7 Best Outdoor Projectors of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

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.

While movie buffs will find plenty to like about this ViewSonic projector, backyard gamers and sports fans will especially appreciate its low lag time and zippy refresh rate that make it ideal for projecting action-packed images.

The resolution is exceptionally crisp and the 3,500-lumen brightness holds up even when there’s still some light left in the night sky. Last but not least, the image size can go as high as 300 inches, so the crowd of onlookers won’t miss any of the gaming action. Just keep in mind that a power cable is required to power the projector, and Bluetooth or Wi-Fi aren't built-in.

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 GH 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).