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Besides some clear favorites, our biggest takeaway from testing is that darker surroundings willalwayshelp your picture clarity.
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We tested each projector for battery life, clarity of sound and screen, and portability.
you could expect to spend anywhere between $400 to $2,000 for a quality projector.
This projector is easy to set up, especially if youre already somewhat familiar with Samsungs user interface.
PHOTO: Best Buy
Though, if youve never owned a projector before, you may experience a slight learning curve.
Aside from its compact size, we were also impressed by the audio output on this model.
It was strong for such a small gadget.
PHOTO: The Spruce
We think this projector would be a great option for movie marathons, thanks to its long battery life.
We do wish thebattery basewas included with this projector, but unfortunately, it’s sold separately.
However, its easy to purchase all of the accessories you want on the Samsung site.
All you need is a compatible controller and gaming service subscription to enjoy.
However, we’ve found some quality options under $100, like this popular mini projector from PVO.
At less than one pound, the PVO mini is also the lightest projector we recommend.
It’s additionally compatible with a tripod.
However, the lower price point of the PVO Mini Projector is hard to beat.
We found it was helpful to wedge smaller items under the projector for the perfect angle.
However, the image quality and sound were very sufficient once we were up and running.
But again, you don’t have to worry about purchasing a movie screen separately.
For that reason, we believe it would be up to the task of projecting images during the day.
PHOTO: Amazon
Just like the other picks on our list, this model was fairly straightforward to set up.
The most time-consuming part was logging into all of our desired streaming accounts and adding any apps we wanted.
Plus, the remote was very similar in functionality to aRoku stick.
PHOTO: Amazon
As a bonus, this model comes with a carrying case for added portability and protection, too.
How Do I Set Up an Outdoor Projector?
Setting up an outdoor projector starts with picking a site.
PHOTO: The Spruce
A matte-colored, flat surface is ideal, he says.
“The larger the picture, the more lumens you’ll need to maintain brightness,” says Prouty.
As the picture gets bigger, the light gets dimmer.
Ideally, you’d want to start with at least 2,000 lumens to be safe, he says.
Want to watch a movie in daylight, when light pollution is very high?
Then you’ll need to think about the best outdoor projector for daylight.
Our best for daytime use pick, theAnker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector, has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
Our list features projectors with brightnesses that range from 230 to 2,200 ANSI lumens.
To roughly calculate ANSI lumens from lumens, you’ll divide lumens by 2.4.
Many of the smallest, most portable outdoor projectors sacrifice brightness to offer other important features.
These projectors typically work fine outdoors, just on smaller screens.
It will decrease the picture size, but the smaller picture will be brighter.
PHOTO: Amazon
Our pick forbest for daytime useis the only laser outdoor projector on our list.
Aspect ratio and throw ratio are two other major specs you should look at when purchasing a projector.
These models are lightweight, small, and can even run on battery power.
PHOTO: The Spruce
Ourmost portableandbest under-$100picks are great examples.
The most important is wireless connectivity, which comes in the form of Bluetoothand Wi-Fi.
Some projectors also feature USB ports and SD card slots that let you load media.
Some even have HDMI ports, like ourbest under-$100option, so you could connect another unit.
Emma Asheis an associate editor at The Spruce who specializes in covering home entertainment and tech products.
Phelps recommends prioritizing brightness and ensuring your outdoor space is as dark as possible for the best experience.
She also vetted features and researched the best setup considerations.
Our Experts:
IP Ratings.
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: The Spruce
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