XGIMI MoGo 4 review – Portable projector with light show and Netflix to go

Compact design with creative extras

The XGIMI MoGo 4 remains true to the series' cylindrical look, but has a more playful feel than its predecessor. Instead of straight lines, it now features softer edges, a rounder shape, and vibrant color accents. The familiar swivel base remains, but has been made flatter. This is due to the change in speaker position. Instead of the stand, the sound system is now located directly in the housing. This means that the sound automatically follows the orientation of the image.

With its 96 millimeters in diameter and 20,7 centimeters in height, the MoGo 4 fits easily into a standard backpack. It weighs around 1,3 kilograms, making it perfectly portable, even with the battery stand. The build quality is impressive. The matte plastic feels high-quality, and the new mini remote control, attached directly to the device with a lanyard, also seems well-thought-out.

A newly integrated ambient light has been added. Eight colors can be controlled directly via the new mini remote control. The light can glow softly, cycle through colors, or be combined with music.

There are also four magnetic filter attachments that transform the MoGo 4 into a projection lamp with light effects. When attached, they project patterns such as moonlight or waves onto the walls and ceiling. This atmosphere is especially suitable for evening use, for example, when reading or falling asleep.

There are four filters to choose from, each with different effects. Lunar creates a calm light image with the character of the moon. Ripple brings moving wave patterns into play. Dreamscape displays abstract, slightly dreamy shapes, and Eclipse creates a shaded halo with a gentle gradient toward the center.

The effects can be changed using gesture control. If a hand is moved within 30 centimeters of the lens, the projected pattern changes automatically. Alternatively, the change can also be made using the remote control.

Quiet music can be played in the background, either via the integrated soundscape or a custom playlist via Bluetooth connection.

Technically, much remains the same. Full HD resolution, 0,23-inch DLP chip, 450 ISO lumens brightness. In practice, this corresponds to approximately 330 ANSI lumens in standard mode. This is sufficient for dark rooms and outdoor use. It's not recommended for daylight use. What's striking is how much technology XGIMI has packed into this compact format. The integrated battery alone makes a noticeable difference compared to the previous version.

Anyone familiar with the MoGo 3 Pro will recognize many similarities, but also some clear improvements. A direct comparison reveals exactly where the models differ:

Smart software with real Netflix

The MoGo 4, like its direct predecessor, runs Google TV. The user interface is clean, starts up quickly, and makes it easy to discover new content. Netflix is ​​now included in the package and runs officially licensed in Full HD, without any detours. Earlier models, such as the MoGo 2 Pro or the The end This was a real sticking point that could only be solved indirectly.

The remaining streaming services are also fully covered. Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, Joyn, and DAZN are either available in the Play Store or already installed. A total of 32 GB of storage is available for apps, media, and other files.

Thanks to integrated Chromecast, you can easily mirror content from your smartphone or laptop, whether it's vacation photos, presentations, or videos from Instagram and TikTok. This worked very well in our testing.

It's controlled by a classic Bluetooth remote, similar to the one found on the MoGo 3 Pro. In addition to navigation buttons, there are shortcuts for Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video, as well as a microphone button for the Google Assistant. This lets you launch apps, search for content, or adjust the volume with a simple voice command, without having to navigate through menus.

A clever detail is the automatic button illumination. When you lift the remote control, the buttons immediately light up. This makes operation in the dark much more pleasant and is a real convenience, especially for movie nights.

When it comes to connectivity, the MoGo 4 is flexible. It supports both 2,4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi and automatically switches to the more stable network when needed. Bluetooth 5.0 is also included, for connecting wireless headphones or a soundbar, for example. If you prefer, you can also use the MoGo 4 as a pure Bluetooth speaker. There are also plenty of physical ports for external devices, including HDMI (eARC), USB-A, and USB-C.

In our tests, the system ran consistently stable. There were no crashes, no freezes, and no forced shutdowns. The menu scrolls quickly, loading times are short, and switching between apps works without lag. In a direct comparison, the software even feels a bit smoother than on the MoGo 3 Pro, likely due to more subtle system optimizations. Technically, however, both devices are on par.

For energy savings, the MoGo 4 features an intelligent power mode. If there's no activity for an extended period, the image dims or the projector automatically enters sleep mode. When running on battery power, this can provide a few minutes of extra runtime, depending on usage.

Image and sound in practical use

The MoGo 4 is at its most powerful when the lights are off. As soon as it gets dark, the small projector reveals its full potential. The 450 ISO lumens are enough for a clear, high-contrast movie night in the bedroom, on the balcony, or even outside in the garden. In daylight, however, the image is barely visible, and even with the curtains drawn, it often remains too dim. The MoGo 4 is clearly a device for the evening or deliberately darkened rooms.

The image appears sharp and detailed. The Full HD resolution ensures clear contours, vibrant colors, and a good contrast ratio. Movements appear fluid, making action-packed films and series stand out. The MoGo 4 doesn't even need a screen. A smooth white wall or a light-colored cloth is perfectly sufficient. Thanks to automatic image adjustment, the projector adjusts itself in just a few seconds. Simply set it up, switch it on, and you're done. This works reliably even if you tilt it slightly or spontaneously change location.

The automatic keystone correction detects tilt and compensates for distortions within seconds. However, a slight halo of light often remains visible, a sort of outline of the original projection. During a movie, however, this is barely noticeable and is lost in the content. Obstacles in the image area are also detected and removed. If, for example, a plant is in the way, the MoGo 4 automatically shifts the image to a clear area.

The sound comes from two Harman Kardon speakers, each with six watts. They deliver a surprisingly powerful sound, easily enough for a movie night. Voices are easy to understand, music sounds pleasantly rich, and the sound remains clear even at slightly higher volumes. This is more than enough for a portable projector.

The fan also remains pleasantly quiet. A steady hum is audible, but it's barely noticeable during operation. In energy-saving mode, the fan runs even quieter.

By the way, the MoGo 4 is also surprisingly well-suited for gaming. If you want to spontaneously play a round of Mario Kart on the go, simply connect the Switch via HDMI. While the input lag isn't at the pro level, it's hardly noticeable for casual use and makes spontaneous couch gaming a breeze.

Integrated battery and PowerBase stand

While its predecessor required a power adapter, the MoGo 4 runs completely without a power outlet. The integrated battery (20.000 mAh) lasts between two and three hours, depending on the brightness and usage. This is easily enough for an entire movie night, especially in power-saving mode. The brightness dims slightly, which is hardly noticeable in dark environments, but provides additional battery life.

The MoGo 4 is charged via USB-C with up to 65 watts. A suitable power adapter is included and fully recharges the battery in about two hours. If no power outlet is available, the projector can also be powered by a powerful power bank.

XGIMI offers the optional PowerBase Stand, which acts as a mobile tripod with an integrated 20.000 mAh power bank. The PowerBase Stand simply slots underneath the device, clicks into place magnetically, and powers the projector for several hours.

A nice side effect of the PowerBase Stand is the slightly increased projection height. This automatically points the projector slightly higher, which, depending on the location, brings the image into the field of view more clearly.