If you are shopping for the best outdoor movie projector, one that you can easily move from room to room and set up in the backyard for a movie, this article is for you. These picks are meant for patios, decks, and backyards, where you can bring the projector back inside when you are done. Since outdoor viewing usually means some ambient light and large screen sizes, brightness and overall usability matter as much, if not more, than contrast or color vibrancy. You will still get the best image quality after dark, but a brighter projector can keep the picture watchable earlier in the evening or with a few lights on. The smaller projectors on this list can't compete with the bigger units in terms of image quality, but some small portable models provide a decent viewing experience, and they often come with integrated batteries, which can be helpful if you don't have an outlet in your backyard. If you aren't sure how large an image you can get from your setup, our projector throw calculator can help you check what each model can do at your distance.
We've bought and tested more than 95 projectors, and below, you'll find the best outdoor projectors to buy. We only cover consumer models, not high-end products meant for enthusiasts. If you want to carry your projector with you, look at our best portable projector recommendations instead. Or, if you're shopping at a price point, read our best projectors under $500 and best projectors under $1,000 lists. You can also vote on which ones you want us to purchase next and test.
We've independently bought and tested over 80 projectors and published detailed results for each, so you can decide which one to buy. These have all been tested under the same standardized methodology, allowing you to compare them side by side. We still have all these projects in our lab, so we can continually go back and compare them to ensure our reviews are still accurate. All our test methodologies are also public on our website, so you can validate the results yourself.
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Best Outdoor Projector
OutdoorsHome TheaterGamingBedroomPortabilityBrightnessContrastColorGaming ResponsivenessProjector Type:Short ThrowNative Resolution:Pixel Shift 4kSee all our test resultsLight Source:LaserIf you're looking for the best outdoor projector, consider the Anker Nebula X1. Its triple-laser light engine is very bright, so the image doesn't look washed-out on a dark evening, even with a few patio or string lights on. It projects a sharp 4k image (via pixel shift) with remarkable color volume and strong contrast, so movies and sports look vivid and have solid depth once the sun goes down. When outdoors, where you almost always have some ambient light from nearby lighting or the night sky, that mix of brightness and contrast is exactly what you want.
The X1 also feels purposely built for outdoor use. The chunky chassis and retractable carrying handle make it easy to bring it outside for an evening and back in before the weather turns. There's no built-in battery, but Anker also sells bundles that add extras like a battery pack, carry case, wireless satellite speakers, and microphones. It also has many features that help speed up the setup process, like automatic keystone correction, autofocus, and a motorized zoom lens. Google TV is built in for streaming, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for casting and wireless audio, and the integrated speakers are loud and full enough to cover a typical patio. All these features combined make the Nebula X1 our top pick for outdoor movie nights.
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Best Mid-Range Outdoor Projector
OutdoorsHome TheaterGamingBedroomPortabilityBrightnessContrastColorGaming ResponsivenessProjector Type:Standard ThrowNative Resolution:Pixel Shift 4kSee all our test resultsLight Source:LaserIf you like what the Anker Nebula X1 offers but need something with a lower price tag, the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Pro offers a similar outdoor experience. Unlike the Anker, it doesn't have a carrying handle, making it less convenient to bring outside. You can't place it quite as close to the surface you're projecting onto, meaning it requires a bit more space in your yard. Its built-in speakers aren't as loud as the ones on the Anker, so you might need to connect a soundbar or Bluetooth speaker if you have a big yard. However, it shares many of the same setup features, including a motorized zoom lens that allows you to adjust the size of the image. It also has screen adaptation features like auto keystone and autofocus, and you can even mount it to a tripod. On top of that, it has a gimbal stand that lets you tilt the projector vertically and horizontally for alignment, so you can spend more time watching movies than setting it up.
The projector offers the same 4k resolution (via pixel shift), very similar contrast, and the same color vibrancy as the Anker, so you get to enjoy great image quality at night. It's almost as bright, too, so it avoids looking washed-out if you have some patio lights turned on. It runs the Google TV smart OS, meaning you don't need to bring a streaming device outside with you.
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Best Budget Outdoor Projector
OutdoorsHome TheaterGamingBedroomPortabilityBrightnessContrastColorGaming ResponsivenessProjector Type:Short ThrowNative Resolution:Pixel Shift 4kSee all our test resultsLight Source:LaserIf you want something cheaper than the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Pro that's also more portable, the XGIMI Elfin Flip 4K is a great choice. It's dimmer than the more expensive XGIMI model, so you really need to wait until the sun is completely down to avoid a washed-out image. Its contrast isn't as good either, but it's still decent, so the image has good enough depth to avoid looking flat. Fortunately, colors are just as vibrant on this model, so the image still looks punchy. It has the same set of screen adaptation tools as the higher-end model, like autofocus and automatic keystone correction, which helps simplify setup. Additionally, it has a motorized zoom lens that lets you adjust the image size. One advantage of this projector is that you can place it closer to the surface you're projecting onto, giving you more flexibility when space is limited. On top of that, its one-axis gimbal allows you to adjust it vertically, and you can mount it on a tripod.
When the projector is unfolded, you can use the top of the frame to carry it. When folded, the frame serves as a lens cover, making it easy to carry in a backpack, especially since it's small and lightweight. Even though it's very portable, it still lacks a built-in battery, so you need access to a power outlet. Unfortunately, the built-in speakers are quiet, so you might need to pair it with a Bluetooth speaker or soundbar if you can't sit very close to the projector. Still, the Flip 4K offers a lot for a relatively low price, outperforming many projectors that are a lot more expensive.
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Best Cheap Outdoor Projector
OutdoorsHome TheaterGamingBedroomPortabilityBrightnessContrastColorGaming ResponsivenessProjector Type:Standard ThrowNative Resolution:1080pSee all our test resultsLight Source:LEDIf you just want something cheap that gets the job done, the Anker Nebula P1i fits that bill. This is a 1080p projector, so the image isn't as sharp as the other options on our list, and the projector's image quality is a big step down from the XGIMI Elfin Flip 4K. It's a lot dimmer, so you really need to wait for it to be fully dark outside to avoid a washed-out image. Its contrast ratio is quite low, and the colors are muted, resulting in an image that looks much flatter and duller than the Flip 4K. Still, the image looks fine for the odd movie night outside. Even though the projector is a bit chunkier and heavier than the Flip 4K, its top handle makes it easy to carry around, and you can still toss it in a duffel bag if you need to bring it to a friend's house. The projector doesn't have a motorized zoom lens, so you need to physically move the projector to adjust the size of the image. Furthermore, you need a bit more distance between the projector and the surface you're projecting onto than you do with the Flip 4K.
Fortunately, you can easily attach it to a tripod. It also includes autofocus, automatic keystone correction, and other screen adaptation features that help simplify the setup process. It utilizes the popular Google TV OS, allowing you to keep your streaming device inside. You can also keep your soundbar or Bluetooth speaker inside, since it has speakers on each side that you can flip out. These speakers create a wide soundstage and are loud enough to fill a moderately sized yard. You just need access to a power outlet, since it lacks a built-in battery.
Notable Mentions
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JMGO N3 Ultimate:
The JMGO N3 Ultimate competes with the Anker Nebula X1. The JMGO is the better choice for people who need the brightest option possible. However, the JMGO is heavier and doesn't have a handle, making it more inconvenient to carry around. It also has quieter speakers that create a narrower soundstage, so you need to pair it with an external audio device unless you sit close to it.
See our review -
XGIMI HORIZON 20:
The XGIMI HORIZON 20 is a great alternative if you like the setup and screen adaptation features of the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Pro, but want something more affordable. The HORIZON 20 is a bit dimmer with slightly worse contrast, so it doesn't handle as much glare, and the image looks a bit flatter.
See our review -
XGIMI Elfin Flip Laser:
If you like what the XGIMI Elfin Flip 4K offers but need something more affordable, the XGIMI Elfin Flip Laser is a good alternative. The Flip Laser is limited to 1080p, so the image isn't as sharp. Setting up the Flip Laser isn't too difficult, but it lacks a zoom lens, has fewer screen adaptation features, and requires more distance from your projection surface.
See our review -
XGIMI Vibe One:
The XGIMI Vibe One is sold for around the same price as the Anker Nebula P1i. The Anker has worse image quality overall, but its small and lightweight design, combined with its built-in battery, makes it highly portable, making it a good alternative if portability is your main concern.
See our review
Recent Updates
Sep 03, 2026:
We removed the 'Best Upper Mid-Range' and 'Best Lower Mid-Range' sections from the article, since those picks were redundant. We also replaced the BenQ TH575 with the XGIMI Elfin Flip 4K in the 'Budget' section and the Epson EpiqVision Flex C0-FH02 with the Anker Nebula P1i in the 'Cheap' section, since the new picks are better options for outdoor use. Finally, we refreshed the Notable Mentions section to offer better alternatives to our current picks.
Jun 23, 2026:
The BenQ TH575 replaces the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus as the 'Best Budget Outdoor Projector' due to its mix of solid image quality and decent gaming performance; the Epson is now in the Notable Mentions.
May 26, 2026:
The JMGO N3 Ultimate is now our upper mid-range pick thanks to its strong brightness and gaming performance, while the Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus is our new budget pick for its versatile setup and smart features. Recent pricing adjustments pushed the JMGO N1S Ultimate out of the lower mid-tier, with the XGIMI Horizon S Max replacing it instead. Finally, the Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-FH02 is now our cheap pick, as it delivers much better brightness for outdoor use than the NexiGo PJ40 (Gen 3).
Mar 11, 2026:
Price creep has pushed the Hisense M2 Pro out of the budget category, so we replaced it with the venerable Epson Home Cinema 1080. The Hisense is now in the Notable Mentions instead. The other picks were lightly rewritten.
Feb 06, 2026:
We revamped the article to emphasize units that are small enough to carry out on the patio but not necessarily small enough to throw in a backpack or take camping.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think is currently the best projector for outdoor movies for most people to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper projector wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no projectors that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of the best outdoor movie projectors. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no projector is perfect, many are good enough for most uses; however, avoid the worst models to ensure adequate quality.