To use a projector outside during the day, you need a projector that has very high brightness, or lumens. This way, the screen can be seen clearly even when it’s sunny out. Not only are projectors great for everyday TV watching as we explained in our guide, but they’re also a great choice for outdoor TV watching because they can make a much larger screen. It really feels like you’re at the movie theater, and when you’re watching a projector outdoors, it’s even more enjoyable. Let’s review the in’s and out’s of using a projector outside, so you can get your outdoor entertainment spot set up.
Is it Actually Possible to Use a Projector Outside?
It’s easy to see why you may not be sure if projectors can be used outside during the day. It’s hard to use your smartphone in the sun, so it has to be a challenge to watch a projector screen image as well. Since the sun is much brighter than any projector is designed to be, it’s important to use a projector that is very bright, with a high number of lumens, in order to compete with the sun for daytime viewing. If you have a high-quality projector with a high lumen count, then you can use it outdoors during the day. While projectors can be used outside on a sunny day if the lumens are high enough, it still won’t possible to watch your projector in the direct sun. So, the shadier the location, the better. However, if you can pull it off, projectors are very cost-effective to run (our article) and will be much cheaper than a large outdoor television screen.
The Projector Type Matters
When you’re wanting to put a projector outside, the type of projector matters. It’s important to make sure that your projector can display properly, no matter if it’s sunny or cloudy, and at any time of day. On the weekends, you may not want to wait until the night to use it. The number of lumens that your projector has will make a big difference in the brightness of the screen when you’re watching outdoors during the day. We have another article that goes more in-depth on lumens, but for this conversation, all you need to know is that more is better. If you’re going to be using your projector outside regularly during the day, your projector will need to have at least 3000 lumens, but it will ideally be more around 4000+ for flexible viewing in part sun or indirect sun.
Suggested Lumen Count
When it comes to figuring out how many lumens you need for your projector, these two factors are most important:
Different Screen Sizes
When you’re looking at the number of lumens, the size of the screen that you’re projecting to plays a big part. A smaller sized screen needs fewer lumens to be bright enough to watch during the daytime than a screen that is twice as big. For example, a 16×9 foot projector screen will need a minimum of 3000 lumens, but the ideal number of lumens is around 4500 for daytime outdoor use. A 20×11 needs around a minimum of 4500 lumens for daytime outdoor use. No matter the screen size, you should look for a projector that has at least 3000 lumens if you’re using it outside during the day. The more you venture towards 4000 lumens and higher, the better. But at least 3000 will work for outdoor use on a smaller screen during partly sunny hours.
Full Shade, Part-Shade, and Full Sun
Since your projector is competing with the sun’s brightness, the amount of sun that your projector is in makes a difference. You’ll need a larger number of lumens for a projector that has sun at all times of day, less for a part-shade projector, and even less for full shade projectors. If you don’t have any built-in shaded areas, it may make sense to build a structure with limited cover like a gazebo, or use a simple square awning like the ones you see people tailgating under at football games.
Choosing the Best Location for an Outside Projector
If you’re looking for the best spot to place your projector outside, there are a lot of great locations that you can put it. However, it’s important to choose a spot that works well with your unique projector, the number of lumens it has, and where you are able to place your projector’s screen. You’ll ideally want to choose a shadier spot for a projector with lower lumens, and you can be more flexible with a very high lumen projector. You’ll also need to be near an outlet or run an extension cord for power.
Permanent or Temporary Placement?
While there are TVs that are designed for the outdoors, there aren’t any projectors designed solely for the outdoors. There are projectors that are compatible with the outdoors, but you won’t want to keep your projector outside, due to weather, excessive heat or cold, and other elements that can break it. Since projectors aren’t designed to live outside, you’ll want to use a stand to place your projector on when it’s in use. It will be placed a number of feet from your screen, between 5 and 20 feet. Your projector’s manufacturer will usually specify the distance that it should be kept from the screen. The best placement for your projector will also depend on where your projector screen fits best in your outdoor space. So in the end, the best location for a projector depends on a variety of factors that you will have to take into account when deciding.
Great Outdoor Projectors
While there are not projectors that are specifically created for outdoor use, there are great projectors that can be used outdoors. When searching for a high-quality outdoor projector, you’ll want to look for high lumen count, in addition to great picture quality and integrated technology.
Epson Home Cinema 1060 Full HD 1080p
It includes 2 HDMI inputs to connect to your home theater components, such as a Blu-ray or DVD player, or even your gaming console.
ViewSonic 1080p Short Throw Projector
It is a bit higher priced than the Epson model above, but if you have a small area that you’re working with, you can get the same top-notch specs as the Epson with the important short throw feature that is great for small spaces.
TOPVISION 1080P Supported Video Projector with 4500L
VANKYO LEISURE 3 Mini Projector
Since it is small, it’s easy to transfer back and forth to your outdoor space for movie nights. It sits at a very budget-friendly price of just over $100, which makes it an easy choice for people who want a great projector but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can definitely use a projector outdoors during the day, but make sure you choose a projector with a high number of lumens to create the best viewing experience possible. The less shade it will be in, the more lumens you will need.
