Generally, the outdoor projector is not as popular as its indoor sibling because most people usually don’t take their projectors outside. They typically prefer a stationary setup indoors that is at the ready constantly.
However, the desire to experience movies and sports with friends and family has spiked the popularity of outdoor projection. And the reality that not all homes are spacious enough to accommodate large groups of people comfortably is also a contributor.
Setting up a projector outside comes with a unique set of challenges. Perhaps the biggest of them all is getting the audio part right. Because the external environment is not sealed to occlude ambient noises, using a projector with lackluster integrated speakers can be a real dampener.
Specific outdoor projectors, however, stand out from the crowd in the audio department. This article will look at those selected few projectors and highlight other pertinent aspects of outdoor projection.
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7 Outdoor Projectors with the Best Audio
The following (in no particular order) are projectors with audio performance that is a step above a standard projector:
1. BenQ TK850
- TRUE 4K UHD RESOLUTION: 3840 × 2160 or 8.3 million Individual Pixels give incredible clarity...
- PROJECTOR-OPTIMIZED HDR-PRO(HDR10/HLG): HDR-PRO supercharged by Dynamic Iris with exclusive enhanced...
- CINEMATIC COLOR TECHNOLOGY: Our out-of-the-box factory calibrated color accurate projector with...
BenQ’s TK850 is a 4K projector that ticks pretty much all the right boxes. It’s seriously bright (thanks to 3,000 ANSI lumens) and has excellent HDR. The increased illumination means you need not wait until the sun goes down to roll with the device.
The projector has “sports mode, “ making watching sports a real treat and putting it a step above the competition. There are custom sports modes, and the low lag means the extremely fast-paced games would look smooth too. Not to mention, the vertical keystoning makes moving the visuals up or down seamless.
Weighing around 9.20 pounds (4.17kg), the TK850 is not the lightest but not too heavy to carry around — especially if you consider the hardware and features it packs in. The 10W chambered speakers are clear and loud enough and won’t require a dedicated audio system outdoors.
Pros
- Loud and clear built-in speakers
- HDR and 4K
- Simple and easy to set up
- Vertical keystoning is handy
- Great for sports lovers
Cons
- Pricey
- It gets slightly warm, even on standby
2. Vamvo L6200
- 【NATIVE 1080P FULL HD RESOLUTION】With native resolution of 1920*1080 and contrast ratio of...
- 【BRIGHTER & SHARPER】: Packed with 5000 lux brightness and 8000 : 1 high contrast ratio, vamvo...
- 【LONG LAMP LIFE & LOW FAN NOISE】: An energy-saving feature reduces power consumption and extends...
The Vamvo L6200 is a solid outdoor projector for most people. It’s a highly stylish, well-built projector. The grey exterior looks sleek and classy, and the carrying case it comes with complements the device’s aesthetics well. Looks, however, won’t push the needle if functionality is amiss.
Luckily, the L6200 does well both on the video and audio front. The LEDs can churn out bright visuals (up to 300 inches large), supporting horizontal and vertical keystoning. Notably, the projector puts out 7,000 lumens and has a 6,000:1 contrast ratio.
The integrated 5W speakers will not blow your socks away, but they certainly ensure you are not straining your ears to listen to movie dialogues or sports commentary. A dedicated speaker will undoubtedly sound better, but you’ll not miss one.
Pros
- Insane maximum brightness
- Pretty decent built-in speaker
- Support for up to 300 inches screen size
- Vertical and horizontal digital keystoning
- Looks great
Cons
- Control buttons are a bit fiddly
- Not the most lightweight projector
3. Epson EF12
- Stunning Picture Quality up to 150" — Delivers an immersive viewing experience for TV shows,...
- Sound by Yamaha — Custom-designed audiophile speaker system offers a powerful and emotional...
- Built-In Android TV (1) — Latest Android TV interface with a simple-to-use remote – including...
The EF12 is a compact smart projector that packs some punch for its relatively diminutive size. A couple of 5W speakers may not sound loud on paper. But if you know anything about audio or are familiar with the loudness of a 10W speaker, you’d appreciate the EF12’s integrated audio hardware prowess.
Moreover, the speakers are Yamaha-tuned, which means there’s enough acoustic precision even when watching action-packed scenes or visuals containing multiple audio sources.
The projector weighs around two kilograms (4.4 pounds). It’s well-built and quite confidence-inspiring. A few bumps or a fall or two should not hurt the projector too much.
Kindly note, visuals aren’t the projector’s forte. They are, however, more than good enough. But if you require something brighter, consider the Epson Home Cinema 2100 for its 2,500 lumens video output.
Pros
- Respectable 5W speakers
- Clear and colorful visuals
- Great design and highly portable
- Android TV platform
- Power-efficient
Cons
- A pared-down version of Epson’s more traditional offerings
- No 4K
4. Nebula Capsule
The Nebula Capsule by Anker is a fun, convenient projector meant for the outdoors. Its trash can-style design would remind you of the Mac Pro (2013). But it’s nowhere as big as the Apple computer.
- Remarkable Clarity and Contrast: DLP's advanced IntelliBright algorithms deliver a remarkably bright...
- 360° Speaker: Equipped with a powerful omnidirectional speaker, this mini projector pumps out sound...
- Home Entertainment: Enjoy your favorite movies, TV shows, and more up to 100 inches big anywhere in...
The Capsule has an integrated Android-style app store, and it can also work as a standalone Bluetooth speaker. The device doesn’t have the best visuals to offer, but the picture quality is more than just decent for a projector of its size.
The 100 lumens maximum brightness is nothing to write home about, but the way the device handles skin tones and color is balanced and natural. The details in the images are on point.
Talking about sound, the integrated speakers do a solid job. They are loud enough to fill out medium-sized spaces, and the details come through pretty clean too. Dialogues sound crisp and clear.
The projector can stream content from Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, etc. The device also supports AirPlay, which means you can stream video from iPhones and iPads. There’s Miracast support as well.
(If the Nebula Capsule doesn’t seem impressive, check out the Nebula Capsule II . It runs Google’s Android TV, has an integrated 8W speaker setup, and two times the brightness of the original Capsule, at 200 lumens.)
Pros
- Small, yet powerful
- Impressive sound for the size
- Highly portable
- Built-in app store
- The integrated battery lasts up to around four hours
Cons
- No 3.5mm jack to plug in wired speakers
- Not the brightest
5. XGIMI MOGO Pro
The MOGO Pro is one impressive portable projector. Besides being a compact projector, it’s also a smart TV and smart speaker. The Harman Kardon speakers perform better than a lot of standalone wireless speakers. For a video projector, that’s truly a feat.
- Crisp 1080p Image: An advanced DLP lamp brings stunning FHD entertainment at a bright 300 ANSI...
- Built-In Android TV: Download apps directly to the projector from Google Play, including YouTube,...
- Take It Outdoors: The MoGo Pro is a genuinely portable projector that can run off the rechargable...
And it’s not that the speakers are just serviceable. They are so notable; you won’t feel the need to pair the projector with an external speaker, even if there’s one at the ready. The two 3W speakers are not the loudest, but they offer a crisp, clear sound with enough bass.
And the video capabilities of the projector are pretty impressive too. The MOGO Pro is capable of 1080p resolution images with superb contrast and detail. The 300 ANSI lumens do what they are expected to.
The design is simple yet attractive. The ventilation slots hide the three-sided speakers and a fan. The rear is where all the action is — a power socket, HDMI port, USB 2.0 port, on/off button, and an audio connector.
At 895 grams (1.98 pounds), the MOGO Pro is not heavy, but it certainly feels hefty for the dimensions, which is not a bad thing. At the least, it feels reassuring in hand.
Pros
- Harman Kardon speakers
- Compact and modern-looking
- Easy setup procedure
- Solid port selection
- 30,000 lamp hours
Cons
- The audio drivers could be more powerful
- Videos could be a bit brighter
6. GooDee YG600
- 2020 UPGRADED BRIGHTENESS: As GooDee best seller projector, we improved the brightness, added 80%...
- 1080P SUPPORTED & LATEST COOLING SYSTEM: Supporting 1080P Full HD with 1280*768p native resolution,...
- 230" MAX SCREEN & INTERNAL HI-FI STEREO: Giant 230 inches display size with an aspect ratio of 16:...
The GooDee YG600 is an excellent projector that offers sharp and bright visuals coupled with stereo speakers. It punches above its weight. While GooDee is not as household a name as BenQ or Epson, the company is nonetheless well-established and has been churning out projectors at a reasonably solid pace for quite some time.
The YG600 produces bright visuals and has a 3,000:1 contrast ratio that works admirably in outdoor environments such as backyards, camping sites, etc. The GooDee projector supports projection sizes of up to 230 inches in the 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio.
The hi-fi stereo setup is supported by SRS (sound retrieval system) sound, a 3D audio processing tech. All of that amounts to a crystal-clear, robust audio listening experience.
The projector can connect to any source device through HDMI, USB, AV, VGA, etc. That essentially means you can effortlessly hook up the projector with a DVD player, gaming console, smartphone (Android or iPhone), etc.
Pros
- Solid sound and bright visuals
- Robust cooling system
- Plenty of connectivity choices
- The fan is relatively quiet
- Excellent value overall
Cons
- No option to control the display size
- It lacks a built-in Wi-Fi
7. The Premiere (Samsung)
The Premiere LSP9T might seem like an overkill for the outdoors — and perhaps a bit unsafe too. But if you are serious about outdoor projection and want nothing but the best video and audio performance, it doesn’t get any better than the Premiere.
- 4K UHD ULTRA BRIGHT TRIPLE LASER: Cutting edge triple laser technology and ultra bright 4K...
- SMART TV POWERED BY TIZEN: Go beyond Smart TV with next gen apps, super easy control, and a host of...
- ULTRA SHORT THROW & COMPACT MINIMAL DESIGN: This compact projector design turns any room into a home...
The wired, ultra-short-throw projector does 4K HDR. The Premiere is capable of HDR10+ dynamic HDR, which means scene-based picture calibration with compatible TV shows and films is on offer. Basically, the projector employs HDR content commendably, despite those being primarily designed for the television.
The ultra-short throw means you can place the projector extremely close to the projection screen or wall. In case you are wondering how big the picture can get, it’s up to 130 inches.
Also, there’s “triple laser design” — which means a boost in brightness and color range, the capability to carry the robust audio system, and bundled in TV-like elements that no projector could boast of.
On the audio front, the Premiere packs in 40W, rear-positioned speakers. The speakers are arguably the most powerful you’d find in any projector. To be honest, Samsung couldn’t have gone with any lesser speaker because the audio had to do justice to or complement the Premiere’s brilliant video capabilities.
Not to mention, even some dedicated external speakers may not pack in as much power and oomph as the Premiere’s audio components.
Pros
- A smart TV camouflaged as a projector
- Best-in-class audio and video
- Ridiculously short projector throw
- Looks the part
- A plethora of connection options
Cons
- Tizen OS is sluggish
- No native 4K
Honorable Mentions
The projectors mentioned above stand out from the crowd of outdoor speakers for their audio performance. The following projectors could have also made it into the list but couldn’t for specific reasons:
- Anker Nebula Mars II Pro: The Nebula Mars II Pro is a portable device that even non-techies find no issues working with. It has HDMI and USB connections and can also easily mirror content. The maximum image size of just 100 inches, however, significantly limits its capabilities outside.
- Optoma HD146X: The HD146X is a gaming-centric projector that you could take outdoors. The projector’s Game Display Mode makes it easier to see dark scenes and shadows even when there’s some ambient light. Not to mention, the HD146X is equally capable of streaming movies and television content.
- Epson Home Cinema 1060: With an impressive 15,000:1 contrast ratio, 3,100 lumens brightness, and power-efficient LCD tech, the Epson 1060 can project movies onto large screens, from a greater distance, and also in not-so-dim surroundings. The sub-par speaker performance, however, lets us down.
- BenQ HT3550: The HT3550 is the predecessor to the BenQ TK850. It’s pretty identical to its successor, but it’s not as bright — 2,000 lumens than its successor’s 3,000-lumen output.
- Anker Nebula Solar: The Nebula Solar by Anker is a portable projector with vivid picture quality, bright (enough) visuals, and pretty much every other feature you’d need in an outdoor projector – except for great sound.
Setting Up an Outdoor Projector with an External Sound Setup
The audio output of the projectors above should be more than serviceable outdoors. But if you are seeking more, or your environment is particularly noisy, or the viewing audience is more extensive, it’s recommended you pair your projector with proper speakers.
You don’t need powerful studio monitors. Bluetooth speakers would be just fine. Choose a wireless speaker based on how loud you want the audio to be.
Though you can, do not look at a permanent external audio speaker setup. If your projectors are going back in after every session, your speakers and other pieces of the ensemble must head back indoors too.
And if you are not too particularly excited about regular Bluetooth speakers and want something purpose-made or to complement outdoor projectors a lot better, the following are great options:
Polk Audio Atrium 4
The Polk Atrium 4 is a pair of outdoor speakers that can be positioned by a pool, in the backyard, sunroom, patio, etc. The dome-shaped anodized aluminum tweeter and dynamically balanced polymer cone ensure a wider soundstage.
The speakers not just sound great but also look pretty sleek and modern. Most importantly, they are durable or rugged enough to withstand all kinds of weather. The speakers are Mil-Std 883, rated for corrosion and salt. Simply put, the Atrium 4 does fine in heavy rain or extreme temperatures.
Kicker KB6
A successor to the legendary KB6000 , the Kicker KB6 improves upon its predecessor in pretty much all aspects. With improved drivers, the KB6 is designed to work in an open-air environment — thanks to its UV-treated enclosure and long-distance sound output. It’s essentially weatherproof.
The speaker can be positioned on the ceiling or wall horizontally or vertically. The 6.5-inch polypropylene woofers and 2” x 5” compression-loaded tweeters offer solid bass and crystal-clear highs, respectively, irrespective of the projector’s placement.
Look for More Than Just Sound in Your Outdoor Projector
A projector’s primary job is to produce excellent pictures. When you take the projector outdoors, the emphasis is equally (if not more) on sound reproduction. But picture quality would still be of prime importance.
Therefore, when shopping for a projector for the outdoors, look for more than just sound. Here are the other aspects to focus on:
P.S. You need not particularly look for a projector that has or excels in all of the following. Still, it’s essential to know how a lackluster or missing functionality could inconvenience you.
Projection Lamp
The bulb that a projector uses to cast visuals onto a canvas is mainly LCD (liquid crystal display), LED (light-emitting diode), and DLP (digital light projection) or laser. Though each has its pros and cons when used indoors, the output could be different outdoors.
LCD lamps are bright but not very contrasty. LEDs are not as bright but lighter and excel in the resolution department. Laser projection’s claim to fame is its high contrast and smooth video rendering.
None of them have the upper hand overall. Your specific video requirements and the projector screen you use could ascertain the light type you end up fancying the most. If we were not diplomatic, DLP is the best at recreating an authentic outdoor cinema experience.
Brightness
Outdoor projectors with average or no built-in speakers have a cover-up in the form of external speakers. But there’s no way to hide bad, poorly lit video.
That doesn’t imply you need a projector that churns out crazy brightness (though quite a few of the projectors mentioned above are quite capable of that). But the projector should at least offer 2,000 lumens of brightness.
If you are using the projector during the day (under a shade), look for 3,000 lumens (or more) of brightness. Twilight scenarios could also be tricky. A projector that doesn’t produce bright enough images would always suffer from washed-out visuals when there’s external light.
Also, your projector will have to compete with various other light sources. For instance, light pollution and streetlamps can be concerns in a relatively dense neighborhood.
The aforementioned “outdoor projectors with the best sound” aren’t the brightest, but they are indeed above the threshold. Moreover, it’s incredibly challenging to find a projector that does equally well both in video and audio.
Picture Sharpness
The projector’s resolution matters a lot more outdoors. Measures in pixels, make sure the projector can do 720p video (at least) for a respectable outdoor viewing experience.
A resolution of 1080p is a lot better. It strikes the right balance between cost and picture quality. If you can afford to splurge, get a 4K projector (native or non-native). The difference that 3840 x 2160 pixels makes would be more prominent or influential outdoors as you’d likely pair the projector with a much larger canvas.
If you are happy with your 1080p resolution projector, do not use it with a large screen, as the visuals would look jarring.
Throw Distance
“Throw distance” denotes the gap between the screen and the projector’s lens. Projectors capable of long throw distances can project high-quality visuals while positioned farther from the screen. Projectors with a shorter throw must sit much nearer to the screen.
A longer throw distance is ideal if you’re projecting in a reasonably large backyard or simply taking the projector outdoors. Shorter throws are meant for indoor use – inside a tiny porch, an apartment room, etc. – but you could also use them outdoors. A short-throw would come in quite handy in cramped outdoor spaces.
If you’d like to know more about throw distance or how to calculate it, watch this video:
Projector Weight
Unlike in an indoor environment, you cannot create a permanent setup for your projector outdoors. In other words, you’d have to carry the projector outside the house and set it in place each time you want to provide a sports stadium or movie theater vibe to your backyard.
The weight of the device or how light it is is critical. The lighter and smaller the device, the easier it becomes to carry, set up, and transport back in. If the device is too heavy, the mere thought of taking it outdoors could feel laborious.
That said, do not pick the lightest projector you could get your hands on. Portability should not be at the expense of a loss of audio or picture quality or other features. The various technologies that go into making a projector great add some heft to the device.
Therefore, do not skimp on features for lightness sake or try to strike a proper balance between weight and features.
Power Source
Outdoor projectors usually have built-in batteries. A projector with its power source negates the need for mains electricity, which is a pretty handy feature to have — even if you may not be able to watch Gone With the Wind or the Lawrence of Arabia on a single charge.
A projector without a battery pack is not a dealbreaker or can still be used outside. You just have to set up an outdoor power outlet, which would cost both money and time. And a professional must do the installation work so that you can be pretty sure of zero electrical hazards.
If you use your projector outdoors occasionally and find a dedicated outdoor power outlet a serious commitment, a reasonably long power extension cable would be just fine.
Conclusion
Unlike televisions, it’s not easy to bundle in robust speakers inside the relatively small physical space that a typical projector body affords. Therefore, the majority sound lackluster, and it almost becomes imperative to pair them up with proper speakers.
However, there are exceptions, like the ones mentioned above. Though they may still not be proper replacements for dedicated speakers – except for perhaps The Samsung Premiere – they are certainly much better than your average projector speaker.
And if you are still not happy with the sound they produce, you can always throw in external speakers for good measure.
Last update on 2021-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.