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XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro: test and review

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Published on: 06-09-2024 / Modified: 06-09-2024
The world of portable projectors is booming, thanks in particular to the many Chinese brands offering low-priced projectors on Aliexpress. Few traditional brands have ventured into this niche; there's the Samsung Freestyle, for example, but its price doesn't make it really affordable. XGIMI is one of the few brands that continues to invest in this niche with the MOGO range, and this time I'm going to test the third-generation MOGO with the XGIMI MOGO 3 Pro.

As I've tested the two previous generations, I'll be able to compare the evolution of this projector range. The first two models were quite similar, this new MOGO 3 Pro uses the same DLP DMD 0.23 chip but in a new format resembling the Samsung Freestyle and a few other new features such as native Netflix support, which was a shortcoming of the previous generations.

Before starting the test, I'd just like to clarify a few things based on the questions I received about the two previous models. The MOGO range is a portable projector range, and portable means lower brightness. Portable projectors are not designed for use in bright rooms, and the use of a DMD 0.23 chip will also limit image size. So don't think of the MOGO 3 Pro as a cheap projector to replace a TV - that's not its vocation. The MOGO 3 Pro is a portable projector that lets you take your films and TV series just about anywhere (in your home or elsewhere), without the constraints of bulk or the need to plug it in somewhere

Introductory offer

The XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro is available on the official XGIMI website for just €499, the same price as the previous generation

To take advantage:

XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro (France/Belgium)

XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro (Germany)

XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro (Spain)

XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro (Rest of Europe)

XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro (UK)

XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro (Worldwide)

Video test

The video test will probably be blocked by YouTube because I used copyrighted songs and film clips. However, you can watch the video directly on YouTube:

XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro video test / review

I've added around 15 languages for subtitles: English, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Romanian, Norwegian, Swedish, Chinese, ... etc

Manufacturer web site:
https://www.xgimi.com
Site where I have bought or received the XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro: https://shrsl.com/4o...

Price XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro

The list below shows the prices for the XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro from more than 50 sites around the world. If you are not satisfied with any price, you can subscribe to a price alert to be the first to be notified when the price drops.

Timeline

August 16, 2024: delivery of the XGIMI MOGO 3 Pro before commercial launch in September 2024

September 6, 2024: official launch of the XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro

Why this projector?

I've tested almost every XGIMI product since the brand's inception, and if I have to try and find a guiding principle, I'd say that XGIMI has succeeded in convincing millions of users to take the plunge into the world of projectors. But how? There's no magic formula, but there are a few recurring ingredients, including projectors in all price ranges, easy-to-use all-in-one projectors with a good image and sound experience. You can always find a product that's better on one point or another, such as contrast, but that doesn't detract from the fact that these XGIMI projectors have managed to establish themselves in a mass market.
I still remember testing my first MOGO, projecting a YouTube video onto a factory wall in the middle of the night to obtain a 15-meter-wide image. The image was obviously a little dark, but I can assure you that this kind of experience has an effect. The MOGO range is never going to give you the cinematic experience of a laser projector, but it does give you a freedom of use that you won't get with a traditional video projector. The MOGO 3 Pro's new format will accentuate this freedom even further, as the projector can be rotated on its vertical axis, making it particularly easy to project onto a ceiling without having to attach the projector.

Do you dream of falling asleep watching a video on your ceiling? I think you'll love this XGIMI MOGO 3 Pro.

Unpacking

I was a little surprised by the size of the XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro's box, but I soon understood why it was so big. It's not really the projector that takes up so much space, it's the base to which it can be attached. This base has the particularity of containing a battery which will make this projector even more autonomous without the clutter of an external battery or the need to find a power source near the projector.

The box I received doesn't look like the boxes of other XGIMI products, I think it's a preproduction box because I received the product before it was marketed. So your box might be a little different, but the contents will be the same

The box contains:

- the projector

- a 65 watt USB-C charger

- a remote control

- 2 AAA batteries

- a manual

- a tripod with integrated battery

- a charging cable

- an optical block to enlarge the image

I don't know if the projector will be sold with these accessories or if it will be sold individually without the base with the battery



The optical adaptor is a new feature from XGIMI; it attaches to the projector lens and magnifies the image. I'll come back to this feature later in this review



The tripod is made up of two parts that are easy to assemble. The base is fitted with 3 feet, and the upper part has a power button and two usb type c ports.



A USB C to USB C cable is also available to connect the base to the projector and take advantage of the built-in battery.

Operating system

The XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro uses Google TV as its operating system. This is an official version of Google's operating system for projectors and TVs, so the applications available in the Play Store are also adapted to this type of interface. The home page is quite similar to previous versions, but in practice, Google TV has gradually adapted the home screen with personalized recommendations

The start-up procedure is easy, and all you have to do is follow each on-screen instruction. You can link your projector to your local Google network (using Google Home) to control it remotely and play sound like a Bluetooth speaker. The procedure takes just a few minutes, even if you use the QR code to set up the projector from your phone. It's clear here that Google has gone one step further than in previous versions to conquer your cinema space, in addition to all the other devices already under its control. For example, you can use your Google Photo account as a source for wallpapers.

If you're allergic to Google, you'll be able to use the projector, but without access to applications. You can also use an external source to bypass the Google TV interface.

Overall, this operating system is well designed, with everything easily accessible with the remote control, and shortcut keys that let you reach your favorite applications (e.g. Netflix) with a single click. This really is a sofa (or bed, if you prefer) experience that you can take with you wherever you go.

The projector isn't a performance machine (this is rarely the case with projectors), so there are occasional small slowdowns in the interface especially if you click faster than your shadow to get to a particular place in the interface

Finish

The Mogo 3 Pro uses a totally different format to its predecessor. The fixture has a cylindrical shape, and by pulling the cylinder upwards, you open the fixture to choose the projection angle on a vertical axis. In this way, you can switch from the closed position, as shown here, to a ceiling position with a 130° angle. You cannot set the projector to a 180° vertical position, so it will always be slightly tilted even when fully open



Sound is diffused through the projector's cylindrical base, the projector is equipped with two 5-watt Harman Kardon speakers and the upper part of the cylinder can be illuminated by the projector to create ambient lighting when playing music via Bluetooth.



With sound diffusion:



The optical compartment is completely protected when the projector is in the closed position. The grille allows heat to escape in front of and behind the projector, and notches are provided for attaching the magnifying lens supplied with the projector. This projector is equipped with a DLP DMD 0.23 chip, which means that its native resolution is 960x540 pixels, converted to 1920x1080 by an interpolation process. The resulting resolution is really 1920x1080, but based on an image of 960x540 pixels. This artificial process has two consequences on the image:

- if you want a large image size, you'll start to see the gap between pixels, a bit like a grid applied to the image. Given the low luminosity of this projector, you're going to have to limit the screen size anyway, so this grid effect shouldn't be visible.

- dark and solid areas will be noisy, it looks like digital grain/noise but you can't correct it, it's a consequence of the interpolation process. This noise only appears in dark, even areas, such as the periphery of the home screen

The sensors on the front panel allow the image to be adapted fairly quickly. If you move the projector, you won't need to make any manual adjustments, as this projector detects the projection space (as well as the angle) to adapt image size and perspective



The power button is located at the base of the projector, along with a USB-C port for powering it. You can either power it directly from the charger or from the tripod and its battery, but in either case, the projector won't start if it's not powered up, as it's not equipped with a battery - the tripod takes on this role



Connectivity is limited to the bare minimum with a USB port and a micro HDMI port, both hidden behind a rubber support.



The base is fitted with a standard screw thread that will allow this projector to be associated with any tripod in case you don't use XGIMI's tripod.



The projector accentuates its portability vocation with this strap that allows it to be carried like a water bottle when hiking.



The base or tripod is very easy to assemble, simply screw on the two tubes and extend the three tripod legs. These three legs stabilize the projector, but the structure is too light to prevent it from moving slightly when supported. Care must therefore always be taken not to knock the projector over.

Projection room

My projection room is rectangular, 4.6m by 2.9m (height 2.2m). I have two projection walls, one white wall 2.9m wide with just white paint with a possible 4m setback. I then have a 133 inch ALR screen on another wall with a possible setback of 2.8m. I mainly use the ALR screen except when the layout or type of projector is not suitable for this situation.

Battery autonomy

The XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro has no battery, but it can be used in combination with an external battery or the tripod I described in the previous paragraph. The tripod has a capacity of 20,000 mAh and the projector's load is a maximum of 65 watts. In these conditions, the projector should have a minimum autonomy of +/- 75 minutes. In reality, the autonomy will be greater because the projector doesn't consume 65 watts all the time. I'll come back to this point later in the article.

Power consumption

The XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro has 3 brightness levels and these play a role in power consumption. In standard mode, I measured a consumption of 45 watts with a 100% white screen. In eco mode I measured a consumption of 25 watts with a white screen, and in performance mode I measured 47 watts under the same conditions.
If I use these results to estimate battery life, I'll get 1h36 in standard mode, 2h52 in eco mode. Performance mode is frankly unusable, as the image quality is so poor.

Operating noise

If I measure the operating noise close to the projector, I get 45 dB, and if I move about a meter away, I get less than 35 dB. The projector emits audible operating noise if you're sitting next to it, but if you're further away this operating noise won't be a problem (unless you're using the performance mode, which turns this projector into a hair dryer).

Connectivity

The projector's connectivity is fairly limited. On the projector, there's a USB Type A port and a micro HDMI port, while the USB-C port is only used for power. On the tripod there are 2 USB-C ports, again only used for power.

Image settings
Projectors of this type generally don't offer many image adjustment options. This is not the case with this projector, however, as there are numerous possibilities for reducing the color difference. I've made a few attempts to improve color rendering, and you'll find all the details in the following paragraphs.

Image quality

As usual, I've used the same movie clips to illustrate the image quality of this projector. As these videos use films for which I don't have the rights, they could be blocked, so you'll have to watch them directly on YouTube

Batman:

This video shows the impact of low contrast, the video is still perfectly watchable but the dark scenes lose a lot of detail and some areas are completely black (or grey). This is normal for a projector of this type, so you just have to be aware of it

Trofeo:

This video has cold colorimetry, but with calibration, colors are warmer. Sharpness is quite good and fast movements are not too jerky

Top Gun:

It's a bit the same conclusion as for Trofeo, the rendering here is warmer but maybe a bit too much, it's linked to the 6500k recording, I should have adapted the color temperature according to the video

Costa Rica in HDR:

I didn't calibrate the projector in HDR because the projector never wanted to run my test patterns in HDR, I tried to modify the parameters by eye and the result isn't too bad, the green is just a little too saturated.

Colorimetry

I measured color fidelity in all the available configurations, and also tried to obtain a better result by modifying the parameters

Color fidelity is measured in delta E (dE) and ideally the figure obtained should be less than 3 so that the human eye doesn't perceive any colorimetric deviation. With this type of projector, you shouldn't expect ultra-faithful colors; the idea is rather to objectively assess the situation and propose solutions

Here are the measurements I obtained:

Standard mode

dE colors: dE 11.19

dE white: 12

White temperature: 8956K

dE gray: 15.86

Gamma: 2.26



Office mode

dE colors: dE 8.57

dE white: 5.4

White temperature: 6920K

dE gray: 4.89

Gamma: 2.25

Game mode

dE colors: dE 10.6

dE white: 12

White temperature: 9002K

dE gray: 15.92

Gamma: 2.26

As you can see, the colorimetric gap is quite wide between standard and gaming modes, with desktop mode already offering much better color fidelity without being able to claim to be the best projector. The desktop mode offers color fidelity similar to that of the previous model

This projector offers many adjustment possibilities, but I was unable to get the dE for colors below 3, but I still obtain a much better result than the basic configuration

After calibration

dE colors: dE 5.67

dE white: 0.7

White temperature: 6432K

dE gray: 2.54

Gamma: 2.2



I obtained this result on a white screen, which is not totally neutral, but if you use the same parameters on a white screen, you should also be able to improve the result

I started from standard mode and modified the color temperature by choosing user mode and applying a red at +2, a green at -22 and a blue at -40. With this change, you should obtain a near-perfect white as in my calibration. After that, it's possible to improve the rendering of certain more rebellious colors

Saturation:

Red 50

Green 40

Blue 80

Cyan 65

Magenta 50

Yellow 35

Brightness:

Red 80

Green 57

Blue 80

Cyan 60

Magenta 60

Yellow 66

Offset:

Red 50

Green 37

Blue 50

If your image is a little too warm, you need to adjust the relationship between blue and red (less red, more blue).

Brightness

Brightness is an essential criterion when choosing a projector, and as this is a portable projector, brightness is quite low. As a result, you'll need to use this projector in the dark, and you'll have to limit the image size. XGIMI advertises a brightness of 450 lumens and the reality is quite close, as I measured a brightness of 422 ANSI lumens in standard mode, 448 lumens in performance mode and 253 lumens in eco mode

If you want to understand the impact of brightness on projection distance, I've got a paragraph further on that will explain it all

Sharpness

If you keep to the recommended projection distance, sharpness will be good, but you'll see a grid effect appear on the image as soon as it gets too big. Strictly speaking, this is not a problem of sharpness, but rather of pixel spacing, due to the use of a smaller DMD chip.

Contrast

Projectors of this type are not very bright, but their contrast is often quite poor. This is also the case with the Mogo 3 Pro. Using an LED source with a DMD 0.23 chip doesn't work miracles. I measured a contrast level of between 215:1 and 157:1, depending on the configuration chosen. Game and standard modes offer the highest contrast, with 215:1 and 211:1 respectively. This is relatively low. It won't prevent you from using the projector, but for dark films you'll see less detail.

This is again not very surprising, as a laser light source would have been needed to achieve better contrast, like the Formovie S5 and Dangbei Atom, for example.

Motion compensation



This projector does not have a motion compensation mechanism, which means that you may observe a jerkiness for fast horizontal movements like the top rectangle in this video. The projector has a frequency of 60 Hz (60 fps) and if your video is encoded at 24 fps, there will inevitably be some missing frames.

Image size and projection distance

To help you understand what this level of brightness means, I've made a little graph showing how far away you can place this projector before the image becomes too dark.



There are 3 colored lines (red, yellow, green) indicating the different levels of brightness depending on the lighting in the room. A blue curve indicates the brightness of this projector in standard mode. If you follow this blue curve, you'll notice that the point of intersection with the red line is at around 1.6 meters. This means that at a distance greater than 1.6 meters, your image will be too dark in a dark room. If you're in a lightly lit room, the distance will be limited to approximately 1.2 meters. If you're using a white screen with a gain like mine, you'll be able to gain a few centimetres in distance and image size. I can easily position the projector at 2 meters with my screen.

I'll show you the difference between a dark room and a lighted room with two examples below:

Photo taken in the dark, I had a slight contribution of light on the left of the screen:



Photo taken with the room fully lit:



The image is still visible but the loss of image visibility is very significant

I'm not trying to tarnish the qualities of this projector here, because the light performance is quite decent for a projector of this type. This projector is probably aimed at a population that has never had a projector and perhaps imagines that it could replace a television, this is not the case

Magnification



The XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro comes with a magnifying lens that overcomes the limitations associated with screen size. The magnification is very significant, but is accompanied by a loss of sharpness at the periphery, as you can see in this photo. The image is still quite watchable and this accessory is clearly not designed to reproduce a cinematic experience, but it's an accessory that will do perfectly well for outdoor projection (e.g. in your garden). If, for example, you want to watch a soccer match in your garden, you could easily use this lens to project a very large image onto the wall of your house

Trapezium correction

One of the strengths of this projector is its image correction. XGIMI has made this a strength for some years now. So you can move the projector just about anywhere, and the image will adapt to its surroundings, which is particularly handy for a portable projector like this. There are a few limitations, however: the angle must not be too great (no more than 30°). If you decide to use trapezoidal correction, be aware that this type of correction does not modify the cone of light. This means that the projector will resize the image inside the light cone to adapt to its environment. If the correction is significant, you'll see a gray border all around the image, which corresponds to the light cone. It is not possible to reduce this cone of light, so straight-line projection remains the best solution.

Freedom of use

The strength of this projector is its placement flexibility. You're no longer obliged to project the image in a straight line onto a wall; you can consider other scenarios. If you're under a sloping roof, for example, the angle of the roof could be perfectly suited to projecting an image while making maximum use of the space available. The ceiling is also clearly a possibility, provided you use a set-back, as the maximum inclination of the projector is 130°, so you won't be able to project an image just above your head without setting the projector back.

Audio quality

The Mogo 3 Pro is equipped with two 5-watt Harman-Kardon speakers that deliver sound at 360°. With 5 watts, you can't expect the sound to shake the walls, but the overall quality is good, especially for voices. It's important to realize that a portable projector can't compete with a projector like the XGIMI Horizon. Not only is the sound less powerful, but the rendering of low-pitched sounds is less profound. Voices are well rendered, provided you don't exceed 80-85% volume. Above this limit, I perceive a little distortion.

The above video may be blocked by YouTube because I've used music for which I don't have the rights, but you can view it directly in YouTube. I've used soundtracks of very different kinds, starting with electronic music, then voice with Adèle and rock with the Smashing Pumpkins. I think that for a projector of this size with such small speakers, the sound is really good.

Video games

To play in good conditions with a projector, it needs to be able to reduce latency (input lag). The XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro has a "gaming" mode that reduces latency. I measured a latency of 78 ms in normal mode and 71 ms in gaming mode. I'm quite surprised that the difference isn't greater. Although 71 ms is enough to play a large number of games, it's not enough to play games where the reaction time requires a fast response.

Encoutered bugs

I regularly noticed a loss of wifi connection in 5 Ghz when starting up the projector, but once connected, I had no further problems for the duration of the projector's use

I also noticed that changing the image settings no longer seemed to have any effect in certain cases. I couldn't figure out what was triggering this.

ALR/CLR Projection screen

Are you looking for a good ALR/CLR screen for your projector? I may have what you need:
ALR/CLR NothingProjector Screen

Test / Review conclusion

For this third iteration of the Mogo range, XGIMI has decided to start from (almost) scratch. The XGIMI Mogo 3 Pro uses the same DLP chip as the previous generation, but the projector format has changed completely.

The use of a steerable projector will make it much easier to use, freeing you from the constraint of projecting on a horizontal axis. With the Mogo 3 Pro, you can project an image on the ceiling or on a sloping wall without having to find a solution for tilting the projector. I've had a lot of feedback from buyers of the first two generations who had to find a trick to attach the projector horizontally, but this won't be necessary with this new version. The possibility of tilting the projector and its quick trapezoid correction are clear advantages, offering greater freedom of use.

The other special feature of this new format is the presence of a magnification lens in the base box. This lens enables the image to be enlarged spectacularly. This is obviously to the detriment of sharpness, but for watching a soccer match (in the evening) outdoors on a large wall, it'll do just fine.

Portable projectors are not intended to compete with conventional projectors or a television, as brightness is too low and the use of a 0.23 DMD chip will also play a role in image size. I measured a brightness of 422 lumens in standard mode, so this projector should be used in the dark. Image rendering in the basic configuration is rather cold, but switching to desktop mode partially eliminates this problem. It is possible to further improve color rendition by changing a few parameters (see my article), and you'll get quite correct colorimetry for a projector of this type.

Contrast remains a weak point for this projector, and using a led source in combination with a DMD 0.23 chip can't work miracles. I measured a contrast of just over 200:1. This shortcoming will mainly have an impact on dark films, but will in no way prevent you from enjoying the projector, you just need to be aware of it. Sharpness is good as long as you stay within a reasonable screen size (+/- 2 meters distance), which is the same as for the other portable projectors I've tested.
The projector isn't equipped with a battery, but you can easily use a usb c power supply or opt for the XGIMI tripod, which has a 20,000 mAh battery. With this battery, you'll get just over 1h30 of autonomy

If you want to combine this projector with a games console, you can do so too, thanks to the games boost mode, which will reduce input lag. Even if XGIMI has never positioned its products for gamers, most of their projectors have a game mode that enables this type of use.
The sound is by Harman-Kardon, and is of good quality, with voices particularly clear, but with 5 watts you won't be shaking the walls. Another new feature of this projector is the ability to create a lighting ambience to accompany the music.

This projector is not designed for demanding moviegoers, but rather for those looking for a portable, flexible and cost-effective solution. The Mogo 3 Pro offers an all-in-one solution that's easy to use and runs on Google TV (with Netflix), so you can easily use it in different rooms of your home or take it with you on vacation. I think XGIMI has made a good choice with this new format; a 180° rotating axis would probably have been even more suitable for ceiling projection, but the 130° axis already offers quite a few possibilities

Its most direct competitors are the Samsung Freestyle, Capsule 3 and Mars 3 air. These three other projectors are more expensive and less bright. The Mars and Capsule have the advantage of a built-in battery. The Formovie S5 could also be considered as an alternative, but it needs an external solution as its operating system is in Chinese. This external solution will push its price above that of the Mogo 3 Pro

Strengths

Portability, freedom of use

Netflix compatibility

Possibility of adjustments

Colorimetry after adjustment

Sharpness

Battery integrated in tripod

Reduced input lag for games

Low power consumption

Low operating noise

Magnification with lens

Sound quality for voices

Weaknesses

Contrast

No motion compensation

Powerful sound

Colorimetry in standard/gaming mode

Noise on uniform dark background

Loss of sharpness with magnification

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