You can even download games; your phone's touchscreen doubles as the controller. It includes big adjustment wheels for focus and keystone that are easy to understand if you're new to projectors, and it also comes with a 100-inch projector screen as a bonus. In fact, you have to wait about half an hour after sunset until ideal viewing conditions set in, and even then, ambient light can ruin the effect. Literally. Heres why you can trust us. One downside is the short power cable, but instead of having a bunch of inputs and a cumbersome built-in smart platform, it has a single HDMI input that connects to an included Android TV stick. To roughly calculate ANSI Lumens from lumens, you can divide lumens by 2.4. It's also bright enough to use outdoors in dim light, but the picture will look washed out if you try to use it during the day. This is also where each of these projectors meets its rivals, as every product is tested side-by-side against the competition so that its place in the market is considered as a whole no product exists in a vacuum after all. HDR handling and dark detail are very good and, considering the price point, this projector is capable of some brilliant detail. 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 built-in speakers and projector stand, helpful for getting set up outside without a lot of add-on equipment. Home movie night used to mean curling up on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn. Are you going to trail a Blu-ray player outside to plug into the projector's HDMI input? The GS50 is pricier than many competitors and lacks standout brightness, but it could be worth the extra investment if you want more connectivity and weatherproofing in your outdoor projector. This model is a full 4K projector, which is something you typically see in much more expensive devices. Its small enough to put in your pocket, making it the perfect portable outdoor projector to use in the backyard or wherever your travels happen to take you. Brightness: 2400 lumens |Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels|Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.7 x 6.5 inches|Projector Type: DLP LED |Ports: HDMI, USB-A x2, USB-C, Audio |Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Aptoide. What tops it off, though, is some really rather impressive picture quality. We conduct these tests in our state of the art testing room in Bath, which is fitted with a 100-inch screen and a plethora of external sources, including 4K Blu-ray players, video streamers and games consoles. productslearn more about Dan has reviewed thousands of consumer products across a wide range of categories, including appliances, building materials, fixtures, outdoor power equipment, home technology, and more. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. If you really want to use your outdoor projector during the day, and you're okay with the fact that the picture will look washed out, it's important to choose a projector that's really bright. Set up your projector in the evening for the best results, but the higher your projector's light output level, the more watchable the image will be when there is still some light around. Read the full review: Samsung The Freestyle. This bargain-priced projector has the same feature set of much pricier models, including full HD 1080p resolution and massive 200-inch image size. If there's a lot of competing light for street lamps or the neighbor's house, you might want to go as high as 3,000. It's small, convenient and very well appointed. It has a native 1080-pixel resolution, with support for HDR10 (high dynamic range) for colors that pop, and you can use it with screens up to 120 inches. The Freestyle, Samsungs diddy new LED-based projector lives up to its name by enabling you to take projection to places its never really been able to go before. You can stream over your Wi-Fi network or from your phone, so this mini projector is really all you need to start your own backyard movie night. The Epson EF100 is a projector built from the ground up with streaming and portability in mind, which makes it a great option if youre looking for something you can easily move from room to room in your house, then carry outside for movie night. Bath Dan DiClerico is the Director of Home Improvement & Outdoors at the Good Housekeeping Institute. This is where an outdoor projector comes into its own as it can take advantage of whatever outdoor space you have. There was a problem. Even tech-challenged users should find the Mars II Pro easy to operate. The perfect backyard movie night starts with finding a projector thats portable and bright enough for your environment. Yoona is a smart home and home tech commerce editor for The Spruce. You can also pair a soundbar via Bluetooth if you need to, but the built-in speakers are good enough that you wont necessarily need external speakers. Bluetooth-enabled speakers are a good option, including smart speakers like Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod and Google Nest Audio that can double as digital assistants. Portable projector convenience comes at a cost, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus and Apple TV+. "It's important to have the right surface to project onto," advises Carl Prouty of Abt Electronics. While the controller and built-in apps aren't the most impressive on the market, the X10 4Ke includes built-in Harman Kardon speakers that are surprisingly rich for a projector of this size and price point. Host the ultimate watch party, whether you're watching sports or movies, day or night. As a bonus, the Nebula Solar Portable comes with an Anker PowerPort III charger. Resolution: This is overall picture quality, measured in pixels (p). But you wont have to worry about getting the right angle (it will adjust for you), and the JBL speakers are impressive for such a small device. If youre looking to set up a deluxe outdoor viewing experience, the Viewsonic X10 4Ke is a splurge thats very much worth the ticket price. You can also cast Netflix content from Google Chrome or by connecting and HDMI cable from another device. It's a 2 x 5W set-up that's been tuned by Yamaha. Whatever the weather, there's no better way to turn your garden, rooftop or patio into a home cinema than these outdoor projectors. "If you are finding the picture isn't bright enough, try moving it closer to the wall," recommends Prouty. Turn your garden into a magical movie theatre with an outdoor projector. You can use an outdoor projector during the day, but it won't provide the best viewing experience. Its a highly sophisticated projector that uses laser technology instead of the standard lamp for an exceptionally crisp picture, even when theres some daylight remaining. Our top pick is theAnker Nebula Solar Portablebecause its small and lightweight, bright enough to use outdoors, has a battery with enough power to keep it running for three hours, and has built-in speakers, so you dont need to hook up external speakers. Brightness: Brightness is important too because even on a moonless night its not going to be pitch black out there. is supported by its audience. If your projector isn't battery-powered, you will need to plug an extension cord into your house and run it out into your yard. Alternatively, you may need to look for a model with built-in WiFi, sometimes referred to as all-in-one or one-box systems. This 65-watt charger is powerful enough to charge the big battery in the Nebula Solar Portable while the projector is in use or quick-charge your iPhone or power devices that take power over USB-Clike a MacBook. Its also extremely bright at 2400 lumens, which puts it right on the edge of usability during daylight hours. "A matte-colored, flat surface is ideal. Rachel is the lead expert and key brand ambassador for GH across a number of categories including electronics, smart home, automotive, toys, parenting, fitness, tech, startups and more. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Testing projectors involves taking the time to explore their capabilities fully, including plenty of settings-tweaking and content-watching. "You'll need one that's at least 3000 lumens," says Prouty. "It will decrease the picture size, but the smaller picture will be brighter.". Also, you'll want to turn off any additional outdoor lighting in your yard when the projector is operating to decrease any ambient light.". 's round-up of the best outdoor projectors that you can buy in 2022. Learn more about our, Dan DiClerico, Good Housekeeping Institute, Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping Institute, How to choose an outdoor projector for your home. Many of the best outdoor projectors with the highest picture quality fall into that category. If youre okay with lower battery life, theXGIMI MoGo Prois a mini projector thats even smaller, weighs less, and comes equipped with powerful Harman Kardon speakers. Brightness is measured in lumens: Between 2,000 and 2,500 lumens should provide adequate brightness in most outdoor settings. This is Anker's best Nebula projector to date and also a very, very good portable in its own right. Throw distance: This is the distance between the projector and screen. Please refresh the page and try again. Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 Projector, The Best Outdoor Movie Screens for Backyard Entertainment, Best Splurge: You can also stream to the Android TV stick from your phone using Chromecast. Do be warned that the app platform is missing a few of the UK catch-up services, iPlayer included, but otherwise, this feels like one of the best projectors out there for taking on your travels. All rights reserved. So if youre prepared to show it the sort of love it needs, the Freestyle has the potential to be your homes new best friend. Read the full Anker Nebula Solar Portable review. There are a few kinds of connectivity to consider when looking at outdoor projectors. The TMY projector also includes a secure digital (SD) card slot and USB port for playing compatible media files. Hes been running backyard movie nights at his own home for years, and he has over a decade of experience reviewing electronics for outlets like Lifewire and Digital Trends, in addition to The Spruce. For example, if you see a projector with 900 ANSI lumens, that's generally comparable to 2,200 standard lumens. Size plays a big factor since an outdoor projector needs to have at least some degree of portability, and priority was given in many categories to battery-powered projectors since theyre so much easier to set up. This helps us find the strengths and weaknesses of each projector. "As the picture gets bigger, the light gets dimmer. 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. Brightness: 960 lumens | Resolution: 1080 pixels|Dimensions: 7.6 x 7.6 x 2.3 inches|Projector Type: DLP|Ports: HDMI, USB-A, USB-C|Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast. The ViewSonic M1 Mini+ is incredibly compact, but its also self-contained. Here are the top projectors for outdoor use that the Good Housekeeping Institute recommends: 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. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. What Hi-Fi? The ViewSonic X10 4Ke is a short-throw projector, which means you can place it fairly close to the screen or wall. You can run it off any portable power bank with an 18-watt quick charge (QC) port if you're planning a movie marathon. These projectors typically work fine outdoors, just on smaller screens. You dont need to have a ton of space to use it with a huge screen, and youll never need to have it out in the middle of your yard. You can turn the projector on and adjust it so that the picture fills your entire screen. A splash-proof panel safeguards this projector from moisture and a waterproof TPU outer layer offers drop protection up to 2.3 feet. This device is one of three Nebula Capsule projectors made by Anker Innovations (see above for another), and its 720p resolution, 200 ANSI-lumens light output and Android TV 9.0 smart platform make it the top-spec model of that trio. The best general range for outdoor projector brightness is between 1500 to 2500 lumens, which is equivalent to about 625 to 1041 ANSI Lumens. Its obvious as soon as you look at it that the BenQ X1300i isnt your typical home entertainment projector. You will receive a verification email shortly. If your projector is battery-powered, you don't need to worry about that, but you need to charge the battery fully. The chassis and most of the features are the same apart from the missing internal speakers on this model, which is worth noting when planning outdoor viewing. Brightness: 2000 lumens |Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels|Dimensions:8.3 x 9.1 x 3.6 inches |Projector Type: LCD (3LCD)|Ports: HDMI, USB-A, Mini USB|Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast (Android TV Stick). Definitely one for your shortlist. In his down time he enjoys gaming and regular cinema trips. It offers 720p Full HD resolution rather than 4K, but produces a great image around 75in. Brightness: 1000 lumens|Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels|Dimensions: 6.9 x 6.9 x 5.0 inches |Projector Type: LCD (3LCD), Laser|Ports: HDMI, USB-A, Mini USB |Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast. BA1 1UA. Best Budget: The Nebula Solar Portable is easy to set up for movie night. Not all of us have a spare room to set up as an at-home cinema, or perhaps you don't want to be stuck inside a dark room during a warm summer evening. Its also plenty versatile with connections, whether you want to hook up your smartphone, laptop, or streaming stick. Since there's usually at least some level of light pollution outside, an outdoor projector must be exceptionally bright if you want the picture to look clear and colorful on a very big screen. You'll be able to see the picture at that brightness, although it may still look washed out. The onboard speakers are a touch weedy but the quality and spread of sound from them is good. For example, if youll be sitting 10 feet (120 inches) from the screen, an 80-inch screen would work. But beware: extreme portability can come at the expense of top-notch picture quality. Dan DiClerico has written about home improvement for more than 20 years, including countless how-to articles and reviews of products ranging from appliances to smart home technology. His own home is full of smart tech, from the lights to the vacuum cleaner. It runs on battery power, and a full charge is enough to keep it going for about an hour and a half. Screen size: Screen size is critical since theres likely to be a large crowd gathered around; much less than 100 inches will start to feel small and cramped. You can then easily mirror content from the phone onto the screen, with its maximum image size of 100 inches. Other outdoor projectors are portable because they're light enough to pick up and carry around, but they're not necessarily totable. Those little extras cost money, though, to the point that the price of the Nebula Capsule II comes close to that of some of Anker's higher-end Go Anywhere models. This stick works with all major streaming services right out of the box. Simply pair the device with your smartphone and you're in business. editorial team. This projector earns our best overall spot because it's small and lightweight, bright, has a long battery life, and has built-in speakers that work so well you might feel tempted to use it as a Bluetooth speaker for other devices. What Hi-Fi? It also has two 3-watt Harman Kardon speakers built-in, which makes this mini projector the complete package. There are different degrees of portability in outdoor projectors, and the ViewSonic M1 Mini+ is just about as portable as they come. Look for an area where the screen won't be in direct light and where you'll be able to set up a comfortable seating area. Viewsonic M1 Mini+ Portable Projector, Best Sound: Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. It has a built-in stand, or you can mount it on a standard tripod mount. A built-in projector stand to adjust the angle of projection is a helpful feature. A brilliantly well-judged and affordable 4K projector, great for an outdoor cinema, And now for something completely different, A smart, small and seriously punchy projector, The best Nebula portable projector so far. The speakers get their quality from the internal design of the projector housing, which acts as a custom 3D acoustic enclosure to improve sound quality further. Built-in speakers come in handy, but quality won't be the best. Its easy to set up and install, and produces a picture thats reminiscent of what you'll get at the cinema. The most important is wireless connectivity, which comes in the form of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Setting up an outdoor projector starts with picking a site. The XGIMI MoGo Pro is very straightforward to get up and running, even if you arent a projector expert. The TMY projector is a great jumping-off point if you want to get a backyard movie night going on a tight budget. From its fancy cube-like sculpting to its built-in sound system from audio brand Trevolo, integrated Android streaming system and surprisingly well-developed focus on video gaming, the X1300i does everything it can to stand out from todays increasingly crowded projector shelves. All the preset modes are very well judged and it gives an excellent level of black depth and dark detail for a projector at this price. Power source: Some outdoor projectors have built-in batteries, eliminating the need for power cords, but most need to be plugged in. Black depth and motion processing isn't a patch on more expensive models but the results are appealing nonetheless and give a wonderfully naturally cinematic feel for very little outlay a masterclass in budget projection. With Proutys expert insight, Jeremy looked at factors like brightness and portability along with ease of setup and use. It might be worth spending more on a 4K-rated screen since the technology is becoming more common even if your current projector doesn't feature it, your next one might. For starters, theres the built-in LG smart hub, which makes it easy to download apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube. To gain a deeper understanding of the features an outdoor projector really needs, Jeremy contactedCarl Prouty, the resident technologist fromAbt Electronics. You'll get a great image right out of the box without needing to be any kind of expert at tinkering with the settings. For a satisfactory outdoor viewing experience, you want a minimum of 720p. Check out our handy guide on how to choose a projector screen for more on that. It's a true all-in-one projector system comprising built-in speakers, wi-fi and a range of streaming apps. The Anker Nebula Solar Portable has everything you need in an outdoor projector. In other words, an AVR, speaker package and home cinema room are not entirely necessary, which helps make it our pick as the best outdoor projector to choose right now. Brightness is also key particularly if you live in a city or somewhere with lots of light pollution. A resolution of 1080p is even better. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. There are differences on the inside compared to its bigger brother too. At the end of this process, a verdict is reached by a team of What Hi-Fi? This tiny projector weighs under 10 ounces, and its just a hair over an inch thick. 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. Many of the smallest, most portable, and most affordable outdoor projectors sacrifice brightness to offer those other important features. That said, it's as much the convenience of this machine that makes it so good. So-called one-box systems make for great outdoor projectors because all the components are baked into the device. our process. You could use a streaming dongle such as a Chromecast with Google TV to get a picture, assuming you can get a decent wi-fi signal in your garden. Whats the best brightness for an outdoor projector? This is really made for outdoor cinema use. The safest practice is to have an outdoor outlet installed by a professional; its ground fault circuit interrupter (or "GFCI") will protect against electrical hazards. 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. Epsons mini laser is powered by Android TV, so if thats your preferred OS, youll be right at home with the process of streaming content from a range of familiar apps, including Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube. You can find high-quality pop-up screens with their own stands for between $100 and $200. Some projectors also feature USB ports and SD card slots that let you load media and HDMI ports to connect a DVD or Blu-ray player or a streaming device like a Roku. is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Right up until the point where you end up squabbling over whose turn it is to use it, anyway. You can then set up your screen or locate a flat surface on the side of your house, garage, or elsewhere that can function as a screen. In addition to onboard Bluetooth speakers and crisp contrast, you can enjoy streaming your favorites, thanks to the built-in Android TV support. The carry handle is a nice design touch that highlights the projectors user-friendliness and portability. Make sure to select an extension cord that's rated for outdoor use. If you havent yet bought a projector, you can figure out the best size screen for your yard and then look for a projector that will work with that screen size. To get in the right ballpark for screen size, measure the distance from your seating area to the screen and divide that by 1.5. So a projector with a light source output of 2000 lumens would be rated at about 833 ANSI lumens, and a 400 ANSI Lumen projector would have a light source output of about 960 lumens. If there's a lot of ambient light from street lights, neighbors' houses, or decorative lighting in your own yard, then look for a projector that's at least 3000 lumens, or 1250 ANSI lumens. Jeremy Laukkonen is a freelance writer with 10+ years of experience explaining and reviewing smart home technology, home entertainment gear, and other consumer electronics. While its limitations showing dark scenes may give serious home cinema fans pause for thought, for gamers and more casual movie fans the X1300is bright, punchy and sharp pictures and unusually capable built-in audio talents make it an unexpectedly impressive and, most importantly, fun addition to the AV landscape. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, How to Protect Your Homes Air Quality Year Round, 9 Best Cooling Mattresses for Hot Sleepers, Here's Where to Buy the Viral $30 Shower Shelf, TikTok's Viral Wall Mop is Back in Stock on Amazon, What Our Home Editor Has in Her Shopping Cart Now, Weve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. Rachel is the chief technologist & executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all labs. The 150-inch picture benefits from 2,000-lumen brightness, so viewers will be able to enjoy the show from various angles. You also want to make sure it's the right shape, which is usually measured by aspect ratio (16:9 is the norm for outdoor projectors). There's no iPlayer, Netflix or All 4 apps on the smart platform, and we'd like Epson to have fitted an internal battery too, but these are relatively minor gripes and nothing that neither a media streamer nor an extension cable can't solve. Colours are balanced and motion is naturally smooth. In theory you can project video onto a white sheet or white wall, but picture quality will be compromised. If you're interested in a portable outdoor projector with a more durable build, the BenQ GS50 offers some water and impact resistance. This is also to make sure our reviews are consistent and thorough, and so that no feature or flaw is missed within our testing process. Staff Writer Lewis is the newest addition to the What Hi-Fi? Weve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. Right, you're primed and ready to buy. 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. We review projectors using a wide range of content from 4K Blu-rays, to streaming services, video games and standard definition DVDs. These days, 4K takes the prize, as youll experience with ViewSonics short-throw portable projector. reviewers who work closely together in order to ensure that each projector is tested fairly, and to avoid the possibility of any personal preference creeping in. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. 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. Thank you for signing up to What Hi-Fi?. Last but not least, the image size can go as high as 300 inches, so the crowd of onlookers wont miss any of the gaming action. 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It also includes automatic keystone correction, so you don't need to be an expert to get the picture squared up, and it has an autofocus feature. Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist and head engineer, has a B.S.E. Projectors at the lower end of the scale are fine if there isn't a lot of ambient light present, you're projecting on a small screen, or you don't care if the picture is a little washed out. This article was written byJeremy Laukkonen, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. While not quite as serious for brightness and picture quality as the company's more traditional home cinema machines, it still has a way with contrast and shading that's beyond the reach of most portable projectors, which makes it ideal for using as an outdoor projector. Serious cinephiles insist on best-in-show picture quality, even when watching their favorite features in the open air. review process. Screen: Sure, you can watch on an old sheet tacked to the side of the house or garage. Mini projectors are great for use outdoors because theyre easy to grab and go. In addition to the excellent audio, the EpiqVision EF12 also ticks all the other boxes to be a top-notch portable projector. Portability: Since youll be bringing the projector inside and out, look for one thats lightweight and easy to transport. What's more, its sound system is streets ahead of the one tacked onto the TW7100 at the top of this list - another bonus for an all-in-one outdoor cinema system. For more than two decades, he has written about all things home-related, from big-ticket remodeling projects to routine home maintenance. There is no built-in streaming platform or wireless connectivity, but you can connect your phone, laptop, or media streaming device via an HDMI adapter. It's a shade pricey for an entry-level device but, make no mistake, this is the king of affordable 4K projectors. Brightness: Not listed|Resolution: 720 pixels|Dimensions: 7.48 x 3.78 x 2.83 inches|Projector Type: LCD|Ports: VGA, USB, Micro USB, HDMI|Connectivity: No wireless, Needs to be fully dark outside to see the picture. It has its own dedicated app store where you can download Netflix, BBC iPlayer and countless other apps to run directly from the Mars 2. This affordable projector is small and lightweight, so it's easy to carry outside for an at-home screening. We updated this guide in July 2022 to ensure all products vetted by the Home Improvement Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute were in stock, available and correctly priced. One important note: Some manufacturers use ANSI lumens, which are proportionally brighter than standard lumens. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Think portable projector and its likely that the stubby, cylindrical form of the Anker Nebula Capsule II will spring to mind. While we didnt 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. She has contributed product reviews and how-tos for Lifewire and has prior experience in knowledge-base technical writing, technical customer support, and academic publishing.