.

The method actually works and solves a major pain point of being able to stream Netflix on the XGIMI projector while missing out on HDR content. Other features include Chromecast integration – allowing you to stream content from your phone – and you can use the MoGo 2 Pro as a Bluetooth speaker by pairing it with your phone and turning off the screen.

XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Competition

While the MoGo 2 Pro has a lot to offer, at $549 it costs more, and if you’re in the market for value, you should take a look at the first-generation MoGo Pro. This projector is now down to just $299, and while it’s not as flashy as the MoGo 2 Pro, it’s a better value. The 6W built-in sound isn’t as detailed either, and you miss out on the fast auto keystone correction feature, but you get a built-in battery that lasts up to two hours, and for just over half the price, it’s perfect. worth

If you want the brightest image XGIMI has to offer in its portfolio, you should consider the Halo+. I used the projector for a few weeks last year and it’s an excellent overall product. It goes up to 900 lumens, has automatic keystone correction, 10W built-in audio, and a large built-in battery that lasts just over 2.5 hours. It’s currently available on Amazon for $719, and for what you get, it’s an incredible deal.

XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Should You Buy It?

You should buy this if:

• You want a portable projector that’s bright
• You want to stream HDR content on the go
• You want detailed onboard sound
• You need a simple projector to set up and use
• You want Google TV

You should not buy this if:

• A portable projector with a built-in battery is required

Although I was initially unsure about the MoGo 2 Pro due to the lack of an internal battery, the projector ticks all the right boxes. First, it sounds better than I thought possible, and XGIMI’s decision to go with larger sound drivers instead of an internal battery proved to be the right one.

XGIMI also hit the needle when it came to brightness levels. At 400 lumens, the MoGo 2 Pro is significantly brighter than its predecessor – making it more versatile – but still not great for daytime use or in lots of light situations. If you need a portable projector that gets brighter, you’ll have to pay a little more and get the Halo+, which lasts up to 900 lumens.

Best of all, with autofocus and automatic keystone correction, the MoGo 2 Pro is as easy to set up and use as possible, making it one of the best portable projectors around. I’m also glad that there’s finally a viable solution for Netflix – a long-standing problem for the brand.

If you want a portable projector that you can take anywhere with good brightness levels and great sound, there’s no better choice in this category than the MoGo 2 Pro.