The Best Outdoor Projectors To Host Backyard Movie Nights

Resolution: 4K | Brightness: 1,840 lumens | Projection technology: DLP | Projection size: Up to 150 inches | Speaker: Stereo | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, USB-A | Battery: No | Dimensions: 10.4 x 6.5 x 8.7 inches | Weight: 10.7 pounds

Pros:

• Integrated Android TV 10 for streaming 
• Strong built-in speakers
• Built-in USB and HDMI port

Cons:

• Lacks battery power

The Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K projector makes it easy to connect your computer or mobile device so you can stream and project just about any video content at up to 4K resolution. With its capable laser light engine, this projector outputs 1,840 lumens, making it good for use outdoors or in ambient light; and images look rich thanks to HDR10 support.

It has a built-in handle to help carry it around—which is useful since it weighs a hefty 10.7 pounds. If you’re setting it up outside, make sure you have a power source handy, as there’s no built-in battery. The Nebula projects 4K images between 60 and 150 inches and has a throw ratio of 1.27, which means you can’t get too close to the projection surface. The projector supports Dolby Audio and 3D Soundscape, and its two speakers can generate up to 300-watts of audio power for impressive sound. Stream your favorite movies and shows thanks to the Android TV 10 OS, too.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says, “It’s so easy to use and has amazing picture quality. It has an app store for you to easily download your favorite streaming services. The projector self levels and auto focuses its picture. The quality of the picture obviously isn’t the great during the sunniest part of the day in a bright room, but it does amazing at night or even on overcast days.”

Resolution: 720p | Brightness: 400 lumens | Projection technology: DLP | Projection size: Up to 200 inches | Speaker: 2 x 8W | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C, USB-A HDMI, Chromecast | Battery: No | Dimensions: 7.6 x 7.6 x 2.2 inches | Weight: 2.4 pounds

Pros:

• Runs Android TV with 1,100+ apps
• Built-in Google Assistant

Cons:

• No built-in battery
• Can be time-consuming and confusing to adjust settings

The XGIMI MoGo2 proves that a great projector doesn’t have to cost a fortune. XGIMI achieved the low starting price by dropping the resolution to 720p and removing the battery to keep the device lightweight and portable. The result is the best budget projector; it won’t beat everything else on this list, but it costs a fraction. 

Weighing just 2.4 pounds, the XGIMI MoGo2 is a lightweight projector that’s suitable for all environments. You can adjust the horizontal and vertical angles up to 40 degrees and the display automatically adjusts for a perfect picture for your movies and games. Plus, it automatically scaled around picture frames, plants and more, so no need to manually adjust. Android TV, Chromecast and Google Assistant are built-in to the device, so you can pull up your favorite apps or use voice commands to find your TV shows and movies. This means you should be able to access most of your favorite apps and services without too much difficulty, including Netflix, YouTube TV, Prime Video and more.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says, “I found that it was even smaller than I had imagined, making it extremely portable. I placed it on my bedside table, and it doesn’t take up any space…and the projector automatically adjusts the aspect ratio of the image. I’ve been using my white wall as a projection screen, and it offers better cost performance compared to installing a TV. Even in a darkened room, the brightness is sufficient.”

Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 1,000 lumens | Projection technology: 3-chip 3LCD | Projection size: Up to 150 inches | Speaker: Stereo | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Chromecast, USB-A | Dimensions: 6.9 x 6.9 x 5 inches | Weight: 4.7 pounds

Pros:

• Compact design
• Good audio for small form
• Integrated Android TV

Cons:

• Low brightness

The Epson EpiqVision EF12 is the rare compact model to use a 3-chip 3LCD setup. Coupled with its laser light engine, this compact projector delivers both high-quality 1080p images and a reasonable 1,000 lumen brightness that works well in ambient light and darkness. Like many others on our list, it uses Android TV for integrated streaming and access to the Google Play Store. It can handle 4K input, but its native output is at 1080p—still, it’s nice to have the option if you need to stream in HD versus 4K for any reason.

The sound is deceptively good for such a small unit, with its dual Yamaha speakers providing punchy audio. Plus, it supports 3.5 mm audio output and HDMI ARC. Shaped in a near-cube design, this 4.7-pound projector is small enough to carry around as needed. 

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer loves how large the projector image can get, but noted its limitations in bright light, saying, “Just for the heck of it, I went up to 500 inches though 150 is advertised, and it still looked great at night. However during the day outside in a shaded area, do not expect to see anything. It’s only usable at night.”

Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 550 lumens | Projection technology: DLP | Projection size: Up to 100-inches | Speaker: 360-degree audio | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C | Battery: Optional | Dimensions: 3.7 x 5.3 x 3.7 inches | Weight: 1.6 pounds

Pros:

• Amazon Alexa and Samsung Bixby voice assistants
• Lightweight and portable
• 360-degree omnidirectional sound

Cons:

• Low brightness level

Samsung’s 1.6-pound The Freestyle Gen 2 projector is noteworthy for its cylindrical design. Pivot the cylinder up to 180 degrees and aim it at a wall, ceiling or screen to view streamed content from your device via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Based on its position, The Freestyle automatically adjusts the screen size to produce a crisp and vivid picture between 30 and 100 inches. It projects images at 1080p resolution and 550 lumens brightness, too. 

The Freestyle’s 360-degree speaker supports Dolby Digital Plus audio to provide impressive omnidirectional audio. It runs on Samsung’s Tizen OS for streaming apps, and it supports both Samsung Bixby and Amazon Alexa voice assistants. This ultra-portable unit can run on a USB-C power bank, or you can use an optional battery base ($190) so you can use this projector almost anywhere, be it your bedroom or your backyard. It offers a 1.2 throw ratio and has a light source that will last at least 20,000 hours.

What the editors say: During a hands-on demonstration, tech editor Rebecca Isaacs got to test the projector. “The Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 ticks off a lot of my boxes for a must-have in a projector. It’s portable, features a crisp image and can be thrown on both a bedroom wall or a ceiling for movie nights. As an outdoor projector, it has a strong battery life, so you can enjoy a movie whether you’re camping or just hosting a backyard party.”

Resolution: 1080p | Brightness: 300 lumens | Projection technology: DLP | Projection size: Up to 120 inches | Speaker: Stereo | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C | Battery: Yes| Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.3 x 6.7 inches | Weight: 2 pounds

Pros:

• Lightweight and portable design
• 1080p resolution with a picture up to 120 inches
• Supports Android TV 11.0

Cons:

• Battery lasts for one average-length movie
• Low brightness

The Anker Nebula Capsule 3 is small and light, getting its name from its unique, oblong design. It uses a laser light engine to project images (a laser can achieve better contrast and color than other light engine technologies). It can project images onto a wall or screen up to 120 inches. The internal battery can power through 2.5 hours—enough for most movies, but you’ll need to plug in if you want to keep up your Lord of the Rings marathons.

The projector’s internal speakers have plenty of oomph, with 8 watts of audio power and Dolby Audio support. Display content from a phone, tablet or computer via a direct cable connection, or wirelessly stream online video through the integrated Android TV 11. The Capsule 3’s limited brightness means its best used in a dark environment.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says, “You can project onto various surfaces, such as walls or ceilings, and adjust the image size up to 100 inches, giving you a true cinematic experience. The projector also features excellent audio quality, with dual 8W speakers that deliver rich and clear sound.”