The best outdoor projectors in 2024

Sept. 12, 2024, 3:16 PM UTC

Outdoor projectors are just the thing you need to enhance a camping trip or upgrade your backyard entertainment experience. While smartphones or tablets can download and stream films or TV shows themselves, it’s not comparable to having a large-scale projection that can be easily enjoyed by a group, all watching a film together.

Outdoor projectors tend to have limited battery life — usually only for a single film or two — though many can also function separately as Bluetooth speakers for far longer. And, if you have one of the best portable power stations, you can get many more hours of use out of an outdoor projector.

Whether you’re planning on traversing the great outdoors or creating a powerful entertainment system outside your own home, here are the best outdoor projectors, according to experts.

SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best outdoor projectors | The best outdoor projectors | How to shop for the best outdoor projectors | Why trust NBC Select?

Selected.Our top picks

Best overall
Nebula Mars 3
$899.99
$1,099.99
Amazon
Learn more
Best for audio
BenQ GS50
$699.00
$799.00
Amazon
Learn more
Best budget pick
Yaber T2
$299.99
$449.99
Target
Learn more

How we picked the best outdoor projectors

When picking these suggestions, I drew on the advice of other gadget testers and projector experts at Optoma, while also using my expertise as the Home Cinema Editor for TechRadar and an AV reporter for NBC Select. When choosing individual models, I kept the below criteria in mind:

Weather resistance: The difference between an indoor and outdoor projector is that the latter should be able to handle the elements. We looked for outdoor projectors with some measure of water resistance to make sure they could handle a little rain as well as dust and drop resistance where possible.
Portability and battery life: If you’re taking a projector outdoors, you may not have access to a power socket, making a decent battery life (at least one movie’s worth) and wireless capabilities an important feature.
Projection and brightness: For picture clarity, we looked for models with HD or 4K projection, with sufficient lumens or brightness to ensure visibility either in the dark or the evening light.

The best outdoor projectors

Nebula Mars 3

What we like

Water, dust, drop resistance
Built-in kickstand

Something to note

Pricey

Gadget tester Antwan Richardson, who is the creator and host of the New Stuff TV YouTube channel tells us the top pick should easily be the Nebula Mars 3, calling it “the complete package”. This portable projector comes with “IPX3 water resistance, dust resistance and even drop resistance” to help it weather the great outdoors. It also offers sharp and bright images on an expansive 200-inch projection, with HDR (High Dynamic Range) support. Richardson says, “The built-in kickstand is a huge help when getting it set up [and] the user interface is friendly to people who may not know much about projectors.”

Samsung The Freestyle (2nd Gen)

What we like

180-degree rotation
Great smart platform

Something to note

Not the brightest
Battery base sold separately

The Freestyle portable Samsung projector was recommended by Erin Lawrence, a tech reviewer who focuses on testing TVs, streaming devices and projectors. This second-generation model builds on an already-excellent projector, adding a dedicated gaming interface to Samsung’s sleek smart TV platform, as well as motorized zoom and lens shift to better calibrate the projection to your needs. There is also voice assistant support for Alexa or Bixby. However, to use this as an outdoor projector, you’ll either need a nearby power source or Samsung’s optional battery base, which provides The Freestyle with three hours of charge.

Lawrence worked on a Nebula review two years ago but does not have any current or ongoing relationship, financial or otherwise, with Anker or any other brand listed in this story.

Nebula Capsule 3

What we like

Google TV integration
Highly compact

Something to note

Slightly dim projection

Lawrence also recommends the Nebula Capsule 3, a highly portable, can-shaped projector that retails for half the price of the Nebula Mars 3 but matches it for resolution (1080p), while cutting back on brightness (only 200 lumens). It lacks HDR but the projection size is still a roomy 120 inches. It’s a little dim compared to other models on this list, but those intent on watching in the dark should manage just fine. At 1.83 lbs, it’s lightweight and its compact form factor makes it very easy to carry around.

BenQ GS50

What we like

2.1 channel speakers
Splash and drop resistance

Something to note

Slow interface

The BenQ GS50 comes recommended by Richardson, who praises its “built-in battery and speaker as well as its weather and drop resistance.” Specifically, it comes with a 2.1-channel audio system, including a 10W woofer for bass, which is far more powerful than the other options on this list, making this a good choice for outdoor moviegoers who care about audio. A 2.5-hour battery life is decent and should last for most movies. Richardson’s only complaint is that “the interface can be slow or glitchy at times”, but its overall sound quality and stylish form factor make up for those small hiccups.

Yaber T2

What we like

Built-in handle
Stylish design

Something to note

Nothing to note at this time

This Yaber projector is rated 4.5/5 stars on Amazon, and for good reason. It’s a sleek model: with a tasteful beige colorway and built-in handle. It looks more like a high-end coffee flask or compact picnic basket than it does a piece of AV hardware. The handle even doubles up as a stand to help angle the projection where you need it. But with a speaker developed by JBL, and 18 hours of battery life when sticking to music playback, the Yaber T2 makes a strong case for itself as a portable speaker as well as an outdoor projector.

How to shop for the best outdoor projectors

Brightness: “One of the most important things to understand is that ambient light is the enemy of almost any projector,” says Richardson. “There are very few projectors that can put up top quality video imagery in a very bright room or outdoors in daylight.” He also adds that the ideal viewing conditions will be later at night or in a dark setting. If you plan to use the projector during the daylight hours, just ensure it has a decent number of lumens, which determine how bright the projection can get.
Screens: Richardson also advises shoppers to think about what they will be projecting onto, as the side of an unpainted brick wall probably won’t cut it: “If you’re going to invest in a projector make sure you invest in a proper screen. You can certainly hoist a sheet or project video onto a white wall in a pinch, but if you’re really going to go all out, getting a good quality screen makes a massive difference in how the image is viewed.”
Connectivity: “Another consideration for an outdoor projector is to make sure either that your Wi-Fi will reach the area where you’re planning to view your videos, or that your projector can play downloaded content off a thumb drive or storage drive,” says Richardson. Otherwise, you may end up in the great outdoors without anything to watch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an outdoor projector?

Billy Harrison, a Product Manager at projector maker and electronics manufacturer Optoma, says, “ Outdoor projectors should be compact or ultra-compact, lightweight, weigh up to 6lbs (or less) and feature an HDMI 2.0 interface with HDR input.”

A low weight allows projectors to be easily transported, unlike indoor models that are generally static and may be permanently installed in a ceiling mount. Harrison adds that, whereas “indoor projectors may weigh more than six pounds [and] include features such as additional I/Os, higher brightness (3500 - 4500 lumens), larger zoom ratio and even Android and Smart Home functionality,” an outdoor projector is likely to cram in lower specifications in order to meet size/weight requirements and focus on outdoor-specific features, such as water resistance and a built-in battery.

How big should an outdoor projector be?

While the projector itself should be relatively compact where possible, the projection has the reverse expectation, needing to be as large as possible for a visible image.

Harrison says, “ A 100-inch projection delivers a large bright cinematic image that is more than acceptable for a family or an audience of up to eight. If the group will be more than eight people, I suggest a 120” to 150” image due to the additional space needed for the larger audience.”

The listed projection size is the maximum you can achieve with that model, but moving the projector closer to the wall, screen or surface you’re watching on will reduce the size of the image to what you require.

How many lumens do I need for an outdoor projector?

“Simply speaking, the more lumens a projector has, the brighter it will be, but several other factors can also contribute to overall video quality from a projector, such as resolution and contrast ratio,” says Lawrence.

So, lumens isn’t the only metric to pay attention to, but brighter models will fare better in lighter environments. 400 lumens is a good baseline for compact models — and the best projectors on this list hit 1,000 lumens — though you may be able to get away with less in very dark conditions.

Optoma’s Billy Harrison notes that some outdoor projectors are capable of 3,000 lumens, adding that “The higher the brightness, the better the experience in outdoor environments due to light population from various sources.”

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Erin Lawrence is a gadget expert and professional tech reviewer for TechGadgetsInternational.com, with years of experience testing TVs, streamers and projectors.
Antwan Richardson is the creator and host of the New Stuff TV YouTube channel, which offers candid perspectives on home theater hardware, including projectors, TVs and soundbars.
Billy Harrison is a Product Manager at Optoma, an electronics manufacturer specializing in projectors for business, education, professional audio/video and home entertainment.

Why trust NBC Select?

I have worked as a gadget reporter since 2017, covering the latest developments in consumer hardware, from TVs and headphones to smart speakers and VR headsets. I previously worked as the News & Features Editor at TechRadar and now freelance for NBC Select, Healthline and The Independent.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Henry St. Leger

Sept. 12, 2024, 3:16 PM UTC

By Henry St. Leger

Outdoor projectors are just the thing you need to enhance a camping trip or upgrade your backyard entertainment experience. While smartphones or tablets can download and stream films or TV shows themselves, it’s not comparable to having a large-scale projection that can be easily enjoyed by a group, all watching a film together.

Outdoor projectors tend to have limited battery life — usually only for a single film or two — though many can also function separately as Bluetooth speakers for far longer. And, if you have one of the best portable power stations, you can get many more hours of use out of an outdoor projector.

Whether you’re planning on traversing the great outdoors or creating a powerful entertainment system outside your own home, here are the best outdoor projectors, according to experts.

SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best outdoor projectors | The best outdoor projectors | How to shop for the best outdoor projectors | Why trust NBC Select?

Selected.Our top picks

Best overall
Nebula Mars 3
$899.99
$1,099.99
Amazon
Learn more
Best for audio
BenQ GS50
$699.00
$799.00
Amazon
Learn more
Best budget pick
Yaber T2
$299.99
$449.99
Target
Learn more

How we picked the best outdoor projectors

When picking these suggestions, I drew on the advice of other gadget testers and projector experts at Optoma, while also using my expertise as the Home Cinema Editor for TechRadar and an AV reporter for NBC Select. When choosing individual models, I kept the below criteria in mind:

Weather resistance: The difference between an indoor and outdoor projector is that the latter should be able to handle the elements. We looked for outdoor projectors with some measure of water resistance to make sure they could handle a little rain as well as dust and drop resistance where possible.
Portability and battery life: If you’re taking a projector outdoors, you may not have access to a power socket, making a decent battery life (at least one movie’s worth) and wireless capabilities an important feature.
Projection and brightness: For picture clarity, we looked for models with HD or 4K projection, with sufficient lumens or brightness to ensure visibility either in the dark or the evening light.

The best outdoor projectors

Nebula Mars 3

What we like

Water, dust, drop resistance
Built-in kickstand

Something to note

Pricey

Gadget tester Antwan Richardson, who is the creator and host of the New Stuff TV YouTube channel tells us the top pick should easily be the Nebula Mars 3, calling it “the complete package”. This portable projector comes with “IPX3 water resistance, dust resistance and even drop resistance” to help it weather the great outdoors. It also offers sharp and bright images on an expansive 200-inch projection, with HDR (High Dynamic Range) support. Richardson says, “The built-in kickstand is a huge help when getting it set up [and] the user interface is friendly to people who may not know much about projectors.”

Samsung The Freestyle (2nd Gen)

What we like

180-degree rotation
Great smart platform

Something to note

Not the brightest
Battery base sold separately

The Freestyle portable Samsung projector was recommended by Erin Lawrence, a tech reviewer who focuses on testing TVs, streaming devices and projectors. This second-generation model builds on an already-excellent projector, adding a dedicated gaming interface to Samsung’s sleek smart TV platform, as well as motorized zoom and lens shift to better calibrate the projection to your needs. There is also voice assistant support for Alexa or Bixby. However, to use this as an outdoor projector, you’ll either need a nearby power source or Samsung’s optional battery base, which provides The Freestyle with three hours of charge.

Lawrence worked on a Nebula review two years ago but does not have any current or ongoing relationship, financial or otherwise, with Anker or any other brand listed in this story.

Nebula Capsule 3

What we like

Google TV integration
Highly compact

Something to note

Slightly dim projection

Lawrence also recommends the Nebula Capsule 3, a highly portable, can-shaped projector that retails for half the price of the Nebula Mars 3 but matches it for resolution (1080p), while cutting back on brightness (only 200 lumens). It lacks HDR but the projection size is still a roomy 120 inches. It’s a little dim compared to other models on this list, but those intent on watching in the dark should manage just fine. At 1.83 lbs, it’s lightweight and its compact form factor makes it very easy to carry around.

BenQ GS50

What we like

2.1 channel speakers
Splash and drop resistance

Something to note

Slow interface

The BenQ GS50 comes recommended by Richardson, who praises its “built-in battery and speaker as well as its weather and drop resistance.” Specifically, it comes with a 2.1-channel audio system, including a 10W woofer for bass, which is far more powerful than the other options on this list, making this a good choice for outdoor moviegoers who care about audio. A 2.5-hour battery life is decent and should last for most movies. Richardson’s only complaint is that “the interface can be slow or glitchy at times”, but its overall sound quality and stylish form factor make up for those small hiccups.

Yaber T2

What we like

Built-in handle
Stylish design

Something to note

Nothing to note at this time

This Yaber projector is rated 4.5/5 stars on Amazon, and for good reason. It’s a sleek model: with a tasteful beige colorway and built-in handle. It looks more like a high-end coffee flask or compact picnic basket than it does a piece of AV hardware. The handle even doubles up as a stand to help angle the projection where you need it. But with a speaker developed by JBL, and 18 hours of battery life when sticking to music playback, the Yaber T2 makes a strong case for itself as a portable speaker as well as an outdoor projector.

How to shop for the best outdoor projectors

Brightness: “One of the most important things to understand is that ambient light is the enemy of almost any projector,” says Richardson. “There are very few projectors that can put up top quality video imagery in a very bright room or outdoors in daylight.” He also adds that the ideal viewing conditions will be later at night or in a dark setting. If you plan to use the projector during the daylight hours, just ensure it has a decent number of lumens, which determine how bright the projection can get.
Screens: Richardson also advises shoppers to think about what they will be projecting onto, as the side of an unpainted brick wall probably won’t cut it: “If you’re going to invest in a projector make sure you invest in a proper screen. You can certainly hoist a sheet or project video onto a white wall in a pinch, but if you’re really going to go all out, getting a good quality screen makes a massive difference in how the image is viewed.”
Connectivity: “Another consideration for an outdoor projector is to make sure either that your Wi-Fi will reach the area where you’re planning to view your videos, or that your projector can play downloaded content off a thumb drive or storage drive,” says Richardson. Otherwise, you may end up in the great outdoors without anything to watch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an outdoor projector?

Billy Harrison, a Product Manager at projector maker and electronics manufacturer Optoma, says, “ Outdoor projectors should be compact or ultra-compact, lightweight, weigh up to 6lbs (or less) and feature an HDMI 2.0 interface with HDR input.”

A low weight allows projectors to be easily transported, unlike indoor models that are generally static and may be permanently installed in a ceiling mount. Harrison adds that, whereas “indoor projectors may weigh more than six pounds [and] include features such as additional I/Os, higher brightness (3500 - 4500 lumens), larger zoom ratio and even Android and Smart Home functionality,” an outdoor projector is likely to cram in lower specifications in order to meet size/weight requirements and focus on outdoor-specific features, such as water resistance and a built-in battery.

How big should an outdoor projector be?

While the projector itself should be relatively compact where possible, the projection has the reverse expectation, needing to be as large as possible for a visible image.

Harrison says, “ A 100-inch projection delivers a large bright cinematic image that is more than acceptable for a family or an audience of up to eight. If the group will be more than eight people, I suggest a 120” to 150” image due to the additional space needed for the larger audience.”

The listed projection size is the maximum you can achieve with that model, but moving the projector closer to the wall, screen or surface you’re watching on will reduce the size of the image to what you require.

How many lumens do I need for an outdoor projector?

“Simply speaking, the more lumens a projector has, the brighter it will be, but several other factors can also contribute to overall video quality from a projector, such as resolution and contrast ratio,” says Lawrence.

So, lumens isn’t the only metric to pay attention to, but brighter models will fare better in lighter environments. 400 lumens is a good baseline for compact models — and the best projectors on this list hit 1,000 lumens — though you may be able to get away with less in very dark conditions.

Optoma’s Billy Harrison notes that some outdoor projectors are capable of 3,000 lumens, adding that “The higher the brightness, the better the experience in outdoor environments due to light population from various sources.”

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Erin Lawrence is a gadget expert and professional tech reviewer for TechGadgetsInternational.com, with years of experience testing TVs, streamers and projectors.
Antwan Richardson is the creator and host of the New Stuff TV YouTube channel, which offers candid perspectives on home theater hardware, including projectors, TVs and soundbars.
Billy Harrison is a Product Manager at Optoma, an electronics manufacturer specializing in projectors for business, education, professional audio/video and home entertainment.

Why trust NBC Select?

I have worked as a gadget reporter since 2017, covering the latest developments in consumer hardware, from TVs and headphones to smart speakers and VR headsets. I previously worked as the News & Features Editor at TechRadar and now freelance for NBC Select, Healthline and The Independent.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.