Are you ready to take your movie nights, gaming sessions, or sports events to the great outdoors? The best outdoor projector can transform your backyard into a cinematic experience in seconds. Whether you’re hosting a movie night under the stars or getting ready for the football season, choosing the right projector is crucial. In this guide, we’ll explore the key features to look for when buying the best projector, ensuring you walk away with the right model for your budget and viewing needs.
The Importance Of Lumens With An Outdoor Projector
When it comes to outdoor projection, it’s important to be aware of the role that lumens play. Lumens determine the brightness of the projected image, and outdoor environments typically require higher lumens for optimal viewing. Factors like ambient light, screen size, and distance impact the perceived brightness. Therefore, selecting a projector with sufficient lumens ensures vibrant and clear images even in the harshest of outdoor settings.
Best Outdoor Projector
BenQ GS50
Resolution
1920 x 1080 Pixels
Lumens
500 Lumen
Battery Life
2.5 hours
- Portable Design
- High Quality Image
- Smart Connectivity
- Easy Setup
- Price
Our top pick for this list, the BenQ GS50 combines portability, connectivity, and superior image quality to deliver an exceptional outdoor viewing experience. Whether you’re hosting movie nights in the backyard or enjoying outdoor gaming sessions, this projector offers convenience and performance for your entertainment needs, without sacrificing any features along the way. You can stream your favourite movies or sports games straight from your devices onto the GS50 without skipping a beat. While some options on this list aren’t as pricey, you can rest assured that every dollar is well spent on the BenQ GS50.
Best Budget Outdoor Projector
KODAK FLIK HD9
Resolution
1920 x 1080 Pixels
Lumens
200 Lumen
Battery Life
2.5 hours
- Versatile Connectivity
- Portable
- Brightness Limitation
- Audio Quality
- Limited Throw Distance
The Kodak Flik HD9 Smart Projector stands out as the best budget outdoor projector, offering impressive features at an affordable price point. With its portable design and versatile connectivity options, the Kodak Flik HD9 is perfect for outdoor movie nights, backyard gatherings, and camping adventures. Enjoy seamless streaming via built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, allowing you to watch directly from your smartphone or tablet. As well as this, despite its budget-friendly nature, the Kodak Flik HD9 delivers crisp and clear visuals with its high-definition image quality and LED technology. With its user-friendly interface and intuitive controls, this projector provides a hassle-free outdoor entertainment experience for consumers seeking quality and value without breaking the bank.
Best 4K Outdoor Projector
ASUS ZenBeam L2
Resolution
1920 x 1080 Pixels
Lumens
960 Lumens
Battery Life
3.5 Hours
- HD Image Quality
- Compact and Portable
- Audio Quality
- Price
The ASUS ZenBeam L2 redefines outdoor entertainment with its exceptional 4K ability and high lumen count, making it the perfect choice for crystal clear daytime outdoor viewing. With its impressive 4K resolution, the ZenBeam L2 delivers unparalleled image clarity and detail, bringing your favorite content to life with stunning realism. What sets the ZenBeam L2 apart is its brightness, boasting a high lumen count that ensures vivid and vibrant visuals even in broad daylight. Whether you’re hosting outdoor movie marathons or have friends around for the Super Bowl, this is the projector for you. It doesn’t end there though, Its portable and lightweight design makes it easy to set up and transport, while its smart features won’t leave you unsatisfied.
Best Outdoor Projector With A Battery
Anker Nebula Mars II Pro
Resolution
1280 x 720
Battery Life
3 hours
Audio Specs
2 x 10W speakers
- Smart Features
- Versatile Conectivity
- Portable Design
- Resolution – While 720p resolution is sufficient, it doesn’t offer the high quality you get from some of the other projectors on this list
- Limited Throw Distance
The Anker Mars 2 Nebula emerges as the pinnacle choice for the best outdoor projector with a battery, setting a new standard for portable entertainment. Boasting an impressive 7.1 hours of content playback before requiring a recharge, the Anker Mars 2 Nebula ensures uninterrupted outdoor viewing experiences without the constraints of power outlets. Whether you’re camping in the wilderness or hosting movie nights in the backyard, this projector offers unrivalled versatility and convenience, while its compact and lightweight design means you can take it on your next big adventure.
Best Portable/Compact Projector For Outdoor Movies
SAMSUNG Freestyle 2nd Gen
Resolution
1920 x 1080
Lumens
230 Lumens
Battery Life
3 Hours
- Portable Design
- High Quality Image
- Smart Features
- Price – More expensive than other projectors
- Brightness – Whilst not terrible, this projector will struggle to outcompete others on this list during the daylight
The Samsung 2nd Generation Freestyle sets the benchmark for a compact and portable outdoor projector. With its sleek and streamlined design, the 2nd Generation Freestyle effortlessly blends style and functionality into a simple but powerful device, making it the perfect companion for outdoor adventures. Its compact form factor and lightweight construction make it easy to carry and set up, whether you’re out in the wilderness or lounging in the backyard. But don’t be fooled, despite the size of the Samsung, this outdoor projector delivers a crisp and clear image, whilst also enhancing your outdoor entertainment experience with advanced audio technologies and customizable sound settings. Its wireless connectivity options and long battery life provide added convenience, ensuring uninterrupted playback wherever you go.
Outdoor Projectors vs Outdoor TV
While outdoor TVs offer convenience and weather resistance, outdoor projectors provide a more immersive and flexible viewing experience. Projectors allow for larger screen sizes and are often more budget-friendly compared to outdoor TVs. However, factors like ambient light and screen quality should be considered when choosing between the two options.
Outdoor Projector FAQs
While indoor projectors may work outdoors, they are not designed to withstand outdoor conditions and may not deliver optimal performance in harsher conditions outside.
It’s important to note that some outdoor projectors do feature weather-resistant designs, it’s important to protect your projector from rain, moisture, and extreme temperatures to ensure longevity. To be certain it’s always a good idea to read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to best take care of your projector.
In Summary
Choosing the best outdoor projector involves considering factors such as brightness, resolution, portability, and budget. Whether you’re seeking top-tier performance or a budget-friendly option, there’s always a projector to suit your outdoor entertainment needs.
