8 Best Outdoor Projectors of 2023

Our product experts start by surveying the current marketplace to identify the best outdoor projectors that you’re most likely to find at stores and online. We also attend trade shows and industry events, like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to stay on top of the latest innovations in home entertainment technology. Next, we identify brands that have performed the best and proved the most reliable through more than a decade of testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute. We also consider newer brands with unique features or innovations.

To test the best outdoor projectors, our pros logged dozens of hours of viewing time to assess ease of use, picture quality and audio quality on close to two dozen projectors. Our product experts also spent more than 20 hours reviewing product specs, technical data and user manuals. Based on our expertise built up over years of testing A/V equipment, we focused on models that meet specific technical requirements, for example, 1080p resolution, which our tests have found deliver better picture quality than the 720p found on some outdoor projectors. We also looked for models that deliver at least 2000 lumens, since a brighter picture is needed for outside viewing. Lastly, we reviewed each projector for ease of set up, intuitiveness of its controls, media interface, ports, battery life and more.

Keep these factors in mind as you shop for an outdoor projector:

✔️ Streaming capabilities: Think about where your content will come from. If your home’s Wi-Fi signal is strong enough to reach outside, you can connect the projector to a laptop, Blu-ray player or streaming stick. Adding a mesh network to your home's Wi-Fi can help extend the signal outdoors. Alternatively, you may need to look for a model with built-in Wi-Fi, sometimes referred to as all-in-one or one-box systems.

✔️ Power source: Some outdoor projectors have built-in batteries, eliminating the need for power cords, but most need to be plugged in. 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. 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.

✔️ Screen: Sure, you can watch on an old sheet tacked to the side of the house or garage. But for the best viewing experience, invest in a proper projector screen, since brightness and picture quality will be vastly improved. You can find high-quality pop-up screens with their own stands for between $100 and $200. 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.

✔️ Screen size: Screen size is critical since there’s likely to be a large crowd gathered around; much less than 100 inches will start to feel small and cramped. 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).

✔️ Throw distance: This is the distance between the projector and the screen. 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.

✔️ Brightness: Brightness is important because even on a moonless night it’s not going to be pitch black out there. Brightness is measured in lumens: Between 2,000 and 2,500 lumens should provide adequate brightness in most outdoor settings. If there's a lot of competing light from street lamps or the neighbor's house, you might want to go as high as 3,000. One important note: Some manufacturers use ANSI lumens, which are proportionally brighter than standard lumens. For example, if you see a projector with 900 ANSI lumens, that's generally comparable to 2,200 standard lumens.

✔️ Resolution: This is the overall picture quality, measured in pixels (p). For a satisfactory outdoor viewing experience, you want a minimum of 720p. A resolution of 1080p is even better. Or go big on 4K, the latest and greatest in resolution, delivering exceptional picture quality, but at an extremely high price.

✔️ Sound/audio source: Onboard speakers are helpful, though you’ll probably want to spend on separate speakers, given all the ambient outdoor sounds. 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.

✔️ Portability: Since you’ll be bringing the projector inside and out, look for one that’s lightweight and easy to transport. A built-in projector stand to adjust the angle of projection is a helpful feature.

Dan DiClerico is the director of Home Improvement & Outdoors at the Good Housekeeping Institute. For more than two decades, he has written about all things home-related, from big-ticket remodeling projects to routine home maintenance. 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.

Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and head engineer, has a B.S.E. in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics with a mathematics minor from the University of Pennsylvania and has been at GH for 14 years. 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.

Media and Tech Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski has tested and reviewed the latest gadgets and gear in tech, travel, fitness, home and more. She updated this piece with the latest outdoor projectors vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Not only does she bring years of product review experience to GH, but she loves an outdoor movie night.