There’s nothing better than watching a good movie on the couch, but when the weather’s nice, you can never spend enough time outside. Whether it’s hosting a backyard movie night or floating in a pool while watching your favorite show, modern technology makes outdoor home entertainment easier than ever. Sure, you can drag your existing devices onto your patio, but if you like the vibe, you’ll probably find yourself trying to decide between investing in an outdoor projector or TV at some point.
Generally, projectors work best for outdoor movies, watching at night, accommodating many people, or for indoor and outdoor use. TVs, on the other hand, are great when you want to watch in brighter conditions, have limited space, or want your outdoor screen to be a more permanent feature. You’ll also need to consider your budget, as the price of both can vary. So it’s important to determine what’s important to you when it comes to outdoor technology before you invest. Then there’s the more important question: what are you planning to watch? If movies are the only priority, a projector might be a great choice, but a TV may be better if you want more variety in your viewing habits.
When are the spotlights better?
When it comes to watching movies outdoors in the evening, nothing beats the projector. You benefit from a large viewing area and a flexible piece of technology that you can use both indoors and outdoors. Projectors can easily be twice the size of large televisions. You can also choose a projector depending on whether you want to hang the screen, use a stand or have an inflatable setup: there are many options. Unlike a TV, a projector screen can be easily stored away when not in use, but when shopping you will want to avoid common mistakes made when purchasing a projector. It’s important to choose the right size, lumens and foot-lamberts for your garden space to make movie nights enjoyable.
Projectors can also definitely be more affordable than TVs. Although some projectors can cost thousands of dollars, there are cheaper options. The BENQ TH585 is considered one of the best budget options and costs $600. If you’re willing to take more risk, Amazon has plenty of highly rated options under $200, like the HP Mini Portable Projector, which costs just $125 and has an average rating of 4.8 stars from more than 500 customers. Finding a budget-friendly projector is especially important because you need to factor in the cost of the screen, its stand, and possibly the speakers. The price of decent displays can range from around $50 to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
When are outdoor TVs better?
While a quality projector setup is fantastic for outdoor nighttime movies, TVs can be a little more multifunctional. If you like to watch in the afternoon, a TV’s brighter screen resists sunlight better than a projector screen. Projectors can be brought indoors during bad weather, but outdoor TVs are designed to better withstand weather conditions. It’s also worth looking at how long TVs last outdoors, according to owners, to fully understand your investment.
Additionally, outdoor TVs usually come with built-in speakers that are more powerful than projectors. Finally, if you often like to watch sports or cable, a TV may be easier to set up than a projector for these uses. There are a wide variety of TVs you should use outdoors this summer, but outdoor TVs may be a little more expensive than projectors or indoor TVs. On the other hand, installation costs less than an outdoor projector, including the wall mount.
Ultimately, when it comes to watching movies in the ideal dark environment, a giant projector makes for a truly awesome setup. This makes the movie watching experience different from the typical indoor screen and adds a special feeling. Outdoor TVs are best when you want a little more versatility with viewing options.
