Transform Your Backyard into a Cinema with These Epic Outdoor Projectors!

Ideal Brightness Level

Our Top Picks

Our Curation Process

Our Top Pick Reviews

FAQs

For those not familiar, lumens is the unit used for measuring the intensity or brightness of light. When choosing a projector, particularly for daytime usage, a higher lumen count would be beneficial due to brighter surroundings. To select a projector based on its brightness levels, consider the various locations you’ll be using it and the lighting conditions associated with those places.

Dark Environment

In dimly lit rooms or dark environments, projectors don’t require extremely high light intensity. A range between 800 and 2000 lumens is enough for adequate brightness. If you plan to utilize it outdoors at night, opting for a projector with lower brightness levels can help save money.

Moderate Lighting

For optimal performance when using projectors in moderately lit indoor or outdoor spaces, it’s advisable to choose one that offers a luminosity of around 2000 to 3500 lumens, ensuring satisfactory results.

Bright Environments

To ensure clear projection during daylight hours in outdoor settings, it’s essential to opt for devices boasting a brightness level exceeding 3500 lumens.

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Best Outdoor Movie Projectors in 2025

For clear skies or sunlit scenes, check out our selection of versatile outdoor movie projectors designed to perform well in various light settings. Here’s a peek at some top picks available on Amazon.

BEST OVERALL

XGIMI HORIZON Ultra 4K Laser Projector

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BEST FOR STREAMING

ELEPHAS W1K 4K Projector

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BEST 4K DECODING

NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) Projector

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BEST PEAK BRIGHTNESS

FUDONI Projector

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BEST FOR GAMING

BenQ TH671ST

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BEST LAMP LIFE

ViewSonic PA503HD

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BEST MID-RANGE

GooDee Vision X Pro

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BEST OVERALL

XGIMI HORIZON Ultra 4K Laser Projector

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Why We Love

Eye protection

Adjusts to wall colors

Dual light technology

Lossless optical zoom

200-inch projection size

Auto keystone corrections

But…

Expensive

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to say, the XGIMI HORIZON Ultra 4K Laser Projector is my go-to device for an unparalleled viewing experience, whether indoors or outdoors. With a lumen brightness of 2300 ISO, it shines even under various lighting conditions, making it perfect for use during the day or night. When it’s cranked up to full power, the Dolby Vision feature truly showcases its capabilities with stunningly vibrant and crisp 200-inch images, ensuring no frame is missed, whether I’m into movies or sports. To top it all off, this 4K outdoor projector boasts built-in Harman Kardon speakers for an immersive audio experience that completes the package. As for its design, it’s sleek, sophisticated, and durable, made with premium materials to stand up to rough usage over the years.

BEST FOR STREAMING

ELEPHAS W1K 4K Projector

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Why We Love

Accessible price

HDR10+ support

Dolby Audio support

15W stereo speakers

10,000:1 contrast ratio

Dual-band WiFi 5G+2.4G

But…

Laggy App Store

The ELEPHAS W1K projector is an outstanding investment, offering high-quality performance at an affordable price. It boasts a native 1080p resolution with 4K compatibility, allowing it to display 4K content in full HD resolution while enhancing visuals. This is essentially a cost-effective alternative to true 4K quality. With access to over 100,000 apps, including popular streaming platforms, its built-in “App Store” ensures you’ll never run out of entertainment options. Each image displayed is sharp and clear due to its meticulously crafted glass lenses. Impressively, it maintains good brightness levels even in outdoor settings and performs well under ambient lighting conditions. Setup is effortless as the projector utilizes a 30W camera, gyroscope, and sensor to optimize the projection based on the surface upon which it’s placed.

BEST 4k decoding

NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3) Projector

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Why We Love

Bluetooth 5.1

700 ANSI lumens

Adjustable fans

16 ms low latency

Wireless streaming

Immersive 20W speakers

But…

Keystone correction is vertical only

The NexiGo PJ40 Outdoor Projector boasts impressive 4K decoding abilities, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious movie enthusiasts seeking high-definition viewing at 1080p with 4K detail. Not only does this device offer exceptional image quality, but its design is equally stylish, featuring a contemporary and streamlined appearance, accompanied by a matching remote control.

The projector showcases stunning and vivid projections due to its D65 calibration, HDR10 support, and high contrast ratio of 3000:1. For additional convenience, movies can be streamed via external TV sticks or wirelessly from your smartphone. All in all, it’s a cost-effective, dependable solution that delivers great value for its price. In summary, this projector is definitely a wise investment considering the impressive features and design it offers at an affordable price point.

BEST PEAK BRIGHTNESS

FUDONI Projector

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Why We Love

4K support

Screen mirroring

High contrast ratio

Integrated sleep timer

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1

Peak brightness of 18,000 lumens

But…

Low durability

If you’re looking for a device that offers more than just streaming, the Fudoni projector might be what you need. Its screen mirroring capability is incredibly useful, enabling you to effortlessly share your cherished memories recorded on your Android, iOS, or Windows devices with your loved ones. Whether it’s from your phone or laptop, it can connect to all of them. The image quality is top-notch, boasting a native 1080p resolution and a 10000:1 contrast ratio for an engaging outdoor experience. But wait, there’s more! It’s also one of the brightest projectors available, with a 18000-lumen brightness that allows you to use it even during daylight, so no need to wait for nightfall to start your movie marathon.

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Best Short Throw Projectors for Modest Spaces in 2025

BEST FOR GAMING

BenQ TH671ST Short Throw Gaming Projector

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Why We Love

Stereo speakers

HDR10/HLG support

Low input lag for gaming

Versatile connectivity options

Auto vertical keystone correction

3000 ANSI lumens peak brightness

But…

Lacks 4K support

The BenQ TH575 serves double duty as both a gaming short throw projector and an excellent choice for outdoor activities due to its 3000 ANSI lumens brightness. Its projection boasts high contrast ratio, stunning images, and wide DCI-P3 color space (92%). This device can project images up to 150 inches from a mere 12 feet without sacrificing quality. Impressively, it also features stereo speakers with various media modes, enhancing your viewing experience. Despite being an older model, the image quality remains exceptional, making it one of the best outdoor movie projectors equipped with speakers. Its simple design belies its powerful projection capabilities that you’ll find hard to resist!

BEST LAMP LIFE

ViewSonic PA503HD Projector

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Why We Love

Solid build

16 ms latency for gaming

15,000 hours of lamp life

Auto keystone correction

4,000 lumens peak brightness

Projection size of up to 300 inches

But…

Unsatisfactory speakers

If you’re in search of a top-notch projector suitable for daytime viewing, the ViewSonic PA503HD is an excellent choice. With a peak brightness of 4,000 lumens, it offers hassle-free outdoor use without compromising on image quality. It can display stunning Full HD 1080p resolution images up to 300 inches in size, ensuring sharp and clear visuals. The projector’s .65-inch DMD chip guarantees a high contrast ratio for vibrant, lifelike experiences. Plus, its SuperEco Mode extends the lamp life to a staggering 15,000 hours when used daily, making it an exceptional investment. We believe you’ll find its features more than satisfying once you give it a try, and it’s definitely one of the best outdoor projectors for daylight usage.

BEST MID-RANGE

GooDee Vision X Pro Smart Ai Cinema Projector

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Why We Love

HDR+ support

Netflix-certified

Dolby Audio integration

400-inch projection size

Dual 5W built-in speakers

50%-100% zooming capability

But…

Low brightness

The GooDee Vision X Pro provides an appealing blend of features and affordability. Boasting an 800 ANSI lumen brightness, this projector is ideal for nighttime outdoor viewing or darker indoor spaces within your home. Interestingly, its lower brightness levels don’t detract from the image quality at all; instead, it boasts a six-layer highly refractive glass to ensure crisp, blur-free images – perfect for sports events and thrilling action sequences. Furthermore, many popular streaming services such as Netflix and Prime Video are built-in, eliminating the need for additional streaming devices or screen mirroring from your phone, which can save quite a bit of inconvenience if you ask me. Lastly, it also supports 4K input for those who prefer more detailed movie viewing experiences.

BEST PORTABLE DESIGN

Yaber T2 Outdoor Projector

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Why We Love

Dust-proof

Good battery life

Native 1080p resolution

Projection of up to 120 inches

JBL and Dolby Audio support

Two 8W built-in speakers

But…

Finicky brightness

As a gaming enthusiast who loves outdoor adventures, I’d highly recommend the Yaber T2 Outdoor Projector for your next family hike. This compact device boasts a long-lasting high-capacity battery, providing up to 2.5 hours of video playback and an impressive 18 hours of audio usage. The night vision is a standout feature with its 450 ANSI lumens, perfect for those late-night gaming sessions. Plus, the JBL audio with Dolby Audio integration ensures an immersive experience that’ll make you feel like you’re right in the game. If you prefer using external speakers, the projector offers two-way Bluetooth connectivity. And here’s the cherry on top: it can project images up to 100 inches from just 154 feet, making it incredibly portable and convenient for any setup.

BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY

Aurzen 3-in-1 Outdoor Projector

PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON

Why We Love

4K support

50%-100% zooming

Officially-licensed apps

6D Keystone Correction

3D Dolby Audio support

AI auto-screen adjustments

But…

Laggy UI

Are you operating under a limited financial plan? Fear not! The Aurzen 3-in-1 Outdoor Projector is a highly sought-after device that offers fantastic features at a budget-friendly price point. It combines the advantages of large-scale projection, an impressive audio system, and an integrated SmartTV OS for an unmatched experience at this cost. This projector stands out due to its potent 36W speakers that generate a convincing and immersive sound environment. Additionally, connecting external devices for streaming is effortless as it supports wireless connectivity, eliminating the need for HDMI cables. The design of the projector is sleek and stylish with its gold-toned casing giving off a modern and luxurious vibe.

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How To Pick an Outdoor Projector?

When shopping for an outdoor movie projector, keep these key factors in mind. Remember, there might be additional aspects to consider, so make sure you’ve thoroughly weighed all options before making your final decision.

• Brightness: Brightness is the most important factor to look at when choosing an outdoor movie projector. From dark rooms to broad daylight, there is a requirement for each environment. We’ve explained in the “How Many Lumens Is Best for an Outdoor Projector?” section about the ideal lumen values that your projector needs to deliver the expected results. So, depending on your specific environment, you can choose a projector accordingly.

• Resolution: Most of the affordable outdoor projectors have 1080p native resolution with 4K support. But as you go towards higher-end models, you get native 4K resolution projections. Based on your budget and preference, you can pick the resolution you want to enjoy your favorite movies.

• Portability: Portability is all about how convenient it is for you to move around with the projector. Some projectors can be quite heavy or have a complex installation process. So, try and choose a projector that is easy to transport and also easy to install so that you don’t have to struggle every time you want to use it outdoors.

• Audio: A majority of the projectors do have a built-in speaker system, but not all of them are good enough for the entire group to listen. In most cases, it is recommended that you use an external speaker to have an uninterrupted movie experience. In his scenario, check if the projector has external speaker compatibility, be it through wired or wireless connectivity.
• Durability: When you decide to use projectors outdoors, you’re exposing the device to harsh environments. Be it harsh sunlight or the heat from the bonfire, ensure that the projector has a solid build and can withstand temperatures. If not, at least cover the projector you buy while you’re using it.

How We Chose the Best Outdoor Movie Projectors

This list encompasses outdoor projectors that our team of specialists endorsed, following an extensive evaluation process. The team delved into comprehensive investigations on every outdoor projector available and subjected more than a dozen to rigorous testing. They scrutinized aspects such as brightness, picture quality, construction, audio quality, and numerous other factors. These tests were not limited to movies but also included video games. After gathering all the test results, our team consulted fellow experts in the industry to learn about their personal experiences with these projectors. Once all relevant data had been amassed, our team compiled this list of recommended options.

Which projector is best for outdoor movies?

The XGIMI HORIZON Ultra 4K Laser Projector stands out as an excellent choice for outdoor movie screenings, thanks to its high-definition 4K resolution and advanced Laser Projection technology.

How much is an outdoor movie screen and projector?

Is Optoma a Chinese company?

No, Optoma is a Taiwanese brand, founded in 2022.

Which country brand is BenQ?

BenQ is also a Taiwanese company, founded in 1984.