XGIMI Halo+ Portable Smart LED Projector Review

XGIMI has done it yet again! XGIMI has found a way to improve the already great XGIMI Halo Smart Portable LED Projector. The new projector is called the XGIMI Halo+. The new Halo+ Full High Definition (FHD) Smart Portable Projector retails for $849 and it offers smarter setup, more power, more ANSI lumens, and expanded features while maintaining the flexibility and portability of the original XGIMI Halo.

Just imagine if the Halo and Horizon had a projector baby, that baby would be called Halo+. Keep in mind that back in May 2021, we at Projector Reviews awarded the XGIMI Halo the Projector Reviews “Best in Class Award” for it being the best battery-operated portable smart projector in its price range. It is also now on the list for one of the best projectors under $1,000.

Tex Yang, vice president of global sales at XGIMI corporate, said, “Halo+ was designed with the intent to make a projector as capable in the house as it is on the go.” He added, “We packed Halo+ with our best technology to make the most powerful, portable projector that is easy to use for beginners while satisfying the needs of the most discerning technophiles.”

XGIMI sent Projector Reviews a pre-production Halo+ for demonstration purposes. As always, I’m bringing you an independent and honest review. In addition, I have a full review of the XGIMI Halo and a “First Look Review” on the XGIMI Horizon on the Projector Reviews website.

XGIMI Halo+ Specs
Price	$849
Technology	DLP (0.33" DMD)
Native Resolution	1080p (1920x1080)
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim)	900
Contrast
Zoom Lens Ratio	Fixed
Lens Shift	No
Lamp Life	30,000 hours
Weight	3.53
Warranty	1 year

OVERVIEW

The XGIMI Halo+ is an FHD (1080p) portable smart projector with a built-in 59W battery rated to last up to two hours. The Halo is rated at 800 ANSI lumens, and XGIMI stated at the time, the Halo was the brightest projector in its class. Well, the Halo+ just took over the throne with its rated brightness of 900 NASI lumens. The Halo+’s extra brightness claim will put that to the test later in this review.

The Halo+ also runs Android TV 10.0 which is the latest version and it offers native support for Netflix which the older Halo does not.

The Halo+ has Intelligent Screen Adaption Technology (ISA) and Auto Keystone Correction, allowing the projector to instantly focus and find an optimal screen size while avoiding obstacles like light switches or picture frames. The Halo has Auto Keystone Correction but not the Intelligent Screen Adaption Technology, meaning the Halo will not avoid obstacles. The Halo+ and Halo both have dual 5-watt built-in Harman Kardon speakers that emit clean, distortion-free Hi-Fi sound with ample bass response. 

The XGIMI Halo+ was released to the public on September 22^nd, 2021. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for the Halo+ is $849 compared to the Halo’s MSRP of $799. That means you are only paying $59 more for the Halo+ and all of its advanced technology.

XGMI also has the MoGo Pro for those looking to get into an XGIMI projector at a lower price point than the Halo and Halo+. The XGIMI MoGo Pro has a smaller display chip at 0.23-inches versus the 0.33-inch chip located in the Halo and Halo+. You drop to 300 ANSI lumens with the MoGo Pro and go from 5-watt Harman/Kardon speakers found on the Halo and Halo+ to 3-watt Harman/Kardon speakers. The Intelligent Screen Adaption Technology is not available on the MoGo Pro either, but you are also spending a lot less on the MoGo Pro. The MSRP of the MoGo Pro is $499. XGMI has set itself up to have a projector suited for almost every type of end-user.

In addition, The Halo+ utilizes the updated Android TV 10.0 in place of the Android TV 9.0 found in the MoGo Pro and Halo. Built-in Android TV provides seamless access to streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Hulu, right out of the box. With Android TV, you can access your streaming content precisely when and how you want it.

For this review, I connected a 4K Apple TV with a 20-inch (0.5 meters) Bullet Train 18Gbps HDMI cable and a MacBook Pro with a 157-inch (4 meters) Bullet Train 18Gbps HDMI cable to the XGIMI Halo+, just as I do for most of my reviews. I use the same devices repeatedly in my reviews to connect to my demo projectors to minimize image and sound quality variables. I used the XGIMI Halo+ with my MacBook Pro to write part of this review, and it was great.

The Halo went right into my regular traveling backpack as I traveled to my brother’s residence for a birthday party. At night we watched some music videos. The following day we used the Halo+ to watch the Chargers vs. Chiefs game outside in full daylight without any ambient light control. I knew the Halo+ was not intended to be played outdoors in full daylight. Still, at the end of the day, we watched the football game outside while the kiddos stayed inside and watched their kid shows. Sure, the game was a bit washed out in full daylight, but it was good enough for us to watch.

I projected onto my brand-new Screen Innovations Solo Pro 2 110-inch Pure White 1.3 gain screen for most of this review. Bigger is usually better for me, and the Halo+ looked great on the biggest screen I have, which is the Screen Innovations Solo Pro 2 110-inch Pure White 1.3 screen. The Halo+ had more than enough ANSI lumens to project onto the 110-inch projector beautifully.

I also projected onto my Elite Screens Yard Master 2 with a 55-inch CineWhite® UHD-B screen, which is my traveling screen. The Yard Master 2 is a fast folding-frame outdoor projection screen. Its lightweight aluminum frame allows it to be set up in minutes, making the Yard Master 2 perfect for my traveling lifestyle. The CineWhite® UHD-B (Tensioned Matte White) screen on the Yard Master 2 is a 1.3 gain flexible front projection screen that is ISF certified to achieve accurate color reproduction and image fidelity. As expected, the Halo+ also performed great with the Elite Screens Yard Master 2.