Best Movie Projectors for Family Movie Night 2024
Take family movie night up a notch with your own movie projector. Recreate the theater experience in your home. Or better yet, take the movie outside. Many different types of projectors are designed for different uses. Our picks below include home theater projectors, outdoor projectors, portable projectors, and budget-friendly projectors.
Before you buy a projector, you need to know how and where you will use it. Knowing your needs before purchasing will ensure you get the perfect projector for your family.
Best Movie Projectors
Epson Home Cinema 5050UB 4K PRO
Best Home Theater Projector
The Epson Home Cinema projector has great picture quality and brightness, making your home movie. This 4K projector offers excellent contrast for a vibrant picture. At 2.600 lumens, it’s one of the brightest projectors available. It connects to a receiver or soundbar for audio.
Features:
- 4K PRO-UHD resolution with 2,600 lumens
- HDR-compatible
- Connect HDMI 2.0 and USB
- 3-D compatible
BenQ HT2050A Projector
Best Budget-Friendly Home Theater Projector
The BenQ projector is made for your home theater. It supports most media players, gaming consoles, computers, and mobile devices with input options such as HDMI, USB, and more. The +10% vertical lens shift provides a straight image, allowing for more flexible placement. BenQ’s display is adjustable to fit a 100-inch screen from just 8 ft. away but reaches a maximum display of 300 inches.
Features:
- 1080p Projector with brightness of 2,200 Lumens
- 10-watt power speaker
- Connect HDMI and USB
- 3-D Compatible
Nebula Solar
Best Outdoor Projector
The Nebula Solar projector is designed to be moved. It has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 3 hours which will last for most feature films. The projector comes with built-in speakers and stand making set up a breeze. The Solar’s display is adjustable to fit the size of your space, up to 120 inches.
Features:
- 1080p Projector with brightness of 1,100 Lumen
- Ultra-fast Autofocus
- Connect HDMI and USB devices or wirelessly cast via Miracast or Bluetooth
- Dolby Digital Plus and dual 3W speakers
- Built-in stand
GooDee HD Projector
Best Budget-friendly Outdoor Projector
The GooDee HD projector is the best outdoor projector on a budget. It offers an HD 1080p resolution and a 230-inch image size. It easily connects to your devices via HDMI, USB, Chromecast, and more. This projector provides a large screen without sacrificing image quality.
Features:
- HD 1080p resolutions
- 2 built-in 3W powerful speakers
- Connect HDMI and USB devices or wirelessly Chromecast
- Good contrast ratio
ViewSonic X10-4KE
Best Outdoor 4K Projector
The ViewSonic X10-4KE provides a theater experience outside with 4K UHD resolutions on a 200 inch screen with 2400 lumens. The built-in dual Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers provide cinematic sound. Its short throw lens allows for big-screen projection in any space indoors or out. This project comes with a built-in handle and mount ready so moving and setting up is a breeze.
Features:
- 4K UHD with 2400 lumens
- Built-in Dual Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers
- Connect HDMI or USB devices
- Portable design with built-in handle
XGIMI MoGo Pro
Best Mini Portable Projector
The XGIMI MoGo Pro is a powerful little projector that you can take with you almost anywhere. It has a built-in battery that provides at least 2 hours of entertainment. The two 3W built-in Harman Kardon speakers provide theater-quality sound. With Smart keystone correction and autofocus the MoGo Pro delivers an image with good contrast and detail.
Features:
- 1080p Image with 300 ANSI Lumens
- Two 3W built-in Harman Kardon speakers
- Bluetooth connectivity
- HDMI and USB ports
How to Choose a Movie Projector for Your Home
Keep these questions in mind when choosing a projector for your home
How do you plan to use the projector?
Are you setting up a home theater room with a stationary screen and surround sound? Do you want a portable projector to take traveling? Are you planning on having outdoor movie screenings? Will you be playing video games with friends? Knowing how you plan to use the projector will make a huge difference in what features you need.
How big of a screen do you need?
Your screen size may be limited if you are in a small room. An outdoor space will require a larger screen, especially if you plan on having a large crowd. You can use a white bed sheet for a screen, but buying a proper screen is a must for better picture quality. For in-home theater, a fixed screen is best, but for outdoor movies, a portable movie screen is a must.
How will you connect or stream content?
Most projectors connect satellite, cable, or Blu-ray players with HDMI or USB ports. If you want to stream content, you may need a projector with built-in Wi-Fi or connect to a laptop. Do you want to stream content from a streaming stick like Roku or Amazon?
How will you listen to the audio?
Some outdoor or portable projectors come with built-in speakers. Home theater projectors assume you want to set up separate surround sound speakers. You must factor in the audio setup, especially if you want a traditional projector and need additional speakers.
