In the last few years, the home entertainment market has witnessed a boom in portable projectors. Gone are the days when projectors were bulky, complicated to set up, and only suited for conference rooms or darkened classrooms. Thanks to brands like XGIMI, projectors have now become sleek, stylish, and surprisingly powerful — transforming any wall into a cinematic canvas.
But how does XGIMI really stack up as a brand? Are their products as impressive in real-world use as they seem on paper? In this in-depth review, I’ll explore the company behind the name, test their most popular models, and give you my honest take on whether XGIMI is worth your money.
Who is XGIMI?
XGIMI is a Chinese consumer electronics company, founded in 2013 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. From its inception, XGIMI’s mission has been clear: to redefine home entertainment with innovative, user-friendly, and beautifully designed smart projectors.
Unlike many traditional projector brands that focus on the professional or education market, XGIMI caters primarily to home users and casual viewers who want big-screen experiences without the complexity and high cost of conventional home theater systems.
Their website, xgimi.com, showcases an impressive lineup of projectors — ranging from ultra-portable “pocket” models to powerful 4K laser projectors. They also emphasize Android TV integration, voice control, and sound partnerships with renowned audio brands like Harman Kardon.
Over the years, XGIMI has won numerous international design awards, including the iF Design Award, Red Dot Award, and CES Innovation Awards. But do these accolades translate into a better user experience? Let’s find out.
First Impressions: Design & Build Quality
One of XGIMI’s greatest strengths is design. Every XGIMI projector I’ve tested — from the compact MoGo series to the impressive Horizon Ultra — feels premium in the hand and looks stylish in any room.
Minimalist and Modern
Unlike some competitors that still design projectors like it’s the 1990s, XGIMI clearly draws inspiration from modern consumer electronics, with clean lines, muted colors, and attention to small details. Their flagship models feel as much like a piece of home decor as they do a gadget.
For example:
- The Horizon Pro has a brushed metal finish and an understated footprint, blending seamlessly into a bookshelf or media cabinet.
- The portable MoGo 2 Pro is about the size of a water bottle, light enough to carry in a backpack, and yet sturdy enough that it doesn’t feel fragile.
Build Quality
All models I tested featured solid construction with no creaky plastic or loose components. The vents are discreetly designed, and the lens cover mechanism feels smooth and reliable. This level of polish sets XGIMI apart from many low-cost projector brands that feel cheap and disposable.
Setup & Ease of Use
Here’s where XGIMI truly shines: their projectors are incredibly user-friendly, even for people who’ve never used a projector before.
Plug, Play, and Project
Most XGIMI models come with Android TV 11 or newer built-in. This means you don’t need an external streaming device — you can log into your Google account and immediately start streaming from apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and more.
Setup typically takes less than five minutes. Once plugged in, the projector guides you through Wi-Fi setup, Google account sign-in, and automatic keystone correction.
Auto Keystone & Autofocus
One standout feature is XGIMI’s auto keystone correction and autofocus. Even if your projector isn’t perfectly perpendicular to the wall, it will adjust the image for a rectangular shape and focus the picture automatically. You can also fine-tune manually, but I found the automatic settings to be surprisingly accurate.
Voice Control
Thanks to the inclusion of Google Assistant, you can use voice commands to open apps, search for shows, or adjust settings. This feels more natural than fiddling with buttons, and it integrates well with other smart home devices.
Picture Quality
At the end of the day, picture quality is what makes or breaks a projector. Here’s how XGIMI performs.
Brightness
Projectors are often criticized for being too dim, but XGIMI’s newer models deliver respectable brightness even in moderately lit rooms. For example:
- The Horizon Pro offers up to 2200 ANSI lumens, which is impressive for its size and price.
- The MoGo 2 Pro is more suited for dark rooms or nighttime use, as it maxes out at around 400 ANSI lumens.
If you plan on using your projector during the day, you’ll want to invest in one of the brighter models or pair it with blackout curtains.
Resolution & Clarity
The Horizon Pro offers true 4K resolution, producing crisp, detailed images even on large walls. Text is sharp, and the colors are vibrant without being oversaturated. The MoGo 2 Pro, while limited to 1080p, still delivers an enjoyable experience on screens up to 100 inches.
HDR & Contrast
Some XGIMI models also support HDR10, which improves contrast and color depth. While not on par with high-end OLED TVs, the improvement over non-HDR projectors is noticeable, especially in dark scenes.
Sound Quality
Sound is often the Achilles’ heel of projectors — but not here. XGIMI partners with Harman Kardon for audio, and the results are impressive.
Both the Horizon and MoGo models produce clear, room-filling sound with decent bass and no noticeable distortion even at higher volumes. For small to medium rooms, you may not even need external speakers.
For audiophiles or larger spaces, you can always connect an external sound system via Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, or optical output.
Portability & Versatility
XGIMI’s portable models deserve special mention. The MoGo series and Halo series pack a built-in battery, letting you enjoy movies outdoors or on the go.
Battery life is decent — around 2-3 hours depending on brightness settings — making them perfect for backyard movie nights, camping trips, or even business presentations.
Software & App Ecosystem
The inclusion of Android TV is a game-changer. Unlike some projectors that force you to sideload apps or rely on outdated firmware, XGIMI’s models feel like using a modern smart TV.
Streaming Apps
Almost all major streaming services are supported, though there are some caveats: Netflix often doesn’t play natively due to certification issues. XGIMI offers workarounds, but it’s not as seamless as you might hope. This is a minor annoyance but worth noting.
Firmware Updates
XGIMI regularly pushes firmware updates that improve performance, add features, and fix bugs. Over the few months I’ve used mine, I’ve noticed steady improvements in speed and stability.
Customer Service & Community
No brand review would be complete without looking at after-sales support.
Warranty & Support
XGIMI offers a standard one-year warranty and optional extended coverage. Support is responsive via email and chat, though response times can vary depending on your region.
User Community
The XGIMI user community is active on Reddit, Facebook, and various forums, where users share tips, tricks, and troubleshooting advice.
Value for Money
Compared to high-end projectors from Sony or Epson, XGIMI offers incredible value. You get premium features and performance at a fraction of the price. Even their flagship models cost significantly less than traditional 4K home theater projectors.
For example:
- XGIMI Horizon Pro (4K): ~$1,699
- XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro (1080p, portable): ~$599
These prices are competitive and often beat rivals like Anker Nebula in terms of specs and performance.
Pros & Cons of XGIMI
Pros
✅ Beautiful design and build quality
✅ Easy setup and intuitive interface
✅ Excellent picture and sound for the price
✅ Android TV with Google Assistant
✅ Portable options with built-in battery
✅ Regular software updates and active community
Cons
🚫 Netflix support is clunky on some models
🚫 Brightness still falls short in very bright rooms
🚫 Customer support could improve in certain regions
Final Verdict: Should You Buy XGIMI?
After months of testing and countless movie nights, I can confidently say that XGIMI lives up to its reputation. Whether you’re a casual viewer looking for a portable solution, or a cinephile building a budget-friendly home theater, XGIMI has a model that can meet your needs.
Their focus on user experience, modern design, and competitive pricing makes them one of the best projector brands in the market today.
If you can live with the minor quirks — mainly the Netflix workaround and the need for a darker room for the best experience — XGIMI is absolutely worth considering.
Best Models to Consider
Here’s a quick roundup of XGIMI’s standout models:
| Model | Resolution | Brightness (ANSI) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Pro | 4K | 2200 | ~$1,699 |
| Horizon | 1080p | 2200 | ~$1,099 |
| MoGo 2 Pro | 1080p | 400 | ~$599 |
| Halo+ | 1080p | 900 | ~$849 |
Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
If you want to elevate your movie nights, impress friends at your next gathering, or simply enjoy a massive screen anywhere you go — XGIMI is an excellent choice. Stylish, capable, and reasonably priced, it’s a brand that deserves a spot in your living room.
Have you tried XGIMI or another projector brand? Share your experience in the comments — I’d love to hear your thoughts!
