Best Outdoor Projectors for Ultimate Movie Nights!

Our first pick is Anker's portable projector Nebula, excelling in its seamless setup via a Google account and Android phone. Operating on Android TV9, it swiftly connects, offering easy app and streaming platform downloads. Tailored for Android users, the user-friendly remote and compatibility with Netflix and Apple devices enhance its versatility.

With a sleek design, the battery-powered projector is perfect for on-the-go movie nights, providing a solid 3-hour battery life. The only drawback is the short USB-C cord, which requires an extension during testing.

Impressive image quality, courtesy of the auto-focus feature, ensured clarity from all angles. The built-in speakers, located at the back, delivered excellent sound quality, with optimal audio experienced from behind the projector. Well-tuned volume levels enhanced the movie-watching experience. Even though it costs a little bit more, the Anker projector's mobility, adaptability, and ease of use make it a good option for a range of entertainment applications.

Experience gaming in the great outdoors with Samsung's projector featuring a built-in gaming hub for hassle-free game streaming without console cords. The setup is straightforward, and the user-friendly built-in apps make navigation a breeze, especially for those accustomed to Samsung devices. Picture quality excels, particularly in darker settings and when viewed head-on.

Versatility is a highlight with options for front, rear, and ceiling projection. The built-in speakers impress with quality, suitable even for outdoor use, and the experience can be enhanced by connecting to external speakers via Bluetooth. Its compact size makes it perfect for travel or taking your gaming setup to a friend's backyard.

The projector's battery life is a standout feature, allowing uninterrupted movie watching on the go, even if the included cord is too short for outdoor use. The internal battery retained a full charge after a full movie, ensuring extended gaming sessions under the starry sky.

The BenQ GV30 prioritizes portability without sacrificing performance. Weighing just 3.5 pounds and featuring a convenient finger-size loop, it's easily carried even when your hands are full. The unique wheel-of-cheese shape, complete with a bump for the lens, sits on a magnetic stand that allows for easy height adjustment by rotating the projector.

Notably, the GV30 is designed to withstand falls, rated as drop-proof for up to 27.6 inches, making it a resilient choice for tabletop heights. With a built-in battery, it's exceptionally portable. The inclusion of an Android TV dongle and robust 2.1-channel chamber speakers eliminates the need for an additional video source or sound system.

For maximum portability, the GV30 stands out. While other projectors may be lighter and smaller, the GV30's unique features, including two 4-watt tweeters and an 8-watt woofer for full-bodied sound, set it apart. The 720p resolution and 300 ANSI lumen brightness may seem modest by current standards, but they ensure no loss of detail or soft focus at typical image sizes.

For a budget-friendly backyard movie night, the Dr. J Bluetooth Projector proved to be the most affordable and surprisingly outperformed pricier alternatives. The setup is straightforward, taking less than 30 minutes. Although the included cord is around 6 feet long, an extension cord is necessary for outdoor use.

The projector delivers clear and bright image quality with vibrant colors, especially noticeable after sundown with minimal additional lighting. The best viewing experience is directly in front of the projector, with only a slight degradation in image quality from sharp angles. While pairing with a Bluetooth speaker provides the best sound quality, the built-in speakers perform adequately. The projector offers multiple connectivity options, including HDMI input, AV cord, USB drive, WiFi, and a 3.5mm audio input. In summary, it's a basic yet effective projector at an excellent price.

The EpiqVision Mini EF12 is centered around a 1,000-lumen laser-phosphor light source and features three 1080p LCD chips, ensuring the absence of rainbow artifacts. Its brightness is ample for an 80-inch image even in well-lit backyards and is suitable for larger images in darker settings. Weighing only 4.7 pounds, it's notably lightweight for a laser projector, and the integrated Android TV adds convenience. While the current Android TV lacks a reliable Netflix app, Epson suggests a potential addition in the future.

For those sensitive to rainbow artifacts, the EF12 is an excellent choice for a 1080p outdoor projector, potentially preferred over available 4K options that may not guarantee a rainbow-free experience. Even if rainbow artifacts aren't a concern, the EF12 stands out as our top pick among 1080p room-to-room portables, offering impressive image quality and a brighter image in modes that are practical for everyday use, surpassing many similarly priced competitors.

Considered by many as a fading trend, 3D still has enthusiasts with libraries of 3D discs. The Horizon projector caters to this niche, offering 3D capability at a budget-friendly price. As one of the more affordable 1080p models suitable for outdoor use, it also provides sufficient brightness for reasonably large 3D movie displays. While 3D inherently dims the image, the Horizon's high 2D brightness ensures a good viewing experience, even in the ambient light of a backyard.

Beyond its appeal to 3D aficionados, the Horizon stands out for 2D viewing as well. With ample brightness for outdoor settings, integrated Android TV, and out-of-the-box image quality deemed more than acceptable by most, it caters to a broader audience. Additionally, it offers customization with a custom mode for those seeking adjustments. However, it's worth noting that individuals sensitive to rainbow artifacts may find them slightly more frequent and noticeable than with other projectors. For those unaffected by or tolerant of this phenomenon, the Horizon remains a compelling option.