Having your own outdoor movie theatre is an excellent idea.
With modern tech and devices, everyone can set up a movie theatre at their home (indoor and outdoor).
In this article, we will guide you on choosing best cheap outdoor projector. Not all projectors are designed to work outside so several things like brightness, portability, and connectivity need utmost attention while selecting a projector for outdoors.
Today is the perfect time to convert your garden, patio, and rooftop into a home cinema theatre and enjoy watching movies in the comfort of nature. But before we jump onto the list of the best affordable outdoor projector, let us briefly discuss what needs to be considered because outdoor use of a projector comes with its own challenges.
SIDENOTE: With the correct choice of the following parameters/specifications, you can use an existing indoor projector to watch movies in your backyard.
#1 Brightness: The presence of ambient light can negatively affect the image quality by the projector. If you are going to watch movies in broad daylight, you should go for a projector with the highest possible brightness. The higher your projector’s brightness, the more precise and watchable the image. Choose a projector with the highest brightness to avoid problems due to the light from street lamps or neighbor’s houses.
As far as affordability is concerned, a promising brightness count is around 2500 or 3000 lumens, as projectors with this brightness level are brighter enough to deliver good quality images.
#2 Resolution: It refers to the detailing a picture or video holds! Projectors display pictures in pixels like televisions and mobile phones. More pixels mean better picture quality. In today’s market, HD resolution, equal to 1920 x 1080 pixels, is found in many projecting devices, which fulfills buyers’ demands for distortion-less crystal-clear images.
Few models come with 4K resolution, which equals 4096 x 2160 pixels, which means better image quality. However, 4K projectors are available in hefty cost ranges, so if you’re too tight on budget, go for HD (1920x1080p) resolution, in my suggestion.
#3 Built-in Battery: In the case of the people who do not have access to the power source in their backyard, it is suggested to go for a projector with a built-in battery. Modern projectors come with a rechargeable battery with 3-4 hours back-up.
#4 Portability & Connectivity: Highly portable projector with a plethora of connectivity options is a must for outdoor use because no one is willing to bring out an entire home theatre setup every time they want to watch a movie outside. WiFi or Bluetooth-enabled projector will let you stream content right from your garden or patio.
#5 Sound: Last but not least, instead of connecting the audio system separately, we suggest you choose a projector with built-in speakers. They will reduce the setup time and let you get started quickly.
But note that built-in projector speakers are not as powerful and efficient as a dedicated sound system. Nevertheless, they are the best fit for small families.
List of Best Affordable & Cheap Outdoor Projector of 2024
- GooDee 2022 – Best Overall
- Nebula Anker Mars II Pro – Best Portable
- ViewSonic PX701HD – Best for Gaming
- Epson Home Cinema 880 – Editor’s Choice
- Jifar Outdoor Projector – Highest Brightness
- ONOAYO Outdoor Projector
- XGIMI Halo
- Nebula Anker Solar
- BenQ HT2050A
Now without any further ado, let us start discussing the best outdoor projectors,
1. GooDee 2022 Upgraded
GooDee 2022 comes with promising brightness and contrast ratio.
The cost of this projector is $144 only. This budget-friendly projector comes with a sleek and lightweight design to make it a perfect choice for outdoor movies.
As mentioned earlier, the brightness level is imperative to consider because low brightness images are unclear in sunlight. Fortunately, the GooDee upgraded version has a 9500 lumens brightness level, and as a user, I have seen the difference in image quality of this model from its predecessors. In short, the brightness ratio has improved to eighty percent in this upgraded projector—giving you a memorable theater experience in your backyard, garage, or even camping sites.
Specifications
- Brightness: 9500 Lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1
- Native Resolution: 1920x1080p
- Screen Size: up to 230-inch
- Throw Distance: 1.4 to 5.4 m
- Size: 12×9.3×4.6 inch
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Lamp Lifespan: 50,000 hours
It comes with dual HDMI and USB ports along with VGA and AV ports. So you can easily connect this projector to a TV box, PC, laptop, Xbox, DVD, Playstation, media players, androids or apple gadgets, and more.
The built-in stereo speakers of 3W with SRS sound provide distortion-less audio to double up the filmic ambiance.
Benefits
- Affordable
- Compact and portable
- In-built speakers
- Excellent lamp lifespan
Drawbacks
- It cannot compete with lots of ambient light
(You can’t use this projector in the presence of lots of ambient light. It is useful in the evenings and nights.)
2. Nebula Anker Mars II Pro
We are considering Anker Mars II Pro primarily for its portability and advanced wireless connectivity options.
The model is pretty compact and lightweight—suitable for outdoor camping activities. I like the handle addition over the top that makes carrying effortless. Another element that complements its outdoor suitability is the “built-in battery” that requires no cable mess to function. You need to charge it like a laptop or mobile and use it wherever you want. It has a battery backup of 3 hours. Isn’t it so convenient for open-air parties?
Outdoor movie watching experience highly depends upon the brightness. Nebula has equipped DLP Intellibright Technology in their Mars series of the projector to deliver a breathtaking picture quality with an excellent resolution.
Specifications
- Brightness: 500 ANSI Lumens
- Native Resolution: 1280×720 pixels
- Screen Size: up to 100-inch
- Throw Distance: 1.5 to 2.6 m
- Size: 7×4.8×5.4 inch
- Weight: 3.94 lbs
- Lamp Lifespan: 30,000 hours
- Battery Capacity: 12,500 mAh
The Mar II Pro is a modern outdoor projector with wireless connectivity options like Bluetooth or WiFi. To expand your entertainment platform, manufacturers have added HDMI and USB ports, too, through which you can connect a PlayStation, Xbox, laptop, PC, Nintendo, or more gadgets. Over that, this advanced projecting device is based on Android 7.1 and features your favorite applications like Netflix, amazon prime, Youtube, and more.
The dual 10W built-in speakers offer an immersive cinematic experience. They are the best fit for mid-sized families.
Benefits
- Compact and portable
- WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
- 10W built-in speakers
Drawbacks
- Low resolution
- It cannot compete with lots of ambient light.
(You can’t use this projector in the presence of lots of ambient light. It is useful in the evenings and nights.)
3. ViewSonic PX701HD
ViewSonic is the brand name that cannot be neglected whenever you visit a marketplace to search for a pocket-friendly projector. The company has heaped awards for manufacturing the best-selling projectors around the globe. I discovered the ViewSonic PX701HD is an excellent choice for home entertainment and gaming; let me tell you why!
It boasts a massive screen size of up to 300-inch. We love the immersive colors that make images and videos more mesmerizing and eye-catching, all thanks to the Super Color technology integrated into this projecting device.
Moreover, the ViewSonic comes with a low input lag of 16ms at 60Hz, making it an ideal choice for gaming.
Specifications
- Brightness: 3500 Lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 12000:1
- Native Resolution: 1920x1080p
- Screen Size: up to 300-inch
- Size: 12.2×4.4×8.7 inch
- Weight: 5.7 lbs
- Lamp Lifespan: 20,000 hours
It comes with dual HDMI and USB, AV, and VGA ports sufficient for media players, gaming consoles, TV, PC, etc.
The built-in 10W speakers are enough for small-sized families.
Benefits
- Gaming projector with low input lag
- Excellent contrast ratio
- Massive screen size
Drawbacks
- It cannot compete with lots of ambient light.
(You can’t use this projector in the presence of lots of ambient light. It is useful in the evenings and nights.)
4. Epson Home Cinema 880
Epson has been a trendsetter in the electronics industry for selling trustworthy products.
Considering the excellent resolution and contrast ratio, it would be unfair not to include the Epson Home Cinema 880 in the series of best budget-friendly projectors for outdoor movies.
With a brightness of 3300 lumens and a contrast ratio of 16000:1, this projector offers stunning and detailed picture quality.
Specifications
- Brightness: 3300 Lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 16000:1
- Native Resolution: 1920x1080p
- Screen Size: up to 320-inch
- Throw Distance: 1.4 to 5.4 m
- Size: 15x14x6.25 inch
- Weight: 7.9 lbs
- Lamp Lifespan: 50,000 hours
This projector includes an HDMI, USB Type-A, and USB Type B to connect it to your TV, PC, laptop, Xbox, DVD, Playstation, media players, androids or apple gadgets, and more.
Besides, the Cinema 880 also has a built-in stereo sound system that will take your entertainment experience to the next level.
Benefits
- High contrast ratio
- Excellent picture quality
- Massive screen size
- Built-in speakers
Drawbacks
- Limited connectivity options
5. Jifar Outdoor Projector
The Jifar H6 has made its place in this article through the unbeatable display quality and promising connectivity options.
It is one of the cheapest outdoor projectors on this list with the price of $212 only. The Jifar H6 projector packs a big punch of features at this price.
This projector is perfect for outdoor movies with its 10000 lumens brightness level and a promising contrast ratio. I bet you cannot get a better display under that price range. The detailing and dimensions are extravagant; there are no downscaling or stretching issues that damage your eyes.
In short, I found this HD-supported projector a top-notch model for its display quality.
Specifications
- Brightness: 10000 Lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 10000:1
- Native Resolution: 1920x1080p
- Screen Size: up to 450-inch
- Size: 9.26×5.5×3 inch
- Weight: 5.5 lbs
- Lamp Lifespan: 100,000 hours
The range of connectivity options, along with the provision of WiFi and Bluetooth, lets this projector standout on this list of the best outdoor projector. With wireless connectivity options, streaming videos and mirroring your smartphone screen is a breeze.
It features HDMI and USB ports to make wired data transmitting possible.
We are impressed by the 6W HiFi stereo sound system. It would save you from the hassle of attaching and carrying external speakers.
Benefits
- Highest brightness level
- WiFi and Bluetooth
- Excellent picture quality
- Massive screen
- Supports 4K projection
Drawbacks
- Built-in speakers could be better
6. ONOAYO Outdoor Projector
This is another excellent projector on this list with impressive specs like Jifar H6 (discuss above).
Following are the selling points of this projector,
- High brightness
- WiFi and Bluetooth
- Excellent contrast ratio
- The impressive audio quality offered by 10W speakers
Long story short, upon testing, we found the ONOAYO projector excellent because it has high-quality built-in speakers and it is compatible with a range of gadgets.
Specifications
- Brightness: 9800 Lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 12000:1
- Native Resolution: 1920x1080p
- Screen Size: up to 300-inch
- Size: 10.1×8.2×4 inch
- Weight: 3.7 lbs
- Lamp Lifespan: 100,000 hours
Plenty of wired connectivity options are available with the ONOAYO projector. It includes dual HDMI and USB ports along with one AV port that allows connectivity with your Amazon Stick, Chromecast, PC, Laptop, Tablet, Xbox, DVD player, card reader, USB stick, media players, speakers, iPad, iPhone, Android smartphone.
Benefits
- A highly portable device that weighs 3.7 lbs only
- Supports 4K projection
- Video streaming and screen mirroring is a breeze
Drawbacks
- Nothing (as of now)
7. XGIMI Halo
XGIMI Halo is a highly portable projector designed for people on the go. The price of this projector is $799.
This stylish-looking projector offers a brightness of 800 ANSI Lumens, which is not enough for daytime outdoor movie watching. You need to use this projector in the evening or at night.
It has a built-in battery, high-quality speakers, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity. Another great feature is its built-in Android TV. So you can enjoy streaming from your favorite apps like YouTube, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney +, HBO Max, and more!
Specifications
- Brightness: 800 ANSI Lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1
- Native Resolution: 1920x1080p
- Screen Size: up to 300-inch
- Throw Distance: 0.8 to 8 m
- Size: 4.4×5.7×6.7 inch
- Weight: 3.53 lbs
- Lamp Lifespan: 30,000 hours
It comes with an HDMI and USB port that lets you connect this projector to your Blu-ray player, gaming consoles, laptop, PC, etc. Apart from those two ports, it equips a 3.5mm audio jack for connecting external speakers.
You can easily connect this projector to external speakers using Bluetooth or enjoy the sound from built-in dual 5W Harman Kardon speakers. XGIMI Halo’s built-in speakers are the best fit for mid-sized families.
Benefits
- Excellent picture quality in dark environment
- Built-in speakers
- WiFi and Bluetooth
- Supports 4K projection
- HDR support
- Short throw projector
Drawbacks
- It cannot compete with lots of ambient light.
(You can’t use this projector in the presence of lots of ambient light. It is useful in the evenings and nights.)
8. Nebula Anker Solar
Nebula Anker Solar is a lightweight projector with a premium design.
It offers excellent picture quality and color accuracy with its FHD 1080p resolution, the brightness of 400 ANSI Lumens, and HDR10 support. Though this projector cannot be used in broad daylight, it will give you exceptional performance in the evening and night.
Screen mirroring and video streaming are a breeze with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth. One of the great features is its built-in Android TV. You can enjoy streaming from your favorite apps like YouTube, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney +, HBO Max, and more!
Specifications
- Brightness: 400 ANSI Lumens
- Native Resolution: 1920x1080p
- Screen Size: up to 120-inch
- Throw Distance: 1 to 3.18 m
- Size: 7.5×7.5×1.9 inch
- Weight: 1.81 lbs
- Lamp Lifespan: 30,000 hours
Solar comes with an HDMI, USB, and DC jack. However, the built-in dual 3W speakers are not enough for outdoor movie watching, so we would suggest you use external speakers.
Benefits
- Excellent picture quality in dark environment
- WiFi and Bluetooth
- Highly portable
Drawbacks
- Built-in speakers could be better
- It cannot compete with lots of ambient light.
(You can’t use this projector in the presence of lots of ambient light. It is useful in the evenings and nights.)
9. BenQ HT2050A
This excellent projector by the brand BenQ offers superior picture quality. The BenQ HT2050A is a popular gaming projector with an input lag of 16ms at a 120Hz refresh rate.
It offers vibrant and realistic colors. Darker blacks and brighter whites, and accurate colors make up a vivid image.
Specifications
- Brightness: 2200 Lumens
- Contrast Ratio: 15000:1
- Native Resolution: 1920x1080p
- Screen Size: up to 300-inch
- Size: 15x11x5 inch
- Weight: 8 lbs
This projector equips dual HDMI ports along with USB, VGA, AV port that lets you connect this projector to your TV box, PC, laptop, Xbox, DVD, Playstation, media players, androids, apple gadgets, and more.
Built-in 10W speaker delivers enhanced sound quality. They are the best fit for midsized families.
Benefits
- Low input lag for gaming
- Excellent picture quality in dark environment
Drawbacks
- It cannot compete with lots of ambient light.
(You can’t use this projector in the presence of lots of ambient light. It is useful in the evenings and nights.)
Final Thoughts
An outdoor projector delivers promising visuals in light and dark environments. Based on our testing analysis, we have explained the top-notch projectors to enjoy movies or your favorite TV shows in your backyard. However, if you’re low on time, look at my favorites:
In a nutshell, a projector is not something you can buy repeatedly. So, it’s always a good idea to think, explore and make a wise purchase! I hope that with the help of this article, you’ll soon get a budget-friendly projector device.
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