Just because the nights are getting cooler and arriving earlier doesn’t mean that backyard fun and socially-distanced parties are over for the year. You can keep the party going outside for at least a few more weeks with a state-of-the-art outdoor screening room. Whether you’re improvising a football tailgate for the Big Game, or hosting your own impromptu film festival, we’ve got you. Our tech correspondent Tomas White has curated a list of the best outdoor projectors and TV’s to buy right now.
The Best Outdoor Projectors and TVs to buy right now
You might not be able to tailgate these days, but don’t let the crisp fall weather stop you from inviting friends over to watch the big game. Get your winter blankets out, light your portable fire pits and simply move the TV viewing to the outdoors.
How, you might ask? Well in this post we will talk all about how to view TV or movies outdoors. Setting up screenings outdoors is not as hard as it sounds, it just requires the right equipment, whether it is a purpose-built outdoor TV or a portable projector.
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Outdoor TVs? Yes, really.
The temptation might be strong to get a long extension cord and simply transfer your indoor TV to a media stand on your patio. Alas, this is far from an ideal solution.
Beyond the inconvenience of having to lug a very heavy and fragile piece of equipment, standard TVs are generally just not bright enough to work outside. Furthermore, depending on how cold (or hot) it gets outside you could actually do serious damage to the screen.
There are companies that sells outdoor covers for TVs to protect them from dust and water, but they don’t address the problems associated with extreme heat or cold. And if the game is during the day, chances are that the TV simply won’t be bright enough.
Fortunately, there are TVs specifically made for the outdoors. These televisions generally have 4 features that regular TVs don’t have: 1) They are ultra-bright, 2) They have excellent anti-reflective coating, 3) They have larger viewing angles, and 4) They are weather (water, dust, & temperature) resistant.
Below, we review some excellent choices for outdoor TVs.
The Best Outdoor Projectors and TVs to buy right now
1. Samsung Terrace
Just released this year, the Samsung Terrace is probably the easiest choice you could make for an outdoor TV. It offers an ultrabright 4K HDR screen that will allow for easy viewing even on the brightest days. It has a very fast refresh rate and can upscale non-4K video up to 4K resulting in super crisp images. Built specifically for the outdoors, it can endure splashes from the pool as well as a full-on spray down with a hose.
If you wish to physically connect a media device, the TV offers an ingenious sealed protected media bay to connect to its port and maintain weather resistance. If you prefer to keep your cable box or game console indoors, the TV comes equipped with a built-in HDBaseT receiver which can pair with an HDBaseT transmitter from inside your house. The TV of course also has WiFi, Bluetooth, as well as support for Apple’s AirPlay2. The wireless connectivity, paired with all the latest apps, including Disney+, Netflix, Apple TV, ESPN, etc., means you might not even need to connect to a media device.
Another very nice thing about the Terrace is that you can buy an optional sound bar that connects to the TV wirelessly. The soundbar is also weather resistant and is tuned to play audio in an outdoor setting. Of course, the TV comes with a remote, and even that is weather resistant.
The Terrace comes in 3 sizes: 55 inches, 65 inches, and 75 inches.
BUY NOW – $3,500-$6500.
2. SunBriteTV
Another great option for outdoor TVs is SunBriteTV. This company has been in the outdoor TV business a lot longer than Samsung and offers greater choices (and price points) depending on your needs. They have traditionally been the choice of TVs for outdoor bars, restaurants, and baseball stadiums, but have become increasingly popular for consumers as well. Broadly speaking they offer 3 ranges of TV depending on their location: 1) Veranda for full shade, 2) Signature for partial shade, and 3) Pro for full sun. They are all weatherproof, but offer varying ranges of brightness. The latter two are also commercial grade and offer full 2-year warranties for outdoor use.
What to buy for the best outdoor projector: SunBrite TV. Courtesy Photo.
While the SunBrite TVs will not offer the smart apps and extended ecosystem of the Samsung, they are built like tanks and are probably more durable. They have impact resistant screens and specifically mention being able to withstand salty ocean air. Like Samsung, they also sell compatible weather proof sound bars, as well as speakers.
BUY NOW – $1,500 – $10,000.
Projectors
For a more romantic (and Instagrammable) option, you could choose to set up a projector and beam a movie onto an outdoor wall or screen.
Projectors also offer a lot more flexibility to create different venues and angles for screenings. On the flip side, there are no projectors built to weather the elements. Therefore, there will be have to be some fiddling and set-up every time you use a projector outside – unlike an outdoor TV, which once it is set-up, you can just click on.
Nonetheless, projectors are a fun and simple way to have socially distanced viewings with friends. And they are clearly easier to carry back inside than TVs.
1. LG CineBeam (HU80KA)
There might be brighter or faster projectors out there, but this LG projector offers by far the best overall package. A winner of multiple design awards, this projector not only looks cool, but is highly portable with a basket like handle and auto retractable power cord. In the shape of a tall rectangle with an adjustable mirror, the projector can simply be placed on the ground, or if you wish can be placed on a table, or even mounted to a wall or ceiling. Rounding out its functionality, the projector has embedded Harman Kardon speakers.
Design aside though, this projector has powerful features, including the ability to display 4K HDR images at 2500 lumens. With an incredibly high refresh rate, the projector should have no problem handling sports, fast action movies, as well gaming. Depending on how far you place the projector from the screen, the CineBeam can project an image up to 150 inches wide and still maintain 4K quality.
Being an LG projector, it comes with smart TV options including apps like Netflix and Hulu, as well as a standard TV remote. It also has WiFi and Bluetooth, giving you the ability to mirror content from a cell phone or tablet as well as stream music to a soundbar if you want additional oomph.
BUY NOW – $2,200.
2. Optoma 4K UHD CinemaX P2
While not as ergonomic as the LG to carry around your patio, the Optoma more than compensates with its great image and sound quality.
Feature wise, it is pretty similar to the LG, but it has two distinguishing traits. First of all, this projector has a short throw design, meaning that it is placed within inches of the screen and projects up. This means that you don’t need to have a projector taking space in the middle of a room where someone could walk in front of it, bump into it or spill a drink on it. And while the LG has an internal speaker, the Optoma, takes it the next level with a fully integrated Dolby Digital 2.0 sound bar with two full range speakers, two woofers and 40 watts of power, delivering a much more cinematic sound.
As with the LG, it has WiFi, Bluetooth, and a whole range of smart TV apps. It is also Alexa, and Google Assistant compatible.
BUY NOW – $3,300.
While you could simply display a projector onto a wall, it is highly recommended that you buy a screen as well. Having a proper screen will help combat glare and sunlight reflection. It also improves the contrast and color rendering of any video.
The Elite Screens Sable Frame 2 is one that is highly recommended. It is mounted on a picture frame, it is mildew resistant and can be easily cleaned with a wet cloth.
BUY NOW – $239.
The Best Outdoor Projectors and TVs to buy right now
Those are our thoughts on what to buy if you’re in the market for outdoor TVs or projectors that will allow you to host an outdoor screening. The beauty of outdoor TVs are that once they are installed, all it takes is a click of the remote. Projectors might not be as bright as the outdoor TVs, and you will have to bring them back indoors when done using, but there is something more magical and entertaining about seeing light beams travel through the air and land on a screen. Whatever option you chose, don’t forget comfortable chairs and plenty of snacks!
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This article contains affiliate links to products selected by our editors. Dandelion Chandelier may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
A fan of remote nature travel, Tomas White enjoys the dichotomy of the good life in harsh settings, whether it is scuba diving off a decommissioned deep-sea oil platform in the Celebes Sea or reading a good book in a remote desert resort in Utah. He likes to keep his possessions to a minimum, and is thus a huge fan of the power of technology and is very particular about finding well-designed items that are built to last. Tomas majored in English at Harvard, and is making a career in IT. He lives in Chicago with his wife and 4-year-old son.
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For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier newsletter. And see luxury in a new light.