What is a portable projector? That’s the question he’s been asking himself for two weeks using his MoGo 2 Pro, the latest offering from his XGIMI. On the one hand, the projector is brighter than its predecessor, has much better onboard audio, and is very easy to set up and use. Since it has been removed, it requires an external power supply to operate.
This is a limitation given that the 1st generation MoGo Pro had an internal battery that could last up to 2 hours without an external power source. To use the MoGo 2 Pro in a portable setting, you will need to bring a power bank up to 65W. So while the projector is less versatile than its predecessor, the upgrades on offer make the MoGo 2 Pro a great go-anywhere projector.
XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Pricing and Availability
XGIMI announced the MoGo 2 Pro on March 30th, and the projector is now available for pre-order on the brand’s website. The MoGo 2 Pro retails for $599, but currently sells for $549 (opens in new tab)and XGIMI have also deployed a standard variant called MoGo 2.
MoGo 2 Pro is a 1080p projector and MoGo 2 offers 720p projection. The Pro model has better keystone correction, but apart from that and the higher resolution, the hardware is the same for both models.
XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Design and Features
I’ve always liked the XGIMI’s design aesthetic, and the MoGo 2 Pro is no different. It features the same brushed aluminum design as the larger Horizon Pro 4K projectors, with a gray color scheme for a premium look. At 2.42 lbs (1.1 kg), it’s inherently portable and you can throw it in your bag and take it anywhere. I would have liked to have seen a carrying case included in the package to protect the lens, but that’s not a big deal.
The MoGo 2 Pro is heavier than its predecessor, despite the lack of an internal battery. This is due to the larger onboard audio driver. This time the projector is equipped with dual 8W drivers and has a transparent window on the back that highlights the passive radiators.
The lens is on the front, with a CMOS camera and a new 3D ToF sensor that facilitates autofocus and auto keystone correction. XGIMI calls it ISA 2.0 and this is the MoGo 2 Pro’s biggest differentiator. This feature makes it easy to set up the projector anywhere and it works flawlessly. A big problem with most portable projectors is setting them up for outdoor use. With autofocus and automatic keystone correction, it takes no time to set up the MoGo 2 Pro on almost any surface.
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The MoGo 2 Pro’s vented design allows for good airflow, and there’s a fan on the back that kicks in when the projector is active. On the hardware side, it has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, and has Wi-Fi ac and Bluetooth 5.0. The base has standard mounting screws that allow you to attach the MoGo 2 Pro to a stand, but it also sits firmly on a flat surface.
On the back we have an HDMI 2.0 port with ARC, a USB 2.0 port, a 3.5mm output, and a USB-C port for power. Previous models in XGIMI’s portable series featured DC connectors, but the MoGo 2 Pro required an external source and the brand switched to USB-C. The projector requires 65W of power and can use the best power banks available today to power the device.
I’ve used the MoGo 2 Pro with a 100W Shargeek Storm 2 and had no issues at all, but the projector automatically switches to eco mode when connected to the power bank. This mode saves power by reducing brightness and sound levels. Thankfully, this mode can be disabled. I did so shortly after setting it up, and the MoGo 2 Pro worked fine with the power bank, consuming just over 50W on average.
The only question I have about the design has to do with the onboard controls, or lack thereof: the power button on the top of the MoGo 2 Pro. I would have liked to see the volume and playback controls directly on the device, but they don’t. That said, the bundled Bluetooth remote is great and pairs fine.
Overall, the MoGo 2 Pro doesn’t differ much in the design area, but it still looks elegant and is just as portable.
XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Picture and Sound Quality
Image quality is the area with the biggest difference, and while 400 lumens may not seem like much, the MoGo 2 Pro does a great job in this area. When used during the day or when there is a lot of ambient light, the colors look washed out, but in a relatively dark room the projector really shines.
It’s bright enough to make colors look vibrant and detailed. Movie, News, Music, and Sports He offers four image modes, and in my use, I found the Movie mode to have the best color vibrancy. The MoGo 2 Pro uses the same 1.2:1 throw ratio as the expensive Halo+ and features HDR10. The resolution is 1920 x 1080, but it works with 4K sources such as the NVIDIA Shield TV.
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But the biggest revelation is the onboard sound. Thanks to dual 8W drivers, MoGo 2 Pro produces enough sound to fill a medium-sized room, making it perfect for on-the-go use. XGIMI has done a great job in this area. With built-in sound, you don’t need to connect an external audio device to MoGo 2 Pro.
XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Software
MoGo 2 Pro runs Android 11-based Google TV out of the box. As I said before, I’m not a fan of interfaces. It’s full of ads and doesn’t provide helpful recommendations. I wish I had an Android TV instead. That said, you have full access to the Play Store. In my usage, I was able to use it relatively smoothly. The hardware provided means there is 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 has been the lack of Netflix integration. This is not under his XGIMI control, and even today there are no streaming services on things like the Aura 4K ultra-short-throw projector. Thankfully, XGIMI has found a workaround for installing Netflix on MoGo 2 Pro. Inside the box is a leaflet with detailed instructions, which basically require you to sideload Netflix onto your device.
This method really works and you won’t miss any HDR content, but the fact that you can stream Netflix on the XGIMI projector solves a big pain point. ). You can use MoGo 2 Pro as a Bluetooth speaker by pairing it with your phone and turning off the screen.
XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Competition
The MoGo 2 Pro has a lot of features, but it comes with a hefty price tag of $549. If you’re looking for value, you should consider his MoGo Pro of the first generation. That projector is now priced at just $299, and while it’s not as bright as the MoGo 2 Pro, it’s a much better bargain. The 6W onboard sound isn’t as detailed either, missing out on the fast auto keystone feature, but you get an internal battery that lasts up to two hours and for just over half the price it’s great value.
If you want the brightest image in XGIMI’s portable portfolio, consider Halo+. I used the projector for a few weeks last year and it’s a great product overall. It delivers up to 900 lumens, auto keystone correction, 10W onboard audio, and a massive internal battery that lasts over 2.5 hours. Available now on Amazon for $719.
XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro: Should You Buy?
You should buy this if:
- I want a bright portable projector
- Want to stream HDR content on the go
- If you want detailed onboard sound
- Need a projector that is easy to set up and use
- I want Google TV
Do not purchase if:
- I want a portable projector with a built-in battery
I was initially unsure about the MoGo 2 Pro given the lack of an internal battery, but the projector ticks all the right boxes. It sounded great, and XGIMI’s decision to use a larger sound driver instead of the internal battery proved to be the right one.
XGIMI also pricked the needle when it comes to brightness levels, with the MoGo 2 Pro at 400 lumens, which is significantly brighter than its predecessor, making it a lot more versatile, but daytime use and ambient light can be a challenge. It’s still not optimal in heavy situations. If you want a portable projector that gets brighter, you’ll need to pay a little more and get the Halo+ with up to 900 lumens.
The best part is that autofocus and automatic keystone correction make the MoGo 2 Pro as easy to set up and use as possible, making it one of the best portable projectors out there. We’re also happy that there’s finally a workaround available for Netflix. This has been a longstanding problem for brands.
If you want a portable, go-anywhere projector with great brightness levels and great sound, there’s no better option in this category than the MoGo 2 Pro.
