Best outdoor hd projector: The Best Outdoor Projectors for 2023

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Best Outdoor Projector for 2023: Tested by Our Experts

Between tickets, popcorn, drinks and snacks, the costs of a family movie night at the theater can add up quick. But with warm summer nights in full swing at the moment, it’s the perfect time for a backyard movie night. All you need is a flat wall and compact projector. To help you find the perfect model for your needs and budget, we’ve rounded up our top picks for the best outdoor projector of 2023 below. 

You can choose between easily portable, battery-powered models or wired models with built-in streaming and tons of brightness for an outdoor cinema. Ideally, you’ll have some sort of screen, but a big sheet or poster board can do the trick when using an outdoor movie projector.

All the projectors on this list have speakers, but if you have a big yard, or want your outdoor movies to be heard over the ruckus of some younglings, it’d be best to connect to a Bluetooth speaker and other external speakers.

If your Wi-Fi isn’t strong enough to reach where you want to show the movie, you can turn your phone into a hotspot.  

In a few cases you can download some content to the projector itself, but don’t expect this from every model, nor with every streaming service. 

Here are the best outdoor projectors, with impressive picture quality, that we’ve tested.

Other products we’ve tested

Klaus Vedfelt/GettyImages

Anker Nebula Solar Portable: The Solar’s sibling, the Mars II Pro, is better. The Solar’s main disadvantage compared to others on this list is its relatively dim image, which means it can’t project as large a picture and still look good. If you want a sleek, budget-friendly portable with 1080p and plan on keeping the image on the small side, however, this is a solid choice. Read our Anker Nebula Solar Portable Review.

LG CineBeam Ph40N: The tiny LG Ph40N is only slightly larger than the AAXA P8. It’s not particularly bright, however, nor does it have built-in apps. The battery doesn’t last as long as the AAXA P6X although it is a bit cheaper. Read our LG CineBeam Ph40N review.

Samsung Freestyle: The small, stylish, cylindrical Freestyle is an interesting idea, but it’s not very bright, lacks a battery, and is quite expensive. Read our Samsung Freestyle review.

The Samsung Freestyle is a cool looking design but too expensive for what you get.

Geoff Morrison/CNET

Xiaomi Mi Smart Projector 2: Is another relatively expensive small projector that could be better. You may appreciate the compact size, 1080p resolution and built-in Android TV streaming, but it’s relatively dim, especially for the price. It also lacks both a built-in battery and compatibility with a USB power source, so it’s not truly portable. Read our Xiaomi Mi Smart Projector 2 review.

How we test outdoor projectors

We don’t treat outdoor projectors any differently, testing-wise, than any other projector. Just because a projector has the convenience of being portable doesn’t mean it shouldn’t perform to reasonable standards. The biggest difference is checking the performance on the battery vs. plugged in. That almost always just results in a difference in light output.

Read more: How We Test Projectors

Outdoor projector FAQs

The 7 Best Outdoor Projectors of 2023

Enjoy a movie night under the stars with these compact projectors

By

Jeremy Laukkonen

Jeremy Laukkonen

Jeremy Laukkonen is a freelance writer with 10+ years of experience explaining and reviewing smart home technology, home entertainment gear, and other consumer electronics. His own home is full of smart tech, from the lights to the vacuum cleaner.

Learn more about The Spruce’s
Editorial Process

Updated on 04/28/23

Fact checked by

Yoona Wagener

Fact checked by
Yoona Wagener

Yoona is a smart home and home tech commerce editor for The Spruce. 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.

Learn more about The Spruce’s
Editorial Process

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Learn more.

The Spruce / Michela Buttignol

The perfect backyard movie night starts with finding a portable and bright projector for your environment. While the ideal brightness varies on your setup and the lighting, higher lumens could be better when projecting to large screens in dark conditions. “The larger the picture, the more lumens you’ll need to maintain brightness,” says Carl Prouty, the resident technologist from Abt Electronics. “As the picture gets bigger, the light gets dimmer. Ideally, you’d want to start with at least 2000 [lumens] to be safe.”

You’ll also want to consider the type of outdoor movie screen you’ll purchase—or already own—and the size of your backyard before making a final decision on an outdoor projector. When researching the best outdoor projectors, we evaluated each model for brightness, portability, connectivity, and ease of use.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Nebula Solar Portable at Amazon

Best Sound:

Epson Mini EF12 Projector at Amazon

Best Budget:

TMY Projector 7500 Lumens at Amazon

Best Durability:

BenQ GS50 at Amazon

Best Portable:

Viewsonic M1 Mini+ Portable at Amazon

Best Splurge:

Viewsonic X10 4Ke at Amazon

Best for Streaming:

Epson EF100 at Amazon

In This Article

  • Our Picks

  • What to Look For

  • FAQ

  • Why Trust the Spruce

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What We Like

  • Small and lightweight

  • Clear, bright picture

  • Good battery life

  • Autofocus and keystone work well

What We Don’t Like

The Anker Nebula Solar Portable has everything you need in an outdoor projector. This projector earns our best overall spot because it’s small, lightweight, and bright. It also has a long battery life and built-in speakers that work so well that you might feel tempted to use it as a Bluetooth speaker for other devices. This projector has a native 1080-pixel resolution (the number of pixels the projector can support locally) and a supportive resolution for HDR10 (high dynamic range) to make colors pop. You can use this model with screens up to 120 inches. 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.

The 10,000-milliamp-hour battery provides enough power for more than three hours, or you can plug this projector in for a marathon. As a bonus, the Nebula Solar Portable comes with an Anker PowerPort III charger. 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-C—like some Apple MacBook models.

The Nebula Solar Portable is easy to set up for movie night. It has a built-in stand, and you can also mount it on a standard tripod. 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. This projector doesn’t come with a carrying case, though, so you may want to budget for one if you plan on taking advantage of this model’s portability.

Price at time of publish: $600

Brightness: 400 ANSI 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

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What We Like

  • High-quality internal speakers by Yamaha

  • Autofocus and automatic keystone

  • Laser light source for long life

  • Bright picture with vivid colors

What We Don’t Like

Most projectors that include built-in speakers suffer from weak, lifeless sound, but the EpiqVision Mini EF12 is equipped with wrap-around Yamaha speakers for robust and crisp sound quality. The custom-designed audio system from Yamaha sounds just as good as many dedicated soundbars. 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.

In addition to the excellent audio, the EpiqVision EF12 also ticks all our other boxes to be a top-notch portable projector. While it’s too dim for daytime use, this projector puts out a decent 1,000 lumens, projects a crisp 1080-pixel image, and weighs under 5 pounds. The latest Andriod TV interface also allows you to stream your favorite shows directly from the projector and it’s also equipped with Google Assistant via the remote. There’s no built-in battery, but the lightweight, compact form factor and top-of-the-line speakers make it great for use both indoors and outdoors.

Price at time of publish: $1,000

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

Amazon

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What We Like

What We Don’t Like

The TMY projector is a great affordable model if you want to test out a backyard movie night on a budget. This affordable projector is small and lightweight, so it’s easy to carry outside for an at-home screening. 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. However, don’t be fooled by this projector’s compact size. It’s able to display on screens as small as 32 inches or as big as 220 inches.

This model is a pretty basic projector without many extra features, and that’s reflected in the price. 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. The TMY projector also includes a secure digital (SD) card slot and USB port for playing compatible media files. The picture brightness is a little on the dim side, so it’s best used outdoors after dark. Nevertheless, this projector is a great option for anyone who isn’t as concerned with the technical aspects of movie watching and just wants a reliable, affordable projector to accomplish the aesthetics.

Price at time of publish: $100

Brightness: 7500 lumens | 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

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What We Like

  • Splash- and drop-proof

  • Onboard Bluetooth speaker

  • Clear, detailed picture

  • Built-in Android TV

What We Don’t Like

If you’re interested in a portable outdoor projector with a more durable build, the BenQ GS50 offers some water and impact resistance. A splash-proof panel safeguards this projector from moisture and a waterproof TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) outer layer offers drop protection up to 2.3 feet. Though it lacks a fully waterproof and rugged design that can withstand a lot of wear and tear, the build is sturdy enough to hold up to light rain showers and accidental bumps and drops.

The GS50 is slightly larger than its predecessor, the BenQ GS2, but shares a similar compact, 5-pound cube-like design with even more features. In addition to onboard Bluetooth speakers and crisp contrast, you can enjoy streaming your favorites, thanks to the built-in Android TV support. You can also cast Netflix content from Google Chrome or by connecting an HDMI cable from another device. The GS50 is slightly pricier than some models in our roundup, and it lacks standout brightness, but it could be worth the extra investment if you want more connectivity and weatherproofing in your outdoor projector.

Price at time of publish: $799

Brightness: 1200 lumens | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels | Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.7 x 6.1 inches | Projector Type: LED | Ports: HDMI x2, USB-A, USB-C | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Android TV

Amazon

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What We Like

  • Extremely lightweight and portable

  • Smart stand doubles as a lens cover

  • Good sound from JBL speakers

  • Automatic vertical keystone

What We Don’t Like

There are different degrees of portability in outdoor projectors, and the ViewSonic M1 Mini+ is as portable as they come. This tiny projector weighs under 1 pound, and it’s just over an inch thick. It’s 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.

The ViewSonic M1 Mini+ is incredibly compact, but it’s also self-contained. It runs on battery power, and a full charge is enough to keep it going for about an hour and a half. You can also run it off any portable power bank with an 18-watt quick charge (QC) port if you’re planning a movie marathon. It has Wi-Fi connectivity and runs on the Aptoide platform, so you can stream directly from the projector, from your connected phone, or play media from the built-in storage. It is a little on the dim side, though, so it works best in complete darkness. But you won’t have to worry about getting the right angle thanks to automatic vertical keystone adjustments, and the JBL speakers offer impressive sound quality for such a small device.

Price at time of publish: $210

Brightness: 120 lumens | Resolution: 640 x 480 pixels | Dimensions: 4. 3 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches | Projector Type: LED | Ports: USB-A, USB-C, HDMI | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Aptoide

Amazon

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What We Like

  • Great for ambient light

  • Bright 2400-lumen lamp

  • Excellent Harman Kardon speakers 

  • Sharp 4K picture

What We Don’t Like

If you’re looking to set up a deluxe outdoor viewing experience, the Viewsonic X10-4KE is a splurge that’s very much worth the high price. This model is a full 4K projector, which is something you typically see in much more expensive devices. It’s also extremely bright at 2400 lumens, which puts it right on the edge of usability during daylight hours. The design is ideal for ceiling mounting, but it’s actually quite portable, with a convenient carrying handle that flips down for ease of handling.

The ViewSonic X10-4KE is a short-throw projector, which means you can place it fairly close to the screen or wall. You don’t need to have a ton of space to use it with a huge screen, and you’ll never need to have it out in the middle of your yard. While the controller and built-in apps aren’t the most impressive on the market, this model includes built-in Harman Kardon speakers that are surprisingly rich for a projector of this size and price point. You can also pair a soundbar via Bluetooth if you need to, but the built-in speakers are good enough that you won’t necessarily need external speakers.

Price at time of publish: $1,500

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

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What We Like

  • Includes Android TV

  • Works with major streaming services

  • Easy to use your own streaming device

  • Stream via Bluetooth from your phone

What We Don’t Like

The Epson EF100 is a projector built from the ground up with streaming and portability in mind, which makes it a great option if you’re looking for something you can easily move from room to room in your house, then carry outside for movie night. 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. This stick works with all major streaming services right out of the box. You can also stream to the Android TV stick from your phone using Chromecast.

The big innovation here is that the Epson EF100 uses a removable Android TV stick instead of having Android TV or any other smart platform built into its hardware. That means you can pull out the Android TV stick and replace it with a Fire TV Stick, Roku, or any other streaming device. In many cases, you can even slide the replacement device right into the rear compartment of the EF100 and put the rear panel back on for a seamless installation.

Price at time of publish: $1,000

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)

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Anker Nebula Solar Portable because it’s small and lightweight, and bright enough to use outdoors. It has a battery with enough power to keep it running for three hours and built-in speakers, so you don’t need to hook up external speakers. If you’re okay with lower battery life, a great option is the ViewSonic M1 Mini+ Portable Projector, which can fit into your back pocket and has enough battery life to watch at least one movie or a few episodes of your favorite TV show.

Brightness

Brightness is the single most important factor for an outdoor projector because it dictates whether or not you’ll be able to use the projector outside. Because 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.

Many of the smallest, most portable, and most affordable outdoor projectors sacrifice brightness to offer other important features. These projectors typically work fine outdoors, just on smaller screens. “If you are finding the picture isn’t bright enough, try moving it closer to the wall,” recommends Carl Prouty, the resident technologist from Abt Electronics. “It will decrease the picture size, but the smaller picture will be brighter.”

Some manufacturers report brightness in ANSI Lumens, and others report light source lumens, which can make it difficult to compare them. To roughly calculate ANSI Lumens from lumens, you can divide lumens by 2.4. 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. Our best overall pick, the Nebula Solar Portable Projector, is rated at 400 ANSI lumens, meaning it would have a light source brightness of 960 lumens, making it one of the better options for outdoor viewing, as long as you don’t have too many other sources of ambient light present.

Screen Size

Projectors can work with a range of screen sizes, and you can typically adjust the size of the projection by moving it toward or away from the screen or by adjusting a size setting. However, if you try to project an image that’s either bigger or smaller than the rated size (determined by the throw ratio), you’ll find it to be blurry and difficult to watch. The right size depends on the size of your yard and how far away you want to sit from the screen.

If you haven’t yet bought a projector or a screen, you can figure out the best size screen for your yard and then look for a projector that will work with that screen size. Aspect ratio and throw ratio are the two major specs you should look at when purchasing a projector. These are the ratio of a screen’s height to width, and the ratio of the screen size to the distance between the projector, respectively. To learn more about how aspect ratio and throw ratio impact your projector and screen purchase, you can reference the What to Look For section in our Best Outdoor Movie Screens roundup.

Portability

Some outdoor projectors are highly portable, making them ideal for being packed away and transported when viewing on the go. These models are lightweight, small, and even run on battery power. Other outdoor projectors are portable because they’re light enough to pick up and carry around, but they’re not necessarily easily packable. Many of the best outdoor projectors with the highest picture quality fall into that category.

If you’re just looking for a projector to use occasionally in your backyard, you don’t have to sacrifice picture quality for portability, as the projector only needs to be lightweight enough to carry outside for movie showings. Our best for streaming pick, the Epson EF-100 Smart Streaming Projector, is still lightweight at just 6 pounds, but has great picture quality and can support virtually any streaming stick. However, if you want to pack an outdoor projector with you and use it at a friend’s house, a park, or while camping, then a portable battery-powered model is the better choice.

Connectivity

There are a few kinds of connectivity to consider when looking at outdoor projectors. The most important is wireless connectivity, which comes in the form of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. If a projector has Wi-Fi and built-in streaming apps, you can connect it to your home network to stream movies in your backyard.

If it has Bluetooth, you can connect to your phone and stream from there. Some projectors also feature USB ports and SD card slots that let you load media. Some even have HDMI ports to connect a DVD or Blu-ray player or a streaming device like a Roku stick.

FAQ

  • Setting up an outdoor projector starts with picking a site. Depending on the configuration of your house and yard size, you may or may not have the luxury of choosing where to set up your projector. 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 arrangement. 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.

    “It’s important to have the right surface to project onto,” advises Prouty. “A matte-colored, flat surface is ideal. Also, you’ll want to turn off any additional outdoor lighting in your yard when the projector is operating to decrease any ambient light.” 

    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. Make sure to select an extension cord that’s rated for outdoor use. If your projector is battery-powered, you don’t need to worry about this step, but you will need to charge the battery fully. Once your power source is established, you can turn the projector on and adjust it so the picture fills your entire screen. Then your projector is ready for your DVD player, streaming device, or whatever media source you plan to use.

  • The best general range for outdoor projector brightness is between 1500 to 2500 lumens, which is equivalent to about 625 to 1041 ANSI Lumens. However, the brightness you need depends on the ambient light in your area and the size of your screen.

    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. Projectors at the lower end of the scale are fine if there isn’t a lot of ambient light present, if you’re projecting on a small screen, or if you don’t care whether the picture is a little washed out.

  • You can use an outdoor projector during the day, but it won’t provide the best viewing experience. 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.

    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. “You’ll need one that’s at least 3000 lumens,” says Prouty. You’ll be able to see the picture at that brightness, although it may still look washed out. Prouty also advises that “you’ll likely have better success with laser projectors as they generally have a brighter output than LED projectors.”

This article was written by Jeremy Laukkonen, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. He’s 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.

To gain a deeper understanding of the features an outdoor projector really needs, Laukkonen contacted Carl Prouty, the resident technologist from Abt Electronics. With Prouty’s expert insight, Laukkonen looked at factors like brightness and portability along with ease of setup and use. 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 they’re so much easier to set up. Emma Phelps, an associate editor for The Spruce, updated this roundup to add extra shopping context and supplementary information regarding outdoor projectors and outdoor movie screens.

The 9 Best Outdoor Speakers of 2023

Best Outdoor Projectors 2021

Author Andrey Verbitsky For reading 10 min Views 3.6k. Posted by

The Best Outdoor Projector Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi? .

1950’s driving movies may be a thing of the past, but the best outdoor movie projectors mean you can enjoy outdoor movies anytime, anywhere! Whether you choose a warm evening or a pile of cozy blankets, there’s no better way to turn your garden, rooftop or patio into a home theater. Grab a sun lounger as we explore the best outdoor projectors of 2021…

The smallest and most portable projectors come with built-in batteries, making them a one-stop solution. But beware: exceptional portability can come at the cost of first-class image quality.

The built-in speakers will be useful, but the quality will not be the best. And a projector with a 3.5mm or Bluetooth audio output will give you the option to connect to a portable wireless speaker, which should boost the sound a lot.

Brightness and contrast are also key, especially if you live in a city or somewhere with heavy light pollution. For best results, set up the projector in the evening, but the higher the contrast level of your projector, the better the image will look.

You’ll also want to think about sources. Are you going to trace the Blu-ray player outside to connect it to the projector’s HDMI input? You can use a streaming dongle like the Chromecast Ultra to get the image if you can get a decent Wi-Fi signal in your garden. The easiest way to solve this puzzle is to choose a projector with built-in Wi-Fi and video.

You should save some of your budget on a portable projector screen. In theory, you can project video onto a white sheet or white wall, but the image quality will be degraded. Check out our handy guide on how to choose a projector screen for more details.

Okay, you are ready to buy. Here’s a complete list of the best outdoor projectors we’ve tested, including HD and 4K options…

  • Upgrade Your Sound:
  • Splash money: best projectors
  • Explained: how to choose a projector screen

Contents

  1. 1. Optoma UHD40
  2. Reasons to buy
  3. Reasons to avoid
  4. 2. LG CineBeam HU80KSW

    5. 9002 9 Reasons to buy

  5. Reasons to avoid
  6. 3. Nebula Mars 2
  7. Reasons to buy
  8. Reasons to avoid
  9. 4. Nebula capsule
  10. Reasons to buy
  11. Reasons to avoid
  12. 5. Optoma UHD65
  13. Reasons to buy
  14. Reasons to avoid
  15. 6. ViewSonic M1
  16. Reasons to buy
  17. Reasons to avoid

1. Optoma UHD40

The best outdoor projector that combines great image and sound. .

4K support: Yes | HDR: Yes | Speakers: 2 x 5 W | Bulb: 2400 lumens | Lamp life: 4000 hours | Contrast ratio: 500,000: 1 | Inputs: HDMI (x2), USB, 3.5mm

Reasons to buy

Vibrant colors

Insightful details

Smooth motion

Built-in speakers

Reasons to avoid

Black parts could be better

If you want high quality images at an affordable price, this is the projector for you.

It’s small enough to fit on a patio table and features built-in speakers. They may not match the stunning 4K image, but they are certainly garden friendly. There’s also a 3.5mm audio output, so you can always connect the projector to the auxiliary input of a decent wireless speaker.

In addition to two HDMI inputs, this model has a USB Type A connection so you can connect a 4K Blu-ray player or media streamer. More importantly, the UHD40 has more than enough brightness, so expect crisp, bright, silky-smooth images that improve as the sun goes down.

At 5kg it’s not the most portable, but we think the Optoma UHD40 has the perfect balance of image and portability, making it by far the best outdoor projector.

Read the full review: Optoma UHD40

2. LG CineBeam HU80KSW

Expensive, but one of the best all-around outdoor projectors you can buy.

TECHNICAL DATA

4K support: Yes | HDR: Yes | Speakers: 2 x 7 W | Brightness: 2500 lumens | Lamp life: 20,000 hours | Contrast ratio: 150,000:1 | Maximum image size: 150 inches | HDCP 2.2: Yes | Connectivity: HDMI (x2), USB (x2), 3.5mm, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Miracast | Streaming apps: Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer

Reasons to buy

Compact, truly portable system

Impressive 4K HDR picture

Easy to build a system from

Reasons to avoid

Not enough small parts

Motion could be better

Built-in speakers are just adequate

One of the most capable projectors we’ve tested, the LG CineBeam is a marvelous set of tricks. It presents a decent 4K HDR image from 66 to 150 inches, has stereo sound, and offers plenty of sources – both smart and local.

It comes with an excellent webOS platform, which means direct access to all your video applications via Wi-Fi (as long as the signal extends to your garden), and its Miracasting and Bluetooth capabilities make it easy and simple to operate. intuitive peer-to-peer connections to a range of mobile devices.

In terms of physical connections, there are two HDMI ports and two USB ports, the latter is convenient for connecting a hard drive or USB stick with video content.

Built-in 7W speakers supplied by Harman Kardon, but with Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux jack, and optical jacks for external speakers.

It’s pricey, but for those who want to be able to throw a film in their garden whenever and however they want, this is a fantastic option.

Read the full review: LG CineBeam HU80KSW

source >

3.

Nebula Mars 2

Battery operated smart projector ideal for outdoor use.

SPECIFICATIONS

Resolution: 1280 x 720 | Brightness: 300 lumens | Speakers :: 2×10 W | Throw ratio: 1.2:1 | Focus: Motorized AF | Keystone Correction: Auto +/- 40 degrees | Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 14 cm

Reasons to buy

Really portable

Fun to use

Reasons to avoid

Not Full HD

Base color

The great thing about Mars 2 is that it doesn’t need any other technology to run, making it a great option for casual movie nights. It’s a true all-in-one solution that includes built-in speakers, Wi-Fi and a range of streaming apps.

It has its own dedicated app store where you can download Netflix, BBC iPlayer and countless other apps to run right from Mars 2. Just connect the device to your smartphone and you are in business. You can even download games; Your phone’s touch screen acts as a controller.

It offers 720p Full HD resolution, not 4K, but produces a great picture around 75 inches. It’s very simple, with a few quirks to set up. If you only have a sheet or a white wall to view, this might be a good option.

Brightness is 300 lumens, so this projector performs best after dark, but contrast is good, with solid black levels and a well-balanced colorful image that isn’t heavily compromised.

If you’re looking for a simple, battery-powered outdoor projector that can stream movies right out of the box, the Mars 2 is a great choice.

Read the full review: Nebula Mars 2

4. Nebula Capsule

An extremely handy and fun outdoor projector.

SPECIFICATIONS

Resolution: 854 x 480 | Brightness: 100 lumens | Streaming apps: Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer | Connectivity: AirPlay, Chromecast, Miracast, HDMI, microUSB, Bluetooth speaker mode | Operating system: Android 7. 1

Reasons to buy

Neat design

Solid sound

Passable pictures

Reasons to avoid

Dislikes dark scenes or lights new rooms

Needs a more complete set of apps

Short connections

This pod is another brilliant piece of technology: a tiny beer can-sized projector with an Android-like app store built in and the ability to use as a dedicated Bluetooth speaker.

Whether streaming from Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer or YouTube, the sleek Capsule delivers a decent image to compete with similarly priced micro projectors. You can also stream videos from Apple smartphones and tablets via an AirPlay connection, as well as via Miracast for Microsoft devices.

Image quality is good considering the specifications, even though the maximum brightness level is only 100 lumens. , its color and skin tone handling is natural and balanced, and there’s a solid level of detail on display for the money.

There are two ports on the bottom: an HDMI connection and a microUSB input for charging the battery, which has a lifespan of about four hours. The built-in speakers do well, but it’s a pity they don’t exist.. 5mm output port for connecting an external speaker.

Still, given the size, stylish design, battery life, and impressive intelligence on board, the Capsule is great fun.

Read the full review: Nebula Capsule

5. Optoma UHD65

This 4K HDR projector does a great job for the money.

SPECIFICATIONS

4K support: Yes | HDR: Yes | Connectivity: HDMI (x2), VGA, USB, Ethernet, 3.5mm analog, optical | Speakers: 2 x 4W

Reasons to buy

Impressive level of detail

Good color gamut

Enhances HD and SD movies well

Reasons to avoid

9000 2 Dark scenes can be more detailed

SDR to HDR conversions best avoided

It may not be the obvious choice for outings, but if you’re looking for top-notch performance at a competitive price, this sophisticated 4K-ready HDR projector will delight movie, sports and game enthusiasts looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

UHD65 is smaller than you might expect: it is about 50 cm wide and about 30 cm deep. The throw ratio is 2.22:1 and the projector’s claimed contrast ratio is 1,200,000:1 at 2200 lumens emanating from lamps – more than enough for a bright summer evening.

built-in 4W speakers, two HDMI ports (one of which is HDCP2.2 compliant, so will support 4K HDR content) and a USB-A port to power streaming drives like the Google Chromecast.

With more expensive models on the market that aren’t compatible with either 4K or HDR, those looking for a great indoor/outdoor home theater projector should seriously consider the Optoma UHD65.

Read the full review: Optoma UHD65

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6. ViewSonic M1

Tiny outdoor projector with integrated Harman Kardon speakers.

Resolution: 854 x 480 | Brightness: 300 lumens | Throw ratio: 1.2:1 | Focus: Manual | Scale: None | Keystone correction: very strong +/- 40 degrees | Dimensions: 14. 5 x 12.6 x 4 cm

Reason for buying

Neat design

Low price

Large port range

Decent battery life

901 22 Reasons to avoid

Simple image

Not bright enough

The M1 is a pint-sized smart projector with a handle that doubles as a stand. It’s tiny, but it has Wi-Fi, a microSD card slot, and USB Type-A and USB Type-C connectors, which means you can draw video from almost any source.

The stand makes it easy to project onto sloping walls, while the built-in Harman Kardon speakers provide enough volume for watching movies at night.

Image quality is mixed and does not meet the standard set by the slightly larger Nebula Capsule (see above). This is not surprising, since the resolution is low – 854 x 480 pixels. However, the M1 produces an excellent image even at 100 inches. Battery life is three hours.

Focusing is awkward, requires a little finger gymnastics to control, and you have to wait until it gets dark to get the best image. But if you’re looking for the most compact and affordable solution, and enjoy watching a standard definition movie from time to time, the Viewsonic M1 will do the job just fine.

Read the full review : Viewsonic M1

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