The Best Christmas Light Projectors, Tested by Engineers

Our Good Housekeeping Institute product experts start by analyzing the current marketplace for the top-selling Christmas light projectors and rounding up the 10 most notable performers.

Lab testing takes place in our darkroom where different lighting conditions can be simulated. The projectors are mounted and turned on, and the quality and vividness of the projection are observed under daylight, dusk and total darkness lighting schemes. We also take into account the construction of the projectors and any claims made by vendors such as water resistance. The ease of setting up the projector and changing lighting modes are considered as well.

We consider safety of laser projectors by looking at their maximum power output and laser rating. Anything with a rating of 3B or higher is ruled out, and we recommend caution around units with a rating higher than 2. Ultimately, our picks impressed us with their bright, clear projections, durability and ease of choosing the perfect light set-up.

✔️ IP rating: IP stands for ingress protection, and it's a measure of the protection an electronic device has from outside particles and fluids entering its system. An IP rating consists of two numbers following the IP: The first digit indicates how well the machine is protected from solids like dust and debris, and the second indicates the protection from moisture. Generally, the higher each of the digits, the greater protection. Since Christmas projectors are often used outside, we recommend those with at least a 6 (dust-tight) for the first digit, and at least a 5 (protection from water jets) for the second. That said, if you plan on using your projector indoors, the IP rating matters less.

✔️ Mounting options: Depending on where you plan to set up your projector, you'll need different mounting options. For the outdoors, you'll want a projector with a stake that can be driven into the ground so your light show isn't toppled by wind or inclement weather. Indoor mounting will require a flat base to place atop a solid surface. Make sure the projector you pick has the right mounting equipment for your desired location.

✔️ Features: If you shudder at the idea of braving the cold to adjust your Christmas projector's settings, we recommend selecting a model with a remote control. It allows you to easily adjust the lights or turn them on and off without needing to brave the elements. Just be aware that most accompanying remotes are infrared, so they'll need to be pointed at the receiver on the unit (typically located on or near the face of the projector) in order to work. While many units feature a timer setting for auto-shutoff, it can be easy to forget the timer and let your projector run into the bright daylight hours. We recommend units that have an automatic shutoff in bright conditions, saving you the hassle and energy bill of forgetting to turn it off.

Projecting lights onto any non-flat surface can be tricky, but with proper placement and angling, a Christmas light projector can be used to add laser shows to trees.

If you're having trouble getting the projection to show up, try positioning your projector at the base of the tree and angling it upwards such that the lasers are pointed towards the trunk and underside of the branches. Tree trunks are great areas for projection since they offer a larger flat surface than individual branches, making the lights more visible.

Many Christmas light projectors come with different mounting options, like a ground stake for propping it up in the yard or a flat base for placement on a patio, deck, or other flat surface. Deciding how you want to angle your projector depends on your desired effect. As a rule of thumb, images like snowmen and holiday ephemera will look best when projected onto a flat surface, whereas lasers or large-area solid colors will give you a little more flexibility (but not much — your best option is still a flat surface). The further you place the projector from the surface onto which you project, the wider of an area you'll cover, but at the cost of brightness.

Take a little time in your yard or wherever you're setting up your light display to find your Goldilocks zone — the spot where the trade-off between brightness and projection area is the most favorable. Since many of the projectors on this list are cost effective, you can always double up on projectors and place them slightly closer to your home or desired projection surface — that way you don't have to worry about the compromise of coverage and brightness.

Nikolas Greenwald is the Lab assistant at the Good Housekeeping Institute and has a B.S. in chemical engineering. Nikolas has over seven years of experience working on research projects ranging from computer engineering to biopharmacology, using a data-driven approach to answer tough questions. Nik is the lead product tester for Christmas light projectors and spent more than 20 hours researching top projectors, setting them up for evaluation in our darkroom, and, most importantly, staring at dancing snowmen and fluttering green and red lights to evaluate clarity, brightness and projection quality.