Best Outdoor Projector: Movie Nights Under the Stars
A backyard movie night is a great way to get together with friends and neighbours, but which outdoor projector is going to work best for you? Our team of researchers has narrowed down the field bringing you the best projectors available to help you choose.
HOPVISION Native 1080P Projector Full HD, 9500Lux Movie Projector with 150000 Hours LED Lamp Life, Support 4K 350" Home Outdoor Projector for Smartphone/PC/Laptop/ PS4/ TV Stick/EXCEL/PPT …
Best overall
This HOPVISION outdoor projector is a great choice for getting your outdoor movie season started. It features 1080P resolution with a high contrast ratio to give you bright, crisp images.
Pros
- Good value
- Picture quality is good
- Bright enough to see even with some light
- Decent built-in sound
- Impressive lamp life
Cons
- Not as clear around the edges
- Could be brighter
- No zoom
Review
The HOPVISION Native 1080P Projector is our top pick for anyone looking for a high-quality outdoor projector. This projector has a high resolution of 1080p, which provides clear and sharp images. The colours are also vibrant and true-to-life, thanks to the high contrast ratio.
One of the standout features of this projector is its brightness. With a lumen rating of 9,500, it is able to overcome ambient light and produce a clear and visible image even in outdoor environments. However, it is not bright enough to see in sunlight. Additionally, the projector is equipped with a powerful cooling system, which means that the bulb is rated to last for up to 150,000 hours.
The HOPVISION Native 1080P Projector is also highly compatible, with a variety of inputs and outputs including HDMI, USB, and VGA ports. This makes it easy to connect to a variety of devices, such as streaming devices, laptops, and gaming consoles. The projector is also compatible with a wide range of media formats, including both standard and high-definition video.
The projector is also portable, it’s lightweight and easy to move around, making it great for outdoor events, camping trips, and other on-the-go applications.
It has decent sound for a projector with built-in dual speakers that feature SRS sound. However, if you are in a larger space, you will want to consider an audio upgrade.
One downside to this projector is that it doesn’t have a zoom function, which means that you’ll need to manually adjust the distance between the projector and the screen to achieve the desired image size.
Overall, the HOPVISION Native 1080P Projector is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality outdoor projector. It will give you an immersive and enjoyable outdoor movie-watching experience.
YABER Mini WiFi Projector, Projector Screen Included, 8500L Support 1080P Full HD Portable Projector, Zoom, 250" Display Outdoor Projector, Home Movie Projector for Phone/TV Stick/HDMI/PS/USB/VGA/SD etc.
Runner up
The YABER Outdoor Projector is lightweight and compact, making it a good choice for your outdoor movie nights. It features lots of connection options including built-in WiFi.
Pros
- Great value
- Long lasting bulb
- Nice loud sound
- Has digital zoom feature
- Decent brightness
Cons
- Image is not as crisp on the edges
- Fan is a bit loud
Review
The YABER Mini WiFi Projector is a compact and versatile projector that is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. One of its most notable features is its ability to connect to WiFi, which allows you to easily mirror your smartphone, tablet, or laptop screen and stream content directly from the internet.
The projector has a native resolution of 1080p, which provides clear and sharp images. With a 7000:1 contrast ratio, the images are crisp and clean. The brightness of the projector is also impressive, with a claimed brightness of 7500 lumens, making it able to produce a bright and clear image. With a cooling system, the lamp life is claimed to be 80,000 hours, so you will have plenty of time to watch movies and play games.
The YABER Mini WiFi Projector is also highly compatible and not only has standard inputs like HDMI, USB, VGA, AV, and TF, but it also has built-in Wi-Fi. They warn users that some streaming services like Netflix may not work because of copyright protection, so test this before you schedule your movie night.
The projector is also portable, it’s lightweight and easy to move around, making it great for outdoor events, camping trips, and other on-the-go applications. It even comes with a screen for viewing.
The YABER Mini WiFi Projector also comes with a remote control, which makes it easy to adjust settings and navigate through menus. It also has a built-in speaker, but if you want a better audio experience, you can connect external speakers to the projector through the audio out port.
Overall, the YABER Mini WiFi Projector is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, portable and wireless projector. With its high resolution, brightness, compatibility, portability, and wireless capabilities, it is sure to give you a wonderful outdoor viewing experience.
Mini Projector, AuKing 2023 Upgraded 1080P Supported Outdoor Projector, Kids Gift, Movie Projector for Outdoor Use, 50% Zoom, Compatible with HDMI, USB, Laptop, iOS, Android Phone and TV Box
Budget pick
This budget-friendly projector from AuKing is a decent outdoor projector at a great price. It is easy to set up and start using right away and features 1080P resolution and a 170” screen size.
Pros
- Great value for the money
- Decent image quality
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Sound is not very loud
- Fan is a bit too loud
- Short power cable
Review
If you are ready to start your outdoor movie night, but you are on a tight budget, then you will love the AuKing Outdoor Projector which gives you a decent projector at an excellent price.
This mini projector features 1080P resolution and can project from 35” to 170”. The throw distance is from 3.7′ to 23.6′, so you will want to plan your outdoor space accordingly. Lamp life is rated at 50,000 hours which should last for up to 15 years depending on your usage.
The projector is compact and weighs just 1.12 pounds, so it is easy to carry with you wherever you need to go. However, it does not come with a carrying bag, so you will need to plan for that.
While the manufacturer claims that this has reduced fan noise and stereo sound, most users complain that the sound is not sufficient for watching movies, especially outdoors, so you will likely want another audio amplifier to really enjoy your movie night experience.
It comes with plenty of connections including HDMI, USB, and AV interfaces. It can work well with smartphones, iPads, laptops and much more. You may need an adapter to connect some devices, so be sure to think about your devices and how they will connect.
The projector comes with a lens cap, AV cable, and an HDMI cable. Users do say that the power cable is a bit short, so you will likely want an extension cord.
Even though the AUKing is a low-cost projector, it still has plenty of power to fuel your outdoor movie night.
Best with DVD
If you are looking for a projector with a DVD player, then this BIGASUO outdoor projector is a great option. It features a lamp life of 65,000 hours along with a high contrast ratio.
Pros
- With a built-in DVD player, there is less to set up
- Good sound quality
- Compact and easy to move around
- Easy to set up
- Good value
Cons
- The picture is not great with ambient light
- No zoom feature (except in DVD mode)
Review
If you have a DVD collection and want the perfect projector for your outdoor movie nights, then we think the BIGASUO Outdoor Projector is a great choice. It features a built-in DVD player to save you set-up time.
This projector features 1080P picture quality, so you get a good resolution that gives you solid picture quality. It claims an impressive 8000:1 contrast ratio which will give rich details even on a large-size screen. The keystone adjustment is great for getting the image to look right no matter where you are projecting from.
Speaking of large screens, the BIGASUO can project up to 200 inches, so you can enjoy your outdoor viewing experience with a truly big screen. The throw distance is relatively short thanks to the ZOOM function in DVD mode. You can get 100 inches of screen size at just 1.5–2.5 meters. It also has 2 built-in speakers that offer enough power to let you hear your movies. However, you may still want to invest in an added audio system for better-quality sound.
It has a variety of inputs. You will love the built-in DVD player which means you don’t have to worry about plugging in another device and looking for cables or anything. It also lets you use HDMI, AV, VGA, a Micro SD card, and USB. It even has built-in Bluetooth so you can easily connect to an external audio source without wires.
Lamp life is rated at 65,000 hours which should last you more than 10 years.
We think that this BIGASUO Outdoor Projector gives you everything you need and want to make your next movie night a huge success.
Outdoor Projector, Mini Projector with 100" Screen, 1080P and 240" Supported Movie Projector 7500 L Portable Home Video Projector Compatible with Smartphone/TV Stick/PS5/PC/Laptop
Also popular
This NICPOW outdoor projector comes with a 100” screen and a tripod making setting up super easy. It features 1080P resolution and comes with a remote control for easy adjustments.
Pros
- Good value
- Speakers sound decent
- Surprisingly clear picture quality
- Comes with a tripod mount
Cons
- Best used in dark environments
- Screen is not the highest quality
Review
Another good option for your outdoor movie night is the NICPOW Outdoor Projector. It comes with a handy tripod mount and a screen for viewing.
This NICPOW mini-projector gives you a 1280×720 resolution that is pretty crisp and clear for the price. It claims a 6000:1 contrast ratio with 7500 lux brightness. It can support 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios and has a built-in ±15° keystone correction to help you get the image just right. Most users say that the viewing experience is best in very dark conditions.
The lamp life is an impressive 65,000 hours, giving you years of viewing enjoyment without worry. It can project from 32–240”, so you can enjoy your movies at just about any size. It does come with a 100” projection screen, but many users say that it is too thin to be really useful.
For a compact projector, this produced decent sound with 2 3W HiFi stereo speakers with an SRS sound system. You may want to invest in external speakers, but try out the built-in speakers first. Now it doesn’t support Dolby sound, so you may need to adjust settings to get the sound just right.
As far as connections go, this has HDMI, 2xUSB, AV, and an Audio interface. You get AV and HDMI cables included in the package. You can connect via your smartphone, but you will need an adapter which is not included.
Overall, the NICPOW Outdoor Projector offers a good performance-to-price ratio, and with the remote control, it will make your next movie experience easy and fun.
Outdoor projector buying guide
Getting together with friends and family to watch movies outside is a great way to enjoy a warm evening. To host the perfect movie event, you want to have the best projector that will give you good picture quality without breaking the bank. Read our in-depth buying guide to help you choose the best projector for your outdoor viewing needs.
What kind of projector is best for outdoors?
Just about any projector will work for viewing movies outdoors. You want one that is fairly light and easy to set up. You don’t need the most advanced technology, and we suggest you avoid risking a super-expensive model.
Image quality
The first thing to consider when buying an outdoor projector is image quality. Look for a projector with a high resolution, such as 1080p or 4K, for clear and sharp images. The higher the resolution, the more detailed and realistic the images will be. However, depending on what you are watching, you may not need the highest resolution for outdoor viewing, especially if you are projecting on the side of a house or a sheet.
Additionally, a high contrast ratio will ensure that the colours in the image appear vivid and true to life. A high contrast ratio means that the projector can produce a wider range of colours and shades, resulting in more lifelike images.
Brightness
A basic rule of outdoor projectors is that no projector is going to be brighter than the sun. You will just have to wait to watch your movies after the sun sets. You will want to find a projector of at least 2,000 lumens to make sure it is bright enough once it gets dark.
One thing to note is that there is no set standard for companies to list how many lumens their projectors produce, so these claims are often exaggerated. You can take time to search for independent reviews that measure actual lumens.
Portability
Outdoor projectors are generally larger and heavier than indoor projectors, and may not be as easy to move around. If you plan on using your outdoor projector in multiple locations, look for a model that is lightweight and easy to transport. Portable projectors are a great option for those who want to take their projector with them on camping trips or to other outdoor events.
Input sources
Another complication with outdoor viewing is your input sources. How are you going to watch movies on your outdoor projector? Consider whether your outdoor projector will be able to access your WiFi for streaming movies outside. You may want one with a built-in DVD player, so you don’t have to worry about other devices. Some projectors have USB or SD card slots so you can watch movies that you have saved or USB sticks that let you stream content.
Throw distance
Another important factor to consider is the projector’s throw distance, which is the distance between the projector and the screen. Make sure the projector you choose has a throw distance that is appropriate for your outdoor setup. A projector with a short throw distance will be able to project a larger image from a shorter distance, making it ideal for small outdoor spaces.
Along with this, you want to consider how large an image the projector should produce. Most projectors will have a maximum size of 100–200 inches. Think about where you will be watching and how far the projector will need to be to get the size that you want.
Image adjustment
When you are projecting outdoors, sometimes you need to project at awkward angles. For example, you might be projecting from a low spot near the ground to a high wall on the house so people can see from far away. This can result in a distorted image. Look for a projector that lets you adjust the keyframe both vertically and horizontally. Some projectors do this automatically, but you will likely pay more for this feature.
Sound
Projectors generally come with built-in speakers, but generally, these are not very good for watching movies inside let alone outside where the sound may be drowned out and hard to hear. You will probably want to invest in a soundbar or some other external sound source instead of relying on the projector sound alone. Look for a projector that makes it easy to connect additional speakers.
Other important considerations for outdoor projectors
Now that you have some idea about what to look for in a projector, there are some other things to consider before you have your perfect outdoor movie night.
Screen
When you set up your outdoor movie space, you need to think about what you will project your movie onto. The simplest method is to hang a sheet on the side of the house and project it onto that. You might also invest in a standing projector screen that you can set up anywhere. These will give you better image quality than a sheet and give you more flexibility when it comes to setting up the projector.
Projector stand
You might also consider a tripod or other type of projector stand to allow you to set your projector up anywhere. A small table will also work well. Just make sure you have a nice flat surface to project from so that the image isn’t crooked.
Cables
You also need to make sure that you can get power to your projector, so look for a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord that will reach you. You can also find extra long HDMI cables if you want to connect your projector to an indoor source like your AppleTV or Blu-Ray player. Another type of cable that is good to have is an extra-long audio extension so you can connect to speakers. It is best to have the speakers facing the audience near the screen.
Conclusion
An outdoor projector can provide a unique and enjoyable watching experience in the comfort of your own backyard. With the above factors in mind, you can choose the perfect outdoor projector to create an immersive and enjoyable outdoor movie-watching party.
