The Best Outdoor Projectors That Transform You Backyard Into A Home Theater

Spending the evening in your backyard, at a campsite or at the beach with a few good friends can be lovely, but here's what's even better: You can use an outdoor projector to turn that shared experience into a theatrical one. And while any outdoor projector can play a backyard movie, the best outdoor projectors combine features like high-resolution images, good audio quality and compatibility with popular streaming apps. You'll find all that and more in our top pick, the Anker Nebula Mars 3, but each of the other outdoor projectors we cover has attributes that might make them your best choice.
Below, we cover the key features to look for when you are browsing for an outdoor projector, complete with input from tech experts. We'll also share how we came up with the projectors featured in this article. Read on to see the best outdoor projectors you can buy today—models like the Lisowod 1080p HDR10+ Projector, which can project a 25-foot screen, and the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector, which is barely bigger than a can of soda.
Resolution: 1080p | Battery life: 5 hours | Brightness: 1,000 lumens | Speakers: 40 watt | Max screen size: 200 inches
Pros:
Cons:
The Nebula Mars 3 projector by Anker is a powerful device, outputting a substantial 1,000 ANSI lumens. As outdoor projectors go, that's a very bright projector. And that bright output is accompanied by excellent audio thanks to a built-in 40-watt speaker featuring Dolby Digital Plus technology. The Mars 3 can project a screen as large as 200 inches (measured diagonally). That's more than 16 feet, giving you a truly cinematic outdoor experience. Even better, it can stand up to humidity or a slight drizzle, as it's rated IPX3 water resistant.
This is not an inexpensive projector, and it's a bit bigger and heavier than most of the others reviewed here, so you probably won't want to bring it on an overland trek. But that weight delivers an impressive battery life: it can be used as a projector for five hours on a single charge, or as a speaker for up to 15.
Resolution: 1080p | Battery life: N/A | Brightness: 350 lumens | Speakers: 20 watt | Max screen size: 200 inches
Pros:
Cons:
The Aurzen Eazze D1 Smart Projector proves that you don't need to spend a large amount of money to fill a large outdoor screen. Like the Nebula which earned our best outdoor projector overall, Aurzen supports screens up to 200 inches, or more than 16 feet. Unfortunately, at just 350 ANSI lumens, this projector is much dimmer than the Nebula, so you'll need to wait until dusk to enjoy a movie. The color and contrast will be true, though, for an excellent picture. It's compatible with Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube, so all you need to do is log into your accounts to start watching.
This projector does not have a built-in battery, so you'll need an extension cord (or a large battery) to get up and running. Considering how little this model costs, buying a long power cord should be in the budget, though that does limit where you can set up movie night.
Resolution: 4K | Battery life: N/A | Brightness: 1,800 lumens | Speakers: Dual 15 watt | Max screen size: 200 inches
Pros:
Cons:
If you're a true cinephile and love the outdoors, then the Nebula Cosmos 4K SE Smart Projector might be the right projector for you. It offers stunning 4K resolution a smart 400:1 contrast ratio; not only does its video look razor sharp, but the colors, highlights and shadows are excellent as well. And thanks to an extra bright 1,800 lumen output, you can start using the Cosmos 4K SE before the sun has fully set.
This is an expensive projector, and it does not have a built-in battery, so you'll need to provide your own power source. But if image quality is of paramount importance to you, then those points of contention shouldn't much sway you; this is a bright and capable projector with decent audio quality thanks to a pair of 15-watt speakers.
Resolution: 1080p | Battery life: 2.5 hours | Brightness: 450 lumens | Speakers: Dual 5 watt | Max screen size: 120 inches
Pros:
Cons:
Outdoors, the ground—whether it's a camp site or your lawn—is rarely perfectly flat. That's not a problem for the Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro Outdoor Projector, thanks to its handy three-legged stand. Not only is it easy to set this projector up even on uneven terrain, but it can swivel and rotate to aim right where you need it. That stand also doubles as a power bank that provides enough battery life to watch just about any movie, except for perhaps Lawrence of Arabia or Doctor Zhivago.
The image clarity is good and the 450 lumen output decent, though the maximum 120-inch screen size and pair of five-watt speakers aren't all that impressive. Still, the overall ease of use and quick setup will make impromptu outdoor movie nights a breeze, and that's worth something. Ready compliance multiple streaming apps only helps more.
Resolution: 1080p | Battery life: 2.5 hours | Brightness: 300 lumens | Speakers: 8 watt | Max screen size: 120 inches
Pros:
Cons:
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector is an award-winning piece of hardware and it's easy to see why when you see this thing in person. It's hard to appreciate just how small the Capsule 3 is; for reference, it's not much larger than a 12-ounce soda can. Yet this Pepsi-sized projector can create 1080p HD images on projected screens as large as 120 inches from corner to corner. It's an ultra-compact, highly portable projector that delivers an excellent picture overall.
That said, it's worth noting that the brightness isn't especially impressive—just 300 lumens—and the 8 watt speaker is weak as well. None of that should be much of a surprise considering that the projector weighs less than two pounds and can be tucked into a backpack or the glovebox of your car. But if you are willing to tolerate the compromises, you'll find this projector packs a surprising punch for its size.
Resolution: 1080p | Battery life: 2.5 hours | Brightness: 500 lumens | Speakers: 20 watt | Max screen size: 112 inches
Pros:
Cons:
Common sense will tell you it's a best practices not to splash water around a projector, nor should you drop one from more than 2 feet. You'll get the same advice here, but for the record, the BenQ GS50 Wireless Outdoor Projector can withstand those challenges. This is a truly rugged outdoor projector; unlike so many others that call themselves 'indoor/outdoor,' this one was made with the great outdoors—and its inherent challenges—in mind.
It's too bad the projector's maximum screen size is just 112 inches (about 9.3 feet). But in better news, you get an impressively short throw distance. It can create a clear image from as little as 2.6 feet away, so you could set it up even inside a small tent to enjoy a show or movie right there on the wall of your temporary domicile. And the 2.5-hour battery life will let you get through most movies, while the 20-watt speaker is fine as well.
Resolution: 1080p | Battery life: N/A | Brightness: 1200 lumens | Speakers: Dual 15 watt | Max screen size: 300 inches
Pros:
Cons:
If you demand your media to be truly larger than life—perhaps movie theater sized—then consider adopting the Lisowod 1080p HDR10+ Projector. It can fill screens as large as 300 inches from corner to corner. That's an impressive 25 feet, which is, in fact, the size of screens in smaller cinemas. And the 1,200 lumen output of this projector means the screen will be well-lit, as well.
The dual 15-watt speakers create enough sound for a rather cinematic experience here, so you won't need external speakers, but you will need an external power source or an extension cord and an outlet.
The staff writers and editors on the Forbes Vetted tech team have years of experience covering all sorts of devices, including projectors. We use hands-on testing, extensive research, interviews with experts and a close reading of reviews posted by verified buyers whenever we are covering things like the best headphones for travel, the best smart rings, or the best wireless earbuds.
When preparing this review of the best outdoor projectors, we considered a number of key factors.
Here are some of the critical factors you should consider when shopping for an outdoor projector.
Most outdoor projectors sold these days offer at least 1080p high definition imagery, but note that as screen size gets bigger and bigger—which is to say the projector is moved farther and farther from the flat surface onto which it's projecting—clarity will drop. If you want the sharpest images at large scale, consider 4K.
Unless you'll be watching media outdoors far into the backwoods or in a lonely country field, chances are good that there will be some light around, meaning you need a projector packing enough brightness to overcome local ambient lighting and create a clear image on the screen. If you'll be using your projector in an urban or more built-up suburban environment, be sure to get a bright projector that 'handles ambient light well,' says Puligundla.
If you are going to be showing movies in your backyard, then an outdoor projector you need to plug into a power outlet might not be a serious concern for you. But for a projector you plan to bring to a campsite, however, battery life is a serious consideration; once that battery is drained, you have an expensive paperweight, after all.
A close consideration along with battery life, in the case of projectors you plan to bring afield, is portability, which largely comes down to weight and size, but also to convenience of use and setup. 'As a tech lead who's tested a wide range of AV gear, I recommend thinking through how and where you'll use your outdoor projector,' says Puligundla. ' For most people, brightness and portability are the top priorities.'
If you'll be using your outdoor projector at a campsite or for a small gathering on the porch or patio, screen size is likely a low importance consideration. If you are planning to project a movie onto the side of a barn for scores of people to enjoy, however, you need a projector that can create a 200-inch or even bigger screen.
Look for an outdoor projector that can easily pair with the streaming platforms you use. Payne says many feature 'built-in Netflix, YouTube, or Prime Video [and] you can even preload content or cast from your phone if there's no wi-fi available.'
Most outdoor projectors have built-in speakers, but they are often on the weaker side. For small groups who can sit in relative quiet, that might be OK, but for larger gatherings, prioritize audio quality—or consider getting external speakers.
How Many Lumens Does An Outdoor Projector Need?
For use after dark, an outdoor projector with 350-plus lumens should be just fine. For use in the shade but when the sun is still up, you'll need at least 1,000-plus lumens of brightness. And in direct sunlight, you can just forget about it!
Do I Need A Screen For An Outdoor Projector?
Using a dedicated screen for projecting shows or movies is always best whether you are indoors or outdoors, but you can simply project onto a flat surface and still have an enjoyable cinematic experience. Just note that certain colors of surface will skew the appearance of the media, and that texture such as stucco or siding will interfere with the projection.
Do Outdoor Projectors Pair With Phones?
Many do, and pairing a projector to your smartphone can be the easiest way to stream media. That said, not all projectors are guaranteed to work with your phone. Some might need a hardwired connection, while some might work with certain apps and platforms, but not others. Make sure you look into it before you make a purchase.

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