XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro review: The best portable projector gets even better

What makes a conveyable projector? That’s the query I’ve been asking myself within the two weeks I used XGIMI’s newest product, the MoGo 2 Pro. On the one hand, the projector is brighter than its predecessor, has a lot better onboard audio, and is considerably simpler to arrange and use. While these are all noteworthy additions, XGIMI eliminated the inner battery from the MoGo 2 Pro, so it wants an exterior energy supply to work.This is a limitation contemplating the first-gen MoGo Pro had a built-in battery that delivered as much as two hours of utilization with none exterior energy. To use the MoGo 2 Pro in a conveyable setting, you will must deliver alongside an influence financial institution that goes as much as 65W. While that makes the projector much less versatile than its predecessor, the upgrades on supply make the MoGo 2 Pro a unbelievable take-anywhere projector.XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Pricing and availability(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)XGIMI unveiled the MoGo 2 Pro on March 30, and the projector is now up for pre-order on the model’s web site. The MoGo 2 Pro retails for $599 however is at present accessible for $549 (opens in new tab), and XGIMI can be rolling out a normal variant dubbed the MoGo 2 that lists at $399 and will be had for $349 proper now.The MoGo 2 Pro is a 1080p projector, and the MoGo 2 provides a 720p projection. The Pro mannequin has higher keystone correction, however apart from that and the upper decision, the {hardware} is similar throughout each variants.XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Design and options(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)I’ve all the time appreciated XGIMI’s design aesthetic, and that is no totally different with the MoGo 2 Pro. It options the identical brushed aluminum design because the bigger Horizon Pro 4K projector, and the gray coloration scheme makes it look premium. Coming in at 2.42lb (1.1kg), it’s inherently transportable, and you’ll throw it in a bag and carry it anyplace. I’d have appreciated to see a carrying case bundled within the package deal to guard the lens, but it surely is not an enormous problem.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The MoGo 2 Pro is heavier than its predecessor regardless of lacking out on an inner battery, and that is right down to the bigger onboard audio drivers. The projector has twin 8W drivers this time round, and there is a clear window on the again that highlights the passive radiator. The drivers are positioned on both aspect of the projector, and so they ship a balanced sound.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The lens is positioned on the entrance, and you will find a CMOS digital camera and a brand new 3D ToF sensor that facilitates autofocus and auto keystone correction. XGIMI calls this ISA 2.0, and it’s the greatest differentiator for the MoGo 2 Pro. The characteristic makes it easy to arrange the projector anyplace, and it really works flawlessly. An enormous problem with most transportable projectors is setting them up for outside use, and with autofocus and auto keystone correction, it takes no time to configure the MoGo 2 Pro on nearly any floor.Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The vented design of the MoGo 2 Pro permits for good airflow, and there is a fan on the again that kicks in when the projector is lively. On the {hardware} aspect of issues, you will discover 2GB of RAM and 16GB of inner storage, and there is Wi-Fi ac together with Bluetooth 5.0. There’s a normal mounting thread on the bottom that allows you to mount the MoGo 2 Pro on a stand, but it surely stays planted on any flat floor as properly.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Round the again, you will discover an HDMI 2.0 port with ARC, USB 2.0 port, 3.5mm out, and a USB-C port for energy. Previous fashions in XGIMI’s transportable vary featured a DC connector, however with the MoGo 2 Pro requiring an exterior supply, the model switched to USB-C. The projector wants 65W of energy, and you should utilize any of one of the best energy banks at present accessible to drive the gadget.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)I used the MoGo 2 Pro with the 100W Shargeek Storm 2 and did not have any points by any means, however the projector mechanically switches to Eco mode when related to an influence financial institution. This mode conserves energy by lowering brightness and sound ranges, and fortunately, you’ll be able to disable the mode. I did so instantly after setting it up, and the MoGo 2 Pro labored simply advantageous on the facility financial institution, drawing simply over 50W on common.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The solely quibble I’ve with the design has to do with the onboard controls, or lack thereof. You’ll discover a energy button on the high of the MoGo 2 Pro, and that is about it. I’d have appreciated to see quantity and playback controls instantly on the gadget, however that is not the case. That mentioned, the bundled Bluetooth distant is unbelievable, and it pairs with none points.Overall, the MoGo 2 Pro would not differ an excessive amount of within the design space, but it surely nonetheless manages to look elegant, and it’s simply as transportable.XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Picture high quality and sound(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Picture high quality is the world the place there’s the largest distinction, and whereas 400 lumens could not look like lots, the MoGo 2 Pro does a superb job on this space. Don’t get me fallacious; colours will look washed out throughout daytime use or if there’s a number of ambient gentle, however in a comparatively darkish room, the projector comes into its personal.It will get greater than sufficiently shiny, and colours look vibrant and detailed. There are 4 image modes on supply — Movie, News, Music, and Sports — and in my utilization, I discovered the Movie mode to have one of the best coloration vibrancy. The MoGo 2 Pro makes use of the identical 1.2:1 throw ratio as the more expensive Halo+, and it has HDR10. It includes a 1920 x 1080 decision, but it surely works with 4K sources just like the NVIDIA Shield TV.Image 1 of 3(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)But the largest revelation has been the onboard sound. Thanks to twin 8W drivers, the MoGo 2 Pro generates sufficient sound to fill a medium-sized room, and it’s very best to be used on the go. XGIMI did a unbelievable job on this space, and the built-in sound means you do not have to attach an exterior audio gadget to the MoGo 2 Pro.XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Software(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The MoGo 2 Pro runs Google TV primarily based on Android 11 out of the field, and as I’ve acknowledged earlier than, I’m not a fan of the interface. It is riddled with advertisements and would not serve helpful suggestions, and I’d have appreciated to see Android TV as a substitute. That mentioned, you get full entry to the Play Store, and in my utilization, it has been comparatively clean. The {hardware} on supply means there’s the occasional lag when switching between streaming companies, but it surely is not bothersome.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)An enormous criticism of the model’s projectors previously was lack of Netflix integration; this wasn’t one thing that was below XGIMI’s management, and even right now, the likes of the Aura 4K extremely quick throw projector haven’t got the streaming service. Thankfully, XGIMI discovered a workaround to get Netflix put in on the MoGo 2 Pro. You’ll discover a leaflet detailing the directions within the field, and it basically includes sideloading Netflix onto the gadget.The technique truly works, and whilst you miss out on HDR content material, the truth that you’ll be able to stream Netflix on a XGIMI projector solves an enormous ache level. Other options embrace Chromecast integration — supplying you with the flexibility to forged content material out of your cellphone — and you should utilize the MoGo 2 Pro as a Bluetooth speaker by pairing along with your cellphone and turning the display screen off.XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: The competitors(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)While the MoGo 2 Pro has lots to supply, it’s expensive at $549, and when you’re available in the market for worth, it’s best to check out the first-gen MoGo Pro. That projector is now down to only $299, and whereas it would not get as shiny because the MoGo 2 Pro, it’s a a lot better cut price. The 6W onboard sound is not as detailed both, and also you miss out on the quick auto keystone correction characteristic, however you get a built-in battery that lasts as much as two hours, and at simply over half the value, it’s a stellar worth.If you need the brightest image that XGIMI has to supply in its transportable portfolio, you then’ll wish to take into account the Halo+. I used the projector for a number of weeks final 12 months, and it’s a good total product. It goes as much as 900 lumens, has auto keystone correction, 10W onboard audio, and a big built-in battery that lasts simply over 2.5 hours. It is on the market for $719 at Amazon proper now, and for what you are getting, it’s a fabulous deal.XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)You can buy this if:You need a transportable projector that will get shinyYou’re seeking to stream HDR content material on the goYou need detailed onboard soundYou want a projector that is easy to arrange and useYou need Google TVYou should not purchase this if:You need a transportable projector with a built-in batteryWhile I used to be initially not sure concerning the MoGo 2 Pro given the dearth of an inner battery, the projector ticks all the appropriate containers. For one factor, it sounds a lot better than I believed doable, and XGIMI’s choice to go along with bigger sound drivers in lieu of an inner battery proved to be the right one.XGIMI additionally threaded the needle in the case of brightness ranges. At 400 lumens, the MoGo 2 Pro is considerably brighter than its predecessor — making it that rather more versatile — but it surely nonetheless is not nice for daytime use or in conditions with a number of ambient gentle. If you want a conveyable projector that will get shiny, you will must pay a bit extra and get the Halo+, which works as much as 900 lumens.The better part is that with autofocus and auto keystone correction, organising and utilizing the MoGo 2 Pro is about as simple as it may get, and that makes it top-of-the-line transportable projectors round. I’m additionally glad that there is lastly a usable workaround for Netflix — a longstanding problem for the model.If you need a take-anywhere transportable projector with good brightness ranges and stellar sound, there is not a greater possibility on this class than the MoGo 2 Pro.