Yahoo Lifestyle8 Best Outdoor Projectors, According to Tech Pros
- 1/9
8 Best Outdoor Projectors, According to Tech Pros
We updated this guide in June 2022 to ensure all products vetted by the Home Improvement Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute were in stock, available and correctly priced.
Home movie night used to mean curling up on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn. That still works, but more families are moving the activity outside, watching a film or favorite show projected onto a portable screen from the comfort of a picnic blanket and patio furniture, cozied beneath a patio heater.
While you can get an outdoor television, a home projector is the key to making the experience possible — though not any old model will do, according to the tech experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute. In evaluating more than 10 of the latest home projectors, we focused on the features that do the most to enhance outdoor viewing, including brightness, ease of streaming, image crispness and clarity, and portability, knowing that most people will carry the equipment back inside once the show is over.
As with our reviews of home projectors for indoor use, the following roundup is based upon comprehensive categorical testing, road testing of newer models and reviewing updates to past favorites. Here are the top projectors for outdoor use that the Good Housekeeping Institute recommends:
amazon - 2/9
1) Solar Outdoor Projector
Nebula
amazon.com
$459.99
As the same implies, this Nebula projector is meant to move around, thanks to its onboard rechargeable battery that delivers three hours of power on a single charge, plenty of juice for most feature films. Our testers also like built-in speakers and projector stand, helpful for getting set up outside without a lot of add-on equipment. The 120-inch image is plenty big and there are many ways to project content, including casting from your Android or iOS device or streaming through a laptop via the built-in HDMI connection.
Nebula - 3/9
2) HD Outdoor Movie Projector
GooDee
amazon.com
$169.99
This bargain-priced projector has the same feature set of much pricier models, including full HD 1080p resolution and massive 200-inch image size. The user experience is exceptional — 4.5 stars based on nearly 6,000 reviews on Amazon, with many consumers singling out the bright picture quality and solid sound from the pair of built-in speakers. It’s also plenty versatile with connections, whether you want to hook up your smartphone, laptop, or streaming stick.
GooDee - 4/9
3) M2 Portable Smart Wi-Fi Projector
ViewSonic
amazon.com
$671.93
Weighing a svelte two pounds, this ultra-compact home projector is one of the most portable around. What our testers really like, though, is how easy it is to mirror content from your smartphone, tablet computer, or other mobile device, thanks to the WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. The 100-inch image size isn’t as big as other top picks, but it should do the trick in most open-air viewing parties, especially with its 1080p resolution.
amazon.com - 5/9
4) 1080p Projector
ViewSonic
amazon.com
$689.99
While movie buffs will find plenty to like about this ViewSonic projector, backyard gamers and sports fans will especially appreciate its low lag time and zippy refresh rate, ideal for projecting action-packed images. The resolution is exceptionally crisp and the 3,200-lumen brightness holds up even with there’s still some light left in the night sky. Last but not least, the image size can go as high as 300 inches, so the crowd of onlookers won’t miss any of the gaming action.
ViewSonic - 6/9
5) X10-4KE Projector
ViewSonic
amazon.com
$1499.99
Serious cinephiles insist on best-in-show picture quality, even when watching their favorite features in the open air. These days, 4K takes the prize, as you’ll experience with ViewSonic’s short-throw portable projector. While we didn’t test it in our labs, our engineers like the 2,400 lumens of brightness, on top of the 4K Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 resolution. The built-in Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers should fill the yard or deck, though if you’re going for the full cinematic experience, you’ll probably want to invest in separate speakers.
ViewSonic - 7/9
6) CineBeam Projector
LG
adorama.com
$2296.99
So-called one-box systems make for great outdoor projectors because all the components are baked into the device. The LG CineBeam is a perfect case in point. For starters, there’s the built-in LG smart hub, which makes it easy to download apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube. Thanks to its onboard WiFi, the CineBeam can also mirror content from your smartphone, tablet or laptop without the use of cables. Our testers also like the projector’s integrated handle and power cord, along with the compact design, which makes it easy to transport.
LG - 8/9
7) Mars II Pro Portable Projector
Anker
amazon.com
$549.99
Even tech-challenged users should find the Mars II Pro easy to operate. For starters, the Nebula app allows you to turn your smartphone into a remote control for the projector. You can then easily mirror content from the phone onto the screen, with its maximum image size of 100 inches. If you prefer, you can also use the USB and HDMI connections to hook the projector up to any compatible laptop, tablet, or gaming device. The carry handle is a nice design touch that highlight’s the projector’s user-friendliness and portability.
Nebula - 9/9
8) EF-100 Mini Laser Streaming Projector
Epson
amazon.com
$999.99
Epson’s mini laser is powered by Android TV, so if that’s your preferred OS, you’ll be right at home with the process of streaming content from a range of familiar apps, including Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube. It’s a highly sophisticated projector that uses laser technology instead of the standard lamp for an exceptionally crisp picture, even when there’s some daylight remaining. The 150-inch picture benefits from 2,000-lumen brightness, so viewers will be able to enjoy the show from various angles.
Epson
