The 5 Best Outdoor Projectors of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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Elevate every movie night with these high-quality, portable outdoor projectors.

In This Article

Travel + Leisure / Jennifer May

A fun and cozy outdoor theater can create the most epic movie night experience whether you’re at home, at your local campground, or enjoying that long-planned group vacation. There’s something luxurious about cuddling up with a soft blanket and bowl of popcorn to watch a theater-quality movie from the comfort and privacy of your own outdoor space. (Bonus points if you've got a portable fire pit, too). To help ensure your outdoor viewing experience isn’t ruined by low sound or dim images, we put nine outdoor projectors to the test.

Travel + Leisure editors spent over 63 hours over a period of three weeks to test the best portable projectors to determine which were easiest to set up, had long-lasting battery life, displayed clear screens and sound, and were both portable and durable. For lightweight and high-quality projectors to pack for your next group outing, check out our full list of the best options.

This projector is small and compact, while still providing amazing visual clarity and sound.

The power cord is only about two feet long, so if you forget to charge the battery, you may need to use an extension cord.

Nebula offers a variety of outdoor projectors, but our absolute favorite is the Anker Nebula Solar Portable 1080p Projector. It takes just about 20 minutes to set up for the first time and is a simple process, especially if you already have a Google account or Android device. The projector comes with an easy-to-use remote that is very similar to others, so you don’t have to worry about learning a new controller system. We were also impressed with the most important element of an outdoor projector: the screen quality. The image was bright and clear when we used it outside in a dark space, and the projector has an autofocus system so you can shift your setup without missing a moment of your favorite show, movie, or game.

We were also impressed with the projector’s sound quality that got to a great volume even when we used it in wide open spaces. The projector has a built-in rechargeable battery that can last for up to three hours, but if you forget to charge the device (or it dies mid-movie), you may need to rearrange your setup as the power cord is relatively short. Still, this is a small and compact option that is easy to travel with, so you can bring it to share on your next vacation.

The Details: 7.56 x 7.57 x 2.15 inches | 2.77 pounds | 400 ANSI lumen | USB | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

This is one of the most compact and light projectors we tested — perfect for packing.

The projection isn’t as bright as other options, so it needs to be quite dark in order to see your picture clearly.

Whether you’re heading off on a group vacation or just driving down the street to your friend’s house, you won’t think twice about packing up this portable projector in your backpack or tote. Samsung’s The Freestyle 2nd Gen with Gaming Hub is about the size of a thermos, so you can slip it into just about any backpack, duffel, or tote bag for easy transport. Setup is a simple process that takes just a few minutes and comes with a variety of applications pre-downloaded, so you can log into your Wi-Fi network and start watching without fuss.

The projector’s charging cord is about five feet long, so you can actually set up the device while it’s plugged into the wall (depending on the outlets in your space), or you can buy the rechargeable battery base to use this wherever you go without worry. The Freestyle also offers front, back, and ceiling projection as well as autofocus so you can truly get a picture perfect for your location. We were also pleasantly surprised at the quality of sound that comes from such a small projector and found that you could hear perfectly no matter where you were sitting, which is perfect for that next outdoor movie or game night.

The Details: 4 x 6.8 x 3.7 inches | 1.8 pounds | 230 ANSI lumen | HDMI | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

There are buttons on the projector, so if you forget the remote, you can still use the device.

It’s bulkier than other outdoor projectors we tested.

This may be one of the larger outdoor projectors we tested, but the bigger size leads to extra clarity and power. The image quality on this projector was amazingly clear and the autofocus function worked perfectly on any surface — we even tried it on curtains and the back of a couch and found the image to be just as sharp as a traditional screen. The colors were so vibrant even in low lighting and got even better the darker it got. The large speakers also create a surround-sound experience up to 15 feet away from the projector in any direction.

To set up the actual projector was very simple: it came completely assembled and popped right out of the box ready to go. What took a little bit of time was downloading and logging into all of the apps needed to watch a variety of shows and movies. The remote has four preset buttons on it for Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and Disney+ for quick access. Plus, while this projector may be the heaviest option on this list, it has a top handle that makes it really easy to grab and go. While this is a pricier option, the quality of picture and audio is unmatched and perfect for big groups and use in any outdoor space — by a cabana in front of pool lounge chairs, for instance.

The Details: 10.35 x 6.5 x 8.66 inches | 10.69 pounds | 2200 ANSI lumen | USB and HDMI | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

This projector is splash- and drop-resistant.

Initial setup took longer than expected, but after that first time, it’s very simple to use.

Truly the most durable outdoor projector we tested, the BenQ GS50 is splash-resistant, drop-resistant, and even comes with a carrying case that protects the remote and all chords while keeping them organized. The projector can run for up to two hours using the battery and has a power cord that you can use as a backup (with an extension cord if you want to project outside or in large spaces away from the outlet).

The visibility of the videos and images were so clear when in a dark space, we could even read captions as they played on-screen without any fuzziness. We loved the sound of the projector and were shocked at how the sound gets loud enough that you feel like you’re in a movie theater. We had no trouble using this projector in a variety of locations on different surfaces thanks to the autofocus feature and lightweight portability.

The Details: 7.75 x 7.32 x 6.06 inches | 5.07 pounds | 500 ANSI lumen | USB-C and HDMI | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

For a comparatively low price, you get the same high-quality performance of other projectors.

It can be tricky and time-consuming to adjust the settings.

The XGIMI MoGo 2 Portable Projector is a lightweight, affordable option for anyone looking to set-up an outdoor movie night on vacation or summers at home. It took us about 25 minutes to first get the projector set up and to adjust the image size to our needs. It utilizes Android TV and comes with some standard apps already downloaded, so all you have to do is sign in and get watching.

We love the sound quality of the built-in speakers that fully wrap around the projector for optimal listening wherever you sit. When it's dark out (and your porch and inside lights are off) the images on-screen were bright, clear, and vibrant, especially in the center of the screen. Considering the price point and the fact that you don't need to bring a secondary device like a laptop or tablet in order to use this projector, we think this is a solid compact and lightweight option.

The Details: 7.83 x 9.53 x 9.76 inches | 2.42 pounds | 400 ISO lumen | USB, USB-C, and HDMI | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

We tested nine different outdoor projectors of varying sizes, weights, and capabilities to find the absolute best options. While there were some more that stood out as good options, they didn’t quite impress us as much as other outdoor projectors.

Dr. J Bluetooth Projector: While this is an effective outdoor projector with clear and bright imaging, we found the speaker system to be too quiet for more outdoor needs. It also has a longer setup time than other options and can be more difficult to position for a stable image.

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 Smart Streaming Laser Projector: With a five minute initial setup time, this is a simple and intuitive outdoor projector. However, it does not have a rechargeable battery, making it a difficult option to use in most outdoor settings.

Travel + Leisure / Rafa Soriano

We tested nine different outdoor projectors in various settings both on-the-go and at home. The initial test lasted three weeks and will continue for the next six months. We began by setting up each projector, noting how long it takes to assemble and how intuitive the process is. We placed the projector at an appropriate location for a movie screen, following manufacturer guidelines for specifics. Next, we connected each projector to the appropriate media source to note ease of use.

Throughout the test, we used each outdoor projector a minimum of three times to watch movies and shows. We used the projectors on a variety of outdoor surfaces from the sides of houses to garage doors and fences to compare the quality of the visuals. When viewing, we considered the experience of the movie from different angles and distances to access picture and sound quality. At the end of each use, we disassembled the projector, recording the time it took to do so.

Lumens are the measurement of visible light created by a source (in this case, the portable projector). Don’t underestimate the power of a high-lumen device. The higher the lumen count, the brighter the light, meaning you can start your movie night as the sun is setting instead of waiting for full darkness to see a clear picture.

Whether you’re traveling with your outdoor projector internationally or to your local campground, you will need to connect it to some other device to project or stream movies or shows. Be sure to check all possible options the outdoor projector offers before you make your purchase. While some outdoor projectors can use device mirroring tethered to your phone, others may not be as reliable without a strong Wi-Fi connection.

Unless you want to spend your time propping up books or outdoor furniture to get the perfect angle for your image, you may want to opt for an outdoor projector that comes with a stand. Many projectors have built-in, adjustable stands that make finding the perfect view a fast and intuitive process, while other options may have an attachable stand that you can use in different settings.

Travel + Leisure / Jennifer May

While you can certainly use your outdoor projector against the side of your house, garage door, or fence to create the perfect outdoor movie theater without any texture on your image, you may want to use an outdoor projector screen. You can either purchase a screen or you can make your own by tying a light-colored sheet or tablecloth against any outdoor surface. Just be sure to secure the fabric at all four corners to avoid any movement caused by wind.

Though you certainly could use an outdoor projector during the day, especially if you have a device with high-powered lights, you will get the best use in dark spaces. Just like any projector, outdoor projectors use light to create clear pictures, so any sunshine would prevent the projector from emitting a perfect image. Outdoor projectors are best used at night or in dark spaces to get the best view and most enjoyable experience.

The best part about outdoor projectors is their portability, which means you can use them pretty much anywhere you go, including inside. If you have a blank wall or projector screen inside your house, you can absolutely use an outdoor projector to elevate your indoor movie nights, too.

Taylor Fox is a commerce writer at T+L, where she tests, researches, reviews, and writes about a wide range of products. To select the best outdoor projectors, she called on her own experience as a movie-lover, tested an outdoor projector herself, and worked with editors on a series of real-world tests.

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