Physical setup is easy. Connect an image source to the HDMI port (optional), turn the power on, and adjust the image size, preferably by moving the projector as needed. Focus is automatic, and worked nicely in my tests. Horizontal and vertical keystone correction, as well as digital zoom, are also available, but better avoided since they reduce brightness and can introduce artifacts. There's also an automatic obstacle avoidance feature which can fit the picture to the screen, or a blank section of a wall—to avoid projecting part of the image on a framed picture or light switch for example. However, it's generally better to avoid using it, since it will give you a dimmer image than if you reposition the projector to get the smaller picture size.

Smart portable projectors often come with compromises that are hard to swallow. The resolution is not what was advertised. The processor is too slow. There aren’t enough features. It wobbles. It’s very clever and means that no matter where you plug in the Elfin, you’ll get the best picture possible. Of course, you can override the settings if you want manual control. Performance I’ve spent a week thoroughly testing the Elfin, covering everything that an average person like you or me cares about, so you can see exactly what works well and what doesn’t.Auto keystone correction will always get you a square picture, although it’s best to try to get the Elfin as square on as possible first. New to this projector is Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance – if the projector spots a light switch or other protrusion, it will adjust the screen size to avoid it. Testing on my wall, the Elfin automatically avoided the consumer unit on the wall. Press the “Return” and “Home” buttons on the remote control simultaneously until the indicator light begins flashing. This means that the remote control has entered pairing mode. If you’re looking for a smart portable projector, this should definitely be on your list of options. Xgimi Elfin review: also consider When the Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance feature is enabled, Elfin will automatically scale the projected image to avoid obstacles in the projection area.

With a Full HD image, I would have expected picture quality to suffer at larger image sizes, but in fact in remains strong even with a 100-inch picture. In practice, I never hear the Elfin when watching a movie, but can hear the Elfin in quiet moments. It also offers plenty of contrast and vibrant colors, although if you raise the brightness level all the way up, the picture does get a tad washed out. Drop it down too low, and it’ll likely lose a lot of details in the shadows. Turning on the HDR10+ gives a nice little boost, but don’t expect anything mind-blowing.With Elfin, you’ll never feel frustrated by a slow or complex setup. Simply plug it in, power it on rapidly with our fast boot function, and let the Intelligent Screen Adaptation (ISA) technology perfectly adjust your display in seconds. There are no buttons on the top of the projector; all control is via the handy Bluetooth remote. This has a simple layout and the unit feels comfortable in the hand. You’ll need to supply and insert two AAA batteries to get it to work, since these aren’t included in the box.

Compared with larger projectors that deliver upwards of 2000 ANSI Lumens, 800 might seem like a pretty dark image on paper, but in fact is much brighter than you would expect. The XGIMI Elfin mini projector offers a lot on paper that you might not expect from a relatively cheap, small model, like HDR10, intelligent screen adjustments, Harman / Kardon sound and 800 ANSI Lumens, together with a Full HD image. Remember that smaller images will appear brighter, as the 800 ANSI Lumens are concentrated in a smaller space, meaning that it is actually possible to use the Elfin in indirect daylight, provided you keep the image to around 50-inches.It’s not a match for a dedicated sound setup, but most people will be more than happy with the sound from either of these, but particularly the MoGo 2 Pro.

The Elfin offers five picture modes and five power modes, all of which affect color accuracy. Among the power modes, Standard and Eye Protection delivered the most neutral color, and were roughly equal brightness. For my tests I used Standard, because it's the default settingOriginal XGIMI Projector Floor Stand,Projector Tripod Support Horizon /Horizon Pro/Elfin/Halo/MOGO PRO and Other Brand Projectors,360°Free Rotation, Height 19.3inch-35inch Adjustable The XGIMI Elfin offers one HDMI port for external connections, making audio transferring much easier for daily use. When the Intelligent Screen Alignment feature is enabled, Elfin will automatically adjust the projected image to match a 16:9 or 16:10 screen size.