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. 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. For starters, theres the built-in LG smart hub, which makes it easy to download apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. 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. 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. Yoona is a smart home and home tech commerce editor for The Spruce. 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. The carry handle is a nice design touch that highlights the projectors user-friendliness and portability. Read the full Anker Nebula Solar Portable review. 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. "If you are finding the picture isn't bright enough, try moving it closer to the wall," recommends Prouty. In his down time he enjoys gaming and regular cinema trips. Some manufacturers report brightness in ANSI Lumens, and others report light source lumens, which can make it difficult to compare them. 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. The 100-inch image size isnt as big as other top picks, but it should do the trick in most open-air viewing parties, especially with its 1080p resolution. Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist and head engineer, has a B.S.E. When researching the best outdoor projectors, we evaluated products for brightness, portability, connectivity, and ease of use. Dan DiClerico is the Director of Home Improvement & Outdoors at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Simply pair the device with your smartphone and you're in business. 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. 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. The ViewSonic X10 4Ke is a short-throw projector, which means you can place it fairly close to the screen or wall. Definitely one for your shortlist. Built-in speakers come in handy, but quality won't be the best. 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. 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. 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. Bath In addition to onboard Bluetooth speakers and crisp contrast, you can enjoy streaming your favorites, thanks to the built-in Android TV support. What tops it off, though, is some really rather impressive picture quality. 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. 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. Many of the best outdoor projectors with the highest picture quality fall into that category. 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. While you can get an outdoor television, a home projector is the key to making the experience possible though not any old model will do, according to the tech experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Please refresh the page and try again. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. It has a built-in stand, or you can mount it on a standard tripod mount. In the right setting, it's just the ticket. 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. However, if you try to project an image thats either bigger or smaller than the rated size, youll find it to be blurry and difficult to watch. It runs on battery power, and a full charge is enough to keep it going for about an hour and a half. 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. It also 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. The battery has enough power to keep the MoGo Pro running for at least two hours. Think portable projector and its likely that the stubby, cylindrical form of the Anker Nebula Capsule II will spring to mind. 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. You can run it off any portable power bank with an 18-watt quick charge (QC) port if you're planning a movie marathon. 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. And it doesn't just have to be during the summer months, as the best outdoor projectors can work well all year round. Feature-wise, it's got almost everything one could need in an outdoor projector. 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. in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics with a mathematics minor from the University of Pennsylvania and has been at GH for 14 years. Setting up an outdoor projector starts with picking a site. Right, you're primed and ready to buy. "It will decrease the picture size, but the smaller picture will be brighter.". Ideally you'd want to start with at least 2000 to be safe.. This is really made for outdoor cinema use. 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. Resolution: This is overall picture quality, measured in pixels (p). The XGIMI MoGo Pro is very straightforward to get up and running, even if you arent a projector expert. 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. This is where an outdoor projector comes into its own as it can take advantage of whatever outdoor space you have. Throw distance: This is the distance between the projector and screen. Bluetooth allows for direct connection with a wireless speaker or soundbar, and the high luminance means that it's usable in even moderately well lit conditions. Learn more about our, Dan DiClerico, Good Housekeeping Institute, Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping Institute, How to choose an outdoor projector for your home. Sound/audio source: Onboard speakers are helpful, though youll probably want to spend on separate speakers, given all the ambient outdoor sounds. Read the full review: Samsung The Freestyle. 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. Learn more about our 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. Standard throw projectors need to be about 10 feet from the screen, while short throw projectors can be placed a couple of feet or closer to the screen, which can be helpful in tight outdoor spaces. 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. 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. You will receive a verification email shortly. 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. It's small, convenient and very well appointed. Or go big on 4K, the latest and greatest in resolution, delivering exceptional picture quality, but at an extremely high price. Other outdoor projectors are portable because they're light enough to pick up and carry around, but they're not necessarily totable. Our favorite outdoor projector, the Anker Nebula Solar Portable, comes with an internal battery that keeps it going for about three hours, powerful built-in speakers, and is simple to set up, thanks to autofocus and keystone correction (automatic alignment). England and Wales company registration number 2008885. You can also cast Netflix content from Google Chrome or by connecting and HDMI cable from another device. It is a little on the dim side, though, so it works best in complete darkness. We review projectors using a wide range of content from 4K Blu-rays, to streaming services, video games and standard definition DVDs. "It's important to have the right surface to project onto," advises Carl Prouty of Abt Electronics. This stick works with all major streaming services right out of the box. It also has two 3-watt Harman Kardon speakers built-in, which makes this mini projector the complete package. The Nebula Solar Portable is easy to set up for movie night. That said, it's as much the convenience of this machine that makes it so good. 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. You should save a chunk of your budget for a portable projector screen. 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. Best Budget: It's a true all-in-one projector system comprising built-in speakers, wi-fi and a range of streaming apps. 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. 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. 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. The ViewSonic M1 Mini+ is incredibly compact, but its also self-contained. Our testers also like the projectors integrated handle and power cord, along with the compact design, which makes it easy to transport. This tiny projector weighs under 10 ounces, and its just a hair over an inch thick. Weve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. Adding a mesh network to your home's WiFi can help extend the signal outdoors. 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. 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. You'll be able to see the picture at that brightness, although it may still look washed out. 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. The 150-inch picture benefits from 2,000-lumen brightness, so viewers will be able to enjoy the show from various angles. Previously Gaming and Digital editor for Cardiff University's 'Quench Magazine', Lewis graduated in 2021 and has since worked on a selection of lifestyle magazines and regional newspapers. 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. There are differences on the inside compared to its bigger brother too. For starters, the Nebula app allows you to turn your smartphone into a remote control for the projector. 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. Testing projectors involves taking the time to explore their capabilities fully, including plenty of settings-tweaking and content-watching. Also, you'll want to turn off any additional outdoor lighting in your yard when the projector is operating to decrease any ambient light.". HDR handling and dark detail are very good and, considering the price point, this projector is capable of some brilliant detail. You can use an outdoor projector during the day, but it won't provide the best viewing experience. His own home is full of smart tech, from the lights to the vacuum cleaner. 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. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Staff Writer Lewis is the newest addition to the What Hi-Fi? But for the best viewing experience, invest in a proper projector screen, since brightness and picture quality will be vastly improved. If you want an outdoor projector to use in your backyard, that's the kind you should look for, as the projector only needs to be lightweight enough to carry outside for movie showings. Whats the best brightness for an outdoor projector? Is Vizio's M-Series Elevate Dolby Atmos soundbar a new rival for the Sonos Arc? 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. 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. Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director. A splash-proof panel safeguards this projector from moisture and a waterproof TPU outer layer offers drop protection up to 2.3 feet. You can also stream to the Android TV stick from your phone using Chromecast. editorial team. 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. A resolution of 1080p is even better. 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. 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. 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. The TMY projector is a great jumping-off point if you want to get a backyard movie night going on a tight budget. 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. Brightness is also key particularly if you live in a city or somewhere with lots of light pollution. The design is ideal for ceiling-mounting, but its actually quite portable, with a convenient carrying handle that flips down for ease of handling. In addition to the excellent audio, the EpiqVision EF12 also ticks all the other boxes to be a top-notch portable projector. The easiest way to solve that conundrum would be to opt for a projector with built-in wi-fi and maybe even some on-board storage too. This helps us find the strengths and weaknesses of each projector. 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. 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. Weighing a svelte two pounds, this ultra-compact home projector is one of the most portable around. Famous for its go camping and project it on the side of your tent marketing, its the first port of call for the would-be travel projector buyer. 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. The great thing about the Mars 2 is that it needs no other piece of technology to function, making it a superb option for casual movie nights. Rachel is the chief technologist & executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all labs. What Hi-Fi? As a bonus, the Nebula Solar Portable comes with an Anker PowerPort III charger. 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. Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 Projector, The Best Outdoor Movie Screens for Backyard Entertainment, Best Splurge: 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. At the end of this process, a verdict is reached by a team of What Hi-Fi? 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. 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. 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. The right size depends on the size of your yard and how far away you want to sit from the screen. There's an excellent smart platform, a three-hour battery life, a good degree of brightness and plenty of source material options. 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. This affordable projector is small and lightweight, so it's easy to carry outside for an at-home screening. That means you can pull out the Android TV stick and replace it with a Fire TV Stick, Roku, or any other streaming device. 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. 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. These days, 4K takes the prize, as youll experience with ViewSonics short-throw portable projector. Viewsonic X10 4Ke 4K UHD Projector, The 8 Best Outdoor Speakers for Gatherings and Everyday Listening, Best Durability: For example, if you see a projector with 900 ANSI lumens, that's generally comparable to 2,200 standard lumens. While the contrast isn't the best you'll find, and it's too dim for daytime use, this projector puts out a decent 1000 lumens, projects a crisp 1080-pixel image, and weighs under 5 pounds. Its also plenty versatile with connections, whether you want to hook up your smartphone, laptop, or streaming stick. TMY Projector 7500 Lumens with 100 Inch Projector Screen, Best Portable: To roughly calculate ANSI Lumens from lumens, you can divide lumens by 2.4. 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. 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. 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. Serious cinephiles insist on best-in-show picture quality, even when watching their favorite features in the open air. Are you going to trail a Blu-ray player outside to plug into the projector's HDMI input? She leads efforts for the constant evolution of GHs technical and testing protocols, responding both to market drivers and growth opportunities. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best And aprojector with an 3.5mm audio output or Bluetooth will give you the option to connect to a portable wireless speaker, which should give the sound a major boost. Its obvious as soon as you look at it that the BenQ X1300i isnt your typical home entertainment projector. A built-in projector stand to adjust the angle of projection is a helpful feature. It's a shade pricey for an entry-level device but, make no mistake, this is the king of affordable 4K projectors. To gain a deeper understanding of the features an outdoor projector really needs, Jeremy contactedCarl Prouty, the resident technologist fromAbt Electronics. The sheer extent of its flexibility makes its performance feel better than we arguably have any right to expect. Thanks to its onboard WiFi, the CineBeam can also mirror content from your smartphone, tablet or laptop without the use of cables. Its easy to set up and install, and produces a picture thats reminiscent of what you'll get at the cinema. 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. If you're looking for a fuss-free, battery-powered outdoor projector capable of streaming movies out of the box, the Nebula Mars 2 is a great shout. It contains a custom-designed audio system from Yamaha that sounds just as good as many dedicated soundbars. Epson EF100 Projector, How to Create a Great Home Theater for Your Budget. 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. 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). The Anker Nebula Solar Portable has everything you need in an outdoor projector. The most important is wireless connectivity, which comes in the form of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Portability: Since youll be bringing the projector inside and out, look for one thats lightweight and easy to transport. 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. If you must use an extension cord, make sure it's a surge protector rated for outdoor use, and watch out for tripping hazards, especially after nightfall. Colours are balanced and motion is naturally smooth. 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. Best outdoor projectors Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi? You can even download games; your phone's touchscreen doubles as the controller. With Proutys expert insight, Jeremy looked at factors like brightness and portability along with ease of setup and use. Alternatively, you may need to look for a model with built-in WiFi, sometimes referred to as all-in-one or one-box systems. 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. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Brightness is measured in lumens: Between 2,000 and 2,500 lumens should provide adequate brightness in most outdoor settings. This article was written byJeremy Laukkonen, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. There are different degrees of portability in outdoor projectors, and the ViewSonic M1 Mini+ is just about as portable as they come. While movie buffs will find plenty to like about this ViewSonic projector, backyard gamers and sports fans will especially appreciate its low lag time and zippy refresh rate, ideal for projecting action-packed images. 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. All rights reserved. There are brighter machines out there but, for this price, there's a great blend of both punch and subtlety to the image. 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.

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