If you want to host the ultimate watch party, you’ll need a dependable home cinema system. In that case, you’ve come to the right place because we picked the top ten outdoor projectors for movies, sports, and everything in between.

We have it all, from budget-friendly projectors to the most expensive home cinemas. So, grab your popcorn, and let’s explore the magical world of outdoor movie-watching.

BEST OUTDOOR PROJECTORS: BUYER’S GUIDE

Watching your favorite flicks with friends and family while drinking hot cocoa and lounging in the backyard sounds like a super fun activity. But to make it work, you’ll need a high-quality outdoor projector. However, choosing the right projector in today’s market is tricky because we have a broad range of options on the menu.

So, to separate the best from the rest, consider these factors:

– DURABILITY

Every outdoor product must survive plenty of wear and tear, given that we use them in various weather conditions and rugged terrain. The same goes for outdoor projectors, so look for models with sturdy and well-constructed bodies. Check the materials to avoid devices with flimsy plastics and squeaky parts.

– MOBILITY

Outdoor watch parties are weather-dependent. You’ll typically bring the projector inside during colder days or immediately after the movie ends. So, look for devices that allow for effortless carrying and transport. The best portable home cinema offers a quick setup and lets you start the party within minutes.

– COMPATIBILITY

If you want to take the party outside, the chances are you’ll need cables and connection ports. Thus, before purchasing, look for home projectors that support the latest technologies, such as HDMI, VGA, MicroSD, and USB. Likewise, most outdoor projectors will offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, so check for those options as well.

– COST

Finally, double-check the price tag because many new home theater systems come at staggering prices. Even so, most users don’t have to spend a fortune on an outdoor projector because budget-friendly models can also handle most tasks. So, look for home cinema systems that will provide the best bang for your buck and not burn a massive hole through your wallet.

1. EPSON HOME CINEMA 5050UB 4K PRO-UHD PROJECTOR

To start the list in style, we’ll visit a 79-year-old Japanese electronics company famous for its high-quality printers, scanners, and video projectors. Over the years, Epson built a network of subsidiaries worldwide, manufacturing a broad spectrum of products. Believe it or not, the conglomerate has more than 67,000 employees, with yearly revenue of more than $9.5 billion.

So, it’s not surprising to see one of Epson’s products on this list, and we opted for the 5050UB model with 4K resolution. This particular projector offers the ultimate home theater experience because it generates up to 2,600 lumens to produce incredibly bright pictures with excellent color accuracy.

This top-end home projector enhances images and displays 100% of the RGB spectrum thanks to advanced processing. Namely, the pixel-shift processor controls LCD chips to provide viewers with sharp and vivid pictures in HD quality.

The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB features a compact body with front or rear projection, weighs 24.7 pounds, and is ideal for outdoor use. The maximum resolution provided is 4096×2160, with a 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio. Admittedly, it comes at a steep price, but Epson 5050UB is among the best projectors money can buy.

2. NEBULA MARS II PRO | SMART PORTABLE MOVIE PROJECTOR

The second entry on the list of the best projectors for outdoor watch parties comes from Nebula, a sub-brand of Anker. Launched in 2016, Nebula is a young and ambitious company with an impressive lineup of projectors and accessories.

More precisely, Nebula is all about harnessing the latest technological advancements to manufacture state-of-the-art portable projectors. Their models are 100% wire-free, including the flagship, Nebula Mars II Pro. You might mistake it for a Bluetooth speaker because of the sturdy handle on the top, but Mars II Pro is a powerful, image-displaying beast.

Speaking of sound, we should mention that this portable projector offers, arguably, the best audio quality on the market. Namely, dual 10W drivers deliver exceptional sound with a resonant bass for an immersive outdoor projection. Of course, this smart movie projector is a plug-and-play playground, and you can effortlessly connect other devices via HDMI or USB 2.0.

In addition, Nebula Mars II Pro comes with pre-installed apps, such as YouTube and Netflix, and the Android 7.1 operating system. Since it uses battery power, this projector has a limited playtime of around three hours. Even so, you should be able to complete most modern movies and enjoy watching them on screens up to 150 inches wide.

Best of all, Nebula Mars II Pro is an affordable outdoor projector with a price of around $550. Thus, even though it only supports resolutions up to 1280×720, this device is a wise choice for avid campers and movie lovers.

3. SAMSUNG 130″ THE PREMIERE LSP9T 4K UST LASER PROJECTOR

Okay, we all know about Samsung, the massively influential South Korean brand, so there is no need for elaborate introductions. But did you know they also manufacture high-end projectors, including the premium Samsung 130’’ The Premier LSP9T 4K model?

Well, this triple-laser projector might cost an arm and a leg, but if you want theater-like entertainment, there’s no better option. The ultra-bright 4K resolution delivers impeccable detail and heightened contrast thanks to a powerful 2800-lumen light source.

With the cool-looking Samsung The Premiere LSP9T portable projector, the maximum screen space is 130 inches. On top of that, this device is the world’s first projector with an HDR10+ rating for vibrant, realistic viewing.

In other words, we are talking about a genuine cinematic quality delivered straight to your patio or terrace. But, of course, you’ll also get room-filling sound thanks to the unparalleled audio quality of this portable home cinema.

We should also mention that Samsung’s movie projector offers plenty of connectivity options and hassle-free installation. Plus, it has a fabric finish that will protect it from scratches or dents as you prepare for movie marathons.

4. LG 4K UHD LASER CINEBEAM PROJECTOR | HU80KSW | LG UK

Since we started with the South Koreans, let’s add another name to the list. Again, we are talking about a Seoul-based multinational company, the famous LG Electronics Inc. As we all know, LG is among the leaders in the sectors of home entertainment, mobile communications, vehicle components, and home appliances.

Innovative projectors are also one of LG’s strengths. For instance, the revolutionary CineBeam Laser Projector will leave an impression on anyone. This model features a slender body and offers multiple viewing positions. While it can stand upright, it can also be laid flat on a table. In any case, the fantastic 4K UHD(3840×2160) resolution will blow you away.

LG 4K UHD Laser CineBeam Projector delivers up to 2500 lumens of brightness on a screen size ranging from 40 inches to 150 inches. The 7W stereo sound provides an immersive atmosphere. It has several connectivity channels, including USB, HDMI, and Wi-Fi. Best of all, the SMART UI allows for effortless content navigation.

From what we’ve seen, LG CineBeam is among the best travel-friendly projectors because of its convenient shape and advanced technology. Likewise, we should mention that it falls within the medium price range.

5. VIEWSONIC PX700HD 3,500 LUMENS PROJECTOR

Unlike the previous two big-time names with diverse offerings, ViewSonic is a privately held American company focused on the visual display hardware. Therefore, you’ll find plenty of projectors, liquid-crystal displays, and interactive whiteboards in its catalog.

Believe it or not, ViewSonic has been around since 1987, so it’s not surprising to see that they know how to make high-quality outdoor projectors. For instance, the elegant ViewSonic PX700HD is a well-built, budget-friendly home theater projector that will provide fun for the entire family.

Namely, this device delivers a whooping 3,500 lumens, more than most competitors. Also, it projects images in the Full HD resolution (1920×1080 pixels). Moreover, the proprietary SuperColor technology enhances colors and ensures that a complete gamut of colors appears on the projected area.

If that’s not enough, we should also mention that the ViewSonic PX700HD projector supports 3D movies and games thanks to the innovative Sports Mode. In essence, this system provides ultra-fast frame-by-frame processing to deliver stunning details even during the most intense sequences.

If you decide to bring this baby outside, know that it has a sleek white chassis that might not be the most durable on the market. Even so, the PX700HD projector deserves a spot on the list of the best projectors for outdoor viewing, but you only have to handle it gently.

6. GOODEE YG620 NATIVE 1080P FULL HD LCD MOVIE PROJECTOR

Founded in April 2016, the Chinese GOODEE Corporation is another young face in consumer electronics. To be precise, the company strives towards making the best projectors and devices for home entertainment. Also, their mission is to make technology available to everyone.

The perfect example of this philosophy is the GOODEE YG620 Native movie projector equipped with a HI-FI stereo system with SRS sound. Also, this model offers 1920×1080 resolution and an impressive 7000:1 contrast ratio. Likewise, this durable home theater promises up to 50,000 hours of lamp life.

Besides being the cheapest projector on our list, the feature-rich GOODEE YG620 Native offers the broadest projection screen. More precisely, you’ll get to watch movies played over a 300-inch area, even though the company recommends watching at 200-inch mode with a 5.6m distance.

Of course, this home projector comes equipped with a range of ports, including 2x HDMI, 2x USB, one for VGA and AV, respectively. In short, GOODEE YG620 will play anything you throw at it for only $199.99. What more could you need?

7. PHILLIPS NEOPIX PRIME 2 HOME PROJECTOR

Another famous name in consumer electronics is Philips, a Dutch multinational conglomerate founded in 1891. Nowadays, Philips focuses on health technology but also manufactures state-of-the-art domestic appliances. For example, the super-compact NeoPix Prime 2 home projector combines advanced technologies with attractive aesthetics.

As we said, the second generation of NeoPix Prime features a small-sized design and weighs only 2.69 pounds. Nevertheless, it can pack a punch regarding video projection, with the maximum resolution being 1920×1080 pixels. The maximum contrast ratio is 3000:1, while the only supported aspect ratio is 16:9.

Philips NeoPix Prime 2 comes equipped with a powerful LED light source, displaying vivid colors and bright images. Also, it has a built-in 3.5 jack for external sound devices, such as headphones or speakers.

In addition, we should mention that Philips NeoPix Prime 2 supports wireless screen mirroring and offers effortless connectivity via the most popular ports. Best of all, it comes with a built-in Philips operating system and several pre-installed apps to get your movies started within minutes.

8. BENQ HT2050A 1080P HOME THEATER PROJECTOR

We’ll now move to SouthEast Asia to check out a Taiwanese multinational conglomerate founded in 1984. Yes, BenQ has over 30 years of experience in consumer electronics, computing, and other tech segments. So, we had to check out their portfolio when searching for the best outdoor projects.

For instance, the HT2050A home theater projector comes highly recommended because it offers many innovative features. The advanced Game Mode works with a low input lag to create ultra-smooth gaming experiences. So, if you want to organize tournaments and compete with friends, this might be the best projector for gaming in 2022. After all, it can project images up to 100 inches wide.

Notably, BenQ HT2050A has a vertical lens shift feature with a 1.3x zoom. Thus, you’ll have no problems adjusting the projection, regardless of the terrain. This projector is up there with the best in durability. It features a sturdy body with rounded edges and plenty of vents for cooling.

The list of features goes on for ages, given that BenQ did not cut corners on their flagship. For instance, this home theater features CinematicColor technology for visual calibration and color optimization. The enhanced colors provide a next-gen movie-watching experience in Full HD 1080p resolution.

9. XGIMI HALO – TRUE 1080P OUTDOOR MOVIE PROJECTOR

We’ll all agree that cable-free outdoor viewing is the best, and that’s why battery-powered projectors have been making waves in the industry recently. For example, the compact and super-portable XGIMI Halo pushes through the limits and lets you throw a watch party almost anywhere.

Of course, the secret lies in the powerful 17100 mAh battery. Thanks to this large-capacity battery, you can watch a 4-hour video or listen to music for up to eight hours on a single charge. Regarding music, we should mention that XGIMI partnered with Harman Kardon to ensure theater-quality sound with 2x 5W speakers.

XGIMI Halo is all about mobility and practicality, with its rugged body and automatic keystone correction. At the same time, this outdoor projector offers Full HD 1080p resolution on a screen up to 300 inches wide. Likewise, XGIMI Halo supports a 4K video.

You’ll also be glad to hear that XGIMI Halo comes with Android OS and an endless selection of Google Play apps. Also, it has Chromecast built-in, aside from Google Assistant and voice commands. Overall, this pocket-sized projector exceeded our expectations, given that it comes at a relatively affordable price.

10. NEBULA SOLAR PORTABLE SMART PROJECTOR

Finally, we’ll go back to Nebula because these guys are serious about their game. Namely, the company invests heavily in research and innovation, and the Solar Portable Smart Projector results from those efforts. So, we had to include it in the collection of the best outdoor projectors.

As the name says, this small-sized unit harnesses the sun’s power to charge the built-in battery. The projector will provide up to 3 hours of viewing on a full charge. Most importantly, Nabule Solar Portable Smart Projector eliminates wires from the equation, providing you with complete freedom of movement.

Simultaneously, this home theater delivers cinematic visuals in 1080p resolution. Also, it offers an HDR10 system and generates up to 400 ANSI lumens for vivid colors and impeccable details.

On top of that, the portable Nebula solar projector comes equipped with Android TV 9 system, with more than 5,000 apps at your disposal. In addition, you’ll also get a built-in stand to customize the projection and adjust the angle by up to 13 degrees. You also don’t need to worry about sound quality because the Nebula Solar Portable projector features 2x 3W Dolby Digital Plus speakers.

SUMMARY

And there you have it, the best projectors for outdoor movie-watching in 2022. The models above represent the latest say in the home cinema world, and we arranged them in no particular order.

Even so, projectors like Philips NeoPix Prime 2 or the innovative Nebula Mars II Pro deserve extra attention, and you’ll never go wrong if you opt for those devices. In any case, hours of entertainment are only a click away.

Feature image credit: https://millennialboss.com/

By Fast Eddie