Summertime is the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy the nice weather. And what better way to enjoy the outdoors than by watching a movie under the stars?
If you’re looking for an outdoor projector that won’t break the bank, we’ve got you covered.
In this blog post, we’ll show you our top five picks for the best outdoor projectors under $300.
Best outdoor projector under $300 Top Picks
![8500Lumens 5G WiFi Projector, Full HD Native 1080P 4K Projector, Synchronize Smartphone Screen, Compatible with TV Stick/HDMI/PS4/DVD Player/AV for Outdoor Movies [120" Projector Screen Included]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51DbLFPkGfL._SL160_.jpg)
1. WiMiUS K1 Video Projector
The WiMius is a 5G projector that sports 4K resolution. It has to if it wants to compete in the outdoor projector market. With 1920x1080p resolution, it uses LED, and it specializes in home entertainment systems.
Key Features
- Connectivity – you can connect the projector to many types of devices. It has a USB port, HDMI, AV, and WiFi. It also has Bluetooth. The projector is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and Chromecast. Those who use sticks like the one from Amazon and Netflix can also use the projector as a monitor media.
- High Brightness – the projector’s native resolution is 1080p. It uses LED, which means it saves power. The lamp offers 20% more power than other standard projector lamps. As such, the projector can provide you with a real 4K resolution.
- 4-Point Keystone Correction and Zoom Function – this is a correction that automatically happens when you project large images. You can also control the distortion manual on both vertical and horizontal sides. The projector also allows you to zoom in up to 60% of the image.
- 10 Years of Lamp Life – the projector is maintenance-free, and the lamp can last up t ten years. At that time, you may as well as buy a brand-new projector than buying a new lamp.
The company offers four years of warranty, which is twice as long as what other manufacturers offer. The first year of the warranty is for parts replacement, and the rest of the warranty life is for repairs.
Pros
- Bright and clear picture
- Has wireless 5G and Bluetooth connection
- Speakers in this projector are loud considering the size
- Included remote has great build quality
- Carrying case included
Cons
- Will not play Netflix, Disney+, or any other app that uses HDCP.
- Will require a Fire stick or something similar to stream from these apps.
2. InFocus IN116xv Projector
This projector is lightweight, which means you can take it with you. That is a good thing, as you want an outdoor projector that you can easily take to your yard or camping trip.
Key Features
- Long Lamp Life – the lamp has 15,000 hours of viewing life, which means you can use it for more than ten years. It also has enough power to display crystal-clear projections outdoors. Even if you are projecting a PowerPoint presentation, the images are bright and clear.
- Works in Any Surface – one thing that many projectors fail at is the image quality, provided that the surface is bad. You will not experience that with this projector. The lamp has 3800 lumens and can produce a contrast ratio of 26000:1. It does balance the black and white ratio on any surface.
- Flexible Screen Sizes – no matter the size of your wall or screen, you have the option to view images or videos between 28 and 300 inches. However, you need at least two meters of distance. For larger screens, you will need up to 12 meters of distance between the projector and the wall.
- Connectivity Options – the projector is compatible with LightCast Key, which you can use to do wireless screen share and project and interactive whiteboard.
The projector has HDMI and VGA ports. You can use it with PCs and laptops and connect speakers in the audio-out jacks. It also has an analog video input.
Pros
- Great picture quality and clarity
- Great menu options and features
- Has sleep timer
- Highly customizable image
- Remote works great even when pointing away from the unit
- Fan is pretty silent
- Internal speakers aren’t terrible
Cons
- Rainbow effect can be noticeable
- Some users reported short lamp life
3. JOVAL WiFi Projector
JOVAL is a mini-projector that offers a native resolution of 1080p. Most mini projectors are not ideal for outdoor use, but this one is different. The best part is that it is compatible with many devices, which fits the purpose of an outdoor projector user.
Key Features
- High Resolution – the projector can show 1080p quality of crisp images and videos. At such a small size, I can say that it is a feat. It is cost-efficient, and you can use it as a home theater system or for outdoor parties.
- Connectivity – you can sync the projector via WiFi; it can mirror screens from other devices. If you want, you can also connect via HDMI. Various ports allow you to connect DVD players, gaming consoles, tablets, and computers.
- Remote Focus – the mini-projector has a remote capability to manage the screen size. It also has a 50% offset to make the images clearer. You do not have to go near the projector to adjust the settings.
- Customer Support – the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. What that means for you is you can test the device and if you do not like it, ship it back to them to get a refund. They also offer a lifetime of free technical support.
If anything, I like that this projector can last up to 100,000 hours. That is five times longer than what most projector companies offer.
Pros
- Portable and fairly solidly built for transport
- Easy to set up and use
- Image is bright and vibrant
- Multiple connectivity options
Cons
- Less stable if you need to set it at an angle and use keystone correction
- Built-in speakers, but they are not the best
- No Keystone correction
- Only one button: power. Everything else requires the remote
- Digital zoom can not be set interactively while looking at the picture
4. TOPVISION Outdoor Movie Projectors with Touch Screen
This model is wall-mounted, but you can let it sit on a table for outdoor use. It has a native 1080p resolution with high lamp brightness at 9500 lux.
Key Features
- High Lamp Brightness – the LED and LCD technologies use eight layers of refraction. As such, you get a superior level of display with clear images and sharp videos. Its native resolution is 1920 x 1080p.
- WiFi Technology – it uses 5G, which gives you faster performance than the usual 2.4G. There is no need to use adapters to connect the video input, provided that the video source supports the same. It is great for mirroring images from your devices.
- Speakers – the projector has built-in speakers using surround sound. The audio offers high-fidelity. If you do not like the speaker output, you can connect to an external speaker via Bluetooth. This feature is great as you are not held hostage by its speakers—you can use ones that have better bass if you want.
- Big Screen Size – designed for outdoor use, you can expand the screen size up to 350 inches. Of all the projectors I have used, this offers the biggest viewing experience. It is perfect for games and movies. In addition to this, I would recommend that you watch sports events on the projector at night outdoors.
You would be happy to hear that the company offers a warranty for three years. The best part is once you buy it, you get lifetime professional technical support over the phone.
Pros
- User-friendly and easy to setup
- Quiet fan
- Device itself doesn’t overheat
Cons
- Projector needs to be connected to a power source
- Volume from the internal speaker is decent
- Some users reported their volume stopped working completely
- The size is not as portable as the other models mentioned in this list
5. DRJ AK50 Full HD 5G Projector
![8500Lumens 5G WiFi Projector, Full HD Native 1080P 4K Projector, Synchronize Smartphone Screen, Compatible with TV Stick/HDMI/PS4/DVD Player/AV for Outdoor Movies [120" Projector Screen Included]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51j0hOijTSL._SL500_.jpg "8500Lumens 5G WiFi Projector, Full HD Native 1080P 4K Projector, Synchronize Smartphone Screen, Compatible with TV Stick/HDMI/PS4/DVD Player/AV for Outdoor Movies [120\" Projector Screen Included]")
I recommend this projector to those who need various connectivity types. It has everything you need, but its contrast ratio is only at 10000:1 so I would also say that you have to be picky where you project the images.
Key Features
- High Brightness – the native display is 1080p, and its default setting is 1920 by 1080p resolution. Day or night, you can enjoy crisp images. It is perfect for night viewing on your patio or yard.
- Connectivity – you can connect iOS and Android phones, USB sticks, and HDMI cables. With WiFi, you may not even need a cable if your video source also has WiFi. You can connect laptops, USB, and DVD players
- Large Display – enjoy up to 300 inches of the viewing screen. You can also make it smaller at a minimum of 50 inches. The screen adjustment would rely on your wall or screen. Despite this big variance in size, there is no compromise when it comes to the video quality.
- Speakers – the projector has built-in speakers. If you do not like its quality, there is a jack inut at the back. It is a 3.5 mm jack best used for headphones.
What I like about this product is that it includes a screen that you can hang. Its size is 120 inches. The screen is made specifically for the product, which means the compatibility is superb. The screen works great outdoors.
Pros
- Picture is clear and crisp
- Quick to set up and have Blu-Ray and Streaming devices connected
- Connecting WIFI and mirroring to a smartphone is easy
- Sound quality is great
- Plethora of inputs like HDMI, VGA, USB, AV and AUX port
Cons
- Projector needs to be connected to a power source
Things to Consider when Purchasing an Outdoor Projector under 300
Features
There are many different projectors in the market and you need to find the one with the most features. A projector should show images and also have a sound system, cooling system, and zoom option. You can get LCD projectors with built-in sound systems for a low price.
Cost
If you have 300 dollars to only spend, you will need to find a projector that is affordable without sacrificing too many features. You can negotiate on size and brand, but not on the quality.
We know that it can be hard finding the perfect projector for your needs, which is why we’ve put together this list with all of our top picks.
Connectivity
An outdoor projector must be portable and lightweight with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. The portability of these devices means you can take them on camping trips and picnics without dealing with wires or socket issues. To get the most out of your projector, make sure it’s compatible with other smart devices like phones and tablets. You can connect them anywhere to take advantage not only at home but also when traveling.
Image Quality
Projectors are great for making your pictures look bigger and better. This means that image quality is one of the most important aspects, especially when it comes to resolution or detail in an image-based source like video games where every pixel counts.
You don’t need to break the bank on a 4K projector if you’re looking for an affordable solution. There are many 1080p projectors out there that will give just as good quality images and sound.
Display Technology
There are five types of display technologies for video projectors. They are DLP, LCD, LCOS, D-ILA, and SXRD. LCD displays are the most common type of display. They use lights that pass through 3 LCD chips that have colors assigned to them, usually red, green, and blue. These colors are combined to make images that can be seen on the screen.
LCOS/D-ILA and SXRD projectors use light sources that are reflected off of three LCD chips without having to pass through them. LED lights are often used with LCD displays because together they make a very bright and clear picture.
DLP displays work by using a mirror and a color wheel. When light passes through the color wheel, it is reflected off the mirror and onto your screen.
Brightness
If your home projector is not projecting a bright and crisp image, it might be because there isn’t enough light. The bigger the lumens rating, the more it will be able to project better images. Without enough light input, your images will look softer and washed out. To see how much light a projector has, you need to check an ANSI lumen rating. For home theater use, you need 1,000 ANSI lumen or more. But for outdoor settings, you should get a projector with at least 3,000 lumens.
Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio should complement your brightness settings. A contrast ratio is a way to measure the white and black parts of your image. The higher the number, the whiter your whites, and the blacker your blacks. If not, then the colors in your photo might look too light or washed out. If you have a 2,000:1 ratio, your picture will be clear. If you have a 1,500:1 ratio, it will also be good. Anything lower might reduce the quality of your image output.
Resolution
To get a very clear picture, you should use projectors with high brightness and high contrast. Keep in mind, the distance between the projector and the screen will affect how clear your images are.
Keystone Correction
Keystone correction can be done in two ways. One way is by manually moving the screen, and the other is digitally. Keystone correction is when there is an angled surface on the screen that needs to be corrected. The manual adjustment can be good for some situations, but it cannot eliminate horizontal angles. You also need the projector to be far away from the screen to achieve better results. Digital keystones are better because you can make adjustments without moving things around too much.
Throw Distance
The distance between a projector and screen is called a “throw” distance. When getting an experience outdoors, you want to get a short throw. An outdoor theater experience is best when you have a short throw device. With a short throw, the image will be large and you won’t have any shadows or glare from your projector and screen.
Screen Size
The size of the screen you need depends on the size of your space and what you want to use it for. If you would like to use a big screen outdoors, make sure there’s enough space. To make the best decision for your outdoor theater, measure the space you have and find out what size screen fits.
Bulb life and warranty
You want to buy projectors with lamps that will not need to be replaced for a long time. This means that they will retain their brightness and color and should also last for years before needing to be replaced. Sometimes people buy products with warranties that are shorter than one year. It is better to look for products with a warranty of 2-3 years long.
FAQ
How many lumens do I need for an outdoor projector?
The minimum requirement for an outdoor projector is 2,500 lumens. You need this many lumens in the brightness of your projector to be able to project well in daylight. The image will not look too faint or washed out if you have enough brightness.
Are mini projectors good for outdoor movies?
There’s a certain kind of portable projector that can be powered by batteries, and they typically last long enough to watch your favorite movie at home. But these small projectors often dim significantly when running on batteries. Most aren’t bright enough for an evening under the stars with friends or family in a large space.
Is 7000 lumens good for a projector?
7000 lumen is good for a projector, but it can be a little too much for average kind of use such as home gaming on a dark room, students, home theater, or camping. But they work very well outdoors with a lot of ambient light and also with the sun still out.
Do you need a projector to watch movies outside?
Any projector can work, but the brighter it is, the easier it will be to see the picture. That’s especially important outdoors. Even on a dark night, there might be some other sources of ambient light that affect the picture quality.
Do outdoor projectors need speakers?
Projectors usually come with speakers built-in. These speakers give good sound, but if you’re going to be showing your movie outside or for a large audience, you need to hook up your projector with external speakers.
Can you use a white sheet for a projector screen?
To make a projector screen, you do not need to buy one. You can use any piece of white cloth. The tricky part is making sure it hangs straight and does not wrinkle or move around.
Conclusion
We hope this blog post has helped you find the best outdoor projector for your needs and budget. Remember, summer is only here for so long.
Get outside while you can with our top five picks in outdoor projectors under $300. What are some of your favorite movies to watch outdoors? Let us know in the comments below.