Finding the right projector for your home theater or business can be a real struggle. They weren’t originally designed to work in bright rooms, so it took some time for technology to catch up with demand and provide projectors that could function well during daylight hours.
They come in different sizes, so it’s important to consider the size and type of room you want your projector for before deciding on one. Make sure that whatever model you pick has 2500 lumens or more because without this there is not enough light for an audience to see what’s going on.
For a great daylight viewing experience, try these top choices.
Best Projector for Daylight Viewing Top Picks
1. BenQ MW612 WXGA Projector
The BenQ MW612 WXGA projector is the perfect choice for your next presentation with its dual HDMI and high-quality 1280 x 800 resolution. Crisp and clear, this projector will make even the most boring PowerPoint look interesting.
This projector has an amazing contrast ratio of 20000:1. It is capable of project images up to 120 inches. Not only that, but it offers multiple connections for your commercial projects and reduces eye strain with its 4000 ANSI lumens.
The MW612’s high-lumen output presence provides brilliant picture quality along with vibrant colors and crisp text readability for your documents. This projector is perfect if you’re trying to focus on business meetings or presentations because the color clarity will not falter even when being projected during daylight hours.
Pros
- Great price point
- Compact design for portability
- 4,000 lumens brightness
- 3D and Blu-Ray 3D compatible
- Two HDMI ports
- User-friendly operating system
- Wireless connectivity
Cons
- Speaker range is not suitable for a larger audience
- Not able to mount to the ceiling because of button location
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- Lacks 4K Resolution
2. YABER Y31 Projector
The YABER Y31 projector is perfect for anyone looking to make their home cinema experience more immersive. It can project a large picture on your wall up to 120 inches, and it has some really cool features like One-Click Vertical Correction and Brighten Function as well as ± 50° 4D keystone correction capability so you’ll never have any distortion or warping of the image ever again.
The remote control features a -25% zoom function and a one-click restore tab to adjust the screen. It’s especially helpful when you’re projecting from an overhead projector
This projector is perfect for enjoying the newest 4K video content. It has an incredible display with a resolution of 1920×1080 and can stream videos up to four times the 720p. The 7200 lux bright screen creates crisp, clear images perfect for viewing presentations in a room during the day.
This is a projector that will be good for outdoor use. It comes with in-built speakers and an SRS sound system, so you can enjoy your multimedia without any additional equipment needed! Plus it has advanced cooling features to keep the device running smoothly even during hot weather conditions.
Pros
- Great picture quality
- Customizable settings
- Great customer service
- Fan is quiet
- Can be used during day time
Cons
- Sound is can be improved
- Only one ‘save file’ of user settings
3. DR. J Professional AK-30 Projector
The DR. J Professional AK-30 projector is one of the best projectors available in the market for beginners looking to watch their favorite movies at home or on a road trip. The product’s specifications are strong and provide excellent viewing experiences in both indoor and outdoor setups.
This projector’s incredible projection quality can turn any home into a theater for you and your family. The 8000:1 contrast ratio makes video viewing crisp, clear, and life-like.
DR. J Professional Native 1080P Projector is the perfect medium for a lively classroom session or an intense meeting with your colleagues from across town. This projector offers up to 300″ of projection size and compatibility with USB, HDMI ports, TF card slot (for viewing), AV cable input/output slots as well as audio output jack options without worry about needing anything else but a plug-in power cord.
Pros
- Budget-friendly compared to other models
- Multiple inputs
- Display resolution is crisp and clear
Cons
- Keystone control range is a bit limited
- Screen that is included is very thin
- Minor light spill on the edges
- Fan noise is noticeable
4. GooDee YG600 Projector
The GooDee Video Projector is the perfect choice for a dedicated home theater. The 500 ANSI lumen makes it great in all light conditions, be it day or night, indoors or out.
Its large screen and affordable price make this an ideal investment for any movie buff with a big family to entertain. One of the best features is that it has a 3000:1 contrast ratio which lets you watch videos and sports at their finest.
Not only will colors be vibrant, but details in the video are clear as can be thanks to its 1080P resolution.
You should know that this projector will still heat up with usage. The cooling mechanism for this projector has a new fan design that will keep it running cool and efficient.
With an extended bulb life, the projector can run as long as you need it to without overheating or burning out.
Pros
- Bright vibrant picture
- Great sound
- user-friendly setup
- Two HDMI inputs
- HDMI cable and a 3-to-1 AV input connector included
Cons
- The focus wheel feels cheap when adjusting
- Lacks built-in wireless capabilities
- Fan noise is noticeable
5. WiMiUS P18 daylight Projector
The WiMiUS P18 Projector offers users a wonderful daylight viewing experience in addition to its 1080P resolution. Not only is the clarity four times clearer than other supported projectors, but it eliminates any output lags while playing videos at 30Hz.
It has 6200 lumens and an incredible contrast ratio of 7000:1 for bright picture quality even in dark rooms. This will let you have true cinematic experiences at home.
The company offers you a three-year limited warranty along with excellent customer care service. If any disputes arise, the company will refund your money!
Pros
- Images are bright and crisp
- In-built speakers have decent volume
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Fan noise is noticeable
- Recommended to connect external speakers or soundbar
6. GooDee G500 Mini Projector

There are a lot of high-quality projectors out there but the GooDee G500 is one that stands head and shoulders above. It’s rated as one of the top in creating your own home theatre system with its 200-inch screen and 50,000 hours lamp life.
The brightness on this device is a whopping 3800 lux and can even be taken outdoors in daylight. The screen has a TFT LCD which consumes lower energy, giving you hours of lamp life.
This mini projector is a great price for the quality of video and brightness. It can be used for presentations, educational purposes, or watching movies with friends.
Pros
- Packaged securely
- Easy setup
- Great clarity and brightness
- Built-in speaker
Cons
- Batteries not included
- Only one HDMI port
- The audio quality, not the best quality
- The remote is small
- When you turn off the projector, a bright blue led ring comes on
7. ManyBox Projector
If you are looking for an outdoor projector, this model is worth checking out. The ManyBox mini projector has 4500 lumens and still displays an image clearly with no interference or distortion.
The built-in speakers of this projector ensure that you never have to worry about taking your sound system with you when traveling. In fact, the entire machine is contained in one compact space.
This model is so compact and portable, it can be thrown in a bag to take with you anywhere. It’s perfect for those who want an easy way to enjoy their favorite videos while camping or at their friend’s house. The recommended distance for this is between 3-9 feet which allows it to fill up much more space.
Pros
- Multiple connectivity and input options
- Bright output
- Loudspeakers
- Quiet
- Remote control
- Small and portable
- LED bulb will last much, much longer than the older projector
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- Requires AC connection, cannot run on a battery
- 480p native resolution
- No Bluetooth support to connect wireless speakers
What to look out for when buying a projector for daylight viewing
Brightness
There are so many factors to consider when deciding on what projectors you should purchase. Brightness, contrast ratio, and resolution can all have a major impact on your viewing experience but there is only one thing that determines how bright the projected image will be – lumens!
The higher this number goes, the brighter everything becomes. But it isn’t just about getting as high as possible. This can result in eye fatigue and an insanely bright screen without any details.
if you were watching a movie outdoors in the day with 100 people or less, then 3000 lumens should work. But when there are 200 more people to account for and brighter lights, around 6000 lumens is required.
Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio of a projector is the difference between light and dark. A higher ratio means that lighter areas are brighter, while darker ones will be much dimmer. For best results at home or work for use with daylight projectors, look for devices that give off high contrasts so sharp lines are easy to see.
Lamp Life
Lamp life is one of the most important factors in a projector’s lifespan, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always tell you how long that will be. Keep in mind that the lamp life is not always 100% accurate.
Sometimes you will need a change sooner than expected. The key here is choosing projectors with a high life so you don’t have to worry about replacements as often, saving yourself money over time.
Resolution
The high resolution of a projector means that the images are clearer and crisper. For professional use where content revolves a lot around financial spreadsheets or complex data, you need to aim for an HD projector at the least.
However, if you want to watch movies or sports on your projection wall, then consider going with at least 1080P (1920 x 1080) or go all out and get a 4K resolution if the budget fits.
FAQ
How many lumens do you need to project in daylight?
The recommended projector for daylight viewing is at least 2500 lumens, but 3600 would give you the best brightness and contrast.
How do I get my projector to display in daylight?
For optimal viewing experience, you’ll need to make sure the projector can emit 3,000+ lumens. This type of brightness is essential for a quality outdoor movie night!
To create shade and fix screens properly in an open space like your backyard garden while also locating it under some trees or bushes are all key components as well.
Can outdoor projectors work in daylight?
You need to have a high-quality projector with a great lumens count if you want the best picture quality. If it’s too sunny out, then your screen will be washed out and hard for anyone in the audience to see.
Final thoughts
If you want to really make a statement with your presentation, try using projectors that are designed for daylight viewing. These will be bright enough to cut through any ambient light and showcase an excellent picture on the screen.
You’ll need more than just brightness though, the resolution is important too.