Must-Have Outdoor Projectors for Movie Nights Under the Stars (2024)

This projector from Anker tops our list thanks to its versatile, portable design that makes it super easy to host a movie night practically anywhere with a screen. It features a built-in rechargeable battery that delivers up to three hours of power on a single charge — plenty of juice for most feature films. Plus, the 120-inch screen size should be large enough for comfortable viewing and our tech experts love that there are several ways to project content, including casting from your Android or iOS device or streaming through a laptop via the HDMI connection. Also notable is that the projector uses Google TV for easy access to all your favorite streaming apps.

While this model doesn't get quite as bright as some projectors, our testers love that it comes with built-in speakers and a projector stand to help you get set up outside without having to carry around additional equipment. Other online reviewers rave about the projector's ease of use, value and overall quality.

Outdoor movie nights don't have to cost you a fortune! Our experts like this bargain-priced projector that offers many of the same features as much pricier models, including full HD 1080p resolution and a massive 200-inch image size. With more than 6,500 reviews on Amazon and an average 4.4-star rating, it's hard to go wrong. Just keep in mind that it doesn't feature built-in Wi-Fi so it's not the best choice for movie nights in the park (we recommend staying within range of your home's Wi-Fi network).

While we haven't yet tested this model in the Lab, several online consumers single out the projector's bright picture quality and solid sound from the pair of built-in speakers. We also appreciate that it's versatile when it comes to connectivity, whether you want to hook up your smartphone, laptop or streaming stick.

Serious cinephiles insist on best-in-show picture quality, even when watching their favorite features in the open air. These days, 4K takes the prize, as you’ll experience with Anker's portable projector. Though it's heavy, it features a built-in handle so you can move it from your living room to your outdoor space with little to no hassle.

Our product analysts were impressed by the screen's impressive brightness on top of the sharp 4K resolution. We also like that it uses Android TV 10 to give you access to the most popular streaming platforms, but it's just as easy to cast from your phone. Our pros do point out, however, that you'll have to keep this projector plugged into an outlet as it doesn't run off of standalone batteries.

About the same size as the average smartphone, this super lightweight projector couldn’t be easier to transport. Our pros love that it features a built-in battery that should last around two hours so you don’t always need access to an outlet, but if it dies you can just connect it to a power bank. We also like that the projector is operated by Android TV so you can easily access all your favorite streaming platforms like Disney+ and Hulu on its large, 120-inch screen. Plus, its 1080p resolution is impressive for its size.

Our test engineer, who tested a similar XGIMI model, appreciated the projector's automatic focus and keystone correction. "I used it with a projector screen, and it automatically found the projector screen and adjusted to fit its size," says GH Test Engineer Alec Scherma. Another bonus: speakers are built-in. "You could literally use this instead of a TV, we played indoors — outdoors on a screen it was really great," raved one tester.

A Family Travel Awards Winner, this mini projector is a must-have for road trips, camping vacations and entertainment on the go. Weighing less than a pound, its ultra-compact design easily makes it one of the most portable projectors around. Our pros love how easy it is to mirror content from your smartphone or laptop up to 150 inches, thanks to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Though the resolution could be better, we love that you don't always need the projector's charging cable on you since it has a built-in battery that lasts around an hour. Not only does this projector include a handy remote, but it's powered by Android so you can access your favorite streaming apps without having to grab your phone.

"I like the size and portability of the projector, along with the picture quality," said one tester, who used it during a family vacation outdoor movie night. "The sleek design is also an added bonus."

Even tech-challenged users should find the Mars II Pro easy to operate. For starters, the Nebula app allows you to turn your smartphone into a remote control for the projector. You can then easily mirror content from your phone onto the screen, with its maximum image size of 100 inches. If you prefer, you can also use the USB and HDMI connections to hook the projector up to any compatible laptop, tablet or gaming device.

The carry handle is a nice design touch that highlights the projector’s user-friendliness and portability. If you're looking for a slightly more affordable alternative that's super compact and even easier to transport, our pros also like the Anker Nebula Capsule (just don't expect the same image quality and brightness as you'll get with the Mars II Pro).

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 delivers 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 setup, intuitiveness of its controls, media interface, ports, battery life and more.

Whenever possible, we sent testers home with projectors to try in their own backyards and outdoor spaces, sharing feedback on their experience, the projector's image and sound quality, portability and more.

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

✔️ Connectivity: 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 via USB or HDMI. 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 and much less than 100 inches will start to feel small and cramped. You also want to make sure the screen size is 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, which delivers exceptional picture quality but at an extremely high price.

✔️ Sound/audio source: Onboard built-in 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, especially if you plan on traveling with it.

Writer and Product 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.

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.